Arthur E. Redfern
Encyclopedia
Arthur Redfern was an American Thoroughbred horse racing
jockey
who in 1903 was the highest paid rider in the United States.
. In their November 11, 1902 issue, the New York Times wrote that Redfern was regarded by many American turfmen as the best jockey in the United States. The newspaper reported that right of first call for Redfern's services in 1903 had been purchased from stable owner J. E. Pepper by William Collins Whitney with the right to second call secured by James Ben Ali Haggin
.
On April 23, 1903, Redfern was seriously injured in a racing accident at the Old Aqueduct Racetrack
. Sidelined until June 12, the accident significantly affected Redfern's performance on his return to racing and by October 18 a newspaper story virtually dismissed him as a has-been. Nonetheless, by December 13 the Chicago Daily Tribune
reported that he was the second leading jockey on the East Coast
circuit.
In 1904 Arthur Redfern had a very good year in racing. During the early months of the year he raced in California
. Back in New York for the summer season, he won major events such as the Saratoga Special Stakes
and the most important race in the United States open to older horses, the Suburban Handicap
at Sheepshead Bay Race Track
. The June 17 Atlanta Constitution wrote that Redfern gave Hermis
a "perfect ride" in winning the Suburban Handicap.
Although battling weight gain
, in 1905 Arthur Redfern won his second consecutive Saratoga Special Stakes and a top race for two-year-olds, the Futurity Stakes at Sheepshead Bay Race Track. Redfern suffered a broken arm in an automobile accident in the early fall of 1905 that kept him out of racing for the rest of the year. For months, American newspapers carried stories filled with speculation that Redfern would move to Europe
to race where weight limits were higher. and the January 30, 1906 San Jose Evening News
stated that if Arthur Redfern did not sign to ride for James R. Keene, he would probably race in France. However, Redfern raced in New York in the first part of 1906 and, still battling weight gain
, in November of he followed fellow jockey Wilie Knapp as well as notable trainers such as Sam Hildreth
and Charles Durnell to race during the winter months in California
.
, John Sanford
, and James R. Keene
. As reported by the San Francisco Call
of November 7, 1907 that said he was working as a chauffer for trainer/owner Charles Durnell. The April 12, 1908 issue of the Daily Racing Form
reported that Redfern had spent the winter in New Orleans and was planning to buy a string of horses to race. Although The Jockey Club
issued Redfern a certificate of good standing in August 1908, it appears he did not ride again.
Arthur Redfern died at the Coney Island
hospital on May 8, 1917 as a result of an automobile accident three days earlier in which his wife was seriously injured but survived.
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: Flat racing and National Hunt racing...
jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
who in 1903 was the highest paid rider in the United States.
Riding Career
Redfern came to prominence during the 1902 racing season when he rode for the Pepper Stable and won the Manhattan HandicapManhattan Handicap
The Manhattan Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race raced annually at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is named for Manhattan, the principal borough of the City of New York...
. In their November 11, 1902 issue, the New York Times wrote that Redfern was regarded by many American turfmen as the best jockey in the United States. The newspaper reported that right of first call for Redfern's services in 1903 had been purchased from stable owner J. E. Pepper by William Collins Whitney with the right to second call secured by James Ben Ali Haggin
James Ben Ali Haggin
James Ben Ali Haggin was an Turkish Americanattorney, rancher, investor and a major owner/breeder in the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing...
.
On April 23, 1903, Redfern was seriously injured in a racing accident at the Old Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack is a thoroughbred horse-racing facility and racino in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Its racing meets usually are from late October/early November through April.-History:...
. Sidelined until June 12, the accident significantly affected Redfern's performance on his return to racing and by October 18 a newspaper story virtually dismissed him as a has-been. Nonetheless, by December 13 the Chicago Daily Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
reported that he was the second leading jockey on the East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
circuit.
In 1904 Arthur Redfern had a very good year in racing. During the early months of the year he raced in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Back in New York for the summer season, he won major events such as the Saratoga Special Stakes
Saratoga Special Stakes
The Saratoga Special Stakes is an American grade II thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid-August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The race is for two-year-olds willing to race six and a half furlongs on the dirt....
and the most important race in the United States open to older horses, the Suburban Handicap
Suburban Handicap
The Suburban Handicap is an American Grade II Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Open to horses age three and older, it is run at the classic one-and-one-quarter mile distance on dirt for a $400,000 purse....
at Sheepshead Bay Race Track
Sheepshead Bay Race Track
Sheepshead Bay Race Track was an American Thoroughbred horse racing facility built on the site of the Coney Island Jockey Club at Sheepshead Bay, New York...
