There is no direct historical evidence to show that the ancient Britons
addicted themselves to any form of this amusement; but there are
indications that among some at least of the Germanic tribes, from a very
early period, horse-racing was an accompaniment of their religious
cultus. There can be no doubt that the Romans encouraged the pursuit in
Britain, if they did not introduce it; traces of race-courses belonging
to the period of their occupation have been frequently discovered. The
influence of the Christian Church was everywhere at first strongly
against the practice. The opinion of Augustine and other fathers of the
church with regard to attendance at the spectacles, whether of theatre
or of circus, is well known; those who performed in them were rigidly
excluded from church fellowship, and sometimes even those who merely
frequented them. Thus the first council of Arles, in its fourth canon,
declared that those members of the church who drove chariots at the
public games should, so long as they continued in that employment, be
denied communion. (Compare the rule in the _Ap. Const._ viii. 32; ap.
Bingham. _Ant. Chr. Church_, xvi. 4, 10.) In many cases, however, the
weight of ecclesiastical authority proved insufficient to cope with the
force of old custom, or with the fascination of a sport the unchristian
character of which was not very easily demonstrable; and ultimately in
Germany and elsewhere the old local races appear to have been admitted
to a recognized place among the ceremonies peculiar to certain Christian
festivals.
The first distinct indication which contemporary history affords of
horse-racing as a sport occurs in the _Description of the City of
London_ of William Fitzstephen (c. 1174). He says that in a certain
"plane field without one of the gates (quidam planus campus re et
nomine--_Smithfield_, quasi Smoothfield) every Friday, unless it be one
of the more solemn festivals, is a noted show of well-bred (_nobilium_)
horses exposed for sale. The earls, barons and knights who are resident
in the city, as well as a multitude of citizens, flock thither either to
look on or buy." After describing the different varieties of horses
brought into the market, especially the more valuable chargers
(_dextrarios preciosos_), he says: "When a race is to be run by such
horses as these, and perhaps by others which, in like manner, according
to their breed are strong for carriage and vigorous for the course, the
people raise a shout and order the common horses to be withdrawn to
another part of the field. The jockeys, who are boys expert in the
management of horses, which they regulate by means of curb bridles,
sometimes by threes and sometimes by twos, as the match is made, prepare
themselves for the contest. Their chief aim is to prevent a competitor
from getting before them. The horses too, after their manner, are eager
for the race: their limbs tremble, and impatient of delay they cannot
stand still; upon the signal being given they stretch out their limbs,
hurry on the course, and are borne along with unremitting speed. The
riders, inspired with the love of praise and the hope of victory, clap
spurs to their flying horses, lashing them with whips, and inciting them
by their shouts" (see Stow's Translation).
In the reign of Richard I. knights rode at Whitsuntide on steeds and
palfreys over a three-mile course for "forty pounds of ready gold,"
according to the old romance of Sir Bevys of Hampton. The feats of the
tilt-yard, however, seem to have surpassed horse-racing in popular
estimation at the period of the crusades. That the sport was to some
extent indulged in by King John is quite possible, as running horses are
frequently mentioned in the register of royal expenditure; and we know
that Edward III. had a number of running horses, but it is probable they
were chiefly used for field sports.
An evidence of the growing favour in which horse-racing was held as a
popular amusement is furnished by the fact that public races were
established at Chester in 1512. Randle Holme of that city tells us that
towards the latter part of Henry VIII.'s reign, on Shrove Tuesday, the
company of saddlers of Chester presented to "the drapers a wooden ball
embellished with flowers, and placed upon the point of a lance. This
ceremony was performed in the presence of the mayor at the cross of the
Roody or Roodee, an open place near the city; but this year (1540) the
ball was changed into a silver bell, valued at three shillings and
sixpence or more, to be given to him who shall run best and furthest on
horseback before them on the same day, Shrove Tuesday; these bells were
denominated St George's bells." In the reign of Elizabeth there is
evidence from the poems of Bishop Hall (1597) that racing was in vogue,
though apparently not patronized by the queen, or it would no doubt have
formed part of the pastimes at Kenilworth; indeed, it seems then to have
gone much out of fashion.
The accession of the Stuarts opened up an era of prosperity for the
sport, for James I., who, according to Youatt, had encouraged if not
established horse-racing in Scotland, greatly patronized it in England
when he came to the throne. Not only did he run races at Croydon and
Enfield, but he endeavoured to improve the breed of horses by the
purchase for a high figure of the Arab stallion known as Markham's
Arabian, which little horse, however, was beaten in every race he ran.
In 1607, according to Camden's _Britannia_, races were run near York,
the prize being a little golden bell. Camden also mentions as the prize
for running horses in Gatherley Forest a little golden ball, which was
apparently anterior to the bell. In 1609 Mr Robert Ambrye, sometime
sheriff of the city of Chester, caused three silver bells to be made of
good value, which bells he appointed to be run for with horses on St
George's day upon the Roodee, the first horse to have the best bell and
the money put in by the horses that ran--in other words, a
sweepstake--the bells to be returned that day twelvemonth as challenge
cups are now; towards the expenses he had an allowance from the city. In
1613 subscription purses are first mentioned. Nicholls, in his _Progress
of James I._, makes mention of racing in the years 1617 and 1619.
Challenge bells appear to have continued to be the prizes at Chester,
according to Randle Holme the younger, and Ormerod's _History of
Chester_, until 1623 or 1624, when Mr John Brereton, mayor of Chester,
altered the course and caused the horses to run five times round the
Roodee, the bell to be of good value, L8 or L10, and to be a free bell
to be held for ever--in other words, a presentation and not a challenge
prize.
During James's reign public race meetings were established at Gatherley
or Garterley, near Richmond in Yorkshire, at Croydon in Surrey, and at
Enfield Chase, the last two being patronized by the king, who not only
had races at Epsom during his residence at Nonsuch, but also built a
house at Newmarket for the purpose of enjoying hunting, and no doubt
racing too, as we find a note of there having been horse-races at this
place as early as 1605. Races are also recorded as having taken place at
Linton near Cambridge, but they were probably merely casual meetings.
The prizes were for the most part silver or gold bells, whence the
phrase "bearing away the bell." The turf indeed appears to have
attracted a great deal of notice, and the systematic preparation of
running horses was studied, attention being paid to their feeding and
training, to the instruction of jockeys--although private matches
between gentlemen who rode their own horses were very common,--and to
the adjustment of weights, which were usually about 10 stone. The sport
also seems to have taken firm hold of the people, and to have become
very popular.
The reign of Charles I., which commenced in 1625, saw still more marked
strides made, for the king not only patronized the racing at Newmarket,
which we know was current In 1640, but thoroughly established it there,
and built a stand house in 1667, since which year the races have been
annual. Mention is likewise made in the comedy of the _Merry Beggars_,
played in 1641, of races, both horse and foot, in Hyde Park, which were
patronized by Charles I., who gave a silver cup, value 100 guineas, to
be run for instead of bells. Butcher, in his survey of the town of
Stamford (1646), also says that a race was annually run in that town for
a silver and gilt cup and cover, of the value of L7 or L8, provided by
the care of the aldermen for the time being out of the interest of a
stock formerly made by the nobility and gentry of the neighbourhood.
