FAMOUS JOCKEYS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17180, 25 October 1923, Page 2

FAMOUS JOCKEYS.

CAREER OF A. ARCHIBALD. Specially written for the l: Star” by an English correspondent. When Mr Peter Purcell Gilpin announced, just a little over a year ago, that he had engaged an American—practically unknown to English followers of the turf—as first jockey to the famous Clarehaven stable* there was consternation in the camp. The jockey, Archibald, had during the racing season of 1921 been riding in Spain with great success, as first jockey for King Alfonso, and it was from that sunny land that ho came in February, 1922, to take up his residence in dreary Newmarket—for ft is always dreary at Headquarters after the “ last race ”

How the “ Natives ” manage to exist during the “ close flat season ” I have always been at a loss to understand, but a colleague t'ells me that he has if. “Honest Injuu ” from the oldest in-

habitant that, they don’t exist at New—market, except during race week; they simply vegetate. However th‘at may be, Archibald arrived there during; the dismal weather of February, 1923. Coming (greatly irom the “Land of Sun,” I ha 0 often wondered what his early imprrssiuns of “living” at the mast famous of a“ turf centres were. He has said nothingfihe was content to endure. ,

Naturally the importatio'n of a " foreigner" was not exactly appreviated by anyone in this country, excopt Peter (Gilpin, who is as good a judge of a jockey. as hq jg of_ thy morif§ of the

“racing: machines” that daily come under his notice. But that feeling of aloofness which characterised the early reception of Archibald, alike by his brother “ knights of the pi skin” and by the English racing worlg generally, has long: disappearpd. and Archibald now enioys a yonularil’y that is only equalled by a few of our leading jockeys. \ An Amérioan by birth. in prevwar days Archibald lmd been riding in Ger—many. but prior to gning to the land of "' Knisprdom " he laud ridden over a thousand _wipncrs in the land (If

“‘ ‘3l.an and Stripns.” Sr) that Mr Gilfiin. with his xvel’l—‘(nnwn business acumen, knew his book when he Dersvmvded Cmrge tn meant a retnhwr fnr Clare—hm‘en. The master of Clarehaven is nnb what. one mnv term an “early star-tab" Ho generallv films in get one. ready fnr the ”Lincoln,” but. with the mnjoritv of his charges he m‘efc-rs to brinrz thorn. alnnq gr'vdnally during the oarhv mask: of the Flat. Arrflvi‘m‘d’s first mount nf note in thi: nm‘mtrv was Roman Baohelm— in last “:sz Linrnlnshire ~Hnndic~ap. whpn he finished third to Crane-1y and )lonarch. Between that and the Epsnm spring meeting he had a few mounts, but did not gain 5! winning bracket until the City and Suburban came along, and it was this historic race that gave Mm Ha first winner in ”fig chuntrv. The Linco‘nshire winner. Gravyelv. was a firm favourite. and .Arckibald’s mount. Parmxnn. the horse made famnu: in a certain case. was second fav—ourite. A __ __ _ . .

Arc‘uih'fld’s fid‘nz of the winner was much cnmmenic-d "non at Hm timo‘ Far hes slinned Parfirmn quickly from HlO "Ln-do” and hm? the rare won in t‘m 4rd: fanm-ICI. Just a “wok later he ctnrflnd fin“ racing wm’h’l 1w gouging: Qf/ an'g home from Pv'mv‘o‘nnd and ('anin CHM-19 in Hue Twn Thnnsnfid GUI-T‘H’afi Stnkos. :san if, natnrnny Fri!— Inwed ”mt thn ("fit wan made a firm favourite for the Dm“\v. with what rusnlt. nf rnnrsn, is we'll L-nmvn_ for flu: r'n‘t finifllr‘r‘ (mirth. Still. Hmuqh ha Franz-d tn tiar- hnwns HlO vv'r‘nr fnr thr1‘ Rhw Rihand nF Hm Tur‘.” if, is not nivnn to ovorv jnc'kny to r§rlo hin firm;

“ Olorrjo ” winner »f*er only a month’s residence ir, As a Archih«ld’s method* ore v on let.. He r»«rer T>npt l es bis mount. but pi*S as stiH n« possible nntil he hog to r’d*». As a “ ” factor ip orobnblv O Tie of his rrrontoefacsnfq, ns a in rvi-.fi-,;nff b*« mnrnit nrnr*Mv *vnm tho "nt.e he w<<s and i« pnecfvnlled. fin* move, and Wbon ianns rr— m - * von can he* vonr life that Archibald i« not “ Wt,»« Tn fine oonpor+Ton ?f sidll bo t'nrq ’T’nn.n bocjt. “t *-~,*no- V-r.Tr! |l-nf r -,m« pp +o ♦bo patp op T '-'O rac+’r-'q r film T-rl 7 :~:r;Tw\h7 flying; Cos and wi*-* oa« :, V, TV ’o Tvtrract.incr to rnrr-rrT +b*t vrdhT,* Archibald has not h**d manv irinirnis

at Epsom, in addition to the aucvess on Paragon. he won this 503503 on London Pride. This was a similar instance to that of Paragon, the jockey winning the race at. the gate by having his mount ready and being ofi like a flash, while others were thinking of getting ready. . ‘ . _

Of course, there are those who do not. care to give him any honour for his smartness, but who, when he rides a great. Winning finish. are ready to land him no the sky. But after all, a short distance race is won just as much at the starting point as at the finishoftentimes more so. as proved by the two cases instanced_ Verv gentlemanly and unassuming, Arrhibald has during his short residence among us worn down the “antngnnism” that he was up against twelve months ago. He is very popu—lar with his fellow jockeys, and his generul domeanour is that 111’ a well—frn‘vellad man. who has learnt and ruined knrvwleflge in evarv wountrv he has viaited- And Arclfibald certairfly has a big advantage Mm over hi: on}leamws. for he has rcsided and ridden in five en‘untrias. and his Wide experi—ence gained durinz thnso year: has FM‘Wmv‘v‘H 'sle Wm for :nssnm‘nfinr’ with 1h!) highest in our turf world of today.