. The June 17 Atlanta Constitution wrote that Redfern gave Hermis
Hermis
Hermis was an American Thoroughbred racehorse twice chosen the American Horse of the Year. Bred by Hiram Berry, H. A. Engman owned his dam, Katy of the West. He was purchased as a two-year-old by Cincinnati theatre man Henry M. Ziegler and would be sold to L. V. Bell who in turn sold him in 1903...
a "perfect ride" in winning the Suburban Handicap.
Although battling weight gain
Weight gain
Weight gain is an increase in body weight. This can be either an increase in muscle mass, fat deposits, or excess fluids such as water.-Description:...
, in 1905 Arthur Redfern won his second consecutive Saratoga Special Stakes and a top race for two-year-olds, the Futurity Stakes at Sheepshead Bay Race Track. Redfern suffered a broken arm in an automobile accident in the early fall of 1905 that kept him out of racing for the rest of the year. For months, American newspapers carried stories filled with speculation that Redfern would move to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
to race where weight limits were higher. and the January 30, 1906 San Jose Evening News
San Jose Mercury News
The San Jose Mercury News is a daily newspaper in San Jose, California. On its web site, however, it calls itself Silicon Valley Mercury News. The paper is owned by MediaNews Group...
stated that if Arthur Redfern did not sign to ride for James R. Keene, he would probably race in France. However, Redfern raced in New York in the first part of 1906 and, still battling weight gain
Weight gain
Weight gain is an increase in body weight. This can be either an increase in muscle mass, fat deposits, or excess fluids such as water.-Description:...
, in November of he followed fellow jockey Wilie Knapp as well as notable trainers such as Sam Hildreth
Sam Hildreth
Samuel Clay Hildreth was an American Thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame trainer and owner.Born in Independence, Missouri, Sam Hildreth began his training career in 1887, competing at racetracks in the Midwestern United States with such horses as the good racemare Hurley Burley, the dam of...
and Charles Durnell to race during the winter months in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Retirement
In 1907, Arthur Redfern was out of racing, ending a short but brilliant career in which he rode for other top stable owners such as Richard T. Wilson, Jr.Richard Thornton Wilson, Jr.
Richard Thornton Wilson, Jr. was an American banker and businessman who was a prominent figure in Thoroughbred horse racing in the early decades of the 20th Century....
, John Sanford
John Sanford (1851)
John Sanford was an American businessman, a prominent owner/breeder of Thoroughbred racehorses, and a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York's 20th congressional district.-Early life:...
, and James R. Keene
James R. Keene
James Robert Keene was a Wall Street stock broker and a major thoroughbred race horse owner and breeder.-Biography:He was born in London, England in 1838. He was fourteen years of age when his family emigrated to the United States in 1852...
. As reported by the San Francisco Call
San Francisco Call
The San Francisco Call was a newspaper that served San Francisco, California. Because of a succession of mergers with other newspapers, the paper variously came to be called The San Francisco Call & Post, the San Francisco Call-Bulletin, San Francisco News-Call Bulletin, and the News-Call Bulletin...
of November 7, 1907 that said he was working as a chauffer for trainer/owner Charles Durnell. The April 12, 1908 issue of the Daily Racing Form
Daily Racing Form
The Daily Racing Form is a tabloid newspaper founded in 1894 in Chicago, Illinois by Frank Brunell. The paper publishes the past performances of race horses as a statistical service for bettors on horse racing in the United States....
reported that Redfern had spent the winter in New Orleans and was planning to buy a string of horses to race. Although The Jockey Club
The Jockey Club
The Jockey Club, formed on February 9, 1894, is the keeper of The American Stud Book. It came into existence after James R. Keene spearheaded a drive in support of racehorse trainers who had complained about the Board of Control that governed racing in New York State.-History:On its formation, The...
issued Redfern a certificate of good standing in August 1908, it appears he did not ride again.
Arthur Redfern died at the Coney Island
Coney Island
Coney Island is a peninsula and beach on the Atlantic Ocean in southern Brooklyn, New York, United States. The site was formerly an outer barrier island, but became partially connected to the mainland by landfill....
hospital on May 8, 1917 as a result of an automobile accident three days earlier in which his wife was seriously injured but survived.