view raw text
A. J. JOYNERS INTERESTING IMPRESSION. Where English Racing Customs Differ from Our Own English Horses Superior. Xew York. Julv 15. A. J. .Toyner. who had charge of the English stable of Mr. Harry Payne Whitney from 1508 to 1015. and who was the recipient ofniany attentions while at Xcwmarket. was asked at Aqueduct to give some of the reasons why racing has retained its great popularity abroad. "First and foremost," he said, "the racing of thoroughbreds in England is a sport. Gentlemen engage in it without a thought of the monetary returns. There are over there greater number of men interested in the thoroughbred than in the United States. Many of them maintain breeding and training establishments, and they are content if thev win a few races each year. Outside of Lord Derby. J. B. Joel and E. B. Hal-ton there are few owners who make their expenses. They breed and race for the glory there is in it. It must not be concluded from this, however, that nobody makes racing pay in England, for every year small owners get hold of good horses, and that is one of the fascinations of the game. That horses capable of winning may be picked up reasonably is shown by the performances hens this season of Faux-Col. Jack Mount. Aristobolus and Perugino, all of which were secured by me and sold to various owners. Faux-Col won the Canadian Derby on Tuesday for Mr. Mackenzie, and is undoubtedly a fair horse. "The short meetings and the fact that racing is held in every part of the country gives the sport-loving Briton a more or less intimate knowledge of racing and breeding. This is an education in itself. The fact that there is wagering on the Derbv. the Lincoln. Cambridgeshire. Stewards Cup and other fixtures is an additional phase which tends to increase the popularity of the sport. "Societv is still another contributing influence " resumed Mr. Joyner. "Ascot and Goodwood especially are famous for their hospitality. The great London clubs, such as the Bachelors and Sports and all the crack regiments have tents, and between the third and fourth races an hour is set aside for entertainment. Members of these organizations distribute tickets to their friends, and it is reallv a gala occasion, with ladies and gentlemen dressed as only the Engish can turn out for such functions. 1 "Perhaps as great as any of the favorable aids to the racing game are the Military Meetings. These are mostly cross-country, and the horses are ridden bv the crack horsemen of the army. Races are also given- at these meetings for members of the various clubs, and there is the strongest kind r rivalry. The war has, of course, put a damper on this branch of the sport, but the love of a good horse is so strong in the English heart that I look for a resumption of these meetings as soon as peace is restored." When asked if English horses were not as a rule bigger than ours. Mr. Joyner replied: "Yes, I think thev are, and they require more time to come to hand. As yearlings they are bitted and driven about with reins and a saddle and never backed before September. In order to discourage the racing of youngsters no stake of an added value of 1.000 is offered prior to June 1. There is an abundance of two-year-old racing, however, as early as Lincoln, and in the autumn you will find the youngsters running against horses of all ages even" up to two miles. They are no handicaps in England for two-year-olds at any distance." As to how our horses compared with those of England, 1 Mr. Joyner remarked: "That is a difficult question to answer. American horses of quality, i if they could be landed in England at the top of j their form could hold their own. Englishmen think Foxhall and lro.iuis were great horses because they i won their classics. Whiskbrooin was a good horse for me, and Harmouicon was considered the best . sprinter in training. He never showed his best j in this country. Whiskbrooin gave Willonyx five j pounds in tbo Novelty Dinner Stakes at Liverpool, : and was beaten a short head. Subsequently Willonyx j won the Ascot Gold Cup and the Cesarewitch, carrying 131 pounds in the latter." Mr. Joyner was. greatly impressed by the manner , in which discipline was meted out by the English Jockey Club. "Any owner, trainer or jockey," he said, "who wishes to make a complaint has to first post a deposit of 25 and make his objection in writing: If the claim or objection proves j reasonable, the money is returned, but if of a frivolous nature, the amount is forfeited. Any persons accused of practices detrimental to racing have the privilege of confronting the accuser. Positions at the post are drawn in public, and if a jockey leaves his position he is asked to explain by the stewards. There are few fines, seme suspensions and then a recovation of privileges. The starter inflicts no punishments; ho reports to the stewards, and they in turn hand out the penalties." "How does the selling race rule work over there?" "Perfectly," was Mr. .Toyners response. "It is regarded as anybodys privilege to buy or claim. Men borrow halters and bridles with new purchases and frequently seel: out a trainer to learn if the animal has any peculiarities. To my idea the best disposition to which the surplus in selling races can be put to is to have one-half go to the owner of the second horse and the balance to a fund for extra races." "There seems to be a better feeling towards racing here," said Mr. Joyner in conclusion, "and like everybody else interested in the thoroughbred. I am looking forward to the Saratoga meeting, where the best of the eastern and western horses will compete. The French and English horses should be in condition to show something of their form by then. Longer races one a day, at no shorter distance than oiie mile and a quarter, would be attractive. The public likes to see the horses pass the stand twice. If enough of these contests were offered, trainers would prepare horses for them. It would help breeding at the same time as furnishing an attractive spectacle."
