SOME AMERICAN TRAINERS 



merit, and I put him next to Wishard as Wishard was 

 in 1900. Then too Eugene Leigh and Tom Welch, both 

 now training in France, and Tom Healy in America, 

 I rank high. In France Michel Pantall is a really 

 clever man and has struck me as one conforming more 

 to the best accepted American methods. Wallace 

 Davis, who trains for Monsieur Picard, was, I think, as 

 good a trainer as any I have met. 



As I have to write a book I feel it is necessary to give 

 these personal opinions, but I'd like to say again that 

 I put them down for what they are worth. They 

 may be valuable notes for those who read years ahead 

 some of the Turf history of my time. 



One of the greatest trainers was James Rowe. He 

 was in a class all by himself in the older school, and 

 he adapted himself readily to the new conditions. He 

 had been one of America's crack jockeys before 

 beginning training. 



James Rowe after he first retired from training 

 became a starter and was much respected for his 

 ability. Subsequently he trained again — for Mr James 

 R. Keene. It is interesting to recall one of my first 

 experiences with Mr Rowe. It was about the year 

 1892 or 1893 when I had come to New York with very 

 little confidence in my self and hardly any prospects. 

 There was a big race at Sheepshead Bay, and the 

 leading trainer at that time, Rogers, told me that I 

 could have the mount on his mare Lucania. I thought 

 he was trying to give me a chance and took it as a 

 great compliment, but I found out later that the truth 

 was there was no one else available at my weight. 

 We got down to the post and after one false break- 

 away I found that my girths were loose and begged 

 permission to tighten them. " My saddle has slipped, 

 Mr Rowe, can I fix it ?" I said. 



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