JOCKEYS. 357 



by the superior acumen of the boy who rides the 

 winner. 



The talents of jockeys vary considerably. 

 One will lie in wait with his horse and "steal" 

 the race from his opponent so quietly and win 

 by so short a distance as to excite wonderment 

 as to how it was all brought about. Another 

 boy, if he feels that the horse he is riding is 

 equal to the task, will make his way to the 

 front and force the race from beginning to end 

 with, so to speak, a flourish of trumpets. All 

 that a jockey has learned, all that he knows, 

 must be brought into requisition in the supreme 

 minute or two which is devoted to the struggle. 

 If a jockey has any talent, then is the time for its 

 exhibition. Whilst the race is being ridden the 

 owner and trainer of the horse engaged in the 

 contest busily survey the scene with all attention 

 through their powerful field-glasses, so that they 

 are able to see whether or not their instructions are 

 being obeyed by the jockey who is riding their 

 horse. 



A jockey riding in an important handicap has 

 need of all the firmness and nerve he can command. 

 A moment's inattention may lose him the race ; 

 there are others quite ready to take advantage of 

 any mistakes he may make. He must have a 

 good head and a fine hand ; with the one he 

 examines and judges the horses which are racing 

 alongside of him, so as to note their power and 

 see what their jockeys are doing ; with his hands 

 he feels the strength of the animal he is himself 

 riding, so as to be able to regulate its pace and 

 ^' bring" it at the right moment for a supreme 

 effort. Any want of ability or misconduct on the 



