Some Racing Experiences 235 



in the dressing-room, I particularly pointed out to him 

 the jacket that he was to wear, telling him that this 

 was the lucky one, while another that was also there 

 was a very unlucky one. I did not see him again 

 till the horses were being mounted, and he had so many 

 friends to talk to, that he was very late, so that nearly all 

 the horses had already gone on to the course before he 

 appeared. The first thing I saw when he unbuttoned his 

 greatcoat was that he had got the wrong jacket on, and 

 told him so. He declared nothing should induce him to 

 ride in an unlucky one, and that he must change it. So I 

 ran and fetched the other, in an agony of apprehension 

 that he would be too late at the post. Snatching the 

 jacket from me, Owen rushed into the refreshment bar, 

 being the only available place near, and, while the wait- 

 resses ran giggling into a corner, he just waved his hand 

 to them, and exclaiming, " Don't look, don't look, I haven't 

 time to go elsewhere," proceeded to doff the one garment 

 and don the other. He had to go at a hand gallop to the 

 post, and then riding a beautifully timed and well-ridden 

 race, landed the " lucky jacket " again a winner. 



Mindful of former experiences, I trained " Monks- 

 hood " for a long time on the sea-beach at Scarborough 

 during a very hard and continuous frost, and Owen 

 told me he thought he had never ridden a horse in 

 more perfect condition. From various causes the horse 

 never got a fair chance again in England, and for some 

 years carried my wife very well to hounds, instead of 

 racing. Then I sold him to go to India, to win a mile 

 race on the flat, which he did with ease, and there I 

 believe he still remains. 



