HANDICAPPERS 215 



cannot enter into the calculations of the framer 

 of the weights. Horses may fall, as they did at 

 Epsom in the year 1902, or bolt out of the course 

 as did Cupbearer at Ascot, or be upset even by 

 a stray dog or a stupid man as has happened from 

 time to time. Then there was at one time the 

 question of " doping " to be considered. Very 

 few people seem to understand the nature of 

 " doping " ; but one thing is certain, that it is 

 something in the nature of a drug, applied inter- 

 nally or externally as the case may be, which has 

 a stimulating effect upon a horse for a time and 

 gives him a kind of Dutch courage so long as 

 he is under its influence. When the effect has 

 worn off after repeated employment, the horse is 

 practically useless for racing, whilst there can be no 

 doubt that for breeding purposes the animal is also 

 very seriously injured. This injurious use of drugs 

 has recently been the subject of a rule framed by 

 the Jockey Club, who, moreover, did not act in 

 haste. It had previously been made penal by 

 racing law in America. Although difficult of 

 detection, the mere fact of its being subject to 

 pains and penalties at the hands of that august body 

 the Jockey Club should act as a very stringent 

 preventative. 



There is no royal road to success in handicap- 



