Johnny Loftus
John Patrick “Johnny” Loftus (October 13, 1895 – March 23, 1976) was an American jockey and horse trainer who is enshrined in the Hall of Fame. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, and died in Carlsbad, California.
Loftus competed mainly from 1909 to 1919, riding many famous horses including Man o’ War. He recorded 580 wins in 2,449 starts, a winning rate of about 23.7%.
His most famous achievements include winning the Kentucky Derby in 1916 aboard George Smith and again in 1919 aboard Sir Barton. He also won the Preakness Stakes in 1918 with War Cloud and in 1919 with Sir Barton, plus the Belmont Stakes in 1919 with Sir Barton. Loftus rode Man o’ War in eight races, contributing to the horse’s legacy; the only defeat for Man o’ War came when Loftus finished second in the Sanford Memorial Stakes.
In 1916 he won the Travers Stakes and the Withers Stakes on Spur, and in 1917 the Kentucky Oaks on Sunbonnet. The year 1919 made Loftus the United States’ top money-winning jockey, as he earned more than other riders that season. He retired from riding to become a trainer and later conditioned Pompoon, who was named American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt in 1936.
Loftus was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1959.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 11:12 (CET).