STUD FARM. ^
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1^^° 127 S. 7 th St ^^®^i'
GIFT OF FAIRMAN ROGERS.
University of Pennsylvania
Annenberg Rare Book
and Manuscript Library
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2009 with funding from
Lyrasis IVIembers and Sloan Foundation
http://www.archive.org/details/turfracehorsedesOOcopp
THE
TURF AND THE RACEHORSE
DESCRIBING
TRAINER8 AND TRAINING, THE STUD-FARM,
THE 8IRE8 AND BROOD-MARES OF
THE PAST AND PRESENT,
AND
HOW TO BREED AND REAR THE RACEHORSE.
BY
R. II. COPPERTHWAITE.
?ctonb (^'bifion.
LONDON :
DAY AND SON, LIMITED,
Lithographers, Printers, and Publishers,
GATE STKEET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS :
Late DAY and SON, Lithogkapheks to the Queen.
1866.'
All RU/ht.i reserred.]
The Ages of the Horses referred to m this work ivere
computed in I860.
PEEFACE.
In offering a few remarks to the sporting public upon the
Turf and the Racehorse, I deem it at least necessary to
render them in as simple a manner as possible, inasmuch
as they are offered to the community at large.
Taking for granted that all the followers of turf pur-
suits, or lovers of horseflesh, are not Walkers, Johnsons, or
Sheridans, it becomes necessary to write in language which
can be plainly understood, instead of indulging in that
high-flowing, flowery style, which tends more to test the
faculties and bewalder the reader than to enlighten him
on the subject ; and substituting what may be termed a
superfluity of very fine English for instruction, thereby
disguising the absence of practical knowledge: in fine,
endeavouring to " spin out a long yarn " on a subject, with
the merits of which they are but slightly acquainted. As
the illustrious Moore said, —
" Nine times out of ten, if his title is good,
The material within of small consequence is :
Let him only write fine, and if not understood,
Why that 's the concern of the reader, not his."
IV PREFACE.
Others, preferring modern innovations, deal in poly-
syllables, where perhaps monosyllables would be found
more explicit, and to the point : for instance, now-a-days
we read proofs such as the following. In an account of
a good dinner we learn that " the tables groaned with all
the delicacies of the season ; " in returning from which,
should a party happen to tumble into a ditch, we shall
hear that "he became immersed in the liquid element.^^
At Brighton, or any other watering-place, should a young
lady while bathing happen to be drowned, the grievous
intelligence is to the. effect that, ''having plunged fear-
lessly into the bosom of Neptune, before the summer of
her years had faded she sank into the silence of the
grave.''
It may perhaps appear presumptuous in me to
attempt a small treatise on a subject which has been,
and is so frequently, written upon by others — a subject,
also, which is one of almost universal interest, and pecu-
liarly calculated to challenge public attention : but having
from boyhood owned horses, and studied their every
movement, &c., and indeed I may add, occupied my
mind with thoughts thereupon, when it might have
been otherwise more beneficially employed — it is hardly
to be wondered at, that as time wore on my passion, or
taste for the animal, grew stronger, and as Horace says, —
" Quo semel est imbuta recens, servabit odorem
Testa diu."
PREFACE. V
Or, in homely vernacular, —
" You may break, you may shatter, the vase as you -will,
But the scent of the roses will hang round it still."
Whatever else I may have had to occupy my thoughts,
there was one uppermost — "the Horse." Another cir-
cumstance prompted me to the attempt. In these sensa-
tion times, almost everybody seems to write something or
other on this subject; and if my ideas or remarks do not
coincide with the opinions of others, it can hardly be
denied that, although " doctors differ," yet " two heads
are better than one;" and it may so happen, that the
reader will learn by a perusal of these few pages some-
thing foreign to his former ideas, and will then have
what the late Lord George Bentinck was frequently heard
to term " the best of the bargain,^^ having the option of
taking or rejecting them as he thinks proper.
There can be little doubt, that in speaking or writing
on any subject which involves the interests of parties or
professions, where differences of opinion must exist, the
necessary consequence which may be expected to follow
is, disapproval on the one side or the other, according as
the doctrines of the writer may please or displease.
It too frequently happens that some hesitate to give
candid expression to their sentiments, and adopt the
sycophantic maxim of " running with the hare and
holding with the hounds:" for even the great Cicero,
VI PREFACE.
when defending his friend Milo, feared to do so, but
subsequent to the trial published a statement of what
he had intended to say; upon reading which the latter
exclaimed, " Oh ! if Cicero had thus spoken before my
enemies, I would not now be eating figs in Marseilles !"
In presenting to the reader a few remarks, generally
upon the subject of the Turf and the Racehorse, &c., they
are rendered for the benefit of those who may think pro-
per to accept them as useful; merely adding, that after
about thirty years' experience I entertain sound reasons
for my convictions, which are declared without prejudice,
personality, or enmity.
I trust, therefore, that those who in their leisure
hours may condescend to peruse them will make allow-
ances for any errors which may creep in, or delusions under
which the author may labour ; and, as the poet said, re-
member that
" Everything has faults ; nor is 't unknown,
That harps and fiddles often lose their tone ;
And wayward voices, at their owners' call.
With all their best endeavours only squall :
Dogs blink their covey, flints withhold the spark,
And double barrels (d them!) miss their mark."
CONTENTS.
PAGE
TURF TOPICS ....... 1
THE RACEHORSE . . . . . .117
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY . . 164
BROOD MARES ....... 263
SYNOPTICAL TABLE OF TRIED BROOD MARES . . 300
THE STUD-FARM : ITS REGULATIONS AND REQUISITES 320
CONCLUSION ....... 329
TURF TOPICS.
" What reams of paper, floods of ink,
Do some men spoil, who never think !
And so, perhaps, you '11 say of me ;
In which some readers may agree.
Still I write on, and tell you why :
Nothing 's so bad, you can't deny.
But may instruct or entertain.
Without the risk of giving pain."
Ancient history tells us that Nero loved his monkey, and
Caligula his horse ; indeed, to such an extent did the latter
carry his affection for the animal, that he appears to have
lavished upon him every luxury and comfort, to a degree
exceeding (if possible) his barbarous treatment of his
miserable subjects : his only wish, in the one instance,
being that " the Roman people had but one head, that it
might be struck off at one blow /' whilst in the other
he was wont to swear by his Incitatus, whom he honoured
with a palace, guards, and servants, and entertained at
his own table, giving him gilded barley to eat and
wine to drink in golden cups ; clothing him in purple,
with a collar of pearls ; and on the eve of running his
race having him carefully watched by a guard of honour,
lest his rest should be disturbed. Is it, therefore, to be
wondered at that this noble animal, possessing such silent
» TURF TOPICS.
power and influence over the hardened heart and mind of
the cruel Caligula should, in the enlightened nineteenth
century, be the admiration of mankind ; particularly when
we consider how far he tends towards our health, happi-
ness, and amusement, independently of his usefulness in
other respects ? But however beautiful and noble he ap-
pears under ordinary circumstances, and in other places,
nowhere does he shine so brilliantly, or show to such per-
fection, as when, in blooming health and condition, we find
him on the turf, ready to contend for victory ; and how
gamely does the true thoroughbred struggle and strain
every nerve and muscle to that end !
It has been stated that the horse was the greatest
conquest ever made by man j and he has been, and is still,
found in his natural state in the deserts of Arabia and
Africa, and on the plains of Tartary, where droves of five
and six hundred have been seen at a time : but in Arabia
he appears in the greatest state of perfection. The Arabs
love horses as their children, and live under the same
tents with them. They surpass all other animals of the
desert in speed, and are so well trained that they stop
as if shot with the slightest touch of the rein ; and
although the spur is uukno^vn to them, they obey the
least movement of the foot. As a further proof of the
sagacity of the animal, it is known that kind treatment
renders them so docile and fond of their masters that
they follow them about without being led.
The Arabs understand and are particular about the
pedigrees, which they divide into three classes : first, what
they term "first class,^' that is, "noble blood" on both
sides, which they can trace back for centuries ; the
second, still " noble or ancient blood,^^ but with a stain
THE ARABIAN HORSE. 3
on one side, whicli they term a "mis-alliance;" the
third, " the common class." Those in a wild state are
not so large as the domesticated ; they are generally of
a dark bay or brown, and their manes and tails much
shorter.
In South America as many as ten or twelve thousand
have been seen in a drove, and if by chance they happened to
meet with a tame horse they have been known to surround,
him, and, by neighing and coaxing, endeavour to induce him
to join their ranks and escape. Travellers have been left
without means of proceeding on their journey in this way,
being obliged to move in advance of their own animals
in order to frighten away those droves. There can be no
greater proof of the necessity of good care, and the bene-
fits which must result therefrom, than the simple fact
that the wilder these animals are the more diminutive
they become, because they cannot, in their natural state,
obtain the nourishment and comforts which they other-
wise would ; and, therefore, the British-bred horse bears
a striking contrast to the Arab in size and bone.
For whatever purpose the thoroughbred horse may
have been intended, there can be no question that he has
been by man converted to a very useful one, and in the
present day more so than ever; for, since the com-
mencement of the present century, the numbers of horses
turned to racing purposes have increased, to the present
time, more than threefold, there being now more than
three horses rvmning in public contests for every one that
ran in the commencement of the present century; an
increase in numbers, which has been steady and regular,
as well as enormous : for we find that, in 1802, but 536
horses ran, whereas there are at present from seventeen
4 TURF TOPICS.
to eighteen hundred, or two thousand, according to the
re.cords of racing, contending annually for various prizes
— a fact which proves that the " glorious pastime " has
charms for many, whether founded upon pure love of
sport or anxiety for pecuniary advantages.
What is the Turf? Let us take it from its very
foundation, and it can hardly be looked upon in any other
light than a bird's-eye representation of the world, with
which no other pursuit, whether of pleasure, profit, or any
nature whatever, can for one moment compare, in its
representations of life and of mankind. Almost every
true Briton appears to fancy it a duty, either from admir-
ation or appreciation of the many enjoyments which it
affords, or from curiosity, to visit the racecourse. What-
ever may have been the ancient ideas on the subject of its
pleasures, it can hardly be denied that it has fallen into
hands, in modern times, which have turned it to purposes
of business as well as recreation. If, according to the
tastes and ideas of the present rising and enlightened
generation, the turf were by possibility stripped of all its
attractions, except that of witnessing a number of horses
like a herd of buffaloes thundering over the prairies, the
spectators would be few and far between, and the value
of the beautiful thoroughbred would soon become seriously
lessened : for, with all due respect to those who contend
that certain high personages, who with kingly condescen-
sion grace the turf with their patronage and support, be-
come proprietors of racehorses solely from love of sport, and
with pure disregard of any profitable results, it is very ques-
tionable if even they continue to escape the electric in-
fluences of that metal which seems to possess such power
over the human mind. It is, in fact, a field over which
WHAT IS THE TURF ? 5
there is kept up a continued quest after the "universal
idol;" the beauties, excitements, and pleasures of the
chace varying according to circumstances. Some of the
most zealous, although superbly mounted and well
equipped, occasionally come to grief, through over-
anxiety to excel all others ; while, on the other hand,
there is nothing more simple than by a cool and steady
course to experience the enjoyments, and, at the same
time, participate in the emoluments sought for. And it
is very much to be regretted that fathers and mothers, old
maiden aunts and rich uncles, should have heretofore
formed such unfavourable and unchangeable prejudices
against the turf; for it is far better the present gene-
ration should benefit by a reasonable distribution of
the coin of the realm than that it should be hoarded up
for heartless, miserable specimens of humanity, who
perchance would picture this glorious pastime to their
heirs and successors as one to be for ever avoided. The
turf is a pursuit sanctioned by Providence, to counteract
the evil effects of the Satanic thirst of misers for worldly
treasure, which now does, and always has, proved so dire
and lamentable in its effects to their fellow-creatures,
whose miseries and wants they calmly witness, Avhile
gloating over wealth which they prostituted their lives
in accumulating, and yet do not enjoy, and which they
would even cling to with tenacity, if it were possible to
bargain for life with the king of terrors. Yet it is an ex-
traordinary and glorious fact, and a gratifying consolation,
that, in many cases, the successors of such detestable
specimens of mankind are generally not only most liberal,
if not extravagant, but are invariably staunch supporters
and patrons of the turf; which, it must be confessed, affords
b TURF TOPICS.
the heirs or successors of such wretches ample opportunity
of displaying their powers of distributing the cherished
wealth of their ancestors, and thus preventing the possi-
bility of the entire currency, which was intended for
circulation, becoming buried, hidden, and concentrated in
a few useless iron safes, where it could yield no good to
anybody beyond the knowledge of its possession, which
merely creates a grasping propensity for more.
Everything connected with the turf yields good to
somebody ; it is a wheel upon which fortune turns^ casting
benefits in all directions, in which all classes are parti-
cipators. Its followers are invariably doing good one way
or other, and are, and have at all times been, foremost to
aid and assist their fellow-creatures, where their helping
hand may have been required, and nevertheless they are,
by a certain class of infatuated and prejudiced persons,
the most abused body in existence; yet if the acts of
some of those very parties, wdio, with the criticism and
malignity of a Zoilus, censure the followers and patrons
of the turf, were brought to light, probably it would
appear, that while they had advanced in years they had
not done so in virtue, however they may have differed in
their selection of the course through which they may
have elected to err. According to their picture of the
turf and its followers, those who were ignorant of the
real facts would almost be led to a belief that they were
nothing short of a band of moss-troopers, with "Vivitur
ex rapto " for their motto ; whereas, in truth, it can boast
that its foundation is based upon the solid support of
the very picked pillars of the constitution, and that those
pillars are propped up by adherents, the very soundest
and most faultless in the British nation ; so well tested.
ITS ADVANTAGES. 7
that any attempts to shake their strength would be as
futile as gusts of wind against a tower of granite, or, as
a certain learned Lord once remarked in speaking of
O'Connell, " as useless as pelting paper pellets at the
sides of a rhinoceros."
It is only very recently that an addition to the
numerous proofs of the virtue and goodness of the turf ^s
patrons was made manifest by one of its late most
respected, lamented, and staunchest supporters, who
bequeathed in charities alone no less a sum than thirty-
six thousand pounds by his will, in which he forgot
neither the unprotected widow, the helpless orphan, nor
the faithful servant.
The man who feels disposed to eiT can do so in any
pursuit in life, no matter what his object may be ; but
those who could condemn a noble and manly pastime
because, forsooth, it may be accompanied by a wish or
possibility to combine with its enjoyments that from
which no earthly pursuit is totally free, must be possessed
of minds not only capable of base acts, but prone to prac-
tise them if opportunity presented itself, or if the power
to accomplish equalled the inclination to attempt. And
it would be well if such people would recollect the words
of Vousden's song, —
"Let each man learn to know himself ;
To gain that knowledge let him labour,
Improve those failings in himself,
Which he condemns so in his neighbour."
Amongst the patrons of the turf rank the first men in
the land, as well as many humble yet equally zealous. It
would indeed be difficult to define exactly the difference
in their objects, by taking or judging solely according to
8 TURF TOPICS.
rank or position. By many, who consider themselves
astute and competent judges, it is believed, that it always
was intended solely as an amusement for royalty and the
aristocracy, with permission to the community at large to
participate, — a condescension which the latter appear to
have availed themselves of beyond doubt, as some of the
most successful speculators are frequently very humble
patrons. It can hardly be denied, however, that the
great stimulus to the excitement and pleasures afforded
thereby consists in the anxiety of each, at least to prevent
his opponent from gaining the prize, whatever it may be, if
not to become possessed of it himself : perhaps this is the
mildest way of putting the case ; a most natural ambition
to take possession of any frail specimen of human nature,
no matter how exalted in society or however independent
he may be otherwise. It is said there are many who run
their horses solely for "honour and glory, and that sort of
thing : " it may be so, but it is more likely, and very much
to be apprehended, that if the ranks were confined to those
parties they would have little competition to apprehend,
and horseflesh would soon be at a discount.* If money
could be obtained by asking for it (one of the last delu-
sions under which any one is likely to labour, and the
very first to be relieved from), there would not be such
severely contested races, nor so many, as at present.
Ninety-nine out of every hundred persons who keep
* How many men would, on the presentation of a check for
the amount of a Derby or St. Leger, request the Messrs. Wea-
therby to apply the amount towards the Lancashire distress, or
the London Hospitals ? For my part, I should back ' Current
Coin ' versus ' Glory ;' the former would be a tremendous fa-
vourite, and the result, doubtless, justify the confidence of its
backers.
THE OBJECT OF HORSE-RACING. 9
horses would not then find as mucli pleasure^ even in
winning stakes, as they do now in the excitement of
trying.
There lies the "kernel of the nut;" the rest is but
the " shell," and the " fun " is in the breaking of it ; and
glorious fun it is, especially to those who require it most :
for, after all, the pleasure or gratification cannot be so
great to those who stand least in need of it, unless to one
of those "money-worshippers," were he to make his
appearance from behind his iron safe. There are plenty
of good sportsmen in different positions, and there is
nothing whatever inconsistent in one being a thorough
sportsman, and, at the same time, anxious to benefit
himself otherwise.
It is, however, not only amusing, but ridiculous, to
hear the views some people form about men who are on
the turf; and to hear persons who describe themselves as
so, when they have never had any other description to give,
and no earthly pretensions beyond, perhaps, having owned
a fourth share in a plater. I once heard an intoxicated
postilion at Bath, who had ridden home from the races,
and was about being removed to strong quarters for the
night, vow " he was hloived if he would go ; that he was
a racing man, and they dar not take him during the
races."
So far as its amusements, there can be little question
that the turf stands alone as a pastime — that it reigns
supreme above any other. Even the fox-hunter could
barely live without its addition ; but the question is, for
whom is it fit ? or to whom is it suited, as far as becoming
proprietor of a stud, with its necessarily heavy require-
ments? — questions best answered by those who may have
10 TURF TOPICS.
had tlie pleasing gratification of trying their hands. To
the young, ardent beginner, who may have suddenly
fallen into the receipt of a fine fortune, there is no pos-
sible arena wherein he can better display all his powers,
or carry out his wishes as to investing his capital,
and proving himself a worthy or liberal deputy for the
distribution of a long-cherished treasure. Yet it by no
means follows that he cannot have, to his hearths con-
tent, unbounded amusement without a farthing loss ;
nay, even with plenty of profit, provided he keeps within
bounds and acts with reasonable judgment and pru-
dence. If he does not himself possess sufficient judg-
ment, there are plenty capable of teaching him, who will
be delighted to instruct him, and give him the benefit of
their own perhaps dearly-bought experience, which is
generally the best of all. His great care should be, while
endeavouring to select good horses, not to neglect or
forget the more important point of making a good selec-
tion of his friends and advisers, and to take heed lest he
should fall in with those who, in endeavouring to regain
some of their own "experience-money," might charge too
high a price for their instruction : for, unfortunately, it
must be confessed, that the natural love of self is not
forgotten on the turf, any more than elsewhere, whilst
it afibrds the amplest opportunities of gratifying such a
failing, and on the grandest scale. And not only be-
ginners, but even old heads, have sometimes more to fear
from those nearest to them in whom they may have, in
over-confiding weakness, placed implicit confidence, than
from their opponents, for the common laws of nature
dictate that in such pursuits, as in every other in life,
love of self should reign predominant in the human breast.
DANGERS OF THE TURF. 11
Still there are plenty, whose upright and straightfor-
ward disinterestedness would not permit any unworthy
motives to interfere with their good intentions to benefit
their younger friends by their advice; but it is from
neglect of caution in selecting such monitors that so
many young men have heretofore been led astray, and
sadly victimised : it is, however, a happy reflection that
the march of intellect, in the present day, is such as to
leave little need of apprehension in the minds of their
well-wishers, for the rising generation appear to be very
competent to take care of their own interests, and, like
the young horses of the present day, are showing a
marked superiority in that respect, when contrasted with
those of former days, who have "broken down^^ in a
very short time; indeed, in racing parlance, without ever
having developed or displayed much form.
Then, assuming that the reader may be disposed to
enter upon the stage, and try his fortune, I shall take the
liberty of supposing him a novice, and offer to him any
little information which may be within my power towards
his enlightenment on the subject ; and will suppose that
he is about to commence " a nice little establishment," for
the purposes of pleasure combined with the probability of
success, and with a dash of honour and glory.
It appears to me, that the man who ventures upon a
breeding establishment with any view beyond mere
amusement, has frequently more trouble, expense, and
risk before him, than he may fancy at first thought. The
paddocks may have their charms for the eyes of the casual
visitor, who may admire a fine old mare, perhaps the win-
ner of the Oaks or the Thousand-guineas stakes, with
a promising foal by her side, from which the owner
12 TURF TOPICS.
expects even greater success : he may fancy he is looking
at the winner of a future Derby or St. Leger while gazing
on a promising yearling ; or may visit the box of a
stallion, probably the winner of both, yet doomed never
to get a winner of either — which is no uncommon occur-
rence. Those are very agreeable visions, no doubt, and,
as far as the pleasure of the speculation is concerned,
afford it in abundance, pi'ovided it is a matter of little
concern to the breeder whether they prove otherwise pro-
fitable, or that such is a secondary consideration ; yet it
is a speculation surrounded with perpetual torments, anx-
iety, and losses : the latter frequently on so large a
scale, that it is very questionable whether a party using
racehorses for profit would not, in the present day, find a
more beneficial and economical mode of keeping himself
supplied : for, no matter how careful or intelligent the stud-
groom may be, while grass grows, or water runs, he will
now and then have to announce to his employer something
or other, in the course of his duties, which will have upon
the latter any effect but one tending to increase his appe-
tite, or improve his digestion. If you pay a large price
for a sire, particularly an untried one, no matter what
his perfections or qualities may be, you may in vain
make use of all the gift of speech and persuasion with
which Providence may have endowed you, to induce
people to believe that his shapes, blood, and so forth,
are what they ought to be. You hear then of the
kind (?) remarks of a neighbour, who may happen to
be proprietor of a rival stallion, that yours is either a
"roarer" (according to reports, almost every stallion is
a roarer — a most mistaken idea, elsewhere explained),
or an uncertain foal-getter (a very likely matter, for
HOW DOCTORS DIFFER. 13
reasons also explained), or some such observations. When
I purchased ' Mountain Deer/ and imported him to Ire-
land (where it is said horses are so fast deteriorating
of late ; and little wonder, although there are good sires
enough), my groom used to report to me the various
opinions of parties who came to see the horse, which cer-
tainly were about as flattering as they bave since proved
to be valuable.
" Has anybody been to see the horse ?"
" Yes, sir : Mr. So-and-So, and some other gentle-
men."
" What did they think of him ?"
" Not much, sir. One said he had flat sides ; another,
that he had bad legs ; and a third, that he did not like his
white face. I tould them, the divil a pinsworth they knew
about it — that he cost too much not to be good. But there
was one gentleman said he liked him very much, and that
he would send three mares for half price, if he got the
keep of one of them gratis .''
A breeder must have patience and a long purse, for
there must always be great wear and tear of capital,
in purchasing untried stallions or mares, which, until
their characters at stud have been established, are of
little profit, and frequently turn out worthless. Then,
again, the losses which are experienced through death
or accidents, the missing of mares, and, in short, the
continvial drain upon the exchequer, render it a most
hazardous speculation ; in most cases a purchaser of stock
adopts by far the better and more economical course by
attending public sales, or still better, by purchasing
privately from parties, who perhaps are much more easily
dealt with, and from whom bargains are more frequently
14 TURf TOPICS.
obtained than at fashionable auctions, where competition
is often so spirited and sometimes so very Jiot. But if
any man attempts to breed for sale in the present day,
and does so from any but the best, most fashionable, and
running blood, both on the sides of sire and dam, he
might as well, and much better, present his money to
some charitable institution.
Then, when the sale-day does arrive, the purchaser will
best consult his own interests by obtaining the best lot,
even at the top price; not that it is impossible, or even im-
probable, that the very highest priced one might turn out
the worst, or vice versa : yet, as a general rule, speculators
in horseflesh have become such masters of their business
that they generally '^ hit the right nail on the head," the
big money frequently succeeding, partly from the lot being
competed for by experienced judges ; although curious
exceptions are frequently seen, where valuable animals
are sold, and even forced upon purchasers, for merely
trifling sums, both at public auction and by private sale.
The following was an extraordinary instance. There is
at this moment in Her Majesty's stud at Hampton-court
paddocks, an animal named ' The Deformed ;' without ex-
aggeration, as magnificent a specimen of a thorough-bred
mare as any to be found, and well worth the time of any
lover of horseflesh to look at. Her size, symmetry, and
blood-like appearance, together with substance, almost
defy comparison. She is by 'Burgundy ' or ' Harkaway,'
dam ' Welfare,' by ' Priam.' I purchased this mare, when
a yearling, for 15/.; she being at the time engaged in four
large stakes, all of which she won, besides many others,
both in England and Ireland, and subsequently ended her
racing career by winning Prince Demidofi"'s cup in Italy.
UNCERTAIN VALUE OF HORSES. 15
I sold her to Captain Scott for 1500 guineas, repurchased
her as a brood mare for 300, and subsequently sold her
to the late Marquis of Waterford for 600 guineas, at
whose sale she was purchased for Her Majesty. She was
thus named by me from the fact that she turns her left
foot rather inwards (her half-sister, ' Mag on the Win^-/
once in my possession, did so likewise), and walks and
gallops with a pecuhar, round, wide-sweeping action, like old
'Harkaway.^ She has the temper of a lamb, the propelling
power of a steam-engine, the eye of a gazelle — in every
shape defying exaggeration from the pencil of a Herring
or a Hall ; and has proved herself, both in England and
Ireland, an extraordinarily good mare.
The Marquis's name calls up recollection of an in-
stance of the ill-luck which, during one week^s racing at
the Curragh, attended that much-respected and deeply-
lamented nobleman; and how good-humouredly he bore
with it! He had sixteen horses running during the
meeting, and did not win one race, although in some
he ran two or three. The races over he commenced
laughing heartily at the idea, and there being a travelHng
show opposite the stand invited a certain popular Baronet,
a particular friend, to accompany him thereto, forgetting all
the disappointments of the race-week. They repaired to
the exhibition, and finding amongst the " curiosities" two
pelicans, he challenged his friend to match one against the
other for a small wager. The match was made, the birds
ran for the fish, and the Marquis won by a " bill ;" at
which success he appeared as much elated as if he had
won a Derby. Well was he named, and long will he
be known and remembered, and his memory respected, as
"The Marquis.'^ We ne^er shall see his like again !
16 TURF TOPICS.
In the formation of a stud for racing purposes, a great
deal must depend upon the intentions or wishes of the
\)artj, as well as the length of his purse; a very great
mistake^ and one frequently made, being, that of purchasing
too many, sometimes of a moderate stamp, instead of con-
fining the number to fewer of first-class promise and
quality, for the expense of the one is as great as that of
the other. The principal question for a beginner is, as to
the best way to accomplish his wishes and suit himself.
Then, suppose his object be to obtain the very best class,
regardless of price, having in view the " Blue Hiband,^^
Doncaster and Goodwood cups, &c., and that he is one
of the " honour-and-glory '' party, his simple course
must be to attend the sales where such are advertised
for public auction, and seek (if he be not himself a
competent judge) the assistance of those who are : but
then he must make up his mind, as a general rule,
to pay high prices, for in the present day the com-
petition for yearlings of promise is very great indeed, and
the prices exceedingly high, especially at fashionable
auctions, where, as a matter of course, such animals are
most likely to be found : for it is wonderful the very high
prices which some breeders pay when purchasing brood
mares, sires, &c. Such auctions are always attended by
parties, either upon their own behalf or in the interest of
others, whose judgment might, figuratively speaking, be
compared to that of Sylla, who declared he saw "many a
Marius in the stripling Csesar." Still, the fluctuations in
prices, the competition and judgment displayed, are extra-
ordinary, and only equalled by the contrast between the want
of judgment of some and the soundness of that of others;
the inexperienced employer in some cases being encouraged,
PURCHASING FOR STUD PURPOSES. 17
by the sagacity of an over-anxious trainer, to become a
purchaser at all hazards, and at any price, rather than let
the stable be empty.
The prudence of paying very large prices for year-
lings is a question admitting of difference of opinion,
and depending very much upon circumstances ; and to
arrive at a conclusion as to what the real value of a first-
class yearling — say an own brother or sister to a cele-
brated horse — may be, is a most difficult task, and one
which becomes so even to the seller. It is truly said
"that the value of anything is what it will bring,^^ and it is
equally true that the fairest and most simple way to ascer-
tain that value is by public auction ; still, the question of
prudence in always following the rule, in the case of such
property as that in question, admits of doubt, for the fol-
lowing reasons. The prices realised at auctions, for some
lots, are more artificial than really consistent with reason,
because two or more anxious wealthy competitors may
make up their minds '^ to have the animal'^ regardless of
expense — such resolutions being frequently formed, not so
much upon the actual shapes or qualities, as upon the fact
that they had been successful with the same family, such as
an own or half-brother or sister — consequently, very much
to the satisfaction of the seller, and sometimes the astonish-
ment and amusement of the bystanders, who may happen to
be really sound judges, the animal is sold at probably three
times its real value, without perhaps a bid from others, who
had more judgment, and as much means. Then comes
another lot, in reality worth more, yet, not having the
prestige referred to, the competition is not so spirited.
These remarks are merely applicable to the prudence
of paying extravagant prices for yearlings^ because others
c
18 TURF TOPICS.
of the family may have done good service for parties
individually.
But taking into consideration the great risk and lottery
in young stock, and how frequently the most promising
turn out the very worst ; considering the matter in a mer-
cantile point of view, the prices sometimes paid are fabulous,
and how frequently do such " swans " turn out inferior to
"geese V The 1800 guineas 'Lord of the Hills,' ' Voivode,'
&c., for example. The prices of young stock must be
viewed as a question of fancy, which can be indulged in
according to the length of certain purses, as well as taste.
It is but common reason to suppose that he who gives a
thousand pounds for a yearling ought to, and in most
cases will, have a better chance of a racehorse than a
purchaser at fifty pounds : still, curious '' turns-up " occur,
where animals are purchased for very small sums. I
once purchased a St. Leger winner for less than fifty
pounds, and afterwards handed him over to a friend.
Many of the best horses have been bought, both at auction
and at private sales, for moderate prices : such as ' Thor-
manby ' at 350 guineas, ' Voltigeur ' at less, ' Caractacus '
less than 300 guineas, ' Kettledrum ' at 350 guineas.
' Early Bird ' cost but 70 guineas, besides many
others, at prices varying from 70 to 200 and 300
guineas. 350 guineas seems to be a fortunate price :
* Chattanooga,^ winner of the ' Criterion,' cost that price.
Many of the best horses have been picked up quietly for
very small prices by private sale, which is by far a
more prudent way of purchasing, for many reasons; and
there are few owners who will not sell when offered a fair
price. But still, some of the greatest bargains are had at
public sales ; where the breeder has perhaps, in his private
FANCY PRICES. 19
calculation, booked one as likely to bring 500 guineas, he
has been knocked down perhaps at 100 : so much de-
pending on the whims or fancies of purchasers. In fact
the prices, like breeding, and everything connected with
horseflesh, are a lottery ; and if a breeder is occasionally
remunerated with a fancy price he is deserving of it, for in
the long run, when matters are wound up, he requires a
'^ lift '^ to square his account : and some are richly deserving
of encouragement, from the spirited and liberal manner in
which they purchase when forming their breeding establish-
ments ; not that they are likely to add one guinea co the
"tot," by reason of any generous impulse on the part of
the bidder, beyond what the qualities or merits of the lot
may justify; for if they relied one iota on that slender
thread they would find any other mode of investing their
capital far more profitable. However promising an own
brother to a ' Flying Dutchman ' or a ' Blair Athol ' might
be, should he march into a ring with a blemish or ques-
tionable formation, the fall of Messrs. Tattersall's hammer,
notwithstanding their persuasive eloquence, would soon
announce a figure anything but encouraging.
I remember upon one occasion asking Mr. Tatter-
sall what he fancied a certain colt, of a number about
to be sold at his establishment, would realise ? His
reply was something to the effect, that " I might as
well ask how many stars there were in the sky, so
much depended upon the intentions of parties to pur-
chase ; that price to some was a secondary consideration,
if the animal suited.^' Purchasers must frequently cut
their coat according to their cloth ; but my advice to any
reader would be to avoid over-excited competition, and
if not sufficient judge himself to obtain the assistance of
20 TURF TOPICS.
parties who really are, who have proved that they are so,
and not pay attention to persons who would almost talk
one out of his senses about shapes, and some of whom
have spent half their lives breeding, buying, and racing,
and yet whose attempts to produce a racehorse remind
one of a man endeavouring to " open an oyster with a
pitchfork." Considering the number of young ones
purchased by some parties, and the sporting prices paid,
it is astonishing how few good animals they select.
Others purchase most dreadful samples, and having once
done so, even cling to them with the tenacity of a " sink-
ing sailor clinging to a mast,'^ instead of taking moral
courage, turning them loose, and letting whoever catches
them keep them. The first loss is always the best in such
cases ; and it is to be presumed that some day a purchaser
will hit upon a prize.
Although in most pursuits in life the old motto, " Ex-
perientia docet," is verified, the case of judgment in
horseflesh, to a very great extent, is, in my opinion, an
exception; for I believe that all the practice and ex-
perience that could possibly be bestowed on some would
not make them judges : in short, that there is a taste
necessary ; and that some have naturally " an eye for a
horse,^' while others, as a certain gallant old general
would say, " hardly know a horse from a hen," can
scarcely be questioned. How many men, having spent
their fortunes and lives in this pursuit, have gone under
the ^wr/" without having won any prize worth mentioning?
Again, how many still live, who are day after day paying
high prices, and spending large fortunes, with the same
result ? But it is not always want of judgment or means,
but frequently mismanagement and want of the care
HINTS AS TO PURCHASING. 21
that becomes necessary when the owner finds the young
racehorse promising; many a valuable young one is, and
has been, rendered worthless, through the negligence or
ignorance of those who are paid to attend to its require-
ments.
It has been remarked with truth, that " horses run in
all shapes," yet it cannot be denied that they do so mo7-e
frequently, and better, when those shapes are good, and of
the approved and tried formation ; and it frequently hap-
pens, that the very animals that many connoisseurs call ill-
shaped or ugly are quite the contrary : for one possessing
the best points in the world, where those good points are
required and put together as machinery should be, in the
proper place, may, at first sight to a novice, or even to one
who fancies himself a judge, appear an ugly horse, and
really be one ; but some of the ugliest horses are the very
best shaped when properly looked over, and there alone
rests the point where the natural eye discovers the pro-
bability of the animal turning out well. Who would have
picked out such a horse as ' Fisherman,' if he were in-
experienced? or who would have chosen ' King of Oude ?'
the latter, perhaps, the most extraordinary-looking animal
that ever was foaled; yet, when looked over, they were
combinations of magnificent racing shapes. The worst-
shaped horses,/or racing purposes, are frequently the hand-
some ones ; and it would be hardly going too far to add,
that they are invariably the very worst. The greatest
failures are generally very handsome, and only fit for
Rotten Row, where they are most valuable, no doubt.
The machinery, properly put togetlier, like in any railway
engine, is the point ; the shapes, taken separately, may be
perfection, but if not properly screwed together in the par-
23 TURF TOPICS.
ticular or principal place, tliey are as useless as the works
of a watch with a broken spring. And the principal point
which calls for the attention of any person is the coupling
of the two ends ; and the chief, if not almost the entire
success, depends upon the pro2')elling power from the Mr.d
quarters, which should be well placed and sufficiently
turned under. ' Leamington/ probably, would afford
about the best example of any horse that could be named,
and would certainly be a very fine model for any novice
to learn from in other respects.*
But, no matter how great the experience or judgment
may be in purchasing horses at a year old, or untried,
it is a great lottery, for some of the best-looking have
not been foaled with the gift of speed, and no training
or time can give it where Nature has denied it; however,
they will give stamina, and add staying powers : even an
overgrown or large young one must show a turn of speed,
to a certain extent. The chance and lottery in yearlings
are wonderful, and the greatest disappointments are ex-
perienced from the best-looking : as Shakespeare says, —
" Oft expectation fails, and most oft there
Where most it promises ; and oft it hits
Where hope is coldest and despair most sits."
Although the prudent course is invariably to adhere
to the own brother or sister of good horses, or the produce
of tried brood mares and stallions, yet in the case of the
* The shapes of a racehorse may separately be perfection ; a
man may know what good shapes are, and yet be just as far
from knowing what a racehorse is as a schoolboy, when he tries
to put a toy map of Europe together, which he had never seen
before.
ERRORS IN JUDGMENT. 23
produce of a mare that had perhaps highly distinguished
herself on the turf, but not been tried at stud, such
produce being put to action would, if good-looking,
realise a high price. Then suppose another yearling, the
produce of a daughter of that mare (never, perhaps, having
been trained) by the same sire, equally good-looking, and
in other respects desirable, the one would in all proba-
bility bring double or treble the price of the other;
yet, to my mind, the chances would be in favour of the
produce of the young untrained mare : that is to say,
provided in appearance, shapes, size, &c. such produce
equalled that of the old mare, and that both had in every
respect " equal main and chance," and the earlier the trial
was made the more I would rely on the young mare's pro-
duce and yet at auctions the habit generally is to run after
the other, although we have innumerable proofs against it.
My principal reason for arriving at this conclusion is, that
we have every day proof of first-class mares having
been long in training, and having done severe work,
highly distinguishing themselves when put to stud, and
yet frequently proving perfect failures ; whereas some of
the best brood mares have been useless as racehorses from
various causes ; and if the young fresh mares more fre-
quently had the chances of old ones, they would be even
more successful. But owners do not generally give them
that chance, because they are disheartened from the fact
that they have not distinguished themselves; whereas they
are, on the other hand, carried away to expect wonders
from the old brilliant performer.
A reference to the performances of the produce of the
very best mares — say the Oaks winners, &c. — will prove
that they have been as a lot perfect failures ; to which fact I
24 TURF TOPICS.
shall more fully refer under the head of " Brood Mares :"
another remarkable fact being, that the early produce of
such distinguished mares, even though subsequently first-
class, are not the best. Take old 'Beeswing,' for in-
stance ; one would have expected the best vintage from
her alliance with ' Sir Hercules/ yet although the pro-
duce was ' Old Port/ it was not good. But, to my mind,
the most prudent class of speculators are those who pa-
tiently await the opportunities (which they seldom have
to wait long for) of purchasing horses, say at the end
of their two years, after they have run and shown some
form, perhaps overgrown, but of an improving sort, and
from stajdng strains. Such a course, in the first place,
has one advantage, that it gets rid of the risk to a
very gi'eat extent, or rather the lottery; for there one
buys with his eyes open, and it is almost incredible
the state in which some horses are brought out to run,
some as fat as pigs, but more frequently galloped to
death, leg-weary, and with skins as fast as the bark on
trees, and frequently parted with for trifling causes, not
known or understood by their owners. Taking into con-
sideration the fact that the largest stakes are realised by
horses of moderate pretensions in handicaps, wherein
they defeat the largest priced yearlings, from which they
receive as much as two stones even at three years old;
and, moreover, when we even find old horses literally
turned loose ; it is high time for speculators to open their
eyes when, without throwing sand in those of the handi-
capper, they can win the richest stakes run for. Not to
speak of tbree-years-old alone, we sometimes find owners
display their ability and judgment by winning some of
the largest races with old horses at weights, which would
"will-o'-the-wisps." 25
lead one to fancy tliat it will shortly be necessary to train
monkeys for the pig-skin ; while it is impossible to say
at what weights first-class three-years-old will^ in some
years hence, be visited.
To use racing phraseology, it would appear that
" Handicapping" is the father, " Money" the mother, and
"Pull 'em" and " Scratch'em" the children of the sins
against the Turf. The enemies of the paternal parent
(the maternal one has none) avow that he is instrumental
in ruining the breed of horses in general, and punishing
good ones in particular; that he holds out inducements
and temptations, tending to soil the morality of the turf,
by testing the integrity of its patrons to too great an ex-
tent, as to their regard for the maternal parent, and fre-
quently obliging them to sin against the rules or their
code of laws and honour.
If it were possible to do away with the system alto-
gether, much benefit might ensue; for, notwithstanding
the vigilance of the most scrutinising adjudicator of
weights, " Will-o'-the- Wisps " will occasionally appear
visible for a moment, but speedily became extinguished
by lights still more brilliant.
If the object of those in authority really be to abolish
the practice, probably the most desirable course, as well
as the one most likely to have the desired efi'ect, would
be to muster up courage, and concentrate their forces;
and without favour or affection, regardless of rank or
position, deal out their judgment with an even and im-
partial hand : and thus render their warnings and deci-
sions more to be respected and dreaded, and prevent the
possibility of any transgressor saying with the Scythian,
'•' that laws were cobwebs, wherein small flies got caught
26 TURF TOPICS.
and larger ones broke through ;" and assimilating to him-
self the position assumed by Dionides the pirate with
Alexander the Great, who, when asked "how he dared to
trespass on his seas?" replied, "that he did it for his
own profit, as Alexander did himself. But," added he,
"7, sire, ivho rob with a simple galley, am called a pirate;
but you, who plunder with a great army, are called a
king !''
The sacrifice of a shipload of poor pirates hke " Dio,"
would not have half so beneficial or salutary an effect as
the offering up of one aristocratic holocaust, if he were
caught playing " Will-o'-the-Wisp," or exceeding the
bounds of decorum in his poaching propensities, after
either glory or gold. For if such an extraordinary phe-
nomenon were to be presented, the effect upon the as-
tonished multitude would be so great, that probably a
system so baneful to the morality of the turf would be for
ever abolished; a consummation, however, which, while
handicapping exists, it is much to be apprehended will
not be accomplished until about that period when the
industrious children of Israel return to Palestine.
Probably those mystifying " Will -o'- the- Wisps"
practice their errors, and justify them on the principle,
that "when they go to Home they do as Romans do;"
that, as others in their struggle for the prize resort to such
stratagems, they cannot " tie one hand behind their back,"
but must fight them with their own weapons; and may
have the temerity to add, that if they did not do so they
would have no chance, and be totally debarred the possi-
bility of success ; their opponents would
" Like lions o'er the jackal sway,
By springing dauntless on the prey."
HANDICAPPING. 27
The duties and responsibilities of a handicapper are at
all times most arduous, and sometimes thankless; re-
quiring not only a thorough knowledge of the numerous
animals (sometimes of men, which perhaps should not
be taken into consideration^ and too frequently is in
various ways), but also skill and experience generally
in matters of horse-racing: in short, a thorough know-
ledge of the horse himself, as to condition and other-
wise. Even supposing that all the horses submitted to
him had previously displayed their true merits, it is a task
of no ordinary undertaking, but requires the brain of a
Chancellor of the Exchequer. But when the conscien-
tious adjudicator, anxious to measure out justice to all
alike, finds that he is dealing, not with facts but
shadows it must, indeed, especially to an upright and
conscientious man, be anything but agreeable or encou-
raging.
Fancy, after all the pains and trouble consequent
upon the framing of an immense handicap, some great,
fine, four or five years old, coming bounding in like a
deer before a pack of hounds ! Why one, in the amaze-
ment and excitement of the moment, hardly knows
whether to condole with the chagrined adjudicator or
laugh with the artful fox, the destroyer of his hopes ;
while the latter chuckles over his success, to the mor-
tification of many who may have been overmatched at
the same game, and found themselves out in their own
private calculations.
Admitting that the duties of the handicapper are
most onerous, and that the subject is one which involves
serious amounts, and is, therefore, of vital importance to
the racing public, especially to the owners of horses, it
28 TURF TOPICS.
must be deserving of consideration what tliose duties
are, how far they extend, and where they terminate;
a very nice point indeed : taking for granted, that they
have for their object a fair and impartial adjudication of
weights ; but according to what ? Here is the question,
the main point, and the stumbling-block.
Let us suppose that a given number of horses are en-
tered of various ages — or even of one age, for simplicity's
sake; that all of those animals have run in public and
displayed certain form, and that the handicapper be a
competent one. To what end is he justified to carry his
inquiries ? upon what grounds is he supposed to found his
judgment, or form his opinions of their respective merits,
beyond the manner in which they absolutely performed'?
If the difficulty ended with arriving at calculations ex-
clusively upon that head, and if it were the case that all had
fairly tried their best on the several occasions of their
running, the difficulty would be but slight. But sup-
pose that various stratagems are resorted to for the
purpose of misleading or misrepresenting their merits,
such as want of condition, running them out of their
natural courses, or the old-fashioned go- the- whole-hog
system, which, when done in a slovenly manner, is
sometimes discovered, and occasionally punished, either
by a subsequent " crusher," or if '' guilty" pleaded,
notice to quit in toto ; — how far is a handicapper jus-
tified in forming surmises or coming to conclusions, in
some of which he may be sadly mistaken ? Is he to listen
to whispers from idle prattlers, who, perhaps, with the
assistance of a glass in their eye, may have discovered
a "mare's nest," or fancy they saw something which never
happened ? or is he to attend to the inuendocs of in-
HANDICAPPING. 29
terested parties, who from either personal interest, private
fique, or jealousy, may throw out hints, if not assert
deliberate falsehoods, to the prejudice not only of owners,
but perhaps others ? It is quite natural, and consistent
with reason, that he should form his opinions upon the
running of horses, taking into consideration their condition
and all the points in relation to their true merits, which
his experience may dictate; but any man to be a handi-
capper must be a thorough judge of the animal, his
condition, his probable improvement, and all such mat-
ters. The fact is, that if people are disposed to mys-
tify, it is a task much easier to accomplish than for a
non-subscriber, however high his position, to effect an en-
trance into the subscription-room at the " Corner,^' without
the knowledge of the Argus-eyed and indefatigable over-
seer thereof. The handicapper is not in a position to
assert that which he cannot jorow, however he may fancy
it. " Sir, you are a ' Will-o'-the-Wisp V I 've got you !
and / shall hold you until we tell you to vanish.^^ But
when an owner, who may not have resorted to deception,
has run a wretched animal good for little more than con-
suming corn, and finds himself politely treated to perhaps
the top weight, what must his astonishment be ? Therefore,
however unpleasant it may be to such owner to brood over
the misplaced or unmerited compliment, still the handi-
capper has no other altei-native or mode of giving the
" gentle hint," that he entertains a higher estimate of the
animaPs pretensions than of the owner's straightforward-
ness, which conclusion may have been formed through
mere idle report. He is thus led to act upon reputation,
not upon character — two very different things.
30 TURF TOPICS.
As long as handicapping exists^ it will be surrounded
with grumbling, vexation, and discontent, on the one side
or other; and the position of the adjudicator will be any-
thing but an enviable one, however it may tend to keep
the brain in exercise. It rather resembles that of the old
man, his son, and the ass, in the fable — he pleases
nobody ; and might be compared, in some respects, to
the description I once read of a crown, —
" 'Tis to bear the miseries of a people,
Hear their murmurs, feel their discontents,
And sink beneath a load of care ;
Have your best success ascribed to fortune,
Fortune's failings all ascribed to you."
It is to be presumed, that, so long as it exists,
the object of a handicap will be to give an equal
chance to animals of various ages, according to merit.
Then it appears strange that such a cry should be so
very frequently raised, if a four or five or aged horse wins
— an argument, in fact, that they should be debarred
from a possibility of defeating young horses; whereas
every day is adding fresh proof that the young ones can
almost do anything with old ones, especially at the end
of their three-year-old year, when they are on the very
verge of four years old. Take the Chester cup, early in
May, and what do three-years-old not accomplish ? Take
the Csesarewitch for years, and even so far back as
' Faugh-a-Ballagh,' with his 8st.; the 'Baron,' 7st. 8 lbs.,
&c. The changes and improvements in three-year-olds
of late years, as well as the marked alterations in handi-
capping, are wonderful. For example, —
HANDICAPPING.
Chester Cup^
1842.
Lanercost
aged
. 9 St. 9 lbs
Cruiskeen
5)
. 8
Retriever 6 years
Millepede 4 „
Alice Hawthorne 4 „
. 7 8
. 6 10
. 6
Topsail
Tripola
Proof Print
> 3 „
•
. feathers
31
In the above ' Lanercost ' accepted, and it can hardly
be questioned that ' Alice Hawthorne ' " looked well m."
Chester Cup, 1844.
Alice Hawthorne,
6 years
9 St
8 lbs
Retriever
aged
9
2
St. Lawrence
5J
9
Gasparoni
)> •
5
9
Red Deer
3 years
4
In those days, it was looked upon as an act of ab-
surdity, even to " enter '' a three-years-old for the Chester
cup, heavy as the weights were set, until the late Lord
George Bentinck astonished the talent by winning the
above race with ' Red Deer,' ridden by that extraordinary
little jockey Kitchener. The accuracy of his lordship's
judgment has been wonderfully borne out of late years;
for when we refer to the weights, with which the three-
years-old contend now-a-days, it is enough to make
people ask, or wonder, what they will carry and win with
in 1880?
Contrast the foregoing with the following, in which
horses of all ages contended, and ' Stampedo,' five years
old, winner of the great Northamptonshire stakes, without
32 TURF TOPICS.
his ten-pound penalty, headed the list and accepted with
8 St. 51bs. : —
Chester Cup,
1862.
Tim Whiffler, 3 years .
. 6 St. nibs.
1st.
Investment 3 „ .
. 6 8
2nd.
Brighton 3 „ .
. 6
3rd.
Sappho 3 „ .
. 6 5
4th.
Here are four three-years-old, the first four beating
'Caller-Ou/ 4yrs., 8st. 11 lbs.; 'Fairvvater/ 4yrs., 8st.
7 lbs., &c. The reason why three-years-old have been
and are becoming more frequently successful, and old
horses are diminishing so much during the pi'esent
century, may be gathered from the returns, furnishing
the following results.
In 1802 the two-years-old were about one-seven-
teenth; in 1860 they were about one-third. The three-
years-old, in 1802, were one-fourth ; in 1860 they were
one-third. The four-years-old, in 1802, were one-fifth ; in
1860 they were one-fourth. The five-years-old, in 1802,
were more than one-half the entire number; in 1860, but
one-sixth of the entire were five or upwards, and but one-
third of all horses were four or upwards. The increase
in the number of horses of all ages running from 1802
up to the present time, was, in 1802, 536 ; in the present
day, nearly 2500. In 1802, but 100 three-years-old ran;
in the present day there are about 600 contending. About
30 two-years-old ran in 1802; in the present day there
are about 700; whereas in 1802, 280 of five and
upwards started, and now there are not more than about
the same number. There are at present about 1500
races, contended for by all ages, of the following dis-
tances: —
WHAT THREE-YEAllS-OLB CAN DO. 33
Ilalf-a-mile and under
256
474
281
301
177
25
Over half and under a mile
One mile ......
Over a mile and under two
Two miles and under three
Three miles and upwards .
As far as the CEesarewitch is concerned^ of late years,
three-years-old have shown what they can accomplish.
'Dulcibella' literally could have trotted in with 6st. 11 lbs. j
she won by ten lengths in a canter, and four-yeai's-old in
with 6 St.; 'Asteroid^ was third, with 7st. 6 lbs., beaten a
neck, for second; and in the present year ' Ackworth' was
third, with 7st. Had such horses as ' Faugh-a-Ballagh,'
' The Baron,' or ' Asteroid,' been in with 7st., where would
those two mares, '' Thalestris ' and ' Gratitu^de ' (neither of
which had previously shown even moderate form), have
been ? It is quite certain something must wiu, and it ap-
pears strange, when two four-years-old run so well-con-
tested a race to a head, and a three-years-old third, with
1 st. less than horses of his own age had won with, that
there should be any reason to complain as far as the first
rank were concerned ; and it should be borne in mind that,
in the Csesarewitch especially, all horses do not finish out,
and many run merely for a certain distance, as a trial for
the Cambridgeshire. A handicap is nothing more than a
handicap — they cannot all win; and it is equally certain
that their owners will never be all satisfied, for the world
is a grumbling world; and the Turf, although a w^orld of
wonders in itself, is not a likely one to be the exception.
The great mistake that has been made for years, was not
appreciating what young horses could really do. In the
Liverpool cup it was considered a regular "settler" to
visit a three-years-old with 6st. 7 lbs., for not one of
34 TURF TOPICS.
them could win with a weight of the kind, until ' Charles
the Twelfth ' did succeed : he was a first-class horse, and
won the Doncaster St. Leger. About the same period we
found old horses handicapped at lOst. 61b., giving 5st. to
three-years-old in the Goodwood stakes, at that advanced
season of the year; whereas, now-a-days, the young ones
can do almost anything with old horses, at very little
difference of weight. For instance, 'Pretty Boy,^ three
years old, as well as I remember, won with 7st. 8 lbs., and
^Elcho,^ carrying within lib. of 6st. defeated 'Starke,'
six years old, at a difference of 24 lbs. in the Goodwood
stakes. ' Starke,^ same meeting, won the Goodwood cup,
carrying 8st. lOlbs., defeating ' Thormanby ' and the
' Wizard,' first and second for the Derby, and a good field
of horses of various ages. The fact is, many three-years-
old, at the end of the year, arrive at their best form,
especially those that may have been trained and ran early ;
for it is " the pace that kills,'' and what some gain in
stamina by age they lose in speed.
In the late Cambridgeshire the success of the winner
' Ackworth,' with 7st., appears to be looked upon by
most of the cognoscenti as a great performance. No doubt
it was a good one. But they appear to forget what several
others did previously, which, when contrasted with it, will
hardly tend to prove that there was anything wonderful in
it : nor does the result, as far as the race is concerned, in
other respects prove it so. It must not be forgotten that
the distance was shorter, although a more severe course,
than the Csesarewitch ; and it certainly appears strange, the
young horse having seven pounds less weight than in the
longer race with ' Gratitude,' the four-years-old, especially
further on in the season. But how many other three-
AS TO WEIGHTING HORSES. 35
years-old have won, and only been just defeated by a
head, with far more weight than the late winner? — ' Odd
Trick,' ' Saunterer,' &c. Moreover, it is an admitted and
well-proved fact, that horses can give away to each other
more weight at two years old than at any other age ; and
there can be no reason why the same rule, to a certain
extent, should not prove, and in fact it does prove, pro-
portionally the case with the three-years-old. The
difference appears greater upon paper than it really is,
when horses of a superior class are put alongside moderate
ones ; for it is wonderful what really good young ones
can do with those of a different age, as well as those of
their own, especially where there is a great turn of speed :
for horses deficient therein are always in trouble, and
many of them so much so that, in fact, they could not win
with any weight. Many persons who ought to be compe-
tent judges, and perhaps are, maintain that it comes to the
same thing, no matter whether horses are tried at high or
low weights : and amongst those who entertained that
opinion was the late Lord George Bentinck, I believe.
Still, with all due respect, my vote would be against any
such idea ; for many reasons. In the first place, all horses
are not equally formed, nor is their action suited to carry
heavy weights, and common sense must dictate the
absurdity of supposing that the higher they were set the
more they should not tell, especially when they exceeded
the acknowledged racing weight, 8st. 71b.* Who, if he
* Upon the subject of weights, an opinion which I entertain
may call up the ridicule of many, as regards the error of putting
up such vary light children to ride horses in their general exercise,
in comparison with the weights they may be bound to carry in
their engagements ; namely, that, as in most other cases, " practice
makes perfect, and habit becomes second nature," and, to a great
36 TURF TOPICS.
were possessed of the ordinary share of that sagacity with
which racing-men are accredited, having even made a
match, and given away a stone, would set the weights,
at racing weight, if he had the option of doing so, at 7 st.?
Those who entertain the opposite opinions should bear in
mind the old adage, " the last feather breaks the camel's
back,^^ and remember the fable of
" The donkey, whose talents for burdens was wondrous.
So much that you 'd swear he rejoiced in a load.
One day had to jog under panniers so pond'rous,
That down the poor donkey fell smack on the road."
Those opposed to handicapping maintain that it
tends to injure the breed of horses in general, which,
if it were the only grounds of objection, would be a
slender one indeed. It is not likely that breeders would
take pains to produce bad horses for the purpose of
getting them lightly weighted, nor is it the fact that
they are weighted according to size ; many of the finest
animals are the lightest weighted, and if the adjudica-
tion thereof were taken according to the judgment of
some of those who declare against the principle, their
efforts would be attended with success so far only as
to cause merriment and plenty of "fun" to the spec-
tators. Men purchase young horses with high ex-
pectations, and if they had not something to turn
round upon, in the shape of handicaps, in the event of
their higher hopes being frustrated^ they would not be so
extent, inures the frame to exertion : the fact of the animal
being accustomed to a feather-weight, and suddenly loaded on the
racecourse to contend under heavy weights, must, to a certain
degree, have an injurious effect, independently of other objections,
such as not being properly held together, and boring on the bridle.
what's in a name ? 37
ready to purchase ; and then the breeder would naturally
be discouraged, and down would go the value of the horse
in every respect. But it seems strange, amid the great
outcry against the system of handicapping, that, amongst
the ranks of its enemies, there cannot be found any
bright enough to provide a substitute without diminishing
the amount of either sport or speculation. The originator
of the one system may not have been possessed of more
intellect than others ; and it would be a great libel
on that of so experienced and so enlightened a body
as the rulers of the turf, if amongst them there did
not exist one capable of improving upon a plan which
appears to some unpopular, and attended with so many
drawbacks.
It has been frequently asked, "What is there in a
name?^' There is a great deal. The name of ''Selling
Stakes " is not a favourite with either side. Then suppose
the stakes were called ' The Prince of Wales,^ ' The
Grand Alexandra Prize,^ 'The Garibaldi Goblet,' or 'Tom
Thumb's Thimble,^ and that the conditions were the
same, and the secondary/ consideration (?) — in fact, every
part of the terms, the same as they are at present in
handicaps, with the exception of the mode of adjusting
the weights; that the latter were put upon their horses
by the respective owners, in a sealed entry, and deposited,
the day of entry, with the proper authority, each owner
entering his horse, affixing to his name the price he was
to be sold for, whether for 3000, 1000, or 100, and at which
price he might be claimed according to rules framed,
or to be framed, by the Jockey Club ; what difficulty
would there be, beyond the regulation of the sliding
scales of weights, in accordance with the prices, which
38 TURF TOPICS.
those authorities, it is to be presumed, would find no
more difficulty in arriving at than in the adjustments of
weights for Queen's plates ? It may be said that there
would not be so many entries. That is very ques-
tionable : but if reduced they could not be by so
great a number as in a proportionate view would reduce
fields (if the stakes were worth winning) to so great
an extent as the non-contents usually found in an
entry of one hundred horses, or the usual number
entered for large handicaps would do, because those
who would enter would do so with a knowledge of their
weights. Such conditions could be framed as would
prevent any possibility of the objections to the former
conditions of selling stakes ; and if there were no handi-
caps, owners wavering about entering under such con-
ditions would be obliged to do so, having no other mode
of winning ; while they would have the same chances as
ever of winning weight for age races.
