REMINISCENCES OF ERNEST HUXLEY (b.1870-d.1940)
as a Jockey, Trainer and Owner.

"Submitted by Laurel McMiles."
As copied from the Windsor Richmond Gazette.
Written over 7 weeks by Ernest Huxley in the latter part of 1929..



At the request of many sporting friends in Australia, India and England I have consented to relate some of my experiences on the Turf, extending over 49 years. In the year I was born, 1867, a disastrous flood swept over the country in which my parents had a farm at Sally's Bottoms, several miles from Richmond (NSW). The members of one family, named Eather, were all drowned. Our family comprised, six children. The other five were sent to a place of safety in the township, while I was placed on a bed in the barn, where the water was nearly touching the mattress. Had I been unduly active at that age, I should eventually have been drowned. My father's brother David arrived in the early morning and rescued me and my father and mother. We three joined the other members of our household in Richmond.

At Sally's Bottoms my father did some breeding of horses, grazing, and cultivation, all three being in keeping with his business of providing teams transporting supplies to Gulgong diggings. On arrival at our new quarters my father took a store in the township, where he stocked groceries, ironmongery, sweets, etc, staying there for about eight years. He then took a hotel at Clarendon, between Richmond and Windsor, close to the Hawkesbury racecourse. The place was called the Chester Hotel after the famous horse of that name owned by the late Mr. James White. That horse was ridden in some of his races by my brother William, an accomplished rider, who also rode for the renowned breeder of thoroughbreds, the late Mr. Andrew Town, two of the best being Cap-a-pie, winner of the A.J.C. St Leger, and Napper Tandy, winner of the Queensland Cup. Each was Hobartville bred. Mr Albert Cornwell was, Mr. Town's trainer. He afterwards earned greater distinction through Lord Cardigan and Lord Nolan, both Melbourne Cup winners. Lord Cardigan also won the Sydney Cup. While at the hotel I learned to ride the pony on which my brother Bill had his early training. Many a thrill he gave me when I rode him in races on the sands of Clarendon, winning events for prizes such as bridles, saddles, spurs, etc., on Saturday afternoons. This little gem - a real pet - lived to be 34 years of age, and members of the Huxley family were indeed grieved when he died.

When I was 13 years I gained my father's consent to go to the Hawkesbury races at Clarendon, the first meeting of which was held in 1871, extending over two days, the stake money being on that occasion £700, spread over 12 races. The principal event, the Hawkesbury Grand Handicap, was worth about £90. Trainers found no fault with the course in those days. Horses were used to galloping on rough tracks, and shrewd judges, such a Honest John Tait, Etienne De Mestre and Old John Mayo, made few mistakes when they backed their horses at Oxbro, as some of the old sports used to pronounce Hawkesbury.

TOM HALES IN THE SADDLE

I attended the spring meeting, the first day of which was August 25, 1880, when my great wish was satisfied - the seeing of that superb horseman Tom Hales in action, never dreaming that in after years I should be pitted against him in some of the most thrilling finishes ever witnessed on a racecourse. The first race on the card was the Hawkesbury Guineas, worth about £200 to the winner, which proved to be Mr. W.A. Long's brown filly Geraldine, ridden by Tom Hales, who defeated Mr. James White's bay filly, Sapphire, ridden by my brother Bill. Sapphire (W Huxley) credited Mr. White with the cheque for the V.R.C. Oakes (51/11/1880) Geraldine also defeated Kamilaroi, Creswick and Lord Lisgar.

My next introduction was to a small man with a sandy beard, who afterwards became my staunch friend and adviser, Sam Cracknell. He steered the winner of the Country Purse, which success was followed next day by capturing the Hawkesbury Grand Handicap, defeating high-grade thoroughbreds such as Black Swan, Master Mildrodale, The Pontiff (riden by Tom Hales), and the placed horses. Sweetmeat (second) and my brother Bill's mount Strathearn (third). Other successful riders in their day assisting at the meeting were Paddy Piggot, Donald Nicholson and Jack Gainsford.

A FOUR-LENGTH WIN

My next visit to Hawkesbury was to the autumn meeting on April 7 and April 9, 1881. I was most anxious to set my eyes on Bob Patty and Phil Heywood, the cross-country riders, and I had my full pleasure when I saw Heywood pass the judge's box four lengths in the lead on Donald S. Wallace's Discount. Bob Patty's mount Marshal', owned by Jim McGrade, pulled up very lame. I again saw Tom Hales win, when he rode Mr. W.A. Long's The Wandering Jew to victory in the Rowley Mile and the Sportsmen's Cup. Another favourite of mine, Hugh Roarty, also won a double on Croydon, in the Public Auction Stakes, and The Gem, owned by Mr. John Mayo, who luckily defeated my brother Bill's mount, Etna, running in the nomination of Mr. James White, for two-year-olds, the race being the Claret Stakes. The judge's verdict was half a neck. The Rail Handicap was a run-away victory for Mr. J Phir's chestnut horse, Saunterer, ridden by the late Samuel Pope Davis, who used to keep the Palace Hotel, Racecourse Road, Newmarket.

HAWKESBURY HANDICAP

The principal race on the second day was the Hawkesbury Autumn Handicap, which was won by Mr. W. Browne's The Barber, among the defeated division being Black Swan, Woodlands, Sapphire, Lord Burghley, Strathearn and the favorite, Gipsy Copper, ridden by Tom Hales for Mr. W.A. Long.

As time passed my father prospered in the hotel, and he obtained a nice type of horse, named Percy, whom he put into training, the owner being Mr. T.R. Smith, a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. He was a difficult animal to ride, among his pilots being W. Leadbeater, Bricky Colley, Jim Cough, J. Phipps, and Mr. Benson, the amateur rider from Windsor, who was a son of a judge, and who had a nice pair of hands, which steered Percy in Masterly fashion into winning good races. Percy was a nice golden chestnut, fully 17 hands high, and a very tricky, customer. I never knew what trick he would be up to next. I rode him once at the Windsor Farm in a handicap, and had a lead of 10 lengths two furlongs from home, when he crashed into a stump of a tree and fell. Neither of us was hurt. I was then aged 17 years, and turned the scale at 4st. 121bs. Mr. William Kelso, Senr. father of the popular Randwick trainer, rode the winner.

