TURF REFORMS. 297 



stand, were likewise enforced by him, together with 

 their starting by the aid of flags. More necessary 

 improvements than the latter two there could not 

 possibly be, as it had long been difficult for jockeys 

 to find the horses they were about to ride when 

 saddling- time arrived, and the consequent delay in 

 starting was most vexatious and annoying. At no 

 place were these improvements hailed with greater 

 satisfaction than at Epsom, as the Derby candi- 

 dates were so surrounded by gentlemen and others 

 on horseback that jockeys could not find their 

 mounts. When Lord George suggested these rules 

 and conditions for Epsom, the late Mr Dorling, the 

 clerk of the course (to whom Lord George lent 

 the sum of 5000, thus proving the stepping-stone 

 to that official's successful career), stated that he 

 thought they could not be enforced. Lord George, 

 who was Steward, replied, " If the conditions are 

 that the horses must be saddled in Epsom town, 

 never fear but I will enforce them." His first 

 attempt to start the horses by the flag system was 

 with one flag upon a very long pole, with which 

 he marshalled the horses to the post, walking a 

 little in front of them, and soundly rating any 

 jockey w r ho attempted to advance beyond the line 

 prescribed by the starter. The objection to the 

 one-flag system was soon shown, as the jockeys 

 watched its gradual lowering and attempted to 

 jump off before it had actually fallen. His Lord- 

 ship then instituted the advance-flag ; and was 



