Bill Daley's "Lead at All Costs" Jockey Strategy and Business Acumen

Key Quotes

"Bill Daley was a native of County Cork, Ireland. He came to the United States with his parents when he was seven years of age, and he soon joined his father as a worker in a brownstone quarry in East Windsor, Connecticut. It was there, while working in the engine house at the age of twelve, that young Bill caught his foot in the cogs of the engine that ran the stone crusher. He would wear a prosthetic limb the rest of his life."

Kurt Becker explains that Bill Daley's life was marked by a significant childhood accident. This event, occurring at age twelve, resulted in a permanent prosthetic limb. Becker highlights this early adversity as a formative experience in Daley's life.

"Bill Daley got into the horse business soon thereafter, as in his words, he wasn't much good for work after his accident. His first job was as a buyer for the Hartford Street Railway Company, so he would buy horses from rural areas and bring them to the city and sell them to horse car or horse-drawn trolley lines."

Becker details Bill Daley's transition into the horse business following his accident. This quote shows Daley's initial role as a buyer for a street railway company, acquiring horses for urban transportation. Becker presents this as Daley's entry into the industry that would define his career.

"Bill Daley was known wherever horses were raced, and he was known as the greatest developer of jockeys the American turf had ever seen. He had discovered and developed Jimmy McLaughlin, Eddie Snapper Garrison, Winnie O'Connor, Johnny Lamley, and Eddie Moger. And he had the same set of instructions for every jockey who rode for him: 'Go out in front, and stay there. Or die.'"

Kurt Becker highlights Bill Daley's significant impact as a developer of jockeys. Becker lists several notable jockeys discovered by Daley and emphasizes his core, uncompromising instruction to jockeys. This quote demonstrates Daley's direct and forceful approach to racing strategy.

"As Daley saw it, the horse in front doesn't take dirt in the face, doesn't get bumped in traffic, doesn't get thrown off its stride, and runs better because it hears the other horses behind it. So it was that a sportsman, gambler, and horse player of the late 19th to early 20th century, known as Pittsburgh Bill, coined the phrase 'on the Bill Daley' as a way of describing the 'lead at all costs' strategy."

Becker explains the strategic reasoning behind Bill Daley's philosophy of leading. This quote details the advantages Daley perceived for a horse running in front. Becker connects this reasoning to the origin of the phrase "on the Bill Daley," attributed to another figure named Pittsburgh Bill.

"Daley was also a fan of the steeplechase and actually held it in higher esteem than flat racing. As he put it, 'The steeplechase is the greatest race where a horse has got to know by instinct every turn on the track and every obstacle, and be able to clear them without loss of speed. It's the greatest racing in the world.'"

Kurt Becker shares Bill Daley's personal preference for steeplechase racing. This quote captures Daley's own words, expressing his high regard for the sport. Becker presents Daley's view that steeplechase demands exceptional instinct and skill from both horse and rider.

"Bill Daley died on April 2nd, 1931, at the age of 92 in Brooklyn, New York. He left a legacy as the father of eight kids, a landlord with considerable property, and a colorful character of the turf. He was a native of Ireland, the sage of Hartford, and a citizen of the world. He respected the millionaire owners and breeders of his era, yet stood in remarkable contrast to them."

Becker summarizes Bill Daley's passing and lasting impact. This quote outlines Daley's multifaceted legacy, including his family, property holdings, and unique persona within horse racing. Becker notes Daley's distinctiveness from the wealthy owners and breeders of his time.