172 JOCKEYS. 



then we have The Cur and Collingivood ■sX Goodwood ; and of 

 later date, Viridis and Land Tax at Stockbridge. But why 

 multiply instances ? Enough, I think, has been shown of such 

 disgraceful exhibitions to induce the authorities to take the 

 matter in hand, and make a rule more stringent ; so that in 

 future, if any owner runs two horses in a race, and declares to 

 win with one, should the other come in first (provided they are 

 first and second), he should be placed as the last horse in the 

 race, and the stakes and bets be awarded to the second, or 

 " declared " winner, and so render to the owner that which he 

 is justly entitled to, and will always expect, at the hands of an 

 impartial and all-powerful tribunal — his rights. The offending 

 jockey should in every case be heavily fined and suspended. 



This modification, I think, would meet the exigencies of 

 the case better than by doing away altogether with the 

 custom as it now stands. It would be a great injustice to 

 owners who may have two or more horses in a race if they 

 are not allowed the privilege of declaring to win as heretofore ; 

 for the best horse may be hors de combat from a variety of 

 untoward circumstances, and if fortunate enough to win with 

 his worst, it would afford him a little consolation for the dis- 

 appointment with the other. Moreover, it would help the 

 entries and strengthen the fields, and so in both and other 

 ways act beneficially on racing in general. 



Yours obediently. 



An Owner. 



With these observations on declarations to win, the consi- 

 deration of the performances in the saddle of to-day may fitly 

 terminate in this place ; although when we come to discuss 

 weights, and, later, to offer suggestions for remedies of cur- 

 rent practices, the evils of the prevalence of light-weight 

 riders will again come before us. These two chapters, it is 

 trusted, may suffice to show how desirable it is, before sending 

 your horses to the post, to have secured the services, if it has 

 been practicable to do so, of an able and upright jockey. 



