GEORGE BLACKWELL'S ABILITY 



I used to get so bewildered with this kind of stupidity 

 that I had no words for argument and in this instance 

 I left it at that. But the hopeless ignorance in a 

 thousand ways of some could not help striking anyone 

 with any real experience. I am not saying that I was 

 such a superior judge, but looking back I do know 

 quite well that what I thought then and think now is 

 correct. 



I could mention many trainers of the present day 

 — both English and American — who are really clever 

 men. I have always thought that of Englishmen 

 George Blackwell was right out by himself as a trainer. 

 We were only just acquainted so the statement can 

 be taken as being quite unprejudiced. His horses 

 used to be higher in flesh and brighter in coat after 

 real hard work — for he didn't spare them — than those 

 of anyone else I saw in England at that time. You 

 see a man may get famous on account of one or two 

 great horses he has turned out, but the true cleverness 

 consists in discovering horses. There's no reason why 

 there should not be a Galtee More every year — ^he 

 wants finding out ! 



There are some trainers who would sooner make 

 twenty pounds on the cross than a hundred on the 

 level. I remember riding good winners for one man, 

 who unfortunately I cannot name although he had 

 practically first call on me, and I could never understand 

 why I didn't get a present. Owners used to look at me 

 in such a way that gradually I got the idea that they 

 were expecting me to thank them for something. 



At all events that's how I read it afterwards. 

 But I never got a nickel. I know that trainer had 

 seven hundred and fifty pounds from one man to split 

 up with me. Yet they say that it is sinful for a jockey 

 to have a bet ! 



H 113 



