Michigan Foundation is About Ready to Go into Operation for Horsemen: Designed to Set Up Home for Turfmen and Foster States Thoroughbred Breeding, Daily Racing Form, 1954-05-15

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Michigan Foundation Is About Ready To Go Into Operation for Horsemen Designed to Set Up Home for Turfmen and Foster States Thoroughbred Breeding DETROIT, Mich., May 14. Speaking at a surprise birthday party held in his honor by Michigan horsemen, Dr. Harry W. Lindy promised important-developments within a week or 10 days concerning the Michigan Thoroughbred Foundation. "We are on the threshold of great new changes in horse racing," Dr. Lindy told more than 100 guests, including officials of the Detroit Race Course and Hazel Park. Lindy and his associates in the Michigan division of the Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association have spent all spring organizing the foundation, designed to set up a horsemens home and foster thoroughbred breeding in the state. "The last legal barriers have been overcome," said Lindy, vice-president of the Michigan division as well as president of the Michigan Thoroughbred Owners Association. "Atty.-Gen. Frank Millard has given us the go-ahead and we are now conferring with officials of the Michigan Racing Association to put the program into operation. George Haggarty, vice-president of the MRA, has assured us that his track will cooperate 100 per cent." Lindy said that the Foundation directors were hastening to prepare a full outline to present to racing commissioner James H. Inglis. It is hoped to have details worked out and approved by the time the MRA opens the Detroit racing season May 21 or as soon as possible thereafter. As previously explained by the horsemen, their foundation calls for six extra days of racing, three at each Detroit running track, with all profits being turned over by the tracks, jockeys and concessionaires toward the Foundation fund. This extra week of racing would become a feature of the Detroit season. It would finance the horsemens program which ultimately would establish a retirement and convalescent home for persons connected with the racing industry, provide for the boarding and breeding of horses and train and develop grooms and jockeys. Dr. William Riley, assistant professor of surgery at the Michigan State College School of Veterinary Medicine, has agreed to accept a full-time position with the horsemen once the Foundation begins to operate. He will direct activities at the farm to be used in the program. In other highlights of Dr. Lindys party, track officials praised his role in promoting peaceful relations between the horsemen and management. Haggarty singled out Lindys success in negotiating percentage purse agreements, while John Monaghan, speaking for the Hazel Park track, noted the unprecedented three years of good will prevailing at Detroit tracks since the introduction of these agreements. William Johnson, representing commissioner Inglis, who was unable to attend, also joined in praising Lindy. He thanked the horsemen for their tribute to Inglis as ""the most understanding racing commissioner with whom they have ever worked." Other speakers were Lewis H. Walter, former state steward, and Detroit newspapermen. Tremon McDermott, Detroit thoroughbred owner, presided.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1954051501/drf1954051501_50_3
Local Identifier: drf1954051501_50_3
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800