Many Services of Captain Presgrave, Daily Racing Form, 1916-12-03

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I MANY SERVICES OF CAPTAIN PRE S GRAVE, The death of Capt. William F. Presgrave, who died suddenly at his home at Tony Tank.on Tony Creek, Maryland, Thanksgiving Day, of heart trouble, was a big shock to horsemen all over the country and Canada as well. Captain Presgrave, until one week ago, Avas active, and showed no signs of failing health. While driving his motor car from Baltimore last week lie was taken suddenly ill at Easton, Md., but soon rallied and again took the train for home. On arriving home he had another attack, and had since that time remained indoors. Mrs. Virginia Presgrave, his wife, at her summer home in Montreal, Canada, was at once wired of her husbands death. It is likely, that the body will be buried at Lansdale, Pa., in a family lot, where Mr. Presgraves mother was buried during the past year. Mr. Presgrave was a stockholder and director of the Maryland Jockey Club, and also had charge for the past two years of the pari-mutuel machines at Pimlico track, as manager for the Maryland Jockey Club. Captain Presgraves death is a big loss to the turf world und, in commenting on this fact, Francis Nelson writes in Toronto Globe as follows: "Racing or any other sport that appeals to the public can ill spare a man of the calibre of Captain W. Fred Presgrave, whose sudden death is reported from Maryland. He aimed high and was full of energy and capacity in working out his ideals. As u breeder, trainer, owner and racecourse executive officer he achieved a large measure of success, and is cut off in the prime of an active and useful career. His management of the autumn meeting of Dorval this year proved an advantageous step for that organization. This was his only connection with management in Canada, but he was a leading spirit in making the Marylund Jockey Clubs meeting at Pimlico the unique success it has come to be. Captain Presgrave was Canadian-born, seeing life first in the citadel at Quebec, and spending his early years in that Province. He maintained a close connection with the sport there ever since racing was re-established in Montreal by the institution of the Montreal Jockey Club at Blue Bonnets, and bought and trained horses for many well-known citizens. He was largely responsible for the racing triumphs of Mr. C S. Campbell with Bwana Tumbo and other horses, and lately for Damrosch, Uncle Bryn and the others of the stable of Lieut. J. K. L. Boss. The In-vereck Stable, Mr. K. T. Dawes and Capt. W. J. Shaughnessy were others that had the advantage of his skill and experience in preparing their horses. In Maryland, where he made his home for the greater part of his life, lie trained for the noted Goughaeres Stable and Mr. Thomas Clyde, as well as for himself. It. was Captain Presgrave who imported the good stallion Atheling from Ireland to make a great reputation for the Goughaeres Stable. He had a liking for the stout blood to be found in the Green Isle, and was interested in a number of importations from Ireland. He was fifty-seven years old, and, though apparently in rugged health, had lately been feeling the effects of his unceasing work. With Mrs. Presgrave he had lately taken apartments in Montreal, where he intended to spend the greater part of the winter."


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1910s/drf1916120301/drf1916120301_1_7
Local Identifier: drf1916120301_1_7
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800