The Lady Trainer

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 Excerpt: ...success. He meant to show his English confreres he could ride as well as themselves, on their own courses. A French horse had won the race some years ago, why not again? Mawer, the crack American rider, was on Vulcan, and Olden, one of the best English jockeys, on Cassius. They were a formidable trio, as well as their mounts, and so thought Pye as they went down in front of him. The jockey however had ridden Firebrand and knew what that horse was capable of. If Wild Girl was within nine pounds of Firebrand nothing would beat her. David Rowsley made very few mistakes, and it was his opinion that if Pye had been on the filly in the trial she would have beaten Firebrand. Wild Girl was drawn " on the rails." Would she behave and take advantage of the position? Joel walked her slowly to the post. All the horses were lined up when he arrived, and the starter beckoned him to come along. He squeezed Wild Girl through on to the rails, and before the filly had time to show temper, the barrier flew up, and they were off to a splendid start. "That's a rare bit of luck," said David. "Joel did it well, she'd no time to show her objections; he worked it cleverly. I fancied that was his game when he came down so slow." He walked across the course towards the winning post, from time to time stopping to look at the race. Wild Girl kept on the rails. The quick start improved her temper. Joel Pye knew she was on her best behaviour. He made the most of her light weight, but did not bustle her. There was a steep pinch at the finish; he meant to have something left for it. He had seen many horses beaten up the hill, when a moment before they looked certain winners. They had not gone more than half-a-mile when there was a long tail to the field; four ...