BRITISH TURF. 585 



we will call the " science of jockeyship or race- 

 riding." 



The principal point in which the jockey's seat 

 differs from every other, arises from the comparative 

 shortness of the stirrups ; for, as the race-horse, 

 in running, sinks down in his fore quarters, in his 

 stride, to the extent of several inches,* no man 

 with long stirrups could seat himself with a suffi- 

 cient purchase in the saddle, to obtain a good re- 

 sisting power for holding his horse. 



To obtain the necessary seat, the jockey should 

 sit with his fork well down in the saddle, his stir- 

 rups being of sufficient length to enable him to 

 clear his pummel when he stands up in them in 

 the race. 



Having been lifted into his saddle by the trainer, 

 after carefully inspecting the saddling of his horse, 

 so as to be certain that every thing is secure, we 

 will proceed with our jockey, seated in the manner 

 we have described, to the race-course. Having 



Although the distresses of jockies do not come before the pubhc, 

 nevertheless, there have been, as, indeed, there are still, but too many- 

 cases in which the benefits conferred by such an institution, would 

 be very acceptable, as the following cases prove. The famous John 

 Singleton, one of the riders of the Eclipse, and the first winner of the 

 Doncaster St. Leger, 1776, died a pauper in Chester workhouse ; and 

 Jack Oakley, the jockey who most frequently rode the same famous 

 horse, died in a parish poor-house, near Park Lane. 



* The celebrated " Eclipse," who was naturally low in his fore 

 quarters, sunk nearly eight inches. 



