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JockeyClub OGDEN PHIPPS Steward of The Jockey Club spoke of the various functions of ofthat that organization WednesdaysNASRC at Wednesdays NASRC session PH1PPS NASRC ADDRESS Ogden Phipps steward of The Jockey Club gave the follovririg address at Wednes ¬ days session of the National Association of State Racing Commissioners CommissionersI I am very happy to be privileged to talk at this meeting where there are so many of you that give so freely of their time and ability without any financial rewards In this age this is quite extraordinary and I might add most refreshing As the rep ¬ resentative of The Jockey Club I am here to offer you the services of our organiza ¬ tion and to speak about those which are of the most interest to you the supervisors of racing x xThe The first of these is the school for of ¬ ficials of which we are very proud It might be well to explain why this school became necessary and just what has hap ¬ pened penedNearly Nearly 10 years ago with the rapid growth of racing throughout the United States and with the then scarcity of com ¬ petent racing officials it was apparent that there would be a desperate need for prop ¬ erly trained men if racing was to prosper in a sound and substantial manner mannerMany Many Lacked Experience and Training TrainingIt It had been the custom prior to this for men to be appointed to of ficial positions because they had good character because they were known to have been connected with racing and because they were friends or relatives of men in power but many of these appointees were not efficient because of lack of experience and training trainingThe The Jockey Club then started selecting young men of quality and intelligence with good backgrounds in racing to form the nucleus of a group that would even ¬ tually be trained through the various fields These men were employed in minor posi ¬ tions principally in the horse identification department and as opportunities arose and their qualifications justified it they were advanced to official positions During the same period of time each official serv ¬ ing in New York was rotated in all opera ¬ tions of all departments For the first year or two a trainee served for three or four week periods as an observer alongside the regular official Then as he became more proficient he was temporarily assigned to each official position with full authority For possibly the past five years our offi ¬ cials have been rotated continuously so that today every one of our regular offi ¬ cials is fully qualified to serve in any offi ¬ cial position Twentythree of our present staff have completed the course courseWe We have had occasion to send our of ¬ ficials to many localities Florida Mary ¬ land Delaware Chicago California Mas ¬ sachusetts Rhode Island Colorado Canada At the present time six of our regular officials are out on loan in various states statesDuring During this entire time we have offered the services of The Jockey Club school to all racing commissions and racing associa ¬ tions Not only members of racing commis ¬ sions but their chairmen as well have at ¬ tended the school schoolRoutine Routine Followed by Visitor VisitorTo To give you a little understanding of the training a visiting official Is upon his ar ¬ rival first assigned to The Jockey Club of ¬ fice in the city where he Is shown through the registration department and la given an outline of the varlou duties of The Jockey Club Then he la assigned to the liorae identification department at the race track where he is sent out with an examining veterinarian and identifier to inspect horses prior to the races He is shown our com ¬ plete system of identification and the pro ¬ cedure which carries through to the actual appearance of the horse in the paddock to a race He is given instruction in the main ¬ tenance and care of a race track by a track superintendent policing of the grounds through Pinkertbns National Detective Agency the surveillance of licensed per ¬ sonnel by Pinkertpns and the Thorough ¬ bred Racing Protective Bureau the opera ¬ tions of the admission department and the mutuel department the details of the rac ¬ ing secretarys office the duties of the pa ¬ trol judge paddock judge placing judge timer jockey room custodian clerk of scales the operation of the film patrol and photo finish the medical supervision of jockeys and other attendants finally wind ¬ ing up the last two or three days with the stewards attending all discussions on labor problems contracts and investigations re ¬ viewing the film patrol pictures supervis ¬ ing racing itself and examining the stew ¬ ards systems of recording and filing data During this period he had ample oppor ¬ tunity of observing the relationship of the racing commission the jockey club man ¬ agement and public Twentyeight have availed themselves of this opportunity opportunityNeed Need Greater Than Supply SupplyDespite Despite the fact that we have provided a great number of officials for various rac ¬ ing associations we feel that the need for highly qualified men is far greater than the supply and The Jockey Club is extending its service and constantly developing new newContinued Continued on Page ThirtyNine PHIPPS NASRC ADDRESS Continued from Page Fire younger men to be available when the need arises arisesI I would like to say at this time that in permitting our regular officials to accept assignments at other tracks we have in no way lessened the efficiency of the super ¬ vision of racing in New York The men who have filled the positions