MEN BEHIND SCENES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20110, 2 December 1939, Page 9

MEN BEHIND SCENES

JOCKEYS' VALETS HARD WORKING METHODS ENGLISH ATTENDANTS The general racing public knows little of the men behind the scenes who care for the wants of English leading jockeys. Many of these hardworking fellows have a few acquaintances among the regular racegoers, but seldom do they come into the limelight and rarely are their hardworking methods appreciated outside the jockeys’ dressing-room, says the racing expert of the London Sporting Life. ( I have known the chief among them for a great number of years, and am well aware how arduous their duties can become, especially on wet days, when the jockeys’ tack and equipment lias to be cleaned and dried for the next day’s use. Some of ,the oldest among the valets can remember when, at a number of small meetings, they had nothing better than tents in which to work. All that has changed now. Valets carry out their tasks in good conditions, but even that does not make their positions easy. Generous Rulers Some jockeys are naturally more generous than others to those who care for their wants. I know one “knight of the pigskin who, on riding a winner of the Derby, built his valet a nice little house in the country, while another gave his servant a motor car. These are, I lake it. exceptional cases. The first valet, I believe, I ever met was the late Joe Aitkins, who ministered to Tod Sloan when the American first came io this country, and then did for Willie Lane, who, for a number of years, was first jockey to Sir Blundell Maple. Aitkins was quite a character, and in his spare time would turn his hand to almost anything. Once, when I was a member of a house party for the Goodwood meeting, Joe was requisitioned as a waiter, and, after dinner, took a big part in entertaining the guests. In his declining years he would keep an eye on apprentices and see they got in no trouble off the racecourse. Another valet who was respected and liked by everyone who knew him was Joe Andrews, who valeted Freddie Fox in Germany, and married a German girl. Before returning to England, Andrews had his money taken from him as had Carslake. “Old Joe,” as he was affectionately known, afterwards valeted Joe Childs right up to the time of the Royal jockey’s retirement. The late Danny Maher’s valet was George Bint, though I do no( think he was at all well off.' when he went out of the game, and took to the brick trade.

The late Arthur Bent was Steve Donoghue’s valet. His father, Alex, was in the same line of business, and did for a number of old-time jockeys.

Some valets satisfy the wants of two or three jockeys, and find it a fulltime job, seldom leaving the precincts of the dressing-room, but others, with only one or two to look after, can occasionally go on the stands and see a race.

Ernie Hales and Tom Hales look after Michael Beary and Perryman respectively, and a month or two back the former gave a broadcast as to the duties and pleasures of a jockey's valet.

“Pedlar" Warwick has for a number of years looked after Stanley Wootton’s boys. George Smyth, brother of trainers Victor, Herbert and Willie, has for years been Gordon Richards’ valet. I should imagine that his is the most remunerative job, though, as our leading jockey frequently rides in all six races of a day, he has most to do. Over the Sticks Harry York served his time with the late John Hallick at Lambourn, and it was, I think, through the kindly offices of the late Lord Villiers that he became a valet. He has done for Tommy Weston during many years now. His hobby has been deep-sea fishing. Some of our valets continue their tasks all the year round, but only s very few. Our steeplechase jockeys have their own "specialists.” George Roberts looked after Jack Anthony when he rode his National winners, and C. Stalker did for Tich Mason.

Few valets were jockeys. The exception was Harry Hopkins, whe valeted Bletsoe when he rode Rubio to victory in the Grand National Ernie Piggotl when Poethlyn won the substitute National at Gatwick; Ted Leader, who scored on Sprig, and Bob Lyall, who won the big Liverpool ’chase on Grakle.

Hopkins was also the late Captain "Tuppy" Bennett’s valet. He thought the world of that game amateur whose tragic death was a terrible blow. I have never heard of a jockey’s valet dying a rich man. Some have gone into retirement comfortably off more as a result of thrift and careful living rather than successful betting.