THE LATE S. FERGUS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2726, 13 June 1906, Page 54

THE LATE S. FERGUS.

The news of the death of Samuel Fergus a.% a- rcsuit of the accident which lie met with whilst riding Silicia at the Auckland meeting will be received with great regret wherever The- unfortunate horseman was known. He was a fearless rider over country, and one of the most capable men that ever sat in a saddle, and as he was very popular in sporting circles poor "Sam" will be greatly missed wherever there is Tacing between the flags. Fergus was not a well-known jockey on our local tracks, but as far back as 1890 he was riding at the Otago Hunt Club's meeting of that year, his mount being the Somnus gelding Sir Maurice, who fell in the Tally-ho Steeplechase won by Daddy Longlegs. He was also up on the same hocta in a hurd'« race won by Garibaldi, and later on in the day got second to Waitangi in a Consolation. Latterly Fergus has been identified with Haydn, and rode the game little son of Sou-wester when he won the C.J.C Grand National Steeplechase of 1902. He also rode Haydn when he won the Great Northern Steeplechase of 1903, and the Wanganui Steeplechase of 1904 was captured by him on the same horse. Fergus steered Haydn into second place behind Inniekillen in last year's National Steeplechase, and the previous rear was Haydn's pilot in the «ime race. Haydn fell at tho post and rails at the home turn. In all Fergus rode Haydn in four C.J.C. Grand National Steeplechases, and was first in 1902, second in 1905, third in 1903. Amongst other races he won with Haydn were the Lincoln Steeplechase and Beaufort Steeplechase, whilst he was also second in the same races when they were won by Phaetontis and Eclair. He rode Haydn without success 'at the last A.J.C. spring meeting, and was also identified with him in many other races. St. Simon, Mozel. and many other good horses were ridden to victory. Fergus was up on Romeo when that horse started a strong favourite in the last Grand National Hurdles, and met with a fatal accident in the race. He leaves a wife and four chil-

dren to mourn his loss, together with a large circle of^riends and acquaintances.