APOLOGY FOR INTRODUCING THE TOPIC. 291 
force to repress what we have here discussed as “the minor 
evils of the race-course.” 
That I, as a trainer writing on training, have ventured to 
devote a chapter to these matters may be thought to demand 
some apology. The fact will not, I trust, be viewed as an 
attempt to set myself up as a moralist. But writing on the 
racehorse, and incidentally and necessarily on certain turf 
matters, I hope it may not be deemed an excess of zeal to 
point out those blots, which to a certain extent exist only 
because their existence is not known, or its grave conse- 
quences are not fully appreciated. The removal of the 
anomalies I have here glanced at, is all that is wanted to 
complete that improvement in the customs of the race-course 
which I have shown has been progressive if slow; an im- 
provement that it may be confidently hoped will be carried 
out by the competent authorities, if only the general desire 
for such a reform be pressed upon their notice. 
U 2 
