III.— MY FIRST WINNERS 



It is a proud moment for a young jockey when 

 he puts his breeches and boots on for the first 

 time, even if he has no spurs, and the world seems 

 to be a glorious place to him as he canters gaily 

 to the post, feeling confident of success. What 

 hopes are centred in that small frame ! If his 

 horse is only good enough ! He is determined 

 to leave no stone unturned, no chance missed, 

 to secure a brilliant victory, perhaps in the last 

 stride by a short head — if by superior jockey- 

 ship, so much the better. Verily, those are 

 thrilling passages in a bright sporting career. 



My first mount in public was on " Pilfer " in the 

 Houndean Plate at Lewes in 1882, and — it is a sad 

 confession to make — I was " down the course." 

 "Pilfer" lacked the speed necessary to do the 

 trick, and I was immensely disappointed. Some- 

 what curiously, my father also rode in that race 

 — we do not often see such an antagonism of 

 near relatives — his mount being Mr T. Radmall's 



27 



