336 A MIRROR OF THE TURF. 



"spin" when Rubyman finds it to his advantage 

 that they should do so, and at all times the 

 commissioner has the best of it. If Trumper's 

 horses are not trying, it is certain that they have 

 been well milked for behoof of trainer and com- 

 missioner. In consequence, old Robert Girth, 

 Trumper's trainer, is a rich man, who could at any 

 moment throw up training and live upon his 

 means. Vej^b. sap. In such matters a strong arm 

 is required to wield the besom of turf reform. 



One other subject may be now discussed. 

 Gentlemen are known to give heavy presents to 

 jockeys riding in a race in which they themselves 

 have a competing animal. Surely that practice 

 is indefensible — in the opinion of the writer it is 

 very reprehensible, and ought to be sternly put 

 down. For one owner of a horse riding in a race 

 to say to a boy who is piloting another gentle- 

 man's animal in the same contest, " I have put 

 you on a hundred to nothing, my lad, if I win," is 

 little less than criminal. 



The rumours, too, which during late years 

 have been prevalent of " a ring," of which certain 

 trainers and jockeys reap the benefit, have yet to 

 be effectually sifted ; where there is smoke there is 

 sure to be fire. The difficulty of obtaining reliable 

 evidence as to such goings on is no doubt great, 

 but not insurmountable ; at any rate, an effort 

 should be made to trace some of the rumours to 

 their fountain-head, and if there be guilt, no 

 punishment which may be meted to the offenders 

 will be thought too severe. 



The Jockey Club has, it is known, taken action 

 of a kind in the matter of the scandals referred to, 

 particularly as regards the immoderate betting of 



