THE NOBLE ART OF BACKING WINNERS I 59 



find, than coming from pillar to post with 

 one run a la Tod Sloan ; and as this 

 young gentleman is creating quite a 

 furore throughout this country from one 

 end to the other just now, and creating 

 a greater stir in sporting circles than any 

 jockey has done since Archers day, it 

 may be as well just to criticize him to 

 start with. 



I have closely studied Sloan's mode 

 of procedure, from mounting to dis- 

 mounting, and have come to the con- 

 clusion that he is undoubtedly a fine 

 horseman, as far as being on good terms 

 with his horse and his hands are con- 

 cerned. In the first place, he is averse 

 to tight-girthing when first the saddle 

 is put on, and as this often takes place 

 some twenty minutes before it is necessary 

 to get up, there's reason in it. He 

 usually gives his horse a familiar pat 



