After her unsuccessful racing career, “Silk Hose” was placed in the stud. Her first foal, a filly named “Lisle Hose,” seemed to inherit the mother’s hoo-doo. She became ill as a yearling; was sick as a two-year-old, and the following season—died. The morning after she “kicked out,” Tom Callary, his secretary, told his lordship that he had bad news for him. “What is it?” he asked. “The trainer has just told me that the filly died last night—”
“That’s not bad news,” replied Lord Shaughnessy. “That’s good news; we won’t have to feed the blessed thing any longer, will we?”
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.
When Lord Shaughnessy relinquished the presidency, he became chairman of the board, and is to be found in his office every week-day when in town, maintaining an active interest in the affairs of the company. When his successor was appointed, Lord Shaughnessy, much to Mr. Beatty’s chagrin, insisted upon changing offices with him, and the new president reluctantly took possession of the more pretentious quarters. The next day there was a presentation of a silver shield which Lord Shaughnessy had given to the Order of St. John’s Ambulance Association. It took place in the board room of the Windsor Street Station. The ex-president was a few minutes late, and he cheerfully apologized, quaintly adding: “But it makes no difference. I am only a supernumerary now.” And that showed the kind of man Lord Shaughnessy is.
Beloved by all, with an affection that permeates the ranks from the higher to the lower grades, still in harness, Lord Shaughnessy’s evening of life is pleasantly passed, and the hope is fervently expressed, not only by those who have grown grey in the service, but by thousands of others, that the “T.G.” of years ago, of “Mr. President,” of “Sir Thomas” and “My Lord” will long remain to be the “guide, philosopher and friend” of those, who, like myself, have learned his actual worth, fully realize the true nobility of his character, and fondly cherish the inspiring memories of his unfailing loyalty and deep-rooted affection and friendship.
Hats off to the Chief, boys, hats off!