THE SECRET OF TRAINING 273 



overcome by experience; whilst he might have solved 

 the mystery beyond doubt and in an instant, and might 

 further have informed the trainer how long it would 

 have taken to remedy his mistaken preparation, and the 

 steps necessary for the completion of such a weighty 

 matter thus pressing the thing to a logical conclusion, 

 and having himself hailed as a benefactor to mankind, 

 and ranked amongst the great discoverers of the day. 

 ' There are,' we are told, ' few tasks more unthankful 

 than, for persons of modesty to speak their own praises. 

 In some cases, however, this must be done for the 

 general good, and a generous spirit asserts its merits 

 and vindicates itself with becoming warmth.' Some 

 such generous* sentiment, we can well believe, actuated 

 the feelings of this intelligent youth when he thus un- 

 ostentatiously expounded this great discovery. But I 

 feel bound to disclose the whole circumstances to accord 

 the praise to him to whom it is due ; and, therefore, I 

 publicly make known the fact that the ability so shown 

 was exhibited by a light-weight jockey at Brighton, who 

 discovered the comparatively aged trainer's error, and 

 with candour so deserving of all praise made known the 

 discovery of an error that, without such disinterested 

 outspokenness on his part, might have remained a secret 

 standing menace to the whole profession. 



So much for the debt that our profession owes to the 

 jockey. But the trainer of the new school deserves also 

 his meed of praise. When we compare him with his 

 predecessor, we must make allowance for what he has to 

 do. In the present day he will have, perhaps, a hundred 

 horses in training, half as many brood - mares, a few 

 stallions, thirty or forty foals, and a like number of 

 yearlings to look after; besides his carriage-horses, 

 hacks, and hunters, forming no small addition to every 



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