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JOCKEYS ENGAGED. "The eastern turf world will be greatly surprised 1 to learn that two of the most prominent jockeys now riding in America will probably join the colony of Yankee riders abroad next season," says Morning Telegraph of Thursday. "One of them, Nash Turner, has already signed a contract to ride for the stable of W. K. Vand6rbilt ! in France, next year. "The other, Lucien Lyne, will in all probability contract to ride in England for J. R. Keene for 0,000 a year and all the princely perquisites that; 1 go with such an engagement. "When Mr. Keene decided to strengthen materially his already formidable English stable two ; serious obstacles stood in his way. The first was the lack of a satisfactory trainer.- This was overcome when the contract with trainer Matt Allen 1 was secured. The second remained, but no sooner was Allen in harness than he took up the question with his new employer. The result was that negotiations were opened with young Lyne. "After an interview with the lad Mr. Keene decided that 5,000 a year would bo about the right figure. When Lyne was informed of the decision he promptly declined the offer, saying that J. B. Haggin had offered him that amount to ride his horses on American tracks next season. "Lyne was finally asked for terms, and he named 0,000, with the proviso that he would have to get the parental consent. He agreed not to do business with any one until his offer had been considered by Mr. Keene, and there is not much doubt but what his terms will be accepted. To-day will likely decide, and it can be stated as reasonably certain that Lyne will wear the Keene colors on the English turf in 1903. Jockey Lucien Lype two years ago this Spring was virtually on a par with the apprentice claes as to ability, riding only occasionally, and then mostly horses of moderate caliber. One day, on Approval, at Sheepshead Bay, Lyne was thrown into the fence and broke his leg. This laid him up for the remainder of that season. "Last year he began his riding career in the west fairly well and along in the fall he won so many races and improved so much that on the day when he rode four winners at Latonia he was engaged by A. H. and D. H. Morris to ride thir horses at New Orleans last winter. "At New Orleans Lyne rode many other horses besides those in the Morris stable, and at the cloBe of New Orleans went up the wostern circuit. Along in the early summer John A. Drake and Enoch Wishard engaged him, and since then his progress has been rapid. "Young Lyne is the son of Sanford C. Lyne, of Kentucky, a breeder in a small way, and the lad has been raised as a Kentucky gentlemans son, and given a fair education. His parents, particularly his mother, were opposed to his taking up the profession of a jockey from the danger of such a life, but parental opposition has yielded before the lads remarkable success. " In the last few months young Lyne has ridden the winners of the American Derby, Futurity and many other great races. Ho almost won the whole program four races at Gravesend last week, and stands today as the equal in favor of any jockey in America. Quiet and self-contained, with none of the rough about him, either in races or on the ground, young Lyne is universally esteemed and respected. Bar accident, he has a great future ahead of him. Turner signed the contract with W. K. Vander-bilt yesterday morning in the oflice of the millionaire owner, and through its terms will have one of the best engagements of any American boy abroad. " The contract will be in effect from February 1 to December 1, 1903, and provides that Turner shall receive a salary of 0,C00 yearly, together with all expenses, including a home. "He will be required to report in Paris on the first of February, in order to assist in training the horses for the opening of the season, April 1. "The news that Turner has been engaged under such advantageous circumstances will be received with pleasure by his many friends. He is one of the best riders in this country and a thorough horseman. He is capablo of putting up a finish second to none. "For the past two years Turner has been receiving a liberal salary from W. C. Whitney. This season he has had little opportunity to display his ability in the saddle, and at times it was difficult to keep in condition owing to the lack stable mounts. He showed good form in the saddle during the Sheepshead Bay meeting. "Negotiations to secure the services of Turner for the Vanderbilt stable have been pending for some time, but the matter was not closed until the arrival of Mr. Vanderbilt. "A feature of the contract which is favorable to Turner is that he will not be required to do less than 120 pounds. He is under engagement for this country as well as France, but most of his riding is likely to be done abroad. "Mr. Vanderbilt will have a strong stable in charge of Eddie Hughes. In the early part of this season a number of his horses wont wrong, and, jockey Buchanan, who was under engagement to 1 ! 1 ; 1 him, was sent home. During the past few months the colors of the well known owner have frequently been seen in front, as the two-year-olds in his string have been displaying good form. "With a stronger stable and a jockey like Turner to ride, Mr. Vanderbilt will doubtless prove to be an important factor on the French turf next season. Turner intended to ride in California during the coming season and hoped to go out there in November. He is now undecided about the trip, owing to the necessity of going to France so early. If the weights out there are favorable, he may ride on the cbast for two months. His engagement with Mr. Whitney ends at the close of the present season. "In some quarters there is an idea that Tommy Burns may be selected to ride for W. C. Whitney in England next season. The jockey stated yesterday that he is only under engagement to ride in this conntry, he having cut out the clause providing that he should go abroad if necessary. "Burns said he would not care to go to England to ride unless he received a higher salary than his present contract provides for. "Without having the services of Turner, and as Burns is to ride in this country, there will be considerable speculation as to who Mr. Whitney will secure to ride for his English stable, especially as indications point to him taking an active interest in turf affairs across the Atlantic. "Jockey Shaw stated yesterday that he will go to California at the close of the present season. He has no engagement to ride there, but doubtless there will be a liberal demand for his services. This will be the first time Shaw has visited California. "Green Morris is anxious to secure a jockey to ride for him in California, but up to date ho has not succeeded in engaging one. He has spoken to OConnor and Shaw, but as they are under engagement to Mr. Featherstone and Pittsburg Phil, respectively, for next season, he would be obliged to relinquish call on their services in the spring when be comes east. Mr. Morris said yesterday that he could sign a jockey at once but for his desire to have one who would remain with him for the eastern campaign next year. "W. OB. Macdonough, the California millionaire, is also trying to secure a lightweight jockey to ride for him in the west. He expected that he would be able to engage Redfern, but was disappointed. "He also made an effort to get J. Martin, but T. Welch did not like the idea of allowing him to ride in the winter. Mr. Macdonough has a strong stable for next season, and a jockey who signs with him will have a good opportunity." -
