JOCKEYS. 



315 



favourite, but frequently the favourite holds that 

 position simply because Archer rides. The 

 figures remain. If he not seldom has the best 

 horse, having been secured by owners who feel 

 sure of success if their animals are only well 

 ridden, sometimes he has to ride horses which 

 practically have no chance ; but, putting all 

 these considerations aside, figures show that for 

 a long time past he has ridden about two winners 

 on an average on five mounts. His successes 

 this year are the more surprising, because he is 

 debarred from riding in many races owing to the 

 fact that he cannot go to scale under 8st. 61b. 

 or 71b., a weight which he often has much 

 difficulty in reaching. It is said that Frank 

 Butler was killed by his exertions in reducing 

 himself fi^om the 8st. 101b. he should have ridden 

 to the 8st. 71bs. he had to ride. Wells was 

 picked up in a fainting condition more than 

 once ; and on more than one occasion Eobinson 

 (who could waste from 9st. 101b. to 8st. in an 

 exceptionally short time), was found lying in- 

 sensible on a stone heap by the road-side, and 

 was brought home in a cart. Mr. William 

 Day's argument against light-weights, who can- 

 not ride themselves by reason of their youth, 

 inexperience, and want of strength, and wdio 

 (by the retention of an absurdly low minimum) 



