i TURF REFORM i6i 



j for horses which, entered to be sold for £^0^ 

 I fetch a thousand or more when sold by auction. 

 In October 1873 there was a somewhat 

 amazing sequel to the legislative enactment of 

 1869, and the co-relative discussion of 1870. 

 At a meeting of the Jockey Club held during the 

 progress of the Houghton Meeting, Mr. Caledon 

 Alexander moved : 



That that part of Rule 15 which prohibits two-year- 

 olds running until the ist of May be rescinded, and that 

 I two-year-olds be allowed to run at and after the first 

 legitimate meeting of the season. 

 Mr. Stirling Crawfurd seconded the motion, 

 and Mr. George Payne presented a memorial in 

 Its favour. Mr, Chaplin and General Peel 

 advocated the retention of the rule unaltered, 

 but, on a division, the change was agreed to by 

 sixteen votes to fourteen. So the restriction 

 brought about by Sir Joseph Hawley*s advocacy 

 was in force four years only. The vacillation of 

 the Jockey Club revealed by this volte-face gave 

 rise to much criticism. It was very properly 

 argued that the rule passed in 1869 had not been 

 long enough in operation to enable its value to 

 be ascertained. The idea prevailed that the 

 reversion to the status quo ante was the result 

 of pressure exercised on behalf of meetings 

 held in the spring at Lincoln and Northampton. 

 Admiral Rous voted in favour of the motion. Sir 



M 



