Racing Magnates, Daily Racing Form, 1899-12-17

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RACING MAGNATE?. An eastern writer says of eome of the prominent turfmen who give dignity and high character to rscing on the Jockey Club tracks: "William K. Vanderbilt will be president, not only in name but in reality, of the Coney Island Jockey Club. Mr. Vanderbilt takeB a lively interest in the sport and believes that racing can be placed upon as high a plane in this country as any in the world. He ia a believer in liberal stakes and purses, with definite amounts of added money for each, and racing conducted upon sound business principles bb consistent as possible with real sport. "This is cheering news, for it is reasonably certain that Mr. Vanderbilt will race horses in his own colors and become an active participant in the affairs of racing. There are other wealthy men who visit the stableB of their friends, where they ask many questions and show a decided inclination to adopt racing as their outdoor recreation. "William C. Whitney, with his enormous racing establishment, is thoroughly satisfied with his investment and does not hesitate to communicate the fact to his wealthy friends. "Of all the men associated with racing in America James B. Haggin is far and away in the lead bb the most extensive owner and breeder. Mr. Haggin has at least one hundred head cf horses in training in various Btables. He doeB not attempt to make an enormous percentage on hie investment, He is satisfied if he can mako both ends meet through the sales of yearlings and the winnings of his horses. "He is not likely to find fault should the expense account exceed the receipts. "There is no man interested in racing in any country that takeB a keener delight in the thoroughbred than James B. Haggin. It is a pleasure to visit a paddeck, or one of the stables, in which the millionaires horBea are quartered. He has the true sportemauja eye, and after once viewing a horse carefully, he will instantly recall him and identify him by his breeding, if he returns to the paddock ar stable a week later. "He frequently selects yearlings by their characteristics, and is almost unerring in naming their sire; or, if the maternal line is the stronger, tells what mare the colt or filly may be out of. Mr. Haggin is of vast benefit to the turf. When racing was at its lowest ebb, his libaral purchases at the sales kept up tho price;, bb well as the coursge of many of the breeders, who were despondent at tho outlook. As Mr. Haggin has been relieved of much of his business care, he will be a constant spectator at the races next year, if bis health permits,"


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Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800