Turf Capital Invested in Kentucky: Increased Stakes and Excellent Racing Conditions Attract Eastern Turfmen to Blue Grass, Daily Racing Form, 1917-12-11

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TURF CAPITAL INVESTED IN KENTUCKY Increased Stakes and Excellent Racing Conditions Attract Eastern Turfmen to Blue Grass State, Louisville. Ky., December 10. That increased stakes and better racing conditions have attracted many of the most influential turfmen to the state during the past few years Is- apparent from the fact, that three years have passed since a Ken-tuekian won the Derby, the blue ribbon event of the Kentucky turf. The winners of the past three years have been, in 1035, Harry Payne Whitney; In 1910, John Snnford, and in 1917 Johnson and Billings. All of them are easterners, and Whitney, Sanford and Billings are regarded as millionaires, while Johnson also is a wealthy man. They have campaigned extensive strings in Kentucky. But there is one man who has tried for the Derby every year and has as yet failed to land, who has speut perhaps more than any single owner in this Htate. He is J. W. Corrigan. owner of the Wickliffe Stable. In partnership with Price McKinney, he has wintered an extensive stable here each vear. Now the horses are owned by him solely, through tho retirement of Mr. McKinney. Mr. Corrigan has at Churchill Downs, under the supervision of the veteran trainer. John Wlialen, the man who trained for August Belmonts father, the largest stable of thoroughbreds in this section. Mr. Corrigan is of Irish extraction, and he has all of the gameness typical of the true descendant of Erin. He announces that he will continue his efforts until he has won a Kentucky Derby to add to the list of other stakes already to his credit. A sturdy colt. Ultima Thule, and a speedy filly, ISoyal Ensign, will represent this stable in the Derby and Oaks, respectively. There are several other promising juveniles whieh will race in his colors. CENTRAL KENTUCKY BENEFITED. Perhaps the greatest amount of money invested in Kentucky by the eastern snortemen is in the blue grass section. Here the renowned nursery establishments are located. What this investment does for business throughout central Kentucky is a matter of everyday knowledge to anyone who ever had occasion to visit Lexington, Paris or any of the other cities located in that part, of the state. Through the pioneer work of the -State Racing Commission, 11 great deal of good has been done In transmitting the valuable thoroughbred cross to cold-blooded mares, as stallions furnished bv the commission have been distributed to all parts of the state, at central points, where farmers can send their marrs. The cros-bred horse is valuable in more ways than one. but its most striking attribute right now is that we have it on the In-st authority that it is the chief national dependence as a cavalry remount. The army depends vitally upon a supply of sturdv horses and mules, with whieh the farms of Kentucky an? well stocked. Just a few days ago Thomas P. Hayes contributed his stallion, Donerail, winner of the 1913 Kentucky Derby, and sou of an Irish sire of great merit, to the commission for use in its Breeding Bureau. Half a dozen other leading turfmen have, in the same fashion, aided the commissions efforts to assist the farmers in providing for the future an unfailing supply of remounts for the government. Through conversation with several members of the present State Racing Commission, it was learned that, it is their, purpose, with the approval of Governor A. O. Stanley, to extend as much as possible this state aid to the fanners. The placing of tho stallions in various localities is in charge of the Kentucky University, which is in constant touch with farmers of the state and knows the needs of the sections. Sam Nnekols. secretary of the State Racing Commission, is now at work compiling the biennial re-lort of that body, whieh will be made to the General Assembly when it meets in January. It will contain valuable data concerning the work of the commission and the payments made by the tracks toward the expenses of state government.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1910s/drf1917121101/drf1917121101_1_8
Local Identifier: drf1917121101_1_8
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800