The New York herald., 1876-10-06
THE JOCKEY CLUB.
What It. Has Done for Horse
Racing in America.
HISTORY OF JEROME PARK.
How the Turf Was Rercued from
Neglect and Obloquy.
SKETCH OF THE GROUNDS.

SKETCH OF THE GROUNDS.
For . century importing breeding and training Of
ihs horse for racing purposes has been
INDUCED In pastime by tho wealthy men OF this
sounsry. Before the Revolution Maryland. Virginia
and tho Carolnss INDUCED In the sport OF horse racing
On Long Island, in New Jersey and on the island Of
Manhattan racscourses established at various
nmes; but Il was not until 1872, when CadwaiIader
Golden once Mayor OF the city OF New York, designed.
laid out and built the stands OF the old Union Course
On Long Island, was there an organized jockey
club formed in this section Of the country. This
Jockey club was composed OF the brothers Stevens
The Coleses, the Jonescs. the Livingstons Gibbons
Bocktons Van Rantzs, Bathgates and other gentlemen
xno owned and bred thoroughbred stock. In the
sbovc named year Qs22 Robert H. and John c. stew
,ns and other gentlcmen members Of the Long Island
Jockey Club took tho celebrated horse Eclipse to
Washington city the equally famous racchorse
sf that time Sir Charles four.mo heat race at the
capital But Sir Charles going wrong one OF his FORE
legs days before the day Of his paid
forfeit to tho Northerners Not 20 dsappoint those
Who had followed tho fortunes OF Eclipse Washing
ton, however tho owners Of Sir Charles let
four-mile dash against Eclipse but the Southern
champion broke down in tho ahd Eclipse was an
easy winner. ON the night after the race AZ
the dinner table, . post-stake match was made
by John c. Stevens on tho part OF the North,
and Colonel Johnston, OF Virginia ths Napoleon OF
tho Turf" ut that time called run Eclipse
against any horse that the South could produce on the
7.h Of May following the Union Course Long Island
for $4,000 o side. The memorable race bo,weon
Eclipse and Henry tho that followed, and
horseracng received nm impetus from that contest
that pcrvaded the entire country and regular
ngs Off for about five years afterward on
Long Island Then tho Stevenscs and other gentlemen
with racing procvities became DID, retired ceased
racers and there being young onos to take
their places the racing points in tho North
Tell into disuse
In 1854 thrce enterprsing gentlemen from Tennessee
here and built the National Course, near Flush
ing, Long Island but, after losing above 500 in
few years abandoned the place. and it, like
she Union Com se used for troting races During
the late civil number Of enterprisng gentlemen
In this section OF country determined II possible 10
prevent racing falling entirely into neglect and with
energy and courage, Needless Of expense general
negligence, camo TO the 'front.' and. spite OF su
pneness and Indifference OF many founded tho Paterson
and Saratoga meetings Their At nrst was not
nearly with hoir deserts but they per-
severed, and that perseverance slowly steadily
rewarded particularly In the latter Al this stage
Mr. Jerome came to the front, and this gentleman's
high reputation attracted recruits OF the highest
social position to his standard and thus formed the
nucleus OF
THE AMERICAN JOCKEY cLUR
In 1865 Leonard W. Jerome, p. s. Forbes w. r
Travis. W. Butler Duncan, August Belmont ana John
r Purdy, having declared thor TO form an
Incorporation or company for the purpose OF raising
Improving and breeding horses acharter obtained
the name Of the Incorporation being the American
Jockey Club; 'rhe incorporation to be located tho
town Of West Farms county OF wss,chester and
Of New York; tho object for which said incorporation
IL formed is. and she general nature OF its business
shall be the Improvement of the brood horses and
the mode and manner in which It's corporate powers
10 BE- exercised s by raising importing purcnas-
ing, keeping, breeding and selling the same also by
holding public exhibitions OF horses and also Offering
certificates Of form, speed and endurance"
JEROME
The race track is located en- the old Bathgate Farm
near Fordham which ut that time In westchestor
county, but is in the city Of New York. and CON-
prises $50 acres, which purchased by Leonard W.
Jerome The land is Of somewhat peculiar formation
The valley through which the Croton Aqueduct is
brought into tho city Of Now York runs through
tho centre Of the grounds, and Is bounded
all sides by hills OF any feet
IN height, with a bluff jutting out in about
the centre, which bluff the old homestead was slu-
a,ei. This formation made It necessary to have a
track OF somewhat novel shape, with . straight
stretch and two curves skirtng the foot Of tho blu
aud by placing the grand stand the straight stretch
the whole is brought under immedi view as
The track at tho foot OF the buG is only sixty
feet distant from the homcstretch Ground broke
IN 1865 aud year the racecoursc was CON-
plctcd.
Tho grand stand is ON the east sdo or tho course.
md
TWO tiers Of galleries Of Seats and will accommodate
5000 persons The stand is divided into three sec
tions the centre OF which is exclusively for the
members OF the club and their famiiics the other
sections for the public The front facing the track
presents IN open colonnade, two stories high, sup
ported by ornamental iron columns, surmounted by
cornice and pcdiments In the centre, aud each end
presenting very airy and unique appearance Tho
entrance to the stands tho 'front.' and ac-
spacious stairwaya On the nrst floor are tho
ticket Offices. refroshment saloons and
convencncs for So'A Inc Comfort. OF v,,l,ors suu
The galleries lifted up with comfortable seals,
all of which perfect OF the and surround
ting grounds II obtained Immediately opposite tho
stand, on the blur. the club grounds which
the club house and other buildings Tor the exclusive
use oil Tho members OF tho club iDcuuing obscrva
tory sope hsiy feet in height, from which charming
and extensive view of tho country TOR many miles
around Is obtained, including the city with lofty
spires Its gorgeous palaces, the Harlem RIVER the
Palisades the waters of the sound tho and
tbc noble Hudson on the other, maIcstcay taking
their course 70 tho ocean The stands Judges time
keepers, starters and for the accommodation con-
venicnce OF the gentlemen OF tho press IN Keeping
with the style OF the grand stand. Up the valley 10
the north and west and in view OF the
stand, are located tho stables tor tho accommo
dation uf 200 horses, which are built IN detached
groups also Kitchens ior tho accomm oil train
and others The course Is surrounded by q SUB.
stantai open picket fencc ton feet high The ticket
Offices situated nj convenient places on the main
avenue and road afording due facilities TO the public
Tho entrance the club house stables by road
iron Central avenue, the SOUTH and another by the
old road leading 10 kingsbridse road, the north.
Two years ago the homestrelch extended quarter
OF mijc urlher TO the south, which gives nearly
q sualgnt home Tor hamiIo Adjoining
tho track tho northwest Is the commodious house
aud charming grounds OF the Wcstchsster Polo Club.