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, 1 . CROKERS JOCKEY FOR NEXT YEAR. Stephen Donoglme has signed a contract to ride for Richard Croker next year. Donoglme was the leading jockey in Ireland during the past season and there is no reason why he should not gain that honor next year, according to a foreign turf paper. which has the following comment to make regarding this rider: "Donoghue finished up the season which found him at the head of -winning jockeys in brilliant fashion by riding three consecutive winners, one of them, it is true, being a subsequently defeated dead-heater, and there can be few instances ot" a jockey having risen from comparative obscurity to the top of the tree within three seasons. Donoghue lias got there by sheer merit, and with John Thompson and Charters riding next year for Mr. Muskcr in England, there is no reason why he should not stay where he is, namely, at the top of the list. It is to be hoped that his name will not be again allowed to appear in chalk on the Liverpool number- board. "Donoghue is no boy. being, as a matter of fact. 20 years of age. lie can go to scale at a little over OS pounds, and Mr. Croker has secured his services for next year, paying him a retainer ot ,000, .Mrs. Sadlier-.Tackson having second claim. Dono- ghue was married last week to the daughter of Phil Behan, the much-respected Mountjoy Lodge trainer, who has had a very good season considering the comparatively small string he has had under his charge. Donoghue rode Rhodora when she ran away with the Turf Club Cup and the Champion Prize on consecutive days in the first week of September at tin- Curragh. and he will, I hope, be winning more races on her uext year."
