ATTACKS ON THE TURF. 303 
CHAPTER XXIX. 
ATTACKS ON THE TURF. 
Frequency of attacks on the turf—Contrasts in its favour with other occupations~ 
Professor Low’s attack specially considered: errors of his statements and 
their deductions shown ; the alleged cruelty to the horse refuted by contrast 
with his actual treatment ; wasting not injurious ; his indiscriminate charges 
against trainers and jockeys shown to be groundless ; instance of Chifney— 
Absurdity of his allegations against owners laying against their horses dis- 
played, and the real origin of public favourites shown. 
IT is so common an expression that the practices on 
the turf are corrupt and its frequenters actuated by 
sinister motives, that I feel I ought to say something to 
exhibit the fallacy of this notion. To defend or excuse 
those of my own calling, and the others more or less 
directly connected with it, is no part of my intention ; 
for defence or excuse would imply an admission that 
the attacks on the turf have some solid basis, which is not 
the case. My object is merely to show, by contrast with 
other occupations, how utterly erroneous is the popular 
estimate of my own in this respect. 
Amongst trainers and jockeys there may be those who 
are guilty of malpractices, as there are offenders in all 
sections of the community ; but I think it is not too much 
to say, that the worst practices on the turf are outdone 
daily in other occupations. We have dishonest bankers, 
