John Reiff
1885 - 1974
1885 - 1974
American Johnny William Reiff, born in Ohio on January 29, 1885, was introduced to racing by his older brother, Lester, at the turn of the century and, at 13, rode his first winner in Chicago.
American Johnny William Reiff, born in Ohio on January 29, 1885, was introduced to racing by his older brother, Lester, at the turn of the century and, at 13, rode his first winner in Chicago.
Johnny and Lester came to England in the autumn of 1900, brought over by the trainer Enoch Wishard, who was not averse to doping a horse to get the required result.
Johnny and Lester came to England in the autumn of 1900, brought over by the trainer Enoch Wishard, who was not averse to doping a horse to get the required result.
First appearing in London wearing knickerbockers and an Eton collar, the angel-faced Johnny looked like a choirboy. In fact, he was no such thing. He would regularly pull horses for the American gamblers who employed him.
First appearing in London wearing knickerbockers and an Eton collar, the angel-faced Johnny looked like a choirboy. In fact, he was no such thing. He would regularly pull horses for the American gamblers who employed him.
He remained, however, a brilliant jockey and won the Derby in 1907 on Orby and again in 1912 on Tagalie. He was also the jockey aboard Craganour when that horse was sensationally disqualified from first place in the 1913 ‘suffragette’ Derby.
He remained, however, a brilliant jockey and won the Derby in 1907 on Orby and again in 1912 on Tagalie. He was also the jockey aboard Craganour when that horse was sensationally disqualified from first place in the 1913 ‘suffragette’ Derby.
He rode 5 winners at Birmingham on September 18, 1900.
He rode 5 winners at Birmingham on September 18, 1900.
Johnny had his license revoked in 1901 (on the ground of complicity in dishonest practices) by the French Jockey Club, an action later endorsed in October by its English counterpart. Reiff promptly sued the Jockey Club for 40,000 dollars for ‘depriving me of a means of livelihood.’
Johnny had his license revoked in 1901 (on the ground of complicity in dishonest practices) by the French Jockey Club, an action later endorsed in October by its English counterpart. Reiff promptly sued the Jockey Club for 40,000 dollars for ‘depriving me of a means of livelihood.’
He continued his riding career in France (his licence restored) where he became the leading rider in 1902. That year he rode the French Derby winner, Retz. He also took the French Oaks in 1913 riding Moia.
He continued his riding career in France (his licence restored) where he became the leading rider in 1902. That year he rode the French Derby winner, Retz. He also took the French Oaks in 1913 riding Moia.
He still occasionally rode in England returning only for the major races. He won the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas on Louvois in 1913 on one such visit. In a 16-year career, Johnny Reiff rode 1,016 winners.
He still occasionally rode in England returning only for the major races. He won the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas on Louvois in 1913 on one such visit. In a 16-year career, Johnny Reiff rode 1,016 winners.
John returned to America before the war and died in February, 1974 aged 89.
John returned to America before the war and died in February, 1974 aged 89.
John Reiff won 1,000 francs joint damages in a Paris court of law against the manager of a French paper called ‘Vie au Grand Air’ and a correspondent of the paper named M Megnin who, in a published letter, commenting on the step taken by the Societe d’Encouragement in striking Reiff’s name off the list of jockeys allowed to ride, reflected on Reiff. During the trial, several racehorse owners were called to give evidence on his behalf, each stating that they had no complaints about his riding.
John Reiff won 1,000 francs joint damages in a Paris court of law against the manager of a French paper called ‘Vie au Grand Air’ and a correspondent of the paper named M Megnin who, in a published letter, commenting on the step taken by the Societe d’Encouragement in striking Reiff’s name off the list of jockeys allowed to ride, reflected on Reiff. During the trial, several racehorse owners were called to give evidence on his behalf, each stating that they had no complaints about his riding.
