Americas Leading Rider: Jockey Frank Robinson a Quaint and Worthy Character of Turf, Daily Racing Form, 1919-01-06

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AMERICAS LEADING RIDER Jockey Frank Robinson a Quaint and Worthy Character of turf. Possesses All Requisites of First-Class Saddle Artist His Rise to Fame. NEAV ORLEANS, La., .Tiinuar.v .".Jockey Frank Robinson, one of tlio present idols of turfites, leader of the riders of 191S and Frank C. Robinson of Cleveland, Ohio, studious youth with an old mans head set upon young shoulders, is a quaint and worthy character. Horn in 1898 at Cleveland, Ohio. Robinson grew to schooling age anil promised to follow the mechanical steps of his father. Rut his older brother, Edward, became connected with the turf in the employ of the racing firm of Applegate and Cotton. Upon Edwards freuent visits home he recounted his turf experiences in such fascinating fashion that the younger brothers mind turned from his determination to enter the machine shop into a longing to see something of the world his brother described. Securing the fathers consent, he went with his brother to Louisville in 1911 and entered the- employ of Thomas Abadie, a New Orleans turfman who had a useful stable there. Young Robinson was apt with horses and showed such promise that Abadie determined to take him with his horses to CharliKton. Cpon the stables return to Kentucky Robinson was given a few mounts and finally won a race on John Hogans Helen M. Then the boy entered the employ of Win. Gerst. the Nashville brewer, who at the time had a well balanced stnhle. Here Robinson, found greater opportunity to display his developing talent. Under tniinjiMlUauiV.JIcQAuK companied the Ge,rst stable to Havana, and had some success. About this time Edward -Trotter- became: impressed with young Robins6ns horsemanship and general demeanor, and immediately after brewer Gersts death secured a contract upon the youngster. Developing rapidly under his new tutor, Robinson soon fastened his name upon turf history by his successes over the Canadian side and became a public favorite, sometimes riding several winners a day. Eastern turfites set the seal of approval upon him when he appeared on the Maryland courses during the fall and James Rowe, trainer for the Whitney stable, in the belief that the boy would iniike a great rider, arranged the terms for his Ir.-lnsfer to the Whitney stable. Mr. Rowes judgment was well proven during the ensiling season. Since then turf figures eloquently 111 of Robinsons success and ability. HOW ROBINSON LIVES, PLAYS AND WORKS. Clad in his street garments Robinson betrays HI tie indication of his profession. In facial appearance he is older than his acknowledged twnty years. He could more readily pass for a college student than a jockey. His conduct on and off tue track is irreproachable. Altogether he is one of the most likeable little fellows one could meet. He reminds one of Willie Shaw, Danny Mahcr and Lucilii Lyne. This type is lacking in these days. Robinsons dissipations are movie shows and the mechanical care he bestows upon his automobile. Early retiring is his invariable rule, and lie Is always one of the first to appear at the course in the morning. While not actively engaged there, he may be seen studying the peculiarities of all the different horses at exercise which he may eventually he called upon to ride. Voting Robinsons opinion of a horses condition upoU dismounting is generally respected by trainers. Horsemen regard him as a good judge of pace, both for exercising in private trials and in races, lie is of ilie type known as a hand-rider, using the whip only as a last resort in finishing, with the exception of a few strokes lie sometimes applies to his mount upon entering the stretch. Close observers have learned to anticipate the result they may expect by his conduct at the home turn. If after a few applications of the lash Robinson sits still, the result may be awaited witli something of confidence; but if he is seen to hurry his charge, glasses shift elsewhere for the ultimate winner. He rides a two-year-old as well as a cup horse. With his medium stirrup seat and long arms he often saves from defeat a tiring horse which might have been left sprawling lengths away from the finish under the loose seated, whip-punishing finishes of some of his rivals. Robinson has lately been devoting a portion of his time to instructing his younger brother, William, whose ambition it is to emulate Franks success. Robinsons success has been commensurate with tile zeal and endeavor he has applied to his calling, :ind taken for all in all the young man is a worthy leader for the jockeys of lJIS.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1910s/drf1919010601/drf1919010601_1_3
Local Identifier: drf1919010601_1_3
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800