WHY THE JOCKEY SHOULD CONTROL. 36 r 



sometimes actually knows the form of his own horses. 

 Moreover, the owner shares in this triumph of genius 

 as well as the betting-men and touts, and through 

 them the public at large. Such universal knowledge 

 ought to extend its benefits to all that take part in 

 the amusement ; but somehow we don't quite find 

 it so in practice; for we are continually hearing wails 

 from disappointed owners, and of their censuring their 

 trainers for allowing secrets to escape before they 

 have taken advantage of knowledge that they should 

 have had exclusively to themselves. Trainers are 

 seldom satisfied with the results, which are often more 

 disappointing to themselves than to anyone else. 

 Jockeys, through the superior knowledge and the op- 

 portunities which no other people possess, given them 

 by the kindness of owners and trainers, in riding- so 

 many trials, properly ' rule the roast.' But ' we 

 cannot all be masters, nor can all the masters be 

 truly followed.' Yet owners, through the advice of 

 their jockeys and trainers, do often win large stakes, 

 and so may be said to be served ; an admitted fact for 

 which jockeys, as they should be, are always well 

 paid, and the trainer occasionally personally thanked. 

 In the present day, many wondrous facts have 

 been brought to light, which, but for the ingenuity 

 and indomitable pluck of the jockey, may have for 

 ever lain concealed in the hidden womb of time. 

 Owners see this, and for their own ends eagerly seize 

 the ' golden opportunity ' of securing the services of 



