SIXTY YEARS ON THE TURF 



a serious question ; and the authorities tolerated 

 many things their successors would regard with 

 amazement to-day. 



Some funny things have been done at Shrewsbury, 

 particularly at the Autumn Meeting. But whatever 

 took place was generally with an idea to help out 

 some decent sportsmen who at the finish of the 

 season were hard up. The year I have in my mind's 

 eye was that of 1862, and the last day (Friday) of 

 Shrewsbury was the final of the season. Hence with 

 many it was a case of " neck or nothing." On the 

 Thursday, Captain Little, Captain Townley and Mr. 

 George Fade went to Mr. George Angell and said, 

 " Matters are serious. We're all broke. What's to 

 be done ? Can you get up a race ? " 



Angell replied, " I'll think matters over. I've no 

 power. But I'll go and see Hodgman, and talk the 

 matter over with him." 



He approached me with the idea of making up a 

 small handicap, for gentlemen riders, with jockeys 

 the usual extra. I went to Mr. John Frail, sen., 

 and said, " I want you to put another race in for 

 to-morrow, for gentlemen riders. There are four of 

 the swells dead broke, and we must get a race up 

 for them. I know there are already plenty of races 

 on the card, but it will stand this one." 



" All right. I leave the affair in your hands." 



156 



