Seabiscuit and jockey George Woolf lead War Admiral and jockey Charles Kurtsinger in the first turn at Pimlico in Baltimore in this Nov. 1, 1938, photo. (Associated Press)

An Alberta rancher who grew up listening to stories about a local jockey's feats with the famous racehorse Seabiscuit has donated $130,000 to build a statue in their honour.

As a child, Cardston-area rancher Jack Lowe, 78, loved hearing stories about George Woolf, who was raised on a neighbouring ranch and became one of the world's most famous jockeys.

'I've always thought for years that the town … was neglect in not honouring him for his achievements. And finally I decided to do something about it.'—Jack Lowe

"My dad knew little George as a little kid when he was in Cardston here. He was just horse crazy," recalled Lowe.

Woolf was born into a family of rodeo and circus trick riders in 1910. During his nearly two decades of horse racing, he collected 97 victories in major U.S. stakes races.

Woolf rode Seabiscuit to an upset win in the 1938 Pimlico Special, dubbed the "Match of the Century."

"I've always thought for years that the town and everything was neglect in not honouring him for his achievements. And finally I decided to do something about it," said Lowe.

Lethbridge artist to create statue

His donation will pay for a life-size statue of Seabiscuit and Woolf that will go in Cardston's Remington Carriage Museum, which claims to have the largest collection of horse-drawn carriages in North America.

"I'm not doing it for me, I'm doing it in recognition of George and the community here. I feel it's just a good thing to do. It's just I'm able to do it and I'm proud to do it, and I am glad to do it," said Lowe.

Don Toney, a sculptor in nearby Lethbridge, will create the statue. The goal is to unveil in it June.

"This is a very, very exciting thing because it will become an iconic statue. It could become famous around the world," said museum manager Howard Snyder.

Woolf was portrayed in the 2003 movie Seabiscuit by jockey Gary Stevens. Actor Tobey Maguire played another Alberta jockey who rode the famous horse, John (Red) Pollard, who was born in Edmonton.

Woolf, who battled diabetes, died at the age of 35 in his adopted home of California after being thrown from a horse. The U.S. Jockeys' Guild hands out an annual award in his name.