Robert E. "Bob" Holthus (June 24, 1934 – November 22, 2011) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer.[1] As a second generation trainer, Holthus learned the profession from his father, Paul Holthus.

Bob Holthus
OccupationTrainer
BornJune 24, 1934
Table Rock, Nebraska, U.S.
DiedNovember 22, 2011 (aged 77)
Career wins2,824
Major racing wins
Massachusetts Handicap (1962)
Rebel Stakes (1964, 1972, 1977, 2005, 2006)
Churchill Downs Handicap (1966, 1967)
Phoenix Stakes (1966)
Lafayette Stakes (1976)
Arkansas Derby (1988, 2006)
Metropolitan Handicap (1989)
Philip H. Iselin Handicap (1989)
Martha Washington Stakes (1993, 1996, 1999)
Southwest Stakes (2000, 2001, 2006)
Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (2004)
Arlington-Washington Breeders' Cup Futurity (2006)
Pocahontas Stakes (2007)
Golden Rod Stakes (2007)
Regret Stakes (2008)
American Oaks (2008)
Black Gold Stakes (2009)
Modesty Handicap (2009)
Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes (2009)
Racing awards
Leading trainer at Oaklawn Park
(1969, 1971, 1977–1978, 1982, 1985, 1989–1990–1991)
Honours
Arkansas Walk of Fame (2000)
Significant horses
Proper Reality, Bay Phantom
Lawyer Ron, Officer Rocket, Pure Clan

Holthus is the all-time winningest trainer at Oaklawn Park and as of 2005 had won nine trainer's titles there. He also won training titles at Chicago's Arlington Park and Hawthorne Race Course, the Detroit Race Course, Ellis Park Racecourse in Henderson, Kentucky, Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, Louisiana plus a fall meeting at Turfway Park in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Bob Holthus was the trainer for the Kentucky Derby entrants Greater Good and Pro Prado but is best known nationally as the trainer of Pure Clan and Lawyer Ron from the start of his career in 2005 until October 2006.

Bob Holthus and his widow Bonnie owned the Kilkerry Farm at Royal, Arkansas near Hot Springs at the time of his death.

References

edit
  1. ^ "Bob Holthus, longtime Midwestern trainer, dies at 77 - ESPN". Espn.go.com. 1934-06-24. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
edit