following the end of world war i in 1918 and the recommencement of horserace meetings in britain, vernet made it known that she was willing to take small bets from female acquaintances who, like her, attended local race meetings throughout the english home counties. unfortunately, as word got around and demand for her services visibly increased, her illegal and unlicensed activities soon came to the attention of the authorities. she was duly "warned off", the procedure whereby a person of proven dubious character is banned from attending official racecourse meetings in britain for a set period of time.