BROTHER KILLED IN RACE

My father then got a horse from Mr. R Mitchell, named Why Not, and put him into training. He was the cause of my brother Bill's death on the Clarendon course where he and I won our first races. This horse in due time was taken to the Cross Roads Club, near Sydney, and I had the mount, but I unfortunately met the same fate as was meted out to me on Percy. I was several lengths in the lead, with two furlongs to go, and he toppled over a post; my friend Bill Kelso rode the winner. I received a good shaking as a result of the fall but the horse was all right.

My father then took Why Not to the Hawkesbury meeting of August 25, 1884, which was very pleasing to me, as I rode him in the Disposal Stakes but he finished out of a place, The winner being How Long, who outlasted the even-money favorite Rataplan, who had the services of the crack lightweight of those days, Donald Nicholson. Nicholson was killed in the Caulfield Cup of 1885, while riding Lord Exeter, the winner of that memorable event being Grace Darling, piloted by my old friend Jack Williams, who won the A.J.C. Metropolitian on Amendment for Mr. John Tait, in 1877.

When I was aged 12 years, at home with my father in the Hotel I was "Jack of all trades" and responsible for the firewood, the carting of water from the "pighole" some two miles away, and the riding of the horses in work. I also speculated in the buying and selling of poultry, pigs, calves, etc.

TOM UGLY'S POINT

One of my earliest setbacks in speculation was when my grandfather (Thomas Huxley) after whom Tom Ugley's Point was named, and whom the blacks called Tom Uckly, afterwards changed into "Tom Ugly," gave me his crop of peaches, some thousands of cases, on the understanding that I would send them to the Sydney market, which I did. I was a heavy loser on the transaction, the freight and charges being a very large sum.

I am now coming to the inseparable friends, the late Mr. Tom Payten and Mr. Harry Raynor, the latter still hale and hearty when I saw him in Sydney recently. Both were visitors to my fathers hotel. Tom Payten having succeeded Mr. Michael Fennelly in full charge of Mr. James White's horses, while Mr. Raynor was trainer for Mr. William Cannon, a noted owner, who raced Melos, Wycombe, The Australian Peer, Merriment, Arsenal, Keith, Gatling and others. On one of their visits I took them for a drive up the Kurrajong, and while mounting the hill Tom Payten spied some oranges, the juice of which on such a hot day proved most refreshing. Before leaving that grove I became the owner of the whole crop for the sum of £150, selling it at a profit, which cleared all my losses on the peach transaction. On my return I was reprimanded by my father, and sent again to school, this time to Keenan's College, a high-class establishment at Windsor, and close to the property of Mr. McQuade who was the member for Hawkesbury in Parliament, and had a coursing ground along the Chain-of-Ponds. My chum at this college was Ike Cornwell, son of the owner trainer Albert E. Cornwell. Unfortunately for me, my second day at school was my last, inasmuch as Ike and myself were wrongly accused of taking a cat down to the coursing ground, releasing it from a bag, to set Mr. Keenan's well trained greyhounds on its trail. Our protests of innocence were disbelieved, and we had the indignity of a sound caning forced upon us.

INTERVIEW WITH HEAD MASTER

I felt a sense of injustice at such treatment, and decided to return home, which meant that I had to swim the river and walk miles. This accomplished, I went in search of my father, and reported what had occurred. He thereupon saddled up Greenstone and rode over to interview Mr. Keenan, who was nearly 7ft. high and 17st. in weight, as against my fathers 5ft. 8in. and 11 st. Arriving at the college heated words were the order of the hour, and blows were struck, these estranged acquainstanceship for ever. My first appearance in the saddle on the Randwick racecource was at the Sydney Tattersall's Spring Meeting of August 29, 1885, when I was entrusted with the riding of Mr. H. McLennan's chestnut gelding Recruit, in the Loftus Handicap, over a distance of one mile and a quarter. My feelings on that accasion would be difficult to explain. They were combined with a serious responsibility, and no small amount of nervousness particularly so when I entered the course proper to do my preliminary canter before so many thousands of patrons of the Turf. This performed I wended my way to the start when all these thoughts and feelings evaporated from my mind, and the sea of faces, which I can picture in my wind today, no longer worried me; my sole thought being to make friends with my mount, which I flatter myself I did, as from the smart jump out he strained every nerve to run a slashing race, and it was only at the distance that he was caught by Comet, Happy Thought and Folly. These three finished in the order given. The winner was owned by Mr. W.A. Long, of Grand Flaneur fame and was ridden by that expert horseman "Bricky" Colley. The second, who was favorite at 3 to 1, defeated for fourth place by a head by Mr. James White's colt Lennox, ridden by Mick McAuliffe, and a highclass performer. The Broker, owned by the well-known bootmaker, Mr. Abe Halinbourg, finished alongside me. We were destined to meet a fortnight later, this time in the Hawkesbury Grand Handicap, where The Broker started favorite at 7 to 1, but Recruit was outclassed, and Mr. Halinbourg's horse was not quite equal to the contract, and had to be satisfied with third place. The winner was Prince Imperial, running in the nomination of Mr. John Mayo, and ridden by the present Randwick trainer Frank McGrath, who tipped the scale at 6.12. These two horses were divided by Mr. James White's grey horse Despot, ridden by the vigorous and highclass jockey, Bob Ellis, whom I saw at Dubbo Jockey Club spring meeting on September 29, 1886, ride seven winners and two seconds out of 10 races. Returning to Recruit, he was again saddled up two races after the principal event won by Prince Imperial, this time in the Member's Handicap, a dash over seven furlongs. I had to strike my colors to that bonny brown mare Pet Girl, owned by my father's friend, Mr Albert E ("Cracker") Cornwell, who defeated me all out by a clear length, Charley Steeper having the winning ride. This Hawkesbury meeting would not be complete without mentioning the name of Percy, on whom 1 had me early training as a rider. He started twice, in the Disposal Stakes and Ladies Bracelet, his pilot on each occasion being Billy Leadbeater, finishing out of a place in each event. Mr James White won two races with Nordenfeldt (Hawkesbury Produce Stakes), and Lennox (Maiden Plate) their respective riders being Tom Hales and Bob Ellis. Other leading jockeys assisting at this meeting were Bricky Williams, Brickey Colley, Donald Nicholson, Sam Cracknell, Tom Nerriker, and Williain (Dodger) Kelso.

