Griffins (sp?)

[BillW]

Does anyone know the origin of the term griffin (sp?) that is used in HK to refer to a maiden?

Bill

[cato]

Webster's unabridged has the secondary definition of "Griffin" (origin unknown) as being an untried Chinese racing pony; also a hardy Mongolian pony; also a white person in the East (not NYC east, but China east) :cool:

Cato

[Seabiscuit@AR]

Bill W I put your query at the Asian Racing message board and got the following reply from Henry J Law which seems about right


According to an old publication called Horse Racing or Pao Ma, the term 'Griffin' did comes from India, where it indicated a greenhorn or a newcomer. As for the HKJC, the term 'Griffin' was adopted in 1872, meaning a pony that has been in the colony (Hong Kong) for less than a year.

Hoping this helps.

Thank You

Henry

[BillW]

Very interesting. Thanks cato and Seabiscuit@AR.

Bill