The only difficulty would be as to the sliding scale.
Assuming that an owner would not feel disposed to sell
his horse at all, he must be a very valuable one, and there
are plenty of richer stakes for such animals ; and, more-
over, it is the very fact of such " swans " being entered
for handicaps that causes all the outcry on the part of the
owners of moderate horses, as well as their own, who are
always the most likely to complain if they are treated
according to their merits. The very entry of such
horses in such races, which, in fact, is not their place,
causes all the trouble and complaints of very light
weights : in short, they are the cause of the difficulty.
Some owners, perhaps after having paid 1000 guineas
for a yearling, find they cannot win at all — as there are
TEST OF A horse's VALUE. 39
many horses at present could not win if let loose in good
company — yet they have no opportunity of getting
back any of their losses; whereas^ if there were certain
classes formed for such horses, or for moderate ones, there
would be plenty of racing and plenty of profit, and an
opportunity for owners to get rid of such animals should
they feel disposed to fly at higher game. Amusement
does not altogether depend upon the class of horse;
nor does the amount of speculation either, although no
doubt there is most interest in witnessing contests
between first-class or celebrated horses. The autho-
rities would not find it very difficult to frame scales
which would be attended with most beneficial results, and
be a very great improvement upon the present system.
If, for instance, any of those large handicaps were
called by one of those grand, sounding titles, and were
framed according to such terms, what would the odds be
that there would not be more entered, or start at least,
than appear at the post now-a-days ?
The true test of the value and merits of any horse, as a
general rule, is the price his owner will part with him for ;
and it is a much fairer one than that which may be fan-
cied by any other party unacquainted with his merits, of
which, it is to be presumed, his owner is fully aware, at
least more so than others, although even in this respect
there are some exceptions. An eccentric friend of mine
used to be driven to a state of excitement, almost border-
ing upon distraction, at the very mention of the fact of
an owner knowing anything at all about his own horse ; so
much so, that it was a regular joke amongst his sporting
friends to refer to the subject. What reasons he could
have had for arriving at his conclusions were, it is to be
40 TURF TOPICS.
presumed, best known to himself; he, however, seemed
to have formed very fixed notions on the point.*
But redeo ad rem. As to purchasing a stud, or
adding to one already formed, perhaps one of the greatest
mistakes frequently made is that of buying too many,
especially of a moderate class, for very many reasons :
amongst others, the object may be to become possessed of
first-class horses; and few possess the moral courage to
get rid of the inferior ones, or adopt the maxim " that the
first loss is the best." It stands to reason, that to get
those rare acquisitions, first-class racehorses, the best
mode is to purchase the most promising; and it is but
natural to assume, that the greater number any one pur-
chases, the more likely he is to hit upon good ones : but
the great drawback is, that he thus encumbers himself
with too many. Any owner anxious to accomplish his
undertaking, should make it a rule to get rid of the others,
when found wanting, even at a sacrifice, and if he could
not do so otherwise, it would be a far more judicious
course, under any circumstances, to give them away,
than adopt that so frequently pursued, of holding on
in hope of a handicap. Many are carried on from time
to time, each reduction in weight rendering it in his
mind nearer to the '' moral," as it is termed ; but that
" moral '' frequently turns out a '' myth,'' ending in a
break-down, or some other disappointment.
* The best bet I ever won was when I took, amongst others, one
thousand to fifteen pounds about an animal the moment I saw the
weights, and the horse started at a hundred to one, the owner at
the same time backing another of his own, at very short odds : the
former won in a canter. One of the greatest examples I ever knew
in racing, of either the brightest display of generalship, or most
palpable stupidity, ever manifested.
A FEW '^ GOOD 'UNS" BETTER THAN A BAD LOT. 41
Any owner keeping a number of horses^ if speculation
be his object, can win as much money with 2ifeiv horses
and upon a few races as he can with a dozen. Some
people, who really understand the prudent course in the
various branches connected with the animal, and the
management, placing, and other necessary matters re-
lating thereto, would win far more with a small stud than
others with a much larger one.* Some keep on day after
day, entering, engaging, travelling, and perpetually back-
ing them, frequently " merely because they are their own ; ''
not that they think they can " absolutely win," but " they
don't like to let them run without a 'pony,' " and so on ;
or they " only backed them (when beaten) for a hundred,
sometimes called a ' century -/ " but this " century sys-
tem," which sometimes is continued for a quarter of
a century, if the estates have not been entailed, in any
case amounts to more money than at first imagined, and
all the time the heavy drag is kept on, the bad ones
eating as much, and generally costing more, than the
good. This may be best termed the " dribbling system,"
which never pays. The continual drag is too heavy. He
who keeps a lesser number, and backs them at the proper
time for a sum sufficiently remunerative, and otherwise
adopts a course of prudence, which judgment and ex-
perience alone can dictate, is the party most likely to
succeed. Judgment and experience will always beat
money in the long run ; for however the plunging prin-
* It would almost require Mr. Judge Clark's _;?a^, at least once
in every three races, otherwise the decease of some dearly-beloved
relative annually, to keep accounts square with the number of
horses kept by some enterprising aspirants, assuming that fortune
should smile occasionally on others.
42 TURF TOPICS.
ciple in any branch may prosper for a time^ it never lasts.
Sometimes horses are sold, from the fact that the owner has
too many ; and amongst them perhaps some good, which
are purchased at " par " by some really sound judge : and
this course is frequently caused by persons not being in
a position to "see it out" with their horses. Where is
the man who ever rushed recklessly into a large stud,
and ever found it pay ? How many men of judgment,
who adopted the other system, have made fortunes pro-
portionate to' their attempts or their aspirations? And
why ? because they, with comparatively little expense,
have had plenty to work against, furnished by more ex-
travagant and reckless owners. Have not even men who
could be named (now under the turf) kept something bor-
dering on one hundred horses at a time ; and although
really men of judgment, and with experience of the
animal, yet made the " grand mistake " referred to ? It is
wonderful that people do not more frequently ask them-
selves, " where is the money to come from to enable them,
without losing their own, to even have their enjoyment V
Of course it is a diiFerent case with those who can afford
to keep a thousand horses if they choose, to amuse them-
selves, like the Sultan with his Harem, and the public
ought to be very much obliged to them ; and most un-
questionably the success of such owners should, and
would be, at all times, hailed with delight by all true
sportsmen, for, in every sense of the word, they are
deserving of it. Still, in the case of others, who had
an eye to something beyond amusement, the question
becomes of more importance as to their probable success.
The El Dorado, in search of which most aspii-ants
cast their bark, consists of certain value. The question is,
TURF STATISTICS. 43
what that value is, and the expense which, the "fitting-
out " costs, the various appendages thereto, and the num-
ber of " sailors " on board ? An inexperienced mariner,
unacquainted with tlie shoals and quicksands, can hardly
be too cautious, especially of sharks, which frequently
abound, and with their satellites, or pilot-fish, generally
look after the best-conditioned prey, lurking nearest the
spot where it is most likely to be found ; and once they get
the chance, escape is a miracle. The instinct of those fish,
especially combined with that of their aides-de-camp, is
surprising, their bite frequently fatal.
Probably the most important subject is as to the real
value of the sought-for prize, and the comparative expense
attending the realisation of it. It has always been ad-
mitted that the turf was remarkable for its uncertainties,
its ups and downs, occasional successes to some, yet more
frequent reverses to most people. It might, however, not
prove a very difficult task to arrive at the principal cause.
The statistics of horseracing furnish materials, clearly
demonstrating the fallacy of supposing that it is possible
for it to have any other result than one of certain loss to
the majority of its patrons, forming or framing calculations
merely confined to the value of prizes, which may be won inde-
pendently of betting speculations. Those racing records are
framed and rendered in a style not excelled, if equalled,
by any other public returns in simplicity and correctness.
By reference thereto it would appear, that there are at
present, and have been for the last few years, taking one
with the other (independently of numerous others pur-
chased, trained, &c. and found useless), from 1800 to
2000 horses, contending for a certain number of stakes or
prizes, numbering about 1500. In calculating the pro-
44 TURF TOPICS.
bable amount of expenses necessarily attending the keep-
ing of racehorses, and making a rough guess, it would
hardly be exceeding a fair estimate to rate each horse,
including stakes, forfeit, training, travelling, and the
numerous et ccBteras, at 300/. per annum each (which
might in many cases be more properly set at 500Z.J.
Would a contractor accept of one million per annum,
and undertake to supply the deficiency to be found by
owners of horses annually ? In other words, does that
amount cover the outlay of the owners of all the animals
that contend for races, as well as those proved worth-
less ? What, then, would be the amazement of some
of the patrons of the turf if they were asked to take
a few shares in one of those numerous monster schemes
so frequently, in the present enterprising age, sub-
mitted for public patronage, if they set forth upon their
prospectus such enticing proofs of their desirability and
probability of success or remuneration ? (The Earth -
quake-and-Balloon scheme will probably be the next
project.) Such statistics as these might be fairly urged
as evidence of the truth and justice of the remark, that
the " glorious pastime" was originally intended for, and
is best suited to, the nobility and aristocracy, who are
presumed to be not only the most noble representatives
of mankind, but likewise the possessors of the superfluity
of that much-prized metal, which they sometimes appear
to hold in quite as high estimation as their more humble
fellow-creatures. Then^ if success depends upon betting
transactions, the question arises as to how far the absolute
ownership of horses benefits the proprietor beyond the
public, and how such benefits can be derived, curtailed,
or completely prevented ? Assuming that an owner is
TRAINERS. 45
desirous of blending profit with pleasure, the very first
step necessary to be taken is to secm'e the services of
a trustworthy and competent trainer, with a silent tongue
(not with a clapper like Big Ben); inasmuch as, next
to becoming possessed of good horses, the subject most
requiring attention, and one of most vital importance, is
to provide himself with a good trainer. Still, a very far-
fetched and exaggerated idea is sometimes entertained with
regard to the superiority of one above anothei*, so fre-
quently remarked upon, even among themselves ; viz. that
some are so far preferable to others, and excel to so
great an extent in skill.
If one were reminded that it required great study to
arrive at a fellowship or scholarship at college, the fact
would be admitted as a matter of course, but to argue
that there exists that wonderful art or science in training
a racehorse is simply a farce, which may be rendered
theatrical to a great extent, by the acting of persons whose
extraordinary imaginative genius, and sometimes conse-
quential and bland style, above that of their more unas-
suming brethren, frequently carry away the credulous
to believe that it requires a wizard to win a Derby or
bring condition to perfection; almost persuading many to
a belief that some trainers could win a Derby with a bad
horse, like Baron Munchausen's harp, that "played the
tune without the performer.'^ Good horses make good
trainers — plenty of good hay and corn tend wonderfully
tow^ards condition. The usual duties of a stable are nothing
beyond that which the most humble individual may
become acquainted with in time. The best " head-lads "
make the best trainers, many being for years, in some
instances, in reality the trainers.
46 TURF TOPICS.
There was a day, when the " good old fashions "
would at a glance impress one with the idea of the man
who really understood his business, and was not above
it. Fortunately, many of the same class still remain.
Some have been lucky in having had good horses placed
under their charge, while others have been the reverse;
the success of those animals tending in the eyes of some
persons to stamp their traiuevs as "nonpareils," the
consequence being an immediate run to fill their stables ;
while others, equally scientific, and perhaps otherwise
more deserving, have been just as unfortunate in not get-
ting the chance, as their employers have been in not
obtaining good animals. That there is a certain know-
ledge necessary to be obtained, and which must be im-
proved by practice, there can be no question; that it
requires a sort of apprenticeship is true, the more humbly
served the more likely to arrive at perfection. A certain
form of condition must be arrived at to have the horse
really " fit,^' still it does not require that wonderful talent
which many people appear to fancy. It is true that,
having learned the regular routine to be pursued in order
to arrive at perfect condition, the more intellect coupled
with practical experience any man may have been gifted
with, the more likely he is to prove successful : b\it there
is but one pitch of condition, " perfection ;^' and that is
as often overdone by the " artists^' as it is underdone by
the " non-professors," or more humble members of the
profession. In many instances the animals themselves,
by nature and a mixture of chance, happen to be exactly
the thing on the day, although having, perhaps, been
a shade removed therefrom within a very short period pre-
ceding, for it is quite true that a sweat or a couple of good
CONDITION AN ELEMENT OF SUCCESS. 47
gallops will effect a wonderful change. Horses cannot, like
pedestrians or prize-fighters, tell their trainers, or friends,
" they never felt better, and are fit to contend for a king-
dom." There are many instances where horses have
" raced themselves " into condition previous to an event,
their success for which has astonished none more than
their owners or trainers, owing to their having been
perhaps defeated previously, when their success has been
looked upon as a foregone conclusion. The fact is, there
is a deal of chance in condition as well as in every other
matter connected with horseracing ; for no trainer, be he
ever so talented or experienced, can at all times have his
horse as fit, or as well as he might wish. These remarks
are made merely to impress upon the reader that there is
more fuss made about the science of training than it really
calls for; for admitting that there is a great deal of
practical experience and intellect necessary, and as much
difference in the appearance and condition of some horses
as there is between those cherished relics of aristocratic
antiquity at Newmarket and the public stand-houses at
gorgeous Goodwood and elsewhere, still the opinions of
required skill are frequently exaggerated.
In some instances trainers have a gi'cater number of
animals under their charge than they could by possibility
properly attend to, if it were absolutely necessary that each
should have their special attention. No doubt they have
head-men or assistants, some of whom occasionally know
as much, if not more, than the masters, and in reality are
the trainers ; and why should they not ? In some such
cases, no doubt, the best performers come in for the lion's
share of the trainer's attentions, while the inferior are com-
paratively disregarded.
48 TUllF TOPICS.
Trainers, as a body, are respectable, trustworthy,
and intelligent, and many of them most independent.
Although intelligence and experience are necessary, it by
no means follows that an illiterate man cannot be a good
trainer. Some of the best have hardly known how to
write their names, whilst others have learned to write too
well to be either an acquisition or beneficial to their
employers. "A little learning is a dangerous thing" at
times. Some years ago, a certain trainer whose horses
had won Caesarewitches, Liverpool cups, &c., upon being
asked suddenly by his employer to read the weights of a
handicap just published, and give his opinion thereupon,
quietly handing back the paper remarked, — " There !
please to read them to me. I have been trying that game
on long enough ; divil a word myself can read. The old
woman (his wife) always does the reading and writing for
me." On a previous occasion he had been found with a
newspaper turned upside down, but he had discussed the
weights previously with others.
A horse, trained by our hero, had won easily a
certain celebrated race in England, subsequent to which
he was immediately jiurchased, for a large price, by
a patron of the turf, who called over the trainer, a very
humble, although clever and experienced man ; the latter,
snatching his dudeen from his mouth, and touching his
caubeen, was requested by the purchaser to inform his
trainer, Mr. So-and-So, as to the horse's constitution,
habits, &c., adding, " that he believed, when he had
received the ' polish,' he would ' do a good thing.' ''
" Oh ! " replied the late trainer (who was not over-polished
himself), " why should the likes of me attempt to give Mr.
So-and-So any instructions?" The fact was, the horse
DISHONEST TRAINERS. 49
was in superb form at the time — a perfect picture of con-
dition, admired by all judges, but having been removed
to his destination was tried over and over again, galloped
almost to death, and never won a farthing afterwards.
There are very many competent men to be found, whose
very appearance would denote a fitness for their duty
adhering thereto, and not outsti'ipping it, who will not
try your horses without your knowledge or authority ; or
try them at one time before your face with one incorrect
result, again behind your back with a different one,
leaving you in total ignorance of the result of the genuine
trial, and turning it to their own advantage, and that of
necessary and obliging friends, sub rosd, who possibly,
having made a few temporary advances, consider they are
entitled toknow the merits of an animal before even the owner
himself. It is all very well to be possessed of good horses ;
the difficulty of finding them is best known to those who
have tried the experiment : the disappointment which they
so repeatedly experience, and so dearly pay for, all tend to
test the " staying poivers" of owners, as well as horses.
But when fortune may have favoured an owner, be his
position high or humble, with animals so rarely found —
" racehorses ^^ — the matter becomes somewhat serious
when he finds all his hopes blighted, through the instru-
mentality, or connivance, of the very party in whom he
may have placed implicit confidence. Let any man place
himself in the position of an owner, who, putting his own
interests aside, in every sincerity may have expressed to his
friends his sanguine expectations of success ; then, what
would the individual deserve who, with perhaps an out-
ward appearance of honesty and straightforwardness, " z
lip of lies, a face formed to conceal/^ could act the
50 TURF TOPICS.
part of the frozen serpent, and turn upon his employer
and benefactor, by a dishonest sacrifice of his interests ?
" And in my mind there is no traitor like
Him whose domestic treason plants the poniard
Within the breast which trusted to his truth."
On the other hand, the trustworthy trainer is invaluable
to an owner ; and to one who could afibrd it, amount of
remuneration should be a secondary consideration, as he
best studies. his own interests by making those of his
trainer identical with them ; and next to an owner, the
trainer's interests should be consulted and considered.
Any proprietor of a number of horses would, for many
reasons, adopt by far the most prudent course, by having
his private trainer, or, at least, one to act conjointly with a
friend or two; for one of the great objects to be attained is
privacy in such matters, as well as quietness for the animals.
The frequent visits of the various employers (some, per-
haps, with a fourth share of a leather plater), with their
hosts of friends, one after the other, morning, noon,
and night, stalking about the stables, puffing their
cigars, worrying the horses (sometimes kept stripped
and tantalised by rubbing an extra half-hour, during
the pleasure of their admirers), taking their notes, and
circulating the number of coughs ; " pumping '"' attend-
ants and little boys, on various subjects; in short,
" poking their noses " where they are not required,
and should not be admitted, together with the fact that
the trainer is kept in a perpetual state of bewilderment,
answering either absurd questions or evading others with
more meaning ; and taking into consideration the fact that
a man with a lot of horses to attend to properly has quite
ADVANTAGES OF PRIVATE TRAINING. 51
enough on his mind (if not too much)^ and requires a
little rest ; all must tend to render matters anything but
desirable or beneficial. In fact, the doctrine is erroneous ;
and any owner of horses who can afford to keep a private
trainer, or join a friend, with whose interests his own may
become identical, makes a very great mistake indeed in
adopting the opposite course ; which he will only find out
when he has been worried to death in many ways, and,
though last not least, obliged to back his horses at about
one-half the proper odds : for there are sometimes a drove
of followers in stables, who, from a sort of custom, appear
to fancy they are quite as well entitled as the owner to
know every movement (and sometimes know more), and be
" on," at the best odds. Thus owners are frequently driven
to "scratch" their horses out of their engagements, simply
from the fact that they have been forestalled by people who
make it their business to become acquainted with facts,
which they communicate to their respective connexions :
the result is, the owner in disgust strikes his horse out, be-
cause he could not get his own money on, and then comes
the thunder of abuse from those who, enraged because
horses were not kept for their use and benefit, express
themselves in terms anything but complimentary.
It is all very well for people to rave about proprietors
who keep horses for "honour and glory, and that sort of
thing;" there are a great many more who " wait for
the waggon with the universal idol," and like a little
of the " cream " of the market, instead of being obliged
to take the " skimmed milk." Still it sometimes happens,
that the very people most closely connected with stables,
and who ought to be the vert/ first to know when there
existed a probability of success, are not only the ver?/ last
52 TURF TOPICS.
to learn it, but absolutely made the useful instruments,
in the shape of cats' paws or jackals, in order to carry out
" arrangements " suitable to certain parties, who may
have been accommodating, under peculiar circumstances.
Such proceedings are not, happily, of frequent occurrence,
and are not practised in respectable establishments, where
the interests of owners are really studied. It is also
very well to run away with ideas, as to the advantages
one has in being the owner ; but what are they ? and
where do they begin and terminate ? Those benefits
or advantages may be great, or may be quite the con-
trary. He has to find the animals, and all the ex-
penses attending them ; and the entire benefit consists in
the fact of his having not only more knowledge of the
merits of his horses, but a prior one to the public.
Suppose an owner has purchased a splendid stud, upon
a scale of magnitude; or, on the other hand, take the
case of what is commonly termed a "little man," whose
principal, if not entire dependence, rests upon his suc-
cess. Then to what possible end can all this tend, if
the cup of success is to be snatched from him through the
ignorance, ingratitude, or dishonesty of the trainer ? It
therefore becomes absolutely necessaiy, and of the most
vital importance, to find a man to whom the responsi-
bilities and care of such can be entrusted, and in whom
implicit confidence can be reposed ; as it is like placing
one's capital in a safe, and handing the key to another.
Thei'efore, in order to avoid the possibility of one being like
Tristram Fickle, in the farce of "The Weathercock,''
changing with every breath of wind, which frequently
ends in a storm of suspicions and want of confidence, it
is absolutely necessary to secure the services of a trust-
" THE TRIAL HORSE." 53
worthy trainer; without which he might as well carry
one of "Dent^s best" without a key to wind it, and
all the 'Flying Dutchmen' or 'West Australians' that
ever were foaled would not only be useless, but ruinous.
When confidence dies and candour departs between em-
ployer and ti-ainer, rather than continue such a course it
would be more prudent to sell for whatever they brought ;
and if purchasers could not be found, open the stable-
door, turn the animals loose, and let the first who caught
them keep them ; unless the owner wished to live to find
the hair of his head make its appearance thi'ough the
crown of his hat, his ancestors having neglected to entail
the estates.
The steady, unassuming, and industrious man, is the
one to select : examples are to be found frequently.
" Let them talk as they will about writing and reading,
And science in training, the chief thing is feeding ;
Strictly trustworthy, a son of old Dumbery
Is the trainer — believe me, the rest is mere flummery."
One of the most important necessaries, in addition to
a properly regulated establishment, and a principal link
in the chain of success, is a good and true " trial horse ; "
one which, as an old trainer of mine, dead many years ago,
used to say, " would tell one to a second what o'clock
it was." The want of this most important requisite
is invariably the cause of owners losing large sums ;
and moreover, even when such necessary tell-tales are
supplied, it is not every owner or trainer knows how
to use them. On the contrary, there are more mistakes
made in trials than many people have any idea of; and
to my mind, it is not only one of the chief parts of the
54 TURF TOPICS.
science which trainers should be versed in, but it is the
very one which they are most frequently, as well as their
employers, least conversant with. Some are more skilled
and preferable to others in this respect, as well as in
judgment and knowledge of the animal, than in the
mere matter of condition. Such mistakes are made
most frequently through mismanagement as to jockeys
and pace, as well as from the weights under which horses
are tried, frequently differing so much from those under
which they may be about to contend in their engage-
ments. In many instances experienced jockeys are put
on some, mere lads on others. Again, the pace half the
way is frequently little more than half speed ; the boys
sometimes chatting to each other. Then some horses,
especially old ones, become so accustomed to particular
ground, that they frequently do not really try ; or if they
win, they merely do so, leading to the supposition that
they only just won; and orders are frequently given '^not
to abuse the old horse." An instance of this kind occurred,
and which might have been attended with serious results,
and, as it was, attended with one anything but gratifying,
beyond a temporary delusion that a small mine of wealth
had been discovered, in the shape of half-a-dozen two-year-
old flyers, which was soon dispelled. Having tried several
times a number of two-years-old with a well-known old
one, and some others, at certain weights, the result on
each occasion was exactly the same — the old one just
winning by a length, the rest in a " lump." All wonders,
of course ! although, in the latter respect, the matter did
not look well. Thanks to the intelligence of my respected
and experienced trainer, Mr. H. May, a change of ground
being decided upon, from a belief that there were too many
THE TRIAL GROUND. 55
flyers in the covey to be true, we tried the reverse way, run-
ning in the direction of the *^ corn-bin;" when the young
birds' wings were woefully clipped, and they were left
scattered in all directions, some not within gun-shot of
others, for the old one might almost have had her share
of the oats consumed before they arrived for theirs.
The ground has a great deal to do with the coi-rectness
of a trial j for some horses like certain gallops and di-ead
others, from having too frequently had the " persuaders"
applied. The ground, if possible, should resemble in
every respect that over which the horse about to be tried
is to contend for his engagements in public; and in every
respect, in fact, the private trial should resemble the
public race — jackets, tight light saddles (which frequently
frighten young horses, if unaccustomed to them), &c. The
more remote from their usual exercise-ground the better.
Some horses will almost fly in private, either with or
without their clothes, yet when they are stripped in public
will literally die under the jockey, or, upon the appearance
of a crowd, never try at all.
An extraordinary instance of this occurred some
years ago with a horse of mine, which probably no animal
living could have beaten in private. This horse (he
was a gelding by ' Harkaway,' and half-bred) led both
myself and trainer to fancy, either that the others,
although they had previously won and defeated easily
all the horses of their year in Ireland, were moderate,
or that he was a perfect wonder. Having entered
him for a few handicaps, and upon the first occasion
backed him, as if the result were over and decided,
he w^as not only defeated easily, but was absolutely last —
beaten a hundred yards, to our great astonishment and the
56 TURF TOPICS.
amusement of others^ who enjoyed the thing amazingly.
The other horses with which he had been tried ran
subsequently during the day^ and, not backed for a penny,
won as they liked. The following day, having resolved to
give him one more chance, and being laughed at by some
friends who were rather disappointed at having lost their
money, the brute, with extreme odds against him, abso-
lutely won as far as he was defeated the day previously,
beating a large field and upsetting a " tremendous pot "
backed against the field. The fact was, just previous to and
during the race a heavy shower of hail came down ; every-
body took shelter therefrom ; the course appeared quite de-
serted, and in came the big seventeen-hands-high "buffalo"
by himself (he had a pair of horns about two inches long
on his forehead). The result led to the " usual remarks "
upon all sides; the most wounded sufferers of course being
the layers, and the friends who were not on at the proper
time, according to their ideas and wishes. But such are
frequent cases, and prove the necessity as well as value of
a genuine trial horse. This animal turned out a first-class
steeple-chase horse, although a coward on the flat. The
true worth and staying qualities of horses, like those of
their masters and friends, are best tested and tried when
in difficulties; the mistakes so frequently made, and
delusions under which so many labour, might in many
cases be obviated, and the results be rendered more harm-
less, by an observance of that caution so often disregarded.
But the prudence of trying horses at all, at least to
that extent so frequently practised in cases where a great
event or large stake is in question, is one admitting of
doubt, where the object is not to win largely by the result ;
for in many instances the consequences are most detri-
EVIL CONSEQUENCES OF TRIALS. 57
mental, and sometimes fatal, extinguishing not only the
immediate chance, but putting the animals completely hors
de combat.
Suppose an owner has already backed his horse
for a large stake, say for a Derby. On the eve thereof
the animal is tried, and asked a Derby question, which
he finds very difficult to answer. Although favourites in-
variably do so, as far as report — people seldom hear of
one losing his trial. Then in what better position is he,
further than that he has the pleasing gratification of
a further belief that he will find his name recorded as the
owner of a winner of the " Blue Riband ? " If the result
turn out an unfavourable one, the wires are certain to be
at work from some quarter or other; and the metallic
influences are also, in other respects, in requisition and
full play. Some very experienced patrons of the turf
completely set their faces against the system, merely
satisfied with a "rough-up.'^ One of the best judges and
most experienced and successful men, in every respect, in
breeding and racing, did not approve of absolute trials.
He was not a heavy better, generally confining his invest-
ments to a ten or a twenty-pound note. He had an obser-
vatory specially constructed, from which he, with the as-
sistance of a telescope, witnessed the daily exercise of his
horses ; and upon the eve of a race-meeting had them sent
from a certain point, a given distance, in their regular
Indian file, finishing opposite his post. If asked what he
thought of his chance, he would invariably reply " that his
horse ran untried :" but whenever his ten was on he gener-
ally won ; and if a " po7iy," it was all over. He was, in my
humble opinion, the best judge of a horse, in every respect,
and eveiything relating to breeding and horseracing, that
58 TURF TOPICS.
ever lived — (a large word, no doubt) — and many an hour's
amusement and instruction he afforded those with whom
he was acquainted, having been, in addition to his other
qualifications, a V. S. of nearly half-a-century's first-rate
practice.*
One of the most important matters to have regard
to in the management of horses, and one upon which
success principally depends, is the placing and engaging
of them. It is much better to be first in moderate
than second in superior company; and in this the judg-
ment is best tested. As Csesar remarked, "that he would
rather he first in a hamlet than have an equal, or be second
in Rome/' The wholesale manner in which horses are
sometimes crammed into engagements, especially when the
option of doing so is entrusted to parties who have not to
pay the forfeits, is something surprising. In many in-
stances, the absence of owners' names from a sheet calen-
dar or race-card is as rare an occurrence as the appearance
of a woodcock in summer, or a policeman when really re-
quired. How horses, especially young ones, can be
expected to fulfil those numerous undertakings, is a matter
best known to those who adopt the system. Prejudice of
some owners in favour of their own, and belief in their
powers to vanquish all comers, being the very essence and
life of horseracing, and when carried to excess, which it
so frequently is, the stumbling-block to success. Some
* All horses will not gallop in their clothes ; still, a very fair
estimate of their qualities may occasionally be made under such cir-
cumstances : a contradiction to which opinion would be a serious
libel upon the talents, as well as detrimental to the pecuniary in-
terests, of a certain professional fraternity, forming a large body of
the cognoscenti.
THE RACE-GROUNDS OF ENGLAND. 59
owners (especially beginners) fancy their "geese" are all
" swans," invariably assuring their friends on the eve of
an event that it is a certainty for one of their stud, whether
for ' The Devil among the Tailors/ ' All Round my Hat/
* Tickle my Fancy/ or 'Impetuous Bess ;^ an attempt to
change them from which infatuation would prove as futile
as to persuade a young lady to dispense with her crinoline.
It would, however, be prudent to bear in mind, that others
likewise have good horses, as also the dangerous results
arising from being over-sanguine. Disappointment to such
parties, who are generally of a rather excitable tempera-
ment, sometimes leading into the river of revelry, which
not unfrequently flows into the sea of adversity.
The plains of Newmarket afford to the beginner ample
opportunity of displaying his taste, gratifying his am-
bitions, as well as developing his resources in his favourite
pastime; still, although it may be the admitted "me-
tropolis of horseracing," yet it would hardly be the spot
likely to be selected to make a favourable impression on
those wavering in their opinions as to the superiority of
the turf over all other pastimes : nor does it unfold the
most pleasing representations in many respects.
Goodwood ! — Glorious Goodwood, Beauteous Brigh-
ton, Royal Ascot, or Metropolitan Epsom, would be more
likely to have the desired efi'ect. Goodwood, from its ele-
vated, yet sheltered position, unfolding to the wan-
dering eye, amid her hills and valleys, the richness
and beauty of her woodland scenery, rivalling therewith
her sister. Beauteous Brighton, the queen of watering-
places, with her varied views of land and sea, the " blue
above and the blue below," her bracing breezes and ma-
rine retreats ; they from their proxhnity vie with each other
60 TURF TOPICS.
in excellence^ but each aid in restoring to the mind and
body those invigorating and soothing influences so much
needed, and so frequently impaired, especially by the
zealous patrons of the " glorious pastime."
Ascot, patronised by Royalty, where the eye of the
visitor will at once become fixed in admiration upon the
array of beauty which so adds to the scene, by the pre-
sence of the fair sex — those charming objects, eclipsing
the other beauties of Nature, —
" In lines of light, beneath the golden sunbeam's hues,
Like stars through heaven's sea
Floating in harmony,
And casting a lustre of light to all around."
All combining to render the contrast with the " ]\Ietro-
polis" most striking, and with anything but a tendency
towards raising the latter, even in the eyes of its most
zealous admirers.
If, indeed, the opponents of the turf sought for a pic-
ture whereupon to paint, if not its defects, at least the
absence of all additional charms beyond mere speculatory
recommendations, they could hardly select a more favour-
able one than Newmarket.
It is quite true, it at once unfolds in its outward and
visible tout ensemble the inward and real meaning of its
objects, without affording beyond the mere arena for the
development of its purposes any additional prepossessing
recommendations. As the Head-quarters of horseracing,
and as the Court wherein its laws are framed and admi-
nistered from, it stands "alone in its glory;" but even in
the benefits or advantages necessary to the advancement
of its objects, such as its training-grounds, it can hardly
NEWMARKET. 61
boast of equality with^ and much less with superiority over
many others. It cannot be denied that^ in its abundance of
racing, it excels all other meetings ; although it neither
surpasses nor equals many others in the superiority of
sport. In its superfluity, it is almost sufficient to remind
one of the old, although not very refined adage, that
" too much pudding would choke even a dog." The
solemnity, as well as precision (rivalling Costa, or
Jullien in his best day), with which some of its rules are
carried out, are remarkably business-like; perhaps,
in the extreme, almost sufficient to impress — suppose a
foreigner, who' might not be conversant with the
English language or habits — with the idea that he had
come not to a rendezvous of racing, but to a more solemn
duty ; for he would be rather surprised upon an evening
(perhaps a Sunday), about nine o'clock, upon his entree to
an edifice resembling a Methodist meeting-house, to hear
the weights of the various handicaps, as long almost as
one of Blair^s Sermons, read aloud, in a clear and clerical
voice, to an attentive and anxious audience, without the
soothing assistance of even a cigarette, so highly appre-
ciated in continental countries.
The rush at the railway terminus upon the arrival of
the afternoon "express,^^ on a Sunday afternoon, bears
a striking resemblance to the representation of Brown,
Jones, and Robinson, looking after their baggage. Every
man, who cannot afford the luxury of a valet, keeping a
sharp look-out for "his own," which he so hastily con-
veys to his usual domicile, seldom remarkable for the
moderation of its rent. Everything seems " money,"
racing times. What care racing-men what they pay ?
They find their money ; the streets of Newmarket are
62 TURF TOPICS.
paved with gold. Then^ where is the race-card ? generally
as long as a lawyer's bill, printed in a peculiar kind of
German-text — peculiar to the place, and looking like
Greek to a stranger ; yet Jemmy de Vergy can read it
and mark the winners, with his " tip " into the bargain :
he appears to monopolise the principal custom. The trade
must be profitable and flourishing ; for any person to wit-
ness the " rush" at the printing-office during any race
meeting, would hardly require a better description of
that at a railway terminus, at cockcrow in the morning,
upon the occasion of an international prize-fight. The
scene is one by no means the least amusing, in connexion
with the sport. The crush of crinoline upon the occasion
must be tremendous, if those fair retailers of the " correct
cards" patronise that fashionable, yet deceptive, addition
to the female figure.
But Newmarket, with its trifling drawbacks, must be
always held in high respect, as the theatre at which so au-
gust, select, and zealous a body, as the " rulers of the
turf" assemble, who are so chary of its interests and
welfare, and without whose patronage and support the
princely pastime could not be preserved in all its grandeur,
but would unquestionably dwindle into insignificance.
The air must be most beneficial to the health and soothing
in its influences, for it is considered by those who ought to
be best judges conducive towards enabling rejiorters for
the press to carry out their arduous duties, even in the
Cambridgeshire week, without further shelter than the
celestial canopy. The patrons of sport are invariably fond
of good living ; and the casual visitor, if an epicure, should
be made aware of the fact, that as Yorkshire is celebrated
for its hams, Cheshire for its Dee salmon and cheese, so
NEWMARKET. 63
Newmarket is renowned for its "pork sausages." Many
a bottle of prime old port, Cliambertin, Cliquot, &c.,
has been and will be uncorked in that little sporting
village. The eventful anniversary which represents the
discovery of this wonderful and anxiously-sought- for El
Dorado, the prize so eagerly coveted by its numerous fol-
lowers, and which casts such a halo of glory around the
fortunate victor, is the signal for commotion amongst
all classes, from the highest to the lowest in the land ;
each, to a certain extent, feeling a deep interest and
anxiety, which no other event could create or bear com-
parison with. As the day approaches which is to decide
the fate of the followers, and to whom the golden apple is
to be awarded, everything is rife with excitement ; every-
body becomes more anxious to learn from his neighbour
his opinion, whatever it may be worth, or however igno-
rant he may be as to the probable result ; exchanges of
which take place in the conference, more remarkable,
however, for their extreme diversity than their value.
The chief fountain from whence the genuine "tip"
is most likely to flow, when properly or legitimately
" pumped," and into which trickle from various quarters
the purest streams — in fact, a certainty, as far as human
form can render it, and where, if it fails, it is looked upon
as a sort of phenomenon in the history of the reign of
" His Majesty" — is sought for in the neighbourhood of
the " Green Park" (not always very green, even in May),
where the highest in the land seek the proper path, and
endeavour to ascertain in what direction his Majesty
waves his magnetic wand, which sounds the tocsin, the
signal for the rush of the multitude in the right direction,
and generally seals the doom of many a desponding
64 TURF TOPICS.
aspirant. All who anxiously seek the favours of the
" King/' in token of their loyalty, combine by volunteer-
ing their aid to increase the stability of his throne, by.
each unfolding his stock of private information from his
knowledge-box; which is at all times most graciously
listened to (if not "taken in"), with that condescension
so truly characteristic of him who so generously and
truthfully, at the proper time, when consistent with the
duties of his important position, dispenses to his faithful
subjects the tickets for the "■ express," which invariably
wends its way, without danger to its passengers, in the
right direction.
"The Lord and the Sqmre have a ' good thing' for Freddy —
A ' dead certainty' each for the next Derby Day ;
But I 'd wager a ducat he knows it ah-cady,
For his Lordship no doubt is a ' king' in his way."
The veteran sportsman calculates his age by the number
of Derbies he has witnessed, and as the Yorkshire squire
counts from ' Filho da Puta,' so others do from ^Whisker,'
each, on the eve of the coming events, discussing the merits
of many a flyer over their Chambertin or old port, and
the difference of opinion is thus happily settled. Many
friends meet on that occasion, who part only to renew it
under the same auspices.
Although the "Blue Riband" is looked upon, and is,
in fact, the greatest race as well as most valuable in amount,
and therefore the prize most coveted, and although the
winner is an animal of great merit, still it does not follow
that at all times he is the best horse of the year, nor yet
of those that absolutely start. On the contrary, compai'a-
tively speaking, and taking into consideration the great
THE DERBY. 65
weight attached to the victory, it is frequently won by
moderate animals, and is a much easier task than gene-
ally supposed. For instance, it sometimes happens that
many of the very horses that start, if not absolutely unfit,
are suffering from the effects of recent attacks of influenza,
or other diseases so prevalent during the long winter
and trying spring, so fatal to horses in general, varying
in severity as well as their nature. Some are seriously
amiss on the day, yet started for various reasons; such
as the " off chance,^' being superior horses, and the pro-
bability of others meeting with accidents. Others are de-
barred through a sort of " metallic fever," the most fatal
of all ; of which, when symptoms present themselves, it is
most desirable to take precautionary measures, by becom-
ing as far acquainted as possible with the operators who
prescribe for them, who are generally most experienced
practitioners, and keep them alive as long as possible, or
human skill can avail. The patients seldom absolutely
die, and often even start but with faint hopes of success,
although some sanguine owners frequently are led to fancy,
even to the last moment, that a spark of life remains, and
nourish a hope like " the wounded soldier, struggling to
the last."
The "winding-up" system, too, proves fatal in many
instances, a break-down being a far more likely announce-
ment on the eve of a Derby than the defeat of a favourite
in a private trial ; the fn qucnt remark, " Such a horse
will never stand a Dei by preparation," being often
verified.
It is a remarkable fact, that the Doncaster St. Leger
winners have been far better horses, both as racehorses
and at stud, as a lot; many winners of the latter having
p
66 TURF TOPICS.
defeated the Derby winners of their ycar^ but yet
have been nowhere in the Derby. 'Stockwell's^ year^
when ' Daniel O'Rourke^ won the Derby^ was a remark-
able instance ; for. without exaggeration, it would not be
going too far to say there were several far superior horses
behind him. In 'Blink Bonny's ' year, in my opinion, the
best horse I ever saw gallop was not even entered for the
Derby or St. Leger, viz. ' Vedette.^ What would he
have done over York, Doncaster, or Newmarket, with the
lot, for even the Derby distance ? and if two miles, what
would the result have been ? If four, he would have won
as far as a will-o'-the-wisp in an Irish bog — they would
perhaps get a glimpse of him. Without meaning for
a moment to deteriorate, or presume to lessen the qua-
lities of that renowned, yet, to my mind, fortunate
mare, still I merely make the remark in giving ex-
pression to my humble opinion as to the animal, which
I consider the best horse within my memory, not
even excepting the great " Wonder of Erin," ' Faugh-a-
Ballagh,' with whom, if he were about to start for a match
over the Cresarewitcli course, my preference would be for
the former.
The name of winning the Derby goes far towards, not
only immortalising the owner (he should be created, if not
a Peer, at least a Knight ; but certainly, if he " threw in
three mains," he should be raised to a seat in the Upper
House, considering that so many of those high personages
have so repeatedly failed to win even one), but has a very
great influence in many respects; amongst others, it tends
wonderfully to enhance his value as a sire, at least in
prestige if not in reality, having a powerful weight in public
opinion, although many a superior animal has been passec
THE DERBY, 67
over as a sire that would have been at the top of the tree
had he ivon the Derby; while others, comparatively speaking
wretches, have been patronised, and many of the best
mares put to them : the consequence being the loss of
the value of the latter by injury to their reputation.
In any case the merits of the winners of the Derby
can only be judged so far as that distance, for there are
many animals defeated, especially over that course, that,
if they had to contend for a longer or shorter distance
over different ground, would defeat them. Every horse
has a certain favourite distance, and a few lengths beyond
it tells one way or other. The grand secret is to discover
what that distance is, and innumerable are the mistakes
made thereupon, and the hasty conclusions formed, totally
at variance with their real forte.
But " the Derby day " having at length arrived, what
a scene ! A complete revolution of everything ! " The
great city^' becomes deserted, looking as if the long-
expected French had reached Gravesend and the Thames
been set on fire ; the Lords and Commons closed ; Rotten
Row a " blank ; " the World and his Wife gone to the
Derby; the Jews supposed to have gone to Jericho.
The Regent Street emporiums of silks and satins, pretty
bonnets for prettier faces, blending and displaying the
beauties of the rose and lily, and Fortnum, Mason, and
Co. transplanted to Epsom Downs. Even the most needle-
pointing snip would never entertain the absurd idea of
sending his dun for " his little bill." Mr., Mrs., and the
Misses Naggleton become a happy family, and join in the
festival without a word of difference, except in the selection
of a " favourite;^' and Master N., so sunk in admiration,
and beginning to feel an inclination to become a candidate
68 TURF TOPICS,
for future honours, if not a proprietor of a noble stud,
asks his pa to buy a pony. The absentees are Methodist
preachers, old maids and their lap-dogs, and the well-
known firm of "Bobby and Cabby, '^ none of the mem-
bers of which would be in London if they were required.
The scene presented on the Downs about two, when the
great struggle is about to be decided, has but to be wit-
nessed — description hardly requisite to any reader. Talk
of Garibaldi in his red jacket, and his infatuated followers
anxious to grasp the hand of the disinterested hero of
so many fights (the last nine-days wonder, the forerunner,
of General Tom Thumb), even at the expense of the
weight of a Bobby's baton on the head, so mercilessly
dealt out on the recent occasion of the King of Caprera's
visit to the hospitable shores of Great Britain ! what com-
parison would their impetuosity bear towards that of the
crowd, in their anxiety to get a peep at the probable
winner — "the Crack," who not unfrequently carries tri-
umphantly to victory the Garibaldian colours — the cherry
jacket ?
" They 're off ! " " They 're off ! " " Hats off ! " " Hats
off!" There they go, and climb the hill like a herd of
deer; 'Daniel,' 'Sunbeam,' ' Caller-Ou,' followed by
'Van Tromp' and 'Beadsman,' bang in front. What a
string ! Now they near the bend ! * The Dutchman' and
' Voltigeur' together down the hill, with a tail as long as the
comet of '60. The pace has already told its tale. The pep-
per's out of 'Saucebox;' 'Daniel' gone to judgment (not
by Mr. Clarke), his eagle wings already clipped. Tatten-
ham Corner rounded ; some have cracked. Hats off ! hats
off! Glasses up. The game is up with ' Gamester.' The
' Knight' has cast his die. The 'Merry Monarch' looks
THE DERBY. 69
doleful, and no longer goes forth, but yields his place to
' The Baron/ who gamely keeps his coronet and helps his
countryman to fight for the crown alongside ' The Mar-
quis,' led by the gallant ^Caractacus/ ' Pyrrhus the First'
amongst the last condoling with ' Sir Tatton/ the Yorkshire
pet, whose happiest friend is the eccentric "Bill." The
splendid ' Sunbeam' shines no more, but casts her rays of
hope on her game companion, the sterling mine of wealth,
the son of old ' Alice.' They near the distance ! " Hats
off ! hats off ! " (" You, su-, in the white tile, get down off
the rails ! " by some anxious speculator, but non-spec-
tator). "What wins? What wins?" (Another indi-
vidual has just pulled down a fat gentleman from the
top of an artificial structure, and upset half-a-dozen.)
"Where's Faug?" (from the Emeralders.) "Where's
the boy in yellow? Where's 'The Dutchman?' Tom,
with a grim death-hold of 'Ellington's' head, comes with
a rush; his backers gasping for breath, and turning all
the colours of the rainbow. " Honest Tom,'' cool but
sanguine, taps his box, takes a pinch, and halloos " Mine
wins ! " Mat smiles. ' Thormanby ' is there, alongside ' The
Dutchman,' upon whom Charley, his pilot, sits as steady
as a rock next the stand, anxiously looking out for his
friend Job on the game little chestnut, who gamely strug-
gles for the Cherry, and has " astonished his friends
the Browns." ' Beadsman's ' beads seem nearly counted,
'Musjid' helping him; ' Van Tromp' right in front, using
his broom like a brick : there seems to be no end to it —
always at work. Nat on the great big bay, clothed in
yellow surplice, begins to feel nervous ; as does poor
old Isaac, whose cigar has almost become extinguished.
His lordship's confidence remains unshaken. There's
70 TURF TOPICS.
young ' Clifden' by his side, looking as well as anything ;
but not a smile from ' Johnny.' ' Macaroni' looks like a
nailer about to hit the right 'un on the head ; his pilot
looking steady as usual, as if he had them dished. '^Im-
perieuse' is humbled; 'Warlock' cries " Peccavi!" The
distance reached, 'Orlando's' done; 'Blink Bonny,'
blinked, surrenders to ' Caller-Ou,' who cries " very fine
oysters, but no Queen's plates ; " resigns the office to the
bold ' Blair Athol,' to halloo the nine-day wonder. ' Kettle-
drum' on the lower side, bang in front, upholds the
fame of ' Old Ratty,' and rattles away to the air of
"Bonnie Dundee," and the fastest Derby on record.
The ' Voltigeurs ' and ' Cossacks' come with double-quick
pace and gamely fight their way, Alfred on 'Andover,'
with scientific hands and head, comes creeping up : but this
is not his day. The Wild Dayrellites discover that this
is not the Derby of '55. The struggle has commenced in
earnest. Shouts rend the skies from all sides. Here
comes Simmy the sensible, on ' Newminster,' sanguine,
and looking as if the coals were going to Newcastle ; the
days of 'Bay Middleton' flash across his mind: but so
does ' Stockwell ' by him, who comes like a thunderbolt
from St. Albans, so near. Shouts from the aristocrats'
stand — " Exeter wins ! " " No, he don't ! " " Yes, he
does!" Bell bellows, "Clear the way !" but they won't;
he 's not iheperfect cure. The Emeralders frantically shout
" Faugh-a-Ballagh ! " throw their hats up in the air for
joy, and knock i\ie\v friends down for love. The stand is
reached. ' Thormanby ! ' ' Thormanby ! ' ' Thormanby ! '
from a thousand, as he comes stride by stride, looking as
if he 'd like another round. ' West Australian ' — the Aus-
tralian, the " sombre gentleman in black " — comes with his
AFTER THE DERBY. 71
terrific rush. No : ' The Dutchman ' wins. ' The Dutch-
man ! ' 'The Dutchman ! ' 'The Dutchman ' unfurls his
sailsj and like a shot from the Kearsage snatches the prize,
and lands the tartan and yellow to the dismay of the Aus-
trahans. The "Blue Riband" goes over the border, to
enliven the bonnets of Bonnie Dundee. Charley returns
to scale with his simple yet unexulting smile, followed
by poor Frank, looking graver than ever, who never will
smile on earth again, and whose superior as a horseman
we have never seen.
The race over, the various speculators of all classes
discuss and inquire the effect the result may have had
upon their respective financial depai-tments, the following
being about the probable replies to anxious inquiries from
friends, —
Blustering Bookmaker {half frantic). " Won so much,
can't guess ! "
Bwnptious Bookmaker {hands in pockets, jingling sove-
reigns). "A mere nothing; only won three thou "
Sensible and unassuming Bookmaker. " Just got out,
and a little the right side.'^
Ravenous Backer {looking sad). " A regular facer."
Cautious Backer {ivho went to the Insurance Office).
" Five thou "
Clever Backer {besides his book). "Enough of blunt to
buy a brewery.'^
Backer {who always wins). "Just got on at the last
moment."
Unlucky Backer {who never wins) . " If I had backed
him, he'd have tumbled down."
Now for the champagne corks, which fly in all direc-
tions, the report resembling one of Garibaldi's hottest
7^ TURF TOPICS.
contests, generally issuing from ambuscades not only
manned by many a devoted admirer or love- sick swain, bat
assisted by the objects of their most ardent love and ad-
miration, who so bravely face and share in the danger
consequent upon their return from the scene on that
eventful day, amid a shower of grape in the shape of
flower-bags, and shells of tiny representations of maternal
care.
Then on to Cremorne, the next scene of battle so fre-
quently selected, when the toils of the great day have com-
pelled the Naggletons and Caudles to retire, and renew
behind other scenes any difference left unsettled. On to
the charge! Down go "The Blues!" the first Redan is
taken, to the dismay of the bold and enterprising pro-
prietor. Off go the few prisoners, the foremost in the
fray, to hear the sentence of the tribunal ; who, with the
magnanimity of the true Eriton, merely does his duty
with a palliating remembrance of the Derby day.
All becomes serene; the spoils of battle divided among
the victor and his friends, and his Majesty hailed upon all
sides with acclamation, and assurances of the number of
debts of gratitude due by his numerous friends. But
some less fortunate, who have not belonged to his ministry,
or had disregarded his advice, or joined other confede-
rates, in mournful tones exclaim, —
" Oh, my dear Freddy ! how oft, if I ivould
Have adhered to your counsel, I might have done good,"
are occasionally obliged to seek Solomon Sixty-per-cent ;
to whom they are introduced by his friends Flatcatcher
and Touser, and received with the bland smile of
welcome and twinkle of the eye, denoting an anxious
SOLOMON SIXTY-PER-CENT. 73
readiness to accede to their requests, but regrets lie
cannot do so, having already promised an old cus-
tomer, Captain Firceater, who had called upon him the
week preceding, in anticipation of the consequences of
having backed three ' winter favourites ' — two already
dead 'uns;^ the other, although not a 'corpse,' then in a
very declining state. Still, being desirous, if possible, to
accommodate, if they could induce their friends Lord Go-
the-pace, or Sir Samuel Smashall (to whom, by way of
parenthesis, he should very much like to be introduced),
to affix his autograph to the " little instrument of security,''
he would strain a point, and endeavour to obtain through a
friend the few thousands required, which would be accom-
plished at a very great sacrifice." The job is done, and
Solomon retails the bullion obtained at twenty at the
moderate price, from his partiality to which he has derived
his cognomen ; and thus bids, for the time being, his new
acquaintances, with their happy-to-see-you-sorry-to-meet-
you countenances, Bon soir — Au revoir !
But there are others who have been deeply interested
in the results of the great race, and have their rendezvous
for settling their differences and discussing the merits of
their respective favourites. Sam Shandigaff, of the sign of
" The Racehorse," where all sporting events are on the
tapis and ably analysed, the host (nicknamed "Mys-
terious Sam," from his policy of taking in everything and
letting out nothing), has a large snuff-box (a gift from his
grandfather, who trained for some of the " real old squires,"
in former days), with a painting on the lid, representing
a human head, a mouth with a padlock, a pair of ears
like overgrown mushrooms, and eyes like little Jack Horner
in the pantomime, eating his Christmas pie. Sam, who is a
74 TURF TOPICS.
sober fellow himself, but likes to see bis customers glorious
and excited over their differences as to their favourites,
merely sits in his arm-chair beside the fire, smokes his
long pipe, giving an occasional powerful whiff, resembling
smoke from the window of a house on fire, or a shunting
steam-engine, at the mention of any absurd opinion, sig-
nificant of the fact that he " knows a thing worth two of
that ; " merely makes use of the spittoon, and occasionally
amuses himself making paper pipe-lights. There is old
Squeezem, the lawyer, in the corner, just dropped in,
looking as if he had lost a lawsuit ; cursing " those pots
that always boil over. He'll stand no more of Peter
Polish and his pots; he can't train a Derby winner — not
he ! he is only good for plating purposes. His horses
sometimes look better outside than they feel inside : he
don't give enough of pepper. What vexes him most is,
he put on Mrs. S.'s 'fiver,' and invited a dozen friends
to dinner; she having already chosen a splendid moue
antique, from the sanguine hopes expressed by her friend
Mrs. P."
" What a confounded fool he was not to follow Jack
Wilson's advice ! He always said ' this horse would do a
great thing some day;' he was not fit in the 'guineas;'
and, as Jack said, " you can't have two bites of a cherry."
And he was i-ight ; he has won a ' regular stinger.' He
said at the time, Sammy rode his head off in the 'two
thousand,' and that if I didn't back him he'd never speak
to me, or tell me a good thing again." (I heard of a
"tout" once telling a nobleman the same thing.)
But in comes Tommy Tightfit, the tailor ; he has won
a " reeker," (he builds for the boys) . Sammy Sharpspurs
came to town last week and gave him the right " /z);."
SAM SHANDIGAFF. 7o
"He rode in the trial; never crossed such a 'tit:' he
rode the young 'un, " Jimmy the Fairy" the old'un: the
young ^un gave him a stun, and left him stannin." He
also had it from Harry Brown, whose sister is married
to Tom Jones, the head-lad's brother; and Jack Robin-
son, another friend of his, had it straight from the right
quarter — froTn Nosey Jones, who gives Captain Noddle
(his pet pupil) lessons in the manly art of self-defence.
The Captain has horses in the same stable.
But what is that thing that has just made its ap-
pearance, looking hke a cross between a ringtailed monkey
and a gorilla ? Sammy whispers, —
*' Mr. Tadpole, a friend of Mr. Squeezem^s. Another
' chip of the block,' eh ? "
" Bless my heart ! why he looks as if he had been
fed all his life on parchment-slips and sealing-wax ! "
[Taddy surveys the company, and discovering
his friend, esconces himself.
" Well, Squeeze, how are you?'^
" Poorly."
" You've lost, eh ?"
" Of course I have."
" Oh ! you'd back your friend Polish's nag."
" Rather. Bad work, Taddy ! bad work ! discounting
better than backing horses, especially such infernal hot
'uns. But come, cheer up, old cock ! there's a good time
coming : They may crow now, but we will raise the dis-
count — eh ?"
" A good time coming, indeed ! ' Live horse and get
grass.' How do, Sam? Quite well?"
" Jolly, Mr. T. ; how's yourself?"
" Tol-lol. AYaiter ! "
76 TURF TOPICS.
« Yessir."
" Some gin and walnuts."
" Got no walnuts, sir."
" Then go and get them, you muff! Do you suppose
I can take my gin without nuts ? "
\John retires, muttering, — " He's had too
much already."
Here one of the company remarks to another, —
"That old chap is a regular 'out-and-outer;' if ever
you want any law done, he'd go down a chimney after a
chap to get it." " He's a rum^un to look at, however"
[iifter a good look']. " Pve seen some very decent dis-
coimting lawyers, and good-looking fellows, too; but I
should have taken that 'un for a tailor."
[In marches a party in sporting costume — John
Jogabout, ivaiter from " Fair Rosamond's
Bower,'' Richmond; seats himself beside
Sam.
" Well, your nag won, John ? "
" Yes. Touched a little fifty ' quid.' "
" How did you get hold of this ' good thing ? '"
" You see, I looks after the private rooms, where
gents and their ladies comes for a week. One sporting
gent, who often comes, told me it was a good thing. His
lady lost her lapdog — such a beauty! and she gave me
five pounds for finding it : when they were leaving he
told me the Huntsman for Liverpool, too, he was with us
at the time."
" Waiter ! " \_Fi'om three quarters.
" Here, Stupo ! " {from Tad.) " Got those nuts, yet ? "
" All right, sir ; coming."
" So is Christmas. What a stupid fellow your waiter
SAM SHANDIGAFF, 11
'\%, Sam ! Here, bring some more gin. What are you
doing, Squeeze ? ''
" I \e just been thinking we ought to cut this con-
founded backing, and take to laying ; it don't pay : one
would want the Bank of England at his back. Let's
make a book between us."
" A good idea ! We '11 talk it over."
[Tightfit's 'party is becoming rathe?' noisy ; one
in particular very tight. The room filled v:ith
smoke. A voice from a corner exclaims, —
" Let's have some air, for Heaven's sake ! Open that
window over there, Sam." \_Just over Tad's head.
" Most emphatically, No ! Not if / know it. No idea
of sitting in a draft."
[Hates drafts, except of gin, or on the bank.
Taps his snuff-box, takes a pinch, sneezes,
coughs, and uses his pocket-handkerchief.
" Here come the nuts, Taddy, my boy."
" That 's better. Where are the crackers, Stupo ?
Do you fancy I can break them with my teeth ? Sam,
Sam, this is dreadful ! "
" Why, we shall smother ! I '11 stand this infernal
smoke no longer. Come, I '11 have that window open, or
know for why."
