Henry F. Griffin

Henry Griffin rode in his first race at the age of 14 in 1891. Three years later, when only four riders won as many as 100 races, Griffin won 206 (winning on 31 percent of his mounts) to rank second only to fellow Hall of Famer Willie Simms, who won 228. That year, Griffin won the richest race of the season, the Futurity, with champion The Butterflies. He also won stakes aboard Hall of Famer Clifford and champion Ramapo.

Inducted

1956

Born

1876, New York City, New York

Died

1930, New York City, New York

Career

1891-1897

Wins

569

Racing Record

29.94

Win %

Biography

Henry Griffin rode in his first race at the age of 14 in 1891. Three years later, when only four riders won as many as 100 races, Griffin won 206 (winning on 31 percent of his mounts) to rank second only to fellow Hall of Famer Willie Simms, who won 228. That year, Griffin won the richest race of the season, the Futurity, with champion The Butterflies. He also won stakes aboard Hall of Famer Clifford and champion Ramapo.

In 1895, Griffin won 187 races, again winning at a 31-percent clip, to rank second to James “Soup” Perkins, who rode 192 winners. He repeated in the Futurity, winning this time with champion Requital; on that six-race card at Sheepshead Bay, Griffin won the first five races and did not compete in the sixth. That year, he rode champion 3-year-old colt Keenon, the two best 3-year-old fillies, winning the Gazelle on The Butterflies and the Travers on Liza, and on Hall of Famer Henry of Navarre, he beat Hall of Famers Clifford and Domino.

In 1896, Griffin won the Belmont aboard Hastings, the Preakness aboard Margrave, and the Suburban aboard Henry of Navarre. His services were coveted by many of the top stables, including those belonging to Hall of Fame members James R. Keene, Elias J. “Lucky” Baldwin, and August Belmont II, among others. The lanky Griffin grew too heavy for riding and retired in 1897 at the age of 20 with 569 career wins.