On Starting — Riding Races — Jockeys. 25 



from that of 1845. The number of races, and the 

 fields of horses have increased 30 per cent. During 



Houghton Meeting we average ten races per 

 diem, an hour's delay of wheeling into line brings 

 s into the dark before we can accomplish our 

 programme ; so much therefore the greater neces- 

 sity for stern discipline and speedy justice. 



In 1862 it was proposed to alter the 42nd Eule, 

 imposing fines for the three first offences, and to 

 substitute a suspension, according to the degi'ee of 

 the offence ; every man connected with the Turf 

 being aware that the fines were seldom paid by 

 the jockeys, they were added to the training bills. 

 Many horse-owners, standing to win a large stake, 

 would be happy to pay 2ol as a fair investment 

 for an advantageous start : the proposal was not 

 agreed to ; and the following spring the starting 

 was worse than ever. Therefore in 1863 the 

 Jockey Club unanimously passed the clause which 

 they had previously negatived. Suspension is our 

 only remedy, we have very few complaints under 

 the management of Mr. McGeorge, except occa- 

 sionally at the end of the Houghton Meeting, 

 because suspension at the end of the season is not 

 so onerous. 



Nothing can be more disorderly than the system 

 of starting on the provincial race-courses. The 



