Captain Bennett and Sergeant Murphy at Becher's Brook, 1923 Grand National

Sergeant Murphy was the first American horse to win the Grand National in 1923. Sergeant Murphy went to the pole with odds of 100 to 6 against and yet finished three lengths beyond the field. Owned by John Sanford, the first American to win this race, and ridden by an amateur rider Captain G.H. Bennett, Sergeant Murphy was by General Symons, out of Rose Craft. John Sanford (1851-1939) was a businessman, a prominent owner and breeder of thoroughbred racehorses, and a congressman. In 1916 he won the Kentucky Derby with his colt, George Smith and in 1933 he won the American Grand National with Best Play. He was a member of the New York Racing Commission and the Sanford Stakes, run annually at Saratoga, is named in his family's honor.