FIRST RANDWICK WIN

My first win at Randwick was registered in the Trial Stakes on A.J.C. Derby day, September 18, 1886, when I rode the race of my life on Neophyte in the blue and white colors of Mr. James White. There were nine starters, with heads separating each of us as we passed the judge's box. Elated with my riding and the thrilling finish, Mr. White came over to me and promoted me to be his second jockey under Tom Hales. This engagement meant my leaving home at the Chester Hotel and going to live at Mr. Michael Fennelly's Newmarket House at Lower Botany Road, near Randwick. My mother was loath to part with me, and after an outburst of tears eventually agreed. My sister was deputed to see me safely to my new home, and from that moment my reputation was made.

FANCY SLIPPERS

When I first met Mick McAuliffe at Newmarket House he was looking after a filly named Sumatra, but he made me laugh when I saw him go into her loosebox to clean up wearing a pair of woollen slippers with his initials in blue and white art silk worked on them. He was much annoyed at my jocularity and considered that I had forgotten my manners, but it was so funny that I could not help myself. Well, after my winning mount on Neophyte, I rode Mr. J White's filly Tamarisk in the Spring Stakes, three races later, which ended in a dead heat between Crossfire and Lord William, the first-named being favourite at even money. My mount was a close third. Star performers, such as Trenton, Cerise and Blue (Winner of the Sydney Cup), and Bravo (winner of the Melbourne Cup), were among the unplaced horses. The second day September 21, 1 886 saw Tamarisk in the limelight, when with Tom Hales in the saddle, she ran a dead-heat with Crossfire in the A.J.C. Oaks. Crossfire was ridden by "Bricky" Colley Acme, carrying in the colours of Mr. White, was pacemaker, with Bob Ellis as her pilot. She finished third, some eight lengths further back. The last event of the day, the Squatters' Handicap, saw a good field, my mount being Mr. John Eales' brown gelding Myall King, who afterwards won three Viceroy's Cups, but my best effort was to run second, three lengths behind Mr. William Kelso's filly Corday. In the first race of the third day, September 23, I rode Emerald, owned by Mr. Jon Eales, in the Suburban Handicap. Five horses fell - Recruit, Wollst, Merry Duchess, Rebus and Leichardt - and interfered badly with me, the result being that I was exceedlingly lucky to be placed third, "Brick,y", Williams squeezing Falson home first, with a half length to spare from Albert Cornwell's Colt Uppercut. Mr. Sam Martin produced the favorite who was none other than good old Hogmanay, winner of many a selling race as well as good handicaps when trained by the Late I.T. Carslake (Tommy Jones). On the fourth day September 25, I rode The Wreck in the Members' Handicap, but he ran unplaced, Bravo being the winner, followed home by My Lord and Neophyte, the latter ridden by Bob Ellis. I afterwards rode The Wreck to victory on December 27, 1886, in the A.J.C. Handicap. He was owned by Mr. J.D. Cameron, and trained by Harry Raynor. I went to Victoria with Mr. White's horses, and rode at the V.R.C. meeting on October 30, 1886, my first mount being Hexham in the Hotham Handicap. Hexham started favorite at 4 to 1, and was defeated by Carbine's pilot, Bob Ramage, on Mr. John Whittingham's horse Claptrap.

FIRST MELBOURNE CUP MOUNT

My next mount on Hexham was the following Tuesday, in the Melbourne Cup, Trident, his stable-mate, carrying Tom Hales, being favorite at 5 to 1. I acted as pacemaker, but the best Trident could do was to run fourth, the places being filled by Arsemal, Trenton and Silvermine, in that order. My first winner after returning to Sydney was at the Sydney Tattersall's Club. Summer Meeting on the A.J.C. course, Randwick. Faugh'a'Ballagh, carrying the colors of Mr. J. Dyke, passing the winning post in the Selling Race half a length ahead of Lord Cochrane, owned by Mr W.A. Long. Next day I was defeated on the same course and horse in the New Year's Gift by Spoilt Child, a son of Rapid Bay, on whom my brother Bill used to ride to victory. There were 23 starters event this event and a very rough passage was given to me, otherwise I might have won. Jack Fielder rode the winner.

SOME EASY WINS

The autumn meeting at Randwick was begun on April 9, 1887, and in the Trial Stakes I was the rider of Mr. White's two year old colt Aberdeen, who was favourite at even money. The race was never once in doubt, as he won "on the bit". On the second day of this meeting, April 11, I rode the same owners brown filly, Lava, an odds-on favourite at 5 to 2, and she won in a common canter. I was not so fortunate in the last race. My mount, Lava's stablemate had to be content with second place in the First Nursery Handicap. She was the brown filly Perfume, also an odds-on favourite at 6 to 4, who was defeated easily by Mr, W.E. Royd's filly Deva. Perfume was so restless at the post, lashing out with her heels and indulging in other antics that 1 was put on the outside of the field, and eventually fined £10 for disobedience at the post. I rode her again on the third day (April 14), and was third to the dead-heaters in the All Aged Stakes namely, Matador, 5 to 4 on, and Major George's horse, Nelson, 5 to 2 against. Nelson came from New Zealand and was six years old, as against Matador, a two-year-old. Saddled again, Matador started again at 5 to 4 on and won the deciding heat easily by a length. Tom Hales was more fortunate than I was, as he rode Perfume (again Favourite) in the Second Nursery on the fourth day (April 16), and defeated a large field; but her conduct at the post on this occasion was much better. At this time I was beginning to study the horse and the best average means of gaining knowledge, with a view to getting the best efforts out of my mounts. I formed the opinion that a jockey will be better served if it be possible for him to make the acquaintance of the animal he is going to ride before the day of the race. He will, of course have hints given him with regard to the horse's disposition, but as horse's and horsemen vary so much in their style of galloping and riding, a turn on the training track would be infinitely of more value than words.

