RAPID ADVANCE. 355 



to consider the profession of racing in its more prac- 

 tical surroundings. We have only lately seen ' the 

 blue ribbon of Altcar ' fall to an elderly trainer of a 

 much-respected family living in the North. Indeed r 

 in these days, few gentlemen can boast of so laro;e a 

 kennel of greyhounds as our jockeys and trainers 

 often possess. This is but one feature of the all- 

 round success of the present generation, accounted 

 for in those engaged in the profession by the great 

 rapidity with Avhich they rise from one extreme of it 

 to the other. One day its adherent will be a boy in 

 the stable and a learner ; the next, a proficient teacher 

 of the subtle art, himself a trainer and owner of race- 

 horses, with a stud in value far above what the- 

 generality of employers can compass. And if these 

 quickly self-made men seldom run their horses in 

 their own name, it but shows a creditable diffidence- 

 which much becomes them. 



Formerly trainers used to bring their sons up to> 

 the profession, and when they reached the age of 

 twenty-five or thirty, thought they might be toler- 

 ably efficient, and generally took upon themselves the 

 responsibility of conducting their own affairs. No 

 stable-boy then came quickly to the dignity of a 

 master ; because, in selfishness, the trainer would not 

 instruct him sufficiently, and reveal secrets of the 

 profession that were necessary for him to know in 

 order to successfully contend with his employer's son. 



How many do so now? To-day precocious boys are 



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