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GOSSIP OF THE TURF. "S. R. Montgomery, president of the New Memphis Jockey Club, and M. N. Macfarlan, secretary, have returned to Memphis from Chicago, where they journeyed to look after the interests of the Memphis association at the annual meeting of the Western Jockey Club stewards," says the Commercial Appeal of Dec. 9. "The trip to the Windy City, however, was productive of Judge Macfarlan being honored with the presiding judgeship of the new track which has just been completed at Kansas City, and which will hold two meetings the coming year. The Kansas City plant is owned by Messrs. C. C. Christie, Ed Corrigan and others well known in the west. Mr. Christie is president of the association, a"nd in looking about for a competent person to preside in the judicial stand he selected Judge Macfarlan. The Missourians are lucky to secure such a man to start out with the sport of kings. Judge Macfarlan is known in every part of the racing map from almost a lifelong association with the sport in some capacity or other. For seven years he has conducted the destinies of the aristocratic club which has controlled racing in Memphis since the early 80s. In addition to filling the position of secretary at the local club Mr. Macfarlan has presided in the judges stand at Montgomery Park, and also at Worth, Windsor and Nashville, in a manner that won for him a name to be feared by evildoers and those who would put the turf into disrepute. As a racing secretary he has been in the front flight for several years. He has annually showed great ability as a handicapper by naming the weights for the classic Montgomery Handicap, and close finishes between i turf stars of the past, in which some ordinary animal always ran or beat a stake horse to j the wire, is ample proof of his skill in handicapping his field so that good and bad horses met with an equal adjustment of weights." "Considering the short time the meeting has been in progress there has been quite a little doing iri the way of running up horses in selling races," says a special dispatch to the Cincinnati Enquirer from Oakland, Dec. 5. "Quite a selling race war is liable to be on in earnest if the present state j of affairs prevails. F. W. Doss, who has gained a reputation for bidding up horses, got a dose of his own medicine when Mee-hanus was taken away from him a few days ago. In one race yesterday Doc Rowell claimed The Don for 25, and Ed Tierney claimed Albemarle for the same amount. In the same race Rollick, the winner, was bid up from 00 to ,000 and retained. The above is a pretty good record for one selling race." An extraordinary incident occurred during the Course races at Gatwick, England, last Wednesday, when one competitor, named Happy Bird, belonging to Mr. Pritchard and ridden by Birch, in a hurdle race over a distance of two miles, on returning to the paddock, was discovered to be fast asleep. Efforts were made to rouse him and he opened his eyes for a second or two, after which he promptly relapsed into slumber again. In all there are about 250 horses now stabling at Gravesend, and most of them will remain in their present quarters until the racing season opens in the spring. Thus far it is reported that the health of the colony has been excellent, with the exception of F. R. Doctors Stamping Ground. She has been coughing recently, and is on the invalid list. There is a chance for jockey T. Meade to go to France to ride next year at a good retainer, but the diminutive rider has thus far shown a disinclination to make the voyage. "I have done my best," said a friend of the jockey recently, "to convince Meade that it would be a good thing for him to go, as the retainer offered is well worth his while. Although he is twenty-three years old, or thereabouts, he can ride at 90 or 92 pounds, and there is little chance if his taking on more weight. He would surely do well in France or in England if he would go there." Charles Hughes, trainer of H. M. Zieglera string of horses, has arrived at Lexington, Ky., to take charge of the youngsters at Highland Farm.
