The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-09-03
New York SUM-

New York SUM-
To regular attendant at races, the jockeys
who ride soon become objects OF interest.
While all, except few who mount steeple-
chasers, are very small, they differ widely in
form, features and characteristics. Their
manner of riding varies fully as much as their
features. All, however, have keen, stable
air; some with faces sharp and sttenuated as
Old Times, others with faces fiat
as pancakes, as if horses had rolled
over them. There is little Barrett.
who rides as easily and holds his horse
as finely in race as John Murphy does in
trot, always to win if possible; Hughes the
cunning, generally eager to get the best of
the send off; dark little Murphy from the
South, who knows how to ride waiting and
winning race; the supple Walker, who rode
the fastest four miles ever run in the world,
7:15sI, on Ten Brock; plucky Sayers, son of
the most valiant boxer the world ever saw;
Fisher, the agile, who often rides to victory;
natty Evans, who often WIS and sometimes
loses; Meaney, the great steeplechase rider,
who occasionally lifts his horse over the last
furlong; Gsffney, who can land at times be-
fore his horse; Mclaughlin, the mite; Cos
tello, the nimble; Hayward, with the strong
grip and easy motion; Dan Sparkling, the
graceful; Nolan, The lively; Donohue, the
steady; Blaylock, the scythe; RIngo, the rat
tier; Williams. the mosquito, and a swarm
of others.
The most remarkable figure on horseback,
however, and one which will remain longest
IN the memory, is that of little old man
who is now winning his share of races on
Brighton Beach. Dressed in the neatest
and cleanest of trousers Jacket and cap his
ornnT1aG cIlvar hair PlQer hIro
and fresh, sun burned complexion, adding
beauty to his trim built little figure, he sits
his horse like part of the animal, straight
as an arrow. While restless
boys bound away in false starts the
old man waits like statue, patiently, until
all are on even terms, before he allows his
horse to rush off He then guides his racer
with cool hand through the ruck, rising
and falling gracefully with the motion of his
horse, never coming down like spite driver
on the saddle. This man is the famous Gil.
Patrick. Forty-elght years ago he rode his
first race on Long Island. Sunday, August
II, 1879 was his sixty econd birthday.
called on the old man at the close of the
late three days rain storm. The sun shone
brightly into his room. Through the open
window came a delicious breeze from the
sea. Gil. Patrick's blue eyes sparkled. They
were clearer than the ripples which danced
off in the sunlight. He had ridden Bayard
and Baton Rouge, the two best horses at
Brighton Beach, along the shore for
breather The track inside the Enclosure
was wet and heavy, giving no chance for
races that day, SO there was plenty OF time
to talk. The old man said he had about re
co cred from the effects of severe attack
of rheumatism and fever, which nearly car
red him off year or two since.
What drove the rheumatism from your
system?' l inquired.
II believe it was accomplished by simply
taking teaspooDful of Rochelle salts after
each meal according to my doctors direc-
tons"
"Where is your bIrthplace?'
81 was born in Duchess county, near
Poughkeepsie, in 1877"
when did you ride your first race?n
''In 1881. 1t was funny affair. L was
tough nut of a boy in those days, and liked
to be around horses. | only weighed about
IS pounds, saddle and all. At that time Mr.
John Coster, a wealthy New Yorker, owned
a fast little chestnut horse. A friend of Mr.
Coster's had fieet-footed mare in his stable
One day these gentlemen bantered each
other for race. match was made for q
pipe of wine. l rode the chestnut horse
a mile dash, oyer the old Union track. All
I can remember about the race now is that
rode to get there, and did, winning the wine
for Mr.. Coster."
''When did you ride your first race in
public?'
More than As years have passed since L
first mounted racehOrse in 8 match. l
remember the event as clearly as if it had
occurred but yesterday. 1t took place on
the Union course and never was commander
prouder OF single victory than l on hear
ing it announced that Wild Bill, the horse
rode, bad won the race in two straight heats
Very few of the large crowd that as.
sembled to witness that race are alive to-
day"
How many races have you ridden since
then?"
- q
replied the old man. Picking up snug
ooking black valise, he opened it and took
out roll of slips and memoranda, which
combined, contained a sort of running
record of his life on the turf.
From this memoranda it is clear that Gill;
Patrick has ridden at Leaf ?. 600 horses in
over 5000 races winning about 1000 In
purses, stakes, and matches he can safely
say that he has won for owners upward of
$1,000, 600, not losing over $500 600.
During his active career he rode races in
New York, New Jersey Maryland, Washing
ton, Virginia, Ohio, Georgia, South Carolina,
Alabama. Louisiana. Mississippi, Missouri,
Kentucky, Tennessee California, and other
States, as we'll as England and Canada. He
rode the great Boston and his family, includ
ing Lexington and Lecompte, in all their
important races through period of 35 years.
One of the many horses of note was Ken
lucky, bred by Mr. John NJ. Clay. He
mentions among patrons of the turf in his
time such men Henry Clay, John c.
Calhoun Richard NJ. Johnson, and others.
Gil. Pstrick's account OF the great races
between Boston and Fashion, Lexington and
Lecompte, and the first contest in England
by American horses. furnishes some facts o.
interest not generally known.
He first began to ride stake races for Mr.
John @. Stevens, who then lived in Barclay
street. Mr.. Stevens stables were then bach
of the OLD CentervilIe course. L. l. Abou
the only acquaintance of his early turf day
now living In this vicinity is Captain Isaiah
Rynders, who was great admirer of ole
Boston.
The first important match race in which
Gil. Patrick rode came off over the UnioI
course, L. 1 May 81, 1886. 1t was callet
the great post match of the North agains
the South, four-mile heats, for S., 600 . side
the North to name at the post any hors
raised north of Maryland, and the South an
horse raised south of the Potomac. Colone
Johnson of Virginia, named the Alabam
I'm hr Dol