Captain Armstrong

English Etymology A pun on the name en Armstrong, referring to the use of a strong arm. Noun - Captain Armstrong en horse racing archaic slang A form of cheating in which the jockey deliberately pulls his horse back so that it does not win. en 1860 George Alfred Lawrence Guy Livingstone 70 "Poor child," he said to himself, all his angry feelings changing, "she seems to have set her heart so upon winning, it would be sad if she were disappointed. No one has much on it: shall I try Captain Armstrong for once? It would make her very happy. Bar accidents, I must win. They don't know that the chestnut has not extended himself yet." en 1886 Baily's Magazine of Sports & Pastimes 46 413 He had practised “Captain Armstrong” so palpably as to be banished from the Turf. The Sporting Magazine (page 208) We have not an iota of belief in this or any other "Captain Armstrong" insinuation against high-class jockeys, who have far too comfortable incomes, and too much proper pride, to place their characters in any man's power,