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FAMOUS ENGLISH TRAINER RETIRES. Racing people will learn with much interest that Mr. Sam Darling lias now retired from the training profession. He has turned over Reckhamptou Houc and the stables to his son Fred, and is living at a comfortable, newly-built house close by, to which lie has given the appropriate name of Willonyx. One of the greatest assets of the British turf is th fact that, the training profession is for the most part made up of men of strict integrity men whose loyalty to their employers is unswerving and "who would" scorn deliberately to hoodwink the public. Such men as John Porter. Sam Darling and Richard Marsh, to name but three who in our time have been leaders of the profession, are in racing circles universally respected. To know them and discuss with them the details of the turf will be reckoned a pleasure bv the best sportsmen and sportswomen of the time. Their resixinsibilities are immense, but their sense of duty is proportionately great. While the turf can produce trainers of the stamp of Sam Darling and many others of unimpeachable records whose names will at once occur to readers, we are not likely to forget our passion for this fascinating sport. Although not training any more. says Sam Darling. I shall not lose touch with the calling which I have followed since 1SG0. and I am proud to say without a single trouble with the iowers that rule racing in both of its branches. It will be generally agreed that this is a record which he is fully entitled to regard with much pride. He lias already been asked by influential owners If lie will give assistance in purchasing race horses for them, now that ho will Iiave more leisure. Moreover, the benefit of his long experience and exceptional knowledge will be at the disposal of his successor at Beck-liampton House. Fred Darling declares that his father is hard to follow, for the latter has done everything in top-hole style. Well, my lwy. replies the father, you cau command my help when you want it. And no doubt Fred will avail himself of the promise. Sam Darling will still carry on the 1.200 acres of land which he has farmed at Reckhamptou. As a breeder and exhibitor of stock he has gained numerous honors. With sheep, cart horses and cattle he has done well in the show ring: he has won with mangolds and swedes. Honors for ploughing and long service- have been gained by his men, the prizes amounting to over 200 in ail. Upon his retirement his staff have made a presentation to him. which is naturally very gratifying to the noted trainer. Many importaut victories have gone to the credit of Beckhanipton since Sam Darling took the place over; but of course, the horses chiefly responsible for the fame of the Beckhanipton Stable were Galtee More and Aid Patrick. I cannot do better than give you Sam Darlings own account of these two brilliant Derby winners. lie writes: "Galtee .More was slow in coming to hand as a two-year-old. He did not really develop himself until the autumn, and it is history he then beat Velasquez in the Middle Park Plate by six lengths. The following spring lie beat Kilcock over a mile, at a stone, by six lengths. At that time the latter had 127 pounds in the Jubilee. After winning the Two Thousand Guineas again boating Velasquez, Galtee .More was :! to 1 on for the Derby, and as he had after the Newmarket race a rather large tilling of the tendons under the knee I had a very anxious time indeed, particularly as he was such a hot favorite. He won the Derby easily and. afterwards tin St. Leger. In the following year the Russians gave 20,000 guineas for Him and expressed a wish to run liini in tin? Sold Cup at Ascot if I thought he would stand, but, fearing a breakdown, I advised them to have him at the stud, and they took my advice. "Aid Patrick was quite a different horse. He was a backward two-year-old, and did not put on muscle until late in the spring. As a three-year-old. in consequence, he was not lit until the Derby, which ho won easily indeed. He unfortunately sprained a tendon at Ascot in the new ground, which was very deep at the time; ho won the race, Cupbearer being disqualified, but I could not go on with him for the St. Leger. The next year he won the Princess of Wales Stakes at Newmarket and the Eclipse at Sandown, defeating Sceptre by a neck and Rock Sand, the winner of the Triple Crown of that year, by many lengths. The Germans bought him at 20.000 pounds for the Royal Gradilz Stud: ho has sired many winners there. 1 much wanted .Mr. Gubbins to keep him at his own stud, but he said the price was too tempting. I consider both the colts lirst-class and quite a stone above the ordinary Derby winner." London Sporting Life.
