SIXTY YEARS ON THE TURF 



say, than some, even of the aristocracy, would 

 have done who played the "great game" In the 

 " Forties." But Colonel — afterwards General — Peel 

 was a grand specimen of the English sporting 

 gentleman, and, happily, we do not look in vain 

 for worthy successors in this the first year of a 

 New Century. 



Racing in those far off days was not, in the 

 matter of stakes, conducted on the present lavish 

 scale. Owners had, in the main, to find their own 

 money. For their profit they were forced to look to 

 their dealings with the holders of books. One has 

 heard, and still hears, of owners who do not and 

 never have betted, and who yet maintain extensive 

 establishments. I am not surprised ; nor is there 

 need for wonder. If a stud of fair class horses is 

 decently managed, it should, year in and year out, 

 pay its way, to say nothing of the point of profit. 

 I won, I venture to state, as many races as most of 

 my period. But a glance at my Weatherby's books 

 in no year discloses the netting of great sums : for 

 the sufficient reason that the sums, like the Spanish 

 Fleet on a memorable occasion, were then not in 

 sight. Sometimes stakes, even when won, were of 

 visionary character. The thing would not be 

 tolerated now. But fifty years ago laxity prevailed, 

 and if your horse was let in very nicely it was 



