Letter to the Editor: Peter Blum

PETER BLUM

I learned the sad news about Tommy Trotter's death in the TDN and wanted to pass along a few comments.  At 93, his death shouldn't have come as a surprise, but it did. Tommy Trotter was timeless! Tom Robbins was spot on in remembering Jimmy Kilroe when talking about Tommy. Trotter was the greatest racing secretary and one of the finest gentlemen I have ever known. Kilroe, who worked closely in New York with Trotter before moving to California, was the consummate professional. I was just a kid when I got to know both Jimmy Kilroe and Tommy Trotter, but it was obvious to me then both men were very special. I knew how much Allen Jerkens admired Tommy and the respect he also had for Jimmy. Nick Zito's description of Trotter walking was perfect: “There goes Tommy Trotter.”

Tommy Trotter was an exceptional man. He was always well-dressed in a suit and tie with a smile for everyone. I don't recall anyone who didn't admire and respect him. Keep in mind, stakes races were different then. Good horses were expected to carry weight and it was Trotter's job to assign the weights to horses in handicaps, stakes and starter handicaps in New York. I believe Hirsch Jacobs won three stakes in a week with the great mare Affectionately. Jacobs and other trainers had great respect for Trotter even if he made a horse carry more weight than they felt was deserved. Trotter knew what he was doing, a straight shooter who wanted fans to enjoy racehorses competing to win. All of this is to say, the sport was appreciated more then. Attendance was equal to or better than other professional sports of that era and there was racing five or six days a week with big fields in every race.

Perhaps it would be helpful to many of the people in the horse business today if they could get to know more about Trotter and Kilroe. Our industry is faced with many problems and no simple answers, especially because a consensus is lacking in almost every area. If it were possible to clone these two gentlemen for the purpose of establishing a national body with a commissioner, we would have our answer. Tom Robbins is cut from the same cloth as Trotter and Kilroe, so perhaps there is hope.