Sir Joseph Hawley figured in his time as a racing reformer, and
judging from what he said and did he was thoroughly in earnest. His
propositions may serve as a text for an exposition of what is now held
by some good judges to be most wanted in the shape of "racing reform."
By way of exordium, Sir Joseph laid down as a proposition that racing
was no longer a national sport, but had become a "mere trade," so
far as most of its followers were concerned. "The public are now
convinced," said Sir Joseph, "that the system which has been of late
years rapidly growing up in no way tends to improve the breed of
horses, but is one of simple gambling, and in this state of things the
Jockey Club silently acquiesce. Such an impression, rightly or wrongly
formed, is most dangerous alike to the sport and the reputation of
those who take part in it; but so long as the recognised authorities
remain passive, and make no effort to bring about a better order of
things, it would be impossible to remove it."
The proposals made by Sir Joseph for comparison with racing as it is
to-day may be summarised as follows:
1. No horse to run in any flat race after November 15th or before
March 24th, and no two-year-old before September 1st, any horse so
running to be disqualified from entering or running at any meeting
where the Jockey Club Rules are in force.
2. No entries for two-year-old races to be made more than fifteen
days before the day advertised for running.