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ABOUT HORSEMANSHIP IN ENGLAND Sloan. Archer, Fordham, Woottons. Maher and Other Old-Timers and Present-Day Riders. It ha* been suggested that the Jockey Club, while devoting -ome attention to the discovery of new -tailing talent, -honld. in the present dearth of really good Jockeys, consider the advisability of a return to the old style of riding. Save for a t.-w instance* each year —and the same jockeys do most of the Bearing »aasn after season the adoption of the forward seat has not Im-oh the great success as was anticipated when Sloan revolutionized the method that had ben in vogue for so many decades, and for tin- reason that all but a few were each feeble Imitators. Had there been I general successful attempt to find what Sloan discovered a- to the correct position, giving the horse freedom of pla. with hi-liiud action and not cramping his shoulder stroke. the little Americans judgment of pace was even a- great I personal asset, which many aspired to possess, but precious few have succeeded in gaining. His weakness, if that fine horseman could h -aid to have a weak point, wa- perhaps a lack of finishing -trength. and CO In- was partial to waiting in front and giving his mount lets to do than other competitor* at the end of the race, which most matters. Given two horses of equal merit, each beginning the last eighth on oven terms, and jockeys of same extraction could beat him by sheer superiority in power from the saddle. But Sloan had a wonder fill way with him, and it was trainer John Ilug gin- who .nice -aid that Sloan could win trials on nearly every horse in the stable. That was a testimonial more flattering, perhaps, than covered tie- actual circumstances, but the people were also able to judge of the worth of Sloan when, in particular, riding moderate animals. The forward seat, as attempted by many would be jockeys, is neither elegant m style nor effective in operation. One could forgive the difioiency first named if tin result- in the other respect were more -ati-t.n tory. I have failed to see. since it- introduction, anything like the same high average of riding talent as in tin- period prior to the American invasion. At one time there were Danny Mahei- ••! cherished memory .and Frank Wootton, who. 1 1 tin- way. ha* been mentioned a- likely foi a time to ride Claud Hal-ey- jumpers in Prance, and In- achieved nnaaeroa* Kteeplecbaslng successes during the time he wa- in the Par Bast. Since we have had DoUOghue and Car-lake ;.| the head •■; tin room, although poor Freddy Bickaby Would have pressed both had he boon spared, and probably with youth on hi- -ide have eventually been i. a tin- top. for he wa- ju-t approaching fir-t la- ulna war duties claimed him. Donogbue had an awfnllj rough time last year with hot favorites. Cracka in the pigskin have undergone the name experience. What has made Donoghnc** misfortune* more acute, of coarse, are the weird prices wlii h a new class of turf follower*, has accepted prices cut of all proportion to the winning chance st li while In- has not fallen off in ability, "Steve" and Imky favorites have somehow not boon well acquainted. Maker sustained a fine winning average. Cars-lake bid- fair to siti iced hint In that respect and no jockey of this or any other period in my time has earned a greater measure of public confidence. Winn ho first rode in this country for the bite ••Bushranger" Day he may have appeared to be nothing out of tin- ordinary. An appreciation of I he writers will. I think, find a wide acceptance Carslake is a first-las* Jockey, ami no one would recognize thi- more than George l.ainbton. himself a one-time rider of ability, although nio-tly favoring the other branch. Vet we shall never again. I imagine, have the praises of a .bygone jockey sung, as in llio legend associated with Archer: Across tin- heath, along the course. Mounted, tis said, on phantom horse. The greatest jockey of our day Bide* nightly in the moonbeam** ray. The magnetic influence of Archer upon the racing public was Stupendous, and yet In- lacked the "hands" of Tom Cannon and tin- ntCCtte* of judgment which made Fsedhem ami John Osborne such groat jockeys. ., ml horse- were horses stlB after O-borne and Cannon had ridden them. Il has been a pleasure thi- year to find Victor Smyth coming out of hi- shell, as it were, and it is just a conseipieiice of a physical frame which grew rapidly having become more developed and "set." I iiiii glad also that Henri JeUiss ha- had more luck than fell to his share even before tin-war when be WS* aa apprentice with Tom Jennings. i . Whalley, Wbeatley, etc. have maintained their previoii- consistent form.. We shall nii--Martin. for in addition to being a good jockey •nek time- a- In- ha- enjoyed robu-t health, lie has been a universal favorite. 1 would like to see more apprentice races promoted, sad at distances of a mil,- and a snorter and more, to give the lads greater experience in the e-sential business of judging pace. Such race* as have been in-titutcd on their behalf hitherto at Newmarket have not instructed them much. The Ki-mptou people at the meeting held at Sandown in August put up a mite and a half race for lads. and I never saw a more mwrting set-to. Sandown needs skillful piloting; but the two lock-ys. Brimmell and Garnett, respectively mi Warwick and lack Point, while giving nothing away at the sharp turns, rode a magnif ioient finish.— "Kettledrum" in Sporting Chronicle.