\_After a deal of persuasion Sam effects an ar-
rangement ; the parties change seats.
" Capital cigar that of yours, Mr. Tadpole," {remarks
one of the new company). " Might I beg one ?"
" You may, if you like ; but not from me. I got a
present of a box from a client : he told mc they were
prime, and to keep them for my own smoking. I know
him to be a good judge, and mean to take his advice."
78 TURF TOPICS.
" Thank you for nothing."
''Don't mention it."
[The Tightfits are becoming uproarious. One
sings " Old King Cole." Squeezem and
Taddy keep on talking ; Tad pulling away at
the gin. Squeeze, in a dialogue on the im-
prudence ofjjrofessional men meddling in such
speculations, asks Tommy "if he understands
Latin?"
The noisy Tightfit man, at the conclusion of the song,
rattles away with a large tankard on the table for the
waiter, which causes Tad to jump from the effects of
gin, at the moment Squeeze has said to him, " Ne sutor
ultra crepidam, Taddy." Up jumps the tankard man, and
asks Tommy "how he dare make such impident re-
marks ?"
" What do you mean, fellow ? Sit down and draw
yourself to an anchor. I did not address you."
"You insinivated that I made the soot come down
the chimney."
[Sammy starts up, makes peace, assures him
of what he verily believes — " The gents was
only talking French; it's all right: nothing
meant." All becomes serene — A devil of a
row in the outer bar.
"What's the matter?" asks Sam.
" Nothing, sir ; it 's settled. Ned Greenham the
costermonger, and Bill Jenkins the tout, had a few
words. Bill told him to back ' Miss Cruiser ' for the
Oaks, and demanded his fees : Ned said it was ' Matilda
Tightwaist.' Bill is right, for I heard him say myself she
couldn't stay ; he 'd eat her if she won : drawn too fine ;
SAM SHANDIGAFF. 79
was ou the go ; done too much work ; had a bad
night, and looked as if she was dragged through a
hedge backwards, and hadn't eaten a feed of corn for a
month."
\T0mm7fs health, ivith three times three, "For
he's a jolly good fellow;" " Touch him with
the crowbar/' {another, " With the poker.")
Tommy becomes glorious; stands a round;
sings " Cheer, boys, cheer;" "We won't go
home till morning :" in the middle of which
the Knight of the Napkin announces that a
lady in a cab requires Mr. Tadpole^s im-
mediate attendance. " Cannot be him ; must
be Mrs. S." "No, it's Mr. T.;'' who,
with some difficulty, is bundled into the cab
with Mrs. T. The company, after drink-
ing the health of Samuel Shandigaff, and
many happy returns of the Derby day, dis-
perse to their domiciles.
The Derby week in London affords many opportunities
of witnessing amusing scenes. A rather funny one took
place at a certain well-known and long-established hotel,
frequented principally by elderly wealthy gentlemen and
rich merchants. One of its patrons was a middle-aged
bachelor, who, having nothing else to occupy his attention,
devoted his talents towards proposing amendments to
resolutions at public meetings. He was most eccentric
in his habits ; of hasty temper ; should have first atten-
dance with everything — first of any dish; newspapers,
which he appeared to spell from beginning to end, and
monopolise, to the very great annoyance of others. His
attire it would be neither necessary nor courteous to refei-
80
TURF TOPICS.
to, further than to state that it was a light green coat ;
collar about six inches deep (partly sheltered by very long
whiskers, and moustache of immense size) ; tails extremely
long, and in the good old style, looking as if built in the
reign of Queen Anne, with a superfluity of brass buttons
from top to bottom, in which he appeared to live exclu-
sively, and likely to die, if not to sleep; a Paul-Pry
umbrella winter and summer — from which fact he was
known by the name of " Billy Button/'
Having been in company with a friend of mine one
evening during the week, two others entered. The one a
sporting lawyer ; the other had been a captain in a dra-
goon regiment — we will call him "Jack Rollicker;'^ re-
markably good-looking, with a wonderful flow of spirits,
most humorous manners, which, coupled with being a
most liberal, generous, and tine-hearted fellow, had made
him a general favourite. His ideas of the value of money
bore a striking contrast to those universally entertained, he
having spent the greater portion of a fine fortune. Having
just returned from the races, he appeared at least in as
high spirits as usual ; and previous to sitting down, in a
jovial manner was relating some of the incidents of the
day's racing. Mr. B. had been reading the paper with the
additional aid of a wax candle, sheltered from the gas above
by a large piece of paper, which he held in the other
hand. Having dropped the paper and fixed his eyes most
intently on Jack from under his specs, the latter sun-eyed
him, and at once struck with his peculiar tout-ensemble,
bowed courteously, congratulating him upon his good
fortune. Mr. B., in an astonished and rather irritable
manner, replied, —
" You are mistaken.''
ANECDOTE. 81
" Met you at Limmer's, have I not ? Heard you had
won a good stake on the Derby."
" Never, sir ! never ! Never there. And as for stakes,
I never eat them."
" No, no : I mean, that you won a large sum of
money on the race for the Derby."
" Never was at a race, sir ! never ! You have evidently
mistaken me for another person. Never was at Derby,
and detest horseracing."
" Extremely sorry, sir. Must be a mistake.*^
\_Dinner over, various parties taking their wine
at tables around ; and in the centre of the
room Mr. B., still reading the newspaper.
The sporting lawyer remarked that he ex-
pected a blaze shortly, that the paper was at
times absolutely touching the candle betiveen
the shade. He had scarcely uttered the
words when away it went like a balloon on
fire, landing amongst a few old gentlemen
next table, who fled in all directions, Billy
shouting, ''Waitev ! waiter ! Water ! water!"
A discussion having ensued upon the
subject of racing, various parties in the
usual way had joined, while several old folk
fiddled with their large bunches of seals,
and sipped their wine ; Jack surveying them,
and selecting which of them he should fancy
as likely to be possessed of most of the ''sin-
ews of tear," chose one who had been speak-
ing to himself — as he retnarked, probably
about consols and railway shares.
The sporting lawyer, in advocating the turf, remarked,
G
83 TURF TOPICS.
" It was the best school to make a man of the world ;
that everybody was running after money; it afforded
opportunities of seeing life in most classes of society;
that nothing whatever could be justly or fairly urged
against it."
An elderly gentleman here remarked, that " he should
be very sorry to have his son educated there, or know
anything about it ; that it was a most dangerous
gambling pursuit, a speculation only fit for rogues or
fools. He fancied Harrow would be a more desirable
school for youth,"
[Billy here looked from under his specs,
and smiled assent.
" True ; but if I wished likewise to enable him to
plough his way through the world, I should give him a
slight knowledge of the turf : even if he were to become
a bishop or a judge, it could do him no harm."
" Pshaw ! Judges and bishops totally discountenance
it. Nothing but gambling !"
" Decidedly not. Many of them would enjoy a good
race, and like to have a little pecuniary interest into the
bargain, to add to the excitement. Where is the pro-
fession or calling that is not in some way, or to some ex-
tent, a speculation ? The world, sir, is money, money —
a race after money."
'^ No argument, sir ; not a particle ! I 've known
many men who have lost considerably in turf pursuits,
and been obliged to come to us, when raising money, to
pay such liabilities. All gambling dreadful ! I speak
from experience."
" Very good of you, sir, to accommodate them, and of
them to pay their engagements. They are remarkable for
ANECDOTE. 83
their strict sense of honour and punctuality. Pray, sir, in
case I or my friends should require your kind assistance,
would you favour me with the nature of your profession,
or calling ? "
"I happen, sir, to be, in addition to other matters
of business unnecessary to mention, a Director of an In-
surance Company."
" Oh, indeed ! What are Insurance Companies ?"
" A company, sir, composed of a number of pro-
prietors "
" A number of gamblers, you mean, according to your
own account. I fancy I have you safe now ; presume you
sometimes lay against a dead'un."
" Do not understand your terms, sir. We are a con-
solidated fund, capital one million sterling; and as to
my being safe, I am safe for thirty thousand pounds, sir.
What do you think of that ?"
" Wish I had it now," says Jack.
\Billy looks from under his specs at him.
" But still you must be sometimes hard hit. Suppose
you lay five thousand to one hundred against a young ^un ;
I think those are about the odds ; for instance, a fast ^un
like my friend here, and 'his goose is cooked' immediately
afterwards, how do you square your book ? — how do you
hedge ? Get it out of the old'uns, I presume ?^^
" Really, your terms are Greek to me; and as for your
figures, they are fabulous.^^
" Pooh ! pooh ! " says Jack ; " mere fractions ! "
" Suppose you lay twenty monkeys to a pony against
a house ; it takes fire in a fortnight and burns down, per-
haps with a few of your patrons inside : how do you get
out of the fire ? That takes some getting out of, don't it ?
84 TURF TOPICS.
Defend the action, and plead the owner was the incendiary,
eh ? I 'm a bit of a lawyer, you see. As for gambling,
you are for ever getting up speculations ; the next will pro-
bably be an earthquake and balloon for the shareholders
to escape by."
" Never was in a house on fire, sir, thank God, and
hope I never shall be. Don^t feel disposed to continue
this line of argument. All Greek to me — all Greek; and
as for lawyers, not particularly fond of them."
" Neither am I, I assure you."
" Suppose you enter a Nolle prosequi ?''
" A nolle what ? You seem to have a peculiar mix-
ture of languages, as well as professions."
" You don't appear, sir, to have been at Harrow, then ?
Neither have I been, although often at Cambridge. A
great favourite of mine that country."
" Capital ! jolly ! " adds Jack ; " one of the most glo-
rious spots in the world ! "
[Mr. B. calls for second edition o/*'The Sun."
" Hope you won't make a second edition of it, sir,"
adds Jack.
\_A venerable old gentleman, who had escaped
the fire-balloon, gently draioing his seat to-
wards Jack, remarks, " I trust not ; " 7'e-
quested to join the table : does so, addressing
the sporting lawyer, —
'' Happy to hear, sir, you and your friends speak so
highly of Cambridge. I have there, at this moment, my
only son; a most promising youth."
[Jack calls for a bottle of port [his favourite
wine), and asks Billy " what they are
doins: on the ' Oaks.' "
ANECDOTE. 85
" Don't know anything about it ; you have evidently
mistaken me for another party."
" Would you favour me with a peep for a second ? "
" The waiter, I dare say, will find you another."
U'Vaiter brings fresh bottle.
" Only take in one of the second edition, sir."
Whisjjers : " ' Miss Cruiser's' come a cracker; two to one
taken freely.'^
" That'll do," says Jack; " I'm on at ten."
[Tips him a crown; waiter slips him " Locket^s
Circular," and adds, —
" He gives ' Miss Cruiser' to win, and ' Piusticker' for
a place."
" Now, sir," adds Jack, " perhaps you would prefer a
glass of Chambertin ; but here is a capital glass of old
port. A prime glass of wine as any connoisseur need
wish for."
[^Tastes it : after the usual peep, turn, and
smack, —
" A prime glass of wine."
" Yes : they keep everything very good here."
" And very moderate. Bless you, my dear sir ! I
have patronised this house these twenty years; hardly
miss a day, except when I run down to see my boy at
Cambridge."
" Ah, the very name of Cambridge puts life into me,"
remarks the lawyer, helping himself. " Pray excuse me
asking if you have yet made up your mind as to what pro-
fession you mean him for ? "
" My dear sir ! Most happy to tell you. His mind
is made up, long ago, upon that point."
"The army?"
86 TURF TOPICS.
" Right sir, right ! " says Jack.
" The arraj'^, sir, and nothing but the army for him.
I assure you he sometimes acts in private theatricals, and
always assumes the part of an officer in full uniform.
Wonderful taste for the army ! He is already growing
a moustache — ha ! ha ! ha ! "
'' Perfectly right. It is the true school to make a per-
fect man of the world — next to the turf. A young man,
especially about to join the army, should always have a
knowledge of what he is likely to have to contend against,
I^m a great advocate for young men knowing as much of
the world as possible, before they embark in any pursuits
whei'ein their intellects are likely to be called into action.
Nothing like it, depend upon it. They frequently have to
pay too dearly for their experience. Nothing like an
officer knowing the enemy. Good idea of yours, sending
him to Cambridge,"
" Then you think I could not have selected a better
school V
" Decidedly not. He will have the double advantage,
I have a son, but not at Cambridge ; although some notion
of finishing him there. He has already taken first places
in classics, Greek, Latin, &c, I intend to instruct him
myself in the other rudiments of human nature, having
been plucked as clean as any green goose at Michaelmas ;
fearing the young 'un might some day take after his
parent, in his fondness for racing, although by no
means so inclined at present : it sometimes runs in the
family."
" My Albert has never shown any inclination in that
way, although very fond of horses. He is most attentive
to his studies.''
ANECDOTE. 87
" Ah ! no telling the moment. And in order to guard
against danger and prepare him to meet his foe, The World,
in this battle for money in so many shapes, my son is
already pretty well up in the various requisites. I shall
back him to beat any lad under sixteen at all the classics
— to speak French, Italian, German — and what so many
of those highly-finished scholars are deficient in, Ids own
language — to tell the pedigree of any horse in ' The Hacing
Calendar,' and wind up by running four miles over the
Beacon Course at Newmarket for a piece of plate, value
one hundred guineas — or two hundred either — to be
handed to the winner, and stand a dinner for six, if any
sanguine parent will make the match."
" Bless my soul ! what a wonder he must be ! "
" Yes, sir; so his grandmother thinks. He is a very
promising and good-looking youngster; but rather tall
and overgrown at present : but will thicken with time and
training, I expect."
" Pray for what profession do you intend him V
" Have not quite made up my mind. Had some idea
of the Church ; but, upon mentioning it to him, he
jokingly remarked, ' he was better suited for the steeple.''
Probably he meant steeple-chasing. No telling the mo-
ment."
" Is it not a pity to encourage him in those ideas ?"
" By no means encourage him ; on the contrary : but
' blood will tell.^ Every day expect to find him show
some speed in that direction. His grandfather, although
always opposed to absolute proprietorship of racehorses,
was remarkably fond of a good race, and of horses. He
ascertained that I had some under the rose, and called
me, in angiy terms, a horseracing scamp; but having
88 TURF TOPICS.
accidentally heard of my success, to my astonishment
almost embraced me ! I occasionally figured in silk, sub
rosd — a second Pierce O'Hara of ^98, preferring 'The
Racing Calendar' and pigskin to ' Blackstone's Com-
mentaries^ and parchment. The Ilace versus The Case."
[Billy looks under his specs ; a long look.
" Dear me ! It would be the death of me if my
Albert were to attempt such a thing."
" He's all right enough," says Jack. "Does he fancy
The Plungers, or The Mudcrushers ? He is certain to
ride in the Garrison races."
" Have heard him speak of the Blues and Buffs, and
others; but never heard him mention either of those
regiments."
" They're a very nice mixture, I assure you. Blue
body and buff sleeves would do nicely ; and lucky, too,
' Faugh-a-Ballagh^s' Sellinger colours. I backed him
for a monkey. Won't you help yourself, sir, and pass the
bottle ? — not a headache in a hogshead of it. Waiter, a
fresh bottle of port."
\_Billy drops the paper ; looks first at Jack, then
at his watch — almost his regular hour.
" I think you said you had an idea of finishing your
son at Cambridge, did you not ? You prefer it to Ox-
ford?"
" Have some notion of it; but, unfortunately, my
financial department is not at present in a very nourishing
condition, owing to various causes."
" Ah ! losses on the turf, I presume."
" By no means. Quite the contrary, I assure you.
Although not much of a speculator or money-hunter,
never a tuft-hunter, and little of a fox-hunter, but rather
ANECDOTE. 89
inclined to hunt after other game^ such as pheasants; fond
of greyhounds (once beat the celebrated Father Tom's
' Lady Harkaway/ and won a gold cup to his mortifica-
tion), poodle-dogs^ toy terriers, an odd shy at hazard, and
other little innocent amusements, which cost money : but,
worst of all, entertaining and accommodating my nu-
merous friends. Spent, sir^ — rather, squandered — many
thousands ; part of which had been made upon the turf."
[Billy droj)s the paper, looks at his watch, and
commits himself to the care of Morpheus.
" Gracious me ! Am I to understand that a clergy-
man kept racing-dogs?"
" Certainly ! Some of the best that ever followed a
hare: 'Doctor Syntax' and 'Lady Harkaway' about two
of the best I ever met. I kept thirty greyhounds at
one time, and lost a fortune by one, in a most curious
way. Too long a story, sir, to tell you. Suffice it to say,
he broke into the house; jumped upon the table after
some bones of fowl ; upset a quantity of things, which led
to a question of whether my parent would shoot the lot ;
and drove away an old dying relative and godfather, who
forthwith burned his will, which had been made all in my
favour, and died a week afterwards. He was an old
miser. My father, sir, many a time cursed the greyhounds,
and shipped the lot. I once knew a parson (a client of
my own) who told me he detested horseracing. I found
him, upon a subsequent occasion, in the centre of the ring,
endeavouring to become initiated in the Eleusinian mys-
teries of the turf."
" Very curious case. I should not be fond of grey-
hounds under such reflections."
" Next to racehorses, sir, the best fun, to my fancy."
90 TURF TOPICS.
" Greyhounds be hanged ! " says Jack. '' No music
or fuUj those see-dogs, pot-dogs."
[Helps himself and jjasses the bottle.
" Why do you prefer Cambridge to Oxford ?^^
" I run down periodically, about four times a-year,
and spend a week in the neighbourhood.^'
[Here a fresh bottle of wine is placed on the
table; Jack helps the old gentleman, then
himself, and passes it, remarking, —
" Capital partridge-shooting, and Newmarket close
by; celebrated for its delicious "
" Newmarket ! Bless my soul and body ! New-
market close by ! I never dreamt of that astounding fact ! "
" Of course," adds Jack. " Glorious place ! You should
make it your business to run down there, see your son —
kill two birds with one stone, as they say : he could give
you a seat over in his carriage. They are always racing
there, from New-year's Day to Christmas Eve ; from morn-
ing till night : sometimes in a fog. Enjoy yourself very
much — capital sport — add twenty years to your life —
bracing breezes ! "
" Why, sii', my son has no carriage yet ! his father
bad not one until he earned it. But do you really mean
to say that place is so very near ? "
" True bill, sir; one of the jolliest spots under the
sun. You can win twenty or thirty thousand as easy as
snap your finger — aye, fifty thousand, if you like."
" Oh, dear \" {with a deep sigh.) " Oh, dear ! Albert
never mentioned anything of having visited races, except
the boat-race. He formed one of the Cambridge crew,
who were victorious."
" The very thing that will give him a taste for racing.
ANECDOTE. 91
Why, all the lads join in a fly or a drag, and run over
there in a jiffy; or the train would drop you there in a
few minutes. It^s the finest place in the world. Talk of
America, Australia, or the gold diggings ! why, they are
copper-mines compared to it — for speculation : you might
make a fortune in five minutes there, and have glorious
fun into the bargain ; whereas you might have to slave all
your life for a paltry twenty or thirty thousand pounds
elsewhere."
" A 'paltry twenty or thirty thousand ! It ^s very easy
to talk of snapping, but it might be snapped from me.
I assure you, my dear sir, I have spent all my life, now
sixty-two "
" Sixty-two ! " interrupts Jack. " Why, sir, you don't
look over forty. A few fresheners over the plains of New-
market would make you as fresh as a kitten. You would
become fond of the fun — would often run down and see
Albert; take a run over, and have a little shooting.
Capital partridge shooting.''
"I was just about to remark, that I have been all my
life a most industrious adherent to business, and found it
extremely difiicult, what with losses in speculations, rail-
way and other shares, to realise a sum very far short of
a plum."
"A plum!" says Jack. "Oh, Albert! lucky dog!
Couldn't have prettier or more lucky colours. Buff and
blue, eh ? " [Helping himself.
"It is very difficult to make money, but sometimes
people find it more so to keep it."
" I believe you, sir. I never made any, nor my father
before me; but whatever he couldn't drive through I
finished in double-quick pace."
92 TURF TOPICS.
"You said," [addi-essing the sporting lawyer) "that
things of the kind sometimes run in families; I should
fancy, on the same principle that, if the parent were in-
dustriously inclined, and had, for instance, made his own
money, and displayed a knowledge of its value, it would
be natural to suppose the son would be thus inclined also.'^
" A great deal would depend on circumstances. They
run in all shapes, and sometimes throw back to the grand-
sire, for instance, if he had been fond of cock-fighting."
" Cock-fighting ! Bless me, sir, my father abhorred
it!"
" Oh, I do not refer to him especially, or to cock-
fighting in particular : but as an example, it's certain to
break out in some form, even if it escapes a generation.
The blood will tell, sir, I assure you ; like the gout, for
instance."
" Gout ! Thank God, none of my family ever had it."
" No, no. I merely quote it as an example."
"If they had, rest assured I would not dream of
touching this delicious glass of port."
" Bless you ! " says Jack, " I have it now, at this mo-
ment ; and here I am, helping myself."
" Thank God, it 's not contagious ! "
" No, no. But I was remarking, that as to mania for
spending money, it is a remarkable fact that young men,
whose parents have evinced an over-fondness for money,
frequently turn out the contrary, and generally select the
turf as their favourite pastime."
" Suppose I remove my Albert to-morrow, and shift
his quarters to Oxford, for instance ?"
" Bless you, he would never be fit to plough through
the ranks in life, as the Cambridge education will leave
ANECDOTE. 93
him. Let him remain where he is, my dear sir. If you
check the natural impulse you only increase the mania, if
it exists ; you may rest assured he has been slightly in-
oculated already. How long has he been there ? "
" Nearly two years."
" It's all over but the shouting. Buff body and blue
sleeves/' says Jack, rather elated, helping himself, and
requesting the old gentleman to follow suit.
" How do you mean ? No hope for him ?"
''None."
" None, whatever," says Jack.
" But he may be ordered to India ? "
" They race there, also."
"What! in India?"
"Of course they do. They race everywhere. Every-
body races, especially after money."
" Happy to say I never did."
"But, my dear sir," adds Jack, " if your son is fond
of the army, he is certain to be fond of racing, and better
let him have his fling. He must get ready for the Gar-
rison races."
An elderly gentleman at next table remarks, — " Pardon
me, I have been rather amused, but is it exaggeration or
joke when you say one can realise such large sums of
money upon the turf, in so short a time ?"
"Exaggerate ! Why, let me see. It takes about
four minutes to run the Derby. You can win forty or
fifty thousand pounds on it ; — aye, nearer to a hundred
thousand, if you have a mind."
" Yes, with proper pluck to put it down," says
Jack. [Helping himself ^ and throwing off with a gusto.
" If you chose to make a certainty, without risk, of
94 TURF TOPICS.
say thirty or forty thousand, by going to the Insurance
Office "
[Here the Director turns upon his chair, and remarks, —
" I beg, sir, you will not refer to Insurance Companies
in a sarcastic manner."
" Not referring to you, I assure you : nothing per-
sonal, sir."
" If you, for instance, back a horse for one thousand
pounds "
" That's the sum," says Jack; " say two."
" You get, suppose, to your thousand, fifty to one.
The consequence which invariably follows is, that from
the fact of your having backed that particular animal for
that sum, various other parties will follow suit; the
animal comes to perhaps ten to one, but certainly to
much less odds. You can then turn round and hedge ;
or, in other words, save your own money by going to the
Insurance Office, as it is termed ; you then stand to win,
in the event of the horse's success, forty thousand pounds,
without a penny risk."
" By Jove ! "
Jack aside, says to his friend, " I 've known them to be
backed for many a thousand, and get worse favourites.
Still, I think we have a convert here." {Helps his friend
and himself, and aloud, in his usual voice, adds,) — "I
always go the whole hog — stand it out, unless at very
tempting odds, or to oblige a friend, or the party who
has laid the odds, and thus help him out : further than
that, no Insurance Offices for me. If you don't put it
down you cannot expect to take it up. P. put down,
T. take up, is my motto; that's the style."
[^Director casts a glance, and smiles.
ANECDOTE. 95
" Touching the mode of realising without risk, it
strikes me the hedging system, or insurance plan, is the
prudent course, and the one I should select. I see
my way clearly, with one difficulty, and a most im-
portant one."
[The cavalier's parent shakes his head, and
anxiously awaits the reply to that poser, as
he expects it to prove.
" How about the payment 1"
" Payment ! why the best and most punctually paid
money in the world — to the day, sir ! Their word is their
bond. The sportsman will pay to his last guinea ; the
most humble of them will do so. Occasionally a slight
panic, as in any other affairs, may occur, and cause a
"temporary inconvenience" to a few, but they invariably
come to time afterwards. Accidents will happen in the
best-regulated families, and none more indulgent to each
other under such circumstances. Fine-hearted fellows,
sir, as any in the world."
" None like them," adds Jack, helping himself, and
passing the bottle ; " always foremost in any emergency,
where their fellow-creatures require aid, and yet the most
abused men living, by some who do not understand the
true state of the case. The first and highest-minded men
living are on the turf, sir, I assure you."
" Really," remarks the cavalier's parent, " it seems
plain enough there cannot be much harm done, with
prudence."
" None at all, with prudence," says Jack. " The Oaks
will be run for on Friday. Send for Albert, sir, and take
a run down ; the ladies' day — he will be delighted. Be
sure and tell him to back ' Miss Cruiser' for a monkey."
96 TURF TOPICS.
" Well^ bless mc ! it is considerably beyond my usual
time, you have so agreeably entertained me. It strikes
me there is a great deal more said against the turf than
it really merits. I begin not to feel so apprehensive of
dangerous results with Albert.^^
\^Puts on his coat and bids adieu.
" Give him the proper education^ sir, for a man of the
world, in time ; never can tell the moment he may require
it, especially in the army."
" This appears a very clear case," remarks the elderly
gentleman. " In my railway and other speculations I
frequently get a severe shaking, and see no reason
why "
l^Jack gives his friend a touch under the table ;
the friend in retwn gives him one, which
makes him almost faint with the gout.
" 1 should not merely speculate a little at first, as a
mere trial."
[^Jack jumps up, half in pain, and, unable to
restrain his desire to laugh, asks, —
" Who^s for a cigar ? Any one in the smoking-room,
waiter ?"
"Yessir, several gentlemen ; some strangers for the
races from different parts."
This favourite and national pastime presents opportu-
nities of viewing various specimens of mankind, from the
highest to the lowest members of society. Nowhere are
the world's farces, its changes, chances, and vicissitudes,
more wonderfully brought to light. It is a " world of
wonders" in itself. We there see the finest representatives
of nobility, and amongst them the finest samples of man-
TURF TUFT-HUNTERS. 97
kind; not alone noble by name but by nature;* men
whose maintien (a word borrowed for the occasion, to be
in the fashion. If I were to win the Derby, or be made
an M.P., I could not tell the exact meaning of it ; and
as to pronouncing it, nobody but a Frenchman or Yankee
could do so properly) and affable manner gain and secure
that respect in which they are certain to be held by all
well-thinking men. They bear a most striking con-
trast to " tuft-hunters,^^ who, in the eyes of their fellow-
men, are so deservedly looked upon with contempt, and
by none in reality more than by the nobility themselves,
one touch of the hem of whose garment converts them —
in their own opinions — into aristocrats. There are none
more certain than they to be at their post, always on the
look-out to pick up any crumbs which may fall from their
master's table, who sometimes tolerate them as a necessary
nuisance, as they generally act the part of the " boot-
jack:'' in their toadying anxiety to make themselves
appear in the eyes of others what they in reality have no
pretensions to, further than what may arise from having
squandered an amount of money, (accumulated by their
more industrious and less presuming ancestors,) and
having assumed towards their equals, and frequently their
superiors, an air of arrogance and impudence, amusing as
it is ridiculous ; and who, though disclaiming connexion
with the democratic drain, when " pushed from their
pedestal," and when reduced in their financial depart-
ment, are quite as ready to "bend" for 2)rofit in any
* " ' Tis not purple and gold that ennoble the man,
Nor the baubles the vulgar revere ;
'Tis the heart that can feel, 'tis the mind that can span,
' Tis the soul that no danger can fear."
H
98 TURF TOPICS.
respect, and to endeavour to persuade the credulous to a
belief of the justice of their pretensions, by the assurance
that the Duke of Dupes, Marquis of Muffs, or Sir Simon
Swallowall, are their most intimate friends. Such per-
sonages may be best described in the words of Moore : —
" Beside him place the God of Wit,
Before him Beauty's rosiest girls,
Apollo for a Star he 'd quit,
And Love's own sister for an Earl's.
Did niggard fate no peers afford.
He'd take, of course, to peers' relations ;
And, rather than not sport a Lord,
Put up with e'en the last creations.
Even Irish names, could he but tag 'em
With 'Lord' and 'Duke,' were sweet to call;
And, at a pinch. Lord Ballyraggum
Was better than no Lord at all."
Another of the enemy's scouts, always found hovering
about on the look-out for prey, is the officious, accommo-
dating usurer, sometimes with the beneficial addition of
" lawyer" to his title ; who, with the assistance of his satel-
lites, like the shark following the ship, waiting for the
corpse to be cast overboard, never leaves the unfortunate
victim while a spark of life remains in the shape of a
sovereign to extract, to satisfy his wolfish appetite. He
also finds it a necessary acquirement towards carrying out
his enterprise to assume a certain amount of consummate
assurance ; and should any hapless scion of a noble house
have been at any time compelled to seek his suffrages —
should his name be on the tajns in any company, — he is
invariably mentioned in familiar terms by him, as if they
had been reared like foster-brothers together all their lives ;
CARD-SHARPERS. 99
and probably a seat in the Senate, or liberty to lounge
on the cushions of the Carlton or Arlington, would suit
their aspirations and their purposes : where, no doubt, they
would resemble a living fat turtle, which I saw some time
ago, strapped and sitting up amongst the passengers on
the top of a 'bus, in the neighbourhood of the latter club,
looking down with a happy air of consequence on the
amused spectators, whatever may have been his medita-
tions as to his position, or those of his fellow-passengers
as to their wishes. Those worthies sometimes hover about
racing establishments, like birds of ill-omen, wherever
they fancy their temporary assistance might be required
by master or man; and occasionally place their eggs in
more baskets than one, in the hope that they may pro-
duce more fledgelings. When they have once got their
victims in their claws they turn their weapons to the
best advantage, by sometimes extracting information in
terrorem from those whose position might be compared
to that of Damocles, when he found himself seated beneath
the sword suspended from a horse-hair.
Of all the pests that ever frequented the racecourse,
and the one most to be shunned by young and inexpe-
rienced men, is the over-di'essed, polished, card-sharping
practitioner, whose sole aim is to become acquainted with
youths whose fondness for sport may lead them to follow
turf pursuits. Once the opportunity presents itself, the
die is cast. Talk of thimble-riggers ! the world knows
what must be expected at their hands. But woe to the
victims of gentlemen card-sharpers and flat-catchers, who
will lend themselves to any foul play !
Let the best judge that ever lived possess the best
horses that ever galloped, let him have the wealth of a
100 TURF TOPICS.
Croesus, and then he may not be successful. On the
other hand, a party may have moderate animals, and be a
comparative neophyte in such matters, and yet he may be
most fortunate. Why ? Simply because the owner, in
many instances, has no more to do with the animals
than the child unborn, further than purchasing and pay-
ing their expenses. So much depends upon the principle
and integrity of the parties in whose hands it may have
been his fate to have placed himself; some of whose sys-
tem of management consists in their talent to put thousands
in their own pockets, and leave owners to shift for them-
selves, under the flag of " honour and glory." Many of
such managers, as they term themselves, know as much
about a racehorse as did schoolmaster Squeers' pupil
— that ^' it was a beast." Yet some of these individuals
strut about with a bloated air of purse-proud consequence
— the thoroughfare of Piccadilly hardly wide enough for
them — chuckling over their unexpected treasures, which
they had probably gained through the knowledge and ex-
perience of others, whose brains they had sucked, like the
insects that prey on the brain of the elk, till his very last
sigh. Nor should owners fancy, that because they have
good horses they must, as a natural consequence, be suc-
cessful. It by no means follows. On the contrary, many
men have lost considerably by good horses, and the largest
sums most frequently upon them. The sanguine dispo-
sition of some persons leads them into the belief that their
animals are invincible, forgetting that others have good
horses likewise ; without which prejudice, however, racing-
would soon be at an end. Still, it is easy to overcome the
dangerous effects thus produced by studying the com-
mon dictates of reason and prudence, and adopting the
FATALITY IN HORSERACING. 101
safe system of hedging, or saving their own money, and
thus going to " the. Insurance Office : " for it is natural to
assume (although it unfortunately is not always the case)
that the owner ouglit to have the first information of the
merits of his own animals, and make use of it by having
the first run of the money market. One of the great
mistakes frequently made is, that they do not at the
proper time back their horses for an amount adequate to
reimburse the heavy outlay which attends the keeping of
horses; and when they find them fit and well, do not put
down the pieces of gold in preference to continually
risking money under other circumstances, and upon
shallow chances.
Indeed, so long as men follow such a pursuit, no
matter how judiciously they may act, there is a tide of
success, or the reverse — a sort of fatality attending such
speculations, accompanied with a run of either good or
bad luck ; for those who have reaped rich harvests were
not often the owners of the best horses, nor the best
judges of how to manage or place them, which establishes
the fallacy of believing that it is at best anything but a
most uncertain adventure. Still, there is no speculation
by which a fortune can be realised in so short a period,
and with such comparative certainty j provided the
follower is a sound judge of the animal, and knows when
and where to engage him, and provided he has coolness
and steadiness, never being over-sanguine, or holding
others in too slight estimation. But it would, in some
instances, almost lead one to become a fatalist, when vre
witness the run of ill-luck which attends some of the
most zealous patrons, as if they were doomed never to
realise their expectations and ambition ; and yet some of
102 TURF TOPICS.
these parties are the most straightforward^ and in every
respect independent adherents. Others bear away the
palm with^ comparatively speaking, no pretensions to cope
with them in any point of view. It seems strange, how-
ever, that if there really be such a thing as luck, or fate
(an attempt to arrive at the truth or meaning of which
renders one very much like a man endeavouring to dis-
cover the perpetual motion), that it should follow any
person more upon the turf than in other piirsuits. Yet
Dame Fortune is nowhere '' move, female" than there;
dealing out her favours in a most whimsical and unjust
manner, dispensing them in a most lavish manner to some
of her votaries, withholding all from others, who might
well be compared to the Irishman, who thus described his
luck when writing to his wife, —
" Bad luck has two handles, dear Judy, they say ;
But mine has hoth handles turned on the wrong way."
The turf is a contest between men, whose extreme
confidence in their individual superiority over each other,
in the art and science of horseracing, renders it, accord-
ing to their own belief, not only absolutely possible, but
highly probable, for each to monopolize the greatest share,
if not the whole, of a complement unlikely to satisfy any,
and totally inadequate to satisfy all; which fact is its
life. The food with which it is supplied emanates
from fresh sources, continually flowing in the shape of
young recruits, who join the ranks for the purpose of
amusement and instruction, some of whom promise to
make good generals when they join, and really turn out
most able officers. Still, the majority of the number pay
most liberally for having mistaken their profession —
THE TURF AS A PECUNIARY ENTERPRISE. 103
a fact which, taken in a philosophical point of view, is not
only a happy circumstance for the tuif, but may naturally
and fairly, according to the dictates or rules of human na-
ture, be looked upon in the light, that having selected it
as their favourite pursuit and that one most suitable to
their tastes, it is as well it should be so, inasmuch as they
might have chosen another, equally dangerous and with
less recreation. An additional consolation, in a pecuniary
point of view, is, that they have the gratification of
knowing they have been instrumental, if unsuccessful
themselves, in maintaining their favourite princely pastime
in its splendour, and prevented its followers sharing the
fate of the Kilkenny cats.
The turf, upon the accession of a few young, wealthy
patrons, might be compared to a fancy-fish vase upon
the addition of fresh water. How they frisk about ! the
young 'uns in particular, the old ^uns likewise, with open
gullet, becoming more enlivened, and with more steady
wag of the tail floating about, generally after the large
crumbs, although the young ^uns show more speed, and
make more numerous snaps at the smaller ones.
Taking it in the light solely of a pecuniary enterprise,
there have been many of its oldest patrons who have
tried the experiment of keeping an extensive stud, with
but one result. Some have kept something like one
hundred horses. There is the grand mistake. In the
first place, the everlasting drain upon the exchequer ; the
wear and tear of the veiy animals themselves, in loss of
price and value, through breaking down or other causes ;
the impossibility of becoming owner of many good, or
even middling ones ; the disappointments attending even
those that may turn out well, setting aside the positive
101 TURF TOPICS.
certainty, that some of the most promising and higli-priced
ones will prove worthless, and run away with the profits
of their betters ; coupled with the fact that the competition
for prizes run for in these days is so great, and the amount
of stakes contended for so disproportionate ; all combined
make it evident that one would require the purse of a
Rothschild, the patience of a Job, and the temper of a
Socrates, to carry on a lai'ge establishment with anything
like reasonable success, if he relies solely on the amount
of stakes likely to be won: for although he may have
what is termed "a good year," or a "run of luck,^' the
mere stakes cannot possibly meet the enormous outlay
attending a very large establishment. It may be that
the owner speculates largely : and then, in nine cases out
of ten, his temporary success carries him on, and leads
him to repeat his heavy investments, when it becomes a
mere question of time as to when the plunging powder-
magazine will burst, the tide turn, and cany away not
only the previous gain, but a great deal more along with
it. The great difficulty is to know when and where to
stop, and never to " halloo until out of the wood."
On the other hand, it would be absurd to deny
that there are plenty who have done wonders with a
small stud, where judgment, not only in the animal,
but moral courage forthwith to get rid of bad ones at any
sacrifice, has carried the owners through. They have
plenty to contend against, and plenty to contend /or, sup-
plied by those who make the mistakes referred to. There
is the value, which is not obtained, and cannot be gained,
through numbers, but through the instrumentality oi good
and well-directed instruments, used with caution by experi-
enced hands. Judgment will always beat money in the long
HOW TO SPECULATE. 105
run. But those by whom fortunes are principally made,
and can surely, and, comparatively speaking, with little
difficulty, be realised, are those who speculate, not upon
the anatomy of horseflesh, or their qualities, or breeding.
The better they are, the better they like them, and the
more profitable they are to them, for many reasons. They
know nothing about them — the less, perhaps, the better
for themselves; nor probably would they wish to know.
Those who look not at the animal, but at their books and
their figures, who diligently and anxiously seek the san-
guine owners, and test their fondness and partiality for
their respective favourites, the more the better. Men who
think nothing of paying to the fortunate owner of a winner
many thousands, after doing which, in many instances,
they remain still large winners by his success, and some-
times find their troubles rewarded with the result of not
having to pay any one of the parties who scientifically
endeavoured to make a large " aperture " in their book.
Such are the parties who, no doubt, honourably and fairly
amass fortunes ; and why not ? Because they have not
the millstone round their necks, in the shape of the heavy
expenses referred to, besides stakes and forfeits ; nor yet
the perpetual worry and torment attending the keeping
of racehorses, so frequently called out of their names.
The news of a break-down or other mishap on the eve
of a race, is of no deeper concern to them than being
a profit to their purses. They are not uneasy when
the postman delivers a letter in the well-known hand-
writing of the trainer, on the eve of a race, announcing
to the owner : — " My Lord," " Sir," or " Dear Jack,"
(as the case may be), " I am sorry to inform you ' Tom
the Devil' has caught a cold;" or "'Mis. Bang-up'
106 TURF TOPICS.
has broken down ; " or perhaps the gratifying epistle may
run thus: — "I tried the young ones this day^ and am
sorry to inform you they are all bad ; but sincerely hope
the next lot may be good." None of those I'elishes for
breakfast await or belong to the legitimate bookmaker ;
he meets the admirers of the respective animals as they
comCj and deals with them as a matter of business and
figures — not oi fancy.
It appears nevertheless strange, wliy bookmakers
should be so frequently singled out, not only as a target
for the long shots of the backers, generally rejoicing in
the name of the " gentlemen," but it would almost appear
as part of their duty sometimes to bear the odium of
those who may have missed the " bull's eye," or " thou-
sand to ten," and failed to realise fortunes in their dealings
with them. A Bookmaker may be called by that appel-
lation, yet he is neither more nor less than a speculator,
who thinks proper to devote his time and employ his
capital in the pursuit he deems most suitable to his taste or
talent, and naturally considers that he has a right to live by
" the sweat of his brain, as well as by that of his brow."
As an Insurance Company (and what is an Insurance
Company, as that lawyer termed it, but a bookmaker ?)
risk their capital, so do bookmakers risk theirs. The one
receives a premium on the conditions of paying a certain
sum in the event of death, the other in the event of a
certain event coming off. The difference in one respect
being, that it sometimes happens the sporting insurer
receives on a " dead^un." Some parties, unacquainted with
the real nature of such subjects, frequently run away with
very extravagant notions as to the position of bookmakers.
Their transactions are ruled by the market, as others are
BOOKMAKERS. 107
on tlie Stock Exchange, where there is far more " gam-
bhng" than on the racecourse. Quite as many men have
taken a liberty there, not only with shares, but with the
disposal of their own lives in consequence, as in the other
case. It matters not how humble a man's antecedents
may have been, nor whether he may have other avocations
to attend to (however inconsistent) ; if he thinks proper to
add a branch thereto in the metallic line he has a perfect
right so to do, and his bank-notes are quite as good and
as acceptable, whether they odour of patchouli or pig-
tail. If he succeeds in his undertaking, the more credit
is due to him in one respect, and the more he will get in
the other, if he requires it.
What difference there can be between one man who
takes odds and another who lays them, as far as constituting
in itself respectability or morality, is a problem to be
solved. The powerful influences of " palm paste " effect
both to a certain extent ; if more so in the one than in the
other, it is on the part of the backer, who seeks to gain
more by risking less. There can be little doubt on one
point, however, that if bookmaking were less difficult or
troublesome, more of the '^ gentlemen " would condescend
to try their hands. Some who have done so, under the
delusion that the science consisted merely in purchasing a
betting-book with gilt edges, and a gold pencil-case,
have found the contrary, to their cost.
There are many respectable men bookmakers — quite
as good as many of the backers, in any respect; and
if occasionally, for a few moments immediately preceding
a race, the " ring " slightly resembles (in the present day)
the Zoological Gardens at feeding-time, it must not be
forgotten that it will not require an opera-glass to
108 TURF TOPICS.
tlistinguish amongst the crowd of anxious or hungry
candidates quite as many of the backing fraternity ;
and that upon such occasions the bookmakers rather
represent the keepers or feeders. If, however, some
few of its members, who have been blessed with more
powerful lungs than others, could be prevailed upon,
when lading against ' Mario,^ ' Tagliafico,^ or any other
' 0,' to modulate slightly their tones, whether the bass,
baritone, or tenor^ a la Lablache, Santley, or Sims Reeves,
within moderate bounds, they would have a more pleas-
ing effect upon the ears of the ladies, at least, '' in the
dress-boxes," who would retire more gratified with their
entertainment, and with greater admiration of the race-
course. If a few, who in their anxiety to excel in
dexterity, and represent their acrobatic feats at the risk
of becoming impaled on the spikes of the enclosure,
think proper to do so, they should bear in mind that the
Sovereign does not permit her subjects to make away with
their own lives, even from the top of a telegraph-board or
a judge's box.
It may truly be said that the universe is a stage, all
men either actors or spectators ; that Destiny composes
the piece, and Fortune distributes the parts. But shift
the scenes. The Turf is the compass, the Racehorse the
needle, and when the masks are off and the actors
appear in their true colours, the play is Gold. Talk of
the benefits of an Oxford or Cambridge education ! They
are wonderful as they are beneficial, if their objects be
alone to fit the students for domestic or idle life, or
more active pursuits, where there may be little or none
of worldly knowledge called in question. Invaluable to the
youth whose anxious parent may long to see him a Bishop,
GOLD THE REAL OBJECT. 109
or, pcrliaps, "a stickler for the Senate and the Forty."
In the rudiments of human nature he will unquestionably
become an adept by theory -, but his education will be no-
where so highly finished as a perfect man of the world,
than by a practical experience upon that stage^ which truly
represents in its genuine colours the principal object of
life. There they run in all classes, in their true colours^
and their real form. They all try.
Where is the member of the " honour and glory "
division who would accept the first place in the race on
the terms of handing over the " idol " to the second ?
This is the play in which all the actors display to the
utmost their most brilliant talents, and vie with each other
for excellence. It is their ''benefit" wherein "each hero
all his power displays." Therefore those who wish to
study similar parts can best learn where and when the
piece selected for the occasion is "The Universal Idol;"
the after-piece, " The Farce." Many a man who has never
dreamed, when at those universities, that he would, in after
years, form a taste for turf pursuits, liaving done so sub-
sequently, has regretted that his father had not afforded
him an opportunity of learning the task he had before
him until his experience had been too dearly bought, and
then consoled himself with reflection on the pity he had
not " started " with a knowledge of human nature in a
practical point of view, and wished he were about to
" start " again. Men generally learn how to get through
the world about the period of closing their career, when
they remain no longer slaves of prejudice^ passion, or
fame, but attend to the main point of the compass, " true
as the dial to the sun."
Strip it of the disguise which hangs over it, the
110 TURF TOPICS.
sophistry wbicli eveu its most infatuated followers may
cast around it^ and it can hardly be alleged that the turf
is the exception to every pursuit in life, wherein the
principal objects of most of its patrons are vanity and
aggrandisement. Its most virtuous followers, in the
winter of life, have become more perfect men of the world,
having come in contact with not only the pure, but the
depraved. They have had the best opportunity of forming
opinions of friends and foes, as well as what is most
difficult and frequently mistaken of all — of themselves;
for there they are best tested in evei-y form, in the thirst
of man after those fashionable and worldly idols.
While it can boast amongst its patrons some of the
highest, purest, and most noble-minded men on the face
of the globe, there are others who carry their years well,
their heads high, make a goodly show, and "keep their
perpendicular.'^ Still, while the bloom of youth has
vanished from the cheek, the " brow of snow '' hardly
remains, however well clad in those fashionable attires
which grace the form of the sycophant and adorn the
perfect man of the world. The life of the zealous follower
is a strange one, a continued scene of excitement and
vicissitudes, without which life to him would be misery,
and which in time becomes a sort of second nature. Yet
it has, with many of nervous and excitable temperaments,
between pleasure, anxiety, and pain, the effect of " tearing
life out of them before their time."
The mind becomes almost completely occupied with
reflections in some respect relating thereto. The adherent
becomes infatuated with it, and its branches, which are
many. How anxiously he awaits the publication of the
weights for a great handicap, and casts his eye down the
ANECDOTE. Ill
list in searcli of his own liorse^s name, which he hopes to
find as neai* the bottom as possible ; but should he find it
sooner than his expectation, and contrast the weight with
that of some others, which in his estimation are better
in by seven pounds, or perhaps a stone, how suddenly he
offers up a prayer (?) for the hapless handicapper !
Should a thoughtless waiter, in laying breakfast upon a
Saturday or Sunday morning, forget "BelFs Life," his
pecuniary interests, as well as the bell, would be placed
in jeopardy.
A curious circumstance happened many years ago at
the country-seat of a gentleman, a zealous supporter of
the turf. The Bishop chanced to pass through that part
of his diocese. An extra Bible being required for the
occasion, the clergyman sent, at an early hour on the
Sunday morning, to request the loan of the family Bible.
The servant (who could not read) handed a book to the
messenger, who, however, returned with it in a short time,
saying it was a " Racing Calendar ;" the dialogue between
the two resulting in the explanation, "that it was the
book the master always read on Sunday."
Should an owner be fortunate enough to be possessed
of good horses, he may rely upon plenty of friends — they
will follow like a flock of sheep. " Donee eris, felix
multos numerabis amicos."" One successful " tip " will
make a dozen; one oversight or omission on a future
occasion of a " good thing," lose fifty of the valuable (?)
class (one hundred to be found any time at a London
cofiBC-house) ; some of the number forthwith turn from
the sunny to the shady side, and with a much greater
gusto play their part in the farce than when favoured,
which merely consists in the " Congratulate you, old
112 TURF TOPICS.
fellow ! " the slap on the back (the owner should be a
man of nerve for his demonstrative friends). " What did
you do?" merely casually intimating the amount of
the " secondary consideration/^ which they may have
themselves realised by the happy event. In the shady
side^ however^ the case of the dog and his master is
generally performed^ where the former, being well fed
and cared for during the month, was forgotten the
thirty-first day, and bit the hand he had so frequently
licked.
One of the seeds of trouble in such matters is that of
volunteering opinions of the probable success of horses,
some appearing to fancy that if an owner says he will
win, "he is bound to keep his horse well and do so;"
otherwise, if beaten a head, is at once put down as an
"ass," or something worse.
The popularity, as well as the purse of proprietors,
is subject to the turn of Fortune's wheel; the dame
being, in that respect, extremely fickle. One day an
owner is lauded to the skies, and his success hailed
upon all sides — perhaps not more than merited — as a
staunch and liberal supporter of the pastime ; but should
he chance in a hasty moment to adopt a course, probably
practised from time immemorial, without comment by
others, hey, presto ! almost before the echo of the cheers
which rent the skies have died away, the least touch of
the wheel sends forth a thunder of abuse, and amongst
the loudest blowers number some of his previous wor-
shippers. Up starts another favourite, who is made an idol,
until he may liave transgressed to the displeasure of some
of the populace, who must have somebody to vent their
adoration upon, or to inflict with their loud expressions of
"nil DESPERANDUM." 113
approl)ation, like the waves of the sea as described by the
poet^ —
" And one no sooner touched the shore and died
Than a new follower arose."
Is it a matter of wonder that the animal, the instru-
ment of all those extraordinary scenes, should have
conquered cruel Emperors, been made a Consul of,
and had cities built in his honour ? And still he, so
frequently affording amusement, sometimes becomes the
apple of discord. But of how little concern is it to the
noble animal himself ! He cannot change the world from
one of grumbling and discontent. Nemo vivat contentus
sua sorte.
Whatever may be the ups and downs, the pleasures
or disappointments, in the life of its followers, the
sportsman's motto should be '^ Nil desperandum.'' He
invariably has his heart in the right place. " On one
fight more/' said Robert Bruce (when almost driven by
reverses to despair), " hangs the independence of my
country ; '' and Bannockburn told its tale. Even the be-
ginner may find himself the successful candidate for the
Derby, Oaks, and St. Leger, while his more experienced
opponents, after an age of disappointments, may end their
career like the monkey at Donnybrook fair, that so re-
peatedly jumped through three hoops without touching
any one of them.
But any forsaken child of fortune desirous to get a
peep at " Old Nick " on earth has but two courses to
adopt, — fly to the "rosy god," and then, under his aus-
pices and powerful influences, proceed head-forward to
ruin. If ever there was one pursuit in life above any other
that required a cool head, and that it should be properhj
I
114 TURF TOPICS.
screwed on, it is tlie turf. Lemonade or Seltzer water,
cream or lemon ice, being especially recommended as a
substitute for alcoholic beverages, particularly during the
height of the fever, which so frequently accompanies its
zealous patrons, who, in a pecuniary point of view, fall
victims to the influences of over-excitement. A deviation
from which recipe is sometimes followed by unpleasant
dreams, which unfold a tale that the victim had, while a
somnambulist, walked out of a prudent course, and had
been led astray " by the invisible spirit, which steals away
the brains."
To the turf are frequently attributed errors and mis-
fortunes which never belonged to it. Many have been
successful, both as owners as well as speculators ; many
have not only had unbounded opportunities of embracing
the "dame," when she even waited for them with extended
arms, yet recklessly declined the proffered pleasure.
Others have benefited by the opportunity, yet have cast
them away upon worthless objects, and become the dupes
of sycophants and sharpers. Others have been debarred
from the possibility of doing so. Destiny having ordained
otherwise; perhaps from the fact of the recruits having
been over-confiding in persons, whose false fair face
may have led them astray. They may have placed
themselves in the hands or under the guidance of
some old generals, perhaps grown aged in active service,
whose doctrines or ideas of management may have con-
sisted in the science of turning their weapons against the
confiding owners for their own benefits, as well as made
them the targets or outposts for others to fire at and
practise upon. Still there have been instances where
some of the most experienced old generals have, like
ADVICE TO SPORTSMEN. 115
Stonewall Jackson, been shot with their own ammunition,
and by some of their own brigade.
The turf abounds with not only opportunities for all, if
properly embraced, but also with most upright and fair
men in all classes, who in protecting their own interests,
which is but natural and just, do not sacrifice every feeling
of right and equity towards others, or permit mercenary
motives to swallow up their entire thoughts, — men whose
humane and kindly motto is '^ Live and let live,^^ and who
do not permit the hardened love of gold to render their
hearts callous, their thoughts dead to every feeling beyond
it. Yes, that pursuit, so well and justly termed 'Hhe
glorious pastime," is stocked with the most noble-minded
men under the sun, not alone noble by name but by nature,
who really feel towards their fellow-men with Christian,
and at least friendly feeling; and most of whom love
in their hearts that noble animal^ so justly prized by all
true sportsmen, yet uncared for by others, who would not
feel regret, further than for his price, if they saw him shot
through the head before the sweat had dried upon him,
or the noble blood in his veins had cooled, which he had
just heated to the utmost in their behalf.
Reader, should you feel disposed to join the chace
in the hunt after " the universal idol," take advice, and
leave the "honour and glory" to take care of them-
selves. They must follow. Be not a " perfect man of
the world," when the autumn or winter of your days has
arrived, and your lamp of life flickering or about to be
extinguished. Never start or sound your horn before
saying your prayers. When you have a clear field make
use of it, in order that you may not become whipper-in.
Beware of the " brandy-flask," the sign and sound of the
116 Tuur TOPICS.
dice-box — the incurable cancer of the turf, the certain niin
of its followers. Let your cigar-case bear upon it the
picture on ]\Ir. Shandigaff's snuflF-box. Avoid overlarge
fences, or you may come to grief; and beware of riding
amongst a crowd even of overkind friends, some of
whom might be dangerous, although most experienced
horsemen. When badly mounted, give him to your
whip for a hack. Dispense with managers. When you
are at fault read the remarks in these pages ; read them
through, and rest assured you will be more likely to
commence with the " Blue Riband " and success, than end
like the Donnybrook monkey and be laughed at. You
will in after years, if you do not become a misanthrope or
a sycophant, admit that the intrinsic value of half mankind
is best estimated at the price of the crtpe on their hat-
band, when mounted on the death of a rich relative, the
wearing of which is about their most unsycophantic and
least ungrateful act — that the world is a bubble, which soon
bursts — and that the words written by that great and noble-
minded man were thoroughly true, —
" Glory, the Grape, Love, Gold — in these are sunk
The hopes of all men, and of every nation."
117
THE UACEHORSE.
Mr. Squeers' pupil merely enlightened his examiner,
so far as related to the horse in general, when he replied
that " it was a beast." Probably his answer w^ould have
been the same had his information been required upon
the subject of a " donkey .'' Any remarks which I may
venture to make will be confined to the animal so fre-
quently called out of his name, " The Racehorse." The
subject must be a simple one, inasmuch as so many attempt
it ; which is partly my reason for making a few observa-
tions and trespassing upon those parties who, in their
leisure hours, may condescend to peruse them. Never
having been overstocked with modesty, and having re-
served sufficient assurance, perhaps, to fancy that about
twenty-five years' experience may render it unnecessary
to commence as lawyers generally do, when paid ex-
orbitant fees, by an assurance to a judge and jury of
their perfect conviction in their inability to do justice to
the case, and their belief in the superiority of so many
of their brethren, upon whom they so sincerely regret
the task had not fallen. However, as my fee is but
modei-ate, I shall consider myself as having given value
in length, at least, if not in dej)th ; and perhaps my best
excuse will be to reply as the Irishman did, w^hen asked
118 TURF TOPICS.
why miles in his country were so long — "that they
were not in good order, so they liked to give good
measure."
There are, no doubt, many more competent than I
to write upon the subject who do not, for various reasons,
think proper to do so ; and there are others who do occa-
sionally favour the public with most useful and sound
opinions, evidently founded upon practical experience.
Having devoted for many years almost my entire thoughts
to the subject, I must confess to having failed in ar-
riving at a conclusion upon a few points relating to
the Racehorse. However simple at first thought they
may appear, still not only have I failed, but the more
I reflected upon the subject the more it puzzled; leaving
me to discover, as one endeavours to discover the per-
petual motion, what so noble an animal was in reality
intended for — an animal that can do almost anything but
speak and discount a bill ; and why he bears so marked
a contrast in every respect to that extraordinary animal
referred to with the long ears, and frequently called Neddy,
with which it has been ordained that he should breed ;
yet that the produce of the alliance should totally fail,
and be debarred thereby the possibility of increasing the
similarity by further alliance with either side, although
the strange and ominous cross upon the shoulders should
distinctly remain to human view, but partially removed
by the first alliance. There is one incontrovertible
fact, however, that the racehorse has been instrumental
in filling the purses of many, and generally of those who
knew least about his real merits ; aye, has been the instru-
ment of whisking, in the incredibly short space of a
few hours' change of ownership, tatterdemalions from
THE RACEHORSE. 119
previous obscurity into high position — in their own esti-
mation at least — probably by a cup, or some other victory
of consequence ; and thereby, in some sickening instances,
has given a sort of locus standi whereupon to ground an
amazing stock of bumptious assurance, even in the teeth
of the first nobles in the land. Probably such individuals
fancy, that to " get gold" a good deal of " brass" is occa-
sionally necessary; while others, equally or more suc-
cessful, bear their good fortune with becoming sense and
prudence.
In my remarks under the head of "Brood Mares"
1 have stated that, from experience, I have found that
the time to commence to breed a racehorse, and insure
success, is to begin " before he is born.'' There lies the
foundation, and there alone ; the neglect of which rule is
the chief, if not the sole cause, of so many moderate, if not
useless, animals. As to perfection, it is out of the question
to expect it, if this course be disregarded ; yet it is truly
incredible how many neglect it, and to what an extent ;
sometimes almost approaching starvation. The dam is
the fountain, and, if neglected, the produce which she
may be carrying will not only show it, but prove it sub-
sequently more plainly, at least to the eyes of some. Yet,
to those of any person who has made it his study, it will
be at once apparent when the foal is an hour old.
The opinions of many persons as to the care and atten-
tion necessary to breed and bring the racehorse to perfec-
tion fall very far short, indeed, of what it really requires.
