“The jockey’s prayer” c.1868
Despite the manpower shortage, rotten weather, and the annoying “Yankee invasion”, 150 years ago this week residents of Richmond could look forward to horse races at a local track. Apparently jockeys were exempt from the Confederate draft.
From the Richmond Daily Dispatch October 28, 1864:
Broad Rock Races.
–The friends of the turf, despite the Yankee invasion, have determined to maintain the supremacy of “thoroughbreds,” and, to that end, will commence a fall meeting at Broad Rock to-day. As our readers will perceive, the first race is for a post stake, two-mile heats, to which there are three or more subscribers; and as the race is play or pay, each subscriber will be almost sure to start something for the $7,000 purse.
We have heard it suggested that Oakland, Conductor and Orien, will come together on this occasion; and if so, the friends of each will go their “piles” on the result, as all are sanguine of winning. If the three “strip” well, and the day and track prove good, an interesting and exciting race may be looked for.
From the Richmond Daily Dispatch October 29, 1864:
Broad Rock races.
–Because of the inclement weather, and the military annoyances around the city, the races that were to have commenced on the Broad Rock Course yesterday have been postponed till next Wednesday. Many old turfmen are here to attend the sport, and, from present indications, the meeting promises to be one of unusual interest. Let the lovers of the sport bear the change in mind and be in readiness to enjoy it at the appointed time.
Meanwhile folks up North were absorbed in another kind of horse race. Here’s another cartoon in which Republicans were trying to make hay by pointing out the incongruity of General McClellan running (or riding) on the Democrats’ peace platform (read about it at the Library of Congress):
jockeying for position
