About Jockeys.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 12, 21 September 1910, Page 12

About Jockeys.

SOME COMPARISONS. It is rather remarkable that Maher, despite the fact that he has to waste considerably to go to scale at 8.4, holds a long lead in the list of successful jockeys. Doubtless this honour would have fallen to the share of Frank Wootton, but for tlie fact of his two months’ suspension. Maher is this season riding as well as ever he did, though it will be remembered that at the end of last year there was some talk about bis retiring from the pigskin owing to indifferent health. He resigned his position of first jockey to the Stanley House stable, and was succeeded by young Frank Wootton. It is quite unique in tne annals of the Turf for so youthful and so light a jockey to hold such a post in connection with one of the leading stables in the country. It would be interesting indeed to learn what such men as Archer and Fordham thought about the matter, supposing they could return to this mundane sphere. The value which is attached to Wootton’s services may be deduced from the fact that he has frequently to put up a lot of dead weight. No other jockey has so thoroughly dominated the situation as Maher does at the present moment. He is fortunate enough to be considered so far ahead of his rivals that there is a constant demand for his services, and although he announced his intention of riding as a free lance he already holds several VERY A ALI’ABLE RETAINERS. He is probably earning more money than ever Archer did at the zenith of his fame. Lord Rosebery alone gave him x-1000 to ride Neil Gow in his classic engagements. His retainers must represent a sum getting on for £BOOO. In addition, there are his riding fees and presents, which will mean quite as much