An animal may look well ; the dam or foal may look loell,
but that is not sufficient. A foal may be larger or taller,
when dropped by a half-fed mare, than if she had been
properly fed and cared : but it will not have the condi-
120 TURF TOPICS.
tion, the lively spirits, or smooth, glossy skin, and healthy
appearance, which the produce of a mare kept in tip-top
condition will plainly show.
" For good or evil burning from its birth,
And like the soil beneath it will bring forth."
It should be remembered, that almost fabulous
amounts are lost and won by the issue of events, which
frequently turn upon, and are decided merely hy the nose
of the animal in question. How, therefore, can even a
breath of air in climate or temperature, a feed of corn, or
a particle of attention, be economically and prudently dis-
regarded, especially in these days of competition for ex-
cellence ?
Has the reader ever asked himself, or reflected upon
the question, as to what kind of animal the first horse
was ? Was he in the form of a racehorse, a waggonhorse,
or a hunter ? If not a racehorse, how has he become one ?
who has brought him to his present formation ? and by
what means ? The Creator formed the horse, as He did
man, in certain shapes ; man has worked out of the ma-
terials the remainder. Take two own brothers or sisters,
in every respect as nearly alike as possible ; and if the ob-
ject be to send each in difi'erent directions, to preserve the
one in its present perfection and reduce the other by de-
grees, and make them dissimilar, he has only to treat
them differently as to care, feeding, temperature, and exer-
cise. Each could be thus rendered, by time, as dissimilar
as any two animals of the same species could be. Look at
Shetland ponies. What are they ? Where did they come
from ? What reduced them in size ? Take the powerful
float-horse, well fed and cared; he has been forced in
THE RACEHORSE. 121
growth and power; still his limbs do not possess that
elasticity, nor have they been refined down, lengthened, or
rendered active by training, as the racehorse. There are
many thoroughbred stallions that possess equal, if not
more power, to many of these draught-horses; although
their bone and muscles may not appear so large, yet they
are of better material.
There never have been such splendid specimens of the
thoroughbred horse as are to be seen in the present
day, the descendants of those two extraordinary mares,
' Guiccioli^ and ' Pocahontas,' from the ' Whalebone' or
'Sir Hercules' strain and 'Bob Booty' blood; for it
cannot be denied that ' Irish Birdcatcher' has done more
for the racehorse than any stallion of modern days — pro-
bably than ever was heard of ; not alone in speed, but in
symmetry of shape and power. The ' Bob Booty' mix-
ture has told the tale. In symmetry the 'Sweetmeats'
alone rival the ' Birds.'
I have been from childhood (the days of blowing soap-
and-w^ater balloons from a long pipe) amongst thorough-
bred horses, and, during my schoolboy days, for years in
the habit of w^eeldy visiting at the residence of a friend of
my father, who had not less than one hundred thorough-
bred horses, including brood mares, foals, and animals of
all ages — some of the best blood in the world, where I
had been many a time found watching and amusing myself
with them. An extraordinary circumstance then and
there occurred, during one of my visits, which proves
the uncertainty of young stock, and how frequently pre-
judiced and hasty opinions are formed with regard to
them. The gentleman referred to now resides on his own
estates, as he did during his father's lifetime, who was
122 TURF TOPICS.
also owner of many first-class and celebrated horses. Both
were first-rate judges ; and if ever there were two owners
who really kept horses for honour and glory, and really
were fond of them in a sporting point of view, they were.
At the time referred to, upwards of twenty years ago, a
certain renowned horse upon the turf, in both countries,
had been put to stud ; the attention of the sporting mil-
lion was turned towards his yearlings ; people from va-
rious quarters came to see them. My friend happened to
have some of his stock, and amongst them a most pro-
mising colt, the produce of a celebrated mare. The
owner of the sire was so proud of this colt, that he off"ered
to back him against any other in the world, for any rea-
sonable amount ; numbers were asking permission to see
him, and large sums had been refused for him. In a
back-yard, however, far removed from observation, and
comparatively from attention, there happened to be a
certain yearling by an unfashionable sire, of rather
plainish although good shapes ; but he had one friend
about the establishment, who used to bring, with his own
hand, many a good feed of corn, viz. the writer. The
owner, finding me continually in the stable, and invariably
a manger-full of corn before the colt, one day laughingly
inquired why I was so fond of him. " Why,^' I replied,
" he is worth a dozen of your crack.^' Whereupon he
asked me if I would purchase him, and ofifered to take
thirty pounds for him. The yearlings were all sent into
training ; this one, after some consideration, amongst the
number. The crack turned out perfectly useless for any-
thing, although sound ; the other, one of the best horses
that ever trod the turf, which he was considered by many
of the best judges, who stated their belief that he could
THE RACEHORSE ITS PURCHASE AND SALE. 123
have won "nine Derbies out of ten/^ and of which ' Chan-
ticleer/ ' Eryx/ ' Cawrouche/ and many others, bear testi-
mony. He was named after a favourite wine of his owner.
It may be a sort of encouragement to beginners to know,
that the best horse I ever owned was the first thorough-
bred yearling I purchased, and that his price was seventy
pounds — 'Bright Star,^ one of ' Irish Birdcatcher's' first
and best sons. He shone brilliantly only in the Emerald
Isle, his engagements being confined to that country,
where he extinguished the light of all of his own year,
including 'Peep-o^-day Boy,' and horses of all ages.
Probably one of the most important subjects in con-
nexion with the racehorse is the mode of purchasing and
selling, a subject surrounded with many important con-
siderations and difficulties. There are no dealings which
lead to more disagreements in various ways, or so fre-
quently cause trouble and misunderstanding.
The differences of opinion, as to value of young horses
especially, are so wide, that it is unnecessary to dwell fur-
ther on that point than to state my opinion that there is as
much difference between some sellers or markets, as there
is between dealing in a shop in the Burlington Arcade
and a back street in London. And as to the prices, as great
as between hotel charges to a racing-man and a commer-
cial traveller : a great deal depends upon the fashion and
name. (One of the greatest public dancers for many
years, who had danced to the top of the tree of fame on the
stage, or whatever the pitch of perfection may be among
such artists, was really named O'S n, an Emeralder.
Nobody then thought he could dance a step. He took a
certain Italian name, a most melodiously sounding one, and
wore gold earrings; the consequence was, the houses were
124 TURF TOPICS.
crammed almost to suffocation; and during a conversation
lie remarked, laughing, "Why, if I were not a foreigner
I could not dance/' I have seen him myself frequently.)
Still, many first-rate articles are often picked up at
very humble establishments, and very great counterfeits
sold at some fashionable or flash ones, where the measure
of the purchaser's purse, as well as himself, is some-
times taken into consideration. Moreover, a great deal
depends upon the humour and the time in which the par-
ties may transact business. A certain well-known breeder
and owner of racehorses, and of first-rate ones, now de-
ceased, was remarkable for his peculiarities in such trans-
actions. Although wealthy, and otherwise independent
in his views upon the subject, he was fond of selling. It
was well known, that the time to approach him was just
after defeat, when he fell amazingly both in spirits and in
price. His principal rule, however, was never to vary a
penny, or reduce when once he fixed the price : no one
who knew him ever attempted to ofi"er less, ''Yes or
no ! and if you take him, you take him as he is ; the mo-
ment he leaves this yard, he is yours. Examine him^ if
you like; I'll give no opinion," &c. If a stranger offered
less he merely smiled, as much as to say, "You don't
know me." His other peculiarity was, that when he did
sell, he invariably had better in his stable ; so much so that
the knowing ones always " pricked up their ears " when
they heard of a sale. Upon one occasion a friend of
mine, having some horses engaged in several rather heavy
stakes, and knowing that this gentleman had a certain
horse that could beat him, he purchased him for more
than a thousand guineas, and booked him a cheap horse :
he was, no doubt, a good one. Upon coming to the post.
THE RACEHORSE ANECDOTE. 125
however, within a fortnight afterwards, to walk over as he
thought, he not only found his recent companion there,
but had to lower his colours to him for all the engage-
ments, amounting to more than the price of the horse.
His victor, however, was one of the greatest horses of
modern days in England, both as a racehorse and a sire.
The fact is, as far as judgment of the animal and know-
ledge otherwise in purchasing, some men would do more
with one thousand than others would with ten thousand
pounds. It is astonishing the few even fair horses some
persons get, compared with the heavy prices they pay.
Truly may it be said that bought experience is best.
Perhaps the reader may fancy that the subject of the
negociation in horse transactions is a secondary con-
sideration. Perhaps so; I have found it a hotbed of
annoyance, disappointment, and loss; all of which, every
particle of it, has been brought upon me by placing too
much confidence, and omitting to have every word of
contracts distinctly and clearly written down, signed,
and, if necessary, witnessed. Perhaps the following plain
and unvarnished statement of one case, resulting from
omission of the "black and white," would convince the
reader of the necessity of adopting precautionary measures.
I once owned a two-years-old, a well-known horse, and
a very good one. (I found him totally neglected, after
being weaned, at a farm remote from the breeder's resi-
dence, and purchased him for a mere trifle.) After he
had run and won his first engagement in Ireland, in June,
I chanced to be at Livei'pool races the following month,
where several parties sought to purchase him, as he was
engaged in the Derby. At the request of one party I
sold him for 1000 guineas, repeatedly adding the words.
126 TURF TOPICS.
" Mind, the price is 1000 guineas, and I shall give no
warranty further than 'wind and sight/" although the
horse was as sound as any animal living; adding, "that I
should require the money cash down, and that before I
sent over to Ireland for the horse, or concluded the bar-
gain, I should speak to a certain nobleman who happened
to be on the ground, with whom I had matched him
against a filly of his for 500 sovereigns a- side, to be run
in the following October meeting in Ireland. All was de-
cided and agreed upon; his Lordship acquiesced under
the circumstances of my having sold — as he remarked,
"not to prevent the sale." I gave him fifty pounds
forfeit to be ofi", and sent for the horse by a special mes-
senger. The animal having arrived, and after refusing
several parties permission to see him, who were anxious to
purchase, I found myself in his stable with the purchaser,
who did not profess to be a judge, accompanied by his
brains-carrier, who considered himself a nonpareil in such
matters. He, however, declared that the horse had bad
fore-legs, whereupon I challenged him to produce any
veterinary surgeon in England to test them. However,
after some useless badinage, I requested the individuals to
vacate the stable ; directed the door to be locked, and de-
clined further negociation at any price; which the parties
subsequently broached with wonderful assurances of con-
tingencies, with reduced price. I sent the horse his
journey home, upon which he encountered a gale at sea,
which terminated in the smashing of the horse-van, and
as my man informed me, he would have taken ten pounds
for his chance at one time. He got a heavy distemper,
under which he suffered for months. So much for sale
number one. A second party, an individual named Dr.
THE RACEHORSE. 127
P r^ of Rugeley, Staffordshire, then sought to become
purchaser at 2000 guineas, by letter and three telegrams,
now in my possession, inviting me to spend a few days at
Rugeley. The third happened to be made by a gentleman
in high position, who, through a friend, became purchaser
at 2000 guineas, having sent over a most experienced
and respectable party to see the horse ; and who, at my
trainer's request, even rode him a gallop, and highly
approved of him.
In consequence of receiving a letter that all was
right, and that he would take the horse, I sent him to a
most careful trainer's establishment, informing him of the
sale. There the horse remained for a considerable time —
about six weeks or so — during which time some of the
stakes in which he was engaged, and of considerable
value, were won by a horse in the same stable. Of course
I could not run the other, having sold him ; nor was he
quite fit, not having recovered his stormy passage. Next
comes a letter informing me that the gentleman had lost
so much money at Newmarket that he could not take the
horse, and requesting that I would look out for another
purchaser. Being thus left upon my hands, and being
engaged in a valuable stake the next month, and having
to pay all the stake in any case, I started him : he won
the race, giving ten pounds to the winner of the Doncaster
St. Leger the following year, and a field of horses
(including the filly against which he had been matched
for five hundred a-side, at even weights, beaten a dis-
tance), although he was not in training, any odds against
him, and not backed for a penny-piece. I subsequently
sold half the horse; sent him in February to a most
respectable and first-class trainer in the north of England,
128 TURF TOPICS.
who was sadly disappointed at liis wretched condition,
owing to his illness during the winter. He made wonderful
improvements under the circumstances ; when the trainer
on the eve of the Derby stated in writing his opinion,
which is second to none, that no horse living, if ever there
was one foaled, could beat him for the Derby. He was
placed, beat the first favourite (at two to one), and was
beaten about a length ; the trainer remarking to me, that
had he had him a little longer, and not been obliged
to give him carrots to get him into condition before
training, the result would have been different. I subse-
quently sold him : he won many races, beating the best
horses in England, and ended his career by breaking his
leg at exercise in five years afterwards, having struck it
with his hind foot. The day he did so he was as clean
and fresh on those legs, and as sound otherwise, as the
day he was foaled. Thus ended the career of a horse
that put many thousands in the pockets of others, little in
mine.
Another great point to which any owner of blood
stock, especially the breeder, should direct his especial
care, is as to the parties to whom he may sell. It would
be better, in some cases, to sell for half the money to some
than to others for three times the price. Many horses
being turned to such wholesale plundering purposes retire
from racing with characters of impostors, and thus injure
the sale of others of their breed to an enormous extent,
their real merits not being half, if at all, developed.
In selecting young stock the novice would do well
to observe the following general rules, with regard to
shape, size, &c., setting aside the question of breeding.
In the first place, size and substance are indispensable — not
THE RACEHORSE. 129
a great, tall, narrow " clothes-horse ;" on the contrary,
having more the appearance of being thick-set than
otherwise (that is when in high condition, and previous to
going into training), for it is astonishing how they fine
down and lengthen after training and time : whereas the
class before described, without such shape and substance,
upon getting the necessary work, become " perfect shells,"
weak and useless, growing tall but not thickening. At
the same time coarseness should be avoided, especially as
regards the head, neck, and shoulders. The coarseness of
the head generally consists in thick and ill-shaped jaw-
bones, almost as broad at bottom, towards the nose, as at
top, with a fleshy thickness; the eye small and sullen,
which should be large, clear, and bright, with a sort
of comparative baldness, or absence of coarse hairs
around, which is in all animals, as well as the horse,
indicative of high breeding. The jaw-bones should be
shaped, tapering gradually towards the nose, clean, and
free from superfluous fleshy substance ; a good space
between the jaw-bones; forehead wide and flat between
the eyes. (Here there are exceptions, many first class
horses being the contrary.) The heads, in many horses
of the first class, bear striking contrasts : some being plain
and sensible-looking, of a clean, bony kind, not over-small
or ponjdsh, with a clear, full, and steady eye, which
generally denotes good temper, and staying and enduring
qualities ; whereas the fiery or anxious eye, which displays
the white more than usual, is generally found in the
flighty-tempered, speedy, but non-stayers ; and more fre-
quently with mares than horses. The ears are not so much
a matter of consequence, at least for racing purposes, pro-
vided they are not of that long, upright form, like a donkey,
K
130 TURF TOPICS.
and stuck upateacli sideof tlie head. Some of thebest horses
have had lopped ears, in some cases coming down over
their eyes like a rabbit; such as ' King of Oude/ ' Sir Tatton
Sykes/ ' Oulston/ ' Camobie/ and others.
I have always remarked that horses with lopped ears are
invariably very good-tempered, and good in other respects ;
and it is equally true that horses with any peculiar fashion
or habit, such as hanging out the tongue at one side, over
the bridle, or rocking while in the stable, resting one hind
hoof upon the other, are generally good animals. As
to the ' King of Oude,' probably a more extraordinary
example of curious shapes and formation never was foaled ;
for although he possessed, when " dissected," many
capital points, and when looked over was a very fine out-
line of the racehorse, yet upon first appearance he gave
one an idea of being some species of animal never
before discovered. He had a pair of horns, about two
inches long and an inch wide, and his ears hung down
about a foot long, as if they had been stitched on by a
cobbler for some particular occasion. Taking him for
all in all, 1 fancy we shall never look upon his like again.
While upon the subject of ears, I have frequently ob-
served that good and true animals, when cantering or gal-
loping, prick backward and forward alternately the one or
the other ; and I believe it to be a sign, that they are
happy and contented : and, moreover, they are invariably
long runners, and good in every respect. The nostrils
should be full and roomy; reasonable length of neck, which
should be muscular and strong, but not coarse. A very
short neck is generally accompanied by round, heavy, or
misplaced shoulders, as well as shortness in other respects,
which is the worst failing in a racehorse ; for length is of
THE RACEHORSE HIS SHAPES. 131
all things desirable. Speaking of length, a mistaken
notion sometimes prevails in the minds of persons that it
means a long back ; whereas it is nothing of the kind.
We must judge of length by the ground which an animal
covers imderneath, the placing of the shoulders, which
should be well placed back in an oblique fomi, together
with good length from hip to end of the haunch-bone,
supplying the length where it should really be found.
A slight drooping towards the tail is preferable to too level
an appearance. Animals with such drooping shape are
generally better turned under on their haunches, and pos-
sess more propelling power. Length to a certain extent,
in every point, is necessary in the racehorse. The
arms should be muscular, and reasonably long; but it is
most desirable that from knees to fetlock they should be
shortish, clean, and with good bone and sinew, not round
and " gummy." The fetlock -joints, to insure " long
standing," should be of reasonable length and substance ;
not straight or upright ; for horses thus formed seldom
last long, and are generally strait and tied in the shoulders
and elbows — fatal points in the racehorse. If there is
any inclination in either respect, arched knees, appearing
rather bent over, are preferable to " calf knees," which
have the contrary appearance, and cause generally an
extra pressure on the back tendons. The body or
middle-piece of the true-made weight-carrying racehorse,
when in condition, should present plenty of depth of
girth, good back, muscular arched loins ; but the back
ribs do not always present that power or depth, nor should
they be coupled up towards the hip so closely as some
persons appear to fancy : for the longest runners and
best weight-carriers, as well as the most speedy, present
132 TURF TOPICS.
the appearance of being light in their back ribs. ' Alice
Hawthorne/ for instance, was very light in this respect;
perhaps more so than any other animal that could be
named. Still she had wonderful depth of girth and fore-
rib, which partly caused the back ribs to appear so very
light or shallow. But the great point of all for pro-
pelling power lies in the hind-quarters — good length
from hip to hock, the quarters being well placed under
good thighs and hocks. Where horses are very close,
and well ribbed-up, that is to say, where there is but
small space between the back-rib and hip, the latter
being sometimes deep and round, thei'e is not freedom of
action, propelling power, and fine stride, which are found
in animals shaped as 'Alice Hawthorne,' and others of
her mould ; and action carries weight. ' Thormanby ' (her
son) takes after her very much in his hind-quarters, in his
great length from hip to hock, and his fine lengthy stride ;
and her son ' Oulston' to a great extent does so, especially
in his fine style and freedom of galloping.
There can be no question that the formation of the race-
horse, to insure action and success, must principally de-
pend upon the propelling power; for, like the connecting-
rod in a railway engine, on that the machinery depends.
A level, evenly-proportioned, fair-sized horse, about fifteen
two, three, or say sixteen hands, is the style. Horses are
seldom really so tall as in their owners' eyes, the deduction
of an inch from his standard being about the true mark.
Long, low, and level is the best line to be guided by.
Perhaps one of the most important points to have re-
gard to is the formation of the chest ; for where you
find the chest very broad, and the animal " standing very
wide on the ground," you may pass him as " no race-
THE RACEHORSE. 133
horse/^ On tlie other hand, some of the speediest,
stoutest, and longest runners, as well as best weight-
carriers, have been very narrow between the fore-arms and
fore-legs ; still they may have a well-expanded chest.
' Harkaway,^ 'Alice Hawthorne,' and many others, were
narrow in this respect ; and ' Fisherman' stood and walked
wide on the ground, still was not so above. Horses that
are so heavily formed in the respect referred to are gene-
rally badly formed in the shoulders and elbows. At
Doncaster, some years ago, I happened to be looking at a
yearling filly, a daughter of a renowned mare on the turf
and at stud, and since the dam of a Derby winner. Being
alone for some time in the stable, remarking the peculiar
breadth of her chest and between her fore-legs as men-
tioned, and turning in my mind the improbability of her
px'oving a racehorse, a certain well-known northern trainer
entered, accompanied by a friend, and at once made the
same remark, taking no further notice of her. The filly
turned out useless. Many similar cases have been seen.
One being in that of a yearling, bred by myself; a fine
colt of a running family, and well-shaped in other respects,
and yet in a moment condemned by the late J\Ir. Watts
on that ground ; his remark simply being, " he will never
be worth a bowl of soup.''
Many animals are flat-ribbed, and have an extraordinary
appearance of weakness behind the saddle, being of great
length in that respect, yet many of them stay well. Some
of the 'Touchstones' are remarkably so : but they have most
muscular loins, tine quarters, and thighs, with propelling
power; their hind-quai-ters well turned under, aud they
seldom throw curbs. The only instance I can remember
was one in which I was the sufferer ; which will go far
134 TURF TOPICS.
to prove to the reader the necessity of making inquiry,
and, as far as possible, learning the antecedents of any
animal whose produce he may be about to purchase.
Amongst a number of yearlings for sale at Doncaster
there chanced to be one whose blood was undeniable, and
during my rounds of those advertised for sale, handbill in
hand, I immediately marked one from a knowledge of the
dam and sire. The colt was by ' Touchstone/ but was not
exposed for public inspection the evening preceding the
sale, although the rest were.
Just as the sale was progressing next morning I chanced
to be approaching the ring, and saw a fine colt being
led round within the crowd, when a party, who had
for years haunted me like a bird of ill omen, whenever
he wanted a favour or had bad news, came rushing to
me and in most laudable terms exclaimed, "Don^t lose
him at any price. ^^ The hammer was about to fall the last
time. I made an advanced bid in a hasty moment, and
upon entering the ring at the first look beheld a colt dead
lame, knuckling, and hardly able to walk, with ringbones,
curbs, and spavins, and spent an anxious moment in sus-
pense (hoping the owner, who was near me, or some blind
speculator, might advance and permit me to retreat), when
down fell the hammer, resounding the sale to me of the
highest-priced colt (double the price) I ever purchased, with
his engagements in Derby, St. Leger, &c. To crown all,
having sent him to a celebrated V. S. in London to
practise upon, he informed me he was broken-winded. I
sold him for thirty shillings. The Connoisseur previous to
the St. Leger, while I was blowing him up on the sub-
ject, expressed his surprise that I was losing my time
instead of being engaged laying against " the lamest horse
THE RACEHORSE. 135
he ever saw walk or gallop ;" tliat lie had seen him at exer-
cise. The horse won the St. Leger " in a common canter."
The following year a friend of mine requested I would
accompany him to see two yearlings he had purchased.
I did so. The one was out of the same dam, good-looking
in many respects, by a first-class sire, but with some sad
deficiencies where perfection was most necessary. He paid
a high price for her (some hundreds), and upon being in-
formed of my misfortune, and that his was one of the
breed, he did not seem gratified at his bargain. This
lot turned out useless. The following year another colt,
out of the same mare, was put to auction, and bought
by an intimate friend of the last purchaser for a very
high price indeed, but also turned out good for nothing.
Since then I have from curiosity watched the sale of her
produce, and they have absolutely continued to fetch
high prices; while others, really valuable, if they were
forced upon people might not meet with a purchaser ; —
like ' Thormanby,^ who was exposed for sale all the
week without avail, until picked up for 350/. through
the sound judgment of his experienced trainer. ' Vol-
tigeur,^ .. and many others likewise, in the same way.
Upon the subject of purchasing, it is a strange fact,
that the fall of the hammer within two minutes has
placed to the credit of the auctioneer, by the sale of that
noble animal, the racehorse, a sum exceeding the salary
of some of the younger but poorer branches of the best
families in Great Britain, in Government Offices, where
they toil from New-year^s Day to Christmas Eve, and
which appointments they obtain through IMinisterial
influence, provided they pass a strict examination as
educated gentlemen.
136 TURF TOPICS.
One of the most important points to which the atten-
tion of purchasers should be directed is "temper;" no-
thing being more hereditary or more fatal to the racehorse
than the want of it. It is therefore most necessary, as far
as possible, to arrive at information as to the antecedents
of brood mares in this respect.
" Birds breed not vipers, tigers nurse not lambs."
Still a predisposition to bad temper may be consider-
ably overcome, if not completely eradicated, by proper
treatment ; always taking care to place young horses under
the charge of steady persons, who will not, on the one
hand, play tricks with them, or, on the other, abuse them :
for want of heart or pluck in either man or beast is fatal,
in many instances. They should not be allowed to master
on the one hand, and vice versa. A proper medium between
kindness and chastisement should be observed. There is
nothing like shaping the sapling when young. Some
young as well as old horses, particularly fillies, naturally if
not absolutely bad-tempered, still are faint-hearted and soft;
and although the colts in a family may be quite the reverse,
the fillies are frequently objectionable in this respect.
I once purchased a yearling filly, sister to ' Wolf-
dog ' (a horse of superior merit, once the vanquisher of
the celebrated 'Alice Hawthorne'); she not only gave eveiy
promise of turning out a first-class animal, but, in reality,
could run in private. At the commencement of her
training I happened to meet a party (who trained during
many years for the bx'eeder). Upon speaking of this
filly he jokingly remarked, that she was good-looking and
well-bred enough for anything, but recommended that she
should be kept in an outer yard, as far away from the
THE RACEHORSE. 137
house as possible -, for, added he, " if the cook should
happen to come outside and blow her nose, divil a feed of
oats she'll eat for a month/' His estimate of her qualifi-
cations and imperfections proved perfectly correct, for, like
several other fillies of her breed, she was a nervous, soft-
hearted jade, although a beautiful animal to look at.
A certain well-known breeder and owner of racehorses for
many years sold his fillies for '' mere songs," as a rule; such
was his dislike to them. Young stock are frequently kept
too much confined, and do not get half the exercise which
they should have from the very day they are foaled ; for,
bearing in mind that, like other animals by nature formed
for speed, it is natural to suppose that their muscles and
joints must be properly afforded the means of development,
and every facility to promote freedom of action : in fact, to
" run faster and show more speed than any other.'' Suppose,
then, that deer, greyhounds, hares, foxes, or any other
animal by nature speedy, were to be kept confined and
denied liberty to exercise, what chance would they have,
reared in that domesticated manner, with those in their
wild and natural state ? The foal, from the moment it is
dropped, should have plenty of space to give freedom to its
limbs, and avoid the possibility of its becoming in the
slightest degree confined, or its freedom of action lessened.
Confinement, or want of expansion of the muscles and
joints, must materially deprive the animal of its natural
speed; for common reason dictates that the racehorse, above
all other animals, must not and cannot be an exception.
My particular reason for directing the reader's attention to
this fact is, that as everybody knows, or ought to know,
that '^practice makes perfect," how can people expect
their " caged-up," half-exercised young ones, to equal or
]38 TURF TOPICS.
contend witli tbose that have, perhaps, not only had their
natural comforts attended to otherwise, but in this respect
their paddock to exercise in unmolested? not allowing, on
the one hand, their joints to become stiff from want of or-
dinary exercise, or, on the other, to become strained, tending
to cause curbs, spavins, &c. : which might be the case if
left with other young ones, for they frequently hunt and
run down each other if kept together, and injure their
wind through excessive galloping. The exercise should
be given without overdrawing, spraining, or otherwise im-
peding progress in any respect. Such omissions frequently
happen, yet the consequences and losses do not always fall
upon those who are in fault, as the effects of such neglect
do not at all times appear suddenly; on the contrary,
perhaps in a week, month, or considerable time, after the
animals have changed hands.
Bearing in mind that it is much easier to become a
purchaser than to find one, parties should be cautious be-
fore investing ; which is not attended alone with the first
outlay, but if young ones are good-looking, and well-bred,
they are generally heavily engaged. Many are made up
for sale, and look well to the eye, being apparently fine,
grown and well-fed, yet in reality have lost to a great ex-
tent their natural freedom of action, from the fact that
they have been forced to look well to the eye, yet are not
in really good condition or fit to go into training; some
being so fat inwardly, that they often go amiss in various
ways upon getting proper exercise or being trained, and
sometimes become affected in the wind. Overfed and
housed young ones are not the most desirable.
Another benefit resulting from the inspection of the
dam and as many of the family as possible is this, that
THE RACEHORSE. J 39
many yearlings are handsome and well-formed, when,
quite suddenly, they take a change to an amazing extent,
sometimes improving with rapidity in faulty respects, and
at others growing quite the contrary, until finally they
become perfectly metamorphosed. Just like mankind :
we frequently see children with regular Paddy-noses ; and
yet, when they grow up, they become perfect Welling-
tonians. It is, therefore, most desirable for a purchaser
to have a knowledge of the sires, dams, and as many of
the family as possible, when purchasing yearlings, because
they change so quickly and to such an extent : moreover,
an experienced breeder, in crossing mares with sires, seeks
in every respect to amend deficiencies, whether as to
temper, size, colour, or shape, &c. ; which improvements
may not be fully developed at a year old, but still are
most likely to appear in time.
" The tainted branches of the tree,
If lopped with care, a strength may give,
By which the rest shall bloom and live,
All greenly fresh and wildly free."
Many yearlings are undersized, yet grow wonderfully,
if the sires and dams are large ; whereas, if forced for
sale, some become afterwards what may be termed stunted
in growth. They may thicken, but they will not gi'oio
in proportion. The latter frequently happens where
they receive a temporary check in growth from having
changed into bad hands, or from sickness, or want of
being kept in really good health : for animals may, by
forcing or artificial feeding, grow in every respect ;
still they may not be in perfect health : and even brood
mares may feed better than others, and be in bad
140 TURF TOPICS.
health, through inward complaints, and die suddenly
therefrom. I have seen balls as large as cannon-balls,
and almost as heavy, that have been taken from them
on post-moi'tem examination, and preserved, polished,
and cut in two ; when they represented beautiful pieces
of grained marble, which was composed of sand, hay,
straw, &c. These curiosities are to be seen at some vete-
rinary establishments, and are well worth looking at.
Such is generally the consequence of not cleaning food
properly, or want of occasional medicine ; and those balls
have been forming for a long time. The very best, most
simple, and least dangerous medicine, and one that I found
valuable beyond description, is linseed oil, especially for
yearlings, whei-e their coats are found cold or staring, or
the animal not putting up condition ; and for all horses
or any animals there is no food more beneficial than a
little linseed meal or oil-cake, for putting up condition,
and otherwise improving health. But with yearlings
especially I found the oil make immediate and marked
improvement. The coats that had been staring, in an
incredibly short time became like satin, and the animals
in all other respects made vast progress.
If the dam is unhealthy she cannot afford the nou-
rishment, and what she does yield will not be so good ;
yet half the owners of mares overlook this important
point of absolute health. How frequently do we see
mares "mowing down'' capital pasture, yet look cold,
and not put-up condition ! It is quite true that many
dams, the best nurses, will yield so much to their produce
that they lessen their own condition thereby ; but still
there are many bad nurses, as poor-looking as if they
were half-starved, and especially staring and cold in their
THE RACEHORSE. 141
coats, and ^Miide-bound/' like the bark on trees — the
certain proof of ill-health. Still, many owners say, " Oh !
she is all right ; she has plenty to eat.^'
Temperature and climate are most essential to per-
fection ; every breath of air and change of wind are of
consequence. And here too much care cannot be taken in
changes of weather. Sometimes the sun may be shining,
suddenly cold winds set in, and here is where the atten-
tion is required, which proves how frequently men have a
greater number of such animals to attend to than they
can possibly do justice to : that is, if perfection be the
object. To my mind, it frequently happens that there are
about half a sufficient number of attendants upon such
stock ; whereas I know instances quite the contrary, and
as much difference as between chalk and cheese in the
results in every respect, when compared with those of the
"do-well-enough idea.^^ It is subsequently i\\e,y prove it,
when it comes to the struggle to a nose.
It appears to astonish some people that the French
should defeat the British in horseflesh. It would be a
source of amazement to me if they did not. If asked
why, my simple answer would be in the Irish fashion,
by asking another question — Why should they not?
Tell me one single point in which they do not come
quite up to, if not absolutely excel, the British in every
thing necessary towards success, as far as the animal
is concerned, up to the time he leaves the starting-
post ? Then, as to their talents otherwise in the manage-
ment — their trainers, their jockeys, their judgment, and
their knowing how to take care of the "main point'^ (in
which they are quite as ^cute as the Yankee), — in my
humble opinion they can give them weight.
143 TURF TOPICS.
Their selection of trainers and jockeys — who are
Enghsh, no doubt — do them credit; and their chmate
speaks for itself. As to the fallacy of saying, " Oh, they
are English horses/' it is moonshine ; they are nothing
of the kind. One might as well say, " Oh, they are not
English horses, they are Irish." Pray, where did ' Faugh-
a-Ballagh' (sire of ' Fille de TAir') come from? 'The
Baron,' grandsire of all the best horses in England, from
whose sons ' Stockwell ' and ' Rataplan ' have sprung ? the
grandest specimens of the racehorse ever beheld in every
respect ; besides many in former years that never were
heard of in England ? If I mistake not, steam will carry
an owner or a horse in as short a space of time from
luxurious London to princely Paris as to desolate Dublin,
and with half the sea. If there be superiority, no matter
how or why it exists — there is no use mincing the matter
— the French have it, and the point turns on "climate."
The reason they have the opportunity of availing them-
selves of that benefit is simply open markets, free and
willing purses, and good buyers. It would, indeed, be
strange if the land which is sought by the declining Brit-
isher, to restore, by the soothing influences of its climate,
the declining constitution, and which yields for his con-
sumption the deliciou^s and nutritious grape, could not, in
this respect, vie with "the tight little island" so celebrated
for beef, barley, and juniper juice. Yes, and as certain
as those remarks are penned, there will be more demon-
strative proofs of the fact. It is an old adage, and a true
one, " that every man knows best where his boot pinches."
I never in my experience received such a shock in horse-
racing as I did through a " Frenchman," who appeared
to come like a thunderbolt from the skies ; and he was
THE RACEHORSE. 143
not only a 'Pretendant' but a ' Faugh-a-Ballagli/ for lie
^^shot'^ me by a "bead^' witb bis blue cap on; wbicb
was all I could see, and did not seek for more, deeming
bim auytbing but dangerous, and being more afraid of
" Gallus." Witb regard to tbe allowance in weigbt, instead
of being looked upon as a compliment, it sbould ratber
be taken as an insult, or a piece of vanity; like a scbool-
boy telling his playfellow tbat be would tie one band
bebind bis back and tben tbrasb bim. Let it also be
borne in mind, tbat the Emperor is not only an en-
lightened judge of horses, but a staunch supporter of the
turf.
With regard to a horse's colour, a great diversity
of opinion exists. It has been said, tbat " a good
horse never was of a bad colour." Still, it will
hardly be questioned, that there have been more good
of certain colours than of others: tben, assuming tbat
particular colours have a tendency towards enabling a
purchaser to become possessed of a good animal, the
subject must merit attention. We must arrive, therefore,
at conclusions derived from practical experience; and
admitting the fact, tbat some are more general or common
than others, let us first take those of gray and black,
which are the rarest, especially the latter. Where can we
find (as far as mares are concerned) instances in modern
times of good animals really black, with a solitary excep-
tion or two, such as ^Priestess' (the ^Doctor' blood)?
Curiously enough, black mares usually, and more fre-
quently those of a very dark brown, almost black, are
of the ' Touchstone' or ' Sir Hercules' blood. The very
best brood mares being of tbat very dark brown colour,
with a mixture of gray hairs in the flank and tail, which
144 TURF TOPICS.
denote generally the descendants of the ' Whalebone '
blood. Although ' Saunterer/ ' Nunnykirk/ ' Black
Tommy/ 'Launcelot^ (brother to 'Touchstone'), and
others were good, we seldom find good mares for racing
purposes. It is extraordinary, considering the number of
the 'Whalebone' blood now bred, that so very few are
black; and yet the generality of those black thorough-
bred animals are descended from that blood, so remark-
able for stoutness : still, animals of this colour are inva-
riably soft, mares especially.* Although we occasionally
find a few good gray horses, yet, comparatively speaking,
they are, "like angels' visits, few and far between." As
to the merits of bay, brown, and chestnut, each have
afforded so many proofs of their excellence that it would
almost " puzzle Paris " to whom he should award the
golden apple. As far as the writer can form an esti-
mate, the Derby has been won within the last thirty
years by seven chestnuts, seven browns^ and sixteen
bays ; the St. Leger by five chestnuts, eight browns, and
seventeen bays; with about the same proportion in the
Oaks.
Many a valuable young one has been sacrificed
through want of that attention which is so needed, par-
ticularly in the case of the racehorse : for in point of fact,
according to the present state of things, one cannot be
too particular in the respects referred to. An erroneous
idea exists in the minds of the proprietors of many
establishments that one man can attend to a large num-
* For my part, I am not so very partial to, nor a great believer
in, the staying qualities of many 'Touchstones;' on the contrary,
believe that their forte is speed, and their best point that they
are of a very running strain.
THE RACEHORSE. 145
ber of animals : if they can^ it depends upon " the sort of
minding."
One of the most important, if not the most important
rule to be observed, is strict attention to the feet, no
drawback or neglect proving more injurious; for if the
power or gift to run faster than any other animal be the
object, it is easy to imagine the sensitive feelings, espe-
cially when galloping upon hard ground, when they have
been neglected. In the races for the first and second
classes of the Madrid stakes at the Curragh April meet-
ing, when 'The Baron' (sire of ' Stockwxll ') and 'High-
wayman,' ran with many others, the result was that the
latter won the first class in a canter. I shall never
forget the veteran Mr. Watts' astonishment at his
horse's defeat as he leant on his large twisted stick,
believing him invincible. In two days afterwards, for the
second class, same distance, &c., ' The Baron,' reversing
their positions, won easily ; the owner having just pre-
viously backed him for a ten-pound note (his favourite
investment) for the second journey; and seeming quite
pleased, explained to the bystanders that he could not
account for the horse's running on the first day, but had
him plated for the second occasion tvith a piece of thin
leather between the plate and hoof (to the want of which
he ascribed his horse's defeat on the previous occasion),
having had thin, shelly soles, or tender feet. What does
it matter how good horses may really be by nature if,
through neglect, accident, or ignorance upon the part of
the owner or care-taker, they are lost or become useless?
Many horses are parted with as worthless, from ignorance
of the real ailment or causes of their indifferent perform-
ances, which may proceed from the most simple reasons
L
146 TURF TOPICS.
possible ; and what can tend more to retard speed or
action than anything wrong with the feet ? Bad shoeing
in many instances being the cause.
The very time above all others, when the experienced
hand, as regards the trainer, is called in question, is when
the animal is commencing or being taught "the way he
should go.^^ The foundation before described, as to care
and condition, should be laid, in order to leave something
to work upon; the first attempt of the trainer being to
get rid of the " soft foaFs flesh,^^ and replace it with as
much muscle as possible, thereby developing, as far as the
age of the animal admits, the natural shapes and powers,
without reducing the frame too much or too suddenly.
Especial care should be taken not to draw the young ones
too fine, for they run better when as '' big" as circum-
stances will admit ; and, naturally, will not bear to be re-
duced in condition as old horses. A mistake sometimes
made is the supposition that, because a two-year-old feeds
well, and keeps up condition, he can stand extra work in
proportion. To a certain extent they, like all other ages,
must get work according to these rules; but a two-year-
old may be a fine-constitutioned animal, inclined to carry
flesh, and what is termed "a gross horse," and still, if
worked and galloped according to the general rule, will
prove that, although he may feed well and thrive upon work,
still, if the latter be given in the same ratio, " in strong
work" he frequently becomes "slow," and loses his action
from over-exercise.
In selecting yearlings or young horses that have never
been trained, the purchaser should bear in mind that the
animals are on the eve of being trained, as well as at an
age when rapidly growing, and requiring every care ; and
THE RACEHORSE. 147
therefore he should have regard^ not alone to the breeding
and shape, but also to the condition, leaving, as stated,
"something to work upon" — badly or half-fed animals
being more or less in the background, in some respect or
other, during their training career, and requiring double
the time of others.
The period for taking up or commencing to train
yearlings varies according to circumstances and opinions
of owners, some commencing to break or handle them in
July, others not until about October, according to their
advancement in condition, time of their being foaled,
as well as their early engagements. On this point it
matters little, provided caution is observed in other
respects. If the colt happens to have been accustomed to
his paddock, with plenty of fresh air and exercise, there
is nothing more likely, upon sudden change into a warm
stable, than his being seized with a distemper, sore throat,
swelling of the glands, frequently ending in death. Great
care should, therefore, be taken to have well-ventilated
stables, especially when the young animal has been sud-
denly changed : during the tine season especially plenty of
air is indispensable, the want of it most detrimental. In
the event of commencing during the summer season, while
the ground is hard, great care should be taken to avoid much
work, confining the exercise to walking, trotting, or gentle
cantering, more with a view to making the mouth than
with any other object; for if a deviation from this rule be
made, the consequence too frequently is sore or " buck ^'
shins, the bone, tendons, or muscles in animals so young
not being matured : even old horses, through excessive
work en hard ground, are not uufrequently affected in the
same way, which renders them literally unable to move.
148 TURF TOPICS.
The enlargement in some instances is more manifest than in
others ; in many, soreness without enlargement, the only
symptom being the shortness of the fore-action ; the
sufferer, in attempting to canter, going shorter than usual,
without the natural freedom. The cause or even existence
of it is not at all times known, even to the trainer, from
the absence of the " bend,'^ or raising of the hard protu-
berance in front, extending from under the knee down
the fore-part of the leg, about two or three inches. The
simple way to ascertain if soreness without such an
appearance exists is by running the hand suddenly, with a
pressure, down the front of the legs : if it does exist, the
animal immediately yields with pain; in many cases, if
badly affected, will almost fall on the knees. I have known
horses while in training and racing to be skin-sore, and
their owners and trainers did not dream of it, and have
known yearlings to be rendered totally useless, and never re-
cover their action, through this complaint; and little wonder
it was so, for the parties who had charge of them (some
of them their owners) could have expected nothing else,
taking into consideration that they were in the month of
July, on the hard ground, carrying for hours (and cantering
about) great big men, their legs being little more than
grizzle. Rest, a little physic, and wet applications, with
bandages saturated with burned salt and boiled vinegar
mixed, applied in a warm state, and left on when cold, will
be found useful, giving but gentle exercise during this
period. Some resort to blistering, the effects of which
are more injurious than beneficial, tending to ossify in-
stead of reducing the symptom.
Great care should be taken as to the mouthing and
breaking of young horses, an experienced hand being
THE RACEHORSE. 149
necessary for some time; for it too frequently happens that
horses^ mouths are spoiled at the commencement, and^ once
" made/' it by no means follows that they are properly made
— quite the contrary. They very often become so hard and
uneven on one side or the other^ through having had a
"bad hand^' in the breakings that they can seldom^ if ever,
be made as they should be — proving most injurious in their
racing career, particularly on round or oval courses, such
as Chester and Manchester. A steady man or boy is the
proper person to select — not too heavy — who will not
ruffle or "fight" with the young horse during the course of
his breaking, which is not an uncommon occurrence ; the
consequence being loss of temper and fretting, which pre-
vents the animal feeding during the period he most re-
quires nourishment and strength. In short, too much
kind treatment cannot be shown at this particular stage ;
such as speaking to, and tapping with the hand ; the re-
verse of which leaves an impression, tending in some cases
to cause vice, in others want of confidence : the latter of
which is as essential as the former is ruinous. Horses,
like their masters, if taught bad habits when young,
seldom forget them ; for, to train anything, there is
nothing like bending the sapling when young and tender.
Without temper, and confidence, which usually accom-
panies it, a racehorse is useless. At home, in his private
trials, he may be tried so highly as to convince his trainer
that his coming engagements are certainties; when he
appears in public, in a crowd, with the silk racing-jacket,
and light, tight-fitting, racing-saddle, to which he has not
been, perhaps, before accustomed, or, on the other hand,
knows too well from experience, meetiug a crowd of strange
horses — not only strange, but equally unaccustomed to the
150 TURF TOPICS.
usual bustle and noise of a racecourse, at the very moment
when a practical demonstration of all his qualifications is
demanded, and all his powers are called in question — he is
not only rendered unable to finish and display them, but,
in point of fact, never begins. Hence it frequently happens
that experienced trainers win with inferior animals, beat-
ing others possessing qualities far superior to their van-
quishers. It is really astonishing the extent to which faint-
hearted horses prove not only unserviceable, but injurious
to their owners.
A curious instance of the sagacity of horses was
manifested some years ago at a country meeting. A hack-
race having been " got up,^' some strange animals con-
tended. Amongst the number, one belonged to a certain
ex-member of the P. R. In the outer ring, where he had
been backing his nag, one man laid him several wagers
against him in crowns. The horse was winning the race,
and suddenly stopped at the distance. Upon our hero
making inquiries, it turned out that the layer knew he had
been in a milk-cart, and cried at the top of his voice,
^' Milk!" The owner vowed to punch his nose !
Want of heart in the racehorse is fatal, and often caused
by harsh treatment when training. Amongst the errors
practised, a fatal one being that of trying and training
horses continually on the same ground, the very approach
to which becomes obnoxious to them. Upon this subject it
is right to observe, that when training or running at so early
a period, and for such short courses, generally about half-
a-mile, the great point to be practised is quickness in
getting off, or, more properly speaking, in racing parlance,
"jumping off,^' as a great deal depends thereupon. Then, in
order to carry out this principle, and bring the two-year-
THE RACEHORSE. 151
old to the post, it is most desirable to teach him how to
leave it, with the silk jacket, colours, and racing- saddle
he is about to carry; accustoming him to crowds, noise,
and bustle. In very many instances, two-year-old races are
won by animals thus trained and taught ; beating others
in reality far their superiors. I knew a very strange
instance to happen to two parties who were joined in
some horses. One had, however, a two-years-old exclu-
sively his own, which was engaged against another of the
other party ; a very superior animal, and backed for a heap
of money, whereas the other was merely backed by his
owner at extreme odds. The latter offered not to run if
he received his own stake, which was declined. He started,
and won in a common canter, simply because he was a
good "beginner."
The object of parties seeking to win early engagements
with two-years-old, should be to render them as precocious
and advanced as possible ; therefore, no sort of stratagem
should be left unheeded to bring them to perfection.
They should be ridden into market-places, fairs, and
crowds of every description, as noisy as possible ; a little
music, in the shape of kettledrums and fiddles, will prove
most serviceable for a future day. Only fancy a " green ''
two-years-old (many of which are frequently seen), never
having seen or heard crowds, or the noise and bustle of
Epsom Hill on a Derby day, or any other day ; at what con-
clusion can that sagacious animal arrive, except that he is
in danger and about to lose his life, being thereby deprived
of the confidence necessary? Who can expect it at so
early a period of life, to be properly developed to the
extent required in the young animal about to make his
debut amongst such scenes and commotions ?
152 TURF TOPICS.
The earlier you require the two-year-old the sooner
you must begin to teach him that which he is about to
perform ; for although he may naturally possess the gift,
it is the duty of the trainer to teach him how to display it^
for many good ones have been lost to the owner, parted with
for a mere song, while possessing qualities undeveloped,
which, if placed in proper hands, might have been ^'stars^'
on the turf. Just as many eminent men have been in their
youth or schoolboy days put down as blockheads. The
reader must understand, that when I refer to two-year-
oldsj I mean from the time of being backed or put into
training — say October, as yearlings — up to their appear-
ance in public for the first time.
There are many scientific trainers who can "wind
horses up^' to perfection, for certain races; and whose
skill is derived from extensive practical knowledge and ex-
perience. Yet there are some of these very artistes who
almost gallop their animals to death, regardless of their
nature, constitution, or breeding; for there are certain
strains of blood which will not run light, or which require
half the work of others. I have known instances where
horses have shown good form, which induced the owners to
try their hands at " higher game ; " believing that, when
some of the " stars " of the profession had run the rule over
them, and " given them the polish," they would do won-
ders: the result was, that they could not beat "any-
thing;'^ yet, when brought back to their old quarters, and
given a few weeks' gentle exercise by the side of a hedge,
some rest, a little of "Doctor Green's" remedy, in the
shape of some cool green-meat, their "poor feet" attended
to, and cooled also, have recovered the effects of the " skin-
'cm-alive" principle, and absolutely come back to their
THE RACEHORSE. 153
former real form ; having had less work and more corn.
The jaded and dried-up condition of some horses is truly
wonderful — literally galloped almost to death.
A certain Irish trainer (now deceased, who in his
younger days trained ' Harkaway/ ^ Rust/ ' Barkston/
and many renowned horses), most experienced, but eccen-
tric in his character and manner, many years ago trained
for me and others. He was remarkably averse to over-
drawing horses, and especially fond of the ' Birdcatcher'
blood, which, he very properly remarked, did not generally
require as much work as others. Nothing used to annoy
him more than my wishing to have horses '' rattled along.^^
As for "trials,'^ it was next to an impossibility to get
him to consent. If I called to the boys, when at exercise,
to "go along,^^ he would reply, " Oh, blur an' ounds,
youHl burst them!" at the same time raising his hand
and roaring aloud, " Hould hard!" And turnnig to me
would add, " Tare an' agers, this 'II never do !"
Having afterwards become private trainer to a certain
deceased and lamented nobleman, who, in common with
all who knew him, entertained a very high opinion of him,
and being a first-rate horseman across country, a certain
celebrated steeple-chase was about to come off, in which
he was to ride a renowned horse, a great favourite. The
night previous to the chase his lordship, who happened
to be stopping at the hotel in the neighbourhood of the
course with some friends, was startled by an announce-
ment that a messenger in great haste wished to see him
on urgent business ; and having asked him the nature of
his errand, in a most excited manner the latter exclaimed,
" Och, my lord, there's murther down the town ! Larry"
(the trainer and intended rider) "has had a dhrojj too much.
154 TURF TOPICS.
and has been wallopin' some Peelers with a flail/' " Has
he been taken ? " " Faith, not he, my lord ; he got his
back agin a wall in the barn, and stretched them as they
cum on." Larry, nothing daunted, and regardless of the
risk of being arrested by the Peelers; who were on the
look-out for him, being determined to witness his horse^s
running next day, repaired to the course in female dis-
guise, and from the top of a corn-stack witnessed his suc-
cess. He used to take the pledge for a year and a day,
and on the expiration thereof no Father JMathew could
prevent him having a "^ spree;" during one of which, in
the time of the famine in Ireland, he commenced a letter
to me, — " Awful Sir ; " and addressed it at bottom, " Awful
Times, Esquire."
One of his principal objections was to small hoi'ses.
Upon one occasion a horse of mine, ' Chief Baron,'
(brother to ' Micky Free,') had just left the starting-post,
amongst others, against a very large mare called ' The
Baroness' (sister to ' The Baron'), belonging to Mr. Watts.
As we were riding across the course towards the winning-
post he remarked, looking back towards them, " She'll
murther the poor little fellow with that awful stride." He
was, however, agreeably surprised to find old ' Denny
Wynne' win by a head, to the dismay of Mr. Watts;
who remarked that his colours won : at which Larry re-
marked to me, " Tell him they're yours, too."
Many horses are overloaded with clothing, and kept
in perfect hot-houses; the results being most injurious
in many respects. Amongst others, from causing liability
to colds and distempers. For horses engaged, or about
to run very early, and especially to those inclined to
long, or heavy " coats," there is nothing better than
THE RACEHORSE. 155
the system of clipping, or removing the winter coat. It
improves their condition in many ways, and they thrive
much quicker.
Horses are frequently too much hurried in their train-
ingj through the anxiety of owners to run them for cer-
tain engagements ; the consequence being most injurious.
Many owners fancy they can be got fit to run in half
the time really required. A young beginner on the turf
having sent a horse to be trained, with instructions that he
should be ready in a month to fulfil a certain engagement,
although at the time a mountain of flesh, upon the eve
thereof visited the trainer's establishment, and having
been shown round the stables, requested to see his own
horse, as he was in a hurry to catch the train — he hap-
pened to be in his horse's box at the time. " That is your
horse, sir ! " remarked the trainer. *' What ! do you mean
to tell me I am a fool ? That my horse, indeed ! "WTiere
is my horse ? That is not the one I sent you ! " The
trainer reiterated the assurance that it was ; the owner, in
a fit of laudable indignation, exclaimed, " Why, sir, that's
not the half of him !'' and adding, "that he had better
secure the remaining half while he could," immediately
removed him.
It is quite true, that the preparation for such a race as
the Derby tests to the utmost the skill and intellect of
the trainer; the object being, in most cases, to bring off
that event upon the " winding-up " principle : or, in many
instances, risking the ruin of the animal ; as if his services
never would be required again. The consequence is, that
more valuable horses are broken down from this cause,
when training for this race, than many of the others put
together. " Such a horse will never stand a Derby pre-
156 TURF TOPICS.
paration ! ^' Why ? Because he is frequently galloped
to death, and the owner, on the eve of the event, politely
informed that his horse has broken down. No doubt
the Derby course is about the most severe and trying
in England, for legs, condition, &c. But that fact
should be especially borne in mind; and while studying
the muscular condition of the frame, the preservation of
the legs should not be forgotten, which frequently happens.
It is quite true, that to bring the former to perfection
good legs are indispensable. " The trainer naturally
says, You must give me good-legged ones." How many
Derby winners are never afterwards heard of, except at
stud!
The manner in w^hich some animals vary in form,
during even one season, is extraordinary, yet can be ac-
counted for in various ways. Like every other animal,
they are not at all times well, and in the same vigour of
health, from various causes. Sometimes, through exces-
sive work ; at others, through simple, perhaps slight dis-
temper, under which they are frequently labouring, even
when running races : yet it does not absolutely break out,
or appear visible, perhaps^ until the day after the race.
Moreover, many " mares" towards the end of the season,
when casting their coats, become weak, and do not show
their real form for a certain period ; just as fowl become
weak when moulting.*
* It is believed by most people that what is termed " turning
horses up," or taking them out of work, injures and lessens
their action. That is a point admitting of doubt. There have
been instances where horses and mares have won, and over long
courses, after being put to stud. A stallion, called 'De Vere,'
many years ago, and a superior horse, won cups and Queen's
plates, four miles, after being at stud 5 and, if I mistake not,
THE RACEHORSE. 157
Some legs last much longer than others^ and in many
instances doubtful-looking ones prove the best.
Wlien purchasing yearlings and entering them for en-
gagements^ a great deal should depend upon their shape,
size, breeding, and the distance of the courses ; the great
mistake, in my opinion, being that they are frequently too
heavily engaged : for any experience I may have had in
such matters, induces me to recommend owners to wait
until they know whether they are worth engaging, at
least, before entering too deeply. Moreover, not only the
accidents, but diseases and chances to which young horses
are subject, are numerous, and only known to those who have
paid for their experience : for instance, take the late Lord
George Ben tinck's entrances for the Hippodrome stake —
eleven in number — seven of the lot died before the day.
Another instance of the '^ glorious uncertainty," and more
especially as regards hazard of "matchmaking," was
borne out in the case of three yearlings that had been
matched against each other to inin at two years old.
Having matched a yearling of mine, ' The Maid of Moor-
field,' (by * Magpie,' out of sister to ' Irish Birdcatcher,')
against one of the late Marquis of Waterford's, for five
hundred sovereigns a-side, he naming a filly by ' Coranna/
out of ' Repartee,' also matched against the late Lord
Caledon's brother to ' Shylock,' for a similar amount, the
result was as follows : — The last-named was shot in his
paddock shortly afterwards, by some recently discharged
for more than one season. And I have known mares to win
Queen's plates, four miles, within three months after foaling, the
produce being reared by hand. It would be well for many if they
were turned up occasionally ; for, in my opinion, it would bring
their lost action back, at least in some instances.
158 TURF TOPICS.
servant; Lord "VVaterford^s filly broke her back a fort-
night before the match ; and mine died within a few days
thereof, of distemper.*
Although I write against the prudence of match-
making, it is rather curious that in such I proved more
fortunate than in other engagements, having made a good
number, and never lost but upon one occasion. Still,
to run for public money is more judicious, profitable,
and less precarious, except when horses are fit and well,
when it is probably as desirable as any course.
There is no age at which horses can give so much
w^eight to others as at two years old; the earher they
are tried the greater the disparity will appear : the causes
can best be traced to the following reasons : — The
difference as to size, shape, power, speed, breeding, early
condition ; in short, artificial as well as natural ad-
vancement in the respects required. Take, for instance,
such contrasts as are frequently witnessed, where some
of those speedy flying fillies, well trained, and taught
to "jump off," not only by nature, but through prac-
* It would indeed be an act of ingratitude to omit mentioning
the noble and generous manner in which his lordship acted upon
the occasion, as he did upon other similar ones with me. His filly
had just run in a race, and although a very small, and, indeed,
inferior animal, still she was sound and well within a fortnight of
the match. I asked, " What will you give, mj' Lord, to be off
now?" To which he replied : " Lord Caledon's is dead; is yours
yet, as I know she is, near it ? " " Very nearly, my Lord. Then
what will you take?" " I'll leave it to yourself Anything you
like." I handed him fifty pounds : it was half forfeit. " Now,"
said he, " I shall run this mare again." He did so, and she broke
her back. Mine died within three days of the match, — the best
filly I ever tried : better than ' Early Bird ;' the same age, and as
nice a mare as ever was looked at.
THE RACEHORSE. 159
tice and attention in the way of training and trying, so
frequently bestowed by some trainers for early engage-
ments, the distance being half a mile or under; let them
be opposed by others — fine, slashing, overgrown horses
— what chance can the latter have, as a general rule ?
The chief cause, taking two-year-olds in the general run,
is simply that some are so much better reared, fed, and,
in fact, forward in every respect.
Horses, during their racing career, arrive at their best
form, and display their powers in their greatest perfection,
according to their breeding, shape, the period at which
they have been in strict training, and the amount of
work they have done. Some are of an improving breed,
and " train on ; " others are " fliers," at two and three
years old, and as they grow old, get worse — no better,
certainly, after three years old. But to my mind many
of the regular-class racehorses, trained and treated in
a fair way, according to the general run of the first
class in the present day, are nearly, if not quite as
good, at three years old in October, as ever they are, say
for two miles : that is to say, if they have been racing
much at two and three years old, and provided they are
kept at racing weight in October. This remark does not
apply to animals of certain blood, that may have been
judiciously kept from severe work at two years old, and
have been kept over ; because any animal if thus treated
must improve, and be better at four or five years old. Of
course there are exceptions, especially where there is fine
size, substance, power, &c. : but my remarks are with
reference to horses as they are generally worked in the
present day, the efi"ects of which tell so that I believe
"the clock has been wound up to te last link of the
1C)0 TURF TOPICS.
chain," as a general rule, in October, at three years.
