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STEEPLECEASDTG IS STEADILY GAINING IN FAVOR WITH THE RACING PUBLIC GREAT STIMULUS TO SPORT Frank J Bryan wellknown racing official secretary of a number of the most prominent eastern hunt clubs and one of the most enthusiastic patrons of the crosscountry sport has prepared the following in ¬ teresting article on the growth in popularity of steeplechasing on the American turf during the past few That steeplechasing has been steadily gaining favor with the racing public has been made evident in many ways during the last few years That this development has brought not alone the attention of those interested in racing from a purely sentimental point of vlev but of those rated as patrons of the turf through commercial motives is conceded and the most casual of the regulars now really look for a jumping race to be included on the daily programs at most of the more important courses Hace track managers whose creed is revenue solely have been quick to appreciate that a steeplechase now comes under the head of an attraction and they are found catering to a class of events that a few years ago they were only too eager to scorn scornThe The results of this growth of interest both with the public and the controlling powers of racing properties has been a material betterment in every department of this branch of sport This applies to the number of events provided during the season the financial inducements for the same in purses and plate to the roster of owners now showing their colors on junipers and to the calibre of the horses participating participatingHUNT HUNT MEETINGS HELPFUL FACTOR FACTORThe The hunt meetings which now occupy a position as a factor in American racing are in a measure re ¬ sponsible for the improvement in evidence The movement of the amateurs if you will came just before the crusade against racing in New York and other points The prositevts were anything but hope ¬ ful still during the period that the regular courses were closed the hunt meetings went on undisturbed facing financial losses still enthusiastic and the re ¬ sult was to bring into active participation move new owners of prominence than any ten years of racing on the regular tracks The newcomers were en ¬ rolled under the best of conditions Their motive was glory not gain and this most needed of in ¬ centives has grown and extended with a sincerity that accounts for a goodly pnrt of the boon that has unquestionably come to steeplechasing for it has been with their jumpers that the new recruits have and will find their greatest interest and pleasures pleasuresMany Many of those that first introduced their racing colors at the hunt meeting now own and race pre ¬ tentious strings on the flat but the magnet of in ¬ troduction was the chasers and it is and will be their first love in racing racingThis This infusion has served to work wonders in the class of horses they race through the field In the good old days as a rule it was the cripple the haslKen or the too slow variety that went to make up the list of the aspirants for fame over the fences There were exceptions of course but they were few As it is today the ranks are made up and replenished from the best of material With many owners no horse in the stable is too speedy or too promising to be barred for schooling Waterway Algie Thistledale Hello Byzantine Grandpa Bergoo Fincastle Economy Steve Lane Dacre Pretty Michal Agent Kara Vilhalla Pagan ley Marksman Kampart Prince Ballacalla HamptonBallacalla Hampton Sanctus Andrew Summers Summerslion lion Cole s Essex Lizzie Flat Expansionist Class Loajder Bonnie Klite Stollaland John Dillon Dr Pillow Watorspeed Sandy Creeker Dr Keith Canvass Horse HorseTouchwood Touchwood IJeginald Braggadocio Kentucky Ileau Tourney California King Harrington Denier Nat II Lanette Village King Dr Koch Finn McCool King Castle Tellfare Picket Prince of Pilsen PilsenWild Wild Refrain Clockjvork Monte Carlo Itufus Tampieo Pig Hear Magellan Nestor Southwest Usage A Bobbin Around Snnglow Commodore Gaunt GauntThe The Poet Vaijnero Pallycastle Faster Jov Horse St Charliote CharlioteBrooks Brooks j Cherry Mhlotte MhlotteSkibbereen Skibbereen Town Hall Jiorse Shannon River RiverKarly Karly Light New Haven Welsh King The Brook through the field In the sale mart generous figures are offered for the best obtainable sound horses of the best blood no matter what their future may be thought to be Many owners purchase yearlings in the country and abroad with sole object of devel ¬ opment as a jumper and their education from the earliest days of training is with this object ahead At Saratoga last summer many of the youngsters sold at fancy figures to prominent owners will be retained and fostered for the jumping events of the future Futurities and Derbys are not considered in plans being made What racing they will do on the flat will be a race now and again this season or next as threeyearolds simply a part of their edu ¬ cation for the Harbor Hill or some other important fixture tendered for the younger division of jumpers This means construction of the best sort a foundation that will tend to strengthen our stesple chasiug as years roll on onGENEROUS GENEROUS PRIZES BEING OFFERED OFFEREDSeveral Several associations that have always featured jumping races are offering prizes of most gen ¬ erous proiK rtions At Pimlico the Manly Memorial has 10000 in added money With it conies a race for threeyearolds with 3000 added and next spring there will be a new event with i 000 added At Piping liock several events have a value of 5000 and the Tinted Hunts Racing Association is in line with a couple of races of almost the same value The Country Club at Ilrookline keeps pace with several races well up in six figures and even the little hunt meetings in the vicinity of Philadel ¬ phia as well as the one day meeting at Warrenton Pa play their part with offerings of 1000 At Saratoga there is one race with COO added and several of 1000 llelmont Park comes in on a scale a little more modest Aqueduct Laurel and Havre de Grace do their bit and show a disposition to increase disbursements because of appreciation of the fact that steeplechasing based as it is on the desire for a good horse without thought of i rwfits has come into its own and will in the future be an important factor in racing as a whole With wholeWith a desire to show the increase of inducements offered the following table has been prepared showing the earnings of the jumpers in 1909 and 1917 The amounts given are net earnings in first money only from which have been deducted all entrance and starting fees Many of the horses on both lists earned hundreds of dollars in addition by finishing second third or fourth but in order to make the figures a showing from victories only these amounts were omitted In horses named as winners for the last year many won flat races of considerable value and they can still win on the flat in good company Hut the object of the table is to show the possibilities for the juniper alone hence the desire to make the statement as close to first honors through the field as possible Fol ¬ lowing are the figures Northwood j jMartian Martian Rhomb Doublet Reddest II of Hryn Mawr MawrSyossot Syossot i iAl Al Reeves Hryndor Trumpator Stucco High Flyer Expectation Crest Hill Eagle Thistle Koyal Spinner Uacebrook Silver Dart Hen Wyvis Falmouth Bet Weldship Sun King Otto Floto Gold Bond Maitre Corbeau CorbeauWolferton Wolferton II Elect Ballybay Archdale Cynosure Man Slayer Pussy Willow Margery Jacqiie JacqiieRobert Robert Oliver Abdon Zellwood Melodrama Tetan Bonnie Laddie M J Shannon Moonlight II March Court Matt iua ta llrosseau Horse Royal Amber Mausolus Carl Infidel II Sarsenet Bridg OConnor Pigeonsthorpe Monikie Captain Parr Meshach Colonetta Melos Chevron Idle Michael Superhuman Slipshod Plaisir dAmour Ellistown Boy Ormead Hearts of Oak OakTropaeolum Tropaeolum Welshman Ojala Dorcris Curraghaleen King Simon Grey Leg Miss Oxford Aldershot Yarico Galar Pebeto Capt Cassatt Loulie Love Mo River Breeze Conqueror Sand Hog Needlescamp Sisto Joy Ride Fadoodle Gigantoi
