RACING REFORM. 315 



Ascot, Goodwood, and Doncaster will remain — 

 if they do remain — the only meetings in part 

 open to the non-paying public. Newmarket may 

 be said to be already moving in the direction 

 of gate-money. 



It is perhaps better that such a change should 

 take place, racing being now more a business 

 than a pastime. It is not an easy task to dis- 

 guise the fact that the chief end and aim of the 

 horse-racing of the period is gambling; the bigger 

 the meeting the greater the gamble, as those who 

 attend race meetings can discern for themselves. 

 A few staunch votaries of the turf who do not 

 bet are still left, no doubt, to indulge in horse- 

 racing for itself, that is to say, for the pleasure 

 they derive in witnessing the sport, and in some 

 instances because it affords them an opportunity 

 of trying their hands at breeding ; but it is not 

 too much to affirm that of every hundred persons 

 now " on the turf," ninety and nine of the number 

 are gamblers. 



For twenty years and more the opportunities 

 for gambling by means of the horse have been 

 multiplying on all sides ; at all meetings the 

 loudest noise emanates from men who are trying 

 to incite other men to gamble. To-day the horse 

 is our greatest instrument of gambling. A hundred 

 years ago the public were demoralised by means 

 of lotteries ; but the money then changing hands 

 was assuredly not one -hundredth part of the 

 amount which changes hands to-day in connection 

 with one or two of our important races. Next 

 in extent to the speculation of the Stock 

 Exchange and produce markets comes the 

 gambling which takes place on such popular 