Although firmly installed in residence at Newmarket House, presided over by Mr. Michael Fennelly, I had plenty of opportunity for thought, and many a time my memory went back to my parents home at the Chester Hotel, the happy hunting grounds of my boyhood days, and the meeting place of all sportsmen, whether for a cockfight, pigeon shooting, foot racing, or racing; my father spared neither time nor expense to give the best programmes, in addition to liberal prize money.

I remember one star performer who competed more than once in the £500 Sheffield Handicap. He was the renowned black man, Charley Samuels a runner who never knew the limit of his speed. At these fixtures leading Sydney bookmakers used to operate, and some tidy sums of money were exchanged, as also was the case at the pigeon matches. Pigeon matches were most interesting to me from a financial point on view, as I made it a point to have never less than 1000 strong fliers in their lofts, I sold them at 1/6 each, and, as the traps were less than half a mile from the Chester Hotel, it was a fairly profitable investment if any of them escaped the second barrel of the contestants, as they were resold by me in some instances three and four times over.

A POOR SAILOR

Shortly after my thrilling experience with Percy, which I referred to previously, my father received a letter from Mr. H.B. Hales' the American trainer, who afterwards prepared the dashing, New Zealand horse Maniapoto for Mr H.E. Good when he won the A.J.C. Metropolitan in 1905, after failing to show up in the Epsom Handicap two days earlier. Mr. Hales asked that I should be permitted to ride his horses at the two-days meeting of the Bega Race Club, to be run on January 14 and 15, 1885. Permission was granted, and hasty arrangements were made for my departure to Circular Quay to catch the ship, my brother Bill being trusted to see me safely on board. This duty he faithfully discharged when he handed me over to the care of the steward. The steward had a worrying time, as I was sea-sick shortly after leaving Sydney Harbour. At last, washed out and weary, I arrived at Bega, and I was met by Mr. George Freeman, a friend of my father. He was a well-known Bookmaker, who took me to his home, where 1 was treated as one of the family. Such kindness was showered upon me that it left a lasting impression.

BOLT THROUGH MAIZE

Next day was a "red letter day" to me, as I made my debut on the Bega racecourse, when I rode Lady Fleetwood for Mr H.B. Hales in the cup, which, however, was not devoid of excitement, for, when doing her preliminary, Lady Fleetwood took advantage of my weakness by bolting through a crop of maize growing in the centre of the racecourse, fully 6ft, in height. Both of us at times were lost to view except when my cap was seen bobbing up. It was with the greatest difficulty that I checked her from running headlong into the river nearby. After this escapade her manners showed marked improvement and I was lucky to escape being fined £2 for having delayed the start some 15 minutes.

Once in the hands of the starter she was full of life and vigor, and almost unseated me when she jumped into her stride some two lengths in the lead, which advantage was increased to 10 lengths when she passed the winning post ahead of her stable companion Oscar, carrying B. Suttle. This was my only ride at the meeting, and a cup victory at that; the distance of the race was one mile and three-quarters. She started an even-money favourite.

Mr. Blackman, who owned Oscar, plunged on the double, backing Lady Fleetwood for the cup and his gelding for the Town Plate on the second day of the meeting. Both horses 1 should have ridden, but I was not strong enough to handle Oscar, he being a strong gross horse. My place was taken by the stable boy H. Smith, who, rode him into second place, carrying 141b over weight. Mr H.B. Hales also trained Tantawanglo, Princess of Lorne, a wonderful mare, who could do her seven furlongs in those days in 1.28, and Hilltop, a beautiful black son of Maribyrnong who, in addition to being a good winner, ran a slashing race in the A.J.C. Metropolitan of 1884, suffering defeat from the New Zealander Sir Modred, who, before this had won the Canterbury J.C. Derby Stakes and the Dunedin Cup. Hilltop afterwards found his way to Victoria and carried the cardinal and white sleeves of Mr. Morris Jacobs, a wellknown bookmaker in Victoria. He had to be content with second place in the Geelong Cup of 1886, his vanquisher on this occasion being Mr. John Whittingham's bay horse Claptrap, ridden by the late Mo Trahan.

TOM PAYTEN

One of the best men I ever knew was Thomas Payten, who, when I first became associated with the late Mr. Michael Fennelly, at Newmarket Villa, was his foreman. Payten was born in 1857, and reared at Menangle, near the famous Kirkham stud, owned by Mr. James White. While still a youth, in 1876, just before Chester won the Victoria Derby, and Melbourne Cup, he found his way to Sydney, where he was appointed to a position in the horse bazaar belonging to Mr. Fennelly, in Pitt-Street succeeding another well-known sportsman, Mr. J. McGrath. Mr. Fennelly also had charge of some hunters and jumping horses belonging to Mr. White, Hotspur and Goulburn being among their number. It was with these that Payten first came into the racing circle. They were quartered at Redfern, near where Mr. James Monaghan had his stables.

In 1878 Mr. James White won the A.J.C. Metropoliton and Sydney Cup with the Gemma-di-Vergy horse, Democrat, and, being so elated with the victories in these important events, he decided to remove his horses to Newmarket Villa, an ideal home, with its well-kept flower beds and shrubberies. Thus began W. White's brilliant career on the Australian and English Turf.

