

SIXTY YEARS ON THE TURF 



himself. Of course being human, he made mistakes 

 at times. But, considering his opportunities of 

 error, his work was singularly free from blunders. 

 Handicapping when the Admiral, voluntarily, and 

 without notion of financial gain, assumed command 

 was no matter of rule and thumb, and though his 

 position in the Jockey Club placed him beyond the 

 province of hampering criticism it was his courage 

 and ability that gained him the respect of all 

 healthy-minded sportsmen. It has been said that 

 he was prejudiced and obstinate. Granting that he 

 was tenacious in his opinions, it must be urged that 

 his so-called prejudices were based on knowledge of 

 the people he dealt with. No owner and no trainer 

 had to fear the Admiral if the game were played 

 with a fair regard to the decencies. When anybody 

 complained to him about his treatment of a horse, he 

 would say, "Well, run him ! If you don't run him 

 how can I tell what he is ? Run ! and when I know 

 your horse's true form I will give you a chance. Not 

 till then." 



On his courage I would lay special emphasis, as I 

 think the absence of a spice of dash and daring is 

 one of the defects of our present-day officials. They 

 seem to work as though ever the acceptance was in 

 their mind's eye, and in trying to ensure the con- 

 tentment of the best horses, the bad too often go by 



44 



