view raw text
HOW THE FRENCH ENCOURAGE RACING. "The success of racing in France may be attributed." says an English observer, "to the extended patronage accorded by the general public to the turf, almost nominal entries and forfeits, the amount ;f which is divided among the liorses placed by the Judge, and the absence of fees and deductions from the amount advertised as added money. This latter is the result of the gate money paid at the doors of the different meetings, and after deduction of the general expenses incurred by the management. There are supposed to be no stipendiaries save the starter, the handicapper and the judge. Owners are not called on to contribute to inflated dividends, since capital and interest are limited to ,000 for the former and five per cent, for the latter. Accounts are examined and passed bv government officials, and the four per cent., or one-half of the commission deducted from the investments at the totalizator is applicable according to law towards the expense of working the mutnels. the surplus being devoted towards the cost of maintenance of the ground and other outlay for the development of racing. Training expenses are less onerous than In England, wages are lower, and owners have the right to claim half fares for their liorses going backwards and forwards bv rail to the different race meetings. The fundamental rule of the Societc dEncourage-meiit is to reserve its resources for the encouragement of homo breeders. International events, such as the Grand Prix de Paris and the Prix du Couseil Municipal exist owing lo the added money being offered in the first place by the City of Paris, which contributes 0,000. and the other 0,000 comes from the five leading railway companies. In the case of the latter race the added money is a throwback from the lessor, the municipality of Paris, to t lie lessees, the Societo dEiieouragement. The fee to qualify for the Grand Prix de Paris is four sover eigns; due In the lirst year of the colt or filly. This generally provides more than enough to pay the amount reserved for second and third. S9.000. This amount comprises all liability until May of the third year, when the respective forfeits for the full liability of 00 is increased to twenty sovereigns, with a right of paying twenty-four sovereigns forfeit after the English Derby. Consequently au owner entering a yearling takes a good bet of S00 to 1."