HUGE BETTING

Reverting again to Chester, this horse won for his owner £20.000 in one bet from Joe Thompson, Mr. White accepting that sum to £400 about the double. In those days bookmakers used to settle opposite the Bank of New South Wales, in Collins-street, and on this occasion this large sum was paid over by Mr. Thompson to Mr. White's stable commissioner. Mr. Septimus Stephen, of Sydney, father of Mr. Colin C. Stephen, chairman of the A.J.C. Committee. The incident caused much interest. On the death of Mr. Michael Fennelly in 1886 Tom Payten took over Mr. White's horses, and set up as a trainer, a position he thoroughly earned. He was admired by every sportsman who had the good fortune to be acquainted with him. He trained the winners of five A.J.C. Derbys, four Victoria Derbys. seven A.J. C. Champagne Stakes, five V.R.C. St. Ledgers, five V.A.T.C. Debutant Stakes, six Australian Cups, two V.R.C. Oaks, five Caulfield Guineas, two A.J.C. Epsom Handicaps, two Sydney Tattersall's Cups, one Caulfield Cup, one V.A.T.C. Futurity Stakes, one V.A.T.C. Oakleigh Plate, four V.R.C. Champion Stakes, three A.J.C. Metropolitians, three Sydney Cups, two V.R.C. Ascot Vale Stakes, one V.R C. Maribyrnong Plate, and a large number of other races. These victories incl?uded horses raced by J.B. Clark Syndicate. Mr. Agar Wynne, Mr. W. Bailey, Mr. James White, Sir Adrian Knox, Mr. J.N. Hart, Dr. Ewan R. Frazer, and Messrs "C. Barlow", and J.R. Smith. Tom Payten was a successful breeder of thoroughbred stock, some of his best being Great Scot, Dewey, Iolaire, Scot Free, Koo?pan, Melodrama, Brakpan, Crasspan, Peru and others.

DUTIES AT NEWMARKET

When I first joined the staff under Mr. Fennelly, I was placed in the charge of Tom Payten, who defined my duties, which were the cleaning, feeding, watering and riding work on the tracks a duty that 1 liked, and as there were sometimes more than 40 horses to be attended to, the work kept me busy. I was particularly keen on riding work, and after exercising our own stable horses I used to assist Mr. Harry Raynor with his team if he so desired.

TRAINING TWO-YEAR-OLDS

Tom Payten, on his back, or on any of Mr. White's horses on his way to the racecourse, was an attractive figure. Armed with a long whip which he was a pastmaster at using, we used to ride down to Mr. James White's home Cranbrook, at Rose Bay, through Randwick, Waverley, Bondi, trotting and cantering past the noisy trams and other traffic. with Tom's whip at times cracking loudly. Another favoured spot where we used to exercise was at La Perouse, jumping the horses over bushes, and ploughing them through the heavy sand hills. Tom said it made them "nippy". We had to keep our eyes open here, as in the summer time a fair number of snakes were killed.

RIDING TACTICS

Continuous practice in the saddle, and being a solid student of pace, worked wonders in assisting me to win races. I recall one particular case. At the Hawkesbury - Spring Meeting on September 8, 1887, I won on Mr. James White's bay gelding Morok, by half a head from Leichardt in the Country Purse. He was a free goer. The exertion of holding this type of galloper together is considerable, even when the horse goes kindly, Many horses have lost races by fighting with their riders in the first seven furlongs, and the fight is usually a symptom of bad horsemanship. If a horse struggles violently for his head it may be wise to let him have it for a short distance, and then get him gradually under easier control, rather than to allow him to exhaust himself by fighting. These tactics were valuable to me in the case of Morak. I rode him next day in the Hawkesbury Grand Handicap, adopting similar tactics, and defeated Leichardt again, but I could not resist the paralysing run of Jack Fielder, who rode the winner, Cardigan, to defeat me by a length. In this instance I met a much superior horse, as he was backed for a fortune, finishing up favourite at 3 to 1. His class was further demonstrated 10 days later, when carrying a 51b, penalty he won the A.J.C. Metropolitian, by a head from Mr. Abe Halinbourg's representative Acolyte. On this day, September 20, 1887, I rode the 5 to 2 on favorite Cranbrook, carrying the famous blue and white colors of Mr. James White. I defeated Mr. William Cannon's colt, The Australian Peer, by half a length.

FILLIES' DEAD HEAT

The last day of that meeting saw me on the back of Mr. White's little filly; Enigma, who ran a dead-heat with Mr. Sam G Cook's filly, The Charmer, ridden by my old Ascotvale friend, Joe Tomlin, in the Members' Handicap. Both of these mares in latter years were successful at the stud, Enigma being the granddam of the Australian Cup winner Answer, and the great granddad of the V.A.T.C. Futurity Stakes winner, Popinjay. The Charmer to The Admiral produced The Victory, winner of the Melbourne Cup in 1902. I rode The Charmer for Mr. S.C. Cook on October 8 1887, when she ran the race of her life in the V.R. C. Farewell handicap, defeating the New Zealander Escutcheon, owned by Mr. E. Mitchelson easily. The charm of horses is that there is always something to learn about them. Every animal has a different character and temperament, and must be carefully studied and treated.. The subject is undoubtedly comprehensive, a few have leisure to devote to this study.

Mr. Fennelly, who, up to his death in 1886, had charge .of Mr. James White.'s horses, was a rigid disciplinarian, and a staunch believer in the maxim, "early to bed, early to rise". He was most devoted to the animals under his care, their preparation being thought out with scientific care, while their outward appearance never belied his assertion that a horse was wound up and thoroughly clean, both internally and externally. The best of oats, maize, peas, beans, meadow hay, carrots, and the usual small block of rock salt were always supplied. We used to crush all the corn in the granary attached to the stable, and Mr. Fennelly would have given his horses gold if he thought it would do them good.

