TURF NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 95, 22 April 1922, Page 18

TURF NOTES.

Some idea of the fees that a first-class horseman can earn in Engand can be gathered from the fact that S. Donoghue has elected to ride as a freelance in England thk season. In the 1920 season Mr. James White paid Donoghue £6000 for first call on his services, and last year Lord Derby £4000 for a similar retainer, these amounts not including second and third and possible fourth calls. When a jockey can refuse these fixed sums one wonders to what his annual income actually amounts.

Harry F. Sinclair, who gave 100,000 dol. for Man o' War's brother, Playfellow, was successful in his legal suit to recover the money paid for that horse. Sinclair's action was on the grounds that Johnson had concealed from him that •Playfellow was a "cribber' and a "windsucker." The first trial, a few months ago, resulted in a clisasTeement of the

iry; but, as stated, the second trial resulted in Sinclair's favour. A New York paper says the bookmakers made quite a sporting event of the case by appearing in front of the Supreme Court. in Brooklyn and offering to bet on the result.

There has always been a lot of doubt as to where Steve Donoghue learned to ride, and the stable to which he was attached, but in answer to a host of correspondents on the subject we are able to state, says a writer in "Sporting Life," that Donoghue was originally at Kingsclere with the late John Porter, and subsequently he repaired to Dobson Peacock's stable at Middleham. Th<> opinion that Donoghue was apprenticed in Ireland is entirely erroneous, as he was a successful rider in France before paying the Emerald Isle a first visit. where he rode only as a full-fledged jockey.

In commenting on an inquiry recently held in England, an English writer says: Let mc point out that there are some things which are done far better in th? Colonies, and one of these concerns a horse and jockey who is under suspicion for riding a losing race. We allow the trainer or owner—or anybody —to assist at the unsaddling in tbe ordinary way; over there the horse is officially surrounded before any of the connections can get near, and officials take full charge. Thus all evidence is taken independently—without any possible chance of discussion beforehand— from everybody with an interest in the horse.

As a breeder of successful thoroughbred racehorses, John E. Madden stands pre-eminent in America. During the last five years horses bred at his famous Hamburg Place in Kentucky have won 1595 races over the various tracks of this country, Canada, Cuba and Mexico. It is a wonderful record, unapproached by any other breeder. Last year wa3 Mr. Maddens greatest, horses "bred by him winning 424 races. In 1920 they won 313; in 1919, 311; in 1918, 213, and in 1917, 334. Success has not come to Mr. Madden in a haphazard way—nothing was left to chance or luck. A keen knowledge of the best blood lines, and then proper blending is, in great measure, the keynote of his success, says "Daily Racing Forte."

The past racing season in America has produced one of the most remarkable racehorses ever heard of. A mean-look-ing colt by the name .of Morvieh, which possesses a crooked left foreleg, has proved such a racing phenomenon that in 11 races he was unbeaten. Moreover, he has lowered the two-year-old record of the great horse Man o' War, which won nine races worth 83.325 dols., a3 against Morvich'e 115,234 dols. The winnings of this extraordinary two-year-old have only been exceeded twice in American Turf history, as Domino won 170.890 dols. in 1893, and CoKn won 131,007 dols. in 1907. American critics say that "Morvieh does not look like a great racer, nor seem s to have any amazing power— if you look at him in the paddock; but once the barrier is raised—he is a whirlwind!"

With great regret, says an English writer, I notice several Turf scribes are still attacking the American jockey, G. Archibald, now at Clarehavcn riding Gilpin's horses. Or at any rate, wanting to know why he was out and about in Germany after the outbreak of war in 1914 (while all the British horsey element were interned) enjoying special privileges and liberties, etc., etc. Why should not he! Archibald had been doing good work in Germany, and was as popular as any other jockey has ever been. He enjoyed the same liberties and freedom as Mr. Gerrard, the American ambassador in Berlin, and thousands of other Americans in Germany, who never dreamt of the possibility that the U.S. would be dragged into a European war, and end up by going "bone-_ry"' and having billions left owing to her. T am sure Archibald can, in a few words, clear himself of the insinuations levelled at him (perhaps at the instigation of one or two less fortunate British horsemen who were treated as verfluchte' Englander.) Would the Belgian racing authorities have allowed him to ride at Ostend last summer and win its Grand Prix had there been anything "fishy about him? Or, would "Peter Puree] 1 Gilpin—no doubt on recommendation of J. H. Martin and O'Neill—ever have thought of engaging him!

An English writer recently had a look over His Majesty's horses and says: — Dealing with the seven belonging to His Majesty, the first I saw was Air Cushion. a bay filly by Feather Bed out of Vain Air. This is quite a nice one, with plenty of length, size, and substance. though she has not the best of forelegsPagoda, a bay filly by Kwang Su out of Neuve Chapeile, is an own eister to Joss House. That unfortunate horse finished second in five of the seven engagements he fulfilled last year, anri has still to earn a bracket. "We must hope that better luck is in store for hi* sister, which is rather on the small sid 1 ". but is neat and well coupled, and like coming to hand early. Archangel, by Friar Marcus out of Etoile, is a big brown colt with great substance, an 1 "1 this is rather important, because one h.3* occasionally heard doubts raised as to whether this sire would impart the that is desirable to his stock. Swinderby. a black colt by Swynford out of Pintade. is a half-sister to Lemonade, a filly which bas been singularly unfortunate, and specially so in the One Thousand Guineas, in which she was nearly knocked off her legs when going remarkably well and appearing to hold a winning chance. Lady Feo, a bay by Tracery out of Saint's Mead, is a fine racing-like fillythough perhaps a little straighter N 1 front than is altogether desirable. A chestnut filly by Bowman out of Gla L Tidings is named Rainbow—an admirable piece of nomenclature —and she looks like winning a race or two. Taken as a lot, they are decidedly more promisiuP than last year's contingent, the pick a" them to my fancy being Arch-hgel. Kb'""it i* difficult to'fault.