VII 



THE TURF AND SOME REFLECTIONS' 



Eventus docet : Stultorum iste magister est. 



This has been an annus mirahilis in the history 

 of the Enghsh Turf. It has been marked by events 

 of a novel and exciting character. The authority 

 of the Jockey Club has been frequently exercised 

 and has been in one instance loudly questioned. 

 The rules of racing have been debated by the 

 Club in full session and have been substantially 

 amended ; and within the last two months a Court 

 of Law has been turned into a theatre where peers, 

 trainers, jockeys and handicappers have appeared 

 in due succession on the stage, and a learned judge 

 has amused the public with his jokes and the 

 world of racing with his views on short stirrups. 



> This chapter was pubhshed in September 1913. For the Derby 

 of that year Mr. Bower Ismay's horse Cragenour was a well-backed 

 favourite and won the race by a head. The Stewards on their own 

 initiative disqualified the winner for bumping and boring, and 

 awarded the race to Aboyeur. Chancery proceedings to withhold 

 payment of the stakes were contemplated, pending an attempt 

 to obtain a revision of the decision ; but in this course Mr. Ismay 

 did not persist. A few days later he sold Cragenour to an 

 Argentine syndicate for ;^30,ooo. 



In the month of July Mr. Richard Wootton, a prominent trainer, 

 brought an action for libel against Mr. Sievier, editor of the Winning 

 Post, who had charged him with dishonesty in the training and 

 running of horses in his charge. The case, which was tried before 

 Mr. Justice Darling and a special jury, lasted eight days, and 

 resulted in a verdict for the plaintiff with the derisory damages 

 of a farthing. 



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