The sun., 1919-07-20
DEARTH OF RIDERS
ON LOCAL TRACKS
More Races for Novices Are
Needed to Develop Good
Jockeys.

The sale OF the contract on apprentice
Jockey Lawrence Fator by Stuart Polk
to Samuel c. Hildreth for $4,000 is
proof that riding talent on American
racetracks Is scarce and emphasizes the
importance of frequently giving races in
which novlces will have a chance to ac-
quire the art OF riding.
1t was with this end in view that the
Empire City Racing Association placed
two events on its programme open only
to boys who have never won race.
The Kentucky State Racing Commits
zion announces that such races will
be given at all meetings under its
! jurisdiction. The Empire plan carries a
donation OF s25 to the fortunate appren-
tice. This sum will buy a pair of boots
and riding breeches and render the
| youngster independent instead OF having
to borrow his equipment from one OF the
older riders. as is now the case.
1t was through the medium of these
| re ces for apprentices that Danny Maher.
George Odom, Winnie O'Connor. Grover
Fuller and other premier Jockeys were
developed in former days.
The winter tracks, where a promising
novice can ride six races day. also
have been a great factor in Jockey de-
velopmsnt. They bring swift promotion
to those in the expert class. They make
good riders, besides furnishing chance
for the poorer class of horses to pay
their way. and incidentally assist in
stabilizing the breeding industry.
Developed jockeys.
IT was the winter meeting in Havana
l917-1s that brought Harry Lunsford
into prominence. He was unknown in
December. 1917, but the following spring
l., B. Mclean, the Washington sports
man. paid Kay Spence $4,000 for his
contract. Last winter in Cuba Fator.
Tommy Murray and Vida We're the shin
ing lights among the apprentices. Muir
ray was sold by Kay Spence to W. B.
Thraves of Oklahoma for $4,000, and
he Is at present regarded as the equal
/ of any jockey of his weight in America
There is an abundance of good riding
material among the youth of the coun-
| try. Progress lie largely a matter Of
| opportunity. Conditions have changed
since the day when Father Bill DAILY
trained his school with a bale stick.
The erstwhile Sage OF Hartford" be-
| lieved in hard knocks. and there never
was a graduate of his that couldn't use
, feet and hands on or off horses back.
| 1t was a survival Of the fittest, but from
| the aggregation came such splendid
horsemen as Jimmy Mclaughlin. Billy
Fitzpatrick, Snapper Garrison. Winnie
O'Connor, Johnny Lamle and other
Jockeys the like Of which. with possibly
one exception. the turf does not possess
| to-day.
schools for Youngsters.
| It would surprise many 10 learn that
the percentage of illiteraey among
! Jockeys and stable boys is very low.
Edward ]. Matthew. Field Inspector for
! the New York State Military Training
| Commission. who has made an extensive
! investigation said yesterday:
in following up my work on the race
tracks found three high school grad
yates in the ranks OF the Jockeys, while
the stable boys and apprentices would
| average about the seventh grade. 1t was
| n surprise to me. / understand that In
former days OF the turf there were
schools operated in the vicinity Of the
! various courses, and that It was COM
pulsory for these stable lads to attend.
| am told that the racing authorities
| paid the teachers.
THAT was n good work. and I have
| taken up the matter OF reinstating these
| schools. The Board of Education will
gladly furnish the teaching stan A
letter to the Jockey Club has brought
the assurance of Its desire to cooperate.
| and II is hoped that the schools will be
opened during the coming winter"