Ira Hanford was born on 24 February 1918 in Fairbury, Nebraska, USA. He was previously married to Virginia Davis. He died on 21 November 2009 in Ocala, Florida, USA.
Was an 18-year-old apprentice jockey when he rode 20-1 shot Bold Venture to victory in the 1936 Kentucky Derby -- one of 22 jockeys to win the Derby in their only appearance.
