RIDING THE RACE. 



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37 



which has very often described races wliich ought to have 

 ended otherwise than they did, and it is beyond reasonable 

 doubt that a Grand National has been won because the ex- 

 perienced guide, philosopher, and friend of the successful rider 

 took his whip away before the start. 



It may be necessary to hit a sluggish horse during a race 

 if he jump carelessly or show a disposition to lie out of his 

 ground ; but when the whip is wanted to drive a game and 

 willing horse to make the supreme effort in a race, it is worse 

 than useless to begin to flog him half a mile from the post. 

 He cannot maintain the pressure, and will shrink from*continued 



' He took up his whip and stopped his horse.* 



punishment, the effect of which wall be to make him shorten 

 his stride. The being in too great a hurry to reach home 

 prevents many riders from ever reaching home successfully. If 

 when the little experienced jockey feels the temptation to use 

 his whip he would refrain and, instead, take a pull at his horse 

 for some half-dozen strides to steady and prepare it for the run 

 home, his prospects of victory would, in nineteen cases out of 

 twenty, be largely enhanced. There are generous horses that 

 make their effort, falter, and come again ; but these are rare, 

 and when this is seen it is probably the case that they have been 

 badly ridden, the first run having been made too soon. 



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