296

CHAPTER XIV.

LORD GEORGE AS A TURF REFORMER.

LORD GEORGE BENTINCK's name will endure while horse-racing forms the favourite pastime of the British nation, as that of the greatest Turf reformer ever known. By his stringent code of laws, promulgated in 1844, he purged the race-courses of defaulters, established punctuality in starting for each race by fining the clerk of the course 10s. for every minute behind time, and insisted that each horse should be numbered on the card, a corresponding number being exhibited on the telegraph frame. He required also that the names of the jockeys should be recorded on the board and card, and that the jockey should be properly dressed in a silk, velvet, or satin jacket, and in boots and breeches, as it was by no means unusual to see jockeys riding in trousers or gaiters, with jackets and caps of the roughest and most grotesque description. The saddling of the horses at a given place, and their walking and cantering before the

stand, were likewise enforced by him, together with their starting by the aid of flags. More necessary improvements than the latter two there could not possibly be, as it had long been difficult for jockeys to find the horses they were about to ride when saddling-time arrived, and the consequent delay in starting was most vexatious and annoying. At no place were these improvements hailed with greater satisfaction than at Epsom, as the Derby candidates were so surrounded by gentlemen and others on horseback that jockeys could not find their mounts. When Lord George suggested these rules and conditions for Epsom, the late Mr Dorling, the clerk of the course (to whom Lord George lent the sum of £5000, thus proving the stepping-stone to that official's successful career), stated that he thought they could not be enforced. Lord George, who was Steward, replied, “If the conditions are that the horses must be saddled in Epsom town, never fear but I will enforce them." His first attempt to start the horses by the flag system was with one flag upon a very long pole, with which he marshalled the horses to the post, walking a little in front of them, and soundly rating any jockey who attempted to advance beyond the line prescribed by the starter. The objection to the one-flag system was soon shown, as the jockeys watched its gradual lowering and attempted to jump off before it had actually fallen. His Lordship then instituted the advance-flag; and was

also very strict about the weighing of the jockeys, as it was notoriously impossible to weigh some of them accurately, so expert and quick were they with their toes and heels, which enabled certain jockeys to ride some pounds over their proper weight. There was one jockey in particular whom Lord George suspected of this imposition. He related his suspicions to me, and desired me to arrange a trial a few hours before a race in which this jockey had to ride 8 stone, though not on one of our horses. I did so, and with a light saddle he scaled nearly seven pounds over that weight. After the race it was discovered that several pounds of lead had been nailed upon the under part of the scale.

In the report given of Doncaster Races in 1843, it was stated that "the Corporation had been brought to a just sense of their duties by the indefatigable Lord George Bentinck, who may with the utmost propriety be styled the greatest reformer of all abuses connected with the Turf. The same admirable rule respecting defaulters, which worked so well at Goodwood, is to be put into force here." In connection with the Second October Meeting of 1843, the following remarks were written: "Honest men have to thank Lord George Bentinck for this valuable reform of the Turf; for if that nobleman had not persevered to the utmost, even his powerful influence would have been blighted, and a host of rotten sheep left

STUDIES THE PUBLIC CONVENIENCE.

299

to infect the constitution of the remaining flock. We are left without sufficient words of praise to the noble Lord for his indefatigable exertions.'

Not only for the general interest of the Turf did his Lordship employ his active mind, but also for the safety and pleasure of the public-alleging that if comfort, convenience, and accommodation were provided for them, to enable them to enjoy more fully the pleasures they sought, they would not object to pay for them. Hence his Lordship's proposition to form an enclosure round the Stand at Goodwood, Liverpool, and Epsom, to which the outside public at first raised great objections; but his Lordship's observation and forethought soon enabled him rightly to estimate the advantage of such a step, and before long he greatly extended the enclosure at Goodwood till it encompassed the beautiful trees, which now afford the greatest enjoyment to those who partake of luxurious luncheons under their shade. Like other reforms and improvements originally established at Goodwood, these enclosures have been adopted at all the fashionable race meetings of the United Kingdom and throughout the world. Goodwood race-course being private property, and owned by a nobleman who delighted in the noble sport, it was always the Duke of Richmond's desire to make the meeting as perfect as possible, which, with Lord George's energetic and judicious assistance, his Grace succeeded in accomplishing. A sporting

writer on "Glorious Goodwood" in 1844 remarked: "His Grace the Duke of Richmond and Lord George Bentinck are unwearied in their efforts to do away with the few faults and imperfections which still remain." The comfort and convenience of the public were always well considered by these generous and considerate noblemen. It was Lord George who discovered that the public would readily pay for value received; and that in these receipts there existed a large supplementary and potential source of income which should be applied, and revert to, the public convenience and enjoyment. At that time the added money to the various races at Goodwood was almost nominal, amounting to no more than £1050; while the collective value of all the stakes run for was £32,589, for which 242 horses started. In the four days there were forty-three races-viz., thirteen the first day, nine the second, eleven the third, and ten the fourth, of which the Goodwood stable sent seventy-five to the post. As may be imagined, his Lordship and all connected with the stable were thoroughly tired out; yet after dinner his Lordship was always eager to add interest to the next day's racing, and was never too weary to make matches and bets. Four glasses of wine were all he allowed himself, and the fatigue of the day often caused him to fall asleep after dinner ; nevertheless, he would rouse up when any remark was made which interested him, particularly when