LEADING JOCKEY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 92, 18 March 1936, Page 10

LEADING JOCKEY

ACCIDENT AT TRENTHAM. ROY REED’S DEATH. GREAT TURF RECORD. Meeting a .similar fate to that which overtook his younger brother, Con. Reed, at Taumarunui about fourteen years ago, Roy Reed, one of New Zealand’s foremost and best known horsemen, succumbed in the Wellington Hospital at 6.5 p.m. yesterday to grave head injuries received less than four hours earlier when his mount Hunting Oat fell during the running of the President’s Handicap, the fourth race on the programme at Trentham. Aged 36 years, the late All Reed, who had Iris home in Featherston Street, Palmerston North, was one of the most popular jockeys who ever wore silk on the New Zealand turf, and moreover, was one of the most capable, his riding ability being recognised on both sides of the Tasman Sea. The fatal accident yesterday took place six furlongs from the winning poet. It was seen that Air Reed had received serious head injuries. He was given immediate attention, and was removed to the ambulance room, where the doctor’s report indicated serious cerebral haemorrhage. An inquiry was opened on the course, at which the police were represented, and it was adjourned. Serene in disposition, and possessing a likeable personality, the late Air Reed was a familiar figure to racegoers, and the tragic circumstances of his death are deeply deplored. He was one of three well-known brothers, the other two being Ashley and Con., all successful horsemen. Con. Reed was killed as stated, Ashley Reed has for a long period been resident in A 1 elbourne, and Roy Reed had for years held a premier place among New Zealand horsemen, having ridden winners in most of the chief events on the Dominion’s racing calendar. His record in this respect was unique. Physical fitness was a self-governing law for Roy Reed, who was a shining example to other jockeys in the manner in which he made his services available to Awapuni trainers with horses requiring expert handling on the track. Invariably he was one of the earliest on the scene for riding work, whatever the weather, and on the few occasions that he was absent it could be certain that there was a good reason.

Apart from his calling he centred his interests in his home, where he was a devoted husband and father. Born in Bulls, he was the son of the late Air George Reed (himself a noted horseman in nis day) and a few years ago he married Aliss Scott, of Randwick, daughter of the late Air J. Scott. He is survived by his widow and one son, Alaster Con. Reed, and a sister, Mrs IV. Bell, of Levin. Airs Reed was present at Trentham yesterday and accompanied her husband to the hospital. The deep sympathy of hosts of friends will be extended to the bereaved family. Three great handicap horses, Nightmarch, Star Stranger and Rapine, have the name of Roy Reed associated with them in New Zealand turf records. It was in 1929 that he rode Nightmarch to victory with 9.2 in the Alelbourne Cup, having won the Epsom Handicap on the same mount. With Nightmarch, he won the New Zealand Cup, Canterbury Cup and Hazlett Gold Cup in 3930, and in 1931 won the Trentham Gold Cup and the Awapuni Cup on the same gallant horse. It was a great series of victories. Twice Roy Reed rode the Auckland Cup winner—on Depredation in 191? and Rapine in 1925. He had tlie same double distinction in the New Zealand Cup, having piloted Scion to victory in 1922 and as stated Nightmarch in 1930. Four times he passed the post first in the Wellington Cup, having ridden Compris in 1932, Star ► Stranger (on whom he won the Metropolitan Handicap in Australia in 1928), Rapine in 1923, and Alaioha in 1921, while in 1919 he rode a dead heat on Rewi Poto with Red Ribbon (F. Dorset) and/ in 1920 a dead heat on Kilmoou with Oratress. Three successes in the Awapuni Gold Cup are chronicled with the name of R. Reed, for besides his victorious association , with Nightmarch in 1931, he won with Star Stranger in 1928, and Rapine in 1926. He won the Alanawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes in 1929 on Gay Ballerina and last year on Legatee. Twice he won the Wellington Stakes —Diatomous in 1934 and Limulus in 1935; twice the North Island Challenge Stakes Ohs latest success being with Golden Wings in 1933); four times the Wellesley Stakes, four times the New Zealand St. Leger Stakes (1923, Rapine; 1925, Quiescent; 1926,/Star Stranger; 1933, La Moderne); three times the Wanganui Cup; twice the Napier Cup; twice the Ormond Alemorial Gold Cup; three times the Hawke’s Bay Guineas, once the Avondale Cup, and twice the Avondale Guineas. He won the All Aged Stakes at Avondale on Gay Ballerina in 1929. His Trentham Gold Cup wins include Rapine (1923 and 1926), Star Stranger (1928) and Nightmarch (1931). Other important races whicji came the way of the late Air Reeti are as, follow:'—Auckland Racing Club Handicap: 1928, Star Stranger; 1932, Compris. G.N. Foal Stakes: 1924, Almietic; 1928. Supremacy. G.N. Derby: 1921, Gasbag; 1926, Star Stranger. G.N. Champagne Stakes: 1922, Rapine; 1927, Gascony; 1929, Gay Ballerina. A.R.C. Royal Stakes: 1926. Joy King; 1934, Golden Hair. G.N. Guineas: 1917, Vagabond. Auckland Easter Handicap: 1929, Bright Glow; 1933, Golden Wings. G.N. Oaks: 1921, Demosthenes; 1927. Romeo. G.N. St. Leger Stakes: 1922, Royal Box; 1923, Rapine; 1928. Satrap. Metropolitan Handicap: 1931, Compris. Canterbury Welcome Stakes: 1926, Cimabue; 1931, Lank. Canterbury Champagne Stakes: 1934, Variant. O.J.C. Winter Cup: 1925, Kuhio. A Prest> Association message from Wellington states that the funeral of the late Air Reed will take place at the Karori Cemetery at 2 p.m. tomorrow.