18 FLAT-RACING EXPLAINED. 



What was thought to be practical then is perhaps 

 more of theory now; but, as far as can be seen, no 

 signal benefit has come by the change. In the re- 

 searches of pedigree, as in the elucidation of the 

 mysteries of racing, the ambition of all is, of course, 

 to be practical, as well as far-seeing. That this 

 ambition, however, has been realized by many may 

 be open to doubt- — and I think very much doubt — 

 when judged by one's common understanding. 



I may have taken an erroneous view— I hope I 

 have — of the opinions generally entertained by 

 racing men on racing subjects, but I have never 

 regarded them, I am bound to observe, as par- 

 taking of a very high standard. I happen to be 

 acquainted with a good many owners, and amongst 

 the trainers I think only a few would be able to 

 say I was not personally known to them. Then, of 

 the general followers of the noble pastime I have 

 rather an extended acquaintance, so I have the 

 means, at any rate, of forming a fairly accurate 

 notion of what racing opinion is among racing men. 



It is always futile to make sweeping allegations, 

 and extremely wrong, I should say, at any time, if 

 not well founded. But racing men, in my experi- 

 ence, are much given to taking a superficial view 

 of events and circumstances, only to be construed 

 in the light of what has grown to be a sort of ac- 



