ACROBAT AND OTHER WINNERS 11 



what weights would you try them at ? " " 10 lb., 

 6 furlongs/' I replied. 



" What, you fancy yourself a bit ! " 

 We tried at these weights on the Bourton Hill 

 training ground, and Acrobat won the gallop. 

 ** By gad, old man," said Mr. Weever, " that horse 

 is worth £400.'' He was in two races at Sutton Park, 

 Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham, and I rode him 

 in both races. I asked Mr. Weever to put me £10 

 on my horse, and do as he liked for himself. The 

 horse won easily. I got £60 to £10, and he had a 

 good race himself. At that time I was his owner, 

 trainer, jockey, and groom. Acrobat was a very 

 impetuous and high-couraged horse. In those 

 days many of the courses were roped instead of 

 railed as they are now. He had not forgotten his 

 race the first day, and on the second day, when he 

 was led out on the course, the lad stuck to his 

 head too long, and when he let go of the bridle the 

 horse was sideways across the course instead of 

 facing down it ; and as the horse would always 

 charge blindly in the direction he happened to be 

 facing when he was excited, he made straight for 

 the ropes and went clean over them into the 

 crowd, with me on him. 



When we were over the ropes he knocked a 

 ginger-beer stall over ; people struggling, women 

 picking up their dresses and screaming. We were 



