view raw text
HINT OF CHANGING ENGLISH TURF WAYS. Foreigners and colonials with whom in these days one is so frequently brought into contact are all of one way of thinking when they discuss their racing and ours. We have all the advantage in the superiority of our horses and courses, bnt otherwise they say that in England racing is far and away behind their own. We hear on all sides that after the war things will be different in all businesses and undertakings, and I fully exiiect to see these influences extend to racing, but What effect they will have I do not pretend to foretell, though I liojie most earnestly that many colonial and continental improvements will come in this connection. The general complaint from visitors is that racing in England is dear and uncomfortable, a criticism that cannot be gainsaid, but the conditions as they exist in this country make it certain that there can lie no change until the present system is uprooted and another substituted, if it is found that the change is for the better. There are. however, dangers of grave import in change. Thus in the Jockey Club is firmly, if unofficially vested the control of English flat racing, a control exercised in normal times without any interference from government. No other country enjoys such freedom or such a privilege, for although we may not all or always be in entire agreement with the action of the Jockey Club, we do cordially agree that it is a body of honest gentlemen whose intentions are of the highest, if their energies are not always utilized to the best advantage. Of what government or governmental department can one say the same? One can never be sure that "party" considerations of one sort or another will not arise and inflict damage on interests that should lie protected by the department under whose control they may be. because, forsooth, it is for the "good of the party." We saw something of this last May. when, as I firmly believe, the board of trade, for "party" reasons, i. e.. to placate the "unco guid." sacrificed the horse breeders of the country to the faddist supporters of the government. That the department has in a measure seen its error does not defeat my argument, and I say that the first stone in the foundation of racing is its absolute control by the Jockey Club or some similar body entirely independent of the government. Without this safeguard racing would be at the mercy of these placeman -politicians, who, incapable of managing the smallest of matters with any success, are constantly reaching out for jiower in fresh directions. 1 believe it was the late Lord Chief Justice Cockburn who advised the Jockey Club in the Yictorian days not to accept a charter, as that would have implied some sort of governmental authority over racing, and this view was accepted by the late Admiral Rous and his colleagues, with the result that the sport in England has been carried on and steadily improved under the benevolent despotism of the stewards of the Jockey Club. Long may it continue to lie so carried on! — "Vigilant" in London Sportsman.
