392 RACE RIDING. 



and it is anything but pleasant to be shoved up against a 

 post, or against the railings. 



Many jockeys labour under the misconception that, if they 

 are leading, the inside of the course belongs to them, even 

 when they are not occupying it, and that they are conse- 

 quently entitled to cross an opponent who attempts to come 

 up on the inside. Such a cross would be foul riding, accord- 

 ing to the Rules of Racing. 



Above all things a jockey should not " lie off" an absurdly 

 long distance behind his field ; and when carrying a heavy 

 burden, he should never allow a dangerous light weight to get 

 too far in front. 



A jockey ought to pay due attention to the nature of the 

 ground over which he has to go, and to any peculiarities 

 possessed by his mount. It is almost unnecessary, especially 

 now that the course has been changed, to quote here the 

 historical sheep-track on the Cambridgeshire Hill at New- 

 market. Lord Poulett had cause to remember how his well- 

 planned coup with Nu was upset by the jady Gardevisure, 

 who owed her success entirely to her pilot having secured 

 this much-coveted place. If a part of the course be heavy or 

 hilly, the jockey might ease his horse a little ; and he might 

 rattle him along down-hill, or where the ground was sound, 

 always supposing that his legs and feet can stand it. 



Fordham's winning the Derby on Sir Bevys in 1879, 

 furnishes a good illustration of the advantage of paying 

 attention to the state of the ground in a race. The " going " 

 on that day was very heavy and "holding." The great 

 jockey, instead of coming sharp round the rails, took a clear 

 sweep of his horses at the corner, and although he lost some 

 distance by doing so, he got on the upper ground which was 

 firm and sound, and thus managed to win. 



Particularly on a large open course like that at Newmarket, 

 and especially before riding a long race, a jockey should 



