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Foreign Turf News Reutert ENGLAND. Midge Richardson Making Progress Arthur "Midge" Richardson, the former lightweight jockey, who is now a public trainer, recently underwent a serious operation at the Victoria Hospital, Swindon Wiltshire. His wife, when interviewed, said: "My husband has been very ill for some time with stomach trouble. He is going on nicely after the operation, which the doctor says will make a new man of him." Dumbell, whom Richardson trains for the Ceylon High Commissioner in London, Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, is a certain runner for the Lincolnshire Handicap, but no jockey has yet been engaged. Lord Nelson to Miss the Lincoln * Popular handicap performer, Xord Nelson, is to miss this years Lincolnshire Handicap. G. Vergette, whose stables are at Market Deeping in the north of England, has stated that he intends scratching the horse, but may be represented in the race by Barometer. The latter has been contesting hurdle events this winter and trainer Vergette says that he will give him two more outings before making a decision. If it is decided to run him, he will be ridden by one of the leading apprentices. New Clerk of Course for Yorkshire Capt. J. C. Storie, who has been a trainer at Beverley Yorkshire for 25 years, has been appointed clerk of the course at the popular Yorkshire track and is also to be managing director of Beverley Race Course ! [ Company. Captain Storie, a veterinary surgeon, is relinquishing his trainers license land his stable will be taken over by his head man, William Gray. French Horse Killed in Training Blue Butterfly, a leading French stayer who arrived in Britain this month to be trained for hurdle races by French trainer, Roger Bates, broke his neck and was killed in a schooling gallop at Bates Findon, Sussex. Owned by Mrs. V. M. Pulham, Blue Butterfly, a 10-year-old, had a remarkable record in the Prix Gladiateur, Frances longest flat race, three miles, seven furlongs. He won the race in 1947, finished second in 1948 and won again in 1949. Bigger Prizes for French Classics The prize money for French "classic" races in 1951 and 1952 has been increased and the original races have been canceled and are to be reopened with new conditions. This news was contained in the recent issue of The Racing Calendar, the official organ of the British Jockey Club. The notice said: "The Societe DTSncouragement The French Jockey Club announces that the Poule DEssai Des Pouliches for 1951 and 1952 French 1,000 Guineas, the Poule DEssai Des Poulins for 1951 and 1952 French 2,000 Guineas, the Prix de Diane 1951 French Oaks and the Prix du Jockey Club 1951 French Derby have been canceled and are reopened to close on January 31, 1950. Entries must be repeated if they are to stand." AUSTRALIA Another Last Race Specialist Australia has found another specialist at winning the last race on the card. He is Jack Purtnell, who has won the last race of a program nine times,, much to the discomfiture of bookmakers. "Last Race" Purtnell, as he is now known, has been followed blindly by punters in final races. Billy Cook, called "Last Race" Cook for the same reason, had a similar reputation which he lived up to more than once when he visited England last Summer. INDIA Australian Jockey in Top Form Athol Mulley, the Australian jockey, is riding in splendid form at Calcutta and on January 27 he won three successive races, including the chief event of the day, the Indo-Republlc Inauguration Plate. In each of the three races, Mulley kept to the rear from the start and then came with a late run over the final 200 yards. In earlier racing here he had won by going into the lead at the start and keeping his position. Mulley is the present leading jockey in Calcutta with 15 winners from 59 mounts during the winter season, which is only-half-way through.
