Los Angeles herald., 1905-01-15
SUSPENSION or
JOCKEY CRITICISED
RULING OF JUDGE HAMILTON
FOLLOWED BY SCENE
Rider and official Have Words Out
side Park-Racing Patrons Take
sides With Boy, Holding
Ruling Was Unfair


ruling off Jockey Mcmahon for his ride
on Flea in the steeplechase race Of
Friday was followed by a lively scene
outside the track between the deposed
Jockey and The presiding judge.
According to witnesses, Jockey Nc
Mahon. accompanied by his wife and
their little baby, was standing outside
the gates after the races, awaiting a
car, when Judge Hamilton approached
The jockey turned to the judge and
asked il it was true that he (McMahon)
had been suspended for his ride on
Flea.
Judge Hamilton replied that such was
the case adding, 1t is said that Nc
Mahon was "a thief The former
then stepped on car followed by Me-
Mahon, who denounced the racing Off
cial as unfair and demanding apology
for what he termed an unjustified in
suit. Judge Hamilton disdained to re-
ply and Mcmahon, who was said to
be somewhat under the influence of
liquor. left the car.
Jockey Mcmahon when seen last
night declined to discuss the scene out
side the track declaring, however,
that he was much at fault as he had
taken several drinks after being in
formed by press representatives that he
had been suspended for his ride on
Flea, and lost his temper, although he
felt he could not be severely blamed
for resenting Judge Hamilton's words,
delivered unofficially. Judge Hamilton
likewise refused to discuss the alterca-
ton.
while / think Judge Hamilton's
declaration that 1 am dishonest was
uncalled for, it in no way has any
dealing with my suspension" said Nc
Mahon. 1.-The incident occurred off
the race track, and 1 merely resented
the words of one man to another. For
my part in the matter 1 am prepared
and willing to offer Judge Hamilton
my apology, as 1 did wrong in losing
my temper, which I would not have
done were it not for the fact that l
was excited and had taken several
drinks after 1 learned that I had been
set down.
This ruling means everything to me,
as steeplechase riding is my means of
support for myself and family, and
with this suspension against me I ara
helpless as l cannot ride on any track
in the west until the Ascot officials see
fit to remove the ban against me.
Had pulled the horse or had been
under the influence of liquor when
mounted Flea, as Is charged, 1 would
accept the decision of the judges as just.
but as have never been guilty of Civ
ing horse an unfair ride, the suspen-
sion comes doubly hard. 1 hope to get
a hearing soon, and believe 1 can prove
to the satisfaction of the judges that
my suspension was an error"
Much public comment has been
by the suspension of Mcmahon,
as the little steeplechase jockey has
been a general favorite with the pa
irons of the race track, among whom he
generally is regarded as a boy who
tries all the way"
Expressions of regret and sympathy
Ind no little criticism of the action of
the judges were heard among the rae
ing fans" gathered about the Spring
street resorts, and of a number of
patrons of the track, horsemen and
bookmakers seen last night by
Herald representative not one could be
found who did not consider the suspen-
sion unfair.
Taking into consideration the phases
of the case which are familiar only to
one VINO understands the racing game"
said a prominent horseman, who re-
quested the Withholding of his name for
ruling against Mcmahon was a surprise
and mystery 1 saw Mcmahon before
he mounted Flea and heard him talking
to Gilbert the owner of Flea, and can
testify to McMahon's sobriety SO far
as that phase of the case is concerned.
"But when it comes to the charge that
the horse was pulled it is in my opinion
d decided misjudgment of the merits of
the various horses in the race at their
weights. Flea, a 3-year-old, was pack
ing 1853 pounds, with only one horse
a heavier impost. The
latter had 10 pounds up. Taking into
the fact that Milas is an
8-year-old and Flea a 3. McMahon's
weight for age, carried the
heaviest impost. And Mcmahon beat
Milas, heavily backed to win, for third
money, with both horses laboring hard
under their heavy weights trying to
hold their won with light horses.
Flea fenced well all the way, and to
the sixth jump Mcmahon lay in what
seemed to be a good position for the
stretch drive. But when the horse was
called on he failed to respond better
than to land the show.
Another feature that cannot be lost
sight of as the race was run was the
fact that Jim Bozeman, minus a rider,
was running up with the pacemakers
after the first jump, and Mcmahon, 1t
seems to me, with Flea staggering
under heavy weight. did wisely in trail
ing the punched leaders as Jim BOze-