The "stamina" may increase, but the " speed" begins to
slacken ; indeed, many Derby and St. Leger winners are
never afterwards heard of except at stud. Amongst
others, ' Faugh-a-Ballagh^ and 'The Baron' furnished
proof of the fact.
Many hasty conclusions are formed as to the de-
ficiency in staying powers of certain horses. They are
sometimes considered " half-milers," because they have
been tried and trained for that distance, and having shown
speed, are frequently set down as "non-stayers," engaged
accordingly, and because they win at such a distance
the "name sticks to them;" like the man, who had the
name of "getting up very early in the morning, yet
used to remain in bed all day." The consequence is, that
because they have shown speed, they are considered animals
without staying powers. I have known instances, and
have myself purchased horses from " flash stables" where
they were thus condemned, and had run solely for half-
mile races ; and yet their forte was a distance, and four
miles would have suited them better than half a mile :
they won over two miles and upwards, beating good
horses, very much to the astonishment of their previous
owners and trainers.
If horses naturally possess speed, it is wonderful what
time and training will accomplish ; as to staying, if they
have it not, no time or care can place that gift where it
has been denied by nature. The large, perhaps leggy,
overgrown two-year-old, even if he can run but a few
hundred yards, will with time make wonderful progress
as to staying. At the same time it invariably follows, that
where animals are possessed of speed to an extraordinaiy
THE KACEHORSE. 161
degree, they are invariably deficient in staying powers,
their shapes as well as action being difi^erent to those of
stayers ; indeed, to a certain extent, the two qualities, if
shown in any extraordinary degree, are incompatible, al-
though the latter may be gifted with moderate or " good"
speed. My remarks refer merely to those very short,
compact, half-mile fliers.
If the ashes of Alexander, or the cruel Caligula, were
to rise from the grave and witness the wonderful exploits
of some horse-tamers of the nineteenth century, how
they would stare ! There can hardly be a question that
the iron-bondage system would be resorted to, and the
practitioners asked how their joints felt after a month's
trial. Probably, the sentence might be a tar-barrel rolled
from the top of the hill towards the starting-post at
Epsom.
Even the Zebra could be tamed by domestication and
proper treatment, in time ; but he has not been considered
worth the trouble. One generation might not prove suffi-
cient. Like the lion-tamers and performers, it might also
astonish the reader to learn that the real tamer could be
found in a very humble situation as ostler, not one
hundred miles from Brompton, London; his implement
being a hot iron bar.
The horse appreciates kind treatment, when shown to
him, far more than his ungrateful master does. Take, for
instance, the trained circus horse : does he not perform ac-
cording to the dictates of his trainer ? Ought not even this
simple fact be sufficient to convince any party that kind-
ness on the one hand, and, when necessary, chastisement
on the other, should be observed ? Then, as before stated,
the time to commence is when they are young. The ill-
si
162 TURF TOPICS.
treatment to wliich they are sometimes subjected fre-
quently leads to vice and bad temper. Surely such
beautiful creatures were not formed to be '' walloped/' as
his lordship's Larry did the " Peelers ?"
That noble animal the racehorse, generally and so
justly prized by man, although so cruelly treated by
some, is docile by nature, and more capable of appreciating
kindness than many of those who turn him to mercenaiy
and useful purposes. There is more gratitude in one hair
of a horse's tail than in half mankind. He is noble, not
alone in appearance, but by nature and instinct. His
perfections and superior qualities are seldom so clearly
discovered and confessed as when, in his majestic form, he
stands the scrutiny of the admiring crowd upon the
occasion of " weighing in;" when, as far as a dumb animal
can give expression to his feelings, whether of gratitude or
contempt, he gives his backward kick, as much as to say,.
"That for your opinions ! where is the corn-bin ?" His
symmetry, his muscular development, his beautiful head,
eyes of flashing fire, heated veins, and extended nostrils,
then call forth most laudable ebullitions of admiration
from spectators; while the owner calmly calculates the
addition to his coffers by the victory so gamely struggled
for and gained. But unfortunately, in too many instances,
that noble steed, that once, when in bloom, had so well
served his master, serves also as a sad example of the
latter^s ingratitude ; and having reaped many laurels, like
the faded flower withered and forsaken, is cast from the
breast of the spoiler, and replaced by a blooming rosebud —
forgotten until, perhaps, at some future day, again re-
cognised by his former master when safely lodged at a
railway station in a Hansom, on his journey to a race-
THE RACEHORSE. 163
meeting. So unlike the testimony of attachment placed by
his owner, Sii' Gilbert Heathcote, in memory of ' Amato/
or Orlando to his dying horse, his faithful steed that long
had served him well, —
" ' My much -loved steed, my generous friend,
Companion of mj'^ better years ! ' he said,
' And have I lived to see so sad an end
Of all thy toils, and thy brave spirit fled ?
O pardon me if e'er I did offend,
With hasty wrong, that mild and faithful head.' "
164
THE
SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY.
" The tainted branches of the tree,
If lopped with care, a strength may give,
By which the rest shall bloom and live,
All greenly fresh and wildly free."
As the subject of Sires appears to occu])y so mixcli of the
attention of the sporting public, and as even deputations
wait upon the Government vv^ith the view of devising means
of improving the breed of horses in general, I venture to
make a few remarks thereupon.
We find that there are now some hundreds of stallions
at the service of the public in Great Britain and Ireland.
To deny that the greater portion are descended from
first-class blood would be absurd ; yet there are very many
other necessary qualifications which demand the attention
of' breeders, according to the object they may have in
view — whether it be to become possessed of a useful
animal for general purposes, oi-, on the other hand, to
run that well-known risk which admittedly accompanies
every endeavour to breed a racehorse.
Allowing that there are many whose blood is equally
fashionable and faultless, still there are some which may
possess extra recommendations as to size, strength, shape,
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 165
colour, and performances, either during tlieir racing career
or as stud-horses. And when discussing the merits of
tried sires, it by no means becomes so necessary to look to
their own merits as racehorses, as to those of their sons
and daughters ; for many inferior racehorses have proved
good sires, and vice versa. Still the chances must be
naturally in favour of those as near perfection as possible,
and with the least drawbacks. A very great difference of
opinion exists, in the present day, with regard to the staying-
powers, speed, and other qualifications of certain strains of
blood ; the partisans of each, no doubt, advancing strong
arguQients in favour of their respective views, although
occasionally in a rather prejudiced manner: without taking
into consideration the various circumstances which may
have tended towards increasing or diminishing the prestige
of each. Such, for instance, as the number and quality of
the brood mares. As regards the former, it by no means
follows (even if the animal should be standing at fifty
guineas, and his subscription full) that he has had abetter
chance than another with perhaps half the number, for the
following amongst other reasons : viz. every owner of a good
brood mare is not at all times so flush in funds as to place
him in a position to pay that sum of fifty guineas, together
with the incidental expenses of travelling, &c. Whereas
there are many w^calthy noblemen and gentlemen, whose
purses or properties are more extensive than their know-
ledge of horseflesh, who at times keep a very inferior
class of brood mares, and who, from some whim or fancy
(perhaps the mare having on some previous occasion
jumped over a donkey^s cart, a five-barred gate, or carried
her ladyship brilliantly with hounds), do not hesitate to pay
the large figure ; the consequence being, that the sire is
166 TURF TOPICS.
believed to have had chances which he really never had ;
while another^ equally well bred, and otherwise desirable,
has been patronised with a lesser number : the property,
perhaps, of experienced judges, as well as parties who pay
every attention, and leave no stone unturned to bring to
perfection the produce. The consequence is, that the
casual reviewer of the statistics, generally recording the
number of foals, winners, &c., forms a hasty conclusion as
to their respective merits and chances.
We frequently see instances, where what are termed
unfashionable sires have produced first-class racehorses;
the fact being, that they have been unpafronised, although,
in many instances, their superior blood, as well as first-
class performances, entitled them to it : amongst others
may be mentioned ' Ivan/ a horse of undoubted blood, as
well as a first-class racehorse, as his performances with
' Vindex' and others will testify. Besides, we have 'Van
Galen,' ' Syphon,' another 'Van Tromp ;' a striking proof
of the value of the ' Lanercost' strain, especially for stout-
ness, evidenced in their respective sons, 'Union Jack' and
'Tim Whiffler.'
There can be no greater proof of the lottery of breeding
than the success or failure of sires ; for no matter of what
blood, or how they may have distinguished themselves as
racehorses, still, in many instances, the most signal failures
and disappointments are experienced, where the perform-
ances, as well as high breeding, would lead one to ex-
pect most successful results : for instance, ' Cotherstone,'
'Pyrrhus the First,' 'Charles the Twelfth,' 'Surplice,'
' Launcelot,' &c. : yet they sometimes produce one or two
first-class racehorses : for instance, ' Cotherstone,' sire of
' Stilton,' and ' Pyrrhus,' of that extraordinary mare
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 167
'Virago' (whose trainer believed her to be about ten pounds
better than ' Crucifix'). In fact, the failure of such horses
as those mentioned, with all the chances they have had at
stud, is one of those things which, as Lord Dundreary
says, " No fellah can understand," still it may to a great
extent be accounted for, in various ways : the most frequent
and fatal mistake being too much " stall-feeding," and in-
sufficient exercise, the groom not unfrequently sitting over
the fire, smoking his pipe, when he ought to be exercising
his horse. However, it is perfectly absurd to think that
any man can properly attend to the number of animals
that some owners fancy they can. Some grooms have
about three times more to do to than they should
have. To attend properly to one sii'e is enough for any
man, during the season and while preparing for it. It is
almost impossible to give a stallion too much exercise by
hand; yet it must be very hard work walking for hours
and leading a restless sire, which is much more judicious
exercise than that in the ring.
If possible, the best way a stallion could get his
work, or exercise, is simply by being ridden ; and in
summer, when done his season, let him have his paddock
to exercise in (although I am aware many will diff'er in
this view, on variovis grounds) : but, with all deference
to those who adopt the "stall-feeding" principle, even
in the dog-days, my humble opinion is that the large,
loose, well-ventilated box and well-enclosed paddock,
would prove more beneficial, and would tend much to save
the lives of many that die from inflammation, brought on by
confinement and want of proper exercise. How frequently
do wc hear of sires becoming roarers after being put to stud,
where even the very suspicion of such an infirmity never
168 TURF TOPICS.
existed, up to the end of their racing career : and why ?
Simply because one-half do not get sufficient exercise, whilst
some get none at all, at any period of the year, but are turned
up and overfed. Taking into consideration the fact that
such animals have but recently ceased not only natural,
but artificial and overstrained work, it is hardly to be won-
dered at that the sudden cessation of such exercise, as well
as the different and fattening nature of the food which they
receive, should tell its tale. But from whence do. such
reports derive their origin ? From servants sent with
mares, who inform their masters that " they heard the
horse roar;" which, in point of fact, was nothing more
than a grunt like swine, produced by sudden exertion
and from being so full of fat inwardly, which in many
cases would gradually disappear if the horse were again
brought back into his former racing condition. Another
most injurious consequence of want of exercise and over-
condition is the uncertainty of produce ; for there is no doubt
that the most certain foal-getters are the common travelling
stallions, who are engaged almost the entire day in walking
from place to place. JMany instances have been known,
and come within my own knowledge, where mares, barren
for years to other " made-up " sires, have had produce the
very first time they were sei"ved by this class. A gentle-
man some years ago purchased a young stallion from me
(brother to ' Shylock ^) at four years old; the horse had
never been tried while in my possession, or to my know-
ledge previously. He had a large number of mares
subsequently, but none proved with foal. Yet, as well as
I remember, the horse being afterwards put to work during
certain periods of the year, turned out fruitful.
A similar case happened with a young prize bull which
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 169
I purchased at a cattle-sliow for a large price. Being
housed and kept in high condition, out of nearly fifty
cows, there were but two or three calves. When turned
out he was quite fruitful.
Many persons fancy that the cause of roaring is a
thickness or swelling of the glands or muscles of the
throat, whereas it is exactly the contrary. It is the wasting
or withering away on the one side thereof, the other
remaining in its natural state. If any one consults a
competent veterinary surgeon on the subject of a horse's
wind, even if the animal be in light condition, he will
have the horse about to be examined, if possible, "galloped"
for a considerable time, before he can arrive at a positive
conclusion as to his soundness. It is hardly likely,
therefore, that persons can easily come to a decision
as to the soundness of a stall-fed stallion. Some of the
soundest, best-winded, and longest runners, make a sort of
snorting noise through their nostrils, even when going
half speed. The principal reason why some owners keep
their horses in high condition is, because they very natur-
ally believe they look better to the eye of most people ; so
they do — and the occasional '' flatcatchers,'' in the shape
of fancy head-collars, &c., have their effect in the eyes of
many. Few men know how an inch off a horse's tail can
add to his substance and lessen his height, &c. A certain
noble Lord, B*l*d*re, once told my grandfather "he did
not like a certain horse's tail." "Oh ! " replied the latter,
" it is not on his tail you ride ! "
If the breeder has plenty of capital, and can afford to
speculate, he could not do better than pick up some extra-
ordinarily well-bred young one, of good shape and promise
— suppose a three-years-old, that has been unsuccessful
170 TURF TOPICS.
as a racehorse, if let out at a small figure, or even gratis,
to tried mares, for one season or two, might in time
establish for himself a name worthy of his ancestors :
for instance, such a horse as ' Petruchio' by ' Orlando,'
out of ' Virago/ This animal, if he has grown into
what he promised when a yearling, with fine propelling
power, and good-looking enough for anything, would
be the sort to select, " for blood will tell." It has been
said by many experienced judges, that speed is the great
point to look for in the brood mare, and it is to be pre-
sumed the same rule ought to apply to the sire. Whether
this opinion is correct, and I for one concur therein (in-
asmuch as however time, training, and good management
can make horses "train on" and stay, no power or skill
can put sjjeed into a horse unless he naturally possesses the
gift), yet there are, and have been, very many instances
where mares having proved worthless as racehorses, still
have turned out tip-top brood mares; and there is no
reason why it should not prove the same with stallions,
provided always they have the shape, soundness, size,
and above all other recommendations, " that they belong
to a running family," although perhaps, from some cause
or accident, they may have proved of no value on the
turf.
There are many extraordinaiy instances in the lot-
tery of breeding, and perhaps none more so than where
we find such horses as * Cotherstonc,' ' Coltsterdale,' and
others, although racehorses, comparative failures as sires;
and yet their own sisters, ' Mowerina' and ' Ellerdale,' not
only good but first-class brood mares : for example, they
not only produced each a really good animal, but abso-
lutely proved successful with many strains of blood, pro-
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 171
duclng sucli animals as ' West Australian/ 'Ellington/
' Gilclennine/ ' Wardermarske/ ' Summerside/ ' Eller-
mire/ &c. Must not this fact go a great length towards
proving that the good green pasture and exercise served
the dams_, and that the dried-up system observed with the
sires had the contrary effect ?
Taking into consideration that such a horse as 'Pe-
truchio' (bred as he is, with probably the most high-
sounding pedigree of any horse living) did not turn out a
racehorse, do we not find a fact more to be wondered at
than if he should hereafter prove the sire of first-class horses,
if he should get the chance ; particularly bearing in mind
that he has gone to stud a fresh young horse, with con-
stitution unimpaired by training, and probably otherwise
sound? As far as this animal is concerned, I know nothing
as to whether he has had any chance as yet, nor anything
further regarding him ; I merely cite him as an example.
If we take the winners of the three great events, viz.
Derby, Oaks, and St. Leger, for the last thirty years, and
contrast their success at stud, either as sires or brood
mares, the results will prove anything but encouraging
to breeders — with very few exceptions indeed. And it is
also worthy of remark, that the winners of the St. Leger
have proved far more successful as sires than those of the
Derby ; while the Oaks winners have likewise, with very
few exceptions, been perfect failures : although, as a
natural consequence of their success for these events, they
had far better chances of distinguishing themselves than
were offered to others.
172
TURF TOPICS.
Derby.
Oaks.
St. Leger.
1834.
Plenipotentiary.
Pussy.
Touchstone.
1835.
Mundig.
Queen of Trumps.
Queen of Trumps.
1836.
Bay Middleton.
Cyprian.
Elis.
1837.
Phosphorus.
Miss Lctty.
Mango.
1838.
Araato.
Industry.
Don John.
1839.
Bloomsbury,
Deception.
CharlestheTwelfth
1840.
Little Wonder.
Crucifix.
Launcelot.
1841.
Coronation.
Ghuznee.
Satirist.
1842.
Attila.
Our Nell.
Blue Bonnet.
1843.
Cotherstone.
Poison.
Nutwith.
1844.
Orlando.
Princess.
Faugh-a-Ballagh.
1845.
Merry Monarch.
Refraction.
The Baron.
1846.
Pyrrhus the First.
IMendicant.
Sir Tatton Sykes.
1847.
The Cossack.
]\Iiami.
Van Tromp.
1848.
Surplice.
Cymba.
Surplice.
1849.
The Flying Dutchman.
Lady Evelyn.
Flying Dutchman.
1850.
Voltigeur.
Rhedycina.
Voltigeur.
1851.
Teddington.
Iris.
Newminster.
1852.
Daniel O'Rourke.
Songstress.
Stockwell.
1853.
West Australian,
Catherine Hayes.
West Australian.
1854.
Andover.
Mincemeat.
Kt. of St. George.
1855.
Wild Dayrell.
Marchioness.
Saucebox.
1856.
Ellington.
Mincepie.
Warlock.
1857.
Blink Bonny.
Blink Bonny.
Iniperieuse.
1858.
Beadsman.
Governess.
Sunbeam.
1859.
Musjid.
Summerside.
Gamester.
1860.
Thormanby.
Butterfly.
St. Albans.
With tlie exception of the success of the 'Whalebone'
strains, very few of the above have proved valuable or
successful as sires^ and most of the mares have almost in-
variably been useless.
In choosing the blood to commence with^ on the sides
of sire and dam, it would be absurd to be prejudiced to
too great an extent, either one way or the other ; although
the breeder for sale must, in a very great measure, go with
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 173
the times and fashions of the day ; and in attempting to pick
out a favourite strain of blood, with so many to choose
from, one, to a great extent, becomes (like a lady selecting
a dress or a bonnet) bewildered, and unable to fix upon
any particular choice. However, I shall, without favour
or prejudice, express my humble opinion on the blood and
crosses generally, and lay before the reader my ideas. But
before doing so, I beg to express my opinion with regard to
the course which a breeder should take, as to keeping his
own sires or hiring those of others. To my mind it is an
error for an owner of a lot of mares to tie himself to any
particular stallion or stallions ; if he keep his own, he is
frequently led away, by prejudice perhaps, to sacrifice too
many of his mares in the hope of establishing the sire;
and year after year he may repeat this course, which,
although it may turn out successful, still is increasing the
risk of breeding to too great an extent : especially as he
may be damaging the prestige of his brood mares while
trying to accomplish his other aim — thus undertaking,
in fact, a mere risk as to profit or loss, between enhancing
the value of the sires or mares, both of which, quite pos-
sibly, might prove successful. Although we find instances
of own brothers and sisters turning out well, such as
'Whalebone,'' Whisker,' ^ Wire' and 'Web,' ' StockwelP
and ' Rataplan,' ' Touchstone' and ' Launcelot,' ' Mountain
Deer,' * Sylphine,' ' Champagne' and 'Claret,' as well as
'Irish Birdcatcher' and ' Faugh-a-Ballagh,' besides the
late Mr. Watts's lot, the produce of his little mare
'Clari,' viz. 'Chat,' 'Chatterer,' 'Chatterbox,' 'Chit-
chat,' and ' Third of May,' own brothers, still there are
very many counterbalancing instances, where the dam has
produced very indifferent animals — own brothers and
174 TURF TOPICS.
sisters : take, for instance, ' Vanderdecken/ brother to
' The Flying Dutchman;' and yet, when she was changed
to 'Lanercost,' she produced that extraordinarily good
horse ' Van Tromp : ' ' Crucifix,' dam of ' Surplice,' pro-
duced ' Pontifex,' an own brother, who turned out badly,
and when put to ' Lanercost' she no doubt failed to
improve the quality of her produce in ' Crozier.' There
are numerous other instances of the kind.
Before referring to the merits of modern sires in
particular, let us glance over those of some of their
ancestors, without unnecessarily tracing back too far.
Let us commence with the renowned ' Whalebone ' blood,
in favour of which so great a prejudice naturally exists
in the minds of breeders and purchasers ; a prejudice
which, no doubt, has its origin in the fact, that it fur-
nishes more winners, and consequently, with more speedy
returns, brings more " grist to the mill " than any other,
whether at sale as yearlings or tried subsequently : but,
to a very great extent, such successes are attributable to
the vast number of the scions of this family who contend
for races, and who are so extensively patronised in other
respects, for upon reference to the catalogue of sires at
present at the public service, we find that on one side or
other, within two generations, three-fourths can claim
near relationship to this blood, some being, on either the
side of sire or dam, a 'Birdcatcher' or a 'Touchstone,'
while at the same time other valuable strains are almost
discarded in toto ; a state of things leading to the sup-
position that we may shortly expect to find breeders
adopting a system, in respect to some blood, approaching
the old Egyptian custom in the days of Cleopatra, while
some appear likely to share the fate of the Kilkenny cats.
THE SHIES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 175
Before, however, entering into the respective merits
of the two extraordinary animals referred to, ' Touchstone '
and ' Irisli Birdcatcher,^ whose relative merit as race-
horses or at stud it would be difficult for any unpre-
judiced person to decide on, a retrospective glance at ' Sir
Hercules,' the sire of ' Irish Birdcatcher,^ and probably
* Whalebone's' most valuable son, may not be out of
place.
'Sir Hercules, '^ by 'Whalebone;' dam 'Peri,' by
'Wanderer,' 'Alexander,' 'Rival,' by 'Sir Peter,' &c.
The extraordinary merits of this horse, as a sire, hardly
require comment. It m.ay not, perhaps, be generally
known, that he was forgotten for many years, and left to
serve half-bred mares belonging to farmers, at Summer-
hill, in Ireland, at a figure in amount about equal to the
groom's fee chargeable for other sires ; and to this day
there is hardly a half-bred colt sold at Irish fairs that
the owner will not trace back to ' Ould Sir Hercules.^ He
is certain to be by ' Young Hercules,' or his dam by the
"ould horse," particularly if he has the grey or silver
hairs in his tail, or on his quarters or flanks, which is
invariably the case where there is a drop of the ' Sir
Hercules' blood. His son, the renowned 'Irish Bird-
catcher,' shared a similar fate, having — although let out
at a very small figure — obtained little patronage; and
were it not for the liberality displayed by his owner in
reducing the small figure at which he stood, he would
not even have paid the expenses of his keep, although his
stock had won repeatedly in Ireland ; and he might have
been completely lost to the country had he not been
hii-ed to serve in England. From ' Sir Hercules ' are
descended in a direct line the following sires, besides
176 TURF TOPICS.
many others : — 'Irish Birdcatchcr/ ' Faugh-a-Ballagh/
' Lifeboat/ ' Guuboat/ ' Gemma di Vergy/ ' Stockwell/
* Rataplan/ ' Saunterer/ ' The Marquis/ ' Leamington/
'Ethelbert/ 'Big Ben/ 'Wonnersley/ &c. His colour
black, with grey hairs in his flanks and tail, appears to
be handed down to his son 'Saunterer/ a horse in other
respects very much resembling his grandsire, and one
most likely to prove a very great loss to his country, for,
although he was not a very large horse, he was of that
caste and metal best described as " steel : " all bone,
sinew, and muscle — no lumber.
' Touchstone,' as everybody knows, during his racing
career, proved himself an undoubted racehorse ; defeating,
amongst others for the St. Leger, the Derby winner,
' Plenipotentiary' (at the time surnamed ' The Lion of
Doncaster'). His numerous successes at the stud require
no comment, further than a reference to the Racing
Calendars; as they would be too numerous to detail,
except by mentioning a chosen few of his sons and
daughters : such as ' Cotherstone,' ' Orlando,' and ' Sur-
plice/ winners of the Derby ; ' Mendicant,' winner of the
Oaks; 'Blue Bonnet' and ' Newminster,' winners of the
St. Leger; as also the following good animals — 'Moun-
tain Deer,' ' Champagne,' ' Sylphine,' ' Claret,' ' Rifle-
man,' ' Typee,' ' Lord of the Isles' (winner of the 2000-
guineas stake), ' The Marionette,' ' De Clare,' ' Ithuriel,'
'Adamas/ 'Ambrose/ and 'Annandalc;' besides his
grandsons and granddaughters, 'Teddington/ 'West
Australian,' 'Beadsman,' and 'Musjid,' winners of the
Derby; ' L-is' and ' Marchioness/ winners of the Oaks;
' Imperieuse/ ' Gamester,' ' The Marquis,' and ' Lord
Clifden/ winners of the St. Leger ; ' Fazzoletto,' ' Long-
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 177
bow,' 'Marsyas;' and though last, not least, '^ Dundee/
The generality of this horse's descendants are in colour,
almost without exception, dark, or rich bay or brown;
with a very few black, or a veiy peculiar dark mealy-
brown, with a white spot, sometimes blaze, on the fore-
head and nose ; and more or less white about the legs :
the shoulders being low and muscular, presenting an ap-
pearance of roundness or heaviness (which many of the
' Orlandos' also display), with length, especially behind
the saddle; muscular and powerful loins, well-arched
quarters and thighs, well-turned under, with clean hocks,
denoting great propelling power ; yet with a flatness and
shallowness of the ribs, especially the back ones, and
hollowness between the latter and the hips, and an un-
usual display of the white portion of the eye.
' Irish Birdcatcher,' the son of ' Sir Hercules,^ and
' Guiccioli,' by ' Bob Booty,' out of ' Flight,' by ' Escape,'
like his rival sire, could take his part on the racecourse
as well as in the harem.
" When Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of war."
The wonderful performances of this animal are un-
known to many supporters of the turf in the present day ;
almost forgotten by others who have witnessed them —
a reference to "The Racing Calendar" is recommended
to the reader, should he wish to arrive at a conclusion as
to the respective merits of these two horses. The extra-
ordinary speed of the animal in question reminds me of
an incident which happened during a race at the Curragh,
many years ago, in which the best horses of the day con-
tended. A trainer having stationed himself within half-
a-mile of the winning-post, in order to watch the progress
N
178 TURF TOPICS.
of the race, and, if necessary, give his jockey instructions
— upon seeing the latter pass him, several hundreds of
yards in the rear, shouted at the top of his voice, "Purshue
him! Purslme him!" — pursuit at the time being hopeless.
But, before entering into a detail of his brilliant career
as a sire, it is but right to observe that had both he and
* Touchstone' being favoured with what is so frequently
heard of at a hazard-table, as equal main and chance, it
would be a nice point to decide between them as to merit,
in any shape or form ; for it must not be forgotten, that
while the " Bird" was trying to "pick up his crumbs" in
his own country, with very little chance of success, the old
"Gem" was being patronised by the " pick of the harems"
of all countries, and reaping a rich harvest therefrom ; his
subscription being full almost before publication: but
whatever their respective merits may have been, it is quite
certain
" No future day will see their names expire."
Before referring to the descendants of * Birdcatcher, '
it is but just to observe that, with regard to England and
the great "events," the Derby, Oaks, and St. Leger,
^Touchstone' had about ten years' start, as to chances.
If ' Launcelot,' his own brother, won the St. Leger in 1840,
the respective merits of the two animals in question
are, as far as * Birdcatcher' is concerned, by no means
lessened by the success for the same race of ' Faugh-
a-Ballagh,' in 1844; nor yet by that of 'The Baron'
in the following year. Then, in 1852, we find his son,
* Daniel O'Rourke,' winner of the Derby; his daughter,
* Songstress,' winner of the Oaks ; and his grandson,
' Stockwell,' winner of the St. Leger. In 1854, his son.
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAV. 179
* Knight of St. George/ winner of the St. Leger. In
1856, his son, 'Warlock/ winner of the St. Leger; and
his grand- daughter, ' Mincepie/ winner of the Oaks.
In 1858, his granddaughter, ' Sunbeam,' v.'inuer of the
St. Leger. In 1860, his great-grandson, ' St. Albans,'
winner of the St. Leger, In 1861, ' Kettledrum,^ winner
of the Derby; and 'Caller-Ou/ of the St. Leger. In 1862,
his grandson, 'The INIarquis,' winner of the St. Leger;
and in 1864, the past year, his great-grandson, 'Blair
Athol,' winner of the Derby and St. Leger ; besides the
following good animals — his sons and daughters: *Caw-
rouche,' ' Chanticleer,' ' Early Bird,^ ' Saunterer,^ ' Exact,'
' Habena/ and others too numerous to mention; not for-
getting ' Justice to Ireland,' a much better animal than
he was generally supposed to be, his powers (like many
of Erin's other productions) not having been fully de-
veloped.
The colour of 'Irish Birdcatcher's ' stock is principally
chestnut, occasionally bay, with grey or silver hairs on the
flank and tail, with the same white marks as the ' Touch-
stones:' their fault in shape for racing purposes being
sometimes deficiency in length, with occasionally a slight
inclination to curby hocks. They possess plenty of sub-
stance and symmetry all over, being extremely well " ribbed
up," with very little space from the back ribs to the hip;
very good behind the saddle ; many of them, like their
sire, however, being rather flighiy in their temper : but it
is an undoubted fact that they could all " run a bit," and
were always remarkable for extraordinary speed and
quality.
While upon the subject of the ' Whalebone ' blood, a
few remarks upon the descendants of his own brother.
180 TURF TOPICS.
' Whisker/ may be admissible. Who that remembers his
grandson ' Harkaway ' (by ' Economist '), his brilliant per-
formances as a racehorse, will hesitate to admit that it is
a very nice point indeed, as to whether we have since seen
his superior on a racecourse, although, like most " nine-
day wonders," his victories have been comparatively for-
gotten in the anxiety of parties to patronise some of the
" mushrooms " of more recent date ? ' Harkaway ' had
more of the ' Godolphin^ blood' in his veins than, perhaps,
any other sire of his day. Luckily, there is at the service
of the public a splendid son of a renowned sire, likely to
sustain in every respect the prestige of the old " King of
the Curragh," namely, ' King Tom.^ A greater confirm-
ation of the value of the 'Economist^ line and the double
cross of the ' Whalebone ' blood we can hardly find, than
in the case of ' The Baron ' (sire of ' Stockwell ' and ' Rata-
plan^). 'The Baron' by 'Irish Birdcatcher,^ by ' Sir Her-
cules^ by 'Whalebone,^ his dam ' Echidna,' by 'Economist,'
by 'Whisker' (own brother to 'Whalebone'), bears out
the truth of the remark I have so frequently heard made
many years ago by the " old heads," " that there was no
cross like the double one of the ' Whalebone."' Indeed,
every day we find convincing proofs of the success of it,
in such instances as ' Asteroid,' ' Audrey,' ' Miner,' and
various others ; whereas ' Cotherstone ' formerly furnished
an example of its success, being by ' Touchstone,' dam
'Emma,' by ' Whisker.' However, to end the subject as
to ' Whalebone's ' descendants, one could hardly do better
than reply, as the late Mr. John Day used to, when inter-
rogated by the inquisitive public as to which was the best
of his Derby lot, "They are all good;" so, merely re-
ferrins; to the fact that 'Whalebone' himself won the
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 181
Derby in 1810, his own brother 'Whisker^ in 1815, and
that his descendants in the immediate line have won
thirty-six Derbies, Oaks, and St. Legers, we may leave
this illustrious family " alone in their glory .^^
The ' Sweetmeat' or ' Gladiator ' blood appears to have
caused quite a sensation, as well as called forth from the
" authorities " upon such subjects their respective opinions,
which appear to differ very considerably, the principal
question at issue being as to the staying powers of his
stock.
' Sweetmeat,' by ' Gladiator,' dam ' Lollypop,' by
•^ Starch,' or 'Voltaire.' — In order to arrive at a fair and
proper conclusion as to a horse's merits, one would natur-
ally suppose that they should be founded, not upon mere
prejudice or imagination, but plain matter of fact ; then,
who that has ever made breeding and racing his study,
taking for granted that he possesses a reasonable amount
of the gift of discernment or understanding, will show
that this horse w^as not only a combination of some of
the best-proved blood in the world, and the stoutest,
too, but also during his racing career shone forth a
most brilliant star, having run twenty-four times, at two
and three years old, and been but once defeated ; having
met the best animals of the day, amongst others ' Alice
Hawthorne,' for the Doncaster cup, which, one would
imagine, ought to be a test of the staying qualities of
a three-years-old, particularly when opposed by such an
animal as the lengthy and everlasting stayer, 'Alice Haw-
thorne,' the heroine of so many contests.
Then, with regard to his staying blood on his sire's
side, we have had very many samples of its success ; such,
for instance, as ' Blink Bonny,' whose dam was by ' Gla-
182 TURF TOPICS.
diator : ' and we must also bear in mind, that if the ' Kings-
ton ' or ' Venison ' blood can stay, the fact of ' Gladiator '
being by the same sire, ' Partisan/ should prove no draw-
back; nor should that of ' Glaucus/ being also by that
horse, for we have most convincing proof of the staying
powers of this blood in 'TheNob,' 'Nabob,' 'Trouncer,' and,
though last not least, that magnificent specimen of " a
horse,^' ' Nutbourne.' A certain doubt must exist as to
whether ' Sweetmeat's' dam was by 'Voltaire' or 'Starch ; '
if she were by the former, there can be little doubt that her
relationship to ' Voltigeur ' ought not to deteriorate from
her son's merits as a stayer. Be that as it may, upon the
latter point one would imagine that the success of his
stock in the Derby and Oaks, over the severe hills of
Epsom, coupled with the fact that ' Dundee,' one of the
stoutest horses of the day, even as a two-years-old, is the
produce of a ' Sweetmeat ' mare, ought to be powerful
and convincing proofs as to the staying powers of his de-
scendants : as instances of which we have ' Macaroni,'
'Mincemeat,' 'Mincepie,' 'Citron,' ' Sweetsauce,' 'Car-
bineer,' and many others. With regard to ' Sweetmeat's'
shapes, his general outline was a subject for an artist,
being symmetry all over, from his beautiful head to his
tail, without a particle of lumber, but genuine bone,
muscle, and sinew; if anything, leading one to the idea that
he was slightly deficient in substance : his colour was a
rich bi'own. My opinion is, that his dam was by ' Starch,'
from my perfect recollection of the appearance of the
latter animal when he stood at Walker's Horse Repository
in Dublin, some thirty years ago, and, strange as it may
appear, frequently in the company of a small brown bear :
for, like ' Harkaway ' and his Newfoundland, 'Phryne ' and
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 183
lier goat, ' Kingston ' and his cat, ' Starch ^ a}3peared very
partial to Bruin's company.
In forming opinions as to the staying powers and
other qualities of any horse's stock, it frequently happens
that persons completely overlook the fact that the dams
have something to say to the merits or demerits ; yet
people are inclined to forget it, and attribute the want of
staying powers to the sire alone, totally overlooking the
fact that the dam may have been a wretched, soft-hearted
weed; or, even if a fine slashing mare, may inherit the "soft
drop,'' from some strain totally different from that of the
sire. It is likewise truly wonderful to what an extent people
become prejudiced, and form hasty conclusions as to the
distances certain animals can stay. How frequently some
are led merely to confine the test of horses' qualities to
the distance their respective blood or families may have
"the name" of being partial to; and thus keep them
year after year trained for, and engaged in, stakes of a
short course — simply because, at tivo years old, they have
"shown speed" — overlooking the probability that trained
on they would improve, &c. The consequence is, owners
and trainers frequently follow like a " flock of sheep,"
and are carried away by prejudice, and never give the
chance which their animals' character entitled them to,
although their reputation denied.
With regard to the crosses which have appeared to
suit this 'Gladiator' or 'Sweetmeat' blood, we have
' Dundee' (by ' Lord of the Isles,' out of ' Marmalade,'
by ' Sweetmeat'), whose extraordinary performances, as a
two-years-old especially, ought to satisfy any reasonable
person as to his staying powers, as wxll as that the
' "Whalebone' and ' Sweetmeat' cross is desirable; other
184 TURF TOPICS.
instances of which we find furnished in ' Mincepie*
(winner of the Oaks) by * Sweetmeat/ dam ' Foinualla/
by 'Irish Birdcatcher ; ^ ^Crater' by ' Orlando/ dam ' Ve-
suvienne/ by ' Gladiator;^ ' Ledbury^ (a remarkably nice
horse, and a good one too) by ' The Cure' or ' Sweet-
meat/ dam ' Themis/ by ' Touchstone ; ' and, though last
not least, that first-class racehorse at all distances, ' Sweet-
sauce,' whose successes for the Stewards' and Goodwood
cups, &c., beating large fields and the best hoi'ses of the
day, in the commonest of canters, stamp him as a horse
of extraordinary merit. His dam, the ' Irish Queen,' was
by ' Harkaway,' grandson of ' Whisker.' 'Blink Bonny'
furnishes an instance of where the ' Gladiator' and 'Mel-
bourne' cross seemed to suit; and, strange to say, it has
not been followed up.
There can be no question that in this blood, as in
many others, there have been other successful alliances :
but if the object be to test where it best suits, it follows
that it must be by taking those cases where first-class
racehorses have been the produce, not where a lot of mo-
derate animals have " run a bit:" for instance, in the
case of ' Sweetmeat,' we have proofs in favour of ' Touch-
stone' (which appears to suit with any other), 'Pantaloon'
(which I believe a first-rate cross for any other), and
the ' Whalebone,' whether through ' Irish Birdcatcher/
' Touchstone,' or ' Economist.' It strikes me that a
cross between ' Sweetmeat's' sons and 'King Tom' mares,
or ' King Tom' and ' Sweetmeat's' daughters, would suc-
cessfully rival any other. ' Citron' was, perhaps, for any
distance, one of the best mares ever foaled (her dam,
* Echidna,' also dam of ' The Baron,' was by ' Econo-
mist') ; and although reared by hand (her dam having
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 185
died when foaling), was a first-class racehorse; and if she
fail to produce one I shall be very much surprised, espe-
cially in the possession of her present owner, who never
better displayed his judgment than when he purchased
this mare — to my mind, worth as much money as any
untried brood mare living.
The value of the ' Pantaloon' blood is undeniable,
having furnished so many proofs, not alone as to speed
(which I believe is their forte) and staying, but " running
strain : " for, although some others occasionally produce
one or two first-class animals, still few can compete with
that in question as to number. Amongst others, in 1841,
his son, 'Van Amburgh,' ran second to ' Coronation' for
the Derby ; and ' Satirist,' another of his sons, won the
St. Leger, beating 'Coronation' and 'Van Amburgh,' his
daughter ' Ghuznee' winning the Oaks in the same year ;
to which may be added ' Cardinal Puff,' ' Elthiron,' ' Mi-
serrima,' ' Hobbie Noble,' 'The Reiver' (who ran second
to ' West Australian' for the St. Leger), ' The Libel,' 'Her-
nandez' (winner of the 2000-guineas stakes), ' Leger-
demain,' 'Clarissa,' 'Windhound,' &c. : the latter, there
can hardly be a question, being sire of ' Thormanby;'
' The Libel,' grandsire of ' St. Albans,' &c.
With regard to the crosses with other blood (inde-
pendently of those proofs in a direct line), 'Dundee' would
appear to favour that between 'Pantaloon' and ' Sweet-
meat,' 'Lord of the Isles,' dam ' Fair Helen,' being by this
horse; as also 'Macaroni,' winner of the Derby, whose dam,
' Jocose,' is by him. Then, with regard to 'Thormanby'
(supposing him to be by ' Windhound,' which I for one
believe to be the case), ' Pantaloon' seems to mix success-
fully with the ' Muley Moloch' blood. My reasons for
186 TURF TOPICS.
believing that ' Thormanby' is by ' Windliouud/ not by
' Melbourne/ are these : His colour (which is that of
'Pantaloon') — a contrast of his shapes (head and ears
especially) with those of 'Oulston' (also a son of 'Alice
Hawthorne'), by 'Melbourne' — the fact, that at the
time the question of the latter's impotency was very
much canvassed ; and, finally, because, it" I mistake
not, the mare was last served by 'Windhound:' which,
however, does not follow as a conclusive proof, as mares
frequently are with foal from first service. JMoreover,
there is none of the ' Melbourne' plainness or ap-
pearance about 'Thormanby' in any respect. It seems
strange that 'Windhound' has not been better sup-
ported, for his family could all run ; and I believe he
was considered by his owner and trainer no exception,
and would have proved so, had he not met with an ac-
cident. It appears he is now in the countiy, where stal-
lions (like bacon-pigs) are plenty, and probably some of
them as fat likewise.
Another circumstance worthy of remark, as regards
the mixture of the ' Pantaloon' blood with that of
' Touchstone' (of which the Marquis of Westminster
thought so highly), is, that 'Alice Hawthorne' produced
by ' Touchstone' a horse called ' Findon' (whose pe-
digree would have led me to expect wonders) ; yet he
never distinguished himself on the course, and probably
will never get the chance of doing so at stud, although he
might succeed, for " blood will tell." Then we find
' Thormanby,' out of the same mare, by a son of ' Panta-
loon,' dam ' Phryne,' by ' Touchstone,' showing the value
of the " mixture."
Before closing my remarks upon this " running fa-
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 187
tnily" — instances, his own bi-others, ' Elthiron/ ' The
Reiver/ and ' Hobbie Noble' — I must express my sur-
prise at ' Hobbie's^ not having, ere now, more highly dis-
tinguished himself; my belief being, that even now, like
' Suri)lice^ and others, there must be some extraordinary
cause : for there are frequently many, which it is not my
place or intention here to allude to. However, there is one
patent fact, viz. that he was really a good and a first-class
two-years-old ; and a much greater proof could hardly be,
than that 6000 guineas were paid for him to win the
Derby : a feat which, however, he failed to accomplish,
although every precaution was taken, a guard of honour
having accompanied him to Epsom, reminding one of the
history of Caligula and Incitatus.
' Leamington's' superior qualities furnish proof of the
excellence of the cross between ' Pantaloon ' and ' Sir
Hercules,' being by ' Faugh-a-Ballagh,' dam by ' Panta-
loon,' as also ' The Marquis' (winner of the 2000-guineas
stakes and St. Leger), whose dam, ' Cinizelli,' is by
' Touchstone,' dam ' Brocade,' by 'Pantaloon.' The dams
of 'Toxophilite' and the 'Prime Minister' are also by
him, as well as the dam of ' Young Melbourne' (sire of
'General Peel'), as also 'Emily,' the dam of ' Irish Queen;'
showing that this blood appears to suit with various strains,
but more especially with ' Whalebone.' To my mind,
' Pantaloon' blood cannot be excelled.
The ' Voltaire' blood appears to have formed one of the
subjects of recent discussion, especially as regards the merits
of his son ' Voltigeur.' In these days of warfare, the
fanciers of horseflesh appear to have their diflferences to
solve, from the manner in which the war has been carried
on by the partisans of this blood, and that of ' Gladiator'
188 TURF TOPICS.
or 'Sweetmeat;^ the respective champions put forth by
each being 'Voltigeur' and 'Sweetmeat.' If the quahty
of staying be so great a desideratum (which doubtless it
is), surely 'Voltaire' and his stock have furnished ample
proof of their excellence in this respect ; instances of
which we find in the following: — 'Charles the Twelfth,'
winner of the St. Leger after a dead heat with 'Euclid/
also winner of the Doncaster and Goodwood cups twice ;
' Voltigeur,' winner of the Derby and St. Leger (curiously
enough, also, after a dead heat with 'Rusborough' for the
latter, a son of ' Tearaway,^ by ' Voltaire'). ' Tearaway,^
who proved himself one of the very best horses ever foaled,
under enormous weights, and for any distance ; and sire
of 'Kingstown,' who ran second to 'Wild Dayrell' for the
Derby ; ' Semiseria,' whose performances were first-class,
having beaten ' Nutwith,' ' The Cure,' and many others ;
' Buckstone,' by ' Voltigeur ; ' ' Cavendish^ (a remarkably
good, and good-looking one) ; ' Skirmisher,' winner of
the gold cup at Ascot, and various other races ; ' Har-
tington,' winner of the Csesarewitch, 1862, &c. ; not for-
getting my especial favourite, that superior racehorse
' Vedette,' an animal upon which I purpose making a
few remarks at the close of my observations upon my
selection from the sires of the present day.
The descendants of 'Voltaire' are in general what may
be best described as fine, slashing specimens of the race-
horse, with plenty of length and racing shapes, being in-
variably of a rich dark-brown colour, with fine fi-eedom
of action and propelling power. Their staying qualities
can hardly for one moment be questioned ; and as to the
idea entertained by some that they are deficient in speed,
with great deference to the opinions of such parties I
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 189
must take the liberty of differing with tliem, founding my
right to do so on simple matters of fact, and on reference
to the racing records, which so repeatedly and distinctly
bear testimony to the truth of my statement : for one
fact appears to escape the recollection of so many persons
— that because certain horses happen to possess staying
qualities, it does not therefore follow that they must be
deficient in speed, although it is quite true that there are
many 'Hialf-mile squibs" that cannot stay one yard
beyond their distance.
With reference to the strains of blood which seem to
cross successfully with the one in question, it would ap-
pear that the 'Whalebone' (which appears to ''bend"
well with any) has best suited: instance 'Vedette' by
' Voltigeur,' dam by 'Irish Birdcatcher;' 'Tearaway' by
' Voltaire,' dam 'Taglioni' by 'Whisker;' 'Rusborough'
by 'Tearaway,' dam 'Cruiskeen' by 'Sir Hercules;'
'Cavendish,' ' Hartington,' and ' Buckstoue's ' dams by
'Touchstone,' 'Zetland' by 'Voltigeur,' dam 'Merry
Bird,' by ' Irish Birdcatcher,' besides many others. No
doubt it would be desirable to cross with speedy mares,
such as 'Birdcatcher.' An addition in proof of the
staying qualities of this blood is found in the fact, that
'War Eagle's' dam, 'Valentine,' was by 'Voltaire;' which
horse's merits will be referred to under the head of
' Lanercost ;' ' Piccaroon,' grandsire of 'Old Calabai-,' &c.
' Lanercost,' by ' Liverpool,' dam ' Otis,' by 'Bustard,'
was no doubt a great horse ; remarkable for his weight-
carrying, staying powers, which he has so well trans-
mitted to posterity, and which do not appear to be losing
any of the prestige which is attached to his blood. As
a racehorse he was of the first class, and as a proof of
190 TURF TOPICS.
the estimation in whicli his merits were held he was
handicapped to give to the renowned ' Alice Hawthorne '
51 lbs. when she was a four-years-old : a nice undertaking,
no doubt, to accomplish ! Amongst his descendants
we find ' Van Tromp,' winner of the St. Leger, Don-
caster, and Goodwood cups, beating the best horses of
his day ; ' War Eagle,' winner of the Doncaster cup,
beating the ' Hero ;' he ran second to ' Cossack' for the
Derby, second to ' Peep-o'-Day Boy' for the Chester cup,
giviug him 20 lbs. at the same age; and second to ' The
Widow,' aged for the Cambridgeshire, giving her 17 lbs.,
beating thirty-four horses, to all of whom he gave weights
— to several of his own age as much as three stone, being
the 'Yellow Jack' of previous days. '^ Catherine Hayes'
(his daughter), winner of the Oaks, 1853, proved her-
self otherwise an exceedingly good animal; 'Ellerdale'
(another of his daughters), a very good mare, dam of 'El-
lington' (winner of the Derby); 'Gildermire' (second for
the Oaks after a dead-heat with 'Governess'), 'Warder-
marske,' ' Summerside' (winner of the Oaks), 'EUer-
mire,' &c. Then we find 'Ivan' (by 'Van Tromp'), that
probably, as a racehorse, was about the best of his day, of
which his running with ' Vindex' and others bears testi-
mony; then come 'Van Galen,' sire of 'TimWhiffler;'
' Union Jack,' by ' Ivan ; ' also ' llapparee,' whose dam,
'Lady Alicia,' is by 'Lanercost;' ' Colsterdale,' own
brother to ' Ellerdale.' As to the crosses which appear to
suit this blood, we find ' Union Jack' bears proof in favour
of that with the ' Sir Hercules ' strain, through ' Caprice,'
whose sire was ' Coronation ;' ' Rapparee,' by ' Rataplan,'
dam ' Lady Alicia,' by ' Lanercost.' Then, in favour of
that with ' Melbourne,' we find ' Fairwater,' by ' Loup-
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 191
Garou' (a son of 'Lanercost'), dam 'The Bloomer/ by
' Melbourne,' half-si&ter to ' Ely/ both the property of
that thorough sportsman Mr. Cartwright.
'Ion' is now represented by ' WildDayrell/ 'Tadmor/
' Pelion/ 'Buccaneer/ and ' Horror.' It is hardly neces-
sary to state, that the most fashionable and most deserving
of pati'onage is the first-named. For size, racing shapes, and,
in point of fact, for every other qualification that can be de-
sired in the racehorse, * Wild Dayrell' is unsurpassed by any
animal living. There can be no question as to his having
had a very fair chance up to the present time, and it is
equally true that his stock have to a great extent upheld
the renown of their sire ; amongst which we find ' Buc-
caneer,' '"Wild Agnes,' 'Avalanche,' ' Hurricane,' ' Horror,'
' Investment,' ' Dusk,' ' Wildman,' and others. Further
remarks upon this animal will be found in a special article
hereafter. ' Pelion ' by ' Ion,' dam ' Ma-Mie,' by ' Jerry,'
was perhaps one of the best (if not the best) mile-horses of
his day, and is worthy of far more patronage than he appears
to have received, being an exceedingly good-looking horse,
of a beautiful dark-brown colour, and in other respects pos-
sessing those qualifications which ought to have induced the
public to have supported him for their own sake. Full well
I remember, without reference to any racing calendar, his
running at Chester, when three years old, where I hap-
pened to have a mare named ' The Deformed,' engaged in
the same race, which was won by ' Exact.' Few 7-eaUi/
knew the superiority of these three animals. For my
part I cannot understand why ' Pelion ' has not received
more patronage, and confess a great prejudice in his
favour ; and, without entering into a rigmarole dissection
of his shapes, pronounce him, in my humble opinion, one
192 TURF TOPICS.
of the best-looking horses in the kingdom. It would take
a great deal to persuade me, that if ' Peliou ' had had as
good a chance as others he would not have distinguished
himself quite as highly as many other sires, that are
thought more highly of; even with the limited chance he
has received he has produced animals that could run.
Although they have been confined to short distances they
have been, like many others, condemned as milers or half-
Qiilers, because they have never been half trained or tried
the distance : instances of which I have so frequently wit-
nessed. His own brother ' Poodle,' and others, could stay.
My remarks upon ' Buccaneer ' will be found hereafter.
With regard to the most successful crosses with the
' Ion ' blood, one patent fact presents itself, viz. that the
'Bay Middleton' or 'Sultan' suits — of which Wild Day-
rell' bears a striking proof.
'Bay Middleton' by 'Sultan/ dam 'Cobweb,' by
' Phantom,' ' Sultan ' by ' Sehm.' — Competent judges
appear to differ very much in their estimation of the
qualities, perfections, and imperfections of this blood;
some maintaining that ' Bay Middleton's ' descendants are
leggy, tall, overgrown, and weak, and in many instances
roarers, their only forte being speed ; others differing
materially in their opinions as to their merits.
It can hardly be denied that he had a very great
chance of distinguishing himself amongst others afforded
by his late noble owner, who purchased him for the large
price of 4000 guineas as a sire, and also a very large stud
of brood marcs for the purpose of breeding from him ; yet
the records of racing cannot furnish any great evidence of
his success as a sire ; on the contrary, like a great number
of other really first-class racehorses, he was a comparative
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PKESENT DAY. 193
failure: for with the exception of 'The Flying Dutchman/
' Andover/ and 'The Hermit/ none of his produce proved
first-class {' Vanderdecken/ own brother to ' The Dutch-
man/ being a very weak-leggy and indiflferent sample),
whereas very many were really worthless. He was himself
a magnificent specimen of the racehorse ; according to the
opinion of most experienced judges, about the best horse
that has appeared in the present centuiy : be that as it
may, it by no means follows that his sons and daughters
may not prove most valuable and successful at stud.
As to the racing merits of his stock, a few instances are
furnished in 'Flying Dutchman/ 'Andover,^ 'Autocrat/
and 'Fly-by-Night' (a much better animal than generally
supposed). Then as to stud, ' Ellen Middleton ' (dam of
'Wild DayrelP), 'Ennui' (dam of ' Saunterer,' and gran-
dam of 'Liddington'), 'Blister' (dam of 'Mainstone'), 'Bri-
dal ' (dam of Special License,' a long runner), ' Sunflower '
(dam of ' Sunbeam '), ' Rose of Cashmere' (dam of ' Wild
Rose '), were all his daughters. ' Haggish' (grandam of
'The Hadji'), was also by him. 'Pocahontas' (dam of
' Stockwell,' &c.), was by ' Glencoe ' (son of ' Sultan ')
and ' Mainbrace ' (dam of ' Fisherman '), was out of a
* Bay Middleton ' mare. The grandams of ' Scottish
Chief,' 'Rupee,' and 'Stampedo, 'were by 'Bay Middleton.'
In my opinion, his sons and daughters will prove the fact
that, as in many similar cases, they fail to prove race-
horses ; yet they inherit and hand down their superiority
to subsequent generations : such, for instance, as in the
case of ' Pylades ' (son of 'Surplice'), sire of 'North
Lincoln,' an extraordinarily good animal for his distance.
Mr. Goodwin of Hampton Court, whose great experience
must entitle his opinion to the highest respect, says, " He
o
194 TURF TOPICS.
believes ' Bay Middleton ' was a long way the best horse
we have seen in this century," and adds,
" ' He was a horse ; take him for all and all,
We shall not look upon his like again,'"*
Amongst the various strains of blood, few will be
found with more adherents than these ; and justly so,
for reference to "The Stud-Book," and "The Racing
Calendar," must convince any impartial reader that they
have proved most successful. ' Melbourne ' especially
has proved most valuable, being sire of 'West Austra-
lian,' winner of the double event, Derby and St. Leger,
and one of those animals justly entitled to compete, with
a few others, for the title of " Champion," as the best
horse of modern days. 'Melbourne' was also sire of that
magnificent mare ' Canezou ' — to my mind the "finest,"
if not the " best," we have seen for many years : for,
although defeated by a head by * Surplice' for the St.
Leger, had she not lost a plate at the " Red House," the
result might have been different. Be that as it may, her
other performances (under enormous weights) proved her
a wonderful mare ; and, to my mind, we have not seen a
grander specimen of one.
' Melbourne ' being descended from ' Comus,' entitles
him, to a certain extent, to claim credit for the perform-
ances of ' Hetman Platoff' (the lattei-'s grandson) : as
evidence of the value of this blood, ' Cossack,' by ' Het-
man Platoff,' won the Derby. The dams of ' Daniel
* Query — 'West Australian,' 'Stockwell,' 'Flying Dutch-
man,' 'Vedette,' ' Faugh -a-Ballagh,' ' Harkaway,' 'Melbourne,'
(by ' Humphrey Clinker,' dam by ' Cervantes,') and ' Hetman
Platoff,' by ' Brutandorf,' ' Don John's ' dam by ' Comus.'
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 195
O'Rourke/ winner of the Derby, and of ' Knight of
St. George/ winner of the St. Leger, were also by him.
' Gamester/ by ' Cossack/ won the St. Leger. ' Special
License^ was also by him. 'Springy Jack/ second for
the Derby (to 'Surplice'); 'John Cosser/ and ' Nea-
sham/ winners of the Northumberland plate, were also
by ' Hetman Platoff.'
The value of the ' Melbourne' strain has been won-
derfully exemplified in later days by the following
proofs : — His daughter, 'Blink Bonny,' winner of Derby
and Oaks ; ' Thormanby,' by ' Melbourne ' or ' Wind-
hound;' 'The Wizard,' winner of the 2000 -guineas
stakes, and second in the Derby, by 'West Australian;'
' Blair Athol,' winner of the Derby and St. Leger, dam
'Blink Bonny;' 'Cymba' (winner of the Oaks, 1848),
'Marchioness' (Oaks, 1855), both by 'Melbourne;' and
' Summerside' (Oaks, 1859), by 'West Australian;' 'Sir
Tatton Sykes' (winner of the St. Leger, 1846), by 'Mel-
bourne.' The dams of ' Lord Clifden' (St. Leger, 1863),
'The Slane' and 'Limosina' ('Charity'), were also by
him. In addition to the above there are innumerable
proofs of the value of this blood : amongst others, ' Hul-
ston/ son of 'Alice Hawthorne,' besides Lord Glasgow's
promising 'Young Melbourne,' sire of 'General Peel,'
winner of the 2000 guineas, and second in the Derby
and St. Leger ; ' Rapid Rhone,' &c.
'Melbourne's' sons and daughters are remarkable for
their great size, substance, and soundness, large bone,
wide hips, and immense power, but racing- like, with
plenty of length ; their contovr is plain, their heads in-
variably large, plain, clean, and bony, and their ears fre-
quently 'lopped.' Judging of things as they stand in
196 TURF TOPICS.
the present day, the blood of ' Melbourne ' ranks second
to none.
As to the crosses which appear to have best suited with
'Melbourne,' we have in the 'Whalebone' line 'Blair
Athol,' ' West Australian ' (both very much alike as to
breeding), ' Lord Clifden,' ' Fazzoletto,^ ' Stockade,' * Li-
niosina,' &c. ; and in that of ' Gladiator ' or ' Sweetmeat,'
' Blink Bonny,' &c. : a strange fact being that the latter
cross has been almost totally disregarded, although the
symmetry of the ' Sweetmeats' alone would suit the
other strain, ' The Nob,' by ' Glaucus,' dam ' Octave,' by
' Emilius,' grandam ' Whizgig,' by ' Rubens.'
