302 RACECOUESE AND COVERT SIDE. 



known fact that, with a few exceptions which 

 point the rule, men who live by racing, owners 

 of small studs and such like, are consistently 

 moderate in their investments. It is notorious 

 that one of the most successful owners and 

 trainers of steeplechasers — a man with two or 

 three stables full of horses — rarely or never 

 exceeds an outlay of two sovereigns on his 

 animals. A jockey of world-wide fame, who is 

 also owner and trainer of one of the largest 

 collections of horses in England, on rare occa- 

 sions ventures £50, on what he has convinced 

 himself is a comparatively certain chance ; but 

 as a very general custom he does not exceed 

 a bet of £10. Yet another famous jockey, 

 attached some years ago to one of the most 

 successful of training stables, was accustomed to 

 reply, when asked what he would like to have 

 in the stable commission, that he should be glad 

 to venture a couple of pounds. The fact that he 

 did not make money, or rather that he did not 

 manage to retain the money he made, was well 

 known, and surprised his employers. " If he 

 betted it would be comprehensible," it was said ; 

 and, in fact, on the quiet he did bet heavily, 

 and lost his liberal earnings and presents 

 accordingly. 



This may look very trivial to those who read 



