DONCASTER MEETING.--This much-talked-of meeting commenced on Monday,
Sept. 11, at two o'clock precisely. The regulations, in every minor
detail, answered the purposes for which they were respectively intended;
particularly the one affecting those persons who have proved themselves
"defaulters," as such were refused admission to the stands, the ring,
the betting-rooms, and every other place under the jurisdiction of of
the stewards. Many improvements and alterations have been made, and no
expense spared towards securing the comfort of all. The different stands
have undergone a complete renovation, and present a very striking and
handsome appearance, very unlike their neglected condition in former
years. On Sunday evening a tremendous storm came on, accompanied with
hail and extraordinarily vivid lightning; in fact, it was truly awful to
witness--the rain literally pouring down in torrents, and the flashes of
lightning following each other in rapid succession. Happily the storm
was not of very long continuance, commencing about half-past six, and
terminating about seven o'clock; but, during that short period, it was
sufficient nearly to drown the "unfortunates," who were travelling
outside per coach from Sheffield, York, Leeds, &c., and who, on
alighting, presented a most wretched appearance. The morning of Monday
was dark and lowering, but towards eleven or twelve o'clock the weather
cleared up and remained very fine. The course, notwithstanding the rain,
was in the very best possible order, the attendance large, beyond any
former example on the first day, punctuality as to the time of starting
was very strictly observed, and the sport was first rate. The great
event of these races is the St Leger stakes, which on this occasion were
run for in three minutes and twenty seconds. Mr Bowes's "Cotherstone,"
the winner of the Derby, was the favourite, and was confidently expected
to gain the St Leger. But it only came in second, being beaten by Mr
Wrather's Nutwith, and only gained by a neck on Lord Chesterfield's
Prizefighter, which was third.
WOOLWICH GARRISON RACES.--The officers of the garrison at Woolwich
having resolved on testing the value and quality of their horses by
races, the first day's sport came off on Wednesday; and owing to the
great number of spectators, of whom there were upwards of 10,000, on the
ground, and the fineness of the weather, the scene was more animated
than on any former occasion. A spacious booth was erected on the ground
and was well filled throughout the day. Upwards of 100 carriages,
containing families, were drawn up along both sides of the course, and
hundreds of gentlemen on horseback occupied various parts of the Common
where the races took place; presenting altogether an enlivening and
interesting spectacle. The band of the Royal Artillery attended in front
of the booth, and played, with very little intermission, some of the
finest airs from one o'clock to seven o'clock, p.m.
On Thursday, the second day, a slight shower of rain, about one o'clock,
p.m. prevented the races from being so well attended by spectators as
they were yesterdy, yet the attendance was numerous in the afternoon,
and great interest existed amongst the officers of the garrison, and
many sporting gentlemen, to witness the result.