"
By a curious oversight in the first two editions (p. 41) Jove was
made to gaze on Troy from Samothrace; it was rightly altered to
Neptune in the third; and "eagle eye of Jove" in the following
sentence was replaced by "dread Commoter of our globe." The phrase
"a natural Chiffney-bit" (p. 109), I have found unintelligible to-
day through lapse of time even to professional equestrians and
stable-keepers. Samuel Chiffney, a famous rider and trainer, was
born in 1753, and won the Derby on Skyscraper in 1789. He managed
the Prince of Wales's stud, was the subject of discreditable
insinuations, and was called before the Jockey Club. Nothing was
proved against him, but in consequence of the fracas the Prince
severed his connection with the Club and sold his horses. Chiffney
invented a bit named after him; a curb with two snaffles, which
gave a stronger bearing on the sides of a horse's mouth. His rule
in racing was to keep a slack rein and to ride a waiting race, not
calling on his horse till near the end. His son Samuel, who
followed him, observed the same plan; from its frequent success the
term "Chiffney rush" became proverbial.
Pages:
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35