Under Mr. Fennelly's authority I was instructed how to dress a horse, massage his muscles, and (as he was his own "vet"), the rations allotted to them weekly. Many a time in my early duties I was favored with a visit from the "chief", who would draw a white silk handerchief from his pocket, and polish the thoroughbred's coat. If any dust appeared it would be a sure sign that my work was not thorough, but I am pleased to say ire never could make that complaint against me. To my mind the best horse ever owned by Mr. James White, and trained by Tom Payten, was Abercorn. This chestnut I can picture at the moment in his loose box, with his ears slightly pricked, and his bright eyes fixed on the door, the opening of the lower portion of which appears to afford him the keenest interest. He stands like a statue during the ceremony of his toilet, save when now and then he rubs his nose affectionately against my sleeve. Tom Payten always affirmed that Abercorn was the best stayer he ever saw. He considered him a better long-distance horse than Carbine. Carbine won the Melbourne Cup of 1890 with 10.5 in the record time (in those days) of 3.2½. For that race Abercorn was handicapped to give Carbine 51b, i.e. l0st. 10lb, but fate decreed that they should not meet. After winning the Melbourne Stakes on Derby Day in easy fashion Abercorn suffered the misfortune of being cast in his box that night, and never raced again. Abercorn won £12,828 in stakes.

VISIT TO BOURKE

I was allowed by Tom Payten to go to the Bourke meeting of May 16 and 17 1888, where I met with great success, winning five races in the two days. In the Bourke Jockey Club Handicap I was on Euglo Maid, who ran a dead-heat with Mr. J. Uno's The Telegram and won the, run-off by a neck. She won again next day, this time the Central Australian Handicap, beating Mr. A Ryan's mare, Peeress by a short margin. Euglo Maid was again saddled for the next race, the Flying Handicap, seven furlongs, being joint favorite with The Telegram, but both of them had to give way to Mr. J. Smith's gelding Handover. I rode Peerless in three races at this meeting, all of which she won -- the Stewards Purse, the Darling River Handicap, and the Corinthian Stakes.

ENSIGN'S GREATNESS

At the A.J.C. Spring Meeting, on September 22, 1888, 1 was on the back of Mr. James White's game little gelding, Ensign, on whom I won the Trial Stakes, beating two useful gallopers, Savant and Wycombe. I again rode him on the third day, this time in the Wycombe Stakes. He carried 7.7., which included a 51b, penalty, and he beat the Metropolitan winner Lamond, who had the services of Jack Fielder, and Riley, on Blue Nose. Ensign won with his head on his chest in fact, it was one of the easiest victories I ever rode. This was followed up by his sensational victory a few weeks later, when ridden by Tom Hales, Ensign beat Carbine by a narrow margin in the Victoria Derby. On the Tuesday following, November 6, I rode him in the Melbourne Cup, for which he was as fit as hands could make him, my own personal opinion being that he was unbeatable. On the Cup morning I gave him a sprint at Flemington over a few furlongs, and I could hear his lei; or joint click, click, click, and I thought to myself "that's strange," my amazement unbalanced himself and fell. That was at the end of the gallop. Picking himself up quickly and with me still in the saddle, he appeared to walk away all right. Later in the afternoon he took his place in the Melbourne Cup field. He had a slight Burp with the same unpleasant clicking in the leg, as I was passing the lawn on my way to the start I was beckoned to by Mr. White and he said to me "Poor little chap, he is very lame, be very careful with him, my boy, I am sorry that I allowed him to start." A few minutes later came the deafening roar, "They're off." I jumped Ensign out quickly and held a nice position throughout the race. When going around the river bend I was beside Mat Harris, who was riding the bonnie New Zealand mare, Spade Guinea, when all of a sudden she was twisted nearly around, and interfered with Ensign in such a manner that he almost came down. He was soon into his stride again, and he was going great guns, while Mick O'Brien, on Mentor (the winner) was hard at work to hold his position. The same may be said of that good horse Tradition. After leaving the abattoirs I had a nice position, my mount galloping freely until the home turn was reached. Then I took a lightning survey of my companions, and, seizing a position on the rails, sat down to finish the opposition off. Suddenly Ensign appeared to be jolting, as if galloping on three legs. He ran out to the distance post close to where I had been speaking to Mr. White. Alas it was the end. He had broken his fetlock necessitating his destruction. A similar fate befell Spade Guinea, who broke his shoulder.

AN OLD FRACTURE

Ensign's fetlock must have been fractured when he had been a yearling, judging by the appearence of the limb, which is on view at Newmarket Villa, once the residence of Michael Fennelly, Tom Payten, and, at the present time, that of Tom Payten's son and my nephew Bailey Payten one of Sydney's leading trainers, who has inhereted the practical skill and judgement of his father. From my earliest experiences in the preparation of my horses for racing my time has been most agreeably spent, whether in the stable, saddle, or breaking in, travelling, or at the stud farm at Kirkham. The last named place accommodated many inmates, who gave me much food for study. These young animals, whether they be foals or yearlings, give early instances of their ability to take their place in a "rough up" in the paddocks, say, between five or six of them, where they fight like bulldogs.

During my years of service at Newmarket Villa, I hand many youngsters, about the worst being Rudolph who was a real outlaw, In all similar cases of the last-mentioned qualification, Tom Payten used to say, "Put Huxley on him he will master him;" Jack Scott was the breaker from Kirkham, and he did not like tackling Rudolph. My worst experience with this gelding was when on my way to Randwick one morning, with Tom Payten in attendance, with 'his stockwhip cracking at my back, Rudolph took fright at the noise, and bolted with me along the Botany Road. He ran over the kerbstone on to the footpath and reared up. When coming down his fore feet were over the fence. I gave him a crack with the whip, and he jumped over, stamping his fore feet with temper after landing. I took him back to, the course at Randwick, but I fared badly, as he reared up and fell back with me. However, as weeks went on Rudolph and I developed a firm understanding and became the best of friends. I will never forget Tom Hales, who had the mount on Rudolph in the A.J.C. Champagne Stakes of 1889, which he won. I led him up to the start. When Hales mounted, Rudolph got to work, but I had a strong hold of the bridle, and Mr. Tom Watson, the starter, summed up the position in an instant, and he called out, "Now then, Hales, come on, get on, what are you frightened of ?" Just a second, Mr. Watson," was his reply, "he can go over like a catherine wheel," and down went the flag to a wonderful start.