While estimating the value of the numerous strains of
blood, it would, indeed, be an oversight to omit referring
to this one, especially when it can hardly be denied that
stayers are " few and far between." For size, shape, power,
and endurance, it is very questionable if there rank any
preferable. It is an admitted fact, that " good big ones
will beat good little ones ; " and it is remarkable that all
the stock of this horse are of fine size ; and when we look
at 'Nutbourne,' as one instance, probably it would be
very difficult to find in Europe a more magnificent sam-
ple of the powerful thoroughbred, particularly when it is
remembered that even at two years old, an age at which
such large animals do not display their leal forte, or
powers, and at a distance more suited to early light-framed
horses, he cut down the very best of his year, and had he
not met with a contretemps in the Derby, was doubtless the
most dangerous opponent to the winner ('Thormanby'),
although the course was anything but suited to a horse of
his heavy frame, especially that part of it where he met
the accident ; which was not, however, one that might be
THE SIRES OP THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 197
termed natural, or one arising from any infirmity in his
legs, but in reality from having jumped across the road
after descending that trying hill.
' Rupee ' was by ' The Nabob.' We have also had
proofs of the quality of this horse's descendants. Even
in the present year, ' Vermuth/ winner of the grand prize
at Paris, defeating the winners of the English Derby and
Oaks, ' Blair AthoP and 'Fille de I'Air ;' besides, 'Bois-
Roussel' (winner of the French Derby) is by ' The Nabob,^
son of 'The Nob;' as was 'Trouncer,' an extremely good
horse at all distances, and under heavy weights, to cai'ry
which he was so well formed.
In my opinion it is very questionable if there be at this
moment any breed more desirable, especially for the im-
provement of the horse in a general point of view, than
the one in question ; for it must be borne in mind that
this strain has been sadly neglected and unpatronised,
while the wholesale run has been upon others. Seldom
have French connoisseurs better displayed their judgment
than when they purchased 'The Nabob;' and yet the
British public seem surprised that the principal prizes
should be snatched from them by horses whose ancestors
have been purchased regardless of price, and offered at
figures to the public service which must encourage breeders.
The natural result will doubtless be, that ere long the
French division will be generously and gratefully offering
an "allowance" to English-bred horses, in return for the
courtesy and leniency which has for years been extended
to them. For with a better climate, as good provender,
and as good trainers, it appears strange that they should
be held in less esteem than British-bred horses.
' Weatherbit,' by ' Sheet Anchor,' dam ' Miss Letty,'
198 TURF TOPICS.
by 'Priam.' — This strain of blood appears to be very
much fancied, by certain Northern breeders especially. No
doubt he has handed down some very valuable samples of
his quality ; the best of which appear to be ' Beadsman/
' Appenine/ ' Prince Arthur,' and ' Neptunus,' as race-
horses. ' Sheet Anchor/ his sire, has done good service
at the stud ; ' Mainbrace,' dam of ' Fisherman,' being his
daughter ; as also ' Yard-Arm,' dam of those sound and
good brothers, 'Gunboat' and * Lifeboat' — a class of
animal not to be found every day : being a great contrast,
in a general point of view, to the very weedy, light-boned
horses, with which the country is so overrun : besides
' Netherton Maid/ grandam of 'Big Ben/ and 'Skiff,'
dam of 'Cymba' (Oaks, 1848). This blood appears to
have hit well with that everlasting and elastic ' Whale-
bone,' through the animals above named : the dam of
'Beadsman' being by 'Touchstone;' and the "two bro-
thers" being by ' Sir Hercules.' The fact of ' Weatherbit'
having the ' Priam' strain in his veins, should be a further
recommendation. ' Cymba' is a proof of the success of
the cross with 'Melbourne.'
In addition to the various strains of blood which have
been referred to, there are some others which have of late
years being gradually dying out: 'Priam' especially; al-
though ' Surplice,' ' Beadsman/ and ' Chevalier d'lndus-
trie' retain it. The two latter are, no doubt, not on so
large a scale as many of the sires of the present day; still
they are nice, wiry, racing-like horses, and are most
likely to prove successful at the stud, especially if crossed
with good-sized mares. But the very great competition
in the present day renders it almost an impossibility that
all the sires deserving of support can receive it : for
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 199
while that prejudice in favour of the double cross of the
'Whalebone/ "the ready-money cross/' exists, breeders
are hardly likely to increase the risk which attends such
speculations : therefore, as a natural consequence, many
valuable sires are likely to pass away, without even a
moderate chance; for where, according to the records of
each at present at stud, there are not more, on an average,
than about six mares to one sire ; in addition to which
fact, that "the run" is all upon a chosen few, and, as a
matter of course, the picked mares are sent to those
horses, — how can all have a fair chance ?
As an instance of how frequently valuable sires are
passed over, that promising young one, ' Ivan,^ imported
to Ireland by the late Mr. Courtney, would in all proba-
bility have never had a chance, had he not produced
'Union Jack;' and would have but taken old 'Sir Her-
cule's' post — "improving the half-bred stock in Ireland."
It has been stated by many, that "in-and-in" breeding
tends to diminish, not only the stamina and powers of
endurance, but the size also. Every day furnishes proofs
to the contrary; at least so far as "the double mixture"
of ' Whalebone.' Take ' Asteroid,' ' Big Ben,' ' Audrey,'
' The Marquis/ and, of more recent date, 'The Miner;'
besides numerous others. Still, there are innumerable
proofs whei'e that incessant cross between 'Stockwell'
and ' Touchstone,' and similar mixtures of the same
strains, have merely turned out " short runners." For in-
stance, 'Exchequer/ 'St. Alexis,' and that splendid mare
' Emily,' and a host of others : whereas when crossed
with other blood, such as ' Lanercost' ('Caller-Ou,' for
instance), and other staying strains, they have invariably
proved stout.
200 TURF TOPICS.
Having glanced over the various sires^ whose de-
scendants seem in the present day to occupy the atten-
tion of breeders and purchasers, I shall proceed to lay
before the reader a few remarks upon a chosen (ew, se-
lected from the vast number at present at the public ser-
vice ; admitting that there may be, and are perhaps others,
equally deserving of patronage. However, every person
is entitled to have his own opinion; and the following
comprise those which, to my mind, are best calculated to
benefit the breeders or purchasers of thoroughbred stock.
From the number of horses bred annually, it would be
idle to suppose that there must not, as a necessary con-
sequence, be many deserving of notice ; for, as the adage
goes, " there are as good fish in the sea as ever were
caught." However, as there are at pi-esent about three
hundred advertised, I shall proceed to select and recom-
mend the following : forming my conclusions as to their
merits on the grounds of their general recommendation,
taking into consideration breeding, size, shape, substance,
and performances, as well as the other qualifications re-
quisite in the racehorse, and more especially " running
families."
'Amsterdam.'
A bright bay horse, nine years old, by ' The Flying
Dutchman;' dam * Urania,' by * Idleboy,' by * Satan;'
her dam, ' Venus,' by ' Langar,' out of ' Vesta,' by
* Governor.'
'Amsterdam' is remarkable for his symmetry, wonder-
ful length, and racing shapes otherwise ; his hind-quarters
being beautifully formed and placed. If speed be the
great desideratum in a racehorse, he certainly was gifted
THE STRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 201
with it to an extraordinary degree ; for it is very question-
able if (especially at five years old) there was an animal
in training that could have beaten him, at even weights,
one mile : in proof of which, any dubious reader has but
to refer to the records of racing to satisfy himself of the
fact, which is there most distinctly recorded, that carrying
the top-weight, exceeding, in many instances, nine stone,
he beat and gave weight to the very best horses of the
day, including 'Twilight^ (to whom he conceded 6 lbs.),
* Zuyder Zee,' * Starke,' ' King of the Forest,' ' Lady Tres-
pass,' ' Atherstone,' ' Crater,' ' Comforter,' ' Prelude,'
'Libellous,' 'Lord Berkeley,' and many others.
His outline and contour, at a glance, display the true
shapes of the racehorse, and if he possessed a slight
shade more substance he would be perfection : still he is
of that steely, wiry frame, totally void of a particle of
lumber or coarseness, which sometimes makes an animal
at first sight appear deficient in substance. There can be
hardly a doubt that, with a fair chance, which he is likely
to get in his present harem, he will prove the sire of nice
stock j especially if crossed with mares of substance :
which sometimes require a horse of this stamp to fine
down coarseness, as well as improve deficiency of length.
' Artillery.'
Ey 'Touchstone;' dam 'Jannette,' by 'L'ish Bird-
catcher;' grandam ' Perdita,' by ' Langar.' A bay horse,
with the usual white marks of his sire's stock, and good
size. He was a racehorse, although not so fortunate as
might have been expected from his blood (which is a com-
bination of the best strains), as well as having good looks.
202 TURF TOPICS.
Having been hired to run out his engagements in
the Derby, &c. his career was not a brilliant one ; still, he
ranks far before many others as worthy of patronage at
stud, that are, in reality, mere " squibs,^^ when compared
to him in any respect; although supported by breeders
merely on account of the prestige of victory, which does not
at all times test the true merits of either men or horses.
'Artillery' can hardly fail, with a fair chance, to get
racehorses. He bears a striking resemblance to ' Mountain
Deer' (also by ' Touchstone') in many respects ; although,
perhaps, not so lengthy or powerful in his hind-quarters
and thighs.
Exception has been taken to him by some, in regard
to his being rather flat or light in his back-ribs : but that
is a peculiarity to most of the ' Touchstones,^ and by no
means so objectionable in the racehorse, especially when
counterbalanced by fine loins, &c,, which he possesses;
being like almost all the breed, both on the side of sire
and dam, remarkably good behind the saddle. It was
also thought, that when about to contend for some of his
engagements he appeared as if he had exhausted all his
" ammunition;" which partly left the impression of the
deficiency referred to.
If he do not share the fate of ' Irish Birdcatcher'
until the close of his career (in whose box he probably now
stands), he cannot fail to get racehorses.
'Beadsman.'
Nine years old : a brown horse, by ' Weatherbit ; ' dam
'Mendicant,' by 'Touchstone;' grandam ' Lady Moore
Carcw,' by 'Tramp;' great grandam 'Kite,' by ' Bus-
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 203
tard;' 'Weatherbit/ by 'Sheet Anchor;' dam 'MissLetty'
(winner of the Oaks), by 'Priam/ 'Orville/ 'Buzzard.'
This horse must rank amongst my chosen few, not
merely because he is recorded amongst the winners of the
Derby, but from other qualifications, which must entitle
him to the highest consideration. He is a model of a
racehorse, without a particle of lumber ; a wiry, neat
animal, his colour of the richest brown, and his blood for
every requisite, speed, stoutness, "running family," both
on the sides of sire and dam, such as cannot be surpassed :
for, through his sire, he inherits the immediate blood of
'Priam' (rather deserted of late), while that of his dam
requires no comment, nor do her performances as a race-
horse. If one could wish to add in any respect to the
many qualities which must recommend this horse to the
breeder, it might be a little more size, if the object were
to breed for general purposes; yet, although there are
others on a larger scale, his superior is hardly amongst
the imtried division : and I shall be very much surprised
if ' Beadsman' does not turn out as successful at stud as
be did during his racing career.
' Weatherbit' (his sire) being so much fancied by cer-
tain Northern breeders of judgment and experience, it is
unnecessary to remark that this horse's dam being ' Men-
dicant,' will at least not lessen his value in their esti-
mation, or render him less deserving or likely to take his
sire's place at a future day. Taking into consideration
that the success of animals for the Oaks must bear great
testimony in favour of their quality, it should not be for-
gotten that the following mares by 'Priam' won that
race,— 'Miss Letty/ in 1837; 'Industry,' in 1838; ' Cru-
cifix' and 'Welfare,' first and second, in 1840.
204 turf topics.
' Big Ben/
Six years old, by 'Ethelbert;^ dam 'Phoebe/ by
' Toucbstone;' grandam ' Netherton Maid/ by 'Sheet
Anchor/ 'Tantivy/ ' Myrtilla.'
A fine horse, and, as far as size, most appropriately
named, being an animal of great power, and his blood
undeniable — a combination of the winning strains of the
day. His performances were very good, which will ap-
pear upon reference to the racing records, beating large
fields, comprising such animals as ' Dundee,^ ' Fairwater,'
' Dictator,' ' Walloon,' ' Folkestone,^ and others, highly
tried and fancied by their owners. His fine size, sub-
stance, shapes, and breeding, must highly recommend
him for any purpose, as he is one of the few stallions of
the present day possessing that extra power and size so
very desirable, and so seldom found.
'Buccaneer.'
A dark-bay horse, seven years old, by ' Wild Dayrell ; '
dam ' The Little Red Rover' mare (also the dam of the
well-known 'Cruiser').
A great number of animals come fairly under the de-
nomination of racehorses, but thei'e are others that, if it
were possible to find a higher term, are justly entitled to
it; and pre-eminent amongst these stands forth 'Buc-
caneer.' His performances as a racehorse were first-class ;
and but for an accident might, and doubtless would,
have been more distinguished. The field of horses which
he beat at Ascot, including such as ' Pretendant,' 'Cos-
mopolite,' 'Lava,' 'Amsterdam,' 'Fravola,' 'Mainstone,'
' Nutbush,' ' Gabrielle d'Estrees,' ' Elcho,' besides many
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY, 205
others, independently of bis other victories, must place him
in the first rank against the most dangerous opponents,
where I have little doubt he will at stud, as at racing,
take his part as successfully as his namesakes always did.
He has plenty of length, substance, and racing shapes ;
which I do not pretend to dissect, as I merely write
from recollection of the animal, only adding that, in my
opinion he will prove at stud a worthy son of his mag
nificent sire.
' Caractacus.'
A bay horse, five years old, by ' Kingston ; ' dam
' Defenceless,^ by ' Defence j ' her dam by * Cain,^ out of
' Ridotto,' by ' Reveller.'
This horse appears now to be at least the most fash-
ionable, as well as the most desirable representative of the
' Venison ' blood ; the spirited proprietor of the great
Middle Park stud having some time ago experienced a
loss by tlie death of his favourite, ' Kingston,' the seri-
ousness of which has become subsequently more appa-
rent through the successes of his sons and daughters,
' Queen Bertha,' winner of the Oaks, &c. A very curious
prejudice seemed at first to exist in the minds of many
that the ^Kingstons' could not stay, simply because two
or three of them showed extraordinary speed, yet defi-
ciency in the other power; but that circumstance was
attributable to certain causes, which are frequently over-
looked, or never understood by many, viz. that the im-
perfections or failings of dams must have a certain
influence, whether arising from natural or constitutional
causes, as well as the fact that horses hammered about
as he was, running the most severely - contested and
206 TURF TOPICS.
longest distances, most gamely, and always to form, as
Goodwood cups and Northumberland plates bear testi-
mony of; such horses can hardly be expected to be in
their proper stud form for some time, after having been
dried up for years, in racing condition.
'Kingston^ was, in every respect, bred to stay; his
sire, 'Venison,' proved himself a horse of undeniable
stoutness ; and it is worthy of remark, that during his
career as a three-years-old he travelled on foot his cir-
cuit, which the more modern wonders, * Fisherman ' and
* Rataplan,' accomplished by rail ; as it is stated upon
reliable authority that he walked upwards of nine hun-
dren miles, ran fourteen, and won twelve times. So
much for ' Venison's ' season ! It seems strange that a
belief should exist that the 'Venisons' display a sort of
reciprocity of taste as to fondness of human flesh : pro-
bably from recollections of ' Cruiser,' ' Cariboo,' and
' Vatican.' A circumstance worth relating happened,
with regard to ' Kingston/ when about to run for the
Derby ; all sorts of rumours being in circulation, amongst
others that he was a " man-eater ! " An acquaintance of
mine, who had backed him, and who professes to be a
judge of racehorses (and one who has a wonderful flow
of the phraseology), became alarmed; having been in-
formed by some " wiseacres " that such was the fact, he
took care to have a look after the horse at exercise (as
well as his money), and having repaired to the necessary
quarters for the purpose, on his return informed me that
he found him, after his usual work, walking as quietly as
a lamb beside his boy, with his head almost resting on
the lad's shoulder. Of the docility of ' Kingston ' I have
been a frequent witness, when he was in training and at
THE SIRES or THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 207
stud. As to his son ' Caractacus/ he is iu every way-
most worthy the notice of breeders, who fancy the
^Venison' and 'Defence' blood, (and who could object,
to the latter especially ?) more particularly as he, as well
as bearing a marked resemblance to his handsome sire
in other respects, has a good temper, which the other
was possessed of to perfection ; proving the fact, that good
and kind treatment has its effects with such animals, as
with most others.
' Caractacus's ' performances were — independently of
his winning the Derby — good; his success for the latter
being a surprise, no doubt, to many, and stamping him
as a very superior racehorse. lie is not one of the large
stamp ; but, like his sire, a nice-sized, level-made horse,
with plenty of quality and racing points, and most likely
to get racehorses.
' Cavendish.'
A dark-bay horse, eight years old, by ' Voltigeur ; '
dam ' The Countess of Burlington,' by ' Touchstone ; '
her dam ' Lady Emily,' by ' Muley Moloch,' out of
* Caroline,' by ' Whisker.'
This horse is, and at all times was, an especial favourite
of mine. I have a perfect recollection of him just pre-
vious to his first race at York (which he won very easily),
when he struck me as being an extraordinarily good-look-
ing two-years-old. His blood is undeniable, and it will
surprise me if he does not prove a successful sire,
although his career on the turf was of short duration;
from what cause I know not, but most probably one of
those accidents to which horses are so liable, however
well formed or sound they may be by nature. His com-
208 TURF TOPICS.
bination of blood is first-class, especially for staying
qualities ; in proof of which we have his own brother
' Hartington ' (winner of the Cfesarewitch), and numerous
other instances : besides, upon reference to the blood of
' Vedette/ they would appear almost full brothers in
blood, both being by * Voltigeur/ — the one out of a
'Touchstone,' the other an 'Irish Birdcatchcr' mare;
and if there were any drawback on the side of either as
to the grandam's pedigree, it certainly is not on that of
* Cavendish.' His own performance as a two- years-old
proved his speed ; and as to his general contour, he
was as good-looking a two-years-old as one could wish
to see.
'Chevalier d'Industrie.'
A chestnut horse, ten years old, by 'Orlando;' dam
'Industry,' by 'Priam;' grandam 'Arachne,' by'Filho
da Puta,' ' Treasure,' by ' Camillus.'
This is a remai'kably nice horse; the superiority of
his blood is unquestionable, being a combination of the
very best, and more especially as his dam (' Industry,'
winner of the Oaks) was by ' Priam.' He proved him-
self a racehorse, and is a very wiry, level, lengthy animal,
without lumber. He is closely allied in blood to ' Sur-
plice,' but is of a totally different stamp to the latter in
many respects; 'Surplice' being upon a much larger
scale, although perhaps not possessing, in various points,
the racing shapes of ' The Chevalier,' who is a nice, neat
specimen of the racehorse. His ancestors on his sire's
side, as also on that of the sire of the dam, have all for a
number of years, with the exception of * Camel,' won the
Derby or St. Leger; viz. 'Orlando' (Derby, 1844),
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 209
'Touchstone' (St. Leger, 1834), by 'Camel/ by 'Whale-
bone' (Derby, 1810), by 'Waxy' (Derby, 1793), 'In-
dustry,' by 'Priam' (Derby, 1830), by 'Emilius' (Derby,
1823), by 'Orville' (St. Leger, 1802), by ' Bening-
brough' (St. Leger, 1794).
' Claret.'
A brown horse, twelve years old, by ' Touchstone ;' dam
' Mountain Sylph,' by ' Belshazzar,' out of ' Stays;' own
sister to 'Incognita,' by 'Whalebone.' He is own brother
to 'Mountain Deer,' 'Champagne,' and 'Sylphine;' all good
animals, and descended from the most running strains to be
found in the records of racing : he was himself a very fair
horse; his brother 'Mountain Deer,' and his sister 'Syl-
phine,' ranking in the first class. To my mind, ' Mountain
Deer ' is about the best-looking horse I ever beheld, and
is a very great loss to the country ; as he had proved him-
self (considering the chances he had) more successful than
many sires that have had better opportunities, and are
of longer standing ; and my conviction is, that he would
have replaced his sire in due time, had he remained in
England. Claret is free from white (which some dislike),
being of a rich, dark-brown colour, has already produced
some winners, and with a fair chance is likely to supply
more.
' Crater.'
A bay horse, seven j'ears old, by 'Orlando;' dam
Vesuvienne,' by 'Gladiator;' her dam 'Venus,' by 'Sir
Hercules,' out of 'Echo,' by 'Emilius.' 'Crater' proved
himself, no doubt, a superior racehorse, beating very large
210 TURF TOPICS,
fields ; for instance, in the Hunt cup at Ascot, wherein he
defeated horses of all ages, giving away a great deal of
weight, although his performances were principally con-
fined to a mile ; still, although only third in a large field
for the Amport stakes at Stockbridge, it was hardly to be
expected he could give 20 lbs. to such a horse as ' Northern
Light,' who was the same form as ' Cape Flyaway ; ' nor
yet the year and 7 lbs. to ' Ariadne.' In shape, size,
&c., he is good-looking enough for anything, and he
struck me at all times as being an exceedingly true and
good-tempered animal : both horse and trainer furnishing
perfect specimens of knowing their business. As to his
pedigree it equals any on record, being of the same mix-
ture of blood as 'Dundee;' there are few (if any) of the
untried division more likely to produce racehorses.
' De Clare.'
A bay horse, twelve years old, by ' Touchstone ; ' dam
' Miss Bone,' by ' Catton ; ' ' Franby's ' dam by ' Orville.'
This horse's breeding is undeniable ; as to shape he is
a fine specimen of the racehorse, and was an undoubted
good one, although unfortunate, having been, up to within
a few hours of the race for the Derby, first favourite at a
ridiculously short price, but meeting with an accident he
did not even start — a sort of fatality appearing to prevent
the noble owner gaining the prize bearing his name. ' De
Clare' is a horse of great power and length, with plenty
of bone and substance ; and coming from such running
strains, not alone on his sire's side, but through his dam
(likewise the dam of such first-class horses as ' Longbow,'
'Boiardo,' &c.), with a fair chance, he can hardly fail to
prove successful at the stud. Exception has been taken
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 211
to the formation of his shoulders, which, however, is a
peculiarity in many of the ' Touchstones/ Had this horse
been recorded amongst the winners of the Derby, he
would have received more patronage as a sire, as many
breeders attach more importance to that fact than in
reality it merits, however it may naturally add to the
prestige of any sire. ' Longbow,' to my mind, was about
the best mile-horse under heavy weight of modern days ;
and as for length, power, and muscle, combined in one
animal, I never saw his equal, without that top-heavy
appearance so common in large horses.
^ Drumour.'
A chestnut horse, ten years old, by ' Weatherbit,' or
' Big Jerry ;' dam ' Elspeth/ by ' Irish Birdcatcher,' ' Blue
Bonnet/ by ' Touchstone.' This horse in different races
proved himself a very good one indeed, and ought to be
successful at the stud ; yet it seems almost impossible that
the number of sires at present at the service of the public
can all receive support, taking into consideration the com-
paratively small number of mares, coupled with the fact
that the picked sires obtain such large patronage, con-
sequently very many good animals, such as ' Drumour/
are frequently passed over ; still, I fancy breeders might
do worse than give him a chance. His grandara was
'Blue Bonnet,^ winner of the Doncaster St. Leger.
' Dundee.'
A bay horse, six years old, by ' Lord of the Isles / dam
'Marmalade/ by 'Sweetmeat;' grandam ' Theano,' by
' Waverley,' out of ' Cherub,' by ' Hambletonian.'
212 TURF TOPICS.
It almost amounts to absurdity to attempt to eulogise
the merits of this animal ; or, as Shakespeare says, —
" To gild refined gold, to paint the lily ;"
whether as to his breeding, shapes, or quality as a race-
horse, for each and all must be fresh in the memory of
the sporting public; still, a slight "refresher" may not
be out of place. His blood speaks for itself, and has told
its tale ; which, with such an example, must dictate to the
breeder the prudence of following in the same course.
His fine size, racing symmetry, with substance, without
a particle of coarseness, plenty of length, temper, and
soundness, cannot be questioned ; his performances at
two years old, over the shortest as well as the longest
courses contested by two-year-olds; contending against
horses of all ages and of proved speed; such as 'Ment-
more,^ ' Maggiore,' and others; racing under penalties,
and winning with ridiculous ease, as well as proving his
gameness, by doing so after a dead heat with a three-
years-old. and so far beyond the usual T. Y. C. distance,
must stamp him as one of the best and stoutest horses of
modern days. It is remarkable that he always had to
contend with first-class animals, the very cream of the
year, and over their own courses ; for, whether it was * The
flying Little Lady' over her short half-mile, or the old
ones over their favourite distances, they all had to suc-
cumb. Each were alike to him; yet the ti'uth of the
running, as well as the superiority of the class, was proved
in every respect : that beautiful mai'e, ' Brown Duchess,'
who ran second to him at Liverpool (merely getting her
allowance for her sex), winning the Oaks, and otherwise
proving herself, what she looks all over, about as perfect
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 213
a model of perfection as, in racing parlance, " ever looked
through a bridle/' ' Dundee/ howevei*, through meeting
with an accident, which frequently attends a Derby pre-
paration (and which the nature of the course, as well as
the usual state of the ground at that period of the year,
so materially adds to), only managed to get second for the
Derby, which he did upon two legs ; having lost the use
of one at Tattenham Corner, the other at the distance,
and being only just defeated, for a race run in the
shortest time on record, namely, in two minutes, forty-
three seconds : beating ' Diophantus,' winner of the
2000 guineas ; ' Aurelian,' ' Imaus,' ' Dictator,' * Klari-
koff,' ' Atherstone,' and many others. This horse bears a
great resemblance to 'West Australian,' in his general
appearance and outline.
His performances were as follows: — At the Epsom
Summer Meeting, 1860, he won the Woodcote stakes by
three lengths ; beating ' Blisworth,' 'Walloon,' and thir-
teen others. At Stockbridge, June same year, won a
piece of plate, beating ' Damascus,' ' Mentmore,' ' Bir-
mingham,' ' Marionette,' and five others, seven furlongs,
carrying 8 lbs. extra, all ages. At Liverpool, July 1860,
won the two-years-old plate, beating 'Brown Duchess,'
' Damascus,' ' Pardalote,' and ' Longshot.' At Good-
wood, July same year, won the Findon stakes, beating
' Nemesis,' ' Brown Duchess,' ' Knight of St. Patrick,'
and six others. At York, same year, he defeated ' Mag-
giore,' three years old, one mile, at one stone, and three
others, after a dead heat with the former for the Eglin-
ton stakes. At the Newmarket first October Meeting,
same year, won the Hopeful stakes, defeating ' The Little
Lady,' 'Walloon,' ' Queen of the Vale,' and 'Evenhand;'
214 TURF TOPICS.
at three years old, ran second to 'Kettledrum' for the
Derby ; after which he did not start, and was put to stud.
If there be a virtue in properly crossing particular
strains of blood, the breeder of ' Dundee' evidently proved
it ; and if the object of others be to arrive at the summit
of superiority, it would be difficult to select a better course
than that of adhering to ' Lord of the Isles ' and ' Sweet-
meat^ mares; or, taking a wider range, to 'Touchstone's'
and ' Gladiator's' descendants : for, admitting there are
many examples of other successful alliances (which have
been already referred to), still it would be very difficult to
find a better than the one in question.
' Ellington.'
A brown horse, eleven years old, by ' The Flying
Dutchman;' dam ' Ellerdale,' by 'Lanercost;' grandam
by 'Tomboy;' 'Tesane' by 'Whisker/ out of 'Lady of
the Tees,' by ' Octavian.'
' Ellington' proved himself a racehorse ; having at two
years old, when amiss, won the Champagne stakes at
Doncaster, beating a good field. He also won the Derby
easily, beating the unfortunate ' Yellow Jack,' ' Cannobie,*
' Fazzoletto,^ and many others. In his fore-action he
walked and galloped with the 'Tomboy' peculiarity.
His blood is undeniable, and his family could all run. His
dam being by ' Lanercost,' should add very much to his
merit, as likely to get not only speedy, but stout stock.
He is of a magnificent colour, the richest dark brown ;
and is probably about the soundest and cleanest-legged
horse at stud : and as he stands in his stall, is a perfect
picture, his arras and thighs being a mountain of muscle.
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 215
' Gildermire/ his own sister, ran second to 'Governess*
for the Oaks, after a dead heat ; which race was won in
the following year by his half-sister, ' Summerside.' His
family ai'e of a most running strain, his dam having, in
fact, proved successful with every cross ; and being one of
the very best brood mares of modern days — so very dif-
ferent are cases of chance produce ; one good, the rest
useless.
'Ellington' gained the prize of 100 sovereigns at the
Royal Agricultural Show at Battersea, in 1863; a further
proof of his perfect soundness, and superiority of shape
and action. His temper is most docile.
Tazzoletto.'
A bay horse, eleven years old, by 'Orlando;' dam
'Canezou,' by 'Melbourne;' grandam 'Madame Pelerine,'
by 'Velocipede.'
He is a horse of immense frame, large bone, and
plenty of substance, and being descended from such fine
running strains on both sides, of sire and dam, can hardly
fail to get good marketable stock. His dam was one of the
best mares ever foaled, and about the finest specimen of a
thoroughbred mare that ever galloped : she was, indeed, a
noble animal. Her performances, under enormous weights,
and giving away "lumps'' to racehorses — in the New-
market handicap, for instance — besides her good second in
the Doncaster St. Leger, won by ' Surplice,' after a severe
contest, in which she lost a plate at the Red House, stamp
her as an animal of extraordinary merit. ]\ly opinion is,
that ' Surplice' never recovered the effects of that race. I
perfectly remember him after it was over, and seldom saw
a horse more distressed.
3] 6 TURF TOPICS.
' Fazzoletto ' himself was a very fair racehorse, for
although he did not win the Derby, he ran very re-
spectably, and I believe quite as well as was expected, for
the course was by no means suited to a horse of his frame
and action. He is of the same mould as ' Toxophilite,'
and others of the Knowsley stamp — a fine slashing horse,
but bearing a rather top-heavy, unwieldy appearance. He
ought, however, to get some fine stock, which, up to the
present time, he has not appeared to have done ; probably
from want of the chance : nevertheless, I fully expect to
find some day a few slashing samples of this sire.
'Ackworth,^ a fair horse, is by him.
' Gemma di Vergy.'
A brown horse, ten years old, by ' Sir Hercules ;' dam
'Snowdrop,^ by ' Heron ;^ her dam Tairy,^ by Tilho da
Puta,' out of 'Britannia,^ by 'Orville.''
'Gemma di Vergy ^ proved himself a very good horse,
and his blood (being now one of the three only remaining
stallions by ' Sir Hercules '), together with his well-pro-
portioned outline, elastic springy action, and rich dark-
brown colour, must render him deserving the patronage
of breeders. He has, uo doubt, had a fair chance, con-
sidering the number of rivals in the market, and he may
yet prove more successful than he has done; for it
must be borne in mind that, like other sires that have
run severely-contested races, and been " wound up " to
the last pitch of condition, he has barely had time to
distinguish himself. He is, however, well-bred, and
good-looking enough, and possibly may yet fill the place
vacated by some of his ancestors. His Chester-cup
running, when three years old, candying 6st. 11 lbs,, was
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 217
first-class ; for althougli he did not win, or perhaps would
not have won, having met with a contretemps at the dis-
tance, he would have been very handy. He is a remark-
ably handsome horse, his peculiarity consisting in the
shape of his hind-quarters, which he inherits from his
sire ; as many ' Irish Birdcatchers/ and others of the
same blood, are remarkable for being rather drooping
towards the tail — by no means objectionable in a race-
horse, as they are generally better turned under and
possess more propelling power.
' Gunboat ' and ' Lifeboat.'
Both dark-brown horses, own brothers, aged re-
spectively ten and nine years, by 'Sir Hercules;' dam
' Yard-Arm,' by ' Sheet Anchor,' out of ' Fanny Kemble '
by ' Paulowitz,' ' Loyalty ' by ' Rubens,' ' Pennyroyal ' by
' Coriander.'
These two sons of ' Sir Hercules ' are both worthy
scions of their renowned family, having proved during
their racing career very sound, good, true, and game
animals, over all distances, and under heavy weights,
which they are both peculiarly adapted to carry. They
are of fine size, plenty of substance all over, and their
blood on the side of their dam, as well as of their sire,
must strongly recommend them to breeders, more es-
pecially as their stock ought to prove valuable for any
purpose, if unsuccessful as racehorses. Few sires of the
present day possess more recommendable qualities, in
every shape and respect, and with fair chances they
ought to distinguish themselves at stud, especially as the
sons of ' Sir Hercules ' (' Irish Birdcatcher ' and ' Faugh-
218 TURF TOPICS.
a-Ballagh ') have proved so successful as sires. Both these
horses are really very fincj souud samples of the powerful
thoroughbred, and bear a striking contrast to the raiser-
able specimens with which the country is overrun.
' Ivan.'
A brown horse, thirteen years old, by 'Van Tromp^'
dam ' Siberia,' by ' Brutandorf,' by ' Blacklock.'
The 'Lanercost' blood, so remarkable for its staying
qualities, is, no doubt, well represented in the subject of
these remarks ; for 'Ivan' was not only himself a race-
horse, which the racing records bear testimony of, but he
appears likely to prove a first-class sire, having, with a
very limited chance, produced ' Union Jack,' probably
about the best of his year. 'Van Tromp' (his sire),
winner of the St. Leger, Doncaster, and Goodwood cups,
was a very superior animal, and it seems fortunate that
the blood, which is at present so scarce, should at least
have one representative so likely to uphold its character.
' Kettledrum.'
A chestnut horse, with white marks, six years old, by
'Rataplan;' dam ' Hybla,' by the 'Provost;' her dam
' Otisina,' by ' Liverpool,' ' Otis,' by ' Bustard.'
Here is a fine sample of what may be expected from
the loins of the renowned ' Old Hatty,' the hero of so
many contests, resembling his sire in many respects, not
alone in shape and colour, but in action and temper.
He won the fastest Derby on record when he defeated
' Dundee,' ' Diophantus,' ' Dictator,' the unfortunate
' KlarikofF,' who, according to the idea of his friends.
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 219
always ought to have won, &c. Any admirer of ' Stock-
well ' and ' Rataplan ' can hardly hesitate to acknowledge
the claims of this horse to every support, as from his
running blood, good looks, and likeness to those ani-
mals, nothing but the great uncertainty attending such
speculations can possibly interfere with his success. On
both sides of sire and dam he comes from first-class
strains, his dam having also produced ^ Mincemeat,' win-
ner of the Oaks, 1854. In addition to his victory in the
Derby, when two years old he beat ' Dictator,' ' Phemy,'
colt, 'Matador,' &c. At three years old he ran second
to 'Diophantus' for the 2000 guineas, and second to
that wonderful mare, ' Caller-Ou,' for the St. Leger at
Doncaster — beaten by a head; and. ran a dead heat with
* Brown Duchess' (winner of the Oaks), for the Don^
caster cup : for which he, according to compromise, after-
wards walked over. A curious coincidence, the Derby
and Oaks witmers in same year running a dead heat. This
horse having previously, during the same week, ran so
severe a race for the St. Leger, and carrying a penalty,
is further evidence of his stoutness,
' King Tom.'
A bright bay horse, with white marks, thirteen years
old, by 'Harkaway;' dam 'Pocahontas,' by ' Glencoe,'
out of ' Marpessa,' by ' Muley.'
As to his colour, it is said he is a bay, but according
to my recollection he is a chestnut. In comparing his
breeding with that of his half-brothers, 'Stockwell' and
' liataplan,' it may not be out of place to mention an
oversight made by some parties with regard to their
220 TURF TOPICS.
breeding, viz. that picking one in preference to the
other amounts almost to making a distinction without a
difference, which a reference to their pedigree will show.
In the first place, ' Stockwell' and 'Rataplan' are by
' The Baron,' by ' Irish Birdcatcher ; ' dam ' Echidna,' by
' Economist.' ' King Tom' is by * Harkaway,' by ' Eco-
nomist;' therefore the latter is, in point of fact, almost
full brother in blood to the "two brothers."
Then, suppose we take 'The Baron' and 'Harkaway'
on their mei'its, not only as racehorses but in every
respect as animals, and without prejudice view them
and their performances even as sires, — how can any
judge, who really has a recollection of them, conscien-
tiously pronounce 'The Baron' was a superior animal
to ' Harkaway ?' for, although the latter did not win the
St. Leger (for the best reason in the world — because
he was not in it), which invariably adds so much to the
prestige of any animal, in my humble opinion he was
not only a far better horse, but "proved" himself su-
perior, as well as quite as good a sire. It is all very
well to remember 'The Baron's' victories, and in doing
so to forget those of the animal that proved himself
about the best horse in the memory of the present
generation. Leave ' Stockwell,' 'Bataplan,' and their
descendants out of the question, and then let the admirers
of 'The Baron' furnish a list of his descendants to boast
about, notwithstanding the extraordinary chances he had
for many years, and contrast them with the despised and
forgotten old ' Harkaway,' who reigned as the " King of
the Curragh" in his day; vanquishing every opponent
that came in his way, distancing racehorses of first class
in England as well as in Ireland, where there really were
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 231
first-class horses, and yet died, comparatively speaking,
without a chance: yet left ' King Tom' as a reminiscence
of his quality, as well as ' The Irish Queen ^ (dam of
' Sweetsauce,' probably the best horse of his year for any
distance), 'The Horn of Chase,^ ' Chaseaway,^ ' Blucher,'
' Peep-o'-DayBoy,' ' Idleboy,' 'Ballinafad,' ' Sabroan,' &c.
Many of 'Harkaway's^ daughters have proved most
successful at stud. Amongst others, 'Thorn,^ dam of
' Sprig of Shillelagh,^ &c., ^ Queen Bee,' &c. It has been
hinted that there was a "flaw" somewhere in ' Harkaway's'
pedigree, on his dam's side. All I can say on that point
is, I should like to be owner of a few like him, bred with
a similar flaw, taking into consideration that this animal
could run any distance, carry any weight, and distance
racehorses. It may not be generally known, that such
was the furore caused by his extraordinary performances,
that he was exhibited at a very stifi" figure in Dublin for
a considerable time, and vast numbers went to see him,
believing him to be one of the " wonders of the world."
I remember during his racing career, amongst his
performances, he was only just defeated for a four-mile
Queen's plate by a horse of merit, called ' Bonte Bock,'
who got about a quarter of a mile start, ' Harkaway'
having been late at the post, according to the rules;
his eccentric owner, however, calling out to his jockey,
" Go after him ; you can give him to the Hare Park and
win ; " a distance of about one mile and a half. The issue
was well contested.
As to ' King Tom's' individual merits, he is no doubt
a hopeful son of a worthy sire ; he is as good-looking a
horse as any connoisseur can wish to look at ; the thickness
and substance of his frame leading some to fancy that he
222 TURF TOPICS.
is a shorter horse than he really is, for when in racing
form he hardly presented that appearance.
'King Tom^ has proved more fortunate and success-
ful as a sire than as a racehorse ; which is proved by his
' Old Calabar/ ' Wingrave/ ' Queen of the Vale/ ' King
of Diamonds/ ' Mainstonc/ ' Breeze/ ' Prince Plausible/
'Tomato/ 'Linda/ &c. If his stock have up to the
present time contended for short races^ that fact may
be attributed to the simple reason that about one
half the owners and trainers sometimes underrate what
their horses really can do, and how long they can
stay; and in many instances, because when half fit, or
when two years old, they happen to show speed, confine
their engagements to short courses, whereas in many
cases their real forte is staying : yet they are very fre-
quently condemned as half-mile split-tails, when perhaps
four miles over the Beacon Course would suit them
better.
With regard to the crosses which would best suit
' King Tom,' one patent fact must convince the reader
that ' Sweetmeat,' ' Irish Birdcatcher,' or ' Touchstone,'
mares (although the latter, on the " in-and-in" principle),
would be most likely to hit successfully ; and the daughters
of this splendid animal, if properly bred on their dam's
side, ought to, and no doubt will prove, most valuable as
brood mares : especially bearing in mind that they will
inherit the blood of that mine of value, the queen of brood
marcs, ' Pocahontas ; ' and if crossed with the sons of
* Sweetmeat,' should turn out most profitable to their
owners. As instances in favour of the "mixtures" re-
ferred to, we have ' Sweetsauce,' an extraordinarily good
horse for anv distance, and ' Dundee/ a second edition of
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 223
the former^ besides numerous others ; but if excellence be
the object of the breeder^ one would fancy the above
samples, with ' Sweetmeat/ &c., ought to satisfy any
" epicure." If a deviation were made, it might be de-
sirable to try the 'Sir Hercules' or 'Irish Birdcatcher'
sires with 'King Tom^ mares; such as ' Saunterer/
' Wonnersley/ ' Lifeboat/ or ' Gunboat/ in favour of
which we have ' Stockwell' and ' Rataplan/ ' Citron' was
another instance in favour of the ' Sweetmeat' and
'Economist' alliances, for she was an animal for any
distance, seldom equalled if (in my opinion) ever ex-
celled : a fact which is known to very few, for the simple
reason that, after a few brilliant performances, she met
with an accident,
' Knight of Kars.'
A bay horse, ten years old, by ' Nutwith,' dam ' Po-
cahontas' (also dam of ' Stockwell,' ' Rataplan,' ' King
Tom,' &c.), by 'Glencoe/ grandam ' Marpessa,' by 'Mu-
ley.' The fact of this horse being one of the very supe-
rior sons of the above mare should alone recommend him
to the notice of breeders, and render him a most likely
stallion to prove serviceable at stud. But he has likewise
all the other qualifications, as far as size, substance, shape,
power, and colour, &c. He was a racehorse; and although
never "up to the mark" in condition, his performances
were of the first class, and there is no reason why his
career at stud should prove an exception to the remark-
able success of his half-brothers.
Amongst those horses who had to succumb to him
were ' Gamester' (winner of the St. Leger), and ' Ignora-
224
TURF TOPICS.
mus;' and his race with ' Saunterer' at Doncaster, which
was a very well-contested and near one, indeed stamps
him as a horse of very high merit, and, as a sire, most
likely to get valuable stock for all purposes. ' Nutwith '
(his sire) won the Doncaster St. Leger, beating, amongst
others, the renowned ' Cotherstone,' winner of the Derby,
2000 guineas, &c., and more money in stakes than any
three-years-old on record. ' Nutwith^ did not start for
the Derby.
^ Leamington,'
A dark-brown horse with a white star, eleven years
old, by ' Faugh-a-Ballagh ;' dam by 'Pantaloon;' her
dam ' Daphne,' by ' Laurel.'
He is one of the best representatives of what a race-
horse ought to be, with great length, i-acing points all over,
and wonderful propelling power, the shape, muscular
power, and position of his hind-quarters being perfection,
and such as cannot fail, at a glance, to strike the eye. In his
general formation and appearance he somewhat resembles
his sire, and in many respects 'Buccaneer,' although
more commanding in his general style ; being, in fact, a
perfect specimen of the fine slashing racehorse — just what
might be expected from his relationship to ' Pantaloon,'
whose descendants invariably present such an appearance.
His sire's fame is world-wide ; indeed, by many he is be-
lieved to have been the best horse ever foaled — a question
which no doubt admits of serious consideration, as well
as doubt. Be that as it may, that ' Leamington' looks all
over a fine model of a racehorse ; that he proved himself
''which is better than mere appearance, which is often a
fallacy) a genuine first-class animal, as well as a perfectly
TUE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 225
sound and wear-and-tear one^ cannot be denied, for al-
though his name is not recorded amongst the Blue Riband
or St. Leger winners, his performances justly entitle him
to the confidence and support of breeders, which would be
badly rewarded by patronising, as a rule, some of the
winners of those great events ; for although the Derby,
Oaks, and St. Leger, may be generally very good tests of
quality, it by no means follows that there arc not, in
many instances, far better horses of the year than the
winners — some never even entered. Taking into consi-
deration the fact, that the country has lost his sire,
' Leamington ' must be looked to as the most promising
son of that renowned animal best qualified to fill his place,
and uphold untarnished the prestige of his ancestors;
which, with a fair and reasonable chance, there can hardly
be a doubt he will do, for he is from head to tail a " noble,
fine animal," and one most likely yet to stand at the same
figure as his relative, ' Irish Birdcatcher.' The fact that
he has the ' Pantaloon ' blood in his veins is an additional
recommendation, for it is questionable if there flows in any
animal better : the very best runners, and the grandest
specimens of the noble thoroughbred, are descended
from ' Pantaloon.' I believe that ' Leamington,' as
viewed upon a racecourse, walking with his majestic
yet steady air, presents at once the appearance of the
most level-made, lengthy sample of a racehorse, that
we have seen for many years; every shape and point
being where they should be, and his "propellers" always
doing their duty; being placed so beautifully for the
purpose. Although his career at the stud has, as yet,
but commenced, he has begun well; and is, to my mind,
certain to finish better. The running of ' Fille de I'Air,'
226 TURF TOPICS.
that extraordinary mare (a daughter of 'Faugh-a-Ballagh'),
is further proof in favour of the chance of ' Leamington'
proving successful.
' Lord of the Isles.'
A bright bay horse, with the usual white marks of
his family; eleven years old, by 'Touchstone;' dam
* Fair Ellen/ by ' Pantaloon ;' out of ' Rebecca/ by ' Lot-
tery/ ' Cervantes/ ' Anticipation/ by ' Beningbrough.'
'Lord of the Isles' blood cannot be excelled on either
side, being a combination of speed and stoutness. In
his general contour he bears a sti'iking contrast to his
successful opponent, ' Wild Dayrell.' Probably no two
animals of such merit could be more dissimilar, not only
in shape and general appearance, but in action ; proving"
the truth of the opinions so frequently expressed, that
"they run in all shapes." He is neither a lengthy nor a
short horse, but of average size; his 'Touchstone,' mus-
cular quarters, his well-knit frame, being well-propor-
tioned, give him the appearance of a fair-sized, compact
animal : he possesses the usual propelling power of the
' Touchstones,' and in other respects the quality requi-
site in the racehorse. During his career he won the
2000 guineas, beating ' St. Hubert,' who had been highly
tried, and others, after one of the closest and most
severely-contested races on record ; then meeting for the
Derby that splendid specimen of the racehorse, the home-
trained ' AYild Dayrell;' besides a few animals of very
moderate pretensions. It can hardly be questioned that,
on that day, 'Lord of the Isles' was not up to the mark,
but rather beyond it ; for I perfectly remember that, early
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 227
on that morning on tlie Downs, when he was at exercise,
and endeavouring to come down the hill at Tattenham
Corner, he reminded one more of the action of a rabbit
than of a racehorse; regularly "^ stumped up," evidently
suffering from sore shins, as well as from not having
recovered the effects of his severe race for the 2000
guineas. He could not move on that day, nor did he
appear quite at home during the race; being beaten
for second place by an animal not far removed from a
*' leather-plater." However, whatever may have been
his qualities as a racehorse, he has given good proof of
his value as a sire ; for, before we can give the preference
to others, we must see the superior of ' Dundee.^ Besides
which he has furnished ' Scottish Chief,' ' Donna del
Lago,^ and others ; in addition to which there are num-
bers of his young stock of great promise, fine size, and
racing symmetry ; and it will surprise me if we do not
hear of his ranking even higher than at present in the
estimation of breeders. 'Dundee^ is a proof in favour of
crossing with ^Sweetmeat' mares.
' The Marquis.'
A bay horse, six years old, by ' Stockwell ;' dam
^Cinizelli,' by 'Touchstone;' grandam 'Brocade,' by
'Pantaloon,' out of 'Bombasine,' by 'Thunderbolt.' A
greater proof of the success of the " double mixture " can
hardly be found than in 'The Marquis;' showing the
excellence of the 'Touchstone' and ' Birdcatcher ' (or
rather ' Stockwell ') cross ; which is also borne out so
plainly in the cases of ' Asteroid,' ' Audrey,' and others.
As to size, shape, and power, he is good-looking enough
228 TURF TOPICS.
for anything ; his performances were first-class ; and
there can be little doubt he will distinguish himself as a
sire.
During his racing career, at two years old, he won the
Champagne stakes at Doncaster, beating Teu-de-Joie^
(winner of the Oaks^ 1862), ' Imperatrice' (second for the
Oaks, 1862), and others. At three years old he won the
2000-guineas stakes, defeating ' Caterer,^ ' Alvediston,'
' Wingrave,' &c. ; and the Doncaster St. Leger, beating
' Buckstone,' * Hurricane,' ' Johnny Armstrong,' ' Caris-
brook,' &c. He was beaten only once, and then by a
neck for the Derby, by ' Caractacus.''
' MUSJID.'
A dark -brown horse, nine years old, by ' Newminster /
dam 'Peggy,' by * Muley Moloch;' grandam 'Fanny,' by
' Jerry,' ' Fair Charlotte,' by ' Catton,' ' Henriette,' by
' Sir Solomon.'
As a winner of the Derby, this horse is entitled to the
highest consideration ; for he not only won that race like
a racehorse, but by sheer gameness. He is a very fine
animal indeed, and his pedigree comprises some of the
real old, although neglected, strains; and differs very
much from the everlasting, every-day, hackneyed names we
read. It is refreshing to see a Derby won now-a-days by
an animal with a pedigree like that of ' Musjid.' He has
in his veins the blood of those two wonderful mares,
'Beeswing' and 'Alice Hawthorne;' no mean recommen-
dations: and it is highly probable he may prove as suc-
cessful at the stud as he did on the racecourse.
the sires or the past and present day. 229
' Newminster.'
A bay horse, seventeen years old, by ^Touchstone;'
dam 'Beeswing/ by 'Doctor Syntax;' grandam by 'An-
drossan/
The merits of this horse are so thoroughly known and
tested, both on the racecourse and at stud, that any at-
tempt to expatiate upon them would be like sending
coals to Newcastle. He is a gem of the first water; and
his fine son, ' Lord Clifden,' the beau ideal of a racehorse,
alone entitles him to the high estimation in which he is
held, as well as the fact that he is descended from the
renowned ' Beeswing.' He won the Doncaster St. Leger
in the commonest of canters ; and his success at stud is so
universally known, that it is merely necessary to leave the
public to choose between him and his rivals in the
" known world/' — ' Stockwell,' ' Rataplan,' ' King Tom,'
' Voltigeur,' ' Lord of the Isles,' and 'Wild Dayrell.'
'NUTBOURNE.'
A dark chestnut horse, eight years old, by 'The
Nabob;' dam 'Princess,' by 'The Merry Monarch ;' gran-
dam 'Queen Charlotte,' by 'Elis;' great grandam by
* Tramp/ out of ' Fillagree,' by ' Soothsayer,' out of
'Web,' by ' Waxy.'
Who that ever saw a splendid specimen of the horse
can deny that ' Nutbourne ' is one ? Take him "all in
all " as he stands, and where is his superioi-, in a
general point of view ? A mountain of muscle — a race-
horse even at two years old — an age at which such large
animals seldom show their real form, he met and beat.
230
TURF TOPICS.
not only the best horses of his year, but probably the
best that had appeared for years. His blood is a mixture
of most of the best crosses for speed and stoutness. His
performances at two years old were sufficient to stamp him
as a first-class animal; and judging of them in a fair and
impartial manner, and taking into account the fact, that
such large horses generally improve wonderfully from two
to three years old, as also that when running for the Derby
he met with an accident when '^pulling double" (the
race being won by ' Thormanby,' whom he had previously
defeated at two years old), leaves little doubt that, but
for the contretemps referred to, 'Nutbourne' would have
proved the most dangerous opponent to the winner.
It appears strange that the medal should have been
lately awarded to another, in opposition to this horse, at
the show: however, "doctors differ;" and every man
has an equal right to his opinion, which must be received
and taken for what it is worth.
In my humble opinion, if all the horses in England
were brought to an exhibition, and the medal was offered
for the " finest sample of a thoroughbred stallion, for
general purposes, taking breeding, performances, sound-
ness, size, shape, and, in fact, all qualifications into
consideration," and if a doxen experienced judges in such
matters were appointed, 'Nutbourne' would wear the
medal in opposition to any other, and be justly entitled
to do so. I have previously referred to this horse's blood,
under the head of ' The Nob.'
* Old Calabar.'
A bay horse, six years old, by 'King Tom;' dam by
THl;; SIRES OF THE PAST AND PKESENT DAY. 231
' Piccaroon ;' grandam ' Jemima/ by ' Count Pozzo ;' ' Mrs-
Suggs,' by 'Crispin.'
The best son of ' King Tom/ with plenty of size and
substance, looking all over what he proved himself, " a first-
class racehorse;'^ but, having met with an accident, one
whose career was but short on the turf. He may some day,
or perhaps now, rank amongst the unfashionable division,
because he did not win the Derby, and because his owner
may not deem it worth while to take the trouble of
convincing breeders that they would be studying their
own interests in giving him a trial. To my mind he is
one of the most promising untried sires of the present
day, grounding my opinion on the merits of the animal
in every respect, as to breeding, size, shape, and per-
formances ; and believing that (bar accidents) he would
have proved himself the best of his year at three years
old, which he did as a two-years-old. How many others
untried are more likely to prove stars at stud, notwith-
standing the medley of unfashionable names which his
pedigree displays ?
At two years old ' Old Calabar ' was not beaten, having
won four times j namely, the Triennial produce stakes at
Newmarket; first October meeting, beating 'Hurricane'
and others ; the Clearwell, beating ' Wingrave ' (also
by 'King Tom'), 'Knight of St. Michael,' and others;
* The Criterion,' beating ' Nottingham,' ' Alvediston,'
' Wingrave,' ' Feu-de- Joie,' ' Zetland,' ' Bertha,' and
others ; and the Glasgow stakes.
' Orlando.'
A bay horse, twenty-four years old, by ' Touchstone,'
23.2 TURF TOPICS.
out of ' Vulture/ by ' Langar/ out of ' Kite/ by ' Bus-
tard/
The sire of many speedy animals, and very few stout
horses, 'Teddington' and 'Imperieuse' being the best,
having had for a number of years the best chance of
any stallion that ever lived, he won the Derby in the
memorable year of ' Running Rein/
' Oulston/
A bay horse, thirteen years old, by ' Melbourne j'
dam 'Alice Hawthorne,' by ' Muley Moloch,' out of
* Rebecca,' by ' Lottery/
* Oulston ' is a peculiarly-shaped animal, a sensible,
" steely-looking gentleman,'' without a particle of lumber,
and with particularly black points, resembling " the old
mare" in many respects, as well as colour; although
very round-ribbed, with a deep girth, like his dam,
rather shallow, which, however, is made amends for
by a good back and loins ; his hind-quarters well placed,
which, like ' Old Alice,' he could use to perfection :
he has very lopped ears, for which many of the 'Mel-
bournes ' are remarkable, — ' Sir Tatton Sykes,' &c., to
wit.
As a racehorse he was of the highest order, his
performances being of so brilliant a character that he was
sold for (about the highest price on record) 6000 guineas,
which, no doubt, does not at all times prove the intrinsic
v^alue, so much frequently depending upon the ideas,
sagacity, and talents of buyers and sellers. I have sold as
good for a sixth of the pi-ice, with wonderful expectations
of contingencies. However, it cannot be denied that
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 233
* Oulston ' was a first-class racehorse, and might have
probably shown more of his quality had he not been
occasionally seized with a slight distemper on the eve of
his engagement. His running was very much of the in-
and-out kind, still many circumstances occur in racing
which can account for this ; for instance, amongst others^
horses are not and cannot be always fit, and up to the
mark. As far as ' Oulston ' is concerned it is very
questionable if he was not the best horse of his year, not
even excepting the great ' Wild Dayrell / and it was
very fortunate that the former was not up to the mark,
and that ' Rifleman ' was not " primed and loaded/' on
the Derby day, or he might have taken down ' Wild
DayrelFs ' colours. ' Fandango ' and ' De Clare/ being
hors de combat, also made the coast pretty clear for the
great gun. It is extraordinary that this horse has not
been better supported at stud ; but, as before stated, it is
impossible to give all a chance, where there are so few
mares in proportion to sires. And probably a report as to
an infirmity in ' Oulston ' having got wind, has more or
less injured him ; although it has been, and is stated by
proper authority, that there are no grounds for such a
rumour. There is one patent fact, viz. that his sire
and dam, and their descendants, in fact all his family, are
remarkable for their soundness in that respect, but are
likewise so for their great staying powers ; and ' Oulston '
himself could run any distance, and distance horses : and
even, if there were any ground for such a report, the
infirmity, if it does or ever did exist, must have had its
origin in some distemper, and, therefore, cannot be here-
ditary or constitutional. This horse has literally had no
chance at stud, and it will by no means surprise me to see
234 TURF TOPICS.
his stock some day astonishing the talent, and bringing
up reminiscences of bye-gone days.
' Petruchio.'
A chestnut horse, eight years old, by ' Orlando ;' dam
'Virago,' by ^ Pyrrhus the First;' grandam 'Virginia,'
by 'Rowton;' great-grandam ' Pucelle,' by ' Muley.'
Here is a son of the great ' Orlando,' as well as the
selling stake ' Virago,' whose qualities the talented Mr.
Topham appeared to estimate beyond leather -plating
form, when he treated her to seven stone, three-years-
old, for Chester cup ; yet how truly was his well-known
judgment displayed ! — the mare being considered by her
trainer about ten pounds better than 'Crucifix.' It ap-
pears to me tbat ' Petruchio,' who was a very good-
looking young one, with capital propelling power, ought,
with a fair chance, to prove more successful at stud than
he did otherwise; for if high pedigree can recommend
any horse, surely he possesses it. His success at stud
(if he has grown as one would have expected, and is
sound, &c.) would not be a greater cause for wonder
than his failure as a racehorse ; for, like many others
that were not racehorses, yet turned out valuable and
successful at stud, he may yet prove " that blood will
tell."
'Prime Minister.'
A brown horse, seventeen years old, by ' Melbourne;'
dam ' Pantalonade,' by ' Pantaloon ; ' grandam ' Festival,'
by ' Camel.'
