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REFLECTIONS *y »ELS0N DUNSTAN NEW YORK, N. Y., June 5.— Years ago, a young boy who worked in his fathers shoe shop needed 5 in the worst way. On his day off, which was Sunday, he was allowed to ride an old mare who had cost 5 as recreation. He determined that, some day, when he had been able to cava t*7R V»a ■nmnM V»iiT7 a mam all Viie own, and when he could get another 5 he would buy a saddle and other equipment needed for riding her on the paths of his city in the Northwest. Last Saturday, that man who has become one of the worlds foremost designers and manufacturers of womens shoes, won the 0,000 Coaching Club American Oaks, one of the greatest races for fillies in the world, with How, a daughter of Princequillo. After the victory, he told this writer, "I was tongue-tied when they tried to interview me, and Im afraid without much success, when I entered the winners circle at Belmont with my wife, Sue. Somehow, as I stood there, my mind drifted back to those days when I hoped I could get 5 to buy the mare that I wanted so much." The stories of Horatio Alger reflect American life. We believe the life of Herman B. Delman is characteristic of the American boy who "made good." AAA "Delman is one of those American men who, though they have shops on Fifth Avenue and fashionable other streets in many American cities, has never lost his love for a horse. He came up as many Americans did, fighting his way in the world. By 1944, after years of hard work, he sought relief from the cares of business. It was natural, remembering the 5 mare he wanted so much, that he, like Louis B. Mayer and countless other men, should turn Delman Finally Owns Champion Filly Famous Shoe Designer Realizes Dream Hopes Coaching Club Winner Is Best of Sex Almost Bought Noor — And Also Your Host . to racing. Ht was not so interested in making money from horses, as in having an escape hatch from the big business he created as a designer of womens shoes. The first good horse he owned was Coronal, who in 1945 won the Merchants and Citizens Handicap, defeating none other than Olympic Zenith and Stymie. His friends were still congratulating him on the ownership of such a good horse when Coronal developed the troubles that come to so many top horses. Delman then was in about the same position as when he started, without one good horse who would do credit to his colors. AAA Delman travels considerably and he was at Newmarket, England, when a horse later named Capt. Boudoir was led into the ring. The bidding lagged and when it got up to about 00, he raised his right hand. He brought the horse to this country, and in his second start here Capt. Boudoir, who was a gelding, was claimed for ,000. That horse went on to win over 5,000. At one of the Louis B. Mayer sales, he bought a filly named Flower Bed. She seemed to be the miss he was looking for, but she, too, went wrong, and at a dispersal sale the Brookmeade Stable of Mrs. Dodge Sloane bought her for 5,500. At the Chrysler dispersal, in partnership with a trainer, Delman paid 9,500 for a horse later named Imperium. This horse did well on the West Coast, but only to go amiss and he retired. Delman was willing to go right along, and after the retirement of Imperium he said, "It may take a while, but, one of these days, Ill get a top horse." He has a good one in How. AAA "Both racing and breeding are fascinating to me," Delman said, "because they are so unpredictable. In my search for a good horse I have made as many, if not more, mistakes than the other fellow. A few years ago, I was in England when the Ali Khan offered me three horses for 5,000. After some dickering, I turned down the offer, as I figured it would take close to a year to get them to the races in this country. Those three horses were Noor, Nathoo, and I have forgotten the name of the other. I had another experience in letting a fine horse get away from me. Some years ago I bought Flower Bed. She was by Beau Pere — Boudoir n., by Mahmoud. She was very fast and I was well pleased with her. One day Ray Bell, who was representing Mayer, came to me and said they had a colt by Alibhai out of Boudoir II. that was the fastest thing ever bred at the Mayer farm. I could have bought him for something like 5,000. My trainer at that time went out to look at the colt, and when he came back he was indignant. He said, Did you know that horse had a crooked neck? If you buy him, you can get a new trainer. I dropped the matter and lived to regret it, for that horse was none other than Your Host. I would like to have one as fast as he was, even with the crooked neck." AAA After How won the Kentucky Oaks, Delman felt he had a good f iliy but reserved opinion, saying, "I want to see what she will do in the Coaching Club before I become too enthusiastic." Now that she has won the Ken- Continued on Page Thirty-Six REFLECTIONS - By NELSON DUNSTAN Continued from Page Forty tucky Oaks and the Coaching Club, Del-man grins when saying, "I hope she con-, tinues to do well, for nothing could please me more than to be the owner of a filly champion. Her future races are entirely up to Horatio Luro, who has done such a fine job of training her f or me. I have been asked if I intend to start her in the Belmont Stakes against the colts. While I would be inclined to reserve her for races against those of her own sex, it is for Luro to decide." Delman is the owner of the stallion Flushing n., whom he purchased on the other side. After he arrived in this country Delman sold an interest in him to Mrs. Marian duPont and Doug Davis, Jr. Flushing n. is a son of Mahmoud, and although he has had only eight horses to race, four have been winners to date. He is-now standing at Davis* High Hope Farm at Lexington, Ky. Mrs. Sue Delman has registered her own colors with The Jockey Club and will race a few horses this year.
