54 CANADIAN TURF RECOLLECTIONS 



''Gus" Thomas, then proprietor of the English Chop 

 House, now a retired capitalist, was in those days one of 

 the most ardent followers of the 'chase. He rode at this 

 meeting in one or two of the jumping events and came 

 mighty near passing in his cheques. His horse fell and 

 rolled over on top of him, and before he could be extri- 

 cated the animal gave him the full benefit of his weight. 

 Only the deep sand on the track and the sparse form of 

 the rider saved him from being flattened out like a pan- 

 cake. He was picked up in a badly damaged condition, 

 put into a cab and driven quickly to the city. He was 

 confined to his room for about a week, when he reap- 

 peared somewhat the worse for wear, but still game 

 enough to go over the sticks again. 



The expenses in connection with the meeting were 

 heavy. The writer had a large tent erected for the 

 accommodation of the officials of the Club and their in- 

 vited guests, the members of the Toronto Hunt. About 

 eighty gentlemen partook of his hospitality, among them 

 being many of the representative men of the province. 



The officials of the meeting were: Sir Cassimir 

 Gzowski, the Hon. D. L. McPherson (afterwards Sir 

 David), Mr. Hector Cameron, Captain Elwes, the Hon. 

 C. I. Douglas, Dr. Andrew Smith, Angus Morrison, M.P., 

 Hon. John Beverley Kobinson (afterwards Lieutenant- 

 Governor of Ontario), and several others whose names 

 have escaped my memory. 



Of all these enumerated, how few remain. The list 

 includes the names of some of the boldest front riders 

 that ever wore a huntsman's coat. Nearly all have rid- 

 den their last race, and to-day their names are but a 

 memory. Those of the old guard who are here cannot 

 recall the enjoyments of past days on the Canadian turf 

 without a feeling of sorrow for the many good men and 

 true that have dropped by the way. 



Though much pleasure was taken out of racing in the 

 days of yore, there was not much profit. The almighty 

 dollar was not appreciated then quite as much as it is at 

 the present time. The sons of Israel had not swarmed 



