“DANNY” MAHER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1670, 3 February 1917, Page 4

“DANNY” MAHER.

DEATH OF JOCKEY WHO WON

THREE DERBIES

Daniel Maher, the celebrated Anglo-American jockey and rider of three Derby winners, two in successive years ,died recently in a London nursing home from consumption and weakness of the heart. It is three years since illhealth compelled Maher to renounce the saddle. Some of his finishes gave an impression of great strength, hut this was more apparent than real, whatever the equine recipients of his inimitably “onetwo” almost on the post might have thought about it. Maher bad a perfect knowledge of bow and when to use the whip, which unfortunately can be said of all too few jockeys at the present time. In hopes of improvement, Maher sought I he more genial climate of South Africa, and it was a mistake for him not to have stayed there indefinitely. But he loved England too well to keep away. He had become naturalised, and before financial reverses came along he cherished visions of a little country estate. These vanished, however, when lie lost practically all his money, Thousands went in a disastrous hotel venture in Connecticut, his native State, while he also lost heavily in American speculations. Maher came to England in 11)00 on the advice of Mr P. Loi'illard. the tobacco magnate, who won the English Derby with Iroquois. He “made good” at once, and when he gave up in 1913 he had ridden 1,371 winners. His three Derbies were gained on Sir J . Miller’s Rock Sand. Lord Rosebery’s Cicero, and Myijor Coder’s Spearmint. Bayardo, his mount in 1909, was off colour, and Minoru scored for King Edward very luckily, for the American horse Sir Martin was merely cantering down to Tottenham Corner an assured winner when something struck into him and his jockey came oil. Maher triumphed in other big races galore, and became as much a public idol as were Fred Archer and Sloan before or John Reitf and Frank Wootton. Lord Rosebery was one of his staunchest patrons, year after year renewing his engagement as first jockey. In 1910 his retainer from Lord Rosebery was £4,000, while Air Fairie paid him £2,000 to ride Bavardo in all his races, ;<;id Mr L. de Rothschild a similar sum for third claim on him.

Once after riding a winner for King Edward be was called out of the jockey’s room and complimented by His Majesty in the words, “I have seldom seen a liner ridden finish.” A diamond scalf-piu fol-

lowed the compliment next day. Maher was no more infallible than other great jockeys, and mixed bad work with his good. He threw away the Goodwin Cup on Bayardo, beaten by the wretched Magic, and a year later permitted Wootton and Fox to “pocket” him in the St. Leger when riding Lemberg.