In 1648 Clarendon tells us that a meeting of Royalists was held at
Banstead Downs, as Epsom Downs were then called, "under the pretence of
a horse-race," so that horse-racing at Epsom was not unknown early in
the 17th century; Pepys, too, in his _Diary_ of 1663, mentions his
having intended to go to Banstead Downs to see a famous horse-race.
Cromwell is said to have kept running horses in the year 1653, but in
1654 he appears to have gone so far as to forbid racing for six and
eight months respectively. After the Reformation in 1660, a new impetus
was given to horse-racing, which had languished during the civil wars,
and the races at Newmarket, which had been suspended, were restored and
attended by the king; and as an additional spur to emulation, according
to Youatt, royal plates were given at each of the principal courses, and
royal mares, as they were called, were imported from abroad. Charles II.
rebuilt the house originally erected at Newmarket by James I., which had
fallen into decay. The Round course was made in 1666, and racing at the
headquarters of the turf was regulated in the most systematic way, as to
the course, weights and other conditions. Charles II. was the first
monarch who entered and ran horses in his own name; and, besides being a
frequent visitor at the races on Newmarket Heath, and on Burford Downs,
near Stockbridge, where the Bibury Club meeting was held, he established
races at Datchet. In the reign of James II. nothing specially noteworthy
occurred, but William III. continued former crown donations and even
added to them.
Anne was much devoted to horse-racing, and not only gave royal plates to
be competed for, but ran horses for them in her own name. In 1703
Doncaster races were established, when 4 guineas a year were voted by
the corporation towards a plate, and in 1716 the Town Plate was
established by the same authority to be run on Doncaster Moor. Nearly a
century, however, elapsed before the St Leger was instituted. Matches at
Newmarket had become common, for we find that Basto, one of the earliest
race-horses of whom we have any authentic account, won several matches
there in 1708 and 1709. In the latter year, according to Camden, York
races were established, the course at first being on Clifton Ings, but
it was subsequently removed to Knavesmire, on which the races are now
run. In 1710 the first gold cup said to have been given by the queen, of
60 guineas value, was run for by six-year-old horses carrying 12 stone
each, the best of three 4-mile heats, and was won by Bay Bolton. In 1711
it was increased to 100 guineas. In 1712 Queen Anne's gelding Pepper ran
for the Royal Cup of L100 at York, and her Mustard, a nutmeg-grey horse,
ran for the same prize in 1713. Again in 1714 her Majesty's bay horse
Star won a sweepstake of 10 guineas added to a plate of L40 at the same
place, in four heats, carrying 11 stone. In 1716 the Ladies' Plate at
York for five-year-olds was won by Aleppo, son of the Darley Arabian.
Racing and match-making continued to be a regular sport at Newmarket,
and at York and Hambleton, and we also find a record of a race at
Lincoln in August 1717 for a silver tea-board, won by Brocklesby Betty,
as was the Queen's Plate at Black Hambleton in the year before.
Between 1714 and 1720 there were races at Pontefract in Yorkshire for
plates or money. The best of two out of three heats was to be the
winner, provided the said horse was not distanced in the third heat--the
distance post being 1 furlong from the winning post; and this appears to
have been a usual condition. In or about the year 1721 Flying Childers
is said to have run a trial against Almanzor and Brown Betty over the
Round course at Newmarket (3 m. 4 f. 93 y.) in 6 m. 40 s., and another
trial over the Beacon course (4 m. 1 f. 138 y.) in 7 m. 30 s.--which is
fast even for a six-year old; but it is just possible that in those days
the art of time-taking was anything but perfect. In 1721 George I. gave
100 guineas in specie in lieu of the gold cup at York presented by Anne,
and the king's or queen's plates have been given in cash ever since. In
1725 a ladies' plate was run for on the 14th of September by female
riders on Ripon Heath in Yorkshire. In 1727 Mr John Cheney established
the _Racing Calendar_--an historical list of all the horse matches run,
and of all plates and prizes run for in England and Wales of the value
of L10 or upwards in 1727, &c. No systematic records had till then been
preserved of the running of the race-horses of the day, and it is only
through the performances of certain celebrated horses and mares that we
have any information of what actually took place, and even that is more
or less of a fragmentary kind. At this time racing was thoroughly
established as a national and popular sport, for there were upwards of a
hundred meetings in England and Wales; but the plates or sweepstakes run
for were for the most part of small value, as L10, L20, L30, L40, and
sometimes L50. In 1727, according to Whyte, there were only a dozen
royal plates run for in England: one at Newmarket in April for
six-year-old horses at 12 stone each, in heats over the Round
course--first called the King's Plate course; one for five-year-old
mares at 10 stone each, in one heat, and another in October for
six-year-old horses at 12 stone, in heats over the same course; one at
York (which commenced in 1711) for six-year-old horses, 12 stone each,
4-m. heats; one at Black Hambleton, Yorkshire (of which no regular
account was kept until 1715), for five-year-old mares, 10 stone, 4 m.;
one at each of the following places, Nottingham, Lincoln, Guildford,
Winchester, Salisbury and Lewes, for six-year-old horses, 12 stone each,
4-m. heats; and one at Ipswich for five-year-old horses, 10 stone each.
A royal plate was also run for at Edinburgh in 1728 or 1729, and one at
the Curragh of Kildare in 1741.
In 1739 an act was passed to prevent racing by ponies and weak horses,
13 Geo. II. cap. 10, which also prohibited prizes or plates of less
value than L50. At this period the best horses seldom ran more than five
or six times, and some not so often, there being scarcely any plates of
note except royal ones, and very few sweepstakes or matches of value
except at Newmarket until after 1750; moreover, as the races were run in
heats, best three out of four, over a course of several miles in length,
the task set the horses before winning a plate was very severe, and by
no means commensurate with the value of the prize. In 1751 the great
subscription races commenced at York, the city also giving L50 added
money to each day's racing. At Newmarket there were only two meetings,
one in April and the other in October, but in 1753 a second spring
meeting was established, and in that year the Jockey Club, which was
founded in 1750, established the present racing ground. In 1762 a second
October meeting was added, in 1765 the July meeting, in 1770 the
Houghton meeting, and in 1771 the Craven meeting. In 1766 Tattersall's
was established at Hyde Park Corner by Richard Tattersall for the sale
of horses; it remained the great emporium of horses, and the rendezvous
for betting on horse races, until 1865, when, the lease of the premises
at the Corner having run out, it was removed to Knightsbridge.
We now come to a very important period--that at which the great
three-year-old races were instituted.
The St Leger.