during such tem ¬ porary absences in our opinion are equally competent and worthy of such appoint ¬ ments mentsIn In furtherance of its efforts to improve conditions of racing generally The Jockey Club has recently organized The Jockey Club Foundation Home Inc the purpose of which is to take care of the aged and destitute people of racing who may become objects of charity and be dependent upon the cities and states for their very sub ¬ sistence sistenceAs As you may know we Jiave been operat ¬ ing The Jockey Club Foundation for many years and have helped a great many in times of distress caused by accident illness or poverty but only on a temporary basis and not on the larger scale which is now planned by the home homeThe The directors are representatives from nearly all groups in racing each of whom is conscious of the great need for such a project and has pledged hissupport to its success successA A lot of money will be needed the first year because we must establish a capital fund to acquire a suitable home in a prac ¬ tical location As the years go by we may need more than one such place because our industry extends to all parts of the United States Therefore our goal for such a pur ¬ pose has been set at 500000 500000One One Cent From Each Program ProgramFor For the operating expenses the directors have worked out a program that should perpetuate a sufficient income over the years without distress to any person or group It is hoped that each track operat ¬ ing in the United States will contribute an amount proportionate to its business Sim ¬ ply for tfie purpose of arriving at a lair contribution it has been suggested that this amount approximate 1 cent for each program sold In addition it is hoped that all lead pony fees will be donated donatedThe The proof that racing tries to take care of its own is evidenced by the fact that most of your states have already set up some charity arrangement either in the form of a charity day a race or by allocat ¬ ing the fines for sucn purposes purposesBy By reason of the expansion of racing within the last few years one of the great problems which has arisen and one for which a national solution is needed and one to which the Jockey Club has given a great deal of attention is providing an ade ¬ quate number of competent jockeys by the development of young jockeys and the retention of jockeys who have served their apprenticeship apprenticeshipThe The first part of the problem of course would be solved by a national apprentice rule The second part could only be solved by a higher standard of weights to be car ¬ ried by horses With reference to the first part of the problem last year The Jockey Club and the New York State Racing Commission adopted an apprentice rule which seems to bid fair to accomplish the objectives sought in that field Basically the rule gives a tenpound allowance to an apprentice rider until such time as he rides his first winner seven pounds from that point until he has ridden 20 winners and five pounds until he has ridden an additional 20 win ¬ ners or for a year from the date of riding his first winner then following these two allowances an additional three pounds for his original contract employer for one year yearOur Our rule contains several other qualifi ¬ cations all of which are the result of con ¬ siderable study and consultation with various interests in racing such as owners trainers and jockeys In the rule an effort is made to provide protection for both the apprentice and the holder of the contract In other states the rules differ in various ways One state may prohibit a boy from filing a contract if he has reached the age of twentyone In New York any male up to the age of 25 may file a contract In some states a boy may file a subsequent contract whereas in New York he is en ¬ titled to one contract only which may be transferred or extended if it be for three years to a maximum of five years yearsOffers Offers to Act as Custodian of Contracts ContractsThe The Jockey Club has offered to act as custodian of the apprentice contracts for all states This service would provide a central place for the review of the con ¬ tracts and for information As The Jockey Club publishes in its Racing Calendar all data pertaining to contracts including the termination dates this information would be available through the Calendar or by immediate communication with The Jockey Club In addition all controversial matters could be brought before the stewards of The Jockey Club and settled in an equi ¬ table manner for all parties concerned concernedThe The second part of the problem that of the higher weights for the older riders may be a little more difficult The tracks oper ¬ ating under The Jockey Club rules still have the clause which provides that in all overnight races except handicaps not more than six pounds may be deducted from the scale of weight for age except for allow ¬ ances but in no case shall the total allow ¬ ances of any type reduce the lowest weight below 101 pounds except that this mini ¬ mum weight need not apply to twoyear olds or threeyearolds when racing with older horses With that provision the weights in New York are usually higher than they are in other places and jockeys with experience can ride for a much longer period periodIf If there were a return to this provision of the rule pertaining to weights it would lengthen the riding lives of our famous riders ridersMay May I in closing express the wish and hope that you will come to us for any as ¬ sistance you think we might be able to give you You will always be most welcome
