He earned two wins in the American Classic Races, the first coming in 1962 when he rode Greek Money to victory in the Preakness Stakes, A year earlier, he finished second in the Preakness aboard Globemaster and earned another second-place finish in 1968 with King Ranch"s Out of the Way.
After graduating from high school in 1952, Rotz went to work at Fairmount Park Racetrack in Collinsville, Illinois. After working as a groom, hot walker, and exercise rider, he began riding professionally in 1953. Nicknamed "Gentleman John" because of his polite demeanor, he gained a reputation for being able to handle temperamental Thoroughbreds.
He retired from riding that year following surgery for a foot injury, but he remained active in the industry, working for ten years as a racing steward at various racetracks in Louisiana, Ohio, Delaware, and New New York
Rotz retired as a racing steward on March 31, 1983. Mary Rotz became involved with the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife through her Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation program while John turned to riding Quarter horses in Western riding competitions.
Nearly 25 years later, and in his mid-seventies, he is still riding and competing in cutting horse competitions at the Illinois State Fair and other shows in the Midwest. He also is a frequent participant in special fundraising events with other active and retired top jockeys to support the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
