Riding with Handlebars

Cast your mind back to 19th Century England; new technologies were appearing everyday in the build up to the Industrial Revolution and the country was the heart of a vast empire. But look a little closer. Can you see it? Yes, the jockeys had moustaches.
It's a rare sight nowadays to see a jockey with any facial hair at all, never mind structured handlebars.
The only jockey I have seen with pre-determined stubble is Mr G Edwards who rode in an amateur race once at Wolverhampton. Obviously the trend never caught on.
Looking back in the history books (ie. a quick search on Google), Tom Corrigan, an Australian jockey during the 1890s, was the last big name to sport a distinctive upper-lip hairstyle. At the time, in any part of the world, moustaches were common place at the racecourse with boys as young as five sporting one (albeit fake).
But times have changed. Today, any grown man seen with a caterpillar above his lip is either: a) a phsychopath, b) a paedophile or c) an accountant.
I think I can link this change in opinion to one man: Hitler.
But what are the practical aspects of letting the hair above the top lip grow? Well, for a start, think of all the mud and kickback that would get stuck in the hair. You'd pull up after 1m6f at Southwell and look like Father Christmas, maybe slightly less friendly. Also, having a tashe must be less aerodynamic, those extra whiskers could be the difference between winning and, well, being beaten by a whisker.
However, think of all the attention a distinctive facial trim would bring - lots of photos, strokings and maybe some women.
So, in conclusion to this scientific investigation, it would be extremly funny to see Frankie Dettori do a flying dismount with his handlebar moustache blowing in the breeze but, alas, I fear it will never happen. Why not do what England usually does in times of unhappiness - blame the Germans.