Gallant Fox Is to Race In England

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1068, 4 September 1930, Page 12

Gallant Fox Is to Race In England

Following In Reigh Count’s Footsteps

In the hope that lie will lie able to win golden laurels abroad, equal, if not greater than those he has already achieved in the United States, 1 it is said that Gallant Fox will be shipped to England in the Fall following the fulfilment of this three-year-old racing engagements here, -says a New York writer. According to report, William Woodward intends to race the Fox of Beliar a full season on British and possibly French courses. In other words, Gallant Fox will pass his fourth year in Europe, competing against the best over there. This means that with the running of the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park, Long Island, this month (September), tho last important race in which Gallant Fox is engaged this year, American turf goers will have seen the last of the speedy son of Sir Galahad 111. —Marguerite in action. Away a Year According to present plans, the Fox is to be brought back to this country after a year of campaigning abroad, and put in the stud for breeding purposes at the Belair Farm near Baltimore, Md. Gallant Fox’s invasion of Europe will follow the lines of Reigh Count’s trip two years ago. He will be specially pointed for the blue ribbon classic of the British running turf, the Ascot Gold Cup. It will be remembered that Reigh Count was sent abroad by the Hertzes with a view to capturing that stake. Although he failed, he ran second to tho winner, Invershin. Has Team in England Mr. Woodward is sending Gallant Fox this Fall so that he will have plenty of time to become acclimated in England. He will start racing in tho spring. The wealthy sportsman already lias a sizable string of thoroughbred horses performing in England. His The Scout 11., another son of Sir Galahad 111., won an impressive victory several weeks back at Lincoln, and was listed among the popular choices for the English Derby at Epsom Downs. In that race, however, he finished outside the money.

Gallant Fox will be raced in as many English and French events as he may be eligible for. A few noteworthy victories on foreign soil would not only add to the huge money earnings of tho Fox of Belair, but would considerably enhance his prestige and increase his value as a sire. On Top Few American stallions have rung up signal successes both here and abroad. If Gallant Fox should manage to win the Ascot Gold Cup, on top of his many stake victories here as a three-year-old, he would attain the highest 'position in the thoroughbred world and could retire to the stud supreme. It is said that “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons, who trained Gallant Fox for all his American stake victories this rear, will not accompany him abroad. In all likelihood the trainer of Mr. Woodward’s European string will take over the handsome Fox of Belair. A Narrow Victory Referring to one of Gallant Fox’s latest wins, the same writer described as a sensational finish the race between tho champion and Gallant Knight (second to Gallant Fox in the important Kentucky Derby nearly four months ago) in the £14,000 Arlington classic. The crack won this event "by a nod.” It was the sixth straight stake victory foi* “the Fox of Belair” this season. That the stalwart son of Sir Galahad lll.—Marguerite was suffering from the strain of too much racing, as well as from the intense heat that blanketed the Lake City at that time, was indicated by the narrow margin of his victory. He beat Gallant Knight much further off in the Kentucky Derby. Ned O ran third in the classic, as he had also the Derby. Resting On His Laurels Gallant Fox has been treated to a deserved rest since his Chicago triumph. He will be seen in the big stake events for three-year-olds, as well as a few with older horses engaged. After that, it is said. Mr. Woodward will ship his great colt to England. As in all his previous successes, Earl Sande was aboard Gallant Fox. In view of the fact that Sande or another American jockey will go across the Atlantic to pilot Gallant Fox. the following commentary on America’s rising star of the pigskin, with its criticism of their leading horsemen, will be of Interest.

in this article Sande is referred to as “no whip rider at all,” meaning no doubt, that he does not get the best out of his mount in a punishing finish. Here is the article: As these lines arc written there is a new star in the riding firmament in tho person of Raymond (Sonny) Woikman, first string jockey for the Harry Payne Whitney stables. Workman is the idol of racegoers on the New York tracks, and many a bettor has thrown away his dope sheets, or form charts, to follow the mounts of this aggressive and highly-skilled pilot of thorough breds. Right now Workman is riding at a 35 per cent. clip. This is another way of saying that lie has landed 35 per cent, of his mounts in the winner’s circle—close to record riding figures. Jockey to Follow On this basis, if lie should maintain the same pace, it would pay the bettor to play every horse that Workman rides. While most of his winners are favourites, or “short-priced” horses, this round-cheeked lad also boots home an occasional long-shot. Take, for instance, a recent afternoon at Aqueduct. “Sonny” was aboard a 10 to 1 shot, Fatigue, which, although ho had won his last race, did not figure with the students of form to wiii a seven-furlong dash among pretty good sprinters. But Workman’s riding wizardry brought him down to the pay-off line, much to the gratification of his followers. Workman loves to ride, lie straddles a selling plater with as much zest as he throws a. leg over the Whitney stars, Whiehono and Equipoise. He is an aggressive youngster, as full of pugnacity as- a gamecock. If he has any kind of a horse under him In* will boot it home in front, fighting every inch of the journey from flagfall to finish. Good With the Bat He is one of the few really adept "whip riders.” He can swing his "bat” like a jehu in a ding-dong drive through the home stretch, at the same time lifting his horse with his rein 4

hand and urging him forward with his heels. In this- respect he far surpasses Earle Sande (who is no whip rider at all) and Lavernc Fator, whose place in the popular esteem he has taken. It may be argued that Workman has had excellent mounts since the start of the New York racing season, as several of the Whitney horses have been winners of two or more races each. Among these are Whichone, Equipoise, Hideaway and Zelide. In addition, “Sonny” gets the cream of outside engagements, since owners who are trying to win seek his services abo v<> those of any other jockey.