COLONIAL JOCKEYS IN ENGLAND

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7446, 22 May 1911, Page 5

COLONIAL JOCKEYS IN ENGLAND

It is passing strange that so few leaders in the jockey world out here have not before this tried their luck in England, where j ockey-worship is more rampant, and the Rewards for success are so much greater. ' Until the Woottons went (writes "Milroy” in the Sydney "Mail"’), Australian riders all failed in England. Many years ago the late Harry Haines took Gorry, then a crack llgntweight, for a trip to the Old Country, but railed. I believe, to secure him a ride; alter he won the Melbourne Cup on his own horse Dunlop, T. Sanders wont upon an English jaunt, and would have done some riding had the opportunity offered, but nobody wanted him, despite his fine Australian reputation. The fact is, or was, an Australian rider had no chance unless backed by a big owner or two. Tire late Mr H. S. White tried to give W. Delanev a start on the English turf, bpt failed to impress others, and the boyreturned to Australia much the worse financially. No doubt the American pioneer jockeys met with similar experiences, for there are records of contempt for American riders brought to England by Ten. Broeck and Loril-lard; in fact, it has been written that Iroqois, who won the Americans the Derby, and was ridden by the famous Fred Archer, would not have succeeded with an American jockey in the saddle. Possibly Tod Sloan—who has become an aviator—without the patronage'and goodwill of such a powerful sportsman as Lord Beresford, may have languished on the outskirts of the game in England, instead of jumping into popularity as quickly as he did. He had the ability, as many others have, but they lacked the opportunities that came so rapidly in Tod Sloan’s direction. The Americans immediately became the rage, and big retainers were readily forthcoming for any Yankee boy with anything like a reputation. Now- that Frank Wootton has paved the way, and made an opening, Australians may receive better recognition. Though he has been acclaimed the cleverest lightweight rider of the present generation, and really a great jockey, Frank Wootton would have had many years of waiting for even a subordinate position but for his father being present, guiding operations. Both Wootton s boys now claim widespread attention outside their father’s stable. This was not so with Hewitt, also with F. Bullock, who won many races for J. •• E. Brewer. Nobody else wanted him. Wootton, I believe, has a standing commission in Australia to engage any likely lightweight boy for English work. Young Huxley was the first to go to him. Huxley is said to be the best lightweight boy now in England. His success has induced his father, Ernest Huxley, to take his other son, William, to England.