Notes and Events.

Manawatu Herald, 27 September 1894, Page 3

Notes and Events.

The character sketch in the last number of the Review of liemews is entitled " Saint Ladas " and is the editor's representation of the hold horse-racing has got upon the British public to whom it has become " a. veritable religion." He represents the Jockey Club as resembling the college of cardinals. The horse- god is surrounded with all the mystery of an ancient oracle, he has his hierophants, his priests of the cave, and all the satellites which gather round the worship of the mysterious Invisible. It has racing stables in place of theological colleges and its places of worship may be found in every part of the land. Newmarket may be regarded as the metropolitan cathedral. Major Seton Churchill declares there are more professional bookmakers than there are incumbents in the Church of England, and if their assistants are inoluded, the priesthood of the turf considerably out numbers the ministers of all denominations. Some of the jockeys receive higher salaries than the Archbishop of Canterbury.

So much at least may be admitted by even those who regard the worship of the horse-god with the same antipathy which the early Christians regarded the worship of Jupiter or the rites of Cybele. For good or for evil this strange cult has rooted itself into the English race. The race-horse is much more of a national symbol than the British lion. Wherever the Englishman goes he takes his equine deity with him as punctiliously as other Englishment take their bibles and prayer* books.

It is not therefore strange that the religion of the turf, like other religions, should produce its saints in the shape of equine prodigies which realise the ideal of their worshippers. This year is notable for the appearance of one of these saints of the turf. Ladas is by universal consent acknowledged the best horse we are likely to see before the twentieth century. From his foaling up Ladas has been in every respect an ideal animal ; nothing can be more admirable than his temper, the grace of his movements, and the natural perfection of his constitution.

On the Derby Day his good temper and forbearance were put to a very trying test. When the result was declared, and as the Prime Minister of England was leading the winner of the Derby from the course to the enclosure, they were mobbed by an enthusiastically jubilant crowd in a fashion which might have upset the equilibrium of any less well balanced horse. The multitude crowded around him, they patted him, they punched him, they sat upon his hocks in their enthusiasm, and to make matters worse, many of then? filched hairs from his tail to carry away as mementoes. Now, even a man, if he is in the middle of a crowd which

insists on pulling hair out of his head by haadfulla, might be excused if lie lost his temper; but Laclas was perfectly calm and did not injur£ atiyotie*

Though Mr Stead loves a good horse he objects strongly to the betting curse, and urges legislation against publication by the newspapers of •• tips," betting odds, and that the evil should be dealt with as the lotteries and gaming housed have been dealt with.