John L. Rotz
| John L. Rotz | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Santa Monica Handicap (1973)
|
John L. Rotz (December 16, 1934 – July 12, 2021) was an American
Early career
After graduating from Warrensburg-Latham High School in Illinois in 1952, Rotz went to work at Fairmount Park Racetrack in
Riding career
During a 20-year riding career, Rotz won many of the most important races across the United States. In 1969 and 1970, he won more stakes races than any other jockey in American racing. He earned two wins in the
In 1973, Rotz was voted the
Retirement
Rotz retired as a racing steward on March 31, 1983.[1] He and his wife returned to his native Warrensburg, Illinois where they purchased a 280-acre (1.1 km2) farm. Mary Rotz became involved with the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife through her Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation program while John turned to riding Quarter horses in Western riding competitions. In 1987, he won the National Reining Horse Association Novice Horse Non-Pro World Championship. He rode well into his 70s, competing in cutting horse competitions at the Illinois State Fair[2] and other shows in the Midwest. After he stopped competing, Rotz continued to participate in special fundraising events with other active and retired top jockeys to support the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
John Rotz died peacefully on July 12, 2021, at age 86 at his farm in Warrensburg, Illinois.[3]
Honors
John Rotz was inducted in the United States' National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1983.
Rotz, 1952 graduate, received a Warrensburg-Latham H.S. "Distinguished Alumni" Award in 1985... given by the W-L Education Foundation.
References
- ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE; Pincay Off Copelan". The New York Times. March 26, 1983.
- ^ "2011 Competition Results - Illinois State Fair". www.agr.state.il.us. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011.
- ^ BloodHorse Staff (July 13, 2021). "Hall of Fame Jockey Rotz Dies at 86". BloodHorse. Retrieved July 13, 2021.