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NICKNAMES OF ENGLISH JOCKEYS. Ever since horse racing first became popular in England, the public has been wont to give nicknames to its favorite jockeys, and the practice has continued right down to the present day. For instance, Johnny ReifT, the rider of CraganoUr in the Derby, was promptly christened "The Midget" on bis arrivel in this country from America in 1S99. He has grown up now, and is a married man, but the name still sticks to him, and it certainly fitted him to perfection in those early days, when he r6de at sixty-three pounds, and measured only an inch or so over four feet in height. Johnny was also known for a while as "Pineapple ReifT.1" on account of the following incident: At the time when he was the spoilt darling of the racing world, a great lady approached him one day in the paddock and said: "What do you feed your horses on, little boy, to make thorn win so often" "Pineapple, maam." answered Johnny, without turniug a hair. The joke of tho impromptu reply lies in the fact that all horses dislike intensely this particular fruit, and none can be induced to eat it under any circumstances whatever. Tod Sloan, the pioueer of the American "Invaders," was given at least three nicknames during his brief, meteoric career in this country. He was "The Crawler," on account of the way he used to crawl up on to the neck of his mount during the progress of a hotly contested race; "The Whisperer," because it was said that he used to whisper in his horses ear as he leaned over him while riding, and "Top-Speed Tod," because of the manner in which he rode his mount from start to finish as hard as lie could go. Frank Woo t ton used to be known as the "New Johnny Iteill." because he strongly resembled the little American in feature and build. He was also called "Tiny" Wootton. Daniel Mahcr is familiarly "Danny." of course, but be is also known as "Brainy Maher." because he rides with his head as well as his hands. Herbert Jones Is "The Kings Jockey" now, and was formerly "Diamond Jubilee Jones." after the horse that first made him famous. J. H. Martin is "Skeets." Tom Cannon In the old days was facetiously dubbed "The Eaton Bov," from the place of his birth. Poor Fred Archer was, of course. "The Tinman," because of the way he used to rake in the "tip" for his followers. He was also called "The Demon," owing to his famous riding. The veteran John Osborne was "The Pusher." a name which explains itself. Sam Chiffney, the younger, was "The Artful Dodger," and lived up to his name, frequently stealing a race from animals infinitely superior to his own mount by his tricky riding and skillful maneuvering. Jem Snowdon was "Old Gargle," from his fondness for the bottle. On one occasion he was asked to win by not more than a length, as it was a selling race, and the owner of the horse wanted to buy it in cheaply. Instead he came In six lengths ahead, anil when remonstrated with, replied in his broad north-country dialect: "Thou ought to think thysol lucky to win at all. for by gum I saw five winning posts, and I didnt know which was the right one." A. Whalloy. who was riding Tracory. at Ascot, when the armed man tried to rtop the rare, is "The Ladybird." a somewhat cryptic title until one COfflvs t refrtU tb,e popular ch41dvnand Ftyine, "Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home." and remembers how- frequently this most popular jockey does fly away "home" on the race course. Bernard Dillon was early christened "Patsy." in allusion to. the country of his origin; and when Otto Madden first burnt like a new star on the racing Jlrmament, " and people found that he hailed from Germany, what more natural than that he should be nicknamed "The Kaiser." C. Trigg is "The Rocket." or more frequently "Hell-Fire Jack," though why "Jack." when his Christian name is "Charlie." few of his admirers, probably, would be able to explain satisfactorily. W. Bullock, the winner of Slgnorlnettas Derby, was "The Moo-Cow," an obvious play on his name. F. Rickaby is "Greased Lightning," a nickname, the derivation of which Is also pretty obvious. W. Huxley is "The Professor." Joe 1 Plant is "The Pocket Hercules." and sometimes J "The Policeman." Pearsons Weekly.
