RACING 141 



a record strike declared and ended in a week. 

 It is worthy of notice also that the Government 

 ill Irekmd issued an order prohibiting racing 

 owing to the Coal Strike in England ; but in 

 spite of the order racing went on as usual. 

 Then we had record crowds and record prices 

 for yearlings. In spite of the alleged bankruptcy 

 of the nation, more money has been circulated 

 and more money spent on racing than ever be- 

 fore. In face of incredible difficulties in travelling 

 and transport, the sport-loving Britisher managed 

 to satisfy his unquenchable instinct. At a Man- 

 chester meeting the first race of a Victory New 

 Year was won by a horse belonging to Mr 

 Bottomley, and never on any race-course was 

 an owner more heartily cheered. It was an ac- 

 clamation of the extraordinary hold that the Editor 

 of Jo/m Bull has over the British sporting public. 

 There is no nation in the world that has such a 

 love for horses and sport ; no doubt this inherited 

 instinct has had a great influence in forming the 

 character of the race. Sporting men have made 

 history as surely as seamen, soldiers, financiers 

 and politicians. It is the sporting instinct that 

 has made the British the pioneers of adventure, 

 and has established their prestige for honourable 

 and fair dealinors with all the nations of the 

 world. 



