254 



THE RACING WORLD 



there was (and is) the energetic and hardworking 

 tout, and the man who would not take very much 

 trouble, but preferred to do his touting in the 

 public-house. But those of us who really meant 

 business would be on the look-out most of the 

 night and the early morning, waiting for the 

 trials to come off. I am speaking now of 

 Mr. Merry's time. 



A good tout has to be pretty well up in his 

 work. He must know the horses, as, if he does 

 not, when they are tried he will be unable to 

 furnish an accurate account of the trial. As in 

 watching a horse-race, so in watching trials, you 

 must keep your eyes on the riders and see what 

 they are doing ; this was more important in the 

 old days than it is now, as many trainers would 

 then get up " bogey " gallops, and it was only a 

 good judge of riding who could tell when the 

 jockeys were doing their best. 



It may seem strange, but it is nevertheless true, 

 that at times owners employed touts to watch the 

 work done by their own horses, to make sure that 

 the trainers were doing justice to their animals. 

 I recollect, as a young man, when I was with 

 my father, who, in addition to keeping a public- 

 house, made a book and employed touts, that he 

 used to change the cheques of a man who was at 



