view raw text
WEATHERBY S A GREAT INSTITUTION. "Wcalherbys is one of the great institutions of England, like the Bank of England, the Tower, Punch, or The Times," says the Toronto Sunday World. "Though but a name 1o the mass of non-sporting people, to the follower of the sport of kings in England Weatherbys is pre-eminent. It is a name as time-honored on the turf as Rothschild is on Change, and in many respects occupies a similar position. It will be known to everybody that the Jockey Club, which came into existence during the reign of George II., frames the rules and regulations under which all flat-racing in the good old country takes place. That, is to say, if yon enter a horse for a race, you may be sure the " meeting is held - under Jockey Club rules.. If by any chance it were not, the Jockey Club has a rule which would debar your horse from running at any meeting where their rules were In force. The Jockey Club are, In fact, the governors and direc- tors of racing, and Messrs. Weatherby are the active agents of the Jockey Club. By this it will lie seen what a tremendous power they wield. "It was in the year 1773 that John Weatherby, in order to promulgate completely and efficiently the news and views of the Jockey Club, produced "Die Racing Calendar, which remains the official organ to this day. Tills is issued every month. But in order that racing devotees may be kept more frequently informed on the latest reports of races and all important matters appertaining to the turf, a weekly edition Is issued every Thursday. Tliis is known as the Sheet Calendar and contains handicaps, acceptances, forfeit lists, and full particulars and racing news such as are eagerly looked for. Besides tills,, of course, it acts as the mouthpiece of the Jockey Club, and contains all orders, notices and additional or altered regulations. Hurdle racing and steeplechasing, it should be said, are directed by the Nntional Hunt Committee, but In .the Sheet Calendar are tq lie found reports of all :rnces run under their rules."