Interview with John A. Morris, May 1, 1974

Interview Summary

John A. Morris talks about his life and career in the horse industry. He begins by explaining how his family was in the horse business and when he was young his father bought him a filly. After training and successfully competing with the horse, Morris sold it for a profit and so began his career in the horse industry. Morris talks about his time in the military in WWI and his career afterward. Morris explains his climb from being hired as secretary to the treasurer within a horse racing association to helping form The New York Horse Racing Association. Morris next discusses how the government reacted to horse racing and the various ways they tried to get more tax money from it. Finally, Morris talks about his own stable and a few horses he has had and the trials and tribulations of horse breeding. Morris says his favorite part of the horse industry was the people he had met from around the country and from all walks of life. He hopes his family can carry on the tradition and believes his son might be able to do it.

Interview Keyword

Horse breeders Horse breeding Horse racing New York Horse Racing Association Saratoga Racing Association World War I

Interview LC Subject

Horse buyers Horse industry Horse owners Horse racing--Law and Legislation Horse trainers

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections and Digital Programs, University of Kentucky Libraries.