New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-03
Won THE ENGLISH DERBY
DIR. Whitney O7oner of Many Noted
Turf Champion

bred racing in the autumn OF 1897, his racing
colors, light blue brown cap, appearing the
turf in the spring of 1895. In his brief turf
career he captured many OF the most coveted
honors on the local tracks and some of the lead
ing stakes the other side of the Atlantic.
His greatest triumph abroad occurred on June
3. 1901 when he won the English Derby with
his morse Eolodyovski. The horses which car
ried his colors the local tracks won for him
from 1898 10 1908 about 100000 but his stable
expenses were much greater than that sum-
Mr.. Whitney's first racing stable. which
at Westbury. Long Island. comprised ten horses.
This number increased by the pur-
chase OF some Of the best horses shown in 1898.
In that year he bought Jean Beraud then two
year-old for $4,000 and a contingency upon
the colts subsequent winnings. Some of his
later notable purchases and the sums paid for
them were: Hamburg. $4,000; Medder $4,000:
Nasturtium. $500 Thus. for Jean Beraud.
Hamburg Meddler and Nasturtium he paid
more than 100000. a equal to nearly two
ffths Of his total turf winnings
Mr.. Whitney ended his first year the turf
with no less than twenty-five races. Of total
value OF s3S 461. to his credit In 1899 his origi-
nal westbury stable had been increased from
ten horses to twenty three horses. and his can
didates in that year won thirty-two races. Of a
total value OF S615JO. In 1900 Mr.. Whitney
began the rebuilding of his summer home at
Wheatley Hills Long Island, which was then
considered one Of the most beautiful on Long
Island. The transformation OF the property in
cluded the building Of a colossal racing stable
said 10 he the largest and handsomest in the
world. and certainly the equal OF any stable
elsewhere. Within a short distance Of the stable
he erected a huge inEhouse for his own
occupancy. and also a gymnasium. small
tho
property. which comprises about seven hundred
acres The stable measures so feet in length
by rs feet In width II is divided into two
sections, the centre being devoted show
ring
II was in 1900 that Mr. Whitney raced his
horses in his own name. and his campaign on
the turf that year made memorable by
thirty-one victories, OF a total value Of S92,5i5.
His horses on the English turf for him seven
races Of a value Of e. 253 that year. The fol-
lowing year Mr. Whitney headed the list OF
winning owners on the local tracks. MS winnings
being Sos 40 Soon after he the English
Derby. In 1901 he said that he had retired from
the English turf and would race his horses ex-
clusively on American tracks. At the same time
he announced n gift OF $1,000 he had won
Derby stake TO a charity TO be known the
Beresford Trust. in aid of persons connected
with the turf in England who in need of
assistance. lie selected the name in memory
Of Lord William Beresford. who had been his
partner in racing in England. and who died be
fore the Derby was won by Volodyovski Later
Mr.. whitney increased the trust TO sum yield
Ing an annual income OF $500
The dominating reason for Withdrawing my
stable from England" he wrote in letter sent
TO The Tribune Office September 80. lSol' Is
the success OF the efforts OF late years to raise
I'd of in
gentlemen have devoted most of their time 10
this work and I considered II my duty as one
who derives great satisfaction from horses TO
second their efforts In every way. 1t was Tor
this reason that 1 co-operated with them TO re-
vive the Saratoga Association and abandoned
contemplated trip abroad this summer
The sending Of our best horses abroad depre-
ciates the quality Of the sport at home ana
diverts needed revenues which should be on
tributed to enrich our own stakes and enoJur-
age breeding here. 1 make an exception in my
own mind of the case in which has
eliqtble horse likely 10 win Of the classic
races like the Derby. the oaks. or the St. Leger.
winning one OF these races reflects credit on
our breeding and is properly a matter of pride
10 Americans. II is not at all unlikely that
may be found trying for one of these again.
The intimation has been made that my rea-
sons for withdrawing from racing abroad was
dissatisfaction with the treatment my horses re-
ceived My main purpose in making this state
rnent is TO give an unqualified denial TO that in
timation. Nothing could be further from the
truth I have received nothing but courtesy and
fair treatment abroad. We Americans have in
vaded England with new methods of training
and riding and with American bred horses have
wor n fair share of stakes. II would have been
nerfectly natural IL these successes had sivep
rise to some Jealousy in sporting circles but l
bsye never had evidence of the existence OF such
a feeling Under these circumstances, L can
think Of nothing more unsportsnanlike than the
crticism these suggestions lnlpute 70 me vi ooII
ditions and discretions to ~hlch all cohlpoeInOi
are alike subject. be they native OF loreish
In 1900 Mr. Whitney was elected president OF
the Saratoga Racing Association. on Octooer o.
1901 Mr. whitney's horse Kilmarnock II won
the Prix au Conseil Municipal. of $1,000. at
Ionrchamps France. Besides his big stable at
Wheatley Hills. Mr. Whitney built large stable
for his horses adjoining the Sheepshead Bay
racetrack.
4 well known turfman said not long ago about
Mr. whitney's turf career
Mr. Whtney's appearance the turf was one
~ the most important turf events OF the last
decade and IL is exceedingly ubtful IL the turf
has ever experienced the acquisition or man OF
more unique prominence or OF more thoroughly
destra bic individuality While never assuming
10 take any position Of particular pre-eminence
in the legislative bodies Of the turf. and while
invariably indicating a Dissemination to be pub
Ecly quoted racing subjects. the weight or
Mr. Whttney's influence has nevertheless been
Enthusiastically thrown upon the very best side or
all matters. whose healthy life IS the very
vitality OF the turf itsaif end the present pros
perity and popularity of racing in the East are
= IT,