CHAMPION JOCKEY

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1933, Page 8

CHAMPION JOCKEY

RICHARDS GOOD PERFORMANCE

CONGRATULATIONS FROM KING

LONDON, December 8

Immediately after Gordon Richards had gcored the win which beat Fred Archer’s record .of 246 successes in a season, the news was telephoned to Buckingham Palace. S°on afterwards a telegram. was handed to the jockey from Sir Clive Wigram, which stated : “I am commanded to express to you his 'Majesty’s hearty congratulations on winning 247 races, and by this sPl en_ did achievement establishing a record in the annals of racing in this country.” The race which brought Richards hub-distinction, was an ordinary s elling plate of the value of £2O0 } at the Liverpool meeting, and it was Golden King ou: of Mr JJartigan’s stable which gave him his victory. There were eight runners, and Richards had a comfortable ride.

At the half distance the crowu took up the cry, ‘‘Gordon wins,” and when he passed the post 20,000 people gave him a wonderful reception. Mounted police had'to escort him back xo the unsaddling enclosure to prevent hist being mobbed; women blew kisses at him, and men flung their hat s into the air. There has never been a more popular figure in racing. But the jockey made not the slightest response to the enthusiasm of the crowd. He sat his horse with stem expression, obviously making a deliberate effort not to show his feelings.

During all the time when he has daily drawn nearer and nearer to the record, he ha s quietly protested against all the that was being made. Newspaper men have never ceased to try and persuade him to speak, but he has not said one word to indicate either his hopes or his feelings. Statement h?ve been nude on his behalf, but they were really those of his friends. ' When he had broken, the record he was induceef to go before the microphone and offer his thanks to the. public. He pointed out that hi >3 success bad been largely due to the horses he had been fortunate enough to ride.