SIXTY YEARS ON THE TURF 



figures unfortunately have been exalted. In truth, 

 one hears of thousands, and fifteen hundreds, and 

 two thousands, and more, as though money were 

 plentiful as dirt in the gutter. These figures ofier a 

 striking contrast to those that prevailed in the days 

 of Mr. Greville, who was a deal incensed w^ien 

 somebody offered his jockey, Flatman, fifty pounda 

 a year for third claim ! " Fifty pounds a year for 

 third claim ! " exclaimed the owner of Muscovite 

 incredulously. " J9o you want to "imin my jockey ?" 

 Of course, rates of pay all round have risen since 

 Mr. Greville's days, but they have not risen with 

 jockey-ratio, else would employers be in sad financial 

 plight. My boys, and other people's boys, on 

 occasions got nothing beyond their wages, and they 

 jumped at the opportunity of practice. I insist on 

 practice because I am no believer in " infant 

 phenomena." Naturally, when a boy comes into a 

 stable he must show some adaptability for the 

 business of riding. That, I fancy, is an essential in 

 all departments. Failing adaptability tuition is a 

 waste of time ; and the indentures can in the cases 

 of inadaptability usually be amicably cancelled. 

 The plea of trainers, as I have stated, will be that 

 the absence of incentive is in the disinclination of 

 owners. Truly, if in these times you are not a fashion- 

 able — or an American — you stand in danger of being 



265 



