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y t I t , . li r 5 J J i j j i i 0 j j , r J j j , , I I 1 1 ; J I i i i j 1 1 "SKEETS" MARTINS SUCCESSFUL YEAR American Rider in England in Fine Form in 1917 and a Great Favorite Among Turfmen. Judged from the standpoint of averages Martin had a small percentage the better of his rival, for with fifty-three fewer mounts he came second in the winning list, having scored thirty-two times, though it looked like being trick and tie between them until the luck favored Donoghue at the finish, one of his chance mounts being on Chapel Brampton, which had his stable companion. My Ronald, behind him in the Clayton Stakes. Martin was born in Titusville, Pennsylvania, and was associated with Applebys stable in San Francisco, where he rode his first winner, which by a curious coincidence was named Julia Martin. Ills riding was divided principally between Frisco and New York, and he was recognized as one of the leading jockeys, his best record for one season being 2C0 winning mounts. In 1S07 he was engaged to ride St. Cloud in the Cambridgeshire by J. R. Keene. of Foxhall fame, but the mount was transefered to Tod Sloan, who had ridden Quibble II. for him in a Maiden Plate, and won the Old Nursery on Jiffy II. for Lord William Beresford before having the leg up in the big handicap. It was only after one of the most exciting races ever seen on Newmarket heath that Kcmpton Cannon on Comfrey beat him a head, and Sloan thought he had won. which he no doubt would have done had he been better acquainted with the wide course. It was by his advice that in 1S99 Martin came over to ride in England and his services were in turn secured by Sir R. Waldie Griffiths, Mr. Musker and Mr. Whitney during Iluggins last year of training in this country. After that the jockey continued with Joyner in the service of Mr. Whitney and rode many winners, including Whisk Broom, Har-monicon and Borrow. After the break-up of the American stable, he held a retainer as first jockey for Lord Rosebery and this year had Lord Jersey and Lord Lonsdale among his patrons while riding for Freemason Lodge, but next year will see him figuring as first jockey for Clarehaven Lodge. FINE JUDGE OF PACE. Never robust, Martin suffered for a long time from acute dyspepsia, but was stronger and better tins year than at any previous period since his arrival here and I do not hesitate to add that he had no superiors in the profession and, like all the riders from the other side of the Atlantic, he is a fine judge of pace. Lucky chance mounts fell to him when Ard Patrick won the Derby and Rock Sand took the Two Thousand Guineas, but the fates were unkind to him when Sir Martin came down in the Derby just before reaching Tattenhani Corner. But for that unfortunate contretemps, Mr. Winans horse would probably have won the Blue Riband, which went to Minora, carrying the late King Edwards jacket. Mr. Lambtou is one of Martins staunch admirers and among the good horses he has ridden for Stanley House have been Phalaris and Diadem, wrhen Rickabys services were not available. The American horseman also rode Hornets Beauty in most of his races for Sir Wm. Cooke, who employed him this year for Dark Legend and Bay dOr. There is no jockey at Newmarket so frequently requisitioned by trainers to ride in their home gallops and certainly none more industrious and probably that constant occupation accounts for his not having followed the general lead to ride in Ireland when there has been no racing at home. As Martin can go to scale without wasting at 10G pounds and there being only one claim to his services, he will, comparatively speaking, be a free lance next year and will doubtless command extensive patronage. "Vigilant" in London Sportsman.
