LORD RIPON, LADY RIPON AND STAFF
Left to right. Standing: Lord Wm. Beresford and Ponto, Capt. Charles Harbord (Lord Suffield), Capt. C. Burn, Dr. Anderson, Capt. Muir, Capt. Leonard Gordon
Sitting: Mr. Primrose, Lord Ripon, Lady Ripon, Capt. St. Quinten, Capt. the Hon. H. Legge
On ground: Capt. Roddy Owen, Capt. Rochfort
It is not reassuring to know that the moment a man takes up racing his honour no longer remains in his own hands, for now he has to take his trainer, his jockey, his syce, and his understudies into consideration, not forgetting his horse. On the face of it, it seems as if only a very philosophical person could bear the strain.
When things go wrong it is usually put down to either the jockey’s evil doing, or the owner’s sharp practice, while it by no means follows that either is to blame. So many things, and so many people have to be taken into consideration, the horse by no means the least; for horses like human beings have their good and bad days, their moods and tempers, but are unable to explain their feelings. Trainers are likewise not infallible, inclined at times to think some of their geese have grown into swans (in all good faith), forgetting other people have a swan or two.
Owners are obliged of necessity to rely a good deal on their trainer’s judgment, but those who come off best are undoubtedly the men who keep an eye on their horses, having opinions of their own and able to carry their own tails. Against this there is the trainer who will not express an opinion, which is vexation to owners wishing to discuss their chances.
Then again think of the anxiety attached to sending valuable horses from place to place to fulfil their engagements; the serious question of what race will be suitable to each horse, the difficulty of deciding what and when to buy, what and when to sell, and judging their public value. Buying race-horses is a different thing altogether to choosing a hunter or a carriage horse. The temper of the parents has to be thought of, and indeed traced back a good long way, also whether any of the family are inclined to be musical. The shape of horses’ feet is important, and so few people agree about horses’ points, the wonder is any trainer and owner can be found to agree.
Lord William looked most carefully after the training of his own horses, and this is no sinecure; they require constant watching. Some have capricious appetites and have to be coaxed with dainties or they will not eat enough, others do not thrive unless they eat grossly and have to be exercised in proportion; here comes in the valuable gift of being able to judge condition, many fail in this most critical point.
It was greatly owing to Lord William’s study of his horses’ characters and temperaments that he was as successful as he was; he knew (none better) that all cannot be treated alike, in sickness and in health, as they say in the Marriage Service; he was also perfectly aware of the uncertainty attached to all matters appertaining to horse-racing. Horses as a rule do their utmost to meet the wishes of their riders, but the training is a severe trial, and the tempers of some give away under it. Their life seems to be one long persecution; it is to be hoped their feeling of fitness makes up for all the fuss and regulations.