Reminiscences of a Raconteur, Between the '40s and the '20sHam, George H. (George Henry)
History
Reminiscences of a Raconteur, Between the '40s and the '20s
Ham, George H. (George Henry)
Canada; Ham, George H. (George Henry), 1847-1926; Journalists -- Canada -- Biography
When her second foal—this one a colt—became sick also as a
two-year-old, and was thereby unable to race; and when, the following
spring—unlike the maple trees—he did not show the least inclination to
run, Lord Shaughnessy told Callary to do whatever he pleased with the
colt. This colt, that had been named “Silk Bird,” eventually got to the
races. Before the first start his secretary informed Lord Shaughnessy
that he thought the colt had a good chance to win.
“What is it,” asked his lordship, “a walking race?”
He never could be persuaded to make a bet, remarking on one occasion
“that he wouldn’t bet on that horse even if it were alone in the race.”
And yet this colt, probably the best thoroughbred raised in the Province
of Quebec, won, not only his first start but also nine or ten other
races, including the King’s Plate of 1916. But the winnings of that
season, that should have gone to recoup the losses sustained during the
several lean years, were distributed under his Lordship’s direction, to
the hospitals and charitable institutions most in need at the time. Many
people must have wondered when they saw the name “Silk Bird” amongst the
lists of subscribers, more especially as the contributions were rather
“hefty.” And then to cap all, and, as it were, to make it unanimous, his
Lordship gave away the colt.
As I stated previously, Lord Shaughnessy absolutely refused to bet on
the chances of his colt, but there were employees by the score who
backed “the C.P.R. horse,” (as he was known throughout the country) at
every start. And as he won with prices ranging against him from “evens”
to as high as forty-to-one, his supporters, unlike his owner, came out
well ahead. No better indication could be had of the loyalty to, and
affection for, “the big boss,” than by the manner in which all those
under his Lordship pulled so whole-heartedly and so consistently, in
good years and in bad, for the success of the Shaughnessy colors—old
gold and scarlet—whenever and wherever they appeared on the Canadian
tracks. On race days the secretary was bombarded with telephone calls
from vice-presidents right down to call boys, enquiring as to the colt’s
chances, his condition, the name of the jockey, etc., etc. But Lord
Shaughnessy knew nothing of this very important feature of his
secretary’s duties.
Hats Off to the Chief.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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