The St Leger was established in 1776 by Colonel St Leger, who resided at
Parkhill, near Doncaster. On the 24th of September, during the Doncaster
races, which took place annually in the autumn, at his suggestion a
sweepstake of 25 guineas each for three-year-old colts and fillies was
run over a 2-m. course; there were six competitors, the property of as
many subscribers,--a very small beginning, it must be owned. The race
was won by a filly by Sampson, belonging to Lord Rockingham, which was
afterwards named Allabaculia. In the following year the same stake had
twelve subscribers and ten starters, and was won by Mr Sotheron's
Bourbon. It was not, however, until the succeeding year, 1778, that it
was named the St Leger, in compliment to the founder, at the suggestion
of the marquis of Rockingham. The stakes were increased in 1832 to 50
sovs. each, and the weights have been raised from time to time to keep
pace with modern requirements. The Doncaster Cup, a weight for age race
for three-year-olds and upwards, was established in 1801. The course is
nearly flat, of an oval or kite shape, about 1(3/4) m. round the
town-moor.
The Derby and Oaks.
The Epsom Derby and Oaks were established in 1779 and 1780, the Oaks in
the former and the Derby in the latter year. It is true that in 1730
Epsom races became annual, but the prizes were nothing more than the
usual plates run for in heats, the money required being raised by
voluntary subscriptions, as well by the owners of booths on the downs as
by the parties more immediately interested, whence arose the custom of
charges being made by the lord of the manor for permission to erect
booths, &c. during the race-meetings. On the 14th of May 1779 the
twelfth earl of Derby originated the Oaks stakes (named after his seat
or hunting-box "The Oaks" at Woodmansterne), a sweepstake for
three-year-old fillies run on a course 1(1/2) m. long. The race was won
by Lord Derby's bay filly Bridget, bred by himself--her sire being Herod
and her dam Jemima. In the following year the earl established a
sweepstake of 50 sovs. each, half forfeit, for three-year-old colts.
This, the first Derby, was won by Sir C. Bunbury's chestnut colt Diomed
by Florizel, son of Herod, who beat eight opponents, including the duke
of Bolton's Bay Bolton and Lord Grosvenor's Diadem. These two races have
since been run for regularly every year, the Derby, which before 1839
was run on the Thursday, now taking place on the Wednesday, and the Oaks
on the Friday, in the same week at the end of May.
Ascot Races.
Ascot races, which are held on Ascot Heath, were established by the duke
of Cumberland, uncle of George III., and are patronized by royalty in
state or semi-state. They are mentioned in the first _Racing Calendar_,
published in 1727, but the races were for the most part plates and other
prizes of small importance, though a royal plate for hunters appears to
have been given in 1785. The Gold Cup was first given in 1807, and has
been regularly competed for ever since, though from 1845 to 1853
inclusive it went by the designation of the Emperor's Plate, the prize
being offered by the emperor of Russia. In 1854, during the Crimean War,
the cup was again called the Ascot Gold Cup, and was given from the race
fund. The Queen's Vase was first given in 1838, and the Royal Hunt Cup
in 1843, while in 1865 a new long-distance race for four-year-olds and
upwards was established, and named the Alexandra Plate, after the
Princess of Wales.
Goodwood.
Goodwood races were established by the duke of Richmond on the downs at
the northern edge of Goodwood Park in 1802, upon the earl of Egremont
discontinuing races in his park at Petworth. The races take place at the
end of July, on the close of the London season. The Goodwood Cup, the
chief prize of the meeting, was first given in 1812; but from 1815 to
1824 inclusive there was no race for it, with the single exception of
1816.
Two Thousand, &c.
During the latter half of the 18th century horse-racing declined very
much in England, and numbers of meetings were discontinued, the wars
which took place necessarily causing the change. From the beginning of
the 19th century, and especially after the conclusion of the French war
in 1815, racing rapidly revived, and many new meetings were either
founded or renewed after a period of suspension, and new races were from
time to time established. Among others the Two Thousand Guineas at
Newmarket for three-year-old colts and fillies, and the One Thousand
Guineas for fillies, were established in 1809 and 1814 respectively, the
Goodwood Stakes in 1823, the Chester Cup and Brighton Stakes in 1824,
the Liverpool Summer Cup in 1828, the Northumberland Plate in 1833, the
Manchester Cup in 1834, the Ascot Stakes and the Cesarewitch and
Cambridgeshire Handicaps at Newmarket in 1839, the Stewards' and
Chesterfield Cups at Goodwood in 1840, the Great Ebor Handicap at York
in 1843, and, to omit others, the City and Suburban Handicap at Epsom in
1851, and the Lincoln Handicap in 1853.
Two-year-old racing was established very shortly after the great
three-year-old races, and on a similar footing, that is to say, the
competitors carried the same weights, with the exception of a slight
allowance for sex,--the July Stakes at the Newmarket Midsummer Meeting
having been founded as early as 1786. The Woodcote Stakes at Epsom
succeeded in 1807, the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster in 1823, the
Criterion Stakes at the Houghton Meeting in 1829, the Chesterfield
Stakes at the Newmarket July meeting in 1834, the New Stakes at Ascot in
1843, the Middle Park Plate (or two-year-old Derby, as it is sometimes
called) at the Newmarket Second October Meeting in 1866, the Dewhurst
Plate at the Houghton Meeting in 1875, and the Richmond Stakes at
Goodwood in 1877. (E. D. B.)
Classic Races in England.
_Present Conditions._--Horse-racing, usually described as "the national
sport," has greatly advanced in general popularity in the British Isles.
There is no doubt that the best specimens of the English thoroughbred
horse are the finest animals of their kind in existence; the value of an
infusion of the blood for chargers, hunters, hacks, and other varieties
is scarcely to be overestimated; and the only way of ascertaining what
animals may be most judiciously employed for breeding purposes is to
submit them to the tests of preparation for and performance on the turf.
Racing is therefore a practical necessity. On some accepted authority,
the origin of which is not to be traced, five races run each season by
three-year-olds are distinguished as "classic." Of these the chief, by
universal consent, is the Derby, which takes place at Epsom during the
week which includes the 31st May. The Epsom course, on which the Derby
has been run since its origin in 1780, is by no means a good one, in
consequence of the abrupt turn at Tattenham Corner; and the severe
descent after this turn is made is also held to be a disadvantage,
though a really good horse should be able to act on ascents, descents
and level ground with equal relative facility. In many respects the St
Leger, run at Doncaster about the middle of September, is a better test,
as here colts and fillies meet when both are presumably able to do
themselves the fullest justice. September, indeed, has been called "the
Mares' Month," for though fillies are eligible to run in the Derby, they
are very frequently out of sorts and always more or less uncertain in
their performances during the summer--only four have been successful in
129 contests for the stake--whereas in the autumn their numerous
victories in the St Leger prove them to be at their best. It was the
recognition of this fact which induced an alteration of the weights in
the year 1882, previously to which fillies had carried 5 lb. less than
colts; the weights, formerly 8 st. 10 lb. and 8 st. 5 lb., are now 9 st.
and 8 st. 11 lb. The Doncaster course is superior for racing purposes to
that at Epsom, where the Oaks, another of the "classic races," is run on
the Friday following the Derby; the other two contests which come into
this category being the Two Thousand Guineas for colts and fillies, and
the One Thousand Guineas for fillies only. These races take place at
Newmarket during the First Spring Meeting, the former always on a
Wednesday, the latter on Friday. The expression "a Derby horse" is
common, but has no precise significance, as the three-year-olds vary
much in capacity from year to year. It is generally understood, for
instance, that Ormonde, who won the Derby in 1886, must have been at
least 21 lb. superior to Sir Visto or Jeddah, who were successful in
1895 and 1898. By their ability to carry weight the value of horses is
estimated on the turf. Thus one horse who beats another by a length over
a distance of a mile would be described as a 5-lb. better animal.
