24 Horse Racing. 



CHAPTEK ly. 



ON STARTING — RIDING RACES — JOCKEYS. 



The hete noire of racing is the unsatisfactory 

 system of starting, and the helplessness of 

 the official starter to control the audacity of 

 the young jockeys, who frequently set him at 

 defiance. Many persons ascribe the failures to 

 the numerous short races. But some of the worst 

 starts on record are of the Derby and St. Leger. 

 In the olden time, when the Baker started the 

 horses at Epsom, it was considered a good business 

 if they got off within the hour. 



The late Lord Gr. Bentinck put an end to these 

 follies. Invested with full power to fine and sus- 

 pend, he had no difficulty in starting a large field 

 for a half-mile race. He laid down a rule that 

 the evidence of the jockey was not to be listened 

 to, and the statement of the starter not to be con- 

 tradicted. The theory was unconstitutional, but 

 in practice it worked well ; his success was perfect ; 

 the present situation of racing affairs differs widely 



