“I FEED MY HORSES”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 567, 21 January 1929, Page 12

“I FEED MY HORSES”

£4,200 COLT IDLE

“MR. J- BARON” CHANGES AGAIN

Mr. John Brown, who races under the nom de course of “Mr. J. Baron.” on his disagreement with yet another trainer in I. H. Andrews, has not yet determined what he will do with his team. It is quite on the cards that 16 of the 17 horses that were trained by Andrews .will be offered for sale by William Inglis and Son Ltd., bloodstock salesmen, in the very near future. It has been definitely established that Mr. Brown is a difficult man for trainers to get on with. And Mr. Brown does not cordially welcome representatives of newspapers. On a Sydney "Sun” man calling at Mr. Brown’s office in O’Connell Street one morning last week, the following transpired:— “Is Mr. Brown in?” “What do you want?” “I want to see Mr. Brown.” “Is your business personal, or do you want to discuss the business of his com pany ?” The interlocutor in Mr. Brown’s office was anxious to do all he possibly could until it was learned that the interviewer was a newspaper representative. Then the latter could feel an icy effect in the atmosphere, despite the growing heat of the day. “The Sun” man was told he could rest assured that Mr. Brown would have nothing to say to a newspaper representative in Mr. Brown’s office. Leaving Mr. Brown’s office, a brother of the Newcastle coal magnate was encountered. The brother was asked where Mr. Brown could be located, but having learnt the nature of the quest he snapped out that he "didn’t know.” Face to Face Eventually Mr. John Brown was run. to earth leaving the office of William Inglis and Son. Ltd. Then the following took place: "You are Mr. Brown?” Mr. Brown (most courteously): “Yes.” “I am from ‘The Sun’ Newspaper. Will you—?” Air. Brown walked away -quickly. “I’ll have nothing to say to you.” "Are you going to sell your horses, Mr. Brown?” , "I won’t discuss the matter with you.” By this time Mr. Brown and his interviewer were walking toward Hunter Street. “But I would like to know your intentions with respect to your team?” 'lt is like your impertinence to ask me questions.” “The Sun” man (most respectfully): “You are a prominent owner, and the public are anxious to know what you intend to do with your horses.” Air. Brown (somewhat heatedly): “Will you go away? I feed my horses, and it is my business what I do with them. “I will not talk to you.” The “Sun” man: “Are you going to give up horse-racing?” Air. Brown (with increasing heat). "I positively refuse to discuss the matter with you.” The “Sun” man: “Is it a fact that Andrews told you to ‘get out’ with your horses as quickly as possible?” All*. Brown just glared in reply. Inquiry of William Inglis and Soil; Ltd., elicited the fact that 16 horses belonging to Mr. Brown are located at their Newmarket stables, but that instructions are awaited from Air. Brown as to what is to be done with this batch of expensive horseflesh. Included in the 16 horses is Alagmfico, a full brother to Windbag, who was knocked down to Mr. Brown at the last yearling sales for 4,ooogns. Trainer’s Statement

I. FI. Andrews, who was training these horses for Mr. Brown, is upset. He points out that there were horses he trained for All*. Brown for upwards of 18 months, but that All*. Brown would not start them. Andrews says that All*. Brown’s trouble is that he will allow his trainer to prepare horses, nominate them, even accept with them, and then order their withdrawal. “Naturally, a trainer gets sick of this treatment,” said Andrews. “On Saturday I took a horse to Warwick Farm. All*. Brown told me last Wednesday to run this horse, and I paid up for him, arranged for a jockey, and took out the ticket. The horse’s number .was even included in the list of starters, when Air. Brown instructed me to scratch the horse. All I can say is that he is the most selfish man for whom I have had to train houses.” Following on the instructions to scratch the horse at Warwick Farm on Saturday, Andrews gave Mr, Brown until Monday to arrange to take away all his horses. Andrews still has 10 horses in his stables. These belong to various of his other clients.

The team transferred included Florence March, Magnifico (brother of Windbag), Adrian’s March, Richmond Peer, Evening Balloon, Adrian, Counter March. Lively Balloon, Count Richmond, Lovely Balloon, Marco March, Peeress March, Autumn Balloon, Slow March, Main Shaft, and Light Balloon. A big majority of the horses bred by Mr. “Baron,” who has been associated with the turf for a great number of years, carry his colours only, and it is not often that he goes into the open market to secure a thoroughbred. At the last yearling sales, however, he bought Magnifico. J. Barden. A. A. AY ood, R. O’Connor, S. R. Lamond and F. J. Marsden have, at different times, trained for Mr. “Baron.”