THE LATE "BILLY" WHITE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2370, 3 August 1899, Page 35

THE LATE "BILLY" WHITE.

This celebrated jockey died last week at Hawke's Bay, aB the result of an affection of the throat which had been troubling him for some time. Our Auckland correppondei-.t rays that "Billy" was a native of Auckland. If that is correct, and I cannot Fay it is not, he must have come to Dunedin as a child. He was a very little chap when his people -were living at Moruington. There is an idea • abroad that "Billy" first had experience of racing in Jameß Cotton's stable. That is a mistake. Cotton says that he tried to get the boy, but could not. There were two brothers, -one named Bill, who took service with'the Hon. G. M'Lean,. and is, I think, dead; tl\3 other was the one popularly known as "Billy," though he was often called Percy, and I think his right name was Patrick. Whatever the truth may be, wo shall always "remember him as "Billy" White. Well, this lad went first to work with Mr Fairley, tho butcher, who used to own Bella, the trottev, find thence he found his way as an apprentice to Cutts's stable. It was here that he learned his riding. Tho .first time I look any particular notice of him was when he rode Cheap Jack in a catch-weight race at the Forbury and won from a large field. As he grew he became well-liked, and much in demand for race-riding. He won the Dunedin Cup three years running, on Sultan. St. James, and Freedom, and in regard to one of these races the result was wholly due to superior horsemanship. It was as a finisher that he showed to the best advantage. He was resolute and strong, and when he closed his jaws and set his teeth and sat down to work, there "were few who could beat him home if the horse was any good. He scored in the Great Autumn Handicap with Lady Zelland, and has ridden 'and won the best races of the colony; in short, he was quite in the first rank, and it is a great pity he has gone so soon. He leaves a wife and child.