The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-27
SPORTING NEWS.
Jockey Winnie O'Connor Twice
Meets Himself.
Little Rider Tells Odd Story of
His Experiences.
IN REFLECTIVE MOOD.
Encountered by Tout Bearing
the Self Same Name.
Wanted to Work Winnie to Bet
on the Races.

Lexington, KY, Jan. 27.-Winnie
O'Connor, who formerly piloted the
horses of A. Featherstone on the Metro
politan tracks. but who spent last sea-
son in France as the premier jockey for
the stable of Baron Rothschild is now in
the city, the guest of his former en-
ployer, julius Baeur, trainer for the
Featherstone stable. He fell into
reminiscent mood while seated in the
cafe Of the Phoenix hotel last night
with party of friends and told of some
of his experiences while riding in this
country.
Il have been approached twice in my
life by a fellow who claimed to be
Jockey Winnie O'Connor,'' he said. THE
first time was when 1 happened in
poolroom at Westminster in the sum-
mer of 1902, during an enforced idleness
occasioned by a kick on the shin from
one of the horses in the FeatherStone
barn. Being unable to ride l sauntered
into the room to see if I could figure out
how to make a stake, and as L glanced
up at the board containing the entries
a stranger pushed up against me- Look
ing over the entries for one of the races
1 saw an old mount Of mine which
knew was a good one, and offered the
casual suggestion to the stranger that
he had a good chance to win.
Don't you believe it, said the
stranger. He's a dog
4" You might think so. but don't,
replied.
him. for I rode him. replied the
stranger, with all the confidence of a
man telling the truth.
What is your name? I asked, and
he replied with that same confidence
! that he was Winnie O'Connor, the
| jockey Immediately l understood his
game. and that he had figured me out
! as being sucker ready to bite. and
was trying to tout me onto something
| good Which he had up his sleeve. so L
decided to see it out, and asked him
/ why he was not at the track that day.
| He went on to explain that Trainer
! Bauer was away and that he had hurt
| his leg by a horse falling on him. At
| last I turned and faced him with the
remark that he had lot of nerve. and
handing him one of my cards invited
I him to call and see me. The fellow
/ Sneaked out of the pOOlrOOm without
( looking back.
THE next time met myself was
while I was riding at Bennings. I left
the track and boarded a car for Wash
4 ington in company with a friend. 1
had scarcely taken my seat when my
friend nudged me and called my atten-
ton to little fellow sitting in the COR
ner, and giving me the wink said that
the boy was Winnie O'Connor, the
jockey.
Il saw what was up, and realizing
that the boy had been passing himself
off as me. so walked up to him, and
holding out my hand said, Hello Win
ME, how are your He took my hand,
but made no reply. I then said, I
guess you don't remember me?' No,
! 1 DON'T he answered. Well I an
Z swered. the next time you go out you
change your name again. and with
! that he recognized me and had the con-
/ ductor stop the car and let him Off.
! O'Connor will spend a month here,
the guest of Trainer Bauer. while the
latter is preparing the Featherstone
| string for their campaign. and about
March 1 will return to France to full
fill his contract with Baron Rothschild.