Lester Reiff
Lester Berchart Reiff (1877–1948) was an American
Early life and U.S. racing career
Lester B. Reiff was born on April 26, 1877,
U.K. racing career
Reiff traveled to the
Scandal
In October 1901, Lester Reiff and his younger brother John were reprimanded by the Jockey Club for alleged race fixing by "pulling" or slowing the horse so it will not win.[2] This followed an incident at Manchester Racecourse on 27 September in which Lester's horse had finished second by a head to a horse ridden by his brother. The local stewards (racecourse officials) were unsatisfied by the brothers' explanations and so referred the matter to the Jockey Club.[12]
Lord Durham also accused the brothers of involvement in a horse doping ring along with Enoch Wishard and other American gamblers. While "doping" with performance enhancing stimulants was illegal at the time in the United States, it was still permissible in the UK in 1901 and was not outlawed until 1904.[3] Lester Reiff's license was revoked for the 1902 season due to these incidents and he was barred or "warned off" from racing in other countries.[2]
His license was reinstated in 1904 but unlike his brother who resumed his career with success, Lester did not pursue horse racing again.
Retirement from racing and personal life
Reiff married Frances Rowell, the daughter of California physician and horseman Harry E. Rowell, in December 1901.[13] Reiff retired from racing in 1902 and moved to Alameda with his wife. Lester Reiff became a real-estate broker and venture capitalist, managing the property of his family and several friends until his death on October 10, 1948, in Alameda.[14] Lester Reiff is buried in a family plot at Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, California.[15]
References
- ^ a b New York Times. "Lester Reiff's Record." November 25, 1900.
- ^ a b c New York Times. "Reiff's license revoked." October 2, 1901.
- ^ a b New York Times. "Turfmen still agitated." October 29, 1900.
- 1920 US Censuslisting him living with his in-laws, the Rowells.
- ^ U.S. Passportapplication for his brother Delbert Reiff with signed affidavit from his mother, also signed by Lester Reiff's father-in-law Harry Rowell, 1916.
- ^ Thoroughbred Times. "Foundation mares: Ampola." April 22, 2000.
- ^ New York Times. "JOCKEY REIFF SUSPENDED; PUNISHED FOR ALLOWING WATTERSON TO BE BEATEN ON SATURDAY. Owners and Trainers of the Horse, However, Have Not Yet Been Dealt With -- Don Alonzo Won the Brookdale Handicap After Ed Kearney Bolted and Broke His Bridle Rein -- Some of the Gossip of the Betting Ring and the Paddock." May 29, 1894.
- ^ New York Times. "Punishment for Jockeys." Oct 8, 1894
- ^ The Washington Post. " RACING FIELD IS CLEAR." Dec 2, 1895.
- ^ New York Times. "Jockey Reiff Suspended." July 30, 1896.
- ^ New York Times. "The Reiffs will ride for Croker." December 24, 1899.
- ISBN 0-354-08536-0.
- ^ New York Times. " Lester Reiff Marries." December 27, 1901.
- ^ Ancestry Library. California Death Search, same birth date as WWI enlistment slip, born in Missouri.
- ^ Staff. "Lester B. Reiff". Find A Grave. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
External links
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