REMINISCENCES OF BERT DRAGE 



man and horse were on the happiest terms with 

 each other and balanced, that the catastrophe 

 came and the reins broke — when Anthony had won 

 his race as was subsequently admitted by the 

 winning rider himself. 



As to what really happened to the reins. It 

 seems that all present-day steeplechase jockeys, 

 when they come to the fences, and especially such 

 big obstacles as those at Aintree, have to let the 

 reins run through their fingers right out to the 

 buckle, in order that the horse may be given 

 sufficient rein and liberty to recover when landing, 

 or in the case of any mistake, and in order that 

 they themselves may be able to lie right back on 

 the horse's quarters. 



As at every other obstacle, Anthony let the 

 reins out to their fullest extent at the last fence 

 but one. But the buckle was rotten, and parted. 

 The reins, being greasy with the perspiration of 

 the horse, flew off on either side, leaving him 

 quite powerless. He tried to keep the horse 

 straight with his whip, and by hitting him with his 

 hand, but it was no good. I have since been told 

 by expert jockeys that he was but doing what is 

 invariably done. 



As to the breakage itself, it was not the leather 

 which broke, but it was the steel tongue of the 

 buckle which parted, a very bad business ! 



It was hard luck, but Anthony took it wonder- 



72 



