CHAPTER VI 



ON THE FLAT 



So far as racing goes steeplechasing has been Mr. Bibby's 

 favourite sport. He has nevertheless run a certain 

 number of horses on the flat, for the most part home 

 bred, and in the future it is probable that he may be 

 found devoting more attention to racing under Jockey 

 Club Rules. Not many flat races have been won by 

 bearers of the colours. Racing is conducted on two 

 different principles. An owner may be exceedingly 

 anxious to win whatever he can, and places his animals 

 accordingly so that he may be able to back them with 

 what appears to be good prospect of winning his money ; 

 or he may adopt a far more sporting attitude, take his 

 chance in races the winning of which would gain reputa- 

 tion for his representatives, having no regard to the 

 odds ; and as previously remarked Mr. Bibby does not 

 bet. 



Holy Smoke 

 There can be little doubt that Holy Smoke, a son 

 of Ayrshire and Halo — the dam an animal about whom 

 there will presently be something to say — would have 



206 



