John F. Simpson Sr.

Career Simpson was the fourth generation of his family to become involved in horse racing. He became known for his tactical ability and composed driving style which made him a leading competitor. His skill as a driver attracted prominent owners, leading to opportunities on the Grand Circuit. He won major colt stakes against leading horsemen of the era, including Ben White, Tom Berry, Fred Egan, and Frank Ervin. He finished the 1951 season as the leading money-winning driver. Simpson, then 31, managed a 50-horse public stable. He set a single-season earnings record of $333,136.25 while winning 118 races, the most of any driver that season.

Hanover Shoe Farms In August 1951, Simpson was selected to become general manager of Hanover Shoe Farms by its president, Lawrence B. Sheppard. He continued operating his public stable until November 1951, closing it down before beginning his duties at the farm in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

After ranking 21st among the leading money-winning drivers in 1953, Simpson increased his earnings to $180,907.10 in 1954. He ranked sixth in money won that season and eighth among the leading race winners with 78 victories. His son, John Simpson Jr., joined him in 1955 and worked as his second trainer, assisting with training each year. He ranked fourth on the list of the leading money-winning drivers of 1955.

Simpson captured his first victory in the Little Brown Jug with Noble Adios in 1956. He won 119 races during the season with earnings of $483,164. He won the Little Brown Jug for the third time with Bullet Hanover in 1960.

In 1962, Simpson drove Thor Hanover to victory in the $169,000 Messenger Stakes, then the largest purse in harness racing history.

The veteran horseman went on to win the Hambletonian for the second time in 1964 with Ayres. He became the third driver to sweep the series by winning the Hambletonian, Kentucky Futurity, and Yonkers Trot.

Death J. F. Simpson Sr. died on August 28, 1995, in Orlando, Florida, United States.

He was inducted into the United States Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 1972.

In 2014, the trophy for the Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Filly Trot was named in his memory.