Handicap Horses.
The term "handicap horse" once had an adverse significance which it does
not now possess. In handicaps horses carry weight according to their
presumed capacity, as calculated by handicappers who are licensed by the
Jockey Club and employed by the directors of different meetings. The
idea of a handicap is to afford chances of success to animals who would
have no prospect of winning if they met their rivals on equal terms; but
of late years the value of handicaps has been so greatly increased that
few owners resist the temptation of taking part in them. Horses nowadays
who do not run in this kind of contest are very rare, though a few, such
as Ormonde, Isinglass, and Persimmon, never condescended to this class
of sport. The duke of Westminster did not hesitate to put his Derby
winner Bend Or into some of the chief handicaps; and it is, of course, a
great test of merit when horses carrying heavy weights show marked
superiority in these contests to rivals of good reputation more lightly
burdened. St Gatien, who dead-heated with Harvester in the Derby of
1884; Robert the Devil, who won the St Leger in 1880 and on several
occasions beat the Derby winner Bend Or; and La Fleche, who won the Oaks
and the St Leger in 1892, added to the esteem in which they were held by
their successes under heavy weights, the colts in the Cesarewitch, the
filly in the Cambridgeshire. Of the chief handicaps of the year, special
mention may be made of the City and Suburban, run at the Epsom Spring
Meeting over 1(1/4) m.; the Kempton Park Jubilee, over 1 m.; the Ascot
Stakes, 2 m., and the Royal Hunt Cup, 1 m.; the Stewards' Cup at
Goodwood, six furlongs; the Cesarewitch Stakes and the Cambridgeshire
Stakes at Newmarket, the former 2(1/4) m., the latter now a mile and a
furlong--till lately it was "a mile and a distance"--"a distance" on the
Turf being a fixed limit of 240 yds. The cups at Manchester, Newbury,
and Liverpool are also handicaps of some note, though it may be remarked
that the expression "a cup horse" is understood to imply an animal
capable of distinguishing himself over a long distance at even weights
against the best opponents. There are many other valuable stakes of
almost equal importance, diminishing to what are known as "selling
handicaps," the winners of which are always put up for sale by auction
immediately after the race, in the lowest class of them the condition
being that the winner is to be offered for L50. No stake of less than
L100 can be run for under Jockey Club rules, which govern all reputable
flat racing in England, nor is any horse ever entered to be sold for
less than L50. As horses mature they are naturally able to carry heavier
weights.
_Scale of Weight for Age._
The following scale of weight for age is published under the sanction
of the Stewards of the Jockey Club as a guide to managers of race
meetings, but is not intended to be imperative, especially as regards
the weights of two-and three-year olds relatively to the old horses in
selling races early in the year. It is founded on the scale published
by Admiral Rous, and revised by him in 1873, but has been modified in
accordance with suggestions from the principal trainers and practical
authorities.
+-----------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Age. |Mar. and| May. | June. | July. | Aug. | Sept. |Oct. and|
| | April. | | | | | | Nov. |
+-----------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
|_Five Furlongs_--|st. lb.|st. lb.|st. lb.|st. lb.|st. lb.|st. lb.|st. lb.|
| Two years | 6 0 | 6 2 | 6 7 | 6 9 | 7 0 | 7 4 | 7 7 |
| Three years | 8 2 | 8 3 | 8 5 | 8 7 | 8 9 | 8 10 | 8 11 |
| Four years | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 |
| Five, six and | | | | | | | |
| aged | 9 1 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 |
|_Six Furlongs_-- | | | | | | | |
| Two years | 6 0 | 6 4 | 6 7 | 6 11 | 7 0 | 7 5 | 7 7 |
| Three years | 8 4 | 8 6 | 8 8 | 8 10 | 8 12 | 9 0 | 9 2 |
| Four years | 9 7 | 9 7 | 9 7 | 9 7 | 9 7 | 9 7 | 9 7 |
| Five, six and | | | | | | | |
| aged | 9 9 | 9 8 | 9 7 | 9 7 | 9 7 | 9 7 | 9 7 |
|_One Mile_-- | | | | | | | |
| Two years | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 6 5 | 6 7 |
| Three years | 7 9 | 7 11 | 7 13 | 8 2 | 8 4 | 8 5 | 8 6 |
| Four years | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 |
| Five, six and | | | | | | | |
| aged | 9 4 | 9 3 | 9 2 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 |
|_One Mile and a | | | | | | | |
| Half_-- | | | | | | | |
| Two years | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 6 0 | 6 4 |
| Three years | 7 7 | 7 9 | 7 11 | 7 13 | 8 1 | 8 3 | 8 5 |
| Four years | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 |
| Five, six and | | | | | | | |
| aged | 9 5 | 9 4 | 9 3 | 9 2 | 9 1 | 9 0 | 9 0 |
|_Two Miles_-- | | | | | | | |
| Two years | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 6 0 | 6 2 |
| Three years | 7 8 | 7 11 | 7 12 | 8 0 | 8 3 | 8 4 | 8 5 |
| Four years | 9 4 | 9 4 | 9 4 | 9 4 | 9 4 | 9 4 | 9 4 |
| Five, six and | | | | | | | |
| aged | 9 10 | 9 9 | 9 8 | 9 7 | 9 6 | 9 5 | 9 4 |
|_Three Miles_-- | | | | | | | |
| Three years | 7 1 | 7 4 | 7 5 | 7 7 | 7 9 | 7 11 | 7 13 |
| Four years | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 | 9 0 |
| Five years | 9 8 | 9 7 | 9 6 | 9 5 | 9 5 | 9 4 | 9 3 |
| Six and aged | 9 10 | 9 8 | 9 7 | 9 6 | 9 5 | 9 4 | 9 3 |
+-----------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
L10,000 Races.
In the year 1884 the managers of Sandown Park formulated the scheme of a
race for a prize of L10,000, to be called the Eclipse Stakes, and to be
run over a distance of 1(1/4) m. In order to secure a large entry, horses
were to be nominated soon after their birth; owners who perceived the
hopelessness of their nominations could withdraw at stated intervals by
the payment of increasing forfeits; if their animals finally went to the
post a stake amounting in all to L115 would have to be paid for them;
and thus it will be seen that owners were really running for their own
money, though if there were an insufficient number of entries the funds
of the club might be taxed to supply the deficiency. The scheme was
found to be attractive, and the example was followed at Leicester and at
Manchester, at both of which places, however, it lapsed. At Newmarket,
under the immediate auspices of the Jockey Club, the L10,000 races
succeeded, and there were two of them each year. The Princess of Wales's
Stakes was run for the first time in 1894 at the First July Meeting, and
the Jockey Club Stakes at the First October. The former has, however,
now been reduced to L2000 added to a sweepstake of L30 each with a minor
forfeit. In the year 1900 a fourth race of similar character, the
Century Stakes, was originated at Sandown, but the experiment proved a
failure, and the contest was discontinued.
