view raw text
ASSURES GREATER PRESTIGE Formation of Kentucky Jockey Club Step in Right Direction. Under Its Control Racing Will Flourish and Live Up to Its Best Traditions. CINCINNATI. O., March 6. Patrick J. Hnnlon, o Is slated for the first president of the newly-formed Kentucky Jockey Club, which will control the four bis race tracks of the State of Kentucky, said that after the agreement was entered into by which Churchill Downs became the property of the new organization he was asked to accept the presidency and agreed after he was assured that this was the wish of nil concerned. He said he had no desire to take up the duties and burdens of the office, believing these should be carried by some one more closely identified with racing than he, but on the insistence of the other members of the syndicate in ownership he has consented and will devote, his time and energy to making the Kentucky Jockey Club all that its name implies, an institution for the improvement of the breed of thoroughbreds, for the maintenance of the sport of; racing on the highest plane and for the benefit of the breeders and racing men of this state. Mr. Hanlon. in speaking of the conditions that have existed for several years on the turf in Kentucky said he had been convinced that the sport was threatened from within, and that unless the whole fabric rested on a sounder foundation than in the past, if organization were not adopted and all associates work together, racing would suffer to an .extent., that might-. brini: about-Jtf ilB-irt4 Kentucky. He said he beHeveatIie "formation of the Kentucky Jockey Club would change the whole trend of affairs in this state and bring about conditions under which there would never again be danger from either within or without. BREEDERS SUPPORT NECESSARY. He said: "If there can be hud the moral nnd, in some measure, the financial support of the breeders in Kentucky, the future of the sport of racing is assured." He called attention to the personnel of the members -of the syndicate in ownership, and said Unit when Judge Robert W. Bingham was approached by liim with a view of securing the cooperation and financial support of the noted jurist, the matter was put before liim as one in which Uie whole state was vitally interested. Judge Bingham immediately offered to do anything in his power for Uie best interests of Kentucky, and on that ground, and because lie believes In racing and realized its importance as regards the breeding industry, he became a member of the purchasing syndicate. Mr. Hanlon said the same spirit prompted every member of the organization now in control of the properties, as well as the destinies of racing in this state, and felt confident that the breeders and racing men of Kentucky would recognize 1 he importance of the new organization. Mr. Hanlon said the stakes and purses at eaeli track under tiie control of the Kentucky Jockey Club would be increased materially, citing the instance of Churchill Downs. lie gave it as his opinion that a better feeling would exist between the associations than at any time in the piist, and that the sport of racing would receive an impetus that could be had under no other conditions. He said the standing of the men now in control of racing must give to the sport a greater prestige, and expressed himself as confir dent that clean sport, in which the best element of society would be vitally interested, would result from the formation of a jockey club under the auspices of which racing will be freed from any entanglements and be maintained on a plane in keeping with its best traditions.
