JOCKEYSHIP
—is a term sometimes used in a metaphorical sense, alluding to the dealings of individuals, where one, by a superior degree of knowledge, cunning, artifice, or chicanery, obtains in a bargain considerable advantage over the other. Its principal signification, however, in its literal meaning, and frequent use, applies more particularly to the peculiar excellence, or personal ability, of JOCKIES, (alias riders,) whose sole avocation it is to train and ride horses for the different PLATES and PRIZES at Newmarket, and various other parts of the kingdom. This has always been held a systematic employment of GREAT TRUST, (but very little responsibility,) requiring considerable bodily strength, much personal fortitude, and cool intrepidity, constitutional taciturnity, and a kind of habitual insensibility in respect to passion, which should be studiously reduced to a degree of professional apathy, never to be roused into action by the occasional irritations of a designing opponent. The great and leading qualifications which constitute the predominant traits of distinguished JOCKEYSHIP, are to acquire a complete knowledge of the prevalent points, speed, temper, mouth, and perfections or defects, of the horse before starting; to ascertain, as well as it can be accomplished, a tolerable idea, whether it will be most in his favor to insure the WHIP-HAND, or decline it; to take the lead, or leave it, and wait upon his adversary; whether to make play, depending upon BLOOD and BOTTOM, or to lay by, and rely upon speed: all these, and a variety of other contingencies dependent upon judgment, as well as a still longer list, which must ever be equally dependent upon the sole effect of CHANCE, (beyond the utmost extent of human efforts to counteract,) seem combined to render jockeyship a very arduous task, and equally precarious means of acquiring universal approbation and celebrity. For as it may be considered an impracticability to become always a WINNER, so, from the occasional discontent and disappointments of dissatisfied employers, a RIDER must frequently have reason to exclaim, (though silently,) "Vain his attempt who strives to please ye all."