Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 July 1881 — THE ENGLISH JOCKEYS. [ARTICLE]

THE ENGLISH JOCKEYS.

Arooer and Fordham—the Style in Which the Former Lives. ■ ■ ■■ * 2l«w York Evening Post. The reporter asked Major Hubbard why American jockeys woe not sent to England with American horses to prevent the criticism like that made upon Iroquois’ saoopM that Archer really won the race by superior riding. He replied that good jockeys are far mote plentiful in England than here, and that such combinations of pluek, physical strength and judgment as are found In Archer and Fordham are rare. Such a Jockey knows by instinct wbat a horse can do; a few strokes of a whip too many lose a race and so may a few strokes too few. It is a delicate matter and requires fine judgment. Major Hubbard admits that Archer’s riding had a good deal to do with winning the Derby. Fordham, who rode FoxnaU, began'to ride in 1861. He retired from the turf with a fortune, and lost it in / speculation. He Is, after Archer, the most popular jockey of the day, and has been called the “Demon Rider,” on account of his extraordinary energy In urging a horse forward at the end of the race. Archer, the chief jookey of England, is a remarkable personage, petted like a prima donna the companion of sporting lords, and his services are intrigued and paid for at a rate of remuneration known only on the turf. His movements are chronicled as carefully as those of a Prince of the royal blood. His visiting cards are In constant demand. He is surrounded by a host of parasites, his mounts are backed to the shortest odds; the opinion of the animal he rides is

most anxiously solicited by the owner and trainer; while the gamblers who pin their faith to him are pleased with even a smile from his valet. Moreover, he earns a larger income than a Prime Minister. Archer’s regular fees are $25 for the mount if he wins, sl6 if he loses and $lO for a trial. These fees are the smallest part of his income, notwithstanding that he rides in avast number of races every year. In 1875, he won 172 races; in. 1877, he won 207; In 1876 he won 218; in 1879,197, and in 1830,120. He has not ridden so many hones during the last two years on account of a savage bite from Muley Eddris, which disabled one of his arms for several months. The fees for races are insignificant, compared to the presents made to him by owners of the horses he has ridden. Gold watches, diamond rings, riding horses, dog carts, yachts, suits of clothes, hats, cases of champagne,etc.,are quite common. Money gifts accompany these smaller testimonials of gratitude. He got $5,000 from Mr. Lorillard for winning the Derby, and Mr. Keene is to gve Fordham $2,500 for winning the rand Prix of Paris. Still larger sums than these have been given. - The jockey who won the Derby ten years ago with Hermit \fras presented with $15,000. The policy of paying such sums to jockeys has been much criticised, but the amount of money at stake is so large that it is thought wise to protect the Jockey against corrupt offers. Archer has only to ride his ap-

pointed horse. He keeps a valet to assist him in changing his dress. He travels from one race meeting to another iii a first-class carriage, probably the companion of the noblemen by whom he Is employed. In winter he rides to hounds, or rides to town. In 1876 he is reported to have earned $60,000. The customs of to-day in the matter of regarding jockeys are in contrast with those of half a century ago. John Day was a chief jockey in his time and won the two great races in one year. The Duke of Grafton, his master, sent for him and said: “John Day, I am going to make you a present for the manner in which you have ridden my horses this week. lam about to give you S2O iu bank notee.” This was a handsome present for those days, when a successful jockey, if a married man, was generally given a side of bacon,, a bag of potatoes or a barrel of borne- brewed ale and bis usual wages. Then horstfriders were grooms rather than jockey*. j