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. , , FRENCH JOCKEY CLUB ORIGIN It is interesting to learn that the first French Jockey Club was founded prior to the year 1833 by an Englishman, one Thomas Bryon, and was known as the English Jockey Club and Pigeon Shooting Club. Of the sixteen members, four were Englishmen, and Lord Henry Seymour, sometimes described as the father of the French turf, was the first president. From this organization sprang the French Jockey Club, as it is today. It was not only a club for the control of racing, but was also a social club and it has continued so until this day. Unlike the English Jockey Club, there are something like 1,000 members, many of whom are not interested in racing, the control of the sport being delegated by the Club of the Societe dEncouragement.
