152 THE TURF 



the money is lost at once. Having shown inability 

 to win important stakes, an animal may be entered for 

 little handicaps, and being beaten in them so add to 

 the total of loss. In order to run he must be ridden, 

 and here the payment of jockey comes in. The set 

 fee is three guineas for a losing mount on the flat, five 

 guineas for a win ; but, in addition to this, special 

 terms have to be made in order to secure the services 

 of particularly accomplished horsemen, either by agree- 

 ment for a sum per mount, or in the way of a retainer 

 for first, second, or, in the case of riders who are 

 much sought after, even a third call on the jockey's 

 services. The writer of this book has been commis- 

 sioned by a friend to offer as much as 4,000 guineas a 

 year for first call on a popular jockey — who was com- 

 pelled to refuse. It will be perceived that when an 

 owner is anxious that the fullest justice shall be done 

 to his horses, the jockey's payment is an important 

 item. Travelling is another expense. Most of the 

 leading owners have their own vans on the railway, 

 which is not only a convenience, as the van is always 

 ready when wanted, but also to a great extent a safe- 

 guard against disease, as in a public horse-box an 

 animal affected by some infectious ailment may have 

 left mischief behind for the next user. Stabline at 

 the place where the meeting is being held is a further 

 detail, though of late the managers of a few courses, 

 in order to attract horses to run, have offered stabline 

 and forage free. There are some few additional 