This horse possesses many qualifications to recom-
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 235
mend him to the notice of breeders ; amongst others,
his being a combination of the most running and win-
ning strains of blood, inferior to none. As a racehorse
he was very bighly tried previous to the Derby, and was
backed by his partisans to win as much money as would
have purchased half Manchester. He is a very level,
racing-like animal, and has proved as successful at stud
as could have been expected, taking into consideration
that he has not had as much patronage as others less
worthy of it, although more " cracked up." He has,
however, proved his high quality as sire of several good
animals; amongst others, ' Farfalla/ 'Lord Burleigh,'
'Light,' 'Lustre,' 'Pastime/ ' Sporting Life,^ ' Tesane,'
&c., and doubtless will yet add to the number.
The fact of possessing the ' Pantaloon,' 'Melbourne,'
and ' Camel ' mixtures, should especially recommend him
to the notice of breeders. His stock appear remarkably
sound, wiry, and racing-like in every respect.
'Rataplan.'
A chestnut horse, with white marks, fifteen years old
(own brother to ' Stockwell'), by ' The Baron •' dam
' Pocahontas,' by ' Glencoe, out of ' Marpessa,' by
' Muley.'
His iron constitution, with the strength of an ele-
phant and temper of a lamb, together with the fact of
his having proved himself a racehorse under any weights,
and for any distance, must render ' Rataplan,' commonly
called ' Old Batty,' invaluable for stud purposes ; and
having begun well with his ' Kettledrum,' ' Miner,'
' Tattoo,' &c., there can be little doubt he will play to
236 TURF TOPICS.
perfection with other instruments a more prominent part
ere long. What a temper ! It sometimes required the
aid of the late Mr. Hibburd's cob (so well known to
frequenters of the racecourse) to set him going ; but
once the steam w^as on, it was like " Hell-fire Jack's "
engine from Didcot to London, whose fondness for pace
and keeping time is so well known to travellers on the
Great Western. The extraordinary number of races (and
those over the most severe courses) won by this wonderful
horse, and his successful career, is in a great measure to
be attributed to the almost incomparable, and certainly
unexcelled experience, skill, and talents of the " Squire
of Wantage;" by whose instructions, and under whose
practised eye, his trainer no doubt brought ' Old Ratty '
out much oftener than he could have appeared, if under
the usual style of continual racing and training at the
same time : for this horse, like the everlasting old * Fisher-
man,^ together with others, after the Wantage style, was
trained by running races and winning money, or, as the
adage is, "killing two birds with one stone,'^ getting,
however, that rest at intervals which some wretched worn-
out skeletons never do, w^hose trainers think it necessary,
whether at home or abroad, to keep them continually
galloping : the consequence being, their early retirement
to the stud or Hansom. ' Rataplan ' is a perfect rock of
strength, a little plain in the shoulders, rather short in
his fore -action, which stayers frequently are (flash-goers
the contrary). He is not so tall or commanding in his
appearance as his brother ' Stockwell,' nor did he pro-
bably possess his speed : still, it is hardly possible to ex-
aggerate his good qualities ; for however frequently we
find holiday-flyers, or even stayers, still wx have seldom,
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 237
if ever, seen a more genuine sample or combination of all
the requisites in the racehorse than he affords. " He was
all, and always there." It is but reasonable to suppose,
that having already produced a Derby winner, besides
others that could run, and not only stay, but show great
speed, his reputation as a sire ought to, and doubtless
will improve; especially taking into consideration the
fact that he had been so long in training, and conse-
quently had done so much work, and that time must,
as with most horses when put to stud, prove beneficial to
' Rataplan.'
Amongst his performances, his winning the Man-
chester cup, literally in a canter, with such a heavy weight
(Q st. 4 lbs. as well as I remember), beating ' Typee ' and
other first-class animals, stamps him as one of the best
horses of modern days. He is, indeed, one of the few
samples of a "genuine racehorse:" his stock must prove
useful for general purposes, and I believe it is a question
admitting of some doubt whether he will not yet rival his-
brother, especially as a sire of stayers.
* St. Albans.'
A chestnut horse, eight years old, by ' Stockwell ;' dam
' Bribery,' by ' The Libel ;' grandam ' Splitvote,' by ' St.
Luke ;' great-grandam ' Electress,' by * Election.'
As to size, shape, and other recommendations, it
would be difficult to select a better style of racehorse;
he is one of the several fine specimens of his sire's stock,
most of which appear to stay as well as show speed. This
horse very much resembles his sire in his style and shapes,
and is another of the many proofs of the value of my
238 TURF TOPICS.
favourite blood, ' Pantaloon.' \Yhether judging from his
blood, shapes, or performances, there are few of the untried
stallions of the present day can compete with ' St. Albans,'
or are so likely to prove successful at stud. His perform-
ances were really first-class, having won the Metropolitan,
the Chester cup, and the Doncaster St. Leger. As to the
Chester cup, my conviction is that he would have won
with two stone more on his back, especially if well held
together, which no boy living of five stone could do round
such a course as Chester, and for such a distance. ' St.
Albans ' resembles his sire very much, and if he fail to
get racehorses it will be one of the extraordinary anomalies
of breeding. He is a fine animal, and destined, in my
opinion, to be the ' Stockwell ' of a future day ; at least, of
those of that sire's sons at present at stud, for if 'Asteroid'
were a rival he would be a very dangerous one.
' Stockwell.'
A chestnut horse, sixteen years old, by ' The Baron ;'
dam ' Pocahontas,' by ' Glencoe ;' grandam * Marpessa,'
by ' Muley.'
The merits of this superb sire hardly require comment;
he stands at fifty guineas (and likely shortly to do so at
one hundred guineas), and his subscription full every year
is demonstrative of his superiority. As instances of his
quality we have the four St. Leger winners, ' St. Albans,'
' Caller-Ou,' ' The Marquis,' and ' Blair Athol ;' as also
his sons and daughters, ' Audrey,' ' Asteroid,' ' Stockade,'
' Comforter,' ' Thunderbolt,' 'Bertha,' 'Caterer,' 'Bath-
ilde,' ' Lady Augusta,' and numerous others. The cross
between this horse and ' Touchstone ' mares bears extra-
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 239
ordinaiy proof of the excellence of the double cross of the
' Whalebone ' blood, as also that with ' Pantaloon/ the
latter being, to my mind, " an improvement to any strain."
Nothing is more absurd than commenting on subjects
which are universally proved and known, therefore any re-
marks from my pen upon the merits of * StockwelP are
unnecessary, especially as they have been so well and ably
described elsewhere^ by competent judges and writers upon
the sires of the day.
'Surplice.'
A bay horse, twenty years old, by ' Touchstone ; ' dam
' Crucifix,^ by ' Priam.'
One of the most striking, as well as extraordinary in-
stances of the lottery of breeding, is furnished in this
horse, a winner of the double event, Derby and St. Leger,
possessing all the size, shape, and power, of the true race-
horse, even on a grand scale ; plenty of length and sub-
stance; a pedigree composed of the very essence of good
blood; still a perfect failure as a sire. He beat in the St.
Leger that magnificent mare 'Canezou ' (who lost a plate at
the Red House), piloted by that splendid horseman the late
Frank Butler — notwithstanding whose determined efforts
poor "Nat" succeeded in landing the yellow jacket, although
many were of opinion that, but for the loss of her plate,
the mare would have w^on. But why has this horse been
so unsuccessful at stud? One of the causes, I fancy,
must have been, that he did not get the right stamp of
mares, for his stock were generally immense, tall, leggy,
unweildy, and top-heavy in their appearance, and even
when walking seemed to drag their legs behind, as if they
did not belong to them ; they were mostly like a giblet
240 TURF TOPICS.
pie, " all legs and wings," with action like an ostrich, yet
without the speed of that bird. The fact is, it so hap-
pened that ' Surplice ' was unfortunate in the class or
stamp of mares sent to him ; probably he had not nice,
compact, average-sized mares, like the ' Sweetmeats ^ or
* Irish Birdcatchers,' for it appears to me absurd to suppose
that an animal of his class, quality, and other recommea-
dations, could possibly, after a period of nearly fifteen
years, pass into oblivion without having more brilliantly
upheld at stud his great fame as a racehorse ; and even
now, in my opinion, if some of those experienced breeders,
who take care of their stock and spare no expense, would
send some of the class of mares referred to, there is little
doubt they would find that there is yet a chance for ' Sur-
plice,^ especially if crossed with ' Sweetmeat ' mares : for
' Dundee^ bears proof in favour of the ' Touchstone^ and
' Sweetmeat ' alliance ; and the facts that the ' Sweetmeat '
mares are shortish, compact animals, whilst ' Surplice ' is
as long as a man of war, and that the latter's blood is that
of * Lord of the Isles' (sire of 'Dundee'), are so strong
that I should then, in case of failure, despair of the mag-
nificent son of ' Touchstone ' and ' Crucifix ' ever raisins:
o
himself from his present fallen position. The fact is, mis-
takes are made in breeding from such large horses with
very large mares.
' Flax,' dam of ' Queen Bertha ' (winner of the Oaks),
is by ' Surplice,' and I fully expect to see his sons and
daughters prove, like those of ' Bay Middleton ' and others,
more valuable at stud than on the turf. Writing about
this horse calls up reminiscences of that worthy specimen
of the sensible English trainer, the late respected Mr.
Isaac Day, with his large cigar and his string of ostriches.
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 241
' Thormanby/
A chestnut horse, eight years old, by ' Melbourne/ or
'Windhound;' dam 'Alice Hawthorne/ by 'Muley Mo-
loch / grandam ' Rebecca/ by ' Lottery/ ' Cervantes,'
'Anticipation,' by ' Beningbrough/
It has been said that there is an eloquence in silence,
which course might be adopted with regard to this horse,
as he has already given such proof of his quality. It is
hardly necessary to remind those who have made racing
their source of amusement, profit, or loss, of the great
merits of 'Thormanby.' If ever there was an instance
of genuineness, and a sterling proof of the value of keep-
ing to the running strain, here is one furnished in the son
of the old mare — a recollection of whose name, and wiry,
racing-like form, will never die while racing exists ; her
deep girth, her racing shape, with length and strength
where they ought to be in the racehorse, unencumbered
by a particle of lumber, have been handed down by
Nature to her son ' Thormanby.' She was not a float-
horse, nor was she framed like one ; she was formed as a
weight-carrying racehorse ought to be (for action carries
weight); and if she was light in her back ribs, many of
the best and longest runners have been so likewise, and
especially animals that have fine propelling power and
hind action, which is seldom seen with those well ribbed-
up, however strong they may be for other purposes.
As to the " double sire," ' Melbourne,' or ' Wind-
hound,' there can hardly be a question on that point.
Where are the "lopped Oulston ears?" How many
'Melbournes' were chestnut? What colour was 'Panta-
R
212 TURF TOPICS.
loon' (sire of ' Windhound') ? Are not the ' Melbournes'
invariably plain, and broad across the hips (no doubt all the
better for the latter) ? But who can find the least resem-
blance between 'Oulston' and 'Thormanby' in any re-
spect whatever, except that they were both just what
might be expected from such a dam — first-class animals ?
Although it by no means follows that because the mare
had been last served by a particular horse, he must neces-
sarily be the sire of the produce, still it generally is the
case ; and it must be borne in mind, that at the time the
question of the impotency of ' Melbourne' was very
much canvassed.
' Thormauby' looks all over a * Windhound,' although
not of his colour. Still he is that of ' Pantaloon.' His
good length, especially from hip to hock, he takes from
his dam. His sensible ideas of taking things as they
came were wonderful ; when saddling, running, weighing,
or feeding subsequently, all appeared alike to him. He
could run at two years old as often as he was required,
which was frequently; he could let his opponents get a
good start and beat them afterwards (he was not a very
good beginnei") ; he ran and won over all distances, up-
setting pots that had been boiling, the contents of some
having been almost eaten before they were cooked. Many
of the wizards imagined he was " a perfect cure; " but they
should not have been surprised, for the simple reason that
the second in the Derby ('The Wizard') beat all the rest : if
he did stop, he was defeated by an animal that would make
" many a Derby winner remember the Derby day," and
refuse his corn in the afternoon. How can this horse fail
to be a successful sire ? No matter from what animal
he is descended, whether from the sire of ' West Austra-
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 243
lian'or ' Windhouud' (the son of 'Pantaloon'); liis dam
was 'Alice Hawthorne.'
During his racing career he had a medley of good and
bad luck. He always met first-class animals^ and at
times was not up to the mark. Where is the trainer who
can ensure and keep a horse fit ? Soon ripe, soon rotten.
Constant dripping will wear a stone. What splendid con-
tests may the lovers of the turf not anticipate between the
produce of the very animals which contended with this
horse during his racing career — 'Thunderbolt/ 'St.
Albans/ ' Nutbourne/ and 'Buccaneer?' Like 'Volti-
geur/ 'Thormanby' was rejected by all the connoisseurs
during the yearling sales at Doncaster, and was subse-
quently purchased by his trainer, Mr. Matthew Dawson,
for three hundred and fifty guineas : a proof of his well-
known judgment and experience.
' Thunderbolt.'
A chestnut horse, eight years old, by * Stock well ;' dam
* Cordelia/ by ' Red Deer ;' grandam ' Emilia,' by 'Young
Emilius;' great grandam 'Persian,' by 'Whisker.'
Here is a horse of extraordinary power and substance,
with most wonderful loins and quarters ; a perfect rock
of strength, and, in fact, as fine an animal as ever was
foaled. During his racing career, it often struck me that
an oversight must have caused his owner to confine his
engagements to short distances : the reason, as well as I
remember, assigned was because of some infirmity in his
feet or legs, which interfered with his training. Be that
as it may, for the distances he contended he was an out-
and-out good animal ; and the example of ' The Baron,' in
244 TURF TOPICS.
his races for the Madrids, with ' Highwayman ' and
others, often led me to fancy that the same shght cause
may have interfered with ' Thunderbolt/ viz. his feet ;
and that the addition of the piece of leather, which Mr.
Watts so judiciously and successfully applied in ' The
Baron's^ case, might have had the desired effect with
' Thunderbolt :^ for, to judge from the latter's breeding,
shapes, and other recommendations, one would be slow to
question his powers to stay any distance. He certainly
was a first-rater for those for which he did contend,
and as he stood while his jockey was weighing in, it
would puzzle a judge to find a grander specimen of a
thoroughbred horse ; and it is questionable if his superior
be amongst the untried stallions of the present day. His
giving 29 lbs. to 'Brown Duchess' (who in Doncaster
cup ran a dead heat with the winner of the fastest Derby
on record), for the year and sex, at Newmarket, so late as
the month of October, showed his wonderful speed, besides
his other very great performances : such as in October,
1860, when he defeated 'Buccaneer' and ' King of Dia-
monds,' in the Select Stakes at Newmarket, one mile ; at
Warwick Spring Meeting, 1861, where he won the Trial
stakes, one mile, with 8 st. 9 lbs., beating ' Lady Clifden,'
' Lifeboat,' * Twilight,' and others. The Stamford plate,
Newmarket, three-quarters of a mile ; beating ' Stam-
pedo,' '■ Maggiore,' ' Twilight,' and others. His defeating
' Fravola,' ' Maggiore,' and others, easily ; and his run-
ning at two years old, in which year there were many
first-class horses, such as ' Thormanby,' ' Nutbourne,'
'Buccaneer,' &c. — stamp him as a horse most appropriately
named. There can be little doubt that, with a fair
chance, he Avill distinguish himself at stud. He is, in my
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 245
humble opinion, about tbe best-topped horse in England
(and perhaps the best we have seen, for a certain distance,
for many a day) : and it would take a great deal to per-
suade me that his ailment was not in the feet — a second
edition of ' The Baron,' "thin soles /^ which, being a heavy
horse, affected him perhaps more than it otherwise might
have done, especially on hard ground. His stock ought
to be very fine, and with such a capital mixture of staying
blood they should run as long as those of any other sire
living.
' TOXOPHILITE.'
A dark-bay horse, ten years old, by ' Longbow ; ' dam
'Legerdemain,' by 'Pantaloon;' grandam 'Decoy,' by
' Filho da Puta ; great-grandam ' Finesse,' by ' Peruvian.'
This horse is one of those fine slashing samples which
so frequently represent the descendants of ' Pantaloon,'
differing so much from other short " trussed -ixp ones."
His sire (although a musician) was one of the most
powerful and best horses of his day, with great length,
wonderful substance ; his arms, shoulders, and thighs, a
mass of muscle. His performances over the mile course,
and occasionally a little beyond it, are probably unsur-
passed : his winning the Stewards' cup at Goodwood,
carrying 9 st. 4 lbs., beating cleverly an immense field,
placing him at the top of the tree. His son ' Fox,' as
he was usually called, proved himself a first-class race-
horse ; for althouglf beaten for the Derby, he ran a very
good horse, although the course was by no means suited to
an animal of his shape and action, he being very much of
the same stamp as ' Fazzoletto,' and what might be termed
" top-heavy." He is, however, a fine specimen of the
246 TURF TOPICS.
racehorse^ and, with such running blood in his veins,
most likely to prove successful at the stud.
His dam proved her staying qualities, and ' Feu-de-
Joie/ winner of the Epsom, and Yorkshire Oaks, and of
the York cup, shows that although ' Longbow ' himself
(the most muscular, lengthy, and powerful horse I ever
saw, and on short legs), was a " miler," his stock can
stay; and there is no reason why 'Tox' should not
furnish Derby, Oaks, or St. Leger winners, should he get
a fair chance ; and if ever one owner more than another
deserved to v/in the three events, as well as breed the
winners, it is the noble proprietor of ' Toxophilite,^ whose
success would no doubt, upon all sides, be justly hailed
with ovations never before equalled, certainly never better
merited, as the victory of the greatest, gamest, and most
staunch sample of the noble, true, and thoroughbred
sportsman. If ' Tox^s ' sons prove their staying qualities
as well, they will do !
'Vedette.^
A rich brown horse, eleven years old, by ' Voltigeur;'
dam by ' Irish Birdcatcher,' out of ' Nan Darrell,^ by
inheritor,' out of 'Nell/ by 'Blacklock.'
The prejudices which are entertained by parties for
their respective favourites are various. I candidly confess
that my "weakness" is in favour of 'Vedette,' in pre-
ference to any untried sire of the present day (with one
exception, 'Dundee'), if exclusively confined to racing
purposes; although no doubt there are others, upon a
grander and more commanding scale, and preferable, as
fine specimens of the horse, in a general point of view.
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 247
My remarks are, however, principally confined to his merits
as a racehorse, and my belief is, that he is good-looking
enough in other respects.
With regard to his general conformation he is a very
fair-sized horse, with good length, standing about 15
hands 3 inches. Whatever his other merits may be,
however he may have occasionally suffered from a sort of
rheumatic affection (of the nature of which I am ignorant),
he made an impression on my mind which few others
ever did. Whatever his " private " trials may have been
(they are frequently mere moonshine), his "public" ones
satisfied me as to his excellence ; and I believe, without
exception, the best horse I ever saw gallop two miles
was ' Vedette.' I have seen old ' Harkaway,' ' Mount
Eagle,' ' Skylark,' ' Irish Birdcatcher,' ' Faugh-a-Ballagh,'
and many of the "stars" of bygone days, and from
childhood have made horses my study. I have never been
sanguine about the success of particular animals; on the
contrary, have been a believer in the old adage, "there
are as good fish in the sea as ever were caught ; " still,
when 'Vedette' was about to start I looked upon his
success as a foregone conclusion. Who that ever saw
true action (when set going), could exaggerate the beau-
tiful level stride of this animal, with the " propellers " so
regularly and powerfully doing their duty like a steam-
engine, when his superior, yet unassuming jockey,
Johnny Osborne, used to pass the winning chair,
sitting as cool as a cucumber, and returning to scale
amid the congratulations of the patrons of the " spots,"
and the public in general, with his usual imperturbable
countenance, while some of his scattered opponents were
straggling in, having found pursuit hopeless. True, he
248 TURF TOPICS.
was not in the Derby (a lucky circumstance for the lot) ;
even granting that, perhaps, it might not have proved
exactly the course for him : but take the " bunch " that
that ran in his year, and let them try conclusions with
' Vedette,' over York, Doncaster, or New^market racecourse,
even for the Derby distance, what would he have done
with the lot ? and if two miles, or " Csesarewitch distance,"
he must have won, "hands down as usual." A sheet
would have covered five or six of the front rank in that
Derby, and what earthly chance could such horses as
' Strathnaver,' * Anton,' &c., have had with the animal
in question ? ' Faugh-a-Ballagh,' according to the usual
nine-days' wonder principle, was believed by many to
have been the best horse ever foaled : for my part, if it
were possible that both could have met at even weights
over the Csesarewitch course in their best day, I verily
believe 'Vedette' would have won, notwithstanding the
wonderful opinion formed and run away with about the
great 'Wonder of Erin,' a great portion of the nine-
day fever originating in the fact that he was the first
Irish horse that ever won the St. Leger. His success
was like "Moses and Co.," the outfitters — well adver-
tised.
' Vedette ' not happening to be even entered for the
Derby, must consequently, according to the opinions of
some, be comparatively inferior. 'Faugh-a-Ballagh' only
beat ' The Cure ' by a head for the St. Leger, the latter
having swerved across the course : this horse not only won
his races, which were of the first order, and in which he
was opposed by the best of his day, but literally walked in.
Take his running in the 2000 guineas with 'Anton' and
others, and that of the latter in the Derby (although a
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 249
small horse), the mile being in his favour and against
'Vedette/ then, again, ' Saunterer's' form (not in the
Derby, as he was notoriously amiss) in the Cambridgeshire,
and the Goodwood cup, ought to convince any impartial
judge that ' Vedette ' was by far the best horse of his
year. It has been asserted by some that ' Skirmisher'
was nearly as good in private — he failed to prove it in
public : for when both met over York racecourse, and
ran in different interests, the result was a very hollow
affair indeed, for my pet won in his usual style; and
if my memory serves me, ' Saunterer ' formed one in
the field. Then if we look at ' Skirmisher's ' Ascot-
cup victory, it only confirms the fact, that in the great
' Blink Bonny ' year there was no horse within lengths
of 'Vedette,' especially over a reasonable distance of
ground. If there were one near him it was ' Sprig of
Shillelagh,' an overgrown two-years-old, that when dead
amiss, coughing, and meeting a serious accident ten days
previously, during which time he was physicked and walk-
ing, beat ' Blink Bonny ' at Chester. Whatever the suc-
cess of this animal at stud may be, my opinion of his
superiority as a racehorse will remain unaltered, and I
believe he will (with a fair chance), as certain as I pen
these remarks, prove more successful at stud than his
sire. Notwithstanding the fact that his dam is by ' Irish
Birdcatcher,' my selection of blood in mares to cross
with ' Vedette ' would be ' Touchstone,' ' Sweetmeat,'
'King Tom,' and 'Orlando.'
' VOLTIGEUR.*
A brown horse, eighteen years old, by ' Voltaire,' out
250 TURF TOPICS.
of 'Martha Lynn;' by 'Mulatto/ out of 'Leda/ by
' Filho da Puta/
It appears strange that parties should pick out this
horse to condemn and disparage, for as far as his blood
is taken into consideration it cannot be excelled : his per-
formances are a matter of record. One of the few horses
that won the " double event/' Derby and St. Leger, and
the only animal that ever vanquished * The Flying Dutch-
man/ His colour is a beautiful rich dark brown, with
legs like jet, plenty of size, and racing shape; in short
he has, both on the racecourse and at stud, given such
unmistakable proofs of his quality that further remarks
are quite superfluous. Probably those who find fault
with ' Voltigeur,' or his blood, on either side, either as a
racehorse or at stud, would favour the public by explain-
ing what may be their definition or ideas of a racphorse
and his blood, and what they ought to be. No doubt
his stock are remarkable for their fine, improving, and
staying qualities, but it by no means follows that they are
so deficient in speed, although the former may be and
is their admitted forte ; and a very good one it is, and
seldom found in other strains. I have previously re-
ferred to the crosses with this blood elsewhere.
* Warlock.'
A roan bay horse, twelve years old, by ' Irish Bird-
catcher;' dam 'Elphine,' by 'Emilius,' out of 'Varia-
tion ' (winner of the Oaks in 1830), by ' Bustard.'
The sire of this horse, and the sire of his dam,
stood each at the figure of fifty guineas, demonstrating
the high estimation in which they were held. He won
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 251
the Doncaster St. Leger, and from his high breeding
ought to prove successful at the stud. He is an average-
sized animal, his great peculiarity being in his colour,
which he takes from his sire ; with, however, much more
of the grey or " silver " hau-s than are usually found in
the other descendants of 'Irish Birdcatcher.'
'Wild Dayrell.'
A brown horse, thirteen years old, by 'Ion;' dam
'Ellen Middleton,' by 'Bay Middleton; ' grandam 'Myrrha/
by 'Malek;' great-grandam 'Bessy,' by 'Young Gouty,'
* Grandiflora,' by ' Sir Harry Dimsdale.'
To describe the general outline and shapes of this
magnificent animal is a task which, I candidly confess, has
been better accomplished by some of those gentlemen who
have already offered their useful, and unquestionably ex-
perienced hints, to the admirers of horseflesh. In common
with most people, I always like to see a fine specimen of
the lacehorse ; and do not hesitate to state that I never
beheld the superior of ' Wild Dayrell,' as far as his out-
line and general formation — (although there are others
with more muscular development and greater power) —
putting aside his performances in toto. Take him, as he
walked beside the 1600-guineas 'Jack Sheppard' (who
was purchased to lead him to work) on the morning of the
Derby on Epsom Downs. A casual passei'-by would fancy
he was looking at a horse and a pony ; there was as much
difference in their length and size as between a railway-
train returning from a race-meeting and a donkey's cart.
Poor ' Jack Shepherd,' as he walked beside his magnifi-
cent companion, had all the appearance of having been
252 TURF TOPICS.
well kept to his work ; and certainly bore evidence against
the supposition, " Jack's as good as his master." ' Wild
Dayrell/ with his grand, lengthy walk and stride, showed
an almost indescribable superiority in comparison to
poor Jack, who looked as if he had been carrying his
namesake, and hunted to death for a month by a troop of
dragoons.
The contrast in his size, shape, and action, even with
those of his opponent, ' Lord of the Isles,' was very pecu-
liar ; the former being of that grand, unequalled length,
stride, and sweeping style ; while the latter is, in point of
fact, although a true-shaped, muscalai-, and well-knit
racehorse, of a totally different stamp : in action, likewise,
very dissimilar. On the morning of the race, as already
mentioned, the two opponents reminded one of a grey-
hound and a hare ; so much so, that previous to the race
I told a party, who informed me that he stood to win a
large sum on ' Lord of the Isles,' " that he had as much
chance of beating * Wild Dayrell' on that day, as he (the
backer) had of being Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland." The
fact was, 'Lord of the Isles' could hardly move; having
been evidently suffering from the effects of sore shins ;
and had not recovered his severe race for the 2000 guineas
with ' St. Hubert.' To compare any horse of the present
day, as far as outline and general racing appearance, to
' Wild Dayrell,' is, with great deference to those who
differ, a mistake. If he could be improved upon (and I
believe no horse ever was foaled that could not be), it
might be as to the formation of his hocks and hind-
quarters, as to strength and position, in proportion
to his frame : but animals of his great length and
general outline are seldom so well " turned undei-,"
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 253
in that respect, as those compact and moderate-sized
horses; such as the 'Touchstones/ ' Birdcatchers/ and
' Sweetmeats/
* Wild DayrelP bears, in many respects, a striking re-
semblance to that fine sample of the racehorse, 'Bay
Middleton,' his grandsire on the dam's side ; and if the
former had the hind-quarters and form of ' Leamington,'
in that respect he would be perfect.
The fine mixtures of various strains of blood, which
flow in his veins, cannot be surpassed; and contrast
strangely with the in-and-in system of the present day ;
his size bearing proof, to a great extent, tlmt the latter
course tends to diminish the powers and size : an opinion
which has heretofore been entertained by many, although
hardly borne out by specimens in the present day.
As to 'Wild Dayrell's' success for the Derby, the fact
is he won, and could have won, when, where, and how
he hked. In my opinion, he would have won with 8 st.
7 lbs., the rest 7st.; the second being a slow, game, but
moderate animal.
The 'Ion' blood is most valuable, both for speed and
stoutness; he was himself a first-class racehorse, havino-
won the Clearwell and other stakes ; and ran second to
'Amato' for the Derby; beating 'Grey Momus ' and
others : and second to ' Don John ' for the Doncaster St.
Leger; beating ' Lanercost ' and others. His son, ' Ionian,'
ran second to ' Orlando ' for the Derby.
'Pelion' (his son) was a first-class horse, especially
for a mile; and 'Poodle' (own brother to 'Pelion') was
a very game one. 'Buccaneer ' and others also prove its
value. On the dam's side, the ' Bay Middleton ' strain has
been well tested and proved ; instance ' The Flying Dutch-
254 TURF TOPICS.
man/ ' Andover/ ' Anton/ ^ The Hermit ' (winner of the
2000 guineas), ' Fly-by- Night ' a much better horse than
generally supposed^ although not on a large scale, but a long,
low, deep-girthed one; who afforded such unmistakable
proof of what a little time will accomplish in condition :
his running ia the Derby and at Ascot within three weeks,
to wit. He showed great speed up the Choking Hill on
Epsom Downs, when 'Bartholomew,' in black, appeared
one hvmdred yards ahead, although as far behind at the
finish. Had the Derby been run during Ascot week,
there would have been few, if any, before bim.
' Wild Dayrell ' has produced several winners, as set
forth — 'Avalanche,' 'Hurricane,' 'Buccaneer/ 'Horror,'
' Dusk,' ' Tornado,' ' Wild Agnes,' and several others ;
besides some reported flyers in the back-ground. Still
this horse, considering the chances he has had, has not, so
far, proved a nonpareil.
'Windhound/
A brown horse, eighteen years old, by ' Pantaloon ; '
dam ' Phryne,' by 'Touchstone;' gi'andam 'Decoy,' by
'Filho da Puta ;' great-grandam * Finesse,' by 'Peruvian.'
There can hardly be a doubt as to this horse's being
the sire of ' Thormanby,' for the reasons before mentioned.
His relationship to that running family, ' Hobbie Noble,'
' The Reiver,' and 'Elthiron' (his own brothers), as also
the fact of his being a son of ' Pantaloon,' and his dam
by ' Touchstone,' should recommend him to the notice of
breeders. He never started, having met with an accident,
but was tried and believed to be a Rood horse.
the sires of the past and present day. 255
'Yellow Jack/
A chestnut horse^ twelve years old, by ' Irish Bird-
catcher ;' dam '^ Jamaica/ by 'Liverpool/ out of ' Preserve/
There can hardly be a greater proof of the " glorious
uncertainty'^ of the turf than that furnished upon re-
ference to the career of this horse, probably unexampled
for disappointments, he having run second for the Derby,
second for the Chester cup, besides his other engage-
ments. Had he been " fii-st'^ upon these occasions, what
an extraordinary difference it would have made ! not
only as to the amount which would have been won by
stakes, &c., but as to his celebrity subsequently as a sire.
It seems strange, how frequently breeders become pre-
judiced in favour of absolute winners of such races, disre-
garding in toto the merits of " seconds/' and overlooking
many valuable qualities in which the latter, in numerous
respects, even excel their victors. Here is an animal,
comparatively speaking, unpatronised, because he did not
absolutely win all his engagements; and at the same time
he possesses many good points as to shape, as well as
most fashionable strains of blood, which should entitle
him to the notice of breeders. He is of good size, length,
and very racing-like in his general contour. He could
stay beyond question, and was, although unfortunately
notorious for " seconds/' a very game horse ; as was also
' Cariboo,' his half-brother, who could run for a month.
It is, however, impossible that many valuable and
promising sires, in the present day, can have a fair chance,
the country being overrun with indifferent stallions and
bad judges, who look to pence and throw away pounds.
' Yellow Jack ' cost when a yearling, at auction, one thou-
256 TURF TOPICS,
sand guineas, and looked as well worth the money as any
yearling ever sold.
'ZuYDER Zee.'
A dark-bay horse, eleven years old, by ' Orlando ; '
dam ' Barbelle' (dam of ' Flying Dutchman,' ' Van
Tromp/ &c.), by ' Sandbeck.'
Probably few sires are more deserving of notice than
this one ; and, although the last in the alphabet, is by
no means less worthy of the support of breeders, or less
likely to become a first-class sire ; for although he was
not blessed with the best of tempers, still it can in him
hardly be looked upon as natural to his family on either
side — quite the contrary; and may have had its origin in
very trifling, although common circumstances. Nor is
such a drawback so hereditary in the sire as in the dam.
That he was a first-class racehorse cannot be denied ; that
he comes from running families, both on the side of sire
and dam, is equally true. In shape he is a remarkably
handsome racehorse all over, with good size, length, and
substance ; and was an exceedingly sound animal, training
on and lasting, with good clean legs : his colour a beau-
tiful rich dark bay. His performances were of the first
class, having beaten, amongst other good horses, and car-
rying heavy weights, ' Saunterer,' ' Gemma di Vergy,' &c.
He won the Chesterfield cup at Goodwood, carrying the
top weight ; the Fitzwilliam stakes at Doncaster, carrying
9 St. 6 lbs.; theGranby handicap, cai'rying list. 4 lbs., &c.;
and ended his racing career, at six years old, as few others
ever do, perfectly sound.
There can be no possible reason why ' Zuyder Zee'
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY.
257
should not prove a first-class stallion ; and, to my mind,
few others are more deserving of patronage.
The following would appear the best representatives
of their tried sires, and most likely to distinguish them-
selves at stud ; —
Chanticleer Vengeance.
Ethelbert Big Ben.
Faugh-a-Ballagh Leamington.
Flying Dutchman Ellington and Amsterdam.
Irish Birdcatcher Yellow Jack.
Kingston Caractacus.
Longbow Toxophilite.
Lord, of the Isles Dundee.
Melbourne Oulston, Prime Minister, and Cannobie,
Nabob Nutbourne.
Newminster Lord Clifden.
Orlando Crater, Fazzolctto, and Zuyder Zee.
Rataplan Kettledrum.
Sir Hercules Gunboat, Lifeboat, and Gemma di
Vergy.
Stockwell Asteroid, Blair Athol, Marquis, St. Al-
bans, and Thunderbolt.
Sweetmeat Macaroni and Sweetsauce.
Van Tromp Van Galen.
Voltigeur Vedette and Cavendish.
Weatherbit Beadsman.
Wild Dayrell Buccaneer and Horror.
In addition to the above, there are several young
stallions more likely to prove successful if they get a
fair chance, than they are to obtain that chance; amongst
others, ' Adamas,' ' Cannobie,^ * Drogheda,' ' Horror,'
' Marionette,' ' Marsyas,' ' M.D.,' ' Mainstone,' ' Sed-
bury ' (a nice horse), ' Sugar-Plum,' ' Vengeance,' by
' Chanticleer ' (one of the nicest and best horses of the
s
258 TURF TOPICS.
lot), and ' Lambourne,' a beau ideal of a racehorse, if on
a larger scale ; but he is multum in parvo — all muscle,
and a "beauty.'^
Having glanced over a few sires which most take my
fancy, and without drawing any invidious comparisons
— on the contrary, admitting that there may be many
others equally desirable — I have merely to add that, ac-
cording to the official returns, there are not more than
about 2200 thoroughbred mares at stud at present ; those
statistics being compiled with great care and labour : the
number of sires being about 300 — some of them having
their subscriptions full. Then, how can the others pos-
sibly have a fair chance, and how can they pay ? To
this fact may be traced the causes of now and then
finding a really good animal set down as the produce of
an unfashionable sire. Why unfashionable ? Because he
has not done impossibilities — got racehorses without the
chance of doing so !
It really seems strange that people who take such a
deep interest in breeding should confine their attention
and remarks almost exclusively to the merits of the sire,
in many cases totally disregarding those of the dam.
How often are wretched brutes sent to valuable sires !
And what is the consequence? The owner of the sire
has frequently the gratification (?) of hearing, — "Oh,
there is a pretty specimen of So-and-So^s stock!"
" The cross docs not suit ! " &c. I know a pai'ty who
is at this moment hiring stallions, and, in my opinion,
he has as good of his own, if not better !
To what are the causes of failure frequently attri-
butable, although the crossing, the value of animals, and
in a great measure the lottery of breeding, are overlooked ?
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 259
Some arc half-fed; some half- starved ; some stall-fed,
like oxen, and never exercised, although called upon
at so early an age to display their agility and freedom of
action. It is positively amusing to behold the speci-
mens that are bred by some persons; yet if one were
candidly to give his opinion to the proprietors, he would
seriously jeopardise his chance of an invitation to dinner:
for few like to hear their horse abused, although many
remain silent listeners to the slander of their absent
friends by the tongue of the dastardly maligner.
The fact is, that horse-breeding, like horse-racing, is
to a great extent a game of chance. But how in reason
can a stallion, getting perhaps half-a-dozen mares (half
the number being brutes), be expected to produce as
many good animals as those fashionable ones (some of
the latter, taking their chances into consideration, perfect
impostors)? Then, again, the "rage" is all after cer-
tam picked ones; and during the temporary "mania,"
which recent success on the turf may have caused, in
favour of a young beginner, he may be deserted because
he did not at once prove successful at stud ! Take, for
instance, ' Marsyas,' the vanquisher of ' King Tom ' at
two years old; where is there a nicer-bred horse ? Was
he not a racehorse ? His stock are very large and power-
ful; for example, 'Money-Spinner,' out of a mare that I
sold to the proprietor of the magnificent monster stud at
Middle Park ; ' Calcavella,' by ' Irish Birdcatcher,' out of
' Burgundy's' dam ; for although she did not produce well
to other sires, still, owing to the patience of the breeder of
' Caractacus,' she, as well as ' Marsyas/ furnished one
that could run.
Amongst the su-es of the day we have some very
260 TURF TOPICS.
fine specimens, yet differing wonderfully in character
and shape generally, each breed resembling the other in
their particular peculiarities and qualities : for instance,
' Stockwell/ ' Rataplan/ ' St. Albans/ ' Thunderbolt/
' Kettledrum/ ' The Marquis/ and many others, descend-
ants of ' The Baron,' are remarkable for their immense
fine frame and substance ; being, in fact, mountains of
muscle, like ' Nutbourne,' who is of a similar class, as
well as ' Big Ben,' and other sons of ' Ethelbcrt.' Then
we find horses of a totally different stamp, yet by no
means inferior as racehorses, being more lengthy and
racing-like to the eye at first sight : there are others
differing from both, being the really true-made racehorse,
of medium size, with great symmetry, fine racing points,
level made, not possessing too much power in one respect
and deficient therein in others, rendering the former
more injurious than beneficial. ' Lord of the Isles,'
' Newminster/ ' Voltigeur,' ' Vedette,' ' Beadsman,' ' Ca-
ractacus,' ' Cavendish,' ' Crater,' and others, come under
this class; and again, of the lengthy, slashing, race-
horse style, ' Wild Dayrell,' ' Leamington/ ' Thor-
manby,' ' Buccaneer,' and ' Dundee.' ' Toxophilite,'
son of the splendid 'Longbow/ is one of those, like
' Fazzoletto,' and others — great, large animals, presenting
the appearance of being top-heavy and unwieldy, demon-
strating the fact " that they run in all shapes." Still,
I incline to think they are more frequently racehorses,
and stay longest, and that their legs last and wear better,
when they are of medium size — "long and low."
Some people purchase racehorses like victuallers in an
oxen marl<et, by weight. With respect to crosses, and
the arriving at conclusions that particular ones suit, I ap-
THE SIRES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT DAY. 261
prehend that the proper way to test that point is to take
the cases where the fo'st -class racehorse has been the pro-
duce ; for, in my humble opinion, if all the crack sires of
the present day and all the brood mares were turned loose
into a park, and the produce taken up and trained,
amongst the number would be found plenty as good as
all the skill of some breeders has furnished : for really
their failures, taking into consideration the number of
animals they breed, are marvellous. Any boy who has
learned the rule of three must know, that if a mare by
' Sweetmeat' has produced by a son of ' Touchstone' the
best horse of his year, that she is, consequently, likely to
produce another good one by the same sire ; still it does
not follow that, because that produce was the best of his
day, he might not be improved upon : for it might be
like the little schoolboy, who informed his father that he
was " third " in his class, but, unfortunately for the
father's pride, it turned out that there were only "three''
in it.*
As to in-and-in breeding, every day proves that it is
moonshine to object to it, until somebody furnishes proofs
against it. As to size and staying, let us look at the
best performers of the day ; amongst others ' Asteroid,'
* Upon the subject of turning stallions and mares into a field,
a curious experiment was tried by myself and a friend in the
following manner, and in consequence of the following scene: —
A neighbour of mine, who was owner of a stallion, happened to
witness 'Mountain Deer' (when he had just been put to stud, and
was very difficult to command), break loose from his groom, and the
men in charge of the mare let her head free, which caused a scene
that appeared likely to terminate in certain injury to either, or
both, if not prove fatal to one. Upon speaking of it, I agreed, after
some difference on the subject, to try the experiment, he providing
the sire and I the mare ; and the result plainly proved that
263 TURF TOPICS.
one of the very finest specimens, and one tliat can run
any distance.*
Shape is the principal point to have regard to in order
to amend faults of sire or dam ; and almost every person
who likes a horse, and has any experience, knows what
good shapes are. The grand secret is to know when they
are properly put together, and to discover where the screw
is loose in the machinery which renders the whole useless.
In my opinion, many persons fail in breeding and amend-
ing faults in large mares, by breeding from overlarge sires,
or vice versa; in fact, by endeavouring to amend defects
on either side by having recourse to too many counter-
balancing requisites.
Having thus endeavoured to place before the reader
certain remarks, which I trust may prove of some service
at least, and hoping he will make allowance for any errors
which may have crept in, or delusions under which the
writer may labour — a failing to which all men are more
or less liable — I have only to conclude these notes by
trusting that they have been rendered in at least an intel-
ligible manner, and that the advice of the poet has been
taken, —
" In fine, to whatsoever you aspire,
Let it be simple and entire."
nothing whatever occurred more than if they had been reared
together. Both were turned out loose into a large field, although
the sire had been stabled, and they were not permitted even to see
each other previously, the mare being left far off in the field, the
horse (a racehorse) turned perfectly loose. The accident re-
ferred to was the more likely to end injuriously, the mare being
" hobbled," and having fallen down, as well as the sire — some-
what resembling a Spanish bull-fight.
* If some of those enterprising breeders should feel disposed
to improve upon the in-and-in system, &c., they might succeed,
like Christopher Columbus.
263
BROOD MAUES.
" Oft expectation fails, and most oft there
Where most it promises ; and oft it hits
Where hope is coldest, and despair most sits."
There can be little doubt that the object of all classes
following the pursuit of horseracing or breeding, is to
bring to perfection, as nearly as possible, their efforts to
produce the best animals. The question, therefore, for
consideration is simply, how they are to accomplish it ?
The brood mare is the foundation upon which success
principally depends — the fountain from which it must
flow; it therefore becomes necessary to observe every
caution in order to carry out the wishes of the breeder,
and bearing in mind the very great competition in the
present day, as also the very remunerative prices paid for
first-class yearlings, &c., the breeder with capital should
not hesitate to invest in the best animals possible (and if
he have not capital, leave it alone), for the expenses of keep
are quite as heavy, no matter what their quality or value
may be ; and as the country is overrun with moderately
classed ones, they hardly can be expected to pay, for,
taking into consideration the chances of missing and
other losses, exclusive of the regular expenses attending
264 TURF TOPICS.
them, it really requires a yearling to realise a pretty round
price to the owner to make amends for the disappoint-
ments and expenses attending breeding. At the same
time the prices sometimes paid for untried brood mares
(because they are fashionably bred, and have proved win-
ners) are quite absurd ; the long purse frequently taking
the place of practical knowledge or real judgment : for
there are some who follow this pursuit who will not be
instructed, through prejudice or obstinacy, more some-
times through the absence of natural taste or judgment,
verifying the fact that, —
*' Some men in life assume a part
For which no talent they possess,
Yet wonder that, with all their art,
They meet no better with success."
Then my advice to a beginner is to select the brood
mare from the most fashionable, and, of all things, the most
running families, with constitution, shapes, youth, temper,
and speed. The question then is — How is a purchaser to
select a brood mare ? That query is answered thus, — Deal
or try where you will, at best it is a lottery ; but in order
to reduce the risk as far as possible, the reader should
adopt the following course : —
The running blood on both sides ; and there we find
them in all shapes. Some are prejudiced in favour of large
mares (generally termed " roomy " mares), and the idea is
right to a certain extent ; but, assuming that the owner is
desirous to breed a " racehorse," my opinions are hereafter
conveyed as to the sort of mare from which he should elect
to breed. Tall mares are not the more desirable because
they are tall : as a general rule, the deep-girdled, large-
BROOD MARES. 265
bodiedj sliort-legged marCj with wide hips and length, of
moderate height — say fifteen hands and a half (many
first-class and tried mares have not exceeded fifteen hands),
if anything resembling, when in stud form, more the
draught mare than the light thorough-bred — is the sort to
breed from : for instance, a better illustration could hardly
be afforded than old ' Echidna/ dam of ' The Baron,' (sire
of ' StockwelF and ' Rataplan'), who was more like an
animal that had been drawing a float or an omnibus all
her life, than breeding St. Leger winners, as she walked
about the paddocks at Jockey Hall, with a head like a
fiddle-case, with room for the bow on each side in the
shape of a pair of ears, which her owner was so wont to
explain as extraordinary and peculiar to her family, as to
the manner in which they were set on, a peculiarity best
seen when standing exactly in front of her descendants ; to-
gether with the prominent forehead so apparent in ' Stock-
well,' &c. as in his sire. There was 'Echidna/ the
daughter of ' Economist,' the dam of * The Baron,' and
his own brother ' Bandy,' who afibrded so curious a proof
of the freaks of nature — foaled a cripple, without the use
of his hocks, literally resting on the ground, like a hare in
her form, and about to be destroyed, yet grew up, with
time and strength, until the malformation almost entirely
disappeared, and he subsequently proved the sire of race-
horses. And why not? It was not hereditary; it was
simply " a freak of nature ! " One might as well argue,
that because the mare exhibited some thirty years ago at
Donnybrook fair and elsewhere had eic/ht legs, all her
produce should, as a natural consequence, have the same
number. There was never a greater mistake than to sup-
pose that breeding, no matter how scientifically carried
266 TURF TOPICS.
out, is not a lottery ; still, much depends upon many
incidental circumstances^ which are frequently taken no
notice of.
Before digressing from the subject of shape, I wish
to refer to a stamp of mare (before partly referred to), of
which I am particularly fond, and recommend the reader
not to disregard, viz. the short-legged, moderately-sized
animal, as to height, &c.; with good shoulders and
plenty of length, and otherwise possessing the necessary
shapes of the racehorse (elsewhere described), especially
avoiding a short neck, which I detest in any horse or
mare. From the form described many first-class animals
have been bred, and it has only to be tried to be proved to
the satisfaction of any dubious breeder ; for, to my mind,
want of average size is frequent on the part of the sire.
In proof of which I could mention many cases, having
seen more of the finest horses (certainly the most level
and racing-like), not only in class as racehorses, but with
good size, the sons of such mares. Most assuredly the
great, tall, weak-leggy animal, seldom if ever comes from
the mare described. Whereas a mare of moderate size, of
say fifteen and an inch, with substance, will produce by a
stallion of say sixteen hands, an animal as to size a medium
between the two, without the top-heavy appearance, &c.
In my opinion, many mistakes are made in breeding from
those over-fine or over-large mares, with very large sires.
The produce may be extremely large in proportion, still we
seldom see those horses over-good, finish, stay, or wear as
long as the other stamp. They are generally top-heavy,
and finish " like a ship in a storm." It is said, " a
good big one will beat a good little one." True : but
how many are there in proportion ?
BROOD MARES. 267
The next necessary qualification calling for the atten-
tion of the breeder is "temper;" a recommendation
essentially requisite, for there is hardly one failing more
hereditary. We seldom find mares that have been na-
turally bad-tempered or fretful that were not, to use a
racing term, ''soft-hearted jades" during their career on
the turf — a drawback which their produce too frequently
inherit. No matter how game the sire may be, his re-
putation frequently becomes injured through the pi'oduce
showing the softness of the dam. With regard to
temper, I have observed that bad-tempered mares are
more frequently chestnut than of any ether colour.
A difference of opinion exists as to whether the pro-
duce takes, as a general rule, more after the sire or the
dam ; many persons believe the latter to be the case :
in which opinion I concur, especially where the constitu-
tion of the mare is strong and unimpaired, and has not
been affected by disease, heavy distemper, or over-training :
that is to say, the produce, as to perfections or imperfec-
tions in shape, colour, and temper, as well as the other
qualities, will, in the majority of instances, more resemble
the dam than the sire; yet not unfrequently, through
freaks of nature, will bear a much greater resemblance
to some of their ancestors, as far removed, perhaps, as
two or three generations : for instance, as to colour, we
frequently find a black colt or filly by a chestnut or bay
sire and dam : in which case the anxious owner diligently
seeks and traces back the pedigree, being naturally de-
sirous to ascertain " where the colour " comes from ; and
he, no doubt, believes the produce "takes after" the
most " distinguished " of his ancestors. For instance, one
would naturally assume that ' Saunterer,' a black horse,
268 TURF TOPICS.
inherited his colour from 'Sir Hercules^ (his grandsire).
Another instance is ' Thormanby ' (whose sires, ' Mel-
bourne^ or ' Windhound;' the former was bay, the latter
brown; his dam, 'Alice Hawthorne/ bay): one would
fancy he took his colour from ' Pantaloon,' sire of ' Wind-
hound;' a horse of the very same colour.
The most important question to be considered, and,
as far as possible, to be solved, is, how far that admitted
fact, that " like begets like," holds good iu breeding
racehorses; and what perfections and imperfections are
most hereditary ? Let us take, for example, the cases of
the "mule'' and the "jennet." The former, as eveiy-
body knows, is the produce of a mare by an ass; the
latter, that of a mare-ass by a horse, or pony. Then, do
they not bear testimony, to a great extent, in favour of
the argument, that the produce, in the usual course of
horse-breeding, must follow more the qualities of the
dam ? for it can hardly be argued that the colour of the
mule, which, in ninety-nine cases out of one hundred, is
brown, or the darkest bay, is not that of the dam : the
dark-brown ass being seldom seen, in proportion to the
other. Then as to the jennet, it has always more of the
black streaks or stripes on the arms and legs, and along
the back, than the mule — a further illustration and proof
in favour of the dam; the colour invariably being of a
lighter hue, more approaching that of the ass.
Then, again, as to size; who ever saw a jennet as large
as a mule ? the latter being occasionally as large as a
horse. It is equally true that the jennet is invariably got
by a small pony. Moreover, we have seen even racehorses
with the dark streak along the back, when the colour is
bay, either light or dark, approaching that of the jennet.
BROOD MARES. 2G9
And where we find a sort of cream^ mealy^ bay colour,
those streaks become more numerous and marked, upon
the arms especially, resembling the zebra. I had one,
many years ago ; and, curiously enough, he was not only
thus marked, but appeared to have a most peculiar
temper, resembling in his ways and acts the mule in
many respects, with wonderful endurance : and although
he was marked exactly like, and of the precise colour of
the jennet, still he was an average-sized horse, of about
fifteen-and-a-half hands high. It has been stated that
the produce of a mare, having previously had produce by
an ass, has been known to have borne the marks and
streaks referred to for several seasons subsequently, which
have gradually died out. There is one thing quite cer-
tain, we frequently find even racehorses with the black
streak along their back, even to the very root of the tail :
' Wild Huntsman,' by ' Harkaway,' for instance — (not
that I mean to insinuate anything derogatory to 'The
Huntsman,' who was a very good horse, indeed) — and
there are many others besides with this peculiarity.
It a well-known and proved fact, that there is nothing
like the tried brood mai'e, of fashionable running family ;
still, admitting the fact, it is not so easy to become pos-
sessed of them without paying, in many instances, exor-
bitant prices : therefore, a beginner would do well to
secure some of the descendants, say daughters, of such
mares, provided they have no drawback and are sound,
and got by horses of running and fashionable blood. For
it is truly astonishing how frequently owners put such
valuable mai'cs to brutes of no pretensions either to first-
class strains or running family. The "poison" thus
sown does more mischief than at first imagined, and it
270 TURF TOPICS.
requires generations of superior crossing to eradicate it.
As to shape and size, as before remarked, plenty of length,
with stiength combined, about fifteen-and-a-half bands
high, neither too short nor too long in the leg, with good
length of " arm,'' and muscular, although appearing to
the eye at first sight, and when in stud form, rather
shorter in the leg than otherwise ; with good, clean sinews,
and sound, well-formed feet : for there is nothing more
fatal nor hereditary than small, contracted feet, which
render the finest animal, in other respects, worthless.*
.Although the plain-looking mare of plenty of sub-
stance is the one to choose, still, with the " plain" appear-
ance through the frame, the quality will be found in the
head, neck, and shoulders of the well-bred mare; although
some of the best blood, when at stud, present the appear-
ance of common draught mares, being a peculiarity to
their respective breeds. And I confess that I, for one, am
not an admirer of those over-pretty-headed animals for
pecuniary purposes, however useful and desirable they
may be for Rotten How. 'Teddington^ was the pret-
tiest-headed horse I ever saw for a good one. I have seen
few " pony-headed horses " of the first class. Give me a
* A friend of mine had bred for seven years from a very fine and
well-bred mare, and had put her to several different sires, and yet
the produce were all literally useless for any purpose. In speaking
with him on the subject, and offering to purchase her, he accepted
of fifty pounds as her price. I had not seen her during her
career at stud, but when delivered she was in a wretched condi-
tion — a perfect skeleton. Having given her every care during
the winter, and put her to ' Mountain Deer,' she produced the
following years two colts, both of which turned out very good
racehorses, the dam herself growing into a splendid mare, her
former owner absolutely not knowing her the following year.
BROOD MARES. 271
clean, good, bony head, of fair size and average beauty ;
with a sensible, steady eye, clear and bright, and not
flighty ; for nothing shows signs of the temper more than
the eye, especially in mares. Although we sometimes
find those wiry, light mares, successful at stud, still, as a
general rule, the others are the sort, especially to breed
stout stock. A tall, leggy, overgrown mare, is by no
means the class of animal to breed from : for their stock
invariably, though possessing height, and, at first sight,
of commanding appearance, do not represent the level,
muscular, and equally-proportioned points of the true-
made racehorse ; but when trained, and the flesh neces-
sarily reduced, frequently turn out top-heavy, weak,
and worthless, not possessing the stamina of animals
bred from the class of mares before described. As
an instance of the success at stud of mares of the
stamp referred to, ' Clari ' was a most striking one. She
was the property of the late Mr. Watts, who bred ' The
Baron,^ and other goodJiorses, This little mare produced
by ' Magpie ' (son of ' Young Blacklock '), ' Chat,^ ' Chat-
terer,' 'Chit-Chat,' 'Chatterbox,' and 'Third of May,'
and others, all of fine size, and good runners. She re-
sembled more a little hack-mare than the dam of race-
horses.
However prejudiced the writer may be in favour of the
moderate-sized mare as a general rule, he by no means denies
that the produce of a large mare, provided she be equally
proportioned, is not more desirable, and in certain in-
stances more likely to turn out " first-raters,'' the produce
of such mares being invariably very good or very mode-
rate. These remarks merely refer to the class of mare
which produces most frequently good stock.
272 TURF TOPICS.
With regard to the mare that has proved herself of the
first class during her racing career, let us contrast the pro-
bable success of her produce, and, for argument sake,
take any of the first class of the present day that have
so distinguished themselves; put those mares to the
crack sires of the day : then, on the other hand, select an
equal number of the daughters of such mares, assuming
that they are fresh, sound, and of equally fashionable and
running blood on their sires' side, and possessing the
average shapes, &c., yet, through accident or other causes,
may not have ever started, or perhaps ever have been
trained. What would be the chances against the produce
of the young ones as a lot, beating those of the old, by
the same sires, taking for granted that there was no draw-
back as to breeding and shapes on the side of the young
mares, and assuming that their dams had not previously
produced winners ? I, for one, would select the produce
of the young ones in preference ; and why ? Because we
have innumerable instances where mares that have been
the best of their day as racehorses, have proved the most
signal failures at stud; and, at the same time, we have
seen the best runners the produce of mares of no note as
racehorses. And why ? Because the constitution and sys-
tem of the old and valued servant has been too frequently
impaired ; and if she does produce a son or daughter
worthy of her, it does not frequently happen until she
has had considerable time to recover her lost natural
vigour of constitution, which seldom entirely returns : yet
she hands down to her offspring, in the young fresh mare,
her racing qualities, as far at least as blood, shape, &c.,
unimpaired by excessive exercise or over-drawn develop-
ment necessarily attending her racing career. Take old
BROOD MARES. 273
^ Beeswing/ for instance ; one would have expected the
best vintage from her alliance with ' Sir Hercules/ yet,
although the produce was ' Old Port/ it was not good; as
also ' Lord Fauconberg/ by ' Irish Birdcatcher/ out of
' Alice Hawthorne.' Then, of more recent date, we find
those magnificent mares, ' Maid of Masham,^ ' Virago, '
'Lady Evelyn,^ and many others, comparative failures; next
that extraordinary mare ' Crucifix,' although she did pro-
duce one first-class horse, ' Surplice,' still her other pro-
duce being so very inferior, with the exception of ' Cowl,'
one could hardly arrive at any other conclusion than that,
to a very great extent, it had its origin in the exhaustion
of the constitution. Suppose that she or any other of the
dams of celebrated horses, having, like her, done so much
work upon the turf, had, from accident or other causes,
never been trained at all ; there cannot be a shadow of
doubt that the produce would have been even superior, and
the dams WQuld have lasted longer, and produced more
successful stock.
