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. AIM AMERICAN TRAINER DESCRIBES GERMAN RACING "Racing in Germany is conducted on a magnificent scale," said James II. McCormick, the American turfman, just before he sailed for Europe the other daw "Emperor William ami the German- nobility believe in thoroughbred racing, and they have encouraged so many wealthy men to conduct big stables that the industry Is both enormous and prosperous. Money is plentiful as a result of the maintenance of the big German race courses, for thousands of persons patronize them and not only back the horses through the medium of the pari-mutuels. but also spend their wealth lavishly. "Three race tracks are within, easy reach of Berlin. The biggest is Grucnewald. which means Greenwood in English, and it has been constructed at an outlav of more than ,000,000. I may say that it is more beautiful and imposing than Rel-mont Park and Shcepshcnd Bay, which is saying a lot. An odd thing about Grunewald is that no stabling is permitted within the enclosure. There is a reception stable, or paddock; accommodating about a hundred horses, but they must be engaged to take part in the races for a single day. The headquarters for all the best horses in training is located at Hoppogarten, which might bo called Germanys Xcwmarket. and is about half an hours trip by rail from Berlin. All classes of citizens can afford to attend the races at Grnnewald. The lowest price of admission is one mark, or twenty-five cents, and the rates scale up to fifteen marks, or .75. The twenty-live cent gate admits one to the field only, while the highest tariff includes clubhouse and paddock privileges. There are seven races each day. and the crowds are tremendous. Why. on May 23. 1909. 75.000 persons paid admission to Grunewald. which heats all attendance records in America. I believe, for at Belmont Park on Decoration Day, 1907. I think a record was made when 55.000 persons passed through the turnstiles. Trainers and -jockeys in good standing receive buttons, good for all time unless forfeited for a -violation ot the rules, which admit them to all of the tracts in Germany. "The German furf governors hang up valuable purses for steeplechases and races - in which army officers ride. The best cross-country course is -at Madgeburg, near Berlin, and a big event decided there annually bas an added money value of 12,500. The mounts are exclusively given to army ofllcers and tho race is one of the most popular in the country- "Emperor William and the Crown: Prince are .enthusiastic patrons of the turf and constantly attend the races. The Crown Prince frequently rides in steeplechases and flat races and is a superb horseman. The Emperor, when visiting the tracks, does not hold aloof from the iopulaco. Instead lie mixes -with the crowds in the paddock and on the broad lawns, where he can enjoy. the prevalent enthusiasm and good fellowship. He owns the most powerful stable in Germany, consisting of sixty-five thorough breds, and the quarters provided for these thoroughbreds are beautifully laid out". Near them are houses for the accommodation of trainers, jockeys, hostlers, exercise boys, rubbers and blacksmiths. The manager of this wonderful establishment is Count Lekiulorff, who exercises absolute authority. The head trainer is Reginald Day, an Englishman, who possesses much ability, while the jockeys are Frank Bidlock, an Australian, and Charles Weather-don, who hails from Great Britain. "The Emperor also owns the Royal Stud, and there you will find some of the most noted stallions and marcs in the world. Among the sires are two Irish horses, Ard Patrick and Galtee More, which were purchased from the late John Gubblns. The Emperor allows any German breeder to niate mares with these stallions for a fee of 5. but foreign breeders must pav ,000 for the same privilege. The Kaiser paid 0,000 for Ard Patrick and 0,000 for Galtee f More. He also Iwughl a French stallion. Caius, for 40,000, and witli Danillo, a son of Cains. I won the Austrian grand prize last October, with Dannv Maher in the saddle. Danillo at present is expected to win either the Hamburg Derby or the Vienna Derby. He is eligible for both events, but Ive not decided yet which I shall send him after. "When stallions or mares lose their usefulness in the stud they are turned over to the armv. witli the result that horses used in the cavalry and artillery liossess extraordinary quality. That is one of the benefits derived from racing in Germany. For that matter the royal stud is maintained chiefly to encourage the breeding of- remounts, ami in case of war every horse in training or in the stud, no matter how valuable he may be, can be pressed into service. "Hoppegarten affords stable room for more than 700 horses. There arc live exercise tracks there, three of turf and two of sand. The training quarters of Baron Oppenheim and Ilerr Haitian, for whom I will train this year, are most elalwrate. 1 shall have fifty-six horses quartered there and 1 hftpe to-do as well as last year, when the combined stable earned 40,000. I am taking over Vincent Powers, Willie Knapp and Fred Herbert to ride for me this season. "The honor of winning stakes and purses in Germany is the means of putting the betting end of the game somewhat in the background. That doesnt mean that betting is conducted on a comparatively small scale, for everyliody plays the races. But there are no Iwxikmakers at all. hence an absence of spectacular plunging. The pari-niutuel system gives en-tiro satisfaction and produces a big revenue for the government. "If you visit the German tracks you will not find it necessary to speak the language, for there are many Americans and Englishmen there during the racing season. American trainers and jockeys are extremely popular. Willie Shaw, for instance, is one of the best riders. He was under contract to my employers last year, together with Walter Miller and James Sumter, and Shaw received a1 handsome salary. He has signed to ride this year for Prince Ilohenlohe and will draw 0,000 for his engagement. "English thoroughbreds are better known and more highly regarded than American horses, but I believe that .-in due time the American racer will -establish himself in favor. American yearlings were readily bought in Germany last season and they will be soon put to the test. High prices wore paid for yearlings, by the way. because of the prosperity of the turf and the figures will go higher as the g"ame grows. "German turfmen cannot nderstand the present antipathy to racing in the United States. They are anxious to know why this, a free country, is so antagonistic when in Germany. England, France. Russia and Austria the governments are in favor of building up the turf and do not see harm in speculation. 1 have been unable to explain to Germany why America lias assumed this attitude, except to say that reformers over here seem to bo in the majority. If I could race in the United States under the old conditions, you can depend upon it that Id return here, but as racing is my bread and butter. Ive got to operate where I am well paid and appreciated. "I shall never forget some of the great Jiorses I used to train here, Alcedo, Ilerinis. Colonel Bill. Felicia. Fawn, Firefly. Gloriiier and others, and I shall always remember the days when Americans took pride in applauding the sons and daughters of famous stallions. There are many line horses in Europe, but I have not yet seen the equal of Svson-by. Colin. Commando,- Domino.- Tennv, Salvator. Kingston. Lamplighter. Kiuley Mack, Imp and manv others. Those were the good old days and I hopb they will return in the present generation."