Two-year-old Races.
The age of the thoroughbred horse is always dated from the 1st January.
Foals are generally born in February, March or April, though not a few
good horses have been born in May; they become yearlings, therefore, on
the 1st January following, two-year-olds twelve months later, and many
of them begin to race in the following March, for flat racing always
starts during the week which contains the 25th, except when Easter falls
unusually early. In France no two-year-olds run until the 1st August,
and discussion is frequently raised as to the respective wisdom of the
English and French systems. It happens, however, that some young horses
"come to hand" soon, and deteriorate with equal rapidity. They are, in
fact, able to win races at the beginning of the season, and fail to hold
their own later in the year against bigger and more powerful animals of
their own age who have taken longer to mature; so that there is some
argument in favour of the earlier date. The first noteworthy
two-year-old race is the Brocklesby Stakes, run at Lincoln during the
first week of the season. Sometimes the winner of the Brocklesby is
really a good animal, as was the case with The Bard in 1885 and Donovan
in 1888, but as a general rule when the autumn comes he is found to be
far inferior to the winners of subsequent two-year-old races of good
class. It is seldom that a first-class two-year-old appears before the
Ascot Meeting about the middle of June, though horses of character
sometimes run for the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom and in other contests
elsewhere. The names of many of the most famous horses on the turf are
found in the list of winners of the New Stakes at Ascot, which was first
run in 1843 and maintains its character. In 1890 the Coventry Stakes was
originated, and is regarded as a race of practically equal importance.
The July Stakes at Newmarket is the oldest of existing two-year-old
races, having been first run in 1786. The list of winners is a brilliant
one. The Chesterfield Stakes ranks with it. The best two-year-olds are
usually seen out at Goodwood, and as a general rule those that have
chiefly distinguished themselves during the year, and are to make names
for themselves later in life, are found contesting the Middle Park Plate
at the Newmarket Second October Meeting and the Dewhurst Plate at the
Newmarket Houghton. The Middle Park Plate is generally worth over L2000,
the other races named are between L1000 and L2000 in value; but these
are not the richest two-year-old prizes of the year, the value of the
National Breeders' Produce Stakes at Sandown, run on the day following
the Eclipse, being between L4000 and L5000, and the Imperial Stakes at
Kempton Park falling not very far short of L3000. As a rule, a colt who
has been specially successful as a two-year-old maintains his capacity
later in life, unless it be found that he cannot "stay"--that is to say,
is unable to maintain his best speed over more than five or six
furlongs; but it is frequently the case that fillies who have won good
races as two-year-olds entirely lose their form and meet with little or
no success afterwards.
Newmarket.
Ascot and other meetings.
Newmarket is called with reason "the headquarters of the Turf." There
are about forty training establishments in the town, each trainer being
in charge of an average of thirty to forty horses, irrespective of
mares, foals and yearlings. During the year eight race meetings are held
on the Heath: the Craven; the First and Second Spring; the First and
Second October--the First October usually occurring at the end of
September; and the Houghton. These are contested on "the Flat," the
course which includes the Rowley Mile. It is said that the Rowley Mile
is so called from the fact of its having been a favourite race-ground
with Charles II. The First and Second July Meetings take place on
another course, known as "Behind the Ditch," the Ditch being the huge
embankment which runs through several counties and has existed from time
immemorial. The Craven Stakes for three-year-olds is an event of some
importance at the first meeting of the year. It used to finish on an
ascent at what is called the "Top of the Town," a course over which the
handicap for the Cambridgeshire was run. This course has now been
abandoned and the stand pulled down. At the First Spring Meeting the Two
Thousand Guineas and the One Thousand Guineas occur, as already stated,
but the names do not represent the values of the stakes, which are, in
fact, usually worth close on L5000 each. The July Stakes and the
Princess of Wales' Stakes are run at the First July Meeting. The Jockey
Club Stakes is the leading event of the First October; the Cesarewitch
and the Middle Park Plates follow in the Second October; the Criterion
Stakes, another of the few races that once finished at the "Top of the
Town," the Cambridgeshire and the Dewhurst Plate take place at the
Houghton Meeting. The majority of races finish at the Rowley Mile post;
but there are three other winning-posts along the Rowley Mile. "Behind
the Ditch" races finish at two different posts, one of which enables
horses to avoid the necessity of galloping up the severe ascent of the
"Bunbury Mile." Although, as a rule, there is no better racing to be
seen than the best events at Newmarket, the programmes are often spun
out by selling plates and paltry handicaps, and a high level is nowhere
so consistently maintained as at Ascot. The Ascot meeting is
distinguished by the entire absence of selling plates, and much more
"added money" is given than on any other course. Added money is the sum
supplied by the directors of a race meeting, derived by them from the
amounts paid for entrances to stands and enclosures; for in many
races--the Ten Thousand prizes, for instance--owners run mainly or
entirely for money which they have themselves provided. The Ascot Cup is
generally spoken of as a race success in which sets the seal to the fame
of a good horse. It is a prize of the highest distinction, and of late
years has been of considerable value, the winner in 1909 having gained
for his owner L3430. That the number of runners for this race should be
invariably small--the average for many years past has been about six--is
not a matter of surprise to those who are familiar with the Turf. There
are very few horses possessing sufficient speed and staying power to
make it worth the while of their owners to submit them to the
exceedingly severe test of a preparation for this race, which is run
over 2(1/2) m. of ground at a time of year when the turf is almost always
extremely hard everywhere, and harder at Ascot than almost anywhere
else. There is no course on which more good horses have hopelessly
broken down. All the prizes are handsome, and success at Ascot confers
much prestige, for the reason that the majority of horses that run are
good ones; but annually there is a list of victims that never recover
from the effects of galloping on this ground. Goodwood also attracts
horses of high character, though some unimportant races fill out the
programme. Formerly there were many meetings around London, which fell
into disrepute in consequence of the manner in which they were
conducted. These have been replaced by well-managed gatherings in
enclosed parks, and here the value of the prizes is often so high that
the best horses in training are attracted. These meetings include
Sandown, Kempton, Gatwick, Lingfield, Newbury and Hurst Park. Liverpool,
Manchester, Birmingham, Brighton, York and various other towns have race
meetings twice or oftener in the course of each year. At the various
fixtures over half a million of money is annually given in stakes. The
largest sum ever won by a horse was the L57,185 gained by Isinglass in
1892-1895. Donovan follows with L54,935. In all probability these large
totals would have been considerably exceeded had not Flying Fox--who had
won in his first two seasons L40,090--been disqualified by the death of
his owner, the duke of Westminster, as this colt was engaged in the four
L10,000 races of 1900, in which to all appearance he could not have been
beaten, so much was he superior to his contemporaries. The death of an
owner of horses disqualifies the animals he has entered--a necessary
regulation, as otherwise an heir might be burdened with a stable of
horses the possession of which would entail heavy expense and serious
responsibility on a person who perhaps had no knowledge of or taste for
racing.
