New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-14
A GENEROUS SPORT"

Walton had the generosity and good
tcnuer Of true sport An occurrence
in the paddock at Newmarket reveals these
traits Charles Wood was the jockey for
the Ashley stable and was reputed to be
close friend of Walton. Sir John Ashley
WAS among the prominent owners, and he
WAS lamenting in the paddock that owing
L. tie money bet 10y Walton an animal of
his was made fayorite. II was great dis
appointment for he expected a Ions price
in the betting against this horse. Walton
hnppened along Just as the irritated baronet
" unhesitatingly proclaming that the
American had taken advantage of Informal
tiou Gained from Wood. Walton walked
right up and said: Here's my book, Sir
Jonn. Ii YOU think | have taken the cream
Of the market 1 will let you have half Of
it
IL was not only a sportsmanlike offer but
a generous one 1t served only TO stir the
wrath of the old Britsher.
Take your damned book and yourself
and get back to America, where you be-
lonc." he said. IF the boat sinks on the
way won't srieVe"
Walton coolIy turned away. taking no
notice of the baroret's rudeness. After the
Ashley mare had won the race. and incl
dentaily a big bit for himself, Walton said
TO Ashley:
The offer still goes. Sir John. if you
choose 10 accept it,
II WAS the British who gave the title
"pluneer'' to the lucky Yankee. The name
stuck 10 him the rest of his life. How they
lated him, And they had some reason. for
he seemed e. draw money from them As
tbov had him ruined. but they had not
reckoned on his Yankee shrewdness
ltN,as in 1883 that Mr.. Walton planned his
greatest campaign against the BRUSH DOOM
makers lilo leased tho running qualities
Of The celebrated distance mare Chrome.
Fariv in the season ne sent her abroad WIN
the American jockey Billy Donahoe.
a few weeks later Mr. Walton departed
for England, after me had Won $'''"o In
single DAYS betting at Monmouth PARK.
Fortune seemed 10 turn ON the other sac
however. and contrary to his experience OF
former wears he was a heavy loser. lhc run
ming Of the Cesarewich helped 10 swell MS
loss lie had openly backed Gnohe to WIN
that race. and if she had done 80 he would
have won s6so,Oop The British turf eNulted
oyer his supposed ruin when Don Juan
won To controvert this feeling Mr.. wal
Ter produced his betting book to show ne
had lost only $50 net on the race, having
hedged his Girofe bets and placed others
on Don Juan Walton as rule though
would not tel how much he lost or III any
way refer to the fact that he had lost
When he had troubles he made a confdaht
OF no one.
His method abroad was almost inVariaD'y
10 bet on American horses. irrespective OF
other considerations. II is well known th't
the biggest bets Dc won when IN England
were won by backing the horses OF MS
home country. I'm England big sums are
constantly Won and lost on the tur:. but
when lroquois won the Derby Nalton S
winnings were the biggest ever heard OF
end made the BriUshers open their eyes.
The same year, ISL, he made a big bunch
of money by the success OF James X.
Teene's FoxhaiI When he returned 90
England the next year the bookmakers
we're laying for him and won all the money
back from him and much more besides.