MARVELLOUS HORSEMANSHIP 2?l 



of a mile before him, and when they are all well beaten, 

 takes the very nick of time to come up and win an ex- 

 citing race by a bare head. Another, differently gifted 

 though equally talented, takes and keeps the lead, and 

 wins in a canter. This, however, is not the popular 

 style, nor is it liked by owners, who foolishly think it 

 may expose their horses unduly. Nor is it gratifying to 

 the artist himself ; for, instead of receiving the ovation 

 which the other is sure of, he may be derisively informed, 

 on his return to the scales, that ' any butcher could have 

 done that.' It has the advantage, certainly, of making 

 the race secure, which the more admired style lacks. 

 For the most approved and elegant way of riding of the 

 leading jockeys is to wait till the last few strides, and, if 

 they have only a few pounds in hand, to come with a 

 tremendous rush at the last jump, and win or lose by a 

 head. This is truly effective. To the rider it is of no 

 earthly consequence, for he is sure of an ovation, though 

 to the disappointed owner it makes a difference. To say 

 that the jockey with a stroke or two of his whip fairly 

 ' lifts ' the tired creature for the last few strides is not an 

 exaggerated expression, and one that may often be heard 

 emanating from lucky backers that is, should the horse 

 win. But whether in making play or 'in waiting our 

 jockeys seem as much at home in one way as the other, 

 and, without adulation, may fairly be said to be men of 

 great eminence in their profession. 



In old times jockeys and trainers indulged in unneces- 

 sarily late hours, to the detriment of their bodily health* 

 and the abuse of their morals. It is true that hours 

 equally as late, or even later, are the fashion now. But, 

 it is just here that the case is altered by its surroundings. 

 Under their present wiser system, jockeys and trainers, 

 have from five o'clock in the evening to nine o'clock the> 



