CHAPTER XXXVIII 



SUGGESTIONS 



Effect of the " Mutual" — Le Blizon and the Eclipse — Lord Durham's 



Speech 



Or course during my riding career, and since the forced 

 times as a spectator, I have devoted a good deal of 

 thought to the question whether the speculative side 

 of racing was properly conducted, and whether by 

 controlling bookmakers the public could not have 

 a better chance of coming in greater numbers to 

 meetings. The high prices charged for admittance 

 to the exclusive parts of English courses must deter 

 many hundreds from attending — I mean among those 

 who do not feel in their proper place in the cheaper 

 enclosures. Wliat is charged on some days at Ascot, 

 Liverpool, Epsom, etc., is almost prohibitive, and the 

 sovereign for other meetings could be reduced if income 

 was sought for elsewhere. Compare this with the maxi- 

 mum price, sixteen shillings, in France or the three 

 dollars which takes one everywhere in America except 

 the club enclosure. Wliat should be done is to attract 

 as many influential people as possible — thus would 

 racing obtain more friends, which is what it wants to 

 fight those who would do away with it. 



It is very unlikely in the opinion of many that the 

 pari-mutuel will ever be adopted in England, and that 

 England need not regret. Personally I am dead 

 against it. Certainly in France the value of the 

 stakes makes it possible for an owner to pay his way 

 without any betting, or rather I should say a certain 



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