The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-29
JOHN GRIFFIN
FAMOUS HORSE
ny BERT e. COLLYER


Chicago, August 2s-Probably no
one horse racing on the American turf
attracted quite so much attention dur
ing the present season as John Griffin
II, and sobriqueted the Texas Hindoo."
OF doubtful age and lineage, the aged
gelding, which is registered with the
Jockey club as by One Dime out of Po-
catella, all tracks and conditions ap-
pear alike to him, with the result that
up to the present moment-of the 1910
racing season-John Griffin ranks at
the head of the list of the 80 best
money winners-in the matter of win
ming races.
In a monetary way Sweep, James
r. Keene's well engaged colt takes the
palm with $22,625. But Sweep only
started five times to win that amount,
being four times first and once third
John Griffin has 15 first places to his
credit was six times second, three times
third and but three times unplaced.
During that time he has earned grand
total of SIPS. Whsn of stops to con-
slider that John Griffin at no time was
dropped into soft spots, on the con-
trary, was forced to race after or with
the best sprinters In the country, the
recapitulation of performance is the
more outstanding. For be 1t known
that the old horse is a Splinter pure
and simple, six furlongs being his limit
and five furlongs entirely more to his
liking.
As previously stated, John Griffin II
Is of Texas origin, and is registered at
being years of age. The old fellow
was first discovered" on the ranges
near Del Hart, Tex, where, under the
name of John Farrol, he was raced on
the little bush meetings, and was al
ways an attraction because of the many
match races which followed in his
wake. His owner, a very shrewd Tex
an, had a habit of matching him so
many steps, 100 yards or q quarter of
mile, at all of which distances he was
Misunderstanding capable at almost
any time of stepping a quarter of
mile Grom standing start in Il sec
onds. At the presumab1e age of 8, he
was sold to minister, who broke and
drove him TO a buggy. 1t was while in
this capacity that he attracted the at
tention of his present owner, d. Cottle,
who, after unsuccessful attempts to OBJ
tain the minister's permission to tram
the old horse, succeeded in purchasing
the Hindoo for the nominal sum of
$3.50. a.
AT 7 years of age CottIe took the
speed marvel through Texas and Okla
homa, winning upwards of rs races and
being defeated but once. On the latter
occasion, which occurred at Oklahom,
City and with Judge Brady In the
stand, the jockey rode the old horse
as we'll as one or two others were
given the gate.
AT this time the old horse was with
out pedigree and Owner Cottle leased
the horses racing qualities to E.
George, in consideration that he
(George) obtain the necessary registra-
| ton papers, which was done at an ap.
proximate cost of $500.
George took John Griffin to Tampa
| sweeping everything before him and it
was not until his arrival at Jacksonville
where he met aBrney Schreibers big
| Train Jack Atkin, that old John went
| down to defeat. During the spring meet
| ing at Woodbine. the old horse got re-
vehge on the son of Saln, trimming Big
| Jack on opening day.
| II has been argued that John Griffin II
| is not a thoroughbred, but, of course
this was never proven. Whatever may
| be the shortcomings In this direction are
amply made up for in intelligence, for II
| Is doubtful If there ever was a more
tractable, lovable and courageous equine
| AT the barrier the old fellow Is over alert
and 1t is a physical imposslbility to leave
| him at the post. II is also interesting
| to note that, although he may break
| through the barrier, he never takes more
than one or two steps past the starting
point unless 1t is a go" AS an instance
| of the love that exists between man and
beast 1t might be poinred out that after
| John had succeeded in beating the best
sprinters at windsor, incidentally hanging
UP a new record for the six furlongs
Owner Cottle rushed forward and. throw
| ing his arms about the old hornes neck
went tears of Joy AS II understanding
all and reciprocating the feeling, the
horse whfnned, neighed and rubbed his
soft muzzle on the cheek of his adorine
owner. Truly here is one remarkable
| horse.