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AN ENGLISH JOCKEY OF GREAT SKILL. . In addition to Frank Wootton we are losing another lirst-rate jockey in "William Arnold Higgs. who has retired from the profession owing to Indifferent health, which handicapped him sorely during the past two seasons, and put excessive wasting completely out of the question. In striking contrast to Wool ton and Mahof. lmth of whom struck oil at the very beginning of their respective careers, Higgs. who is a "cockney." in so far that he was born in London in 1S7!. experienced a very rough time to commence with, but by sheer hard work, determination and industry, which have been prominent characteristics throughout his career, he eventually conquered and met with handsome, if belated, reward. It was unfortunate for him that after fulfilling two years of his apprenticeship to the hue J. B. Humphreys, at Lamhourn. his master, one ui the kindest and best that ever broke bread, died, HUil another agreement was in ISP", made with ills, neighbor. James Chandler, also long since gone over to the majority. His opportunities were few and progress slow until in a lucky moment he came in touch with Mr. J. C. Sullivan, who persuaded him to quit F.nglaml ami ride for him in Ireland. From that time 1!02 1 forward everything prospered witli him and. able to ride, at a pinch. !7 pounds when his ordinary walking weight was 115. he soon obtained plenty of patronage, and his skill and ability became immediately apparent. At the Cur-ragh he was especially happy, and altogether rodo many winners which brought him to the top of tin: tree, and it was long before he could be persuade 1 to return permanently to F.nglaml. and then only at the instance of .Mr. Sullivan, whom he has always regarded as his best friend aud adviser. Certainly he paid occasional successful visits, but it was in his two tine performances at York, where he won in successive years the F.bor Handicap for the Irish lawyer on War Wolf and The Page respectively, that brought him into prominent notice here, anil more or less directly led up to his alliance with Sam Darling and the Bcckhampton Stable. Previous to that, however, he was laid up for a considerable period by a terrible smash-tip when riding a horse called Lord Victor, but he pulled through all right, and wound up with a good week at the Cnrragh, where he rode seven winners out of ten. Better still, got married in the December following, and has "lived hapnily ever since. Immediately after winning on War Wolf a sou was born and promptly named Arnold "F.bor." while his daughter was christened Beryl, as lie received the news of her arrival just as he was dismounting from Christoberyl at the Newmarket meeting, which was abandoned owing to snow, after Wise Mason had won the Ba-brahaiu, through a terrific storm, for the late Mr. Stedall. I may as well add that in happy memory or the York double he named his residence at Calue "Kbor" Ifouse. For seven years Higgs was retained in the service or the famous Beckhauipton Stable and his successes were both numerous and important, including one clarsie race, to-wit. the Two Thousand Guineas, on Captain Greers Slieve Galliou. which had brilliant speed, but could not stay. Space does not permit of detailing his many big coups, but mention must be made of a few. and at the same lime of the fa-t that he headed the list of winning jockeys Cur two years in succession, prior to which lie had. after being put down through a bad fall at Liverpool, been third in order. His tiist good winner in Kiigland was Bachelors Button at .Manchester, which later blossomed into one of the best stayers in the country and won the Ascot Gold Cup. For .apt. J. G. B. Homfray he won thirty-one races, including -: Cambridgeshire on Land League. Long Set was one of his favorites and not unnaturally so. seeing that he hail lhe handling of him in most of his races, including the Lincolnshire Handicap. Newbuy Spring Cup. March Stakes. Royal Hunt Cup. Liverpool Summer Cup and finally the Doncaster Cup. Another top-sawyer with whose victories lie was intimately concerned was Mr. U. L". Howards Wili-oiivx. which lie considers to have been the best horse. he ever had between his knees. It would indeed be surprising were it otherwise, seeing that his magnificent record embraced in his last season tln Chester Cup at 114 pounds: the Ascot Stakes and Gold Cup: the Cesarewitch under the unprecedented crusher of LSI pounds: and the Jockey Club Cup. after which the grand-looking, stout-hearted and sweet-tempered son of William the Third and Trib-onyx walked away, as sound in every respect as on tlie dav he was liorn. to commence his stud career at "Kgerton," which is hard by lhe Newmarket Birdcage. Having finally relinquished riding Higgs has decided lo turn his entire attention to breeding, at which he is an adept, and has already turned out some good-priced yearlings. His farm is at Paine, ami hi the naddocks mav be seen such well-bred broodmares as Ithondda, bv Itoval Hampton out ot Itomloletin. due to Sunder, to which she will return: Ladv Bountiful, bv Tncle Mac out of Nota Bene, due to Littleton and going lo Polymelus: Margaret Ada. by St. Frusquin out of Primrose, due to Suubright and going to Sunllower 1 1.: Michaelmas Daisy, by Tarporley out of Strawberry Hill, due to Acclaim and going to Sunder; Lady Pamella. by Ladas out of Catnalata. due to St. Deiys and going to Land League: Bosendaul. by William the Third out of Pontoon, due to Cocksure II. and going to Cylgad; Bit of a Devil, by Buccaneer out of Bevil a Bit. due to Land League and going to Adatnis; Miss Chatlinch, by Goldfinch out of Ker-onal, barren to St. Martin and going to Valens; ami Dollv Strong maiden, by Count Sehoniberg out of Gondolette dam of Great Sport is to be united witli Suubrieht. Of great promise are his yearlings, which include a black or blown filly by Willonyx out of Bhomhla: a bay filly by, Louvlers out of Lady Caniella: a bay by Land Lcague!? out of iiit of a Devil: a bay colt by Marcovil out of Margaret Ada; a brown colt by St. Denis out of Marie Blanche: a brown colt by Troutbcck out of Mons Meg: and a chestnut colt by Marcovil out of Lady Bountiful, of which select party the particular paddock favorites at this early stage are the Willonyx filly and tlie two .Marcovil colts. Higgs is a good man with hounds and. as a rule, has spent ,niueh of the winter hunting in Ireland, but this ScasOu he is making holiday in the south of France "VIgl laul" in London Sportsman.
