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REAL VETERAN OF THF TURF Charles Wheatly Served Faithfully in Many Capacities Authority on Pedigrees. Charles Wheatly was prominent among tho veteran turfmen who were actively identified with the building up of racing in America. More than two generations ago, before the beginning of the Civil War, he was called to be secretary of the Kentucky Racing Association. Even previous to that time he had been vitally interested in the thoroughbred, and was already considered one of the leading authorities in the United States upon all matters pertaining to the blood horse and his performance. For many years Mr. "Wheatly rendered able service to the Kentucky association and there attracted the attention of turfmen from all parts of the country. "When racing was revived in the North in the late sixties, and the Saratoga llacing Association and afterward the American Jockey Club were organized, those who were interested in the enterprises agreed that Mr. "Wheatly was the one man in the country whose services were imperatively needed. Upon the request of John Hunter, he came to New York in 1SC5, and with Dr. John B. Irving was instrumental in outlining the racing policy that started the turf of the North upon the phenomenally brilliant career that distinguished it for the next ten years or more. His first activity was as secretary of the Saratoga Itacing Association. One of the first members of the American Jockey Club, his services to that organization were invaluable and upon the retirement of Dr. Irving in 1S6D he became its secretary. For many years he continued in this double official capacity for Jerome Park and Saratoga, and when the Monmouth Park Association was reorganized he was also retained as secretary of the new association. In 1SS0 his secretaryship of the three enterprises became burdensome, and to a certain extent incompatible one with the other. He retired from official connection with Jerome Park and Monmouth Park and devoted himself exclusively to the direction of the affairs of the Saratoga Racing Association. In 18S4 Mr. "Wheatly was invited to become secretary of the Maryland Jockey Club, of which he was a member, but he did not accept, preferring to retain his place with the Saratoga association. Throughout his active connection with the turf he was known as one of the most indefatigable workers, and for many years carried the entire burden of Saratoga upon his shoulders. He was not only secretary and cleric, performing all the duties incident to these positions, but was superintendent of the course and official handicapper, and even kept the accounts between owners and the association. His racing experience was of the most extensive character, and he had a knowledge of American pedigrees that was surpassed by none and probably equaled by but few of his contemporaries. He was a veritable walking encyclopedia upon all matters rvlatiug to the turf and to the thoroughbred, not only for his own time, but also of the past.