Value of horses.
The value of an unquestionably good horse is enormous. It has been seen
what handsome prizes are offered for competition, and when withdrawn
from the Turf the horse may secure a large income to his owner at the
stud. A stallion's fee of 600 guineas (as in the case of St Simon)
should mean well over L20,000 a year; and fees of 100 guineas and more
are common. Proved merit on the Turf is considered essential in a sire,
though there have been instances of horses, unsuccessful during their
racing career, who have distinguished themselves at the stud: Wisdom,
sire of the Derby winner Sir Hugo, and several notable examples might be
cited. Mares are much more uncertain in this respect. On the whole, the
famous mares that have won the Oaks, the St Leger and other leading
races, have been apt to fail in the paddocks; but there is always a hope
of success with them, and the large sum of 12,600 guineas was paid for
La Fleche when she had ceased from active service on the Turf. For
None-the-Wiser 7200 guineas was given; and 4600 guineas for Wedlock when
well advanced in years, on the strength of her having been the dam of a
good horse called Best Man. Well-bred mares that have shown no capacity
for racing are, however, frequently the dams of good winners. Breeding
is a lottery. An Australian enthusiast some years since published a book
the object of which was to enable breeders to produce good horses by a
species of mathematical calculation; but the fallacy of the "Figure
System" was at once proved by the simple circumstance that in very many
cases the own brothers and sisters of good winners, whose breeding
conformed entirely to the system, proved to be utterly worthless for
racing purposes. It is a fact difficult of explanation that the majority
of famous winners have been privately bred by their owners. Many persons
breed for sale, in some cases sparing no expense or trouble in the
endeavour to secure good results, and yearlings sold by auction have
fetched prices of from 10,000 guineas (paid for Sceptre, a daughter of
Persimmon and Ornament, in 1900) downwards; sums of over 1000 guineas
being frequently given. That so large a proportion of high-priced
yearlings should turn out failures is not at all a matter for surprise,
considering the uncertainties of the Turf, but it by no means follows
that a high-priced yearling is necessarily an expensive animal; 5500
guineas was, for instance, given for La Fleche, who won for her owner
L34,585 in stakes, and, as already observed, was subsequently sold for
12,600 guineas. The principal yearling sales take place during the July
meeting at Newmarket and the Doncaster meeting in September. There are
also sales at Ascot and elsewhere. The Royal Stud at Bushey Park, where
Memoir, La Fleche, Best Man and other good animals were bred, has now
been abandoned.
Trainers and jockeys.
In many cases trainers have graduated from jockeys. The usual charge to
an owner is 50s. a week per horse, but, as regards the cost of a horse
in training, to this there are various additions irrespective of
entrances to races, forfeits, travelling, jockey's fees, &c. The
recognized sum paid to a jockey is 3 guineas for a losing mount, 5
guineas for winning. In many cases special terms are made; the principal
owners usually have a claim on a rider's services, and for this call as
much as L5000 per annum, exclusive of the usual riding fees, has been
given.
From time immemorial until within a very recent period jockeys rode in
much the same style, though, of course, with varying degrees of skill.
Many hundreds of boys exercise daily at Newmarket and other training
grounds, all of them necessarily having a firm seat in the saddle, for
the thoroughbred horse is, as a rule, high-couraged and apt to play
violent tricks; but though most of these lads find chances to
distinguish themselves in trials and races for apprentices, probably not
5% grow into professional jockeys, increasing weight keeping many from
the business, as a jockey has few chances unless he can ride well under
9 stone. Knowledge of pace is a rare gift or acquisition which is
essential to successful jockeyship. The rider must also be quick to
perceive how his own horse is going--what he has "left in him"; he must
understand at a glance which of his rivals are beaten and which are
still likely to be dangerous; must know when the moment comes for the
supreme effort to be made, and how to balance and prepare the horse for
that critical struggle. At the beginning of the race the jockey used to
stand in his stirrups, with the idea of removing weight from the horse's
back and preserving perfect steadiness; towards the end of the race, if
it were necessary to drive the animal home, he sat down "to finish."
This method used to be adopted in all countries, but recently a new
system came into practice in America. Instead of putting the saddle in
the middle of the horse's back, where it had always been placed
previously, it was shifted forward on to the animal's withers. The
jockey rode with very short stirrups, leaning forward over the neck and
grasping the reins within a few inches of the horse's mouth. The
appearance of this was ungainly in the extreme and an entire departure
from ancient ways (though Fordham and a few other riders of great
reputation had always sat much more forward than their contemporaries),
but it was found to be remarkably effective. From the position thus
adopted there was less resistance to the wind, and though the saving in
this respect was largely exaggerated, in racing, where success or
failure is frequently a matter of a very few inches, every little that
helps is to be considered. The value of the discovery lay almost
entirely in the fact that the horse carries weight better--and is
therefore able to stride out more freely--when it is placed well forward
on his shoulders. With characteristic conservatism the English were slow
to accept the new plan. Several American jockeys, however, came to
England. In all the main attributes of horsemanship there was no reason
to believe that they were in the least superior to English jockeys, but
their constant successes required explanation, and the only way to
account for them appeared to be that horses derived a marked advantage
from the new system of saddling. A number of English riders followed the
American lead, and those who did so met with an unusual degree of
success. Race-riding, indeed, was in a very great measure revolutionized
in the closing years of the 19th century.
Foreign horses.
Of late years American horses--bred, it must always be remembered, from
stock imported from England--have won many races in England. Australian
horses have also been sent to the mother country, with results
remunerative to their owners, and the intermixture of blood which will
necessarily result should have beneficial consequences. French
horses--i.e. horses bred in France from immediate or from more or less
remote English parentage--have also on various occasions distinguished
themselves on English race-courses. That coveted trophy, the Ascot Cup,
was won by a French horse, Elf II., in 1898, it having fallen also to
the French-bred Verneuil in 1878, to Boiard in 1874, to Henry in 1872
and to Mortemer in 1871. In the Cesarewitch Plaisanterie (3 yrs., 7 st.
8 lb.) and Tenebreuse (4 yrs., 8 st. 12 lb.) were successful in 1885 and
1888; and Plaisanterie also carried off the Cambridgeshire as a
three-year-old with the heavy weight of 8 st. 12 lb. in a field of 27
runners. In most respects racing in France is conducted with
praiseworthy discrimination. There are scarcely any of the five- and
six-furlong scrambles for horses over two years old which are such
common features of English programmes.
Time.
