John Eric Longden (1907 - 2003)

Born 15 Feb 1907 in West Andsley, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Helen Marie (McDonald) Longden — married Apr 1929 in Victoria Park, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Died 14 Feb 2003 at age 95 in Banning, Riverside, California, United States

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Biography

Johnny Longden is Notable.

Johnny Longden was a Hall of Fame and National Champion jockey and a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. In 1943, he captured the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing winning the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes aboard Count Fleet.

Johnny Longden was born 15 Feb 1907, in West Andsley, Yorkshire, England. He was the son of Herbert and Mary Longden.

In 1911, he was a 5-year-old boy residing at 5 Abbott Terrace, Portobello Road, Sandal Wakefield, Yorkshire, along with his parents and five siblings: Percy (age 20), Harriet (age 19), Lillian (age 12), Doris (age 7), and Elsie (age 2). His father was a electric engine man working below ground in a coal mine.

In 1912, the family immigrated to Canada. Legend says the family was slated to sail to America aboard the ill-fated Titanic, but missed their departure. In 1916, Johnny was a nine-year-old boy residing with his family in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. His father was again working as a miner. The family was then identified as Mormon.

In 1921, the family was still residing in Lethbridge, in a home on 3rd Street North. Johnny was now fourteen years old. His father was then described as a piper in a mine. Also residing with the family that year were Johnny's uncle, John Longden, and his cousin Clifford Longden, who were both coal miners. Johnny also worked in the mines as a young man, but in 1927, began his career as a jockey.

Johnny married Helen M. Mac Donald, 14 Apr 1929, at Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Their son, Vance, was born in Canada, 14 Mar 1930.

In 1939, the family moved to the United States, arriving from Ridgeville, Manitoba, Canada through Noyes, Minnesota on 17 October. In April 1940, Johnny filed his declaration of intention to become a United Sates citizen in the District Cout of New York. At the time, he was residing at the Whitman Hotel in Brooklyn, although he listed his permanent address as 541 W. Duarte, in Arcadia, California, where his wife and son, Vance, were residing.

Johnny and Helen apparently divorced shortly thereafter and on 31 Aug 1941, he married Hazel June Tarn, at Albuquerque, New Mexico. Hazel was the daughter of a horse trainer. Their son Eric was born 7 May 1943, in New York.

It was that same week in 1943 that Johnny obtained legendary status when he rode Count Fleet to victory in the Triple Crown, winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.

On 10 Nov 1944, Johnny took an Oath of Allegiance and became a United States citizen.

Daughter Andrea was born 30 July 1947. In 1950, the Longden family was residing in a home at 247 Lemon Avenue in Arcadia, California, not far from Santa Anita Racetrack, where Johnny was a jockey.

In 1958, he was elected to the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame. Longden finished his riding career with a victory in the 1966 San Juan Capistrano Handicap Race which marked the 6,032 win of his career. He turned to training after his retirement and in 1969, he won the Kentucky Derby with Majestic Prince. That victory established Johnny as the only person to ride a Derby winner and later train one.

Johnny was also a founder, along with fellow jockeys Eddie Arcaro and Sammy Renick, of the Jockeys Guild, which provided a measure of security and medical assistance for riders who traveled from track to track as freelance workers without health insurance.

Johnny and Hazel were divorced 23 Mar 1984, at Los Angeles County, California. On 30 Apr 1993, Johnny married his third wife, Kathy St. Clair, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

He passed away 14 Feb 2003, at Banning, California. He was buried at Live Oak Memorial Park, in Monrovia, California.

Sources

• England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915, Volume 9c, Page 83, Yorkshire West Riding, Wakefield, John Eric Longden, Jan-Feb-Mar 1907. Abstract available online at Ancestry.com

• 1911 England Census, Yorkshire-West Riding County, Sandal Magna Civil Parish, ED 02, schedule #282, household of Herbert Longden (lines 1-8). Image available online at Ancerstry.com

• 1916 Canada Census of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, Alberta, Lethbridge, ED 17, page 4, dwelling 30, family 32, household of Herbert Longden (lines 36-42). Image available online at Ancerstry.com

• 1921 Census of Canada, Alberta, Lethbridge, Sub-District 36 - Taber (Town), page 10A, house 91, family 91, household of George Longden. Image available online at Ancestry.com

• Alberta, Canada, Marriages Index, 1898-1944, Calgary, Certificate #280, John E. Longden to Helen M. Mac Donald, 1929. Abstract available online at Ancestry.com

• 1950 US Federal Census, California, Los Angeles County, Arcadia, ED 19-1208, page 79, dwelling 249. Image available online at [1]

• California Divorce Index, 1966-1984, Los Angeles County, John E. Longden and Hazel J. Longden, 23 Mar 1984. Index image available online at Ancestry.com

• Nevada Marriage Index, 1956-2005, Clark County, John E Longden and Kathy St. Clair, 30 Apr 1993 Abstract available online at Ancestry.com

• Find a Grave Memorial Page for Johnny Longden (14 Feb 1907–14 Feb 2003), Find a Grave Memorial ID 7206756, citing Live Oak Memorial Park, Monrovia, Los Angeles County, California, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.

• Obituary: Johnny Longdon, Jockey won triple crown in '43, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 15 Feb 2003, page 44.

• Wikipedia entry for Johnny Longden