REGALIA 



to the mare, that gentleman (who was, perhaps, a 

 httle too apt to hsten to the hist adviser) cast about 

 for another jockey. Chaloner, French, Custance, 

 and one or two others were approached, but, to 

 their great credit, entirely declined to supplant a 

 colleague at the last moment, one and all saying 

 that Heartfield, who knew the mare so well, must 

 be able to do as much or more with her than they 

 could. At last, however, John Daley agreed to 

 accept the mount, but said nothing to Heartfield, 

 which is quite easy to understand, as it would not 

 have been a pleasant communication for him to 

 make, and he naturally preferred that the announce- 

 ment should come from some one else. Thus 

 Heartfield was in complete ignorance of the change 

 of plans, and, on the morning of the all-important 

 day, was lying in bed, thinking over the race and 

 casting an occasional eye at a brand-new suit of 

 clothes, in which he felt it was only right that the 

 rider of a prospective winner of such an important 

 race as the Goodwood Cup should presently array 

 himself. These pleasant waking dreams were 

 doomed to be abruptly dispelled. Henry Wool- 

 cot, the trainer of Regalia, came into his bedroom 

 just as he had finished dressing, and began, in 

 somewhat embarrassed fashion, " Heartfield, you 

 mustn't blame me for what I'm going to tell you." 

 Poor Tom felt at once what was coming, and said, 

 *' I know, I'm not to ride the old mare." The dis- 

 appointment was a very bitter one, for no greater 

 injury can be done to a jockey than to supersede 

 him in this fashion, and it is an extreme step 

 which should never be taken unless there are very 

 strong reasons indeed to justify it. Heartfield felt 

 that to be taken off Regalia at the last moment 

 would probably do a young jockey like himself 

 very serious harm, but there was nothing to be 



23 



