138 THE TURF 



important, and notwithstanding the fact that they 

 know nothing of the sport they are requested to 

 control. There must be at least two stewards, whose 

 task it IS to see that in all respects the Rules of Racing 

 are observed and obeyed ; and some knowledge of 

 these Rules is obviously essential. Any disputes 

 which arise are submitted to the stewards, who seek 

 the best evidence obtainable, and act accordingly. If 

 an owner or jockey make an objection for foul riding, 

 bumping, or some such offence, intentional or uninten- 

 tional, the stewards hear what he has to say, examine 

 other jockeys who have ridden in the race, obtain the 

 judge's version of the affair, and sustain or overrule 

 the objection as they may consider just. They may 

 suspend an offender for the rest of the meeting, and 

 in some cases inflict fines. When serious offences are 

 committed, the stewards of meetings usually report 

 the matter to the Stewards of the Jockey Club, who 

 investigate the subject, and, if proof be forthcoming, 

 sentence the culprits to such penalties as they decide 

 will meet the justice of the case. If stewards of 

 meetings did with more strictness what they were 

 appointed to do, there would be much less scandal and 

 suspicion than are at present found on the Turf. One 

 does not want a steward to be fussy and unnecessarily 

 prone to investigate ; but there are occasions when 

 horses or their riders perform oddly, when perhaps the 

 betting has foreshadowed or suggested something 

 suspicious, and when, after the race, shrewd and ex- 