Moreover, one of the reasons why more winners are
descended from those mares of celebrity on the turf than
many other untried ones, is this ; that owners more fre-
quently give them every chance than they do to others
less celebrated, although probably better adapted for the
purposes of breeding. How many valuable mares have
never had any chance ? I have, on many occasions, even
in the Hansom cabs of London, been struck with the
shapes, qualities, and other recommendations of mares, and
in some instances taken the trouble to ascertain all par-
ticulars relating to their antecedents, when they have
turned out to be some of the best blood in England. If
I were asked to-morrow to select one hundred mares (not
T
274 TUllF TOPICS.
confining the order to thorough-brecl alone, but for gene-
ral purposes to improve the breed of useful horses), the
post I should select would be the thoroughfares of Lon-
don. I have seen some extraordinarily well- shaped and
useful mares in those cabs. The idea may appear far-
fetched; yet the fact is so. On the subject of constitution,
I would simply recommend the breeder cautiously to avoid
any mare that does not possess a thoroughly sound and
unimpaired one ; for let their racing merit have been
ever so great, they are literally useless for breeding if
they are not thoroughly sound in this respect. Many
a time I have remarked, that the dams of "really
good horses" feed much better than others (one of
the best proofs of sound constitution in any animal) ;
indeed I have known some that appeared never to cease,
and moreover, showed it ; which is not always the case.
On the other hand, there are mares naturally of fine frame
and substance ; in short, everything to look at that
the most fastidious judge could wish for — apparently
full of flesh and vigour — and yet they are in reality
impaired in constitution ; and although their produce
may, like themselves, have an outward show of health
and condition (although not good feeders), you will
find them either diminutive in size and substance, in
proportion to the dam, sire, and ancestors, or otherwise
deficient in staying powers or endurance ; and this rule
will apply equally to the produce of mares or sires that
may have for years produced the finest stock, and possessed
the soundest constitutions, but, becoming worn out by age
and natural causes, have ceased to retain that power and
vigour necessary in the brood mare. Even here there are
exceptional cases, such as 'Faugh-a-Ballagh's' dam.
BROOD MARES. 275
' Guiccioli/ who was far beyond twenty years old when
she produced him ; and according to the records of bi*eed-
ing and racing nominations, subsequently had not only
produce, but produced twins — a colt and a filly — own
brother and sister to ' Faugh-a-Ballagh/ (as if a halo of
glory had been cast around her by the success of her
renowned son), neither of which, however, appears to have
proved very successful at stud or otherwise, especially the
colt called ' Thanamadowl : ' a curious instance of the
" uncertainty of breeding." The fact of this mare having,
at so late a period of life, produced twins, is a very strong
argument against the doctrine which I have endeavoured
to support.
As before stated, one of the many essential qualities,
as well as being one most hereditary, is temper, and there-
fore especial regard should be had thereto ; the want of it
being easily discovered requires no comment, further than
to assure the reader that, without this necessary qualifica-
tion, any animal is not only worthless, but a perfect
nuisance, and always unprofitable. Such being the case,
it behoves the speculator to have regard to the fact and
learn, if he does not happen personally to be in possession
of it from knowledge of the mare's antecedents, that on
this score she is desirable as a brood mare, having during
her racing career possessed such a character : for it must
be patent to any person, with even a simple knowledge of
such matters, that when one invests his capital in such
precarious undertakings no chance should be thrown away,
inasmuch as it is like taking a lease of a house, where a
tenant or purchaser cannot be at all times found; the
entire value of the produce of the animal depending not
only upon her own performances as a racehorse, but upon
276 TURF TOPICS.
those of her produce. Then, as experience has proved (at
least to those who have had it practically) that nothing is
more hereditary than temper, the want of it should be
strictly avoided.
When an owner has proved successful with any par-
ticular animal, his keeping to " the bridge that has carried
him safely over" is, perhaps, far more deeply displayed by
a repetition of the purchase of the "next of kin," than by
his gratitude to his fellow-man for far greater services other-
wise rendered : for it is truly amazing with what tenacity
(in competition at auction, or otherwise) he adheres to a
brother or sister to one that may have done good service ;
consequently, in many instances absurd prices are realised,
even about three times their real value — to the great,
although unexpressed, delight of the breeder, who, no
doubt, in many instances, has more brains than the pur-
chasers or bidders. This proves the necessity, at least for
selling purposes, of adhering to the " tried" brood mares ;
for there is, as a general rule, nothing like it, although we
have instances where some display a patience, when dis-
appointed, almost rivalling that of Job, and then have
succeeded : and if in this respect there is now a living
representative of that patriarch, we are bound to believe
he is to be found in the person of the enterprising pro-
prietor of Middle Park Stud Farm, the breeder of ' Carac-
tacus,^ 'Queen Bertha,' &c., who appears, when purchasing,
to set outlay and competition at defiance, and who really
must become a second Croesus, if he obtains for the off-
spring of his increasing and unsurpassed stud, prices
commensurate with his expenditure and liberal views
when purchasing. Upon the subject of " like begetting
like," every person who breeds seeks to produce (if pos-
BROOD MARES. 277
sible) a facsimile of the sire or dam. Such being his
attempt, then the question is how to do so, and how far
his expectations are likely to be realised ? Let him re-
member that
" Birds breed not vipers, tigers nurse not lambs."
The idea of the uncertainty of breeding has, to a very
great extent, its origin in the following facts : In the first
place, many men make the attempt without the slightest
taste, much less knowledge, practical or otherwise, of the
animal ; they consult others, who are equally ignorant in
such matters, and breed from bad animals. Secondly,
others, who know, perhaps, very little more, and pretend to
a great deal more, are too fond of their money to send to
the best sires, or select the best mares. Lastly, there are
those wdio have both mares and means, and, as far as they
are concerned, would spare no expense, but who having
still to know how such animals should be attended to,
are in very many instances deceived : for it is truly
incredible to what an extent they are neglected, even
at the time they appear to ordinary observation to look
well and in good condition, as most observers would
fancy; yet, to a judge, the stamina upon "handling^^ is
not there. The crest or neck of a brood mare, and her
condition otherwise, to insure the "tip-top" produce,
should be not only in a fleshy state, but, comparatively
speaking, as firm as if in training, although proportion-
ably treble as to thickness. Another proof of the well-fed
mare will be seen about the end of March or beginning of
April, when the long old winter coat not only commences
to, but rapidly falls oiF, in a sort of wool (if the term may be
applied), much darker or lighter, according to the colour
278 TURF TOPICS.
of the mare^ than the fresh coat ; when here and there, in
patches, the short, bright coat of summer will present itself,
indicative that the soil underneath, in the shape of good
food, has been well tended, and that the crop is accordingly
early. The old hair, with one stroke of the hand, will
come from a well-fed mare more freely than with a curry-
comb and brush from a dozen half~fed ones, and months
earlier. In a few words, the time to lay the foundation
for the futui'C of the foal is while the dam is carrying
it ; or, in Irish vernacular, to make him a racehorse " you
must do so before he is bom," because in racing, in all
countries, they contend when very young, and cannot
afford to throw any chance away.
Many brood mares are neglected as to health, some
persons believing that, as long as they are on good pas-
ture, &c., that is sufficient ; wdiereas it frequently hap-
pens that they are in bad health through some inward
ailment, which medicine could remedy. We frequently
see mares on the best pasture, still they do not thrive
and are completely without flesh, and " staring" in their
coats. There is no medicine so successful, yet harmless,
as linseed oil.
With regard to soundness in brood mares, admitting
that to have it to perfection would be most desirable, as
in every other case, still many valuable mares are rejected
for mere trifling blemishes or nominal unsoundness. It
may astonish many admirers of horseflesh to learn, that
many of the best-tried brood mares have been spavined,
blind, and otherwise unsound, and yet not one of their
produce inherited their disease ; and why ? Because, in
most instances, admitting the many diseases to which
horseflesh is heir, more of them are the effects of acci-
BKOOD MARES. 279
dents, ill-treatment, or want of proper attention, than
natural causes. Amongst others, the dam of '^ Burgundy^
was spavined on both legs, yet none more sound than her
produce. I do not mean to recommend the animal with
even an eyesore, in preference to, or as desirable as those
without it, but most decidedly to maintain, that there are
innumerable instances where we shall find most extraor-
dinary exceptions to the rule of perfection in shapes, or
soundness, in favour of mares that, to the inexperienced
eye, present the appearance of cart-mares or hacks, with
various blemishes, apparently lessening their value ; yet,
in reality, such mares, for breeding purposes, may be
quite as valuable, although in many instances purchased
for merely nominal prices.
It is extraordinary how some sires have a fancy for
certain mares in preference to others. I have known in-
stances where they have refused to serve some ; and
although the mares have been disguised over and over
again in various ways, still, after the usual signs, &c.,
they have returned to their manger. On the other hand,
I have known in other cases, where it required double
force to restrain the sire on the appearance of certain
mares.
Some short time since a correspondence appeared in
the public sporting journals upon the subject of certain
artificial means of insuring the produce of brood mares.
The operation is as old as "Kate Kearney's cat," and
has proved a perfectly true and successful one. The
practice of firing off a pistol immediately after service is
likewise so. It is equally true that it can be easily told
if a mare be with foal when half gone. I have had both
tried with perfect success, and no possible danger with
280 TURF TOPICS.
either. The former is especially useful with young bar-
ren mares, or those that have missed a season ; and
many of the former missings are from not adopting the
practice, which, however, is better let alone, if possible,
as there is nothing like leaving everything to Nature.
But, of all things, an experienced " Kand" is required,
otherwise there might be dangerous results. Another
"old fashion" is, that of turning the mare immediately,
within view of the sire — probably after the daguerreotype
principle. A friend of mine sent a mare that had missed
for several years to other sires to a horse of mine, with
orders that no artificial means should be resorted to.
The lad who brought the mare was sent on an errand pur-
posely, and both the pistol and other operation resorted
to : the mare had produce. The owner subsequently de-
clared against the system as useless, until I undeceived
him upon the point. The fact is, there can be no doubt
upon the subject.
Upon reference to the statistics of brood mares, it
would appear that there are about two thousand annually
returning the following results : — On an average one
year with the other, about one-third of the number
^'miss,^' or are ''^ barren;" and of the produce about one
hundred die as foals. In the first instance, the opera-
tion referred to would have the effect of diminishing the
number in an extraordinary degree ; and as to the death
of foals, many of those that have been lost could have
been saved if properly attended to; and when the usual
purging appeared, a little castor oil administered. The
attendance which young mares require during the period
of their service far exceeds that supposed by many per-
sons, and to the annoyance, want of quietness, and want
BROOD MARES. 281
of being kept from others during that period, can be traced
a great deal of the failure of produce; a large number
of mares, as mentioned, being frequently "bundled toge-
ther," and fresh ai'rivals causing disturbance amongst the
whole lot.
No one but those who have experienced it can have an
idea of the enormous quantity of grass, hay, corn, bran,
&c., consumed by brood mares, especially in winter, when
with foal, or during the period they are suckling; in
fact, they appear never to cease or be satisfied. And
while upon the subject of the quantity, it may be as well
to offer a few remarks upon the quality and nature of the
food most desirable, and what has been found from practical
experience best suited. In the first place, a great deal
depends upon the period of the year. During the sum-
mer months, if there be plenty of sound pasture, the
brood mare, with her foal, will require but a couple of
feeds of oats, and occasionally a little bran swelled or
moistened, daily. The barren mare will not require any
oats during that period, provided she has plenty of good
pasture. During the winter they should both have — the
one, three feeds of oats, bran, carrots, and occasionally
linseed, mixed warm, at night. The barren mare should
get at least two feeds daily from the time the grass begins
to become scarce — say, end of October, during which
period Swedish turnips strewn over the pasture in a
sound state, and uncut, will be found most beneficial, and
very much relished by mares, as well as a fine substitute
for grass, particularly after foaling, as they tend to in-
crease the milk. Boiled barley is also a fine nourishment
for mares, with linseed and oatmeal drinks, during foaling
time; for which purpose a large boiler should be con-
282 TURF TOPICS.
tinnally kept in use, and turnips boiled and mixed occa-
sionally with bran and oats, linseed meal, &c., all of
which are most useful — a change in diet being de-
sirable. The mares should be served according as they
appear to relish any particular food. The stud-groom
should be careful as to weather and the period of service ;
for in severe weather — snow or frost, for instance —
there is nothing better at night than a good warm mash
of bran and oats, and various other drinks (during the
time of foaling, and previous and subsequent thereto),
such as linseed, oatmeal, &c., given barely warm, having
been previously left steeping from a boiling state.
Attention should be paid to young mares, especially
just out of training, as they are generally dried up from
the effects of training, and are frequently almost " hide-
bound,^^ like the bark of a tree, and not in a fit state
for stud purposes, and prove a perfect nuisance to the
proprietor of sires ; in numbers of instances proving bar-
ren the first, if not the two first seasons, through not
having been properly "softened" in condition. While
upon the subject of the service of mares, I would re-
commend the breeder to have his mare tried by the
stallion she is about to be served by, and not by the
usual "attendant" upon crack sires — there being many
reasons which dictate the propriety of this course, as
well as that of giving exercise to the sire just previous to
service. Another mistake is frequently made, through
ignorance of the fact that young mares, when really
in season, do not, when brought near over-boisterous or
fresh young sires, or "noisy" old ones, appear so, but
display every symptom to the contrary ; for, between the
causes referred to, and the usual application of the " rib-
BROOD MARES. 283
binders," supplied by ignorant servants, with a stick or whip
during the trial, the young animal becomes unmanageable.
From the first of January up to the 1st of ]\Iay is
the principal period which requires the attention of the
stud-groom, during the time of foaling, and their service.
The object should be to replace the deficiency of ordinary
grass, and have, as a substitute, a field of early rye-grass,
which can be preserved and forced during the winter and
spring; and being cut with the scythe and given to the
mares, will prevent its being trampled upon in the field,
and otherwise wasted. A field of Swedish turnips should
also form part of every breeding establishment : they are
most nourishing, as well as economical, and less likely to
cause diabetes ; and when, as stated, strewn over the bare
pasture, the mares seem to enjoy licking the particles of
clay which are attached to the vegetable. I have fre-
quently noticed them for a considerable time indulging
in doing so. It may seem strange — there is no accounting
for taste, although it appears extraordinary — that animals
so remarkable for delicacy and fastidiousness in diet
should display such a fancy ; however, to a great extent
they should be accommodated with what they relish, as
it is natural to suppose they will thrive best upon it :
although it by no means follows that man cannot im-
prove it, for whatever they eat most of might not agree
with them, no more than lampreys did with Henry I. ;
for an epicure or gourmand might eat himself into apo-
plexy. Oxen like clover, but I have known them to eat
until they absolutely burst.
The corn and feeding supplied to all horses should be
well cleaned and sifted, and free from sand, &c. Many
animals have died from neglecting the cleansing of the
284 TURF TOPICS.
corn^ &c. ; and when opened (as already stated) immense
balls, as large as cannon-balls, have been extracted, being
the cause of death, and have been preserved by veterinary
surgeons, at whose establishments they are to be seen in
London, resembling a piece of beautifully-grained and
polished marble, and equally heavy; having been forming
for years in the intestines, and being composed of sand,
straw, hay, &c. The immense size and weight of those
specimens are almost incredible, and make them worth
inspecting as curiosities.
It is as necessary for the breeder, therefore, to secure
the services of an intelligent and experienced stud-
groom, as it is for the purchaser of a racehorse to provide
himself with a proper trainer ; and the more practical skill
each can boast of in the veterinary art, the better : for it
is wonderful in how many cases, and how frequently, their
knowledge will be called in question, and put to the test.
Fancy a breeder having one of his valuable mares, or
young stock, taken suddenly ill — perhaps the dam of some
Derby or St. Leger winner, or an own brother or sister
to one — 'probably at an hour of the night, and at a dis-
tance from the residence, which would render veterinary
assistance almost impossible : the matter becomes serious,
when perhaps thousands are at stake. At the same time
many very great mistakes are made, and the results fatal,
through too much interference with nature during foaling ;
as a most experienced and well-known veterinary surgeon
of fifty years' practice (who bred some of the best horses
ever foaled) informed me, " that more mares and foals
were lost through interference, and not leaving nature to
perform its own duty, than people had any idea of."
These remarks were made upon the occasion of my having
BROOD MARES. 285
called his services in question^ in a most extraordinary case,
with one of my own mares, and in which the soundness
of his judgment was proved; for although I believed (as
did my stud-groom also) that the mare could not possibly
live, she, without any interference or assistance, produced
a fine foal, and both were perfectly well in the course of a
few minutes. The veterinary during the time laughing at
the idea of danger, and relating the opinion expressed;
although he admitted it was an extraordinary case, and
that, had the usual course of interference with nature
been adopted, nothing could have saved the mare.
Brood mares should not be disturbed, but kept quiet,
and in a properly-fenced pasture, free from the annoyance
of other horses ; especially during the period of foaling,
or while they are going through their ti'ials : any neighing,
or interruption from other strange animals, having a most
injurious effect, tending to make some "pick^^ foul;
preventing others proving with foal. One of the most
dangerous nuisances about a breeding establishment is a
pack of hounds, or harriers. I have known mares to
gallop about for hours, and the entire stud driven into a
perfectly frantic state, at the " music " of the dogs. A
mare of mine, own sister to ' The Baron,^ " picked ^^ foul
to 'Melbourne^ through this cause; and others in the
same neighbourhood suffered in a similar manner.
When mares have had their summer's run on sound,
well-drained pasture, comprising not only the usual grass
seeds, but a mixture of the other various seeds to which
they are so partial, clover, yarrow, &c. — and which can
be so much increased by occasional top-dressing; and
when the period for weaning the produce arrives, great
care should be taken, not only of the foal but of the dam.
286 TURF TOPICS.
As to the latter, with regard to her milk, which the foal
has ceased to relieve her of; and then as to the removal
of the foal, for many accidents ha])pen, if care be not
taken to have the latter well secured, and completely re-
moved from any possibility of fraternising with the
dam j as accidents frequently occur through attempts on
the part of either to regain each other's company.
Before closing my remarks upon the feeding of the
mares, it is right to observe that the brood mare, with a
foal at foot and another coming, both draining the con-
stitution, will require extra nourishment and stamina,
even during the summer months; and oats, &c., morning
and night, should be supplied. If any breeder fancies
it is economy to stint a brood mare in any manner, it
would be more advisable for him to leave the breeding of
racehorses to others, and " amuse " himself otherwise ;
for he must, in the present day, either feed properly, breed
properly, or leave the matter in the hands of those who
do so : unless he wishes to amuse himself, get rid of his
money, or swell fields of horses without a possibility of
success or profit.
The proper time to wean the foal depends, to a great
extent, upon the age, health, and condition, not only of
the foal itself, but of the dam ; for many reasons : in the
first place, the dam may be old or weak, or perhaps not
of a very strong constitution, and a bad nurse, so that
milk becomes more injurious to the foal than beneficial :
in which case it is better to wean the produce and gradu-
ally accustom it to sound diet, giving cows' milk, and other
nourishing food.* The usual time allowed for suckling
* Cows' milk should be strained to avoid hairs, which have
frequently formed a large ball in the intestines, and killed foals.
BROOD MARES. 287
being from six to seven months in ordinary cases ; when
at weaning, the object should be to replace, as far as
possible, the loss the foal natm-ally experiences, and by
degrees train it to partake of the nourishment substituted :
this, for a certain time, until accustomed to it, will be
anything but relishable, more especially the cold water
in lieu of the warm milk, which it is, in many instances,
necessary to force the foal to drink, when suffering from
excessive thirst, leaving it in a fixed reservoir in the
corner of the stable, but especially avoiding (as hereafter
mentioned) buckets with iron hoops, which are most
dangerous; warm oatmeal drinks, mashes of bran and
bruised corn, mixed frequently, given in small portions,
are desirable, reducing by degrees, until the foal becomes
accustomed to the usual diet. Also a few chopped carrots
mixed with the corn, but not too much, as they tend to
cause diabetes. Change of food is requisite, and of all
things, repeatedly a soft mash of bran left soaking in
boiling water, covered and mixed well, with a little bruised
oats, supplied when barely warm.
When medicine is required, which is frequently known
by the coat staring, and when young animals are not
thriving as the owner would wish, the best possible remedy
is a proper quantity of linseed oil. Some people give
castor oil, which is good for very young foals, but I have
tried and proved the linseed oil to be an extraordinarily
efficacious remedy, when yearlings or animals eight or ten
months old, or at any age, have been thus staring in their
coats, dull and heavy, and not doing well. I have seen
them, in an incredibly short period, with their coats
laid down, and the improvement beyond description;
moreover, it is a very harmless medicine : but in any case.
288 TURF TOPICS.
and at any period of the year, it is advisable to keep them
shut up during the time they are under physic, supplying
warm drinks, mashes, &c.
It is really marvellous the manner in which some
people not only stint, but absolutely starve their brood
mares, yet expect to breed racehorses. I have witnessed
(of course in silence) the miserable, unnatural practice
of such persons, some of whom were men who ought to
have known better; indeed, there can be no doubt they did,
but they remind one of the remark of the old Athenian, v^ho
said that his countrymen knew what was right, but that the
Lacedemonians practised it. One instance I cannot easily
forget. Upon my introduction to a stud-farm I there
beheld, amongst a few others, a mare once celebrated, and,
to my mind, one that ought to be one of the best brood
mares in the world (for she and all her family could run).
There she was, a miserable spectacle to behold, especially
when one bore in mind her brilliant performances on the
racecourse — a miserable spectacle even in summer: there
was not enough of grass in the field to graze a goose ;
and, as the clever and witty "Argus" said, in describing
the appearance of an animal some years ago, " The poor
mare^s astonishment at the sight of a feed of oats would
best be compared to that of Robinson Crusoe when he
saw the footmark in the sand." Yet such men expect to
breed with success. The hungry, half-starved appearance
of that beautiful mare, as she anxiously approached, made
a deep impression upon me, leading me to suppose she
had been in the habit of occasionally receiving food from
some humane hand : all I can say is, if she was, neither
she nor her companions showed it ; for they one and all
might well be compared to the skeleton of Jonathan Wild
BROOD MARES. 289
on the gibbet on Clapliam Common. Of course her
owner will be grievously disappointed at her not pro-
ducing a Derby winner : she will " turn out a bad brood
mare/' By-the-bye, the person referred to used to breed
for sale, and I believe has prudently abandoned the pur-
suit, as he found it did not pay. The prices realised were
amusing, although by no means encouraging to breeders
Q,nd feeders, in general varying from ten to fifty guineas :
the latter price being the top of the lot, which resembled
more a pack of half-starved Shetland ponies, fed upon
furze-bushes, than animals bearing the name of thorough-
bred yearlings.
Upon the occasion of purchasing a yearling some
years ago (very early in the season), in very low condition,
having remonstrated with the breeder upon his want of
wisdom in having the colt in such a state, he replied,
*' He had frequently sent sacks of oats to the man, the
care-taker of the farm where the colt was reared, but the
only way in which he could account for the matter was,
that the old woman kept a great number of hens/' Be
that as it may, the animal made speedy improvement, and
subsequently turned out a very good horse ; of which fact
*' The Racing Calendar " bears testimony.
There can be no doubt (as before stated), that the
time to begin to feed the foal is " before it is born : " by
giving the dam the best of every care, the produce inva-
riably shows, when dropped, the attention she has re-
ceived. I have seen some, when a few hours old, with
skins like satin, muscular loins, quarters, &c., and full of
spirits, jumping and kicking about as if a year old :
whereas the produce of the half-starved mare has neither
strength, condition, nor activity, being dull, staggering, ,
u
290 TURF TOPICS.
and weak on its legs, staring and long in its coat, with
other signs indicative of the hardships or want of care
experienced by the dam.
Some people fancy that the produce of a fat or high-
conditioned mare is never so large as that of others. No
doubt, when dropped, it may not be so large, or appa-
rently "tall,^^ yet the improvement in growth and muscle
subsequently tells and gains gradually : in short, the pro-
duce shows in every respect where the proper care and atten-
tion have been paid as regards the dam ; as an illustration
of which I relate the following instance : — A mare of mine,
named ' Ariadne,^ by ' Irish Birdcatcher,' a particularly
healthy animal, produced by *The Mountain Deer' a beauti-
ful foal, named ' Highland Laddie;^ in about an hour after
he was dropped I happened to put my hand upon his hind
quarter, remarking the extraordinary muscle it presented
(so frequently developed in the 'Touchstone' quarters);
when putting his ears back like an old horse when being
dressed over, and jumping forward with the agility of an
antelope, he kicked back with both legs, with force that
was really wonderful. The late Marquis of Waterford
purchased this foal with his dam, but it did not prove a
fortunate speculation, for although as promising as any
animal in every shape (the picture of his sire), he died;
and upon a post-mortem examination proved to be full
of worms, which is by no means uncommon with such
animals. Curiously enough, he furnished a proof in
favour of the opinion expressed by many, that cows' milk
tends to create worms ; for he had had a quantity of it
during the summer, and although he grew wonderfully
in every respect, and appeared in fine health and spirits,
still he did not put up flesh, and generally appeared
BROOD MARES. 291
rough and dull in his coat^ which many times caused me
to "blow up" the stud-groom.
Upon the subject of worms, with which foals are re-
peatedly troubled, a few remarks may not be misplaced.
It is admitted that "prevention is better than cure;" so it
becomes most necessary, the moment any symptoms pre-
sent themselves, that the proper powders, which can be
obtained at any veterinary establishment, should be ad-
ministered, as the animal never thrives ; on the contrary,
dwindles away, and frequently becomes too weak to with-
stand the eflfects of the medicine necessary to get rid of
the nuisance. It has been stated, that they have their
origin from the small yellow insects which so frequently
cover in swarms the arms and legs (especially the former)
of brood mares, and being licked off become trans-
formed.
On the subject of feeding, I mentioned that previous to,
and after foaling, a few turnips would prove beneficial; and
why? Because they increase the milk (as with the cow), as
well as being otherwise beneficial towards health. It has
been stated by some that they have a tendency towards
causing mares to " pick " or " slip " foal : such is not the
case; the argument on the other side being, that oats
prove a preventive. Notwithstanding such objections, my
advice to the breeder is to try the system of strewing
over the pasture, at the period referred to, during the day-
time, sound turnips, in their usual state, uncut, which is
less dangerous than when chopped or cut in pieces, and
which, in the absence of grass, will be found most service-
able, and a very good and nourishing substitute at such a
period : the principal object being to produce as much
milk as possible for the nourishment of the produce.
293 TURF TOPICS.
Such being the case, there can be no doubt the vegetable
referred to ought to be not only most approved of, but is
more economical than others of the kind, such as carrots,
&c. These remarks, of course, merely refer to the winter
and spring season, the periods at which grass is so
scarce.
With regard to the treatment of brood mares in general,
during the summer season, whether barren or otherwise,
taking for granted they have good pasture, with the addition
to the mares with produce of oats, twice or thrice per diem
according to circumstances, it is most desirable to have
sheds or shelter, where they can retire from the annoyance
of flies or the excessive heat of the sun at certain hours
of the day, for nothing annoys them more, prevents them
feeding, or otherwise interferes with their comforts. The
paddock -house should, even at that period of the year, be
supplied with some sweet, well-saved hay, of which the
mares will partake during the heat of the day, as well as
fresh-cut soil. Variety in diet proves as acceptable, bene-
ficial, and doubtless as palatable to such animals, as it does
to human beings ; therefore " change and variety," to a
certain extent, is desirable.
Then, as to the weaning of the foal — the care necessary
to be observed as regards its dam, and the period at which
it becomes necessary, to a great extent depends upon the
age, as well as the strength and health of the produce ;
the usual time allowed for suckling (as already stated)
being about six or seven months : for it must not be for-
gotten, in the anxiety of the owner to afford the foal at foot
every chance, that the dam is perhaps carrying another,
and that her constitution requires all its vigour and
strength to do justice to it. At the same time, the milk
BROOD MARES. 293
which she can produce to the foal at foot reduces not
only in quantity but in quality, leaving the mare's con-
dition only sufficient to support, according to nature, the
wants of the coming offspring; for, after having suckled
for six or seven months, she requires time and reasonable
rest to strengthen the system. The strictest attention
sbould be observed, and every precaution taken, during
the period the foal is being weaned, in order to prevent
accidents, as I have already observed ; the young animal,
in its anxiety to rejoin the dam, will hardly hesitate at any
obstacle: in pi'oof of which, I relate a circumstance which
came within my own knowledge some years ago. At
the late Mr. Graydon^s sale (the breeder of 'Roscius,^
'Clincher,^ and others), who was a very eccentric and most
extensive breeder, as well as a good judge of crossing
(but an indiflFerent feeder), I happened to purchase two
filly foals, the one own sister to 'Clincher,' the other,
' Allegrette,' grandam of ' Anfield.' Having called re-
peatedly the attention of the auctioneer and his attendants
to the danger which might follow the removal of the
dams, which had been purchased by other parties, and
even taken the trouble to bring them and explain the con-
sequences which might accrue, upon calling the next day
I was informed that the first-named had jumped over the
half-door, nearly four feet high, which had been left
open contrary to my directions (although I had seen it
locked on the evening previous) ; the foal, worth five
hundred guineas, coming in contact with a harrow
opposite the door, was killed — the spike of the harrow
having entered its heart. The other filly, however, proved
a very good mare ; and if her grandson 'Anfield' takes
after her, he will test the staying qualities of a good
294 TURF TOPICS.
many : she could " run for a week," as could her dam old
'Alba,' by 'Dandy.'
So many accidents occur to those animals, it is ad-
visable at all times to reduce the risk as much as pos-
sible ; therefore, I should recommend the reader, if his
brood mares wear head-collars, to take care that they are
of a size, and made in a shape, which will prevent the
possibility of a foal, or the mare herself, getting the
feet into them, or otherwise fastened. It is really absurd
the size we sometimes see those collars — literally about
to fall over the mare's nose. The mares sometimes
scratch their heads and ears ; the foals continually jump
on the dams, pawing and playing : then, again, the
former, frequently, looking in over a gate, get fast. I
have seen them do so, and in attempting to relieve them-
selves pull down the gate and receive serious injury.
Such gates should not be made use of, and, of course,
would not in a properly-appointed establishment.
Some owners and managers of breeding establish-
ments adopt a system which appears to me a most extra-
ordinary one, viz. even in the middle of summer shutting
the mares up early in the evening, and turning them out
sometimes late in the morning. They may be right.
My advice is to adopt quite a different course, which I
have always found successful, viz. to give them the shed
or loose box during the heat of the day, with nice cool
soil, turning them out in the afternoon, and leaving
them at certain periods of the year out all night ; but,
most certainly, never during the summer season shutting
them up before dusk, and always taking care that they
should be out at sunrise — for those are the very periods
at which they feed best, and at which their foals play about
BROOD MARES. 295
and take their own exercise ; moreover, the latter course
makes the produce more hardy and healthy. The most
desirable bedding during the day-time in summer is
turf-mould ; if it cannot be had, tan : the latter I am not
so certain about, never having tried it. I merely fancy it
should, or ought to be, a good substitute for the former,
which is cooling, and otherwise beneficial to the feet. As
proof in favour of the system recommended, any visitor
will find that brood mares feed better at night than at
any other time, for he will hear them literally mowing
the grass like a scythe ; whereas at mid-day he will find
them under a hedge, covered with flies, teasing and
biting them. One would fancy such symptoms would
dictate the propriety of adopting the " shutting-up "
system during the day, and vice versa. I have seen
mares at celebrated establishments, absolutely in mid-
summer, locked up for the night at five o'clock in the
afternoon.
The contrast in the ideas of parties as to prices and
value of brood mares is not only extraordinary, but most
amusing. Several years ago a gentleman in Ireland took
it into his head to breed thoroughbred horses for sale,
although he knew as much about the animal, in any
shape or form, as Heliogabalus did about economy : his
idea being, that he ought to get di few good ones for one
hundred pounds, as they had done racing. " I see no
reason," said he, " why I should not breed, and make
it pay." One fine day certain persons, resolvdng upon
having a "lark," caused a letter to be written by a
friend in Liverpool, stating that he had little doubt he
could procure for him the dam of the magnificent ' Ca-
nezou' (then in the zenith of her glory), heavy with foal
296 TURF TOPICS.
to ' Melbourne/ for fifty pounds. The would-be breeder
came to consult his friends, and after mature delibera-
tion replied, — "That if the mare were delivered in Dub-
lin free of expense, and with foal, he should not mind
giving thirty pounds for her." It is hardly necessary
to mention the reception any proposal to purchase at
any price would have met with at Knowsley, if such
a subject had been broached. Our hero spent the in-
termediate anxious moments in informing his circle of
acquaintances "that he was about to add this valuable
animal to his stud of brood mares !" To my perfect
knowledge, the person referred to would not afford his
animal the opportunity of consuming a sack of oats quar-
terly, yet he would talk for hours of his expectations of
being recorded amongst the most fashionable breeders
of the day. As a matter of course, from that hour to
the present he has never bred one that could win a
saddle.
At the same time there are plenty of valuable mares
to be had for moderate prices. Amongst others I pur-
chased the following at the sums named: — 'Dawn of
Day ' (dam of ' Twilight ' and ' Rising Sun,' &c.), when
a yearling, and perfectly sound, for 20/. ; ' The Countess,'
own sister to ' The Baron,' a splendid mare fdam of
' Lady Kingston '), four years old, and perfectly sound,
] 50/. ; ' Thorn ' (dam of ' Sprig of Shillelagh,' &c.), seven
years old, and as sound as when foaled, with a yearling
by ' Irish Birdcatcher,' and a colt foal at foot, 150/. for
the lot ; ' Queen Bee,' six years old, and sound (dam of
* Roman Bee,' &c.), with a colt at foot, for 40/. ; ' Devo-
tion' (dam of 'Mount Zion,' and 'The Druid'), 50/.
All the foregoing as fresh and sound as the day they
BROOD MARES. 297
were foaled. A great deal depends upon the market one
goes to, &c.
However people may differ upon other questions re-
lating to breeding and the various strains of blood, it
can hardly be denied that, at the present time, 'The
' Touchstone,' ' Melbourne,' ' Irish Birdcatcher,' and
'Sweetmeat' mares, have proved very superior, not only
in point of numbers, but in quality ; I have already
remarked upon the successful results of the close al-
liances between the 'Whalebone' pair: yet still, although
we find those auimals winning frequently over short
courses, and, no doubt, occasionally over long ones, it by
no means follows that a very great improvement, espe-
cially in the latter respect, might not be made by crossing
more frequently with some other strains of blood, such
as ' Lanercost,' ' Voltigeur,' and their sons. The prin-
cipal object, however, of breeders at pi*esent appears
to be (and a very natural one, too), to ensure a quick
and almost certain return, rather than to incur risk by
speculation.
If in-and-in breeding be so desirable, why not go the
whole hog and test it ? But then comes the question,
Who will forfeit the "bird in the hand" to look for "two
in the bush ?" My reply is, Those who can afford the
risk, and who in all other respects spare no expense :
they are few, it must be confessed ; yet there are a few.
And this hint is merely offered for their consideration as
an experiment, as well as that of adopting the course
exactly opposite, and trying what a good "mixture"
would accomplish; for admitting, if we go back a few
generations, we find most of the animals of the present
day nearly allied, through one strain or other, still there
298 TURF TOPICS.
are many distinct and equally valuable and distinguished
within the past thirty years, whose lamp of life and
patronage has been for a long time flickering, and ap-
pears likely to be shortly extinguished, notwithstanding
its having in its day shone most brilliantly. An in-
stance of in-and-in breeding is found in ' Manoeuvre '
(dam of '^ Wallace' and 'Lioness'), being by 'Rector,'
son of ' Muley,' and her dam by ' Muley.'
It is the fashion to talk of crossing, with a view to
shapes, &c., that would suit blood, and so forth. All
things, in the present " sensation " times, which used to
be termed " days of reform," go with the fashion of the
day. Formerly, experienced judges would laugh at the
close alliances which we find now-a-days to prove most
successful; and really, taking into consideration the
" curious " things we see and hear of, day after day, we
must not be surprised if we find the old system I have
referred to revived.
In ofi"ering a few suggestions as to the brood mares
of the present day, both tried as racehorses and at stud,
and also upon those as yet untried in the latter re-
spect, I merely do so, as far as the former are concerned,
with a view to point the reader's attention to cases of
failure, as well as to those where they have proved success-
ful : as also to remind him, that the descendants of those
mares ought to be worthy the notice of breeders, whenever
an opportunity is offered to purchase. With regard to the
untried division, I simply select them from memory of
their shapes and qualities; a few especial favourites of
mine having struck me, during their racing career, as
animals of superior merit, and most likely to prove suc-
cessful at stud, not alone as to pedigree and performances,
BROOD MARES. 299
out in every other respect : freely admitting that there
may be many others equally good.
The tried mares require little comment from me,
further than to refer the reader to their pedigree, and the
"principal" produce, which will show what crosses of
blood have proved successful. I shall venture, however,
a few remarks generally upon " my chosen few," of the
yet untried young mares of the present day ; which, in
my humble opinion, will be heard of to advantage at a
future day, not far distant.
In making a selection of the picked, " tried," brood
mares, it does not require much study or consideration to
arrive at the conclusion that the following call for especial
notice, many having distinguished themselves at stud, and
many during their racing career ; although it will be seen
that some have not proved successful on the turf, yet did
so as brood mares : a fact not at all to be wondered at.
Amongst other reasons, because they have, in many in-
stances, gone to the harem fresh and sound, and in a
proper, vigorous, and healthy condition.
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S ::::::::::::::: : : : : : :
BROOD MARES. 311
The brood mares now at stud, according to official
returns, number about 2250. The foregoing table re-
presents some of the tried mares, which number about
100 ; many of them having merely produced animals of
moderate form ; and very few having distinguished them-
selves as dams of first-class animals. If we except about
twenty of the tried division, the others will be found
either to have been perfect failures, or with but one recom-
mendation ; having produced what may be termed " chance
produce." And many of those at stud, that do not rank
according to the rules of breeding and racing, as tried
brood mares, are and have, in point of fact, proved them-
selves far superior; for although their stock may not be
qualified as winners of even a fifty-pound plate, yet they
have been "seconds," and otherwise proved themselves
superior animals in far better company. If we select —
Pocahontas
Alice Hawthorne
Ellerdale
Barbelle
Cinizelli
Mountain Sylph
Hybla
Eulogy
Midia
Equation
Espoir
Palmyra
Queen Mary
The Arrow
Wiasma
Canezou,
we have about the only ones that can be looked upon
as really successful during their career at stud, or as
entitled to be viewed in the light of " really good brood
mares;*' for they have been successful in producing not
only several winners, but have done so from various sires
and difi'erent crosses.
There are about one hundred ' Touchstone ' mares at
stud — double the number of any other, which must partly
312 TUKF TOPICS.
account for tlieir success. Others appear to have pro-
duced one first-class racehorse each ; the rest being very
inferior, although crossed with various strains, and the
best blood and most fashionable sires of the day — namely,
'Ellen Middleton/ 'Bribery/ 'Burlesque/ 'Wizard's'
dam, ' Defenceless/ ' Fair Helen/ ' Hawise/ ' Irish
Queen/ ' Jocose/ ' Mainbrace/ ' Miss Twickenham/
' Peggy.'
Then, again, there are several that have been perfect
" stars " during their racing career, and have so far proved
perfect failures at stud. Perhaps a more extraordinary
instance of the lottery of breeding cannot be furnished,
than ' Virago.' She has been put to stud since 1856.
Since which period she has been put to ' Orlando,' ' The
Flying Dutchman,' ' Stockwell,' ' Kingston,' &c. (a fair
chance, no doubt) ; and yet we have not heard of any
successful result.
Another extraordinary instance of failure is the ' Maid
of Masham ; ' one of the best, and certainly as sweet a mare
"^as ever looked through a bridle." (I just missed being
her owner at five hundred guineas, " by one post,""
having wiitten to accept her then owner's terms ; but
she had gone the day previous.) She has been at stud
since 1852 ; and although put to ' Birdcatcher,' ' Orlando,'
' Teddington,' ' West Australian,' ' Young Melbourne,' &c.
she has not proved successful so far. And if ever there
was one instance, above any other, that could make an
impression (at least on my mind) of the "lottery,"
this is the one : for a more perfect specimen of a brood
mare in every shape, form, and respect, I never beheld,
and expect and hope yet to hear of her proving more suc-
cessful at stud.
BROOD MARES. 313
There are innumerable other instances where such
splendid mares have failed at stud ; and, curiously enough,
the Oaks winners have proved most unsuccessful : for,
commencing with the renowned ' Queen of Trumps,^ with
very few exceptions, indeed, they have been perfect
failures.
Some mares appear to have proved more successful
where a change from one sire to another has been made :
as an. example, 'Barbelle' produced 'The Flying Dutch-
man^ by 'Bay Middleton;^ 'VanTromp,^ by 'Laner-
cost;^ ' Zuyder Zee,' by 'Orlando:' yet ' Vanderdecken,'
own brother to ' The Dutchman,' was a very sorry sample,
indeed, in every respect. 'Blue Bonnet' (winner of the
Doncaster St. Leger, and by 'Touchstone') furnishes
another instance of comparative failure at stud ; for,
although a first-class racehorse, notwithstanding every
chance she only produced one really good animal, ' Mary
Copp,' by 'The Flying Dutchman;' her other produce
(some by the same sire) being comparatively moderate :
and yet it is more than probable her sons and daughters
will revive the good qualities of the family, more especially
' Mary Copp,' whose wonderful speed and other good
qualities are most likely to render her a valuable addition
to the stud ; her daughter, ' Marigold,' having already af-
forded proof of her dam's good qualities (although got by
that game racehorse, yet moderate sire, ' Teddington').
And if she does not further " give a good account of
herself," I shall be much surprised, as she will, in my
opinion, turn out one of the very best brood mares of
the present day. Her forte was great speed ; and if
crossed judiciously, she can hardly fail to furnish some
worthy scion of her distinguished race. She is one of
314 TURF TOPICS.
my especial favourites. Her Goodwood running cannot
easily be forgotten.
Suppose those extraordinary mares that have so dis-
tinguished themselves as racehorses had never been trained,
but turned out at three or four years old to stud, what
would have been the result ? Can it be argued that their
racing career tended to improve their valuable qualities as
brood mares ? The fact is, many superior ones are passed
over, simply because they have not won an Oaks, a thou-
sand-guineas stakes, &c., and are doomed to draw a White-
chapel cart, or condemned to some other uses vile. Some
of the plainest-looking, moderate-sized mares, produce not
only the best stock but the truest and best- shaped ; for
although they may not themselves exceed 15 hands
high, or a little over, still, if put to stallions of general
size and substance, &c., their produce is as large as
others, and seldom, if ever, of that great, top-heavy, un-
wieldy form, coming so frequently from great, large mares.
However good they may have proved during their racing
career, the produce of the latter are seldom stayers, but
come rolling in from one side of a course to the other,
like a ship in a high sea, as tired as their pilot, without
ballast, or the level, well-proportioned shapes of the pro-
duce of the moderate-sized, lengthy mare, " long and
low."
In cases where mares pi'oduce different stock by the
same sire, one perhaps a first-class racehorse, the rest
bad, though all have been equally attended to and
received proper care, — such, no doubt, are the instances
which best supply proof of the uncertainty of breeding.
Still, frequently the lottery is increased through neglect,
mismanagement, and various causes ; sometimes through
BROOD MARES. 315
" freaks of nature/^ to which all other animals are like-
wise subject. One might fairly ask, if ' Pyrrhus the
First' could get such a mare as ^Virago/ ' Bay Mid-
dleton' such animals as the 'Flying Dutchman^ and
'Andoverj' or as to brood mares, if 'Beeswing' should
have produced such an animal as ' Newminster/ ' Alice
Hawthorne ' ' Thormanby/ and ' Oulston/ why should
they have otherwise proved so unsuccessful ? Again, how
is it that other sires and brood mai'es have been crossed
with almost any other strain, and have proved so suc-
cessful ? There must be some reason. It is natural to
assume that in the same hands the produce have been
equally cared for. The very fact that in many instances
some of these animals, when first put to stud, appear not
to breed so well, yet improve with time, would in itself
partly go to prove that severe and long training is the
cause ; but in any case there cannot be a question that
there are certain " running strains,^' and that in those few
instances where there is one ''first class,^^ the rest bad,
or very indifferent, such animals are what may be termed
" chance horses."
Without wishing for one moment to offer a remark
in any way tending through prejudice to deteriorate the
merits of sires, I cannot help expressing a very great
dislike to ' Pyrrhus the First,' as a stallion, and believing
a few more like him would be no acquisition. The late
Sir Tatton Sykes, one would fancy, " assisted '^ towards
advancing his prestige, having had a great number of his
daughters in the harem, which did not prove more suc-
cessful than his twenty -one Hampton and fifty-two
Sleight-of-Hand mares — no doubt, as to numbers, suffi-
cient in themselves to have laid the foundation of brilliant
316 TURF TOPICS.
future success; still, consuming as much as an equal
number of ' Touchstones/ ' Birdcatchers/ ' Sweetmeats/
and doubtless affording the owner quite as much amuse-
ment — it is to be regretted they did not likewise afford
so thorough and popular a sportsman an opportunity of
escorting their produce (as he did his namesake) into the
Doncaster enclosures, which would have been hailed with
an ovation sufficient to cause York Minster bells to ring :
for, great as would have been the demonstrations in
honour of the victory by a certain Scotch nobleman, the
Baronet would have given him weight in Yorkshire.
When parties commence breeding there is nothing like
getting into a good strain, for it is extraordinary how
they are carried on year after year (if they have got into
a bad breed), rather than make a bold attempt to open
the doors and get rid of the lot at any sacrifice, the first
loss being at all times the best ; yet they require moral
courage, not frequently displayed, especially in regard to
horseflesh.
Having referred to the tried mares, I now beg to place
before the reader a few of my special favourites, as yet
untried at stud ; my opinion of their respective qualities
being formed not on any particular grounds as to pei'-
formances alone, but taking into consideration the combi-
nation of shapes, blood, and all the qualifications which
may render such animals valuable and desirable to the
breeder. They are as follows : —
BROOD MARES.
317
NAME.t
SIRE.
DAM.
GRANDSIRE
*Ayacanora
Irish Birdcatcher
Pocahontas
Glencoe
Brown Duchess
The Flying Dutchman
Espoir
Liverpool
Cantatrice
Irish Birdcatcher
Catherine Hayes
Lanercost
Citron
Sweetmeat
Echidna
Economist
The Deformed
Burgundy or Harkaway
Welfare
Priam
Emily
Stockwell
Meeanee
Touchstone
Fravola
Orlando
Apricot
Sir Hercules
Governess
Chatham
>>
Laurel
Habena
Irish Birdcatcher
Bridle
The Saddler
Katharine Logic
Flying Dutchman
Phryne
Touchstone
Lady Hawthorne
Windhound
Alice Hawthorne
Muley Moloch
Lady Palmerston
Melbourne
>>
Pantaloon
*Marchioness d Eu
Magpie
Echidna
Economist
Mincemeat
Sweetmeat
Hybla
The Provost
Nemesis
The Nob
The Arrow
Slave
Overreach
Irish Birdcatcher
Virginia
Rowton
Pandora
Cotherstone
Polydora
Priam
Peri
Irish Birdcatcher
Perdita
Langar
Queen of the Vale
King Tom
Agnes
Pantaloon
Rambling Katie
Melbourne
Phryne
Touchstone
*Rosabel
Newminster
>i
Jereed
Rosa Bonheur
Touchstone
Boarding-school Miss
Plenipotentiary
Rupee
Nabob
Bravery
Gameboy
Stockade
Stockwell
Sortie
Melbourne
Summerside
West Australian
EUerdale
Lanercost
Sunbeam
Chanticleer
Suntlower
Bay Middleton
Sweet Hawthorne
Sweetmeat
Alice Hawthorne
Muley Moloch
Terrific
Touchstone
Ghuznee
Pantaloon
Terrona
Touchstone
Alice Hawthorne
Muley Moloch
*Theodora
Orlando
Sultana
Hetman Platoff
Tunstall Maid
Touchstone
Tomboy Mare
Tomboy
*Typee
Touchstone
Boarding-school Miss
Plenipotentiary
Uzella
Sweetmeat
Welfare
Priam
With regard to the blood of brood raares of the present
day, and the crosses which suit (without entering into any
detail of crosses particularly), I would recommend the
t Those mares marked with an asterisk (*) were in manuscript
and selected before their produce won.
318 TURF TOPICS.
reader to adhere as far as possible to the following strains
and mixtures, of course taking into account the running
family in other respects; that is to say, as to other strains
of blood a few generations back : first, to breed from
' Touchstone,' ' Melbourne,' * Irish Birdcatcher,' ' Sweet-
meat,' and ' King Tom' mares, in preference to others, as a
general rule. No doubt the 'Bay Middleton' strain stands
justly in the front rank, and has proved successful, con-
sidering the chances, in proportion.* The daughters of
' King Tom,' if fashionably bred on their dam's side, will, in
my opinion, turn out most successful, and should be held
in high esteem, not only from the value of ' The Whale-
bone' blood through their splendid sire, but because in
their veins flows the blood of the queen of brood mares,
' Pocahontas ;'t and I venture to predict that the ' King
Tom' mares will prove second to none. Were I to suggest
a cross, it would be with the ' Sweetmeat' strain, of the
value of which ' Sweetsauce' has furnished so plain and
striking a proof : his dam, ' The Irish Queen,' being by
the same sire as ' The King,' viz. * Harkaway.' * Dundee'
* It is a curious fact that the ' Sweetmeat' and 'Melbourne'
cross has been almost left entirely untried, although in the very
few instances where an approach to it has been made, they have
proved successful. The cross ought, in one respect at least, to be
judicious ; viz. the symmetry of the one, with the fine bone and
frame of the other, ought to prove successful. There is no strain
can excel 'Melbourne' as fine samples of slashing racehorses —
length, bone, &c ; and the blood is perhaps the best of the whole
lot, in a general point of view.
■j" She has done more towards improvement in the racehorse
than any mare ever foaled, and with ' Guiccioli,' dam of ' Irish
Birdcatcher,' and 'Faugh-a-Ballagh,' has proved a mine of wealth
to the turf.
BROOD MARES.
319
also comes from the same cross, being a mixture of
'Whalebone' and ' Sweetmeat' strains.
No matter how the breeder may cross, or what blood
he may select to build his hopes upon, to my mind there
is one above all others that will improve " the mixture,'*
whether it be for speed or stoutness, fine, slashing, and
racing shape, size and action ; and that strain is ' Panta-
loon.'
Once more, in concluding my remarks upon brood
mares, &c., let me impress upon the reader the absolute
necessity of avoiding the "penny-wise-and-pound-foolish"
principle, and of adhering to the running family , instead
of one or two solitary exceptions, and a bunch of rubbish ;
and when he has got possession of them, to give them
every chance — the very best feeding, care, and attention.
320
THE STUD-FARM : ITS REGULATIONS AND
REQUISITES.
There is not, perhaps, in any speculation, an element
more precarious or expensive than that which forms the
subject of the following remarks, which are made with a
perfect consciousness that there are many persons more ex-
perienced in sucli matters ; but still there are, no doubt,
some who have not heretofore given their minds or atten-
tion to the subject, who might derive a few useful hints
therefrom. The first step which should be taken is to find
good land, thoroughly drained, naturally of a dry and fer-
tile soil ; the herbage mixed with clover, and the other
various seeds to which the horse is partial : for if the
reader will look at the coats (even in the middle of sum-
mer) of mares fed upon a wet or insufficiently drained
pasture (the colour of which is invariably a very dark
green, as well as coarse and sour), they will find them cold-
looking and staring ; and that, however abundant the crop
may be, it does not possess that sweetness which renders
it palatable to the animal, — a fact which becomes plainly
visible and proved when we find certain portions of the
pasture in long tufts untouched, and other spots eaten to
the roots : therefore, the very first object of the breeder
should be to select the best soil. Regard should be paid
THE STUD-FARM. 321
to comfort and necessaries in the shape of stabling, sheds,
&c. ; and, independently of the usual houses, it is de-
sirable — if the tract of land extends to any considerable
distance, where the regular stables cannot at all hours be
made use of — to have sheds erected at convenient spots,
here and there, under which, during excessive heat in
the day-time, according as the animals like, they can
take shelter from the annoyance of flies — during which
period they seldom feed — or from cold winds, &c.
The formation or structure of stabling for breeding-
purposes is a subject with which many are acquainted,
and in the present day requires little comment, having
been brought to perfection ; as will appear manifest to
any visitor to the stud-paddocks at Knowsley, Eaton, and
many other places. However, for the benefit of those
who may not have had an opportunity of visiting these
establishments, it may be useful to offer a few remarks.
The stables should be roomy, as large and lofty as
possible, well ventilated, the doors (which, during the
animals' absence, should be kept as much open as pos-
sible) being not only broad, but equally high in propor-
tion, avoiding the possibility of accident to the animals
when rushing suddenly in or out, through either striking
their heads against the top, or otherwise injuring them-
selves by coming in contact with the sides, to prevent
which wooden or leather-bound rollers should be placed
at each. Extra ventilators should be placed loiv doivn
at each side of the door, in a slanting manner, about
half-a-foot in width and one foot from the ground, to be
made use of when necessary. The flooring should be
formed in such a manner that the bedding would remain
as dry and clean as possible. In constructing the roof,
Y
322
TURF TOPICS.
particular care should be taken to have a sufficient space
between the slates and the ceiling, so as to prevent the
excessive heat of the sun on the former causing heat, or
the contrary effect during the cold in winter from frost
or snow, as each have great influence thereupon. The
walls should be occasionally whitewashed, to banish any
nauseous smells or remains of distemper which might
exist ; the mangers should be repeatedly cleansed from
the remains of the various descriptions of food previously
placed therein, and which become sour and disagreeable.
The wood-work should be lined with tin or zinc, in order
to prevent the animals biting, or learning to crib, or be-
coming wind-suckers, to which they are much inclined.
That the system of placing together a number of
mares at any period of the year (and which, I have
remarked, is frequently practised) is highly injurious,
becomes apparent in many ways : therefore my idea is,
that a reasonable tract of land allotted to a couple of
mares, with their separate houses, is most desirable : in
fact, the more horses and the more paddocks the better.
Especial care should be taken, as far as possible, to prevent
their connexion with strange animals, and that they
should be as distant from thoroughfares as possible ;
because every disturbance is to a certain degree injurious,
especially at periods when mares are either about to foal,
after foaling, or during the time they are going through
their trials.
Paddocks, if possible, should be formed in such a
manner that many animals could not have access to, or
their attention drawn towards others, especially when
strangers are likely to appear; therefore, walls or banks
are preferable to transparent palings or rails. When the
THE STUD-FARM. 323
latter form the partitions, tlie consequence is continual
neighing; galloping, and annoyance to the whole establish-
ment on the introduction of a new-comer : mares on the
eve of foaling, yearlings full of flesh, galloping until they
break their wind, spring curbs, or otherwise injure them-
selves; sires neighing and roaring, — in short, the whole
establishment becomes a perfect bedlam.
Then, again, sires never should be kept near mares or
young stock, but in some strictly private place, especially
during the season, which is the most critical period for
foaling mares, as well as for others : the continual noise
attending the trials, and strangers perpetually coming
and going, interfere most injuriously with the animals,
preventing them from feeding, and in many instances
from proving with foal, or probably causing some to pick
or cast foal. One of the great objections to bundling a
number of mares together, even in large tracts of pasture,
is this : if they are on the eve of foaling, they frequently
interfere with and annoy each other, rushing suddenly to
bite, &c., for it is wonderful how they have their parti-
cular friends amongst their number, and their enemies
also, never losing an opportunity on their approach of
showing their dislike, and in the most cunning and vicious
manner in many instances ; for they keep on grazing until
they get near enough, rushing at, biting, and kicking at the
object of their dislike, causing the other to hastily jump
round to avoid punishment, and perhaps receive serious
injury, the foals also getting sometimes hurt.
On the other hand, in the case of barren mares re-
cently sent to stud, perhaps twenty or thirty are in one
field, and others are continually going and coming, which,
in addition to the process of bringing each back and fro
324 TURF TOPICS.
during their trials, results in frequent disturbance to
the others, at a time when they should be kept as quiet
as possible; each in turn, during a certain period, viz.
before being done with their trials, going the round
perhaps of the whole lot, teasing them, sometimes getting
kicked for their trouble; from others finding a reciprocity
of feeling, which proves equally injurious to both, under
the circumstances. The question as to the size or shape
of the boxes is quite a secondary consideration, provided
they are moderately comfortable and properly ventilated,
compared to that of the quality of the soil, for there and
in feeding generally lies the foundation for bringing the
racehorse to perfection.
Perhaps the most important of all requisites in the
stud-farm is good water and plenty of it, running streams,
of course, being most desirable ; but where they are not
found, large tubs should be placed in each field and kept
continually supplied with soft water. A water-barrel on
wheels is most useful for the purpose of filling such
tubs. However necessary regular feeding-hours may be,
such regularity becomes far more so as regards drinking
(there is nothing so frequent as inattention on this parti-
cular point); for brood mares especially, and more par-
ticularly in the hot weather, are fond of wetting their
mouths, and playing with the water.
Mares fed upon good soil seldom fail to show it, if
they are sound in constitution, free from worms, or in-
ternal disease. When the condition is perfect, their coats
in summer not only shine like satin, but bear a golden
tinge, resembling that in the peacock^s feathers, although
I must confess I have seldom seen brood mares' con-
dition brought to such perfection ; which is owing,
THE STUD-FARM. 325
principally, to their own extraordinary health and sound
constitution.
Parties desirous of improving or rendering a tract
of pasture more convenient, which is of a square form,
and has not been previously sufficiently subdivided,
could not do better than erect a square building in the
centre thereof, dividing it into four equally proportioned
boxes, with a door opening into each fourth part of the
field ; the fences or divisions of which should not be trans-
parent, as before mentioned, but should be formed of
banks made from the earth at each side, with about three
feet of the foundation breasted with common stone or
bricks, gradually tapering towards the top, which should
be at least eighteen inches wide, and sufficiently high to
prevent the animals seeing or interfering with each other.
It is, of course, more desirable to have brick or stone walls.
Corn-bruisers and boilers are likewise most necessary
in a stud-farm; bruised oats being desirable for all
animals, and boiled barley, linseed, turnips, bran, &c.,
being frequently required, especially during certain periods
of the year, when mares are about to foal, and during
winter and spring.
In a properly-conducted establishment there cannot be
too much neatness or regularity as regards all the neces-
saries. A room for head-collars, &c., should be kept
regularly fitted out. As to head-collars great care should
be taken that they fit properly, neither too large nor too
small ; for it has frequently happened that, when horses
scratch their heads with their hind legs, or otherwise,
they become entangled and receive serious injury, in
some instances breaking their necks, the head-collars
being larger than necessary. Care should also be taken
326 TURF TