Tod Sloan
(1874 – 1933)
(1874 – 1933)
James Forman Sloan was born on August 10th, 1874 in Bunker Hill, some 12 miles from Kokomo, Indiana. He had two elder brothers and a sister. His mother died when he was five, and he was brought up by a family called Blauser.
James Forman Sloan was born on August 10th, 1874 in Bunker Hill, some 12 miles from Kokomo, Indiana. He had two elder brothers and a sister. His mother died when he was five, and he was brought up by a family called Blauser.
James was somewhat unkindly called 'Toad' as a child, a nickname he quickly converted to Tod.
James was somewhat unkindly called 'Toad' as a child, a nickname he quickly converted to Tod.
Tod’s brother Cassius (Cash) got a job as a jockey for a stable near St Louis – Tod joined him, doing odd jobs. Horses, however, terrified the young Tod – one had once run away with him – but taking a job in Kansas City riding work for trainer Jimmy Campbell, he gradually overcame his fear.
Tod’s brother Cassius (Cash) got a job as a jockey for a stable near St Louis – Tod joined him, doing odd jobs. Horses, however, terrified the young Tod – one had once run away with him – but taking a job in Kansas City riding work for trainer Jimmy Campbell, he gradually overcame his fear.
Campbell saw something in Tod’s riding and took him east, to New Jersey. Tod started riding professionally, but he was not precocious. Then, in 1892, he went to northern California for the winter racing – and everything changed. He began to win races in groups; two one day and three the next.
Campbell saw something in Tod’s riding and took him east, to New Jersey. Tod started riding professionally, but he was not precocious. Then, in 1892, he went to northern California for the winter racing – and everything changed. He began to win races in groups; two one day and three the next.
He was suddenly in great demand (he even rode a winning double for the famous lawman, Wyatt Earp)
He was suddenly in great demand (he even rode a winning double for the famous lawman, Wyatt Earp)
Undoubtedly, his sense of pace had improved dramatically, but it was something else that had brought about this startling change. Crucially, he had adapted his riding style. This came about on the gallops one morning; a horse he was riding bolted. To regain control, Tod climbed out of the saddle and onto the horse’s neck. He immediately realized that the horse’s stride seemed to be freer, and it was easier for him too. This new style completely revolutionized racing – within six years the old style was obliterated.
Undoubtedly, his sense of pace had improved dramatically, but it was something else that had brought about this startling change. Crucially, he had adapted his riding style. This came about on the gallops one morning; a horse he was riding bolted. To regain control, Tod climbed out of the saddle and onto the horse’s neck. He immediately realized that the horse’s stride seemed to be freer, and it was easier for him too. This new style completely revolutionized racing – within six years the old style was obliterated.
He was inevitably compared to the black American Willie Simms, who had introduced a similar style some two years earlier when he had created a minor sensation at Newmarket's Craven Meeting by winning on his first ride, Eau Gallic, a horse that had been shipped over from the States.
He was inevitably compared to the black American Willie Simms, who had introduced a similar style some two years earlier when he had created a minor sensation at Newmarket's Craven Meeting by winning on his first ride, Eau Gallic, a horse that had been shipped over from the States.
Tod’s success continued when he rode in England; in September 1899 he rode five consecutive winners at Newmarket and, the next year, won the I,000 Guineas on Sibola. In 1900 he won the Ascot Gold Cup aboard Merman.
Tod’s success continued when he rode in England; in September 1899 he rode five consecutive winners at Newmarket and, the next year, won the I,000 Guineas on Sibola. In 1900 he won the Ascot Gold Cup aboard Merman.
Tod was now a major international celebrity, attracting both beautiful women and gangsters. Then, in 1901, the bubble burst. He was suspected of betting on races in which he had competed. He was told that his licence would not be renewed and his racing career was over.
Tod was now a major international celebrity, attracting both beautiful women and gangsters. Then, in 1901, the bubble burst. He was suspected of betting on races in which he had competed. He was told that his licence would not be renewed and his racing career was over.
He was forced to seek alternative employment: Oscar Hammerstein arranged for him to star in a one-man show in New York, but it failed. Various other business deals also floundered and, in November 1933, his money gone, he became gravely ill with cirrhosis of the liver. The Los Angeles Times struck a portentous note, saying of him ‘he rode from obscurity and poverty to acclaim and wealth – then he rode back to poverty and obscurity again’.
He was forced to seek alternative employment: Oscar Hammerstein arranged for him to star in a one-man show in New York, but it failed. Various other business deals also floundered and, in November 1933, his money gone, he became gravely ill with cirrhosis of the liver. The Los Angeles Times struck a portentous note, saying of him ‘he rode from obscurity and poverty to acclaim and wealth – then he rode back to poverty and obscurity again’.
Tod Sloan died December 21st 1933 in the Sylvan Lodge Hotel, Los Angeles and was buried in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale. He was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1955.
Tod Sloan died December 21st 1933 in the Sylvan Lodge Hotel, Los Angeles and was buried in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale. He was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1955.
Tod Sloan disliked using spurs on a horse and had a great deal to do with them being discarded. If the owner or trainer insisted on their use, he would use those so worn that they would not even scratch a horse’s side.
Tod Sloan disliked using spurs on a horse and had a great deal to do with them being discarded. If the owner or trainer insisted on their use, he would use those so worn that they would not even scratch a horse’s side.