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HOW MR. CROKER LOST A JOCKEY. Dublin, December 12. Mr. Croker has lost his 190S jeekey, F. Hunter. The boy did a bit of double dealing in signing the contract. Within the last ton days or so Hunter undoubtedly signed a very advanrageous one for himself. engaging to ride "first jockey" for Mr. Croker in 190S. When this covenant was entered into, by Mr. Croker he was unaware that Hunter hud tohl Sir Ernest Cochrane he would ride for him next year. The conversation with Sir Ernest Cochrane in which Hunter made the promise, took place on Phoenix Park race course in August last. No ratification of that conversation or agreement has been signed or registered. However, the moment Mr. Croker was convinced that Hunter had conveyed, although more than three months ago. and then only verbally, to Sir Ernest Cochrane that he was willing to ride for him next season, he wrote informing Sir Ernest that, in the circumstances, he had cancelled his agreement with Hunter. The rules of racing lay it dowji that "all agreements shall be registered." No agreement between Sir Ernest Cochrane and Hunter for next season had been registered. Thus Mr. Crokers action In this matter, so far as Sir Ernest Cochrane is concerned, was admirable. The Derby winner, Orby, is looking in rude health. He is a splendid specimen of a thoroughbred, and will make a good stallion. If all goes well with his half-sister, Rhodora. by St. Frus-quin,-during the winter, the Dewhurst Plate winners prospects for the One Thousand Guineas and the Oaks look rosy. She Is a beautiful lilly, but has gone through a deal this season, both in England and Ireland. Few who saw the raqe will deny that she was unlucky to be beaten by White Eagle for the rich National Breeders Produce Stakes at Sandown Park, and had she won, her sire, St. Frusquln, would have been well on top. Although White Eagle just won, the filly evidently took the steel out of Colonel Hall Walkers colt. Before the Middle Park Plate Rhodora had been couching, and when she dead-heated with Mr. Win. Dunnes crack Temeraire for the Londonderry Plate at Leopardstown in August, she had 1m?ou badly kicked at the post. Her easy victory in the Dewhurst Plato was full of merit. In fact, I am convinced that when at concert pitch, this fine daughter of St. Frusquiii and .Rhoda B. is a smasher. More unlikely things have happened than that hi the first and second for the Dewhurst Plate the winner of next years Derby and Oaks were on view His Majestys fine colt, Perrier, by Persimmon, out of Amphion, for the Derby and Mr. Crokers Rhodora, by St. Frusquln, the Oaks. Alabama, half-sister to Orby and Rhodora, is a charming, sizy chestnut, by Americas, out of Rhoda B. Mr. Croker has engaged her in the Derby, Oaks 1909, and other English races of note. A rare good mover, if Hhe cannot go It will be indeed a queer thing. Her own sister. Rhododendron, by Americus, out of Rhoda B.. was very smart, a good two-year-old winner, and unbeaten as a three-year-old. She is now in Mr. Crokers stud at Glencairn and will in the ensuing season be mated with Clonmell. I think everything that Rhoda B. which Is now only twelve years old, has ever thrown is a winner.
