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."
JOHN BULL
,—the name of a horse of much celebrity both as a RACER and a STALLION; having been deemed, by the best judges, a horse of the greatest strength, and the most beautiful and corresponding symmetry, ever produced in this kingdom. He was bred by the late Lord Grosvenor; foaled in 1789; got by Fortitude, dam (Xantippe) by Eclipse; her dam (Grecian Princess) by Williams's Forester, &c. &c. Monday, in the Craven Newmarket Meeting, 1792, when three years old, he won the great produce stakes of 200 guineas each, half forfeit, across the flat, 35 subscribers; beating Ormond, Hotspur, Whisky, St. Paul, Lucifer, and three others. At Epsom, in May the same year, he won the Derby Stakes of 50 guineas each, 32 subscribers; beating Speculator, Bustard, Lyricus, St. George, Whisky, and the Duke of Queensbury's colt by Pharasmond. Soon after which, sustaining an injury, he paid 300 guineas forfeit to Lord Foley's Vermin, and became a stallion, 1796, at 20 guineas a mare; covering the first year only a limited number (ten) except those of his owner. He is the sire of Admiral Nelson, Lady Bull, Alfred, Florist, Fortitude, Georgina, Muly Molech, Gazer, and Lady Katherine; and being now at the very zenith of prosperity, promises a progeny of as much celebrity as the best and most esteemed of his cotemporaries.
JOHNNY
—was the first horse of his year, and then esteemed the best in England. He was bred by Lord Clermont, and foaled in 1769; was got by Matchem, dam by Babraham, grand-dam by Partner, great grand-dam by Bloody Buttocks, great, great grand-dam by Greyhound, out of Brocklesby Betty.
JOHNNY
,—a horse of more recent date, and of a different blood, was the property of Mr. Durand, and proved a country plate horse of some celebrity. He was got by King Fergus, dam by Justice, and was foaled in 1794. At three years old he won a fifty pound plate at Alfriston, and two fifties at Egham. The year following he won 50l. at Ascot, beating Ploughator and Dispute. 50l. at Lewes, beating Greyhound and Outcast. 50l. at Canterbury, beating Doubtful, Ploughator, Quietus, and Ratafia. 50l. at Egham, beating Will, King John, Greyhound, Lord Egremont's Bugle, and three others. 50l. at Newmarket, beating Parisot, Sober Robin, Centinel, and High Eagle. In 1799 he won a Handicap Plate at Newmarket, beating Wrangler and Outcast. 50l. at Epsom. 50l. at Winchester. The Petworth Stakes (10 guineas each, seventeen subscribers) at Brighton; beating Bobtail, Lounger, Heart of Oak, Opposition, Speculator, and Wrangler. The Ladies Plate of 60 guineas at Lewes, beating Wrangler, Gohanna, Sparrowhawk, Magic, and Sir F. Poole's Brother to Waxy; and 50l. at Canterbury, beating Mr. Crosoer's Dairy Maid. In the following year, 1800, he started but once, which was at Epsom. It is supposed he sustained some injury, as he was then withdrawn from the turf.
JOINTS
.—The joints of horses are subject to rheumatic pains and affections, in some proportional degree with those of the human species, and require professional judgment to discriminate between what are really so, and what may proceed from other causes. Strict attention, and accurate observation, have clearly ascertained and established the fact, that horses are frequently attacked with, and labour under, a CHRONIC RHEUMATISM, which is as frequently treated like, and mistaken for, a confirmed lameness, erroneously supposed to have originated in a very different cause. The joints, notwithstanding the peculiar strength of their formation, are also liable to, and susceptible of, very serious, alarming and permanent injuries, by short turns, and sudden twists, out of as well as within the stable; and it is readily to be believed, more of these are occasioned by carelessness, inadvertency, and the most shameful inattention of servants, than from any accidental causes whatever.