Hall of Fame

 



john f. simpson, sr.

Year of Induction: 
1972
Year of Birth: 
1919
Immortal: 
Yes
DriverTrainer: 
Yes
OwnerBreeder: 
Yes
Executive Official: 
Yes
Driver: 
Yes
Owner: 
Yes
Executive: 
Yes
Election Into Living Hall of Fame: 
1971
Year of Death: 
1995
Biography: 

Inducted into the Living Hall of Fame in 1972, John Simpson served as Chairman of the Board of Hanover Shoe Farms in Pennsylvania, one of the nation's largest Standardbred nurseries. During his harness driving career, he won almost $5 million in purses. He won the Hambletonian twice, with Hickory Smoke in 1957 and Ayres in 1964. He also won the Little Brown Jug three times (with Noble Adios, 1956; Torpid, 1957 and Bullet Hanover, 1960). Simpson was also the leading money winning driver in 1951. He set at least 15 major world records and won all six of the Triple Crown races for both gaits. Simpson was a trustee of the Trotting Horse Museum, now known as the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, from 1975-1981 and a Trustee Emeritus from 1982-1995, John Simpson passed away, in Orlando, Florida, on August 28, 1995.

Published in the Harness Racing Museum's 1995 book, The 1995 Immortals