Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1884-04-28
The Great Light Weight Jockey.

From R2cecOursa and Covert SIDE
There is no getting away from the facts
proved by plain figures. Archer's average of
wins and amounts during the last few years
makes it hard for his detractors to explain his
success. Many race-goers protest that Archer
wins go often because he is SO often on the
favorite. bat frequently the favorite holds
that position simply because Archer rides
The figures remain. If he not seldom has
the best horse, sometimes he has to ride horses
which practically have no chance; but, put
ting all these considerations aside, figures
show that for long time past he has ridden
about two winners an average in five
mounts His successes this year are the more
surprising, because he is debarrsd from rid
ing in many races owing to the fact that he
cannot go to scale under stone 6 or
difficulty in reaching.
1t is said that Frank Butler was killed by
his exertions in reducing himself from the 8
stone 10 pounds he should have ridden to the
8 stone pounds he had to ride. Wells
picked up in faintipg condition more than
once, and on more than one occasion Robin
son( who could waste from stonesi1O pounds
to stone in an exceptionally short time) was
found living insensible on stone heap by the
road side, and was brought home in cart.
Mr.. William Days argument against Light
weights. who cannot ride themselves by rea-
son Oh L0GlE yOubus 1AcA poEAOAoO5 AAA WeAS
of strength, and who (by the retention of an
absurdly low minimum) keep the best horse
men from the saddle when they have become
masters of their difficult craft, applies here
with much appositeness. Archer's length of
leg is great assistance to him, and gives
him remarkable power in the saddle;it seems
sometimes, as it were, to sit back and drive
his horse before him. It is curious, and,
under certain conditions an extremely agree
able sight to watch the popular jockey COM
ing toward the Judges box, level, perhaps,
with the leading horses, or it may be little
behind them. At the precise memsnt when
the effort should be made, Archer's mount
seems gradually to forge ahead and steai 70
the front; glance over his shoulder, which
he can give without disturbing his seat in the
saddle as shorter riders appear to do, shows
him the state of the case as regards the other
horses, and he either rides his animal with
vigorous severity, or, If this be not necessary,
rnaintains-i: possible sufficient advantage
to the end.
Nothing Ia more scorned on the race course
than q rider who has q lead of some lengths,
and has evidently won the race. finishing des-
perssaly when there Is nothing to finish
spainst-an example of which was aforded
by the rider of the famous Hungarian mare
Kincsem. who won the GoodWood cup some
fev wears ago, Archer seems, as a rule, quite
savare with his horses, but that he can be
oenkie when occasion demands is proved Dy
his handling of Peter when he won the Royal
Hunt cup at Ascot. When, In accordance
vith his most awkward habit, Peter stopped
to kick, a little way from the start, a quiet
and soothing $50 on. old mani" set this won
dsrfulIS speedy horse going again. Another
requisite of jockeyship is courage, and this
Archer possesses in abundance, as bis dashes
ON the rails round Tottenham corner and
such like dangerous places amply demon
strate. In BEND Or's Derbf, for example, ii
is said that his left boot actually shaved
post, and when one thinks OF the horrible ef
feet OF smashing q leg against massive piece
of wood when racing at this terrific pace, the
daring which SO closely runs the risk be-
comes apparent.