1939: Horse Racing

The year 1939 was the last year of the 'thrilling thirties' — as they phrase it in the West. It was a decade which brought into Turf history some brilliant thoroughbreds such as Equipoise, Gallant Fox, Twenty Grand, Sun Beau, Discovery, Seabiscuit, War Admiral, and Challedon, not omitting such high class performers as Jamestown, Mate, Cavalcade and Top Row. Moreover, a new era in racing should begin in 1940 in New York State, the foremost racing state in the Union, through the passage of the Pari-Mutuel Amendment in the November 1939 Election. The Amendment received a vote of about three to one in its favor.

Just as Seabiscuit and War Admiral were the standout horses of 1938, so William Woodward's Johnstown in the spring, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, and W. L. Brann's Challedon in the summer and autumn, were acknowledged champions of the 1939 three-year olds. Challedon, however, must be considered the 'horse of the year,' since he not only defeated Johnstown twice, but did the same thing to the best handicap horse of the year, the Argentine-bred Kayak II, owned by Charles S. Howard, winner of the $100,000 Santa Anita Handicap.

On his performances to date, Colonel E. R. Bradley's two-year old Bimelech must not only be conceded all the honors of his age but ranked as one of the greatest of the day. His owner, Col. Bradley, a discriminating judge of horse flesh, winner of four Kentucky Derbies and practically all of the great events of the country at one time or another, pronounces Bimelech, the unbeaten Futurity winner, 'the greatest horse he had ever owned.' Being by Black Toney out of La Troienne (dam of Black Helen) by Teddy, his breeding, speed, stamina, individuality and, last but not least, his action, stamp him as a truly great two-year old, and in all probability a future champion.

While racing is a sport and not a business, no sport can progress, as racing has, without financial encouragement. This is shown by the return of the various racing associations of the country, and by the success of its breeding interests. Taken from this point of view, the recent years were in most respects, the best of all time. In California, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, the pari-mutuel betting brought increased revenue to the various states and racing associations. Where the revenue did not increase, it was due to local courses, such as in Massachusetts, where the racing days were curtailed. Another factor was that, although spring meetings had shown a healthy increase, premonitory rumblings of war abroad decreased autumn attendances in the East.

The Saratoga Yearling Sales are the best index of the prosperity of the American Turf. An increased number of yearlings were disposed of and the total money paid was somewhat higher than last year — notwithstanding the fact that European War clouds were becoming more ominous each day. A most encouraging feature to American breeders was the purchase of 20 yearlings by English buyers for importation abroad, Lord Carnavon's similar experiment in 1938 having proved highly successful. Another remarkable feature of the Sales was the Hancock sale, at which 12 yearlings by Blenheim II, winner of the 1930 English Derby, were sold for $136,596. This amount is more than half the purchase price of Blenheim II from the Aga Khan. None of Blenheim's get had ever raced in this country.

To those having the best interests of the American Turf at heart, the tendency towards longer distance races and increased purses was most encouraging. More than one third of the races run in New York State alone in 1939 were at a mile and over. In every state where racing is conducted, each year more money is being distributed to the horsemen. In New York State, purses have increased over $1,000,000 in the past six years.

The year 1939 in New York State, where for the past six years racing administration has steadily improved, inaugurated a new and highly important era. Up until last Election Day, when the Pari-Mutuel system was voted in by the people, New York was the only state in the Union to race under the old book-making system.

The proposed Enabling Law, as now drawn, might well be called the disabling Law — as far as racing is concerned in New York. However, it is hoped that the State Legislature will pass a compromise measure that will be, as the State Racing Commission phrases it, 'intelligent, practical, far-seeing and just.'

The Handicap crown must be allotted to Charles S. Howard's Kayak II, who won the $100,000 Santa Anita Handicap but lost to Challedon in the Pimlico Special. This event Alfred Vanderbilt did not call the Pimlico Classic, as Arlington Park of Chicago rather incongruously did when it named its leading event 'Classic' before it had been run. However, with the Seabiscuit — War Admiral and Challedon — Kayak II events the Pimlico Special has become a 'Classic' so to speak.

Abroad, the English Derby winner, Blue Peter, won the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park, and Pharis II captured the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamps, Paris. Both the champions of their respective countries — England and France — both by full brothers Fairway and Pharos, were acknowledged as great in the true sense of the word by all well-informed foreign turfmen. Had not the outbreak of war in September necessitated the cancellation of the race, their meeting in the English St. Leger, scheduled for Sept. 5, would have been an historic event. However, up to the declaration of war. England had a most successful racing season. A surprise feature was the fine showing of Lord Carnavon's half dozen American-bred two-year olds, purchased at the Saratoga Yearling Sales in 1938.