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GROWTH OF THE TURF 1 Indicated in Increase of Entries to Belmont Park Stakes. Early Returns for Saratoga Fix- V tures Also Gratifying Blood t Stock Stimulated. J s a NEW YORK, N. Y.t Nov. SO. Further proof of the growth of the turf is indicated in the increased entries for the stakes of the t "Westchester Racing Association, which re- s ccntly closed with racing secretary V. E. Schaumburg. The final returns from 147 in- 1 dividual nominators showed a total of 2,550 as against 2,2 1C a year ago. a These returns should be as enthusiastically i welcomed by the rank and file of turf fol- lowers as by the officials of the Westchester Racing Association, for they assure sport of the highest quality at Belmont Park. For those who are interested in the propagation of the horse of blood and the breeding industry is the fundamental of the entire rac- I ing fabric these figures are a proof of the j 1 solidity of the turf at this time and i prophetic of conditions that may be looked for I in the future if the sport remains in safe 1 hands. 1 Returns already to hand for the fixtures of the Saratoga Association for the Improvement of the Breed of Horses, which are due to close on December 1, are also generous, and give promise of surpassing those received last season. Mr. Schaumburg, who serves in a dual capacity for Belmont Park and Saratoga, reports many owners as practically duplicating their entries for the stakes of both associations. That the offerings for Aqueduct, Jamaica and Empire City will be in keeping with thosa of the other organizations, racing under the auspices of the Jockey Club may be taken for granted. Thcss will not close for some time yet, but ownera and trainers have had ample opportunity during the fine autumnal period to test the capacity of their yearlings and know what material is of stake calibre. INCREASE IX REGISTRATION. That the growth in bloodstock production has been stimulated was also shown in the recent returns by registrar Andrew Herkert 1 of the Jockey Club, whose total of 2,820 foals for 1924 is a notable increase over the i 2,608 recorded in 1923. That this increase has been due to the steady advance in the earn- ; ing capacity of the thoroughbred must be accepted as conclusive. It is a plairTcase of : cause and effect. An expanding market is : the healthiest stimulant to production in any industry. i In this connection, and keeping in mind tha growth in the registration of thoroughbred foals, the figures compiled by the DAILY RACING FORM, showing the increase in purse and stake offerings in recent years, is enlightening. Should the sport make as great an advancement in the next six years as in the period between 1919 and 1924. thoroughbred rvalues will have reached a point that would have been regarded as chimerical a generation since when 0,000 was regarded as about the limit for a fair handicap Jiorse. Now a horse of, say the quality of Tillo, who won the Suburban Handicap for Rogers and Rose, would be valued at three or four times the 0,000 the turfmen paid Amos Turney for him. If the average person interested in the turf should be asked offhand to indicate the growth in the stake and purse offerings of the Westchester Racing Association between 1919 and 1924, the answer would hardly be that they had almost doubled in that time. The figures 14,297 for 1919 and ,170 for the season just closed are a surprising proof of the increase in the earning capacity of the thoroughbred. And other organizations racing under the Jockey Club have a record in keeping with that of the Westchester Racing Association. The Saratoga Association for the Improvement of the Breed of Horses distributed 9S,357 in 1919 as against 11,-015 in 1921. The Queens County Jockey Club increased from 59,153 to 25,305 in a corresponding period, while the Metropolitan Jockey Club advanced from a distribution of 09,G23 in 1919 to 27,GG0 in 1924. Over a similar period the Empire City Racing Association made a gain from 15,277 to 21,590. THOROUGHBRED VALUES. While on the subject of thoroughbred values it would be well for those with desirable racing material for sale to be governed by reason in placing a value thereon. During the season now nearing its close in Marylond. but only getting under way in Cuba, Lower California and New Orleans, horses capable of winning races was never so high. Two-and three-year-olds with and without engagements have been held at figures that would have been called ridiculous for equal individuals some years ago. One horseman with a two-year-old whose breeding would warrant the most limited patronage in the stud after his racing career would be over, was held at 0,000. And this is not an isolated Case by any means. Last spring a three-year- old, eligible to some of the early classics in Maryland and Kentucky was showing promise in his work. He was owned by a professional horseman who placed a value of 75,000 on him. An offer of ,500 was dismissed offhand. The colt in question won a few minor races, and today would not bring one-fifth of the sum offered for him in April. Of course, every man has a right to value his own property, but as has already been remarked, there should be a reasonable limit for it must be borne in mind that only one horse can be the winner of any giveri race. Not the least interesting feature of turf growth in the East last season was the advance mado by .the United Hunts Racing Association. The "records show that the amount offered for the four days sport conducted by this organization whose purpose is the advancement of the cause of amateur sport, totaled 9,075, this year. This is a big jump from the ,050, raced for in 1921. Since the installation of the popular John McE. Bowman as president an improvement has been scored both in the quality of the sport and the attendance during the two-day sessions, spring and autumn. The membership has expanded, too, and the days of "passing the hat" to make good inevitable deficits appear to have gone forever. The offering of a stake for two-year-olds, happily named the Blemton, in honor of Major August Belmont, president of the Westchester Racing Association, who has been a staunch supporter of amateur racing since the days of Meadow Brook and Cedar-hurst, and who has encouraged Mr. Bowman at every turn, improved the autumn program and made many friends among the horsemen. A fixture for three-year-olds to give prestige to the session next spring is almost certain to find a place on the program of secretary Harry A. Buck, when it appears early next year. That amateur sport is a stimulant to racing is generally understood. It attracts an element in society whose interest in the thoroughbred is broadened in many instances until the new recruits include among their activities a breeding nursery and a racing stable. Such recruits are most desirable and the preservation of the turf as a clean wholesome sport is due, in a large measure, to their enrollment from time to time.
