PALIN, Septer "Sep" Faith

Source: wikipedia.org/Sep Palin

SEPTER “SEP” FAITH PALIN

photo thanks to Wikipedia (Sep and Greyhound about 1938)

Note: For those interested there are many photos of him on the web, including on Wikipedia

Ya’ start at the very beginning – it’s a very good place to start and from the bottom up is exactly where this impressive jockey and overall horseman began at age 18 currying, combing and saddle soaping at Attica’s Billy Martin’s Stable and that he did after quite a long “apprenticeship.” Also, his first real horse experience (driving) was on an old gray draft horse with which he made deliveries from his father’s butcher shop. Yet it was again in FoCo (Covington) that Sep drove in his first harness race. In 1914, he drove a fast pacer named Possibility and it was indeed a great Possibility with which he won 14 straight races totaling quite a purse for the time - $11,000. He not only tallied many new fans but sponsors as well. Not only was his racing skills becoming well known and admired but as a trainer as well which brought attention from some millionaires involved in the harness racing World. Edward J. Baker of St. Charles, Illinois purchased “Greyhound” for a mere $900 at an Indianapolis trotting sale in 1932. Sep managed the stable for Baker and trained and drove all his horses. Greyhound and Sep with Baker’s backing literally became quite famous. For three-year-old trotters, Palin and Greyhound (sometimes called Grey Ghost) tallied the Hambletonian Stakes in 1935; in 1947, Palin and his horse, “Hoot Mon” tallied the same prize, “went on to win the American Stake” and others tallying a career win of 50 cents shy of $75,000. Sep’s two sons were fairly well-known in the racing world, as well, both (especially Layton who led the Culver Military Academy polo team to many victories as well as won racing one of his dad’s horses even barely beating his father in one race). Layton went into education career-wise and Harold into the Electricity world. Their mother followed Seth his whole career and almost always there to cheer her sons along. Sadly, on Sept 29, 1952 while watching a time trial at Lexington, Sep at age 74 “slumped from a rail position, fell and hit his head hard on the ground causing a cerebral hemorrhage and fractured skull.” Rushed to the hospital he passed there on October 4. Six years later, Palin would be elected as an “Immortal” at the Harness Racing Museum/Hall of Fame! Well-deserved!!

Note: Born 11 April 1878 Iroquois County, Illinois Died 3 Oct 1952 Lexington, Kentucky Buried Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana – son of Augustus (1836-1894) AND Nancy Holland Palin – wife Lora Grimes (1882 – 1963 marr 1902) – two children: Harold Grimes (1903-1993) and Charles “Layton” (1912-1991).