Lovers of the Horse si 



])uriiif»; the same niontli the land held under option hy Mr. Ryan was turned 

 over to the Montreal Jockey Clul), a prospectus was issued, and subscriptions 

 solicited, with such success that Montreal was admitted to the second circuit, and it 

 was decided to race under the rules of The Jockey ('luh of New York. In June, 

 in()(), operations were commenced on the plant, and throughout the summer the 

 weather was so favorable to progress that by October of the same year the Montreal 

 Hunt Club and the Foxhunters' Association were able to hold their hunt meetinjrs at 

 the new course. 



A complete waterworks system was installed, by which artesian water is now 

 distributed to all of the buildings, including the stables. Splendid roadways have been 

 constructed to the course, making it accessible by carriage or automobiles from all 

 parts of Montreal. 



The new course is most pleasing to the eye. There are trees in abundance, of 

 oak. elm and maple, an attractive grove of these being immediately in the rear of 

 the grand-stand. Mount Royal looms up beyond the l)ack stretch, with the citv 

 creeping up its terraced sides. The paddock and lawns are extensive, while the 

 space in front of the stand is banked uj>, giving an uninterrupted view of every race 

 by those preferring to stand on the ground. 



The buildings are of tlie old French and Colonial style, with spacious balconies 

 looking on to the track as well as the paddock. The clul) house is luxuriously fur- 

 nished and decorated, and is by far the most complete structure of its kind in Canada. 



The first meeting of the Montreal Jockey Club was held during June, 1907, with 

 the following officials and directors: President, Sir II. Montagu Allan; vice-presidents, 

 Hon. J. E. Robidoux. William P. Riggs; directors, James Carruthers, Colin Campbell. 

 Hugh Pr.ton. Major (ieo. Hooper. Bartlett McLennan. Hugh A. Allan. O. E. Ogilvie, 

 Welton C. Percy. John Bo'len. Dr. Charles McEachren, Hon. J. P. B. Casgrain, Hart- 

 land B. McUougall; executive committee. Sir H. Montagu Allan, James Carruthers, 

 Colin Campbell, Welton C. Percy and John Boden; John F. Ryan, general manager; 

 W. Northy, secretary-treasurer. 



The inaugural meeting proved a marked success from every standpoint, and for 

 a new track it was surprising the time that was made in the ditferent trials of speetl. 

 The attendance was much larger than was anticipated by the most sanguine of the 

 directors or shareholders. The j)urses were most attractive in size for an openinc 

 meeting, and brought horses to Canada whose owners had never raced here before. 



It was decided to hold another meeting in the fall, which was even more success- 

 ful from a racing standpoint, in this first year of its existence the Club paid out in 

 stakes and purses to owners $7G.27.5. 



A word must be said about the officials and directors. They spared nothiu"' to 

 make the first year a successful one, and their work will long live as a monument 

 in the racing world. Each and every horseman left Montreal loud in praise of the 

 course and the trcalnicnt r(>ceivi'd. .\ reniarkalile feature was that Montreal paid 

 financially the first year, which was never known in the history of racins' before. 



