366 TRAINERS AND JOCKEYS. 



up and win an exciting race by a bare head. Another, 

 differently gifted though equally talented, takes and 

 keeps the lead and wins in a canter. This, however, 

 is not the popular style, nor is it liked by owners, 

 who foolishly think it may expose their horse unduly. 

 Nor is it gratifying to the artist himself; for, instead 

 of receiving the ovation which the other is sure of, 

 he may be derisively informed, on his return to the 

 scales, that ' any butcher could have done that.' It 

 has the advantage, certainly, of making the race 

 secure, which the more admired style lacks. For the 

 most approved and elegant way of riding of the 

 leading jockeys, is to wait till the last few strides, and, 

 if they have only a few pounds in hand, to come with 

 a tremendous rush at the last jump and win or lose 

 by a head. This is truly effective. To the rider it 

 is of no earthly consequence, for he is sure of an 

 ovation ; though to the disappointed owner it makes 

 a difference. To say that the jockey with a stroke or 

 two of his whip fairly ' lifts ' the tired creature for 

 the last few strides is not an exaggerated expression, 

 and one that may often be heard emanating from 

 lucky backers — that is, should the horse win. But 

 wdiether in making play or in waiting, our jockeys 

 seem as much at home in one way as the other, and 

 without adulation may fairly be said to be men of 

 great eminence in their great profession. Indeed, I 

 have often, w 7 ith painful forebodings, thought what a 

 distressing loss it would be to the world, more 



