172 JOCKEYS. 
then we have The Cur and Collingwood at Goodwood ; and of 
later date, Viridis and Land Tax at Stockbridge. But why 
multiply instances? Enough, I think, has been shown of such 
disgraceful exhibitions to induce the authorities to take the 
matter in hand, and make a rule more stringent ; so that in 
future, if any owner runs two horses in a race, and declares to 
win with one, should the other come in first (provided they are 
first and second), he should be placed as the last horse in the 
race, and the stakes and bets be awarded to the second, or 
“declared” winner, and so render to the owner that which he 
is justly entitled to, and will always expect, at the hands of an 
impartial and all-powerful tribunal—his rights. The offending 
jockey should in every case be heavily fined and suspended. 
This modification, I think, would meet the exigencies of 
the case better than by doing away altogether with the 
custom as it now stands. It would be a great injustice to 
an owner who may have two or more horses in a race if he 
is not allowed the privilege of declaring to win as heretofore ; 
for the best horse may be ors de combat from a variety of 
untoward circumstances, and if fortunate enough to win with 
his worst, it would afford him a little consolation for the dis- 
appointment with the other. Moreover, it would help the 
entries and strengthen the fields, and so in both and other 
ways act beneficially on racing in general. 
Yours obediently, 
AN OWNER. 
With these observations on declarations to win, the consi- 
deration of the performances in the saddle of to-day may fitly 
terminate in this place; although when we come to discuss 
weights, and, later, to offer suggestions for remedies of cur- 
rent practices, the evils of the prevalence of light-weight 
riders will again come before us. These two chapters, it is 
trusted, may suffice to show how desirable it is, before sending 
your horses to the post, to have secured the services, if it has 
been practicable to do so, of an able and upright jockey. 
