“IRRITATING INCIDENTS”

Taranaki Daily News, 10 March 1932, Page 4

“IRRITATING INCIDENTS”

RACING OWNER RETIRES. NOT DERIVING ENJOYMENT. Following immediately on the announcement of Mr. H. F. Nicoll’s retirement from trotting, Mr. George J. Barton’s secession from racing and trotting ownership has caused, much surprise in sporting circles at Dunedin. For years Mr. Barton has been one of the leading trotting owners, having headed the money-winning list on several occasions and on the turf he has also met with some success. He is one of the few owners who race without depending on the success of, their horses, and foi" that reason his retirement, is a matter for concern. Mr. Barton can be counted among the lucky owners, as his racing account has always been on the credit side, and a run of bad luck would not worry him. The reason for bis retirement is that he is not deriving from, the sport the enjoyment he should. For some months he has been considering the question of retirement, and recent experiences hav hastened his decision. He has found many irritating incidents of late to affect his enjoyment of the sport and also fraternal sociability. He has raced from Auckland to Invercargill, and at o.ne time had as many as 26 horses in work. At present he has seven gallopers in work at Wingatui, and 13 trotters in' Tomkinson’s stable at Addington. All the horses are to be offered, at auction without reserve before Easter.

The current depression, and consequent reduction of stakes, have nothing to do with Mr. Barton’s retirement, and he is definitely seceding from racing. His decision is in no way co-reluted to the announcement of Mr. H. F. Nicoll, an announcement which Mr. Barton regrets, as he holds the opinion that Mr. Nicoll has been a great man for trotting. , On the turf Mr. Barton has raced consistently in the South Island. One of the best horses he owned was Ark Rqyaft who went wrong after winning the Dunedin Guineas, but last season he raced Jolson, Gallant Fox and Antrim Boy successfully. Gold Tinge also won a Victorian Sires’ Produce Stakes some years ago in his interests. Of his trotters, among the best known are Erin’s Fortune, Free Advice, Young Blake, Surprise Journey, Tempest, Golden Pedro and Wrecker.