About Johnny Longden
John Eric Longden (February 14, 1907 – February 14, 2003), known as Johnny Longden, was an English-born American jockey and trainer in Thoroughbred racing. He rode from 1927 to 1966 and retired with 6,032 wins, then the world record for a jockey. In 1943, he rode Count Fleet to victory in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, completing the U.S. Triple Crown. After retiring from riding, Longden became a trainer. He trained Majestic Prince, winner of the 1969 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, and became the first person to win the Kentucky Derby as both a jockey and a trainer. Longden was North America's leading jockey by wins in 1938, 1947, and 1948, and by earnings in 1943 and 1945. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1958, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1958, and the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1976. A founding member of the Jockeys' Guild in 1940, Longden was the United States' leading jockey in races won in 1938, 1947, and 1948. On January 28, 1971, Longden's wife Hazel became the first woman to train a stakes winner at Santa Anita Park when her horse Diplomatic Agent won the San Vicente Stakes. Based at Santa Anita Park, by 1956 he had become thoroughbred racing's winningest rider, breaking the record of 4,870 wins by British jockey Sir Gordon Richards (1904–1988). He was also the leading jockey in purses won in 1943 and 1945.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.