Background
He got his first ride at a county fair where his father was delivering feed for the horses and other livestock.
He got his first ride at a county fair where his father was delivering feed for the horses and other livestock.
Johnson C. Smith University.
Born in Carlisle, Arkansas, John Adams was nicknamed the "Iola Mite" for his boyhood home in Iola, Kansas. John Adams began his professional riding career at Riverside Park Racetrack in Kansas City. He went on to become a leading jockey beginning in the mid-1930s, with 43 percent of his mounts finishing in the top three over a 24-year period ending in 1958, when he retired due to a back injury.
During his career, he rode a number of winners for prominent owners such as Maine Chance Farm and Hasty House Farm.
Adams rode six winners at Bay Meadows Racetrack on April 7, 1938. Upon retirement, Adams became a thoroughbred trainer.
His best known victory as a trainer occurred with J.O. Tobin"s 1977 upset over Seattle Slew in the Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park Racetrack. Adams was the nation"s leading rider in winning mounts in 1937, 1942, and 1943.
Years Active: 1935-1958
Number of Mounts: 20,159
Number of Winners: 3,270
Number of Place Finishes: 2,704
Number of Show Finishes: 2,635
Purses Earned: $9,743,109
Winning Percentage: 16.2%.