The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-08-02
SKETCH OF aIs CAREER,
He Once Was Wealthy and the Associa
of European Royalty.

He Once Was Wealthy and the Associate
of European Royalty.
The veteran horseman, Richard Ten
Brock. was one of the greatest landmarks
of the American turf Not only was he at
one time the idol of tile racing world on
this side of the Atlantic, by reason of his
family's honorable standing, and his own
unbiemished and unimpeachable character
as a sportsman, but he was also the pet for
many years of that large section OF the
Euglish people and aristocraey who support
the sport of kings" He was the first
American to cross the Atlantic with
American horses Owned and many bred
and ridden by himself in the gentlemen's
riding races, and to win with them most Of
the long-distance races of that country
Born in 1903, in Albany, n. Y, and edu-
Gated in that State, he was cadet at West
Point in 1929, With such men as Generals
R0bt. +. Lee and John Magruder, and Emery
Arnold Harris, the celebrated editor of the
Globe. the organ of Jaekson's administTa-
tiCn, and Humphrey Marshall OF Kentucky.
the famous lawyer and orator, were also in
his class. Young Ten Brock, however,
could not agree with Colonel Thayer, the
superintendent of West Point. and he ac-
eordingly resigned and embarked upon the
troubled waters of the turf, for which he
had a prediction from boyhood.
After purchasing some likely thorough
breds his first venture was to take his stable
over to Havana, whIther he sailed from New
Orleans, but the speculation proved fail
ure. as the Habaneros said they would Just
as soon see locomotives race ON q railroad
Then he took five horses over to Canada
and ran and won nine times in Caledonia,
Montreal and Quebec, but the expedition
cost $1,000 over gains, as the purses were
small, and there was no money for betting
in the country.
Soon after this he ran Pryor, a three
yeaF-old of his breeding, against Lec0mpte
in Mississippi and beat him four mile heats
IN the brst time ever made up to that date
tie then went TO New Orleans with that
world-famous horse Lexington and won the
State Post stake of $50, 900, beating Le-
Compte, representing Louisiana. ana also
the representatives of South Carolina and
Alabama. Subsequently Lexington was
beaten by Lecompte for purse (the jockey
on Lexington pulling up by mistakc). Time,
20, the fastest four miles ever run by
many seconds to that date. General Wells
declining another match for Lecompte
for $4,000 side. Ten Brock sent
Lexington, Prior ana Arrow to New York
EN- route to England to run for the
Goodwood cup. Before leaving. however,
he issued challenge, Lexington against
the worid four miles. for $4,000 a side. or
to beat 20, the then fastest record time.
The latter part of the challenge was ac-
cepted by Congressman John Minor Bolts
of Virginia. Lexington won in 7;19%, aud
the succeeding week beat Leeompte for a
purse in 1923. Ten Brock then purchased
the latter horse. In 1856 Lexington went
blind and was sold to Alexander of Ken
tucky, whose fortune lie made as a sire.
Lexington was not bred by Ten Brock, but
purchased by him at Georgetown in 1858, as
a colt cut of a two mile heat race, which he
won on heavy muddy track in al Il and
$40. The colts name was then Darley
which his new owner afterward changed 20
Lexington.
Before Ten Brock sailed for England he
bought pair of driving heTses in Louis
vile, matched them in New York. two-mile
heats, $4,000 a side, drove them himself,
10 st the first heat and won the two next
under the whip from pillar to post. He also
matched Prince, a thoroughbred one of the
pair, who could trOt in 2:30, against q PAGER
who could go in 2:17, for $4,000. ten miles.
The PAGER pulled up at the end OF five miles
and thereby lost the match.
His reception in England in the elite OF
sporting and social circles was enthusiastic.
He became member of that exclusive
society. the English Jockey Club. His
warmest friends numbered the Prince of
Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh, Admiral
Rouse, Prince Christian. Prince of Hesse,
Prince of Sake Weimar, Comte de Paris,
Prince Bathyany, Prince Soltykoff, Dukes
OF Hamilton, Westminster, Wellington, Nor
folk, Newcastle. 81, AlbanS, Beaufort, Port
land, and all the leaders of fashion, The
concerning these eminent personages and
the strange characters he met during his
turf career. The famous horse Ten Brock,
which ran mile in 1:3934. was named after
him.
On and off he spent nearly so years in
England. paying occasional visits to Ameri-
ca 10 reeuperate from the results of the
giddy whirl of life in which he mixed with
the sci0ns of English royalty and nobility.
Such life, with its eXtravagancies and the
expenses of his large racing stud, could
have eventually but one result, especially
when he ceased to exercise personal super
vision over his horses and intrusted them to
other peoples care. He lost the greater
part of the fortune he had accumulated aud
returned to America for good in 1887 brok-
en- down in health, with the sufferings
brought upon him by repeated and yirulent
attacks of gout
He came to California, and finally in 1889
characterized as only wanting people to
make IL an Arcadia" In this year his
marital troubles were aired before the pub
lie, as his wife epdeavored to have him de-
clared insane. The jury, however, found
differently. and the grand old sportsman was
thereafter left TO end his days in compara-
tive peace.
There is one thing which should not be
overlooked, and that is the fact that what
ever losses he sustained, and however his
fortunes were impaired, the impression lie
created On the English people and the spot
less character he maintained was never even
Sullied by momentafy breath or suggestion