The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-11

curiously enough. when in the zenith
of his fame he could never have the
duck 10 ride the winner OF the Derby
or St Leger. The latter he might have
done once had he not i'm his eagerness
To do so given up the mount on For
mosa, mare on whom he had often
been successful TO ride Paul Jones;
with the result that Chaioner on the
mare he had refused to ride beat him
short head. Shortly after this Ford
ham retired from active service and
settled down at Brighton. Unfortu-
nately he had invested his savings in
Honduras bonds. so when the inflated
little Central American republic blew
up he was ruined, and i'm consequence.
though over 40 years of age, had TO re-
turn to riding. He was then broken in
health and spirit, so showed little OF his
former ability, though curiously enough,
he then achieved the object of his am
bition. for he rode Sir Bevis. undoubt-
edly the worst horse that ever won
that race. to victory in the Derby. for
Mr.. Leopold de Rothschiid. Shortly aft
er this death closed his career.
During the early stages Of a race all
these four great exponents of the riding
art sat well forward in the saddle, their
weight being supported by their knees
and stirrup irons. but when it came to
finish each one sat squarely in the
saddle. none of them, with the eXcep-
tion of Archer. using the whip, except
for a couple of cuts at the last moment
but applying the spur freely and APP
pearing at the last moment to literally
lift their mounts past other competitors
ridden by less skillful artists Sloane's
style OF riding would not permit of
this lifting process. which il is almost
impossible to describe to those who
have not ridden a close finish them
selves or seen some famous jockey per-
form the feat. though those readers who
saw Isaac Murphy when at his best can
realize what is meant.
But though Tod, perched as he al
ways is. almost over his mounts ears.
may not be able to help him much at
the pinch. he certainly possesses the
knack of hustling him along during the
early stages OF the race and thus gain
ing an advantage that ii is hard for a
more expert finisher TO overcome.
In England ii has been usual i'm the
past FOR the better horses to lie back.
reserving their powers for a supreme ef-
fort at the finish but Tods method APP
pears to be to have the race won before
the winning post is reached, and IL his
phenomenal success continues he may
succeed in revolutionizing the English
style of running races.
Riding talent seems to run i'm fami-
lies as is instanced by -he three Can
mons. the three Loates and the three
Chaloners, all of whom are leading Eng
lish Jockeys, as were their fathers be-
fore them. The same talent seems in,
herent 10 the Sloane family. for not only
Is Tod gaining a worldwide reputa-
ton. but his brother Cash is i'm the opin-
ion OF many quite as capable in the sad
die. while in some respects he is his SUI
perior Two other brothers have prov
ed themselves good riders. and even
sister, Mrs. Cousins. has distinguished
herself greatly as an equestrienne In
the sawdust arena.
/ Should Tod conclude to remain in
| England. ii is more than probable that
! he can obtain a retaining fee for first
! call on his services of at least $50, 000 A
/ second call should be worth at least a
! third of this amount while there will
! be plenty of owners ready to offer a
! fourth OF it to secure his services in
/ event of his not being claimed by those
! having a prior right. These retainers
do not cover his riding fees, nor do they
prevent him accepting outside mounts
providing those retaining him do not
require his services. A Jockey there has
no trouble in collecting these retainers
/ and fees.
Sloane has been noted since he was a
| very small urchin as an admirer Of
! good clothes. He has also evinced a
penchant for large sized cigars and
| pretty girls.
I Tod Sloane has apartments at the Ho-
tel Cecil in London. with his valet, and
goes back and forth by train to the
| various race meetings. Sloane had $1,000
on ST. Cloud III for the Cambridgeshire
stakes, and. as Jockeys are not allowed
To bet over there. the Jockey clubs at
tention has been called to his proclivi-
ties 1t is urged that If he remains In
England he must be stopped from bet
! ting.