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ABOUT TURF INFORMATION English Writer Tells How Trainers Are Constantly "Watched. Boys Who Hide Tlorscs In the Morning Work-outs Often Paid by Outsiders to Release Stable Secrets. " i P. P. Gilpin, writing in the London-"Weekly Dispatch, outlines the different methods used to learn the stable secrets of the trainers, as follows: The public thirst for racing information is Insatiable and I suppose it is ine:itable that, where there is such a demand, the supply is sure to appear. The backer of horses has realized that "knowledge is the wing wherewith to fly to heaven" while all sorts of people are doing their best to remove that ignorance, which is declared to be the curse of God. I have heard the cynical say horse racing information is the only "knowledge" the British public take an interest in. Now there is no use denying that the trainer of race horses regards secrecy as an essential to his business. That which he learns about the horses in his charge is the nbsolute property of his employer the owner of the horses; for that reason all touts and searchers for news are looked upon as pests. The trainer has little regard for those who sell this stolen information. Touting has been a recognized profession for some years and that it is a nefarious trade I have no doubt whatever. Touts are those who sell secrets which rightfull belong to the owners and trainers of horses whoso work is being spied upon. WAITING AT THE CLOCK TOWER. Anybody coming from the Heath at Newmarket into town will see men waiting about the clock tower or in the High Street who are ever on the alert to hold a conversation with those returning to dinner after their mornings work at the track for the purpose of learning, the latest news. They have their different meeting places, whether in their own homes or public houses, tea rooms or the many clubs to which they belong. Heads are then put together and a meeting place for the evening is selected so that those who do not come to town for their midday meals will have the opportunity to obtain their share of the information. All those who were engaged in the principal work cf the morning will be present. It is easy for those who are in the game and who train or own horses to find out what is going on if they care to go to a little trouble. It is often rumored that such and such a horse beat another in a gallop the day before yesterday ; when it is a certainty that no one saw the workout. The explanation is simple. Little Billy Pickle rode in the gallop and, when arriving home, mentioned to his people how well the horse went. He may give his information innocently enough ; most of the lads do act in all innocence. The news soon spreads once it is started and the shrewdest minds of the locality will set to work to turn the information to their best advantage. MEETING AT THE WHITE HOUSE. Tou will hear of the lad who lives in a village, situated two or three miles from town, going out in the evening and casually meeting Wily Willie or Paul Pry at the White Horse to make certain of securing the truth of the matter. No stone will be left unturned to obtain all the particulars as accurately as possible. In the town and villages that surround the training centers one will find plenty of lodging houses where rooms for the duration of the race meeting can be rented. The proprietors are expected to know and impart all the racing news to their guests, they are in fact expected to "mark the cards" for those who take their rooms and invariably do so. Proprietors or landlords of the different houses, whether of the lower or higher grade, in these districts are sure to be related to some one who is intimately connected in one way or another with certain of the training stables and by this means know whatever is taking place in them. One chap has a sister who is married to the head lad, the traveling lad, or to one of the chief lads connected with the stable, who is known as a good horseman and is always riding in the more important gallops; no matter who the lad is he will be more or less accurately informed of the results. It is natural then that he should mention the facts in the family circle, adding his own opinion. The mischief is that the news is not confined to the family circle, but is broadcasted from one end of the land to the other. Many of the lads do not resort to the - public houses or clubs but have their own clientele and are in the regular pay of those who follow racing professionally, whether as backers or bookmakers. TIPS FROM SMALLER BOYS. From time to time the smaller boys who are not allowed to go beyond the stable precincts or paddock are expected to steal out and send a letter containing a tip to their mothers or sisters, whichever the case may be. The news thus sent, though insignificant is transmitted from one to the other and often advertised as coming from a reliable source. Such is the "absolutely reliable information" which is sold to the public and for which they pay so freely. Not so long ago I knew of a maidservant asking permission of her mistress to go out for half an hour to see her mother on some important domestic business and returning with her face wreathed in smiles. When asked the cause of her joy, she replied, "Oh, Mr. So and Sos horse won the handicap at Nottingham." "But," exclaimed her mistress, "surely you dont bet?" "No, maam," the maid replied, "but that was the horse that we sent out as a tip." "But what will that mean to you?" asked the puzzled mistress. "Oh, we will not have to pay for any groceries for the next three months." In these days of universal tipsters it seems to have been forgotten that one of the racing rules forbids the stable employe from giving out information, or anyone obtaining information from those connected with the stable. The usual penalty of "warning off" is provided for the guilty ones, but it is a rule more honored in the breacli than in the observance, and, for this reason, to prove the offense would be laden with difficulty. Gallops of more or less importance take place every day, which often are not what they apepar to the onlooker. The favorite of a big race does not do as well as the critics or spectators expect, they are anxious to discover what has caused the falling off in form since the last good gallop. It is necessary therefore to probe into the secrets of the stable. Horses do not always carry the same weights during the workouts, and it is not easy for the observer, no matter how acute his senses, to determine what weight the horse is carrying, and he must, if possible, obtain these particulars from some one connected with the stable. There is no question but what the particulars are supplied freely, for a consideration. The information may or may not be correct, but there is no doubt of the mischievous character in endeavoring to ferret it out The information has been unauthorized and contrary to the rules laid down by the Jockey Club. This to my mind is serious, as it puts an end to the confidence the master should be able to place in the integrity of his servants. One of the most disagreeable facts of a trainers existence is the knowledge that his employes are only too willing to sell the secrets which rightfully belong to their master, the owner for whom he trains. Consider for the moment the feelings of the trainer who goes to the stable during the evening to inspect his horses, knowing that the boy, who is holding the horses head, is in the pay of some outsider and is waiting to pick up whatever information he can. Little does he seem to realize that he is slowly but surely wrecking the masters interests and business.
