CHASING AND RACING 35 



The libellous paper offered a humble apology and 

 undertook to publish the same, and to pay my costs. 

 They got off cheaply I think 1 



A propos this question of professional jockeys, I 

 regret to say that it was the direct cause of the debacle 

 of the N.P. and G. Club. During my absence from 

 town, a meeting was held at which it was decided that 

 professional jockeys should be allowed to ride at 

 meetings held under the rules of the club ; thus at 

 one stroke the whole aim and endeavour of the original 

 promoters was rendered abortive. Not only was it 

 obvious that an undesirable type of professional would 

 monopolize the weighing-room, but that the class of 

 young aspirants to race-riding fame whom we hoped 

 would be interested in and support the sport, would 

 inevitably be choked off. And so it proved ; for 

 instead of pony racing being lifted to something like 

 a respectable level, it became more and more decadent. 

 The N. P. and G. Club ceased to exist, and there seems 

 no likelihood that the sport will ever be revived, except 

 in irregular and sporadic fashion. If on the three 

 occasions quoted I was unjustly suspected of crooked 

 dealing, I can recall one where appearances were so 

 black that had a complaint been lodged, I should have 

 had but a lame defence ; though, needless to say, I 

 and the other concerned were as innocent as babes 

 unborn. As in after days on the legitimate turf, so 

 in pony racing, I was very keen on matching my ponies 

 against others belonging to friendly rivals. Among 



