Trainer Bob Holthus

Born:  6/24/34, Table Rock, Nebraska

Resides:  Hot Springs, Arkansas

Family:  Bonnie, wife; Debbie, daughter; David and Paul, sons           

Bob is a winner of nine Oaklawn riding titles. He began racing at the Spa in 1953 and hasn't missed a meeting since.             

Illness slowed Bob during the 2009 Spa meeting. He was under his physician’s care and a lot of  the stable’s direction was handled by daughter Debby, a long time assistant. 

For the 2007 Spa season, Holthus won 12 races and earned $560,530. In the 2008 Oaklawn meeting, Bob started 67 horses as his barn won eight races. 

Although he finished third to Cole Norman in winners in 2006, he led all Oaklawn trainers in earnings. His stable, headed by Arkansas Derby winner Lawyer Ron, accumulated $1,468,990. For the entire year, Bob’s stable won 53 races and earned $3,303,696. 

Bob ranks the winningest trainer ever at the Spa.  

Not only has Holthus been formidable at Oaklawn, he has won training titles at Arlington, Detroit Race Course, Ellis, Hawthorne, Louisiana Downs and a fall meeting at Turfway.  

Seemingly Holthus always has a “name” horse in his barn. The current stable star is Pure Clan, a household name with racing fans, “She is the best filly I’ve ever had. I just returned her to training for 2010,” said Holthus.