DISASTROUS RESULTS OF BOYS RIDING. 273 



of many others, being only one example out of numbers. 

 This danger is in itself a proof of the necessity of doing 

 away with these pigmies as jockeys. If clerks of courses 

 and handicappers will continue to adhere to the present 

 ridiculously low scale, and the Jockey Club do not take the 

 matter into its own all-powerful hands ; then, it may be ex- 

 pected that the legislature will interfere, and by fixing a 

 minimum weight of seven-stone, confer a benefit on the racing 

 community, and put a stop to a reckless and useless waste of 

 life and limb. Action was taken, not very long ago, with 

 respect to performances on the trapeze and other things, in 

 which the sacrifice of life had been trivial compared to that 

 which is caused on the race-course. In fact, it is almost a 

 common occurrence to hear that this or the other jockey has 

 been killed on the course or maimed for life ; the result of 

 the sensational exhibition of tiny lads, who would be in the 

 proper place out of harm's way in a dame's school, instead of 

 endangering not only their own but the lives of all jockeys 

 unfortunate enough to be riding with them, besides risking 

 injury to spectators who are frequently knocked down and 

 ridden over. 



It is a wonder to me that the old jockeys do not in a body 

 respectfully solicit their employers not to ask them to ride 

 in such company, or indeed with any one under seven stone. 

 Should a deputation selected from our able riders ask per- 

 mission to wait on the Jockey Club, or one of the stewards, 

 to represent the real state of the case, I think that very 

 likely the request would be granted, and the grievance com- 

 plained of, be redressed. The evil unfortunately is on the 

 increase ; and nothing will in my opinion, as I have said 

 before, stop it, but the raising of the weights to a seven- 

 stone minimum. 



T 



