TURF REFORM 159 



From the great majority of the replies it would appear 

 that were the date at which two-year-olds might first 

 run fixed at a later period than at present it would make 

 little difference in the work they would have to undergo, 

 and that, except in the case of large horses, running them 

 in moderation after May i is not likely to prove in 

 any way prejudicial. Your committee, therefore, do 

 not consider that any case is made out to warrant the 

 alteration of the rule made last year which permits two- 

 year-olds to run on the ist of May. 



A series of resolutions based on the findings 

 of the committee was submitted to a General 

 Meeting of the Jockey Club in July. When 

 that relative to the racing of two-year-olds came 

 under consideration, Sir Joseph Hawley moved, 

 and Mr. Chaplin seconded, an amendment 

 providing " that the ist of July be substituted 

 for the 1st of May as the earliest date at which 

 two-year-olds may run.** This proposal was, 

 however, defeated by twenty-eight votes to ten, 

 and so Sir Joseph had to retire from the combat 

 discomfited. 



All the time I knew him Sir Joseph Hawley 

 was strongly opposed to the racing of two-year- 

 olds early in the season; and he practised what 

 he preached, for he seldom produced one before 

 Ascot. Blue Gown was one of the very few 

 youngsters allowed to run in the spring, but he 

 was an altogether exceptional horse and always 

 ready to run. Sir Joseph^s policy was in no 