That the horses who have covered various distances in the shortest times
on record must have been exceptionally speedy animals is obvious. The
times of races, however, frequently form a most deceptive basis in any
attempt to gauge the relative capacity of horses. A good animal will
often win a race in bad time, for the reason that his opponents are
unable to make him exert himself to the utmost. Not seldom a race is
described as having been "won in a canter," and this necessarily
signifies that if the winner had been harder pressed he would have
completed the course more quickly. The following figures show the
shortest times that had been occupied in winning over various distances
up to the spring of 1910:--
M. S.
/ Mirida (2 years), Epsom, 1905 \
Five furlongs < Le Buff (aged), Epsom, 1903 > 0 56(2/5)
\ Master Willie (aged), Epsom, 1903 /
Six furlongs Master Willie (5 years), Epsom, 1901 1 7(1/5)
Seven furlongs Vav (4 years), Epsom, 1907 1 20(3/5)
Mile Caiman (4 years), Lingfield, 1900 1 33(1/5)
Mile and a quarter Housewife (3 years), Brighton, 1904 2 1(4/5)
Mile and a half Zinfandel (3 years), Manchester, 1903 2 28(4/5)
Mile and three quarters Golden Measure (4 years), York, 1906 2 57(4/5)
Two miles Pradella (aged), Ascot, 1906 3 19(2/5)
Two miles and a half Bachelor's Button, Ascot, 1906 4 23(1/5)
Three miles Corrie Roy, Ascot, 1884 5 9
It may be noted that, as compared with similar records in 1901, only
three of these latter held good in 1910, i.e. the mile, the six
furlongs and the three miles. The fastest times over a mile and a half
(the Derby and Oaks distance) up to 1901 may be repeated here as of
some interest: Avidity, 2 min. 30(4/5) secs., in September 1901 at
Doncaster; Santoi, 2 min. 31 secs., in May 1901 at Hurst Park; King's
Courier, 2 min. 31 secs., in 1900 at Hurst Park; Landrail, 2 min. 34
secs., in September 1899 at Doncaster; Carbiston, 2 min. 37(2/5)
secs., in August 1899 at York; Bend Or, 2 min. 40 secs., in 1881 at
Epsom (gold cup): Volodyovski won the Derby in 1901, and Memoir the
Oaks in 1890, in 2 min. 40(4/5) secs.
As regards time in famous races, Ormonde, perhaps the best horse of the
19th century--one, at any rate, that can scarcely have had a
superior--occupied 2 minutes 45(3/5) seconds in winning the Derby; and
Lonely, one of the worst mares that have won the Oaks, galloped the same
mile and a half in 2 seconds less. Ormonde's St Leger time was 3 m.
21(2/5) s., and Sir Visto, one of the poorest specimens of a winner of
the great Doncaster race, took 3 m. 18(2/5) s. The regulation of the
weight to be carried serves to "bring the horses together," as the
popular sporting phrase runs--that is to say, it equalizes their chances
of winning; hence handicaps, the carrying of penalties by winners of
previous races, and the granting of "maiden allowances." A horse that
has never won a race, and is therefore known as a "maiden," often has an
allowance of as much as 7 lb. made in its favour.
The Jockey Club.
Sport is carried on under the auspices of the Jockey Club, a
self-elected body of the highest standing, whose powers are absolute and
whose sway is judicious and beneficent. Three stewards, one of whom
retires each year, when a successor is nominated, govern the active--and
extremely arduous--work of the club. They grant licences to trainers and
jockeys and all officials, and supervise the whole business of racing.
The stewards of the Jockey Club are _ex officio_ stewards of Ascot,
Epsom, Goodwood and Doncaster. All other meetings are controlled by
stewards, usually well-known patrons of the Turf invited to act by the
projectors of the fixture, who settle disputed points, hear and
adjudicate on objections, &c., and, if special difficulties arise,
report to the stewards of the Jockey Club, whose decision is final.
Steeplechasing.
Steeplechasing has altered entirely since the first introduction of this
essentially British sport. In early days men were accustomed to match
their hunters against each other and ride across country to a fixed
point near to some steeple which guided them on their way; and this is
no doubt, in several respects, a class of sport superior to that now
practised under the name of steeplechasing; for it tested the capacity
of the horse to jump fences of all descriptions, and provided the rider
with opportunities of showing his readiness and skill in picking the
best line of country. But racing of this kind afforded spectators a very
small chance of watching the struggle; and made-up steeplechase courses,
the whole circuit of which could be viewed from the enclosures, came
into existence. The steeplechase horse has also changed. The speed of
the thoroughbred is so much greater than that of all other breeds that
if one were in the field, if he only stood up and could jump a little,
his success was certain; consequently, except in "point-to-point" races,
organized by various hunts, where a qualification is that all starters
must have been regularly ridden with hounds, few other than thoroughbred
horses are nowadays ever found in races run under the rules of the
National Hunt Committee, the body which governs the sport of
steeplechasing. A considerable proportion of existing steeplechase
horses have done duty on the flat. Members of certain equine families
display a special aptitude for jumping; thus the descendants of Hermit,
who won the Derby in 1867, are very frequently successful in
steeplechases--Hermit's son Ascetic, the sire of Cloister, Hidden
Mystery and other good winners, is a notable case in point. The sons and
daughters of Timothy and of several other Hermit horses often jump well.
When a flat-race horse appears to have comparatively poor prospects of
winning under Jockey Club rules, he is frequently, if he "looks like
jumping," schooled for steeplechasing, generally in the first place over
hurdles, and subsequently over what is technically called "a country,"
beginning with small fences, over which he canters, led by some steady
animal who is to be depended on to show the way. A great many
steeplechase horses also come from Ireland. They are usually
recognizable as thoroughbred, though it is possible that in some cases
the name of an ancestor may be missing from the Stud Book. Irish
horse-masters are for the most part particularly skilful in schooling
jumpers, and the grass and climate of Ireland appear to have beneficial
effects on young stock; but, as a rule, the imported Irish horse
improves considerably in an English training-stable, where he is better
fed and groomed than in most Irish establishments. All steeplechase
courses must at the present time contain certain regulation jumps, the
nature of which is specified in the National Hunt rules:--
44. In all steeplechase courses there shall be at least twelve fences
(exclusive of hurdles) in the first 2 m., and at least six fences in
each succeeding m. There shall be a water jump at least 12 ft. wide
and 2 ft. deep, to be left open, or guarded only by a perpendicular
fence not exceeding 2 ft. in height. There shall be in each m. at
least one ditch 6 ft. wide and 3 ft. deep on the taking-off side of
the fence, which ditch may be guarded by a single rail, or left open,
and which fence must be 4 ft. 6 in. in height, and, if of dead
brushwood or gorse, 2 ft. in width.
45. In all hurdle-race courses there shall be not less than eight
flights of hurdles in the first 2 m., with an additional flight of
hurdles for every quarter of a m. or part of one beyond that distance,
the height of the hurdles being not less than 3 ft. 6 in. from the
bottom bar to the top bar.
