JOCKEY SINCE 1864.

Otago Witness, Issue 2363, 8 June 1899, Page 36

JOCKEY SINCE 1864.

"Tommy" Hodson is one of the oldest of New Zealand jockeys now found" in the pigskin in this colony. I happened to drop across the little fellow recently, writes "Phaeton, '' and plying him with the question as to the year in which he rode his first race, I ascertained from him that it was in 1864 that he first donned the silk jacket and cap. This was at Brisbane, when he was at the age of 12, and he scored a win on a pony named Fox. His next ride in j)ublic did not take place for two years after, and was in the Auckland province, when he won on a pony named Boco at Te Awamutu. Hodson tells a good little story of how Boco was subsequently matched against another horse in a steeplechase at "catch weights," which he won, and as the little Auckland horseman states that on that occasion he rode (saddle included) at sst 51b, it will be recognised that he could be stowed away in a very small compass. Hodson tells me that he rode his first race in Auckland proper at Potter's paddock in 1866, when he steered Maori Weed to victory for Mr Owen M'Gee. He subsequently went to the South Island, and won several races at Clutha Ferry for Captain ILutchinson. Returning to "Auckland, he entered the services of Mr Owen M'Gee, and it was while associated with the riding of the Otahuhu sportsman's horses that "Tommy" earned a great doal of popularity with Auckland racegoer*. With good little Perfume Hodson won many races on the flat, over hurdles, and across country. In two successive years (1877 and 1878) Hodson steered Perfume to victory in the Auckland Steeplechase, while- in the fmt-iiamed year lie got home first in the Autumn Steeplechase on the bay daughter oi Dainty Ariel. Leaving Air M'Gee, Hodson was next found in Mr S. C. Caulton's employ, and during the time he trained and rode for that gentleman a fair share of winnings came to him, and at that time he scored one of the best records of his career, practically "skinning the lamb" at the Papaknra meeting. With Hariy Mount ho won the Hurdle Race, and -victories on Gillie Callum (who wwi tl>e Papakura Cup and Railway Handicap) followed, while he also claimed a win in the Ladies' Purse and Consolation Handicap — not a bad aftevnoon's work, truly ! In 1887 Hodson had one of his leg? broken by an accident that befell him while riding a marc called Lady Grey in a hurdle rare at Papakura, and he was incapacitated from riding for several month?. In 1882 Hodfon v/hs found wearing the "black and while loops'" of Maior George, and he achieved the distinction "of landing the first Welcome Slakes run at Ellerslio with that gentleman's colt Wapiti. Since that lime Hodson hat, not only travelled much, but he has done a large amount of riding. In 1893 he went to Sydney under engagement to ride for Mr Samuel Hordern, and his firbt ride in the Sydney Cup in the colours of the Sydney sportsman resulted in a win, Realm being his mount on that occasion. Since his return to Auckland Hodson has always had a few horses in his hands, and the fact of his being a steady and painstaking man, and one who has at all times kopfaloof from those fast "schools" that are the bane of the jockey's life, should enable him to retain the patronage that has been so well conferred upon him.