Backing Horses 



bookmakers, whom we may "nod" at with 

 respect. His attention is not distracted by 

 external or sordid considerations touching, as it 

 were, the root of all evil : hence that popular 

 expression, " grovelling amongst the roots." He 

 is satisfied with his legitimate emoluments. 

 What a nice "long stocking" he will surely 

 acquire in time if he does not break a leg or 

 two ! 



Yet, truly, there is another aspect of the 

 case to be studied. A jockey who is training 

 and riding is entitled to have a bet on his 

 own horses. When I had over thirty jumpers 

 in my stable, and one of them was found to 

 have a delectable chance for a race, I was not 

 afraid to support him in a modest way ; and, 

 naturally, this confession is wrung from me as 

 painlessly as if it were not a tooth that had 

 seen its best day. Other trainers will tell you 

 the same. They are not likely to grow very 

 fat internally — I mean as to their pocket — 

 unless they can back a winner or two of their 

 own occasionally. Not for them, as a rule, are 

 the " presents " bestowed on a jockey after his 

 brilliant series of triumphs. My father used 

 to make that point clear to us. 



" Here am I," he would say, " with all the 

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