Natural fences would no doubt be desirable if they could be utilized;
but it is obvious that fences must be made up, because when the same
hedge is jumped frequently, and for the most part in the same place--as
it is the object of riders to go the shortest way round--gaps would
necessarily be made. The use of these made courses naturally renders
the sport somewhat artificial, but under existing conditions this is
unavoidable; and as a matter of fact, by reason of the conformation of
the ground, the arrangement and make of the fences, courses do vary in
no small degree. The steeplechase horse differs from the hunter in his
method of jumping. In riding to hounds a man usually steadies his horse
at a fence, and in almost every case the animal "dwells" more or less
after the leap. In a steeplechase, where speed is everything, horses
must be taught to dash resolutely at their jumps without hesitation, and
to get away with no pause on the other side; as a rule, therefore, an
old steeplechase horse who is employed as a hunter is rarely a pleasant
mount for any but a bold rider. It has been remarked that steeplechase
horses are usually in the first place schooled over hurdles, and many
animals remain hurdle racers till the end. More speed is required for
hurdles than for a steeplechase course, and there is more money to be
won over hurdles than over "a country." No hurdle race is worth so much
as the Grand National or the Lancashire Handicap Steeplechase, the two
richest prizes now offered; but, with the exception of these,
hurdle-race stakes are as a rule of greater value. Except as a
spectacle, there is little to be said in defence of this mongrel
business, which is neither one thing nor the other; but hurdle races are
popular and are therefore likely to continue. A few years ago an attempt
was made to discriminate between what were called "hunters" and handicap
steeplechase horses, and certain races were only open to the former
class. It proved, however, to be a distinction without a difference;
thoroughbred horses crept into the ranks of the so-called hunters, and
when nominal hunters began to be entered for, and in some cases to win,
the Grand National and other important steeplechases, for which they
could be nominated by abandoning their qualification of hunter, the
meaningless title was relinquished. Still more absurd were the hunters'
flat races of a former day. In order to compete in these the rule was
that an owner must produce a certificate from a master of hounds to the
effect that his horse had been hunted. Thoroughbreds who lacked speed to
win under Jockey Club rules used to be ridden to a meet, perhaps
cantered across a field or two, and were then supposed to have become
hunters. Animals who were genuinely and regularly utilized for the
pursuit of foxes had of course no chance against these race-horses in
shallow disguise. What are called National Hunt flat races still exist,
the qualification being that a horse must have been placed first, second
or third in a steeplechase in Great Britain or Ireland, after having
jumped all the fences and completed the whole distance of the race to
the satisfaction of at least two of the stewards, to whom previous
notice must have been given in writing. There are no handicaps for such
animals, and none is allowed to carry less than 11 stone. No race under
National Hunt rules can be of a shorter distance than 2 m., except for
three-year-olds, who sometimes run a mile and a half over hurdles; and
the lowest weight carried can never be less than 10 stone except in a
handicap steeplechase of 3(1/2) m. or upwards, when it may be 9 st. 7 lb.
Horses are ridden in these races either by gentlemen, or qualified
riders or jockeys. The first of these classes comprises officers on full
pay in the army or navy, persons holding commissions under the Crown,
bearing titles either in their own right or by courtesy, or members of
certain social and racing clubs. Qualified riders may be farmers holding
at least a hundred acres of land, their sons if following the same
occupation, and persons elected by members of the National Hunt
Committee, a proviso being that they must never have ridden for hire;
but it is feared that this rule is in not a few cases evaded.
Professional jockeys are paid L5 for each mount or L10 if they win. The
sport is governed by the National Hunt Committee, a body which receives
delegated powers from the Jockey Club, and six stewards are elected
every year to supervise the business of the various meetings.
Steeplechases and hurdle races are either handicaps or weight-for-age
races according to the following scale:--
_For Steeplechases of 3 miles and upwards._
From the 1st of January to the 30th of June, both inclusive:--
4 yrs. 5 yrs. 6 and aged
10 st. 3 lb. 11 st. 8 lb. 12 st. 3 lb.
From the 1st of July to the 31st of December, both inclusive:--
4 yrs. 5 yrs. 6 and aged
11 st. 11 st. 12 lb. 12 st. 3 lb.
_For Steeplechases of less than 3 miles._
From the 1st of January to the 30th of June, both inclusive:--
4 yrs. 5 yrs. 6 and aged
10 st. 10 lb. 11 st. 10 lb. 12 st. 3 lb.
From the 1st of July to the 31st of December, both inclusive:--
4 yrs. 5 yrs. 6 and aged
11 st. 6 lb. 12 st. 12 st. 3 lb.
_For Hurdle Races._
From the 1st of January to the 31st of August, inclusive:--
4 yrs. 5 yrs. 6 and aged
11 st. 6 lb. 11 st. 10 lb. 12 st. 0 lb.
From the 1st of September to the 31st of December, inclusive:--
3 yrs. 4 yrs. 5, 6, and aged
10 st. 7 lb. 11 st. 12 lb. 12 st. 3 lb.
The Grand National.
The great test of merit in a steeplechase horse is success in the Grand
National, which is always run at Liverpool during the first week of the
flat-racing season. The course is 4(1/2) m., and includes thirty jumps,
the fences being for the most part larger than are found elsewhere. The
average time occupied is well under ten minutes. The stake has varied in
value since the race was originated in 1839; it now amounts to close on
L2500. Only a very small percentage of steeplechase horses possess the
speed and staying power to give them a chance in this race, and the
number of entries year by year falls considerably short of a hundred,
the prospects of many of these usually appearing hopeless to all but
unduly sanguine owners. The average number of starters during the period
1860-1901 was rather over twenty. As many as thirty-two competed in
1909, when the French-bred Latteur III. won; in 1883, when Zoedone,
ridden by her owner, Count Kinsky, was successful, only ten went to the
post. Mishaps are almost invariably numerous; in most years about
one-third complete the course. So severe is the task that for a long
time many good judges of steeplechasing believed that no horse with more
than 12 stone on his back could possibly win. In 1893, however, Cloister
won in a canter by forty lengths carrying 12 st. 7 lb., and with the
same weight Manifesto also won in 1899. The race which most nearly
approaches the Grand National in importance is the Lancashire Handicap
Steeplechase, run at Manchester over 3(1/2) m. early in April. The stake
is worth about L1750. An interesting steeplechase called the Grand
Sefton takes place at Liverpool about the middle of November; the
distance is 3 m. During the winter, and extending into the spring,
steeplechasing and hurdle racing are carried on at Sandown, Kempton,
Gatwick, Lingfield, Newbury and Hurst Park; at Ludlow, Newmarket,
Aldershot, Birmingham, Manchester, Windsor and other places. A race
called the National Hunt Steeplechase, under the immediate patronage of
the National Hunt Committee, is run annually over a 4-mile course, the
stake being L1000. Managers of various courses bid for the privilege of
having the race on their ground, and it is therefore found in different
localities. A condition is that no horse who has ever won a race can
compete; and, as few owners are willing to keep their animals with a
view to success in this event, the field consists either of unknown
horses or of those that have been beaten.