Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-27
BIG FEES JOCKEYS
HAVE RECEIVED
Wells Got the Derby Purse of
$4,000 for Winning With
Blue Gown.

Walter Miller in 1906 will in all probable
fty never be exactly known except by him
self and his employers, it must of neces-
sity be large sum. In fees alone that is,
the sum paid according to the Jockey Club
rules for winning and losing mounts; his
earnings will approximate almost $4,000.
This with a retaining fee and extra money
paid him by owners for whom he has rid
den should bring his total earnings to
$4,000. A big sum this for lad of six
teen to earn in twelve months, but big
earnings for successful riders have been
the rule for many years.
Before the stewards of the Jockey Club
took official action against presents being
made to riders Unfortunately, it was no
uncommon thing for the rider of a big
race to receive hundreds and sometimes
thousands of dollars from persons in no
way connected with the stable for which
the race had been won, but who had profit
ed handsomely by wagers on the race. This
was not, however, deemed d wise custom
and the ban was put on the reception of
presents from outsiders some years ago.
A case which happened at Saratoga
some years ago before the present rule
came into existence illustrates the lavish
manner in which wealth was fairly forced
upon winning jockey. Taral, who was
then at the height of his fame, came from
the weighing room where he had just
passed the scales the winner of big stake
ability as jockey. The hackers of the
horse, outsiders well the stable con-
nections. recognized that it was Tarals
cleverness that had won the race which
had been hard fought all through He
was showered with the congratulations of
all, while many showed their regard in
substantial tokens. ons weli-known
hacker was seen to hand him two 81 900
bills, another put two $500 bills in his
hand. while numerous bills of large de-
nomination were passed to him.
Gave Away Entire Purse.
There have been many notable instances
of big fees paid to jockeys in England, and
Tom Cannon. the famous ex-jockey, and
father of the renowned family of riders,
said himself that the late Mr.. Arlington
Baird handed him a check in advance for
$4,000 for first call on his services for
three years. Jockeys may have several big
retainers for first, second, third and fourth
call on them from different wealthy sports
men. Owners in England who have just
won big race, and probably useful trim
mings In the way of big bets from the
bookmakers, frequently hand their jockeys
a check running into four figures.
There are some extreme instances of
very large presents to jockeys. When
Wells piloted Sir James Hawley's Blue
Gown to victory in the Derby the generous
owner presented the entire stakes to the
lucky horseman. AS these amounted to
$4,000 the Jockeys pay works out at con-
siderabiy over $4,000 per minute. When
the Blue Riband few years prior to this
with Feddington he gave Marson, the rider
of the winner, a check for 5000.
Five hundred pounds may be set down
as the standard present to the rider of
Derby winner. and that was the sum given
to the jockeys of the royal horses, Persim-
mon and Diamond Jubilee, when they an
nexed the great classic race for his majesty
King Edward, then Prince of Wales.
Fred Archer's Queer Present.
A list of queer presents received by the
celebrated Fred Archer would form inter-
esting reading, but the most peculiar was
that of a pound of tea sent him with
great deal of fuss by an old farmer for
whom he had ridden the winner of a small
race when he made his debut. Checks for
$2ocO and 5000 for single race were
quite commonplace occurrences with him
in after years, when the richest and noblest
sportsmen in the land fought for his serv-
ices.
Here is a funny story about him in this
connection. O,a day the station master at
Newmarket said to the famous rider:
There's parcel here for you, Mr.. Archer
with IS Sd. carriage to pay" Fred looked
at the brown paper packet suspiciously and
handed 1t back to the official with a know
ing smile, saying that he was not going to
part with money for palpable hoax 1t
was not until week after that the wealthy
horseman was persuaded to accept and
open the mysterious package When he did
SO he discovered to his amaZement a val
liable gold-mounted riding whip, and wrap
ped around it were twenty-five crisp f1O
notes. To the day of his death he never
discovered who had sent the gift
When Johnny Reiff. the little Yankee
jockey, was riding in England, he was a
mere schoolboy, whose chief delights were
chocolates. cats and marbles.
So boyish-looking was this apple-cheeked
midget that the aristocratic sportswomen
used to pick him up in the paddock and
rug and kiss him, much to his disgust. Yet
how orv,tn ,nk tI,a,, Q n
year in his profession. When the fact be-
came known that he was fond of cats
highly bred felines arrived at his house at
the rate of a dozen day. In addition mis-
cellaneous collections of strange pets were
'sent to his Newmarket address by his ad-
mirers. These included tortoises squirrels,
grass snakes and hedgehogs.