BUSINESS OF HORSE-RACING 99 



Lord George was well able to keep the most re- 

 fractory jockeys in order, and so ensure a fair start. 



VI. 



" It was a glorious sight," says a racing en- 

 thusiast, writing under the signature of " Martin- 

 gale," " to see Lord George Bentinck, flag in hand, 

 walking at the head of a field of horses, and con- 

 ducting them to the starting-point in as compact 

 a body as possible, every eye pointed in one 

 direction, every elevated position occupied from 

 which a view could be obtained, the course 

 perfectly clear, the sun lighting up the brilliant 

 colours of the jockeys' dresses, gleaming with more 

 hues than the rainbow, the reins handled, the spirit 

 manifested by the equine competitors, the result 

 doubtful, victory or defeat hanging in the balance. 

 The word ' go ' was given by the noble starter, 

 and the flag dropped, and away rushed the 

 mighty host with terrific speed, presenting a 

 spectacle so imposing and so exciting as never to 

 be obliterated from the minds of those who had 

 the high gratification of beholding it." 



There are votaries of the turf who prefer to 

 see the start rather than the finish of a race ; but 

 at some meetings, as at Doncaster, both the 

 beginning and the conclusion of the more ex- 

 citinor contests can be seen. 



• • • 



A race terminates at the wmnmg-post, where 

 sits the judge to determine which of the runners 

 is to be declared victor, and which two horses are 

 to have the honour of being placed. 



On rare occasions, in two or three instances 

 only, has it happened of late that a judge has been 



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