212 



Lovers of the Horse 



FRANCIS NELSON, M.A. 



FRANCIS NELSON" is |)n)l)al)lv one of the siuccrcst inid l)o.st-infonne(l admirers 

 of the liorse in the Dominion. From boyhood lie lias devoted time and atten- 

 tion to the interests of the equestrian orcK-r. and has always uj)held a high 

 stan(hud for laeing and assoeiated sports. 



^Ir. Nelson is a Canadian by l)irth, having been horn in the city of Hamilton. 

 noted for its ambition in sport as well as manufaetnre. Mr. Nelson entered the field 

 so eongenial to him bv wav of jonrnalism. taking np the news])aper business as his 



first professional work. lie became sport- 

 inii" editor of the Hamilton Times, and 

 for man\ vears held this responsible 

 position, until he came to Toronto, some 

 twentv vears ago, to fill the same post 

 on the 'I'oionto Cilobe. This position he 

 retains with nmeh eredit to his fairness 

 and experience. 



Mr. Nelson's lirst connection with 

 the horse was made under uu)st favor- 

 able ausj)iees. as he paid fre(|uent visits 

 to the farm of the late William Ilendrie. 

 From this early ac(|uaintaneeship lu' took 

 np the tui'f work as a specialty for the 

 press he re|>iesented, and soon became 

 ;;n authoritv on nicing matters. During 

 the vear IS!)."), lu was asked to jiulge at 

 the 'i'oronto l^xhibition. as associate of 

 the late "Roddy" I'ringle. For several 

 vears he olliciated in this field, and in 

 1S!)7 he was chos<'n as the associate 

 juda'e at the Hamilton mcetiui'-, actinu' in 

 that ca])acity at that track ever since. 

 His o])inions are widely sought by Can- 

 adian horsemen, and he has been ae- 

 coi'dcd high judicial honors in the racing 

 world. He has acted as judge and ha ndica jipci' at all of the ('anadian tracks, being 

 regarded as thoroughlv im])artial in his decisions, and accurate in his handicapping. 

 Mr. Nelson has held the office of judge at Hamilton, Fori Fiic. Toronto (the 

 Woodbine), Highland I'ark, Detroit, Windsor, and at Kenilworth tr.ick, Hulfalo, 

 having been offered positions on the laiger tracks of America. Mr. Nelson has spent 

 many hours in the saddle, for, when at college, he was looked on as one of the best 

 amateur I'idei's in the country. 



|-k,\NCls MM.SON. .MA. 