WARPAINT ANTICS

Jack Scott brought another outlaw to Newmarket Villa that good horse Warpaint, who could buck and pig-jump with the best of them. Tom Payten said, "Put Huxley on." That was after two pastmasters, Joe Armstrong and Fred Herderson, had been thrown. Not knowing anything about his being an outlaw I mounted him in the sand yard and rode him down to the bank at Randwick. He certainly did try a few pig-jumps, but nothing more. I dismounted without any trouble, but going home he made things uncomfortable. Rudolph was quiet compared with him, the only difference being that he did not fall back with you. Anyway he could not dislodge me.

MY FIRST A.J.C. DERBY

I rode the winners of four A.J.C. Derbys, the first being in 1889, when I got home on Mr. James White's Singapore by a head from his stable-mate and my old friend Rudolph, ridden by Tom Hales. This was my most important engagement up to that time. I gave the subject as to how I should ride him my greatest study, and every-thing turned out as I wished. I decided to let Bob Ellis make the running on Mr. William Cannon's Merriment, as I was positive he was a non-stayer, and he carted us along at a rare speed until about five furlongs from home, when I joined him. Keeping my position on the rails and shaking him off at the opportune moment. I had a good lead from Rudolph, on whom Hales was riding the race of his life. With about 50 yards to go he almost caught me, but I kept my horse close to the rails, never budging an inch. Meanwhile Hales began laboring me with his whalebone whip, which in the excitement of the moment I did not feel. I reflected that if he was hitting me he could not be doing Rudolph justice, and I was content with the knowledge that I had him beaten.

As I was passing along to the scales after dismounting to re-weigh I was set upon by a woman armed with an umbrella, who thrashed me over the shoulders. I noticed when dodging the blows that she was Tom Hales's wife. She said, "Why did you boat Tom?" Mr. Chas Roberts came up to me as I was entering the Jockeys' room, and asked me how I got blood on my shoulders, to which I replied, "Tom used the whip on me instead of on Rudolph." After entering the room mentioned I went over to Hales and remarked, "Well you gave me a nice tuning up, ram." He was most cool and collected, and simply said, "Go away my boy, I did nothing of the kind." I therefore have every reason to remember my first A.J.C. Derby win, as I suffered two whippings as the result of my success.

BACKING ALL SORTS

On one occasion Tom Payten and I were talking in the Hotel Australia, Castlereagh street, to Mr. Patrick Hooligan, a wellknown produce merchant, when in came William Kelso, senr. The usual topic of racing cropped up, and Mr. Kelso asked Mr. Hooligan if he would be going to Canterbury Park races on Saturday; if so, it would give him much pleasure to call in his American buggy at 11 o'clock and pick him up. Hr Hooligan said he would very much like to go, but that hour would be too early, as he had to pay his men at 12 o'clock. "As a matter of fact," he said, "I have never been on a racecourse in my life." Mr. Kelso then said, "You are just the man I want, as I want you to do a commission for me." It was then agreed that he should go by train and I should meet him at the "oyster bar". Mr. Hooligan duly arrived at the course, and we were joined by Mr. Kelso, who said, "Now, Hr. Hooligan, I want you to Invest £100 for me on All Sorts," giving him the money to do so. The race was the Flying handicap. Mr. Kelso then asked me what I wished to invest. I said £50, but I thought that as Mr, Hooligan had never made a bet before, all of his energy would be well taxed to put on his £100; that being so I would make my own bet which I accepted at 6 to 4 from George Woods, the president of Tattersall's Club. Mr. Kelso's son, the present Randwick trainer ("Dodger") rode 'All Sorts and his weight was 11st 91b. In this race Sir Daniel and Mr. William Cooper had a horse named Pastmaster with the minimum of 6st, Pastmaster was greatly fancied by his trainer, Tom Lamond, and he won by a head from All Sorts. Meeting Mr. Kelso in the weighing enclosure he said to me, "Too much weight. Come on, and we will see Hooligan." whom we found waiting for us in the oyster bar. Kelso clapped him on the shoulder and said "Bad luck, Mr. Hooligan, I hope that you did not lose much yourself." Hooligan startled us by saying, "I am glad the second horse did not win, Mr. Kelso." Kelso winked at me, wondering what was coming next. When he was asked why so, Mr. Hooligan explained that he had carried out the instructions to back all sorts and had put £10 on each horse in the race (10 starters in all). He had accepted £200 to £10 about Pastmaster's chance, and an even £10 All Sorts, and handed Kelso back £210. I, of course, was the sore man for not giving him my £50, as I lost all my cash.

Although the subject of my writings was my reminiscences on the Turf, based over a period of 44 years, I must now deviate to that of the important topic of the hour-"The apprentice and his education." The chairman of the V.R.C., Mr. L.K.S. Mackinnon, to my mind has hit the nail on the head. The sooner we get the apprentice taught the rudiments of his profession the better. There is no doubt we have a number in their ranks who can ride, and show sounds judgment. It is noticeable that there are others who chop in and across fields without realising the risk and danger not alone to their own safety, but to that of the whole field. Another weak spot is at the barrier. On the release of the lever you will see one of these youngsters jump his mount out quickly, never for a second looking to see if the passage is clear, but trusting to Providence, the result often being that before they travel many yards a series of bumps occur, and the youngster is in the thick of it. I am absolutely oposed to the short leathers, often called the "Tom Sloan style". Sloan introduced a specially made saddle, which rested on the horse's wither. Neither of these types of riding appeal to me, as they are a menace to human life, and court disaster. Further, the jockey has too firm a hold of the rein's which to my mind should be held loosely, and eased of the weight, thus allowing the horse the freedom of his mouth. I favor the "forward seat" with medium-length straps, an opinion I formed during my travels in England, Ireland, Germany, India, and my homeland, Australia, This style embraces a "crouch", and is without doubt, best and safest mode of riding. It has also been proved that a horse can stride out farther and gain greater advantage in the matter of leverage.

