Evening star., 1953-06-02


After ALL it would be quite novelty to have titled
gentleman like the 49yearod Goryknghted by the young
Queen only yesterdayrdng at Laurel in the second Wash
ingon D. International fall It's not too unlikely
either for the veteran seriously considered coming
year. Derby triumph could climax brilliant for
Richards who numbers every other mnortant rtish
among his 1864 victories.
Regardless of how the Laurel bgwgs feel Derby
there's doubt they're hoping Wiwyn trumphs in the
Coronation Cup fixture by Reign Count American
champion in 1928 sire of Fleet 1943
Crown winner Wlwyn loser in only of his last IS starts
the first Washington International last year and his
Robert Boucher already accepted invitation
for 1883 Oddly enough the horses chief threat EPSON
Friday expected to be the eccentric zucchero who third
behind Wiwyn and Ruhe at Laurel last fall.
*
IT'S AMAZING THE WAY things have worked out to
center world attention British racing during Coronation
Week If the Belmont Stakes being this Saturday
instead OF next most American fans would be thinking about
the next meeting of Native Dancer Jamie K Royal Bay
Gem But there little on tap in the United States this week
to keep the British from getting the headlines
Queen Elizabeth, knowedgeable horewoman according
TO all accounts added the final touch when she knghted
Richards and Jack Hobbs grand old cricket
one time much of athletic hero in England Babe
Ruth country The record books list many Hobbs
achievements his world scored
but Americans don't know cricket and can't appreciate what
that means They understand and appreciate Richards
the first jockey knighted.
For years, reserved British goers have permitted
themselves muttered Get along Gordy" whenever their
favorite rider was in tight It's unlikely that they will
follow the headline of the Daily Mirror London tabloid
change that to Come Sir Gordon"
THE ENGLISH ALWAYS have we'll by their athletic
idols. John Gully started out butcher boy the
heavyweight boxing championship in 1906 and later
member of Parliament. millionaire when he died in 1885,
he also owned two winners of the EPSON Derby during
life Steve Donoghue Lancashire born jockey Irish descent
was onized during the 192OS sxtme Derby SO
was Fred Archer, national hero before he millions
greve by committing suicide shortly after his rumphs
the unbeaten Ormonde in 1886.
But Richards always has been something special
coal miner OF Welsh descent Gody left home at 1e to
become Jockey and has been at it He an
opportunity to meet the great Donoghue early in his
and decided to model his style after that How we'll
he succeeded is attested by the record books
Richards who licked tuberculosis among other things
rode his 4O0Oh winner at Sandown Park May 1880
day before his 46th birthday At that time
18478 races London paper the next day listed
MS not generally known here For instance
in October 1888 he rode IL winners an unpara
eed record In addition he has ridden sequence eight
winners once seven winners once six five IL times four
80 times and three 112 times
UNTIL RICHARDS CAME ALONG Archer always ranked
as Englands greatest jockey He might have set unap-
proachabe records had it been
sion that caused him to take his life old
Born in 1857 the of steeplechase jockey who
Grand National the following year. Archer Derby
five times the ST. Leger six times and every other worthwhile
stakes except the Cambridgeshire indirectly
caused his death He had mounts in 1904 and
2746 OF them for phenomenal average.
Before the 1886 Cambrdgeshe sweated it out for
hVe days trying to get down to 100 pounds weakened
conoon ne lost the head shortly
suffered chill and put bed days later doctors
announced he suffering from typhoid fever and was
expected to recover That afternoon shot himself whilst
In state OF unsound mind according the inquest
Like our Ted Atkinson and before him, Sonny Workman
rcner was famed as whip rider Richards usually
his whip only threat according race writer's
This brings to mind what Atkinson had say after
rosng nnlsh on Tom Fool in Saturdays Suburban
against Royal Vale "The idea to beat him Teddy
Sao out 10 impress him with the urgency of the situation"