Wild Horse Jones
by Tom Brown
Hi John,
Farrell "Wild Horse" Jones was Seabiscuit's exercise boy. I met him
when I went out to Vessal's Racetrack when I started with the horses.
Farrell taught me to ride. He later became a famous trainer in
California, with the largest barn of horses and won more races than
anybody. He retired to the Farrell W. Jones Thoroughbred Ranch in Hemet,
California. I wrote a poem about him in 1956 and, after talking to him
on the telephone this morning, sent it to him. I thought you might enjoy
it.
Tom
There use to be a rider;
his head as big as a horse.
He'd ride anything that ever walked;
He yelled over and over with force.
He'd stand around the entry box;
and the trainers would all moan.
When he'd brag about himself and say;
My name is Wild Horse Jones.
Lead anything you have that's rough;
who's got the devil in his bones.
I'm tougher than any horse alive.
My name is Wild Horse Jones.
He got a little heavier,
and his riding days were done.
Wild Horse Jones could ride no more,
Couldn't have no fun.
He started training so he could eat,
his life seemed one big bore.
He couldn't show how he was boss,
to them horses anymore.
One day they brought a horse to him,
They called him Clabber Lightning
He was a horse who knew no friend,
He was satisfied just fighting.
They took him to Bay Meadows,
to see how he could run.
They put him into an allowance race,
and the horse had a little fun.
When they were in the paddock,
putting the saddle on.
He kicked the valets and Earl the groom,
Into the infield pond.
Now Wild Horse didn't think much of this,
It galled him to his bones.
I'll fix you up and make you nice.
or my name ain't Wild Horse Jones.
That night he went into the stall,
of the horse that was so rough.
He went unarmed and quite alone,
to test that horses' bluff.
No one got to see the fight,
for he closed the doors to all.
Wild Horse Jones wasn't the kind of man,
to let others see him fall.
Great sounds came from that stall so small,
Gasps and many a moan.
And out came one and looked around,
and said "I'm Wild Horse Jones!"