SLUGGISH HORSE'S

There are horses which must be ridden in the old full-length style. They are usually the sluggish, strong pullers, of loafing type, and must be ridden hard from the jump out. That being so the longer the leg the better. Pin-prick spurs are necessary. Such a type of horse was Donation, a "slug" on whom I won the V.R.C. Handicap, beating the Australian Cup winner Portsea, by a head. I had to ride him all the way, 14 furlongs at my top.

Hereunder I give my impressions of a jockey's education. A most important essential is a firm seat, combined with a perfect balance, as it is by this means, in unison with the legs, that a rider should be able to feel everything that is going on underneath him, thus enabling the rider to harmonise his own movements with those of the horse. The possession of "balance" can only be attained through constant practice in the saddle, aided by riding without stirrups. The value of good hands is difficult to over-estimate. Firstly, they direct and co-ordinate the movements of the combined mass of man and horse. Secondly, by means of the reins they regulate and dispose of the power created by the legs. Thirdly, they control the horse's forehand, head, neck, and shoulders and lastly they are capable of resisting or yielding at will.

POINTS FOR RIDERS

A very light and delicate use of the reins should be observed, combined with a strong, though intermittent pressure of the legs. Spurs are merely used as an emergency help to the legs, and should not be used until the leg has failed to achieve its object The whip may be brought into action if the horse does not obey the leg, and if used two or three strokes applied behind the saddle, would be sufficient. In my day I can picture in my mind's eye many a horse returning to scales, after contesting every inch of hard-fought race, with his sides spurred so deeply and aggravated by the strokes of the whale-bone whip, that the blood flowed freely. Such torture to these animals would not be tolerated for one minute at the present time. It will thus be noted that the three principal studies to be cultivated by a successful jockey are:- (1) Good hands; (2) Perfect balance; (3) Use of the leg.

Added to which, patience, judgment of pace, and the science of making a winning run at the right moment would constitute an "ideal horseman". It was not Tod Sloan's seat on his mount that made him so successful. It was his great judgment of pace that was primarily responsible for his success.

A JOCKEY'S LIFE

Now to continue my reminiscences. Many patrons of the Turf have wrong impressions that jockey's life is one of pleasure, principally spent in riding many winners, and drawing substantial sums in consequence. Up to a point that is correct, but my life when a jockey was a combination of hard work and solid study, together with long walks to get weight off, or spend-some hours wasting in the Turkish baths, My worst tax was when I took off 21 lbs. in four days to ride Coil in the V.A.T.C. Oakleigh Plate, after which I fainted six times. and again in the train. On reaching Caulfield I met Mr W. Bailey (owner of Coil), who commented upon my color. I told him what I had done, and which I would do again as I thought Coil was well-nigh unbeatable. He then invited me to have a piece of chicken in the refreshment room, and to tell Mr. Skinner what I had told him. Mr. Bailey also informed me that Hr. James Wilson, the owner of Newhaven considered his horse a good thing. Another owner James Redfearn, considered his mare lemma as a "morel certainty". To these remarks I replied, "Well Mr. Bailey, don't think I fainted six times for nothing. Where-ever they are I will be in front of them at the winning, post" I duly won by half a head from Maluma, with Newhaven third. On returning to scale I, informed Tom Payten, when dismounting in the enclosure, that Maluma would win the V.R.C. Newmarket Handicap, which she did., and also the Bourke Handicap. I also voiced the opinion that Newhaven (third) would win the Victoria Derby and Melbourne Cup, which was also a correct forecast.

WELL-REMEMBERED VICTORY

One victory well engraved in my memory is where I had to survive a protest, the only case in my whole career. That was at Warwick Farm, where I rode Samuel Fielder's horse Famous, beating Lord Cardigan who afterwards won the Melbourne and Sydney Cups. My mount was not thoroughly wound up, and, being a free goer, I allowed him to stride along. Four furlongs from home I had, roughly, a lead of about three lengths. Lord Cardigan, coming fast, a few yards from the judge's box, I was almost caught by him, and both horses being tired, he rolled over on me. I got the worst of the bump, but I was awarded the race by half a head. On returning to scale "Cracker" Cornwell, grandson of old Albert Cornwell, entered a protest against Famous being declared the winner. We had to go before the committee, the chairman being Mr. E.E.A. Oatley I stated my case, which was to deny the charge of interference. I was kept in suspense until after the last race, when the protest was dismissed.

In my time there was a false rail at Warwick Farm, situated about 220 yards from home, thus giving the horses at the rear of the field a chance to get through and prove their worth. One case uppermost in my mind was that of Mr. (Afterwards Sir) Adrian Knox's imported horse Mimer, whom I rode to victory in the Warwick Farm Handicap. There were, I fancy, nine runners. My only chance I considered, was to have a dash for this false rail. Luck favored me. I got through, and snatched first place by half a head. The other starters (eight) finished almost in line, Sir Adrian Knox and his brother-in-law, Mr. Colin C Stephen, were so pleased with my success that a telegram was immediately despatched to Tom Payten, who was in Melbourne with his horses: It read:--"Sending Huxley over on Monday to ride our horses." I duly arrived at headquarters. My first mount was on Elvo, owned by Mr. Stephen, and she won. On the same day I took off 12 lb, between 9 and 12 O'clock in the morning to ride Koopan, owned by Mr. Agar Wynne, in the Loch Plate. After a most sensational finish, I lost by a short head to Emir, ridden by Bob Lewis.