THE TURF AND SOME REFLECTIONS 



The horse first past the post in the earhest 

 important handicap of the year was disqualified 

 for interfering with the second ; an objection was 

 lodged against the winner of the One Thousand 

 Guineas, but was dismissed ; and the judges' fiat 

 in the Derby was set aside by the Epsom Stewards 

 and the race awarded to an outsider which started 

 at 100 to I. In other cases, notably at Newmarket, 

 at Ascot, and at Goodwood, the Stewards had 

 occasion to review the riding and conduct of the 

 jockeys. At Newmarket and Ascot the winning 

 horses were disquahfied, and at Goodwood some 

 surprise was expressed that the objection was not 

 sustained. 



The action of the Stewards at Epsom was strongly 

 criticized. In view of the special circumstances 

 this was inevitable. A bumping finish, a cluster 

 of non-staying horses struggling together, the 

 favourite's number hoisted as the winner of the 

 melee, and the horse led in by his dehghted owner, 

 only to be followed by an inquiry undertaken on 

 the sole motion of the Stewards — these incidents 

 combined in connection with the greatest race 

 of the year made up a situation of palpitating 

 and poignant interest without parallel in racing 

 annals. Pendente lite, tongues wagged apace. Sir 

 Oracle of the Rostrum laid down the law ; blase 

 punters, backers of the favourite, were hotly 

 indignant ; gentlemen of the amateur Press were 

 deeply concerned ; and even the fair and fashion- 

 able fiutterers in a few sovereigns 



Who change complexions at a losing game 



joined in the chorus of protest. 



145 K 



