Col. Matt Winns Genius: Greatest of American Turf Executives-Responsible for Epinard Coming U. S, Daily Racing Form, 1924-10-16

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COL. MATT WINNS GENIUS Greatest of American Turf Executives Responsible for Epin-ard Coming to U. S. It is no exaggeration to say that Col. Matt J. "Winn, general manager of the Kentucky Jockey Club, is the outstanding executive of the American turf as a promoter of .national and international racing events. When there is a public demonstration that a sensational thoroughbred shall prove his title to the championship in his class, Col. Winn has never failed to offer a prize of sufficient magnitude to bring the contenders cither to Latonia or Churchill Downs, to settle the question of supremacy. He never counts the costs. He believes that Kentucky, as the home of tho thoroughbred, is the proper arena in which to stage these great contests, and turf men and turf lovers seem to agree with him. It: is not generally known that Pierre Wertheimer would not have brought Epinard to America had not Col. Winn, on behalf of the Kentucky Jockey Club, offered a stake of 0,000 for the International Special No. 3 to be run at Latonia. When the preliminaries were being discussed in the east before Col. Winns arrival, Mr. Wertheimer, not altogether enthused over the offers made, said significantly, "Where is this Col. Matt Winn I hear so much about?" and when the Kentucky Colonel sat in the game, he assured the international series by promptly guaranteeing a stake of 0,000. Colonel Winn has staged many memorable turf contests, besides making the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs known the world over, but he placed the keystone in the arch of his endeavor when he brought Epinard, tho famous European champion, to Latonia, and wrote a dramatic chapter in turf history that will never be forgotten. Sarazen brought eternal fame to his fair owner, Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt III., and to his skillful trainer, Max Hirsch, and fast upon his heels came Epinard, Mad Play and Altwood, all sharers in the glory of that memorable day. Col. Winn is never satisfied with his work. He is forever planning and building, perfecting the great racing plants whose fortunes he directs, providing every convenience and comfort for the patrons of Latonia and Churchill Downs, and ever envisaging a future in which the American turf will live up to the highest ideals of sportsmanship and justly earn public commendation.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1920s/drf1924101601/drf1924101601_1_3
Local Identifier: drf1924101601_1_3
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800