By Track Historian Bob Gates
Joseph Samuel Perlman spent the better part of 50 years in horse racing. Yet his name is another that is relatively unknown to most of us, and friends that is just WRONG. Perlman spent most of his life as a voice of authority on all things racing, and he was a gentleman whose very presence commanded respect. So, who was Sam Perlman?
Perlman was born in Winnipeg and enjoyed a meteoric rise in the field of journalism. In the early 1920s he got his start with the Winnipeg Free Press. Young Perlman was looking to go to New York for the World Series, but needed tickets for the games. This is where the Free Press fit into his plans. Because of his baseball background, he convinced the Press to send him to New York to cover the series. Not only was he successful, but the Press’ sports editor was so impressed with his work, Sam was invited to join the paper. And the rest, as they say, is history.
In 1923 Perlman covered his first horse race at “old” River Park racetrack and fell in love with the Sport of Kings. It wasn’t long after that he hatched the idea for a newspaper publication devoted to horse racing. He left the Free Press in 1928 having risen to the position of night sports editor, but Perlman wanted more. Acting on his plan for an all horse racing publication, he founded the Winnipeg Sports & Turf Digest. His career in the racing paper biz went like this:
1938: Triangle Publications purchased his Sports & Turf Digest and Perlman joined Triangle as manager of its papers, the Morning Telegraph and the Daily Racing Form.
1943: Moved to New York as assistant to the publisher of the Triangle Publications which included the Daily Racing Form, New York Morning Digest, The Digest in Winnipeg and others.
MB Derby Edition of the Morning Digest - August 8, 1964
1944: Became general manager of the company’s trade publication division that headquartered in New York.
1949: Appointed publisher of the racing news publications, Morning Telegraph and the Daily Racing Form.
Canadian Derby Winner Yates Senior, September 10, 1949, Sam Perlman (third from the left). (Assiniboia Downs archives)
1954: Assumed the title of editor as well.
In 1965 J. Samuel Perlman turned 65 and retired from his post with the Triangle’s Daily Racing Form and the Morning Telegraph. In his role with those papers, he traveled the world, making a name for himself as a racing authority. His journeys included regular visits home to Winnipeg and to Jack Hardy’s Assiniboia Downs.
Following his retirement, Sam was looking to slow down, but was open to the idea of returning to the Winnipeg horse racing scene in some capacity. From 1966 to 1971 Perlman was named by the newly formed Manitoba Horse Racing Commission as a racing steward for Assiniboia Downs. This turned out to quite the coup for the Downs. In the 1970 and 1971 season he was the presiding steward. 1971 marked the completion of 50 years in racing for Perlman, and he was ready for a full retirement to his home in New York. In the years that followed his name more or less disappeared from the sports pages.
Winnipeg Free Press, May 15, 1968
Winnipeg Free Press, June 30, 1964
Awards for his work in racing were many and included:
1950: Cited by the National Association of States Racing Commissioners for his contributions to the betterment of racing through timely and constructive editorials.
1951: Named “Man Of The Year” in racing by the Jockey’s Guild.
He was also honoured by the Ontario Racing Commission, Ontario Horsemen’s Benevolent And Protective Association (HBPA) and the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society in recognition of his contributions to racing in Canada. This was followed by awards from the U. S. HBPA , the National Press Club of Washington, Illinois State Racing Board, and the American National Turf Writers Association.
1958: Received the only award ever presented by the Thoroughbred Racing Association for his objective approach in the reporting and editing of his journals.
1960: Inducted into the Manitoba Order of the Buffalo Hunt.
1965: Upon his retirement from the Morning Telegraph, Perlman received a resolution of thanks from the National Association of State Racing Commission. Perlman was the only man to have been honoured by the four principal associations in American Racing, the HBPA, Thoroughbred Racing Association, Jockey’s Guild and the National Association of State Racing Commissioners.
1977: Inducted as a “Builder” into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
When racing went dark in Winnipeg in 1956, following the closure of Polo Park racetrack there were three men whose names were rumored to be working on a plan to see racing return to Winnipeg. While National Motors’ Jack Hardy would get the job done, the other group of potential racing saviors included Max Freed, Dan Kennedy and Sam Perlman. Amongst Perlman’s many contributions to Winnipeg racing was his work in the formation of the Manitoba Thoroughbred Breeders Association in 1966.
On December 19, 1980 Joseph Samuel Perlman passed. He was living in St, Louis at the time. Sadly, I could find no mention of his death in the Winnipeg Free Press sports pages. To his credit Gene Telfner, entertainment columnist for the Press mentioned Sam’s passing in its January 14, 1981 edition.
Winnipeg’s #1 son traveled the world experiencing all racing had to offer. He was said to have seen every major classic in North America and many in Europe. His thoughts on racing were sought out and given great weight because of his reputation in the industry.
“J. Samuel Perlman probably did more to improve the public image of horse racing than any other individual…”
– Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame
Sam Perlman’s multi-year association at the helm of racing’s “Bible” and his relationship with Jack Hardy’s Assiniboia Downs is something to be treasured.
“To me, Winnipeg will always be home and my fondest memories are of days spent in this City.”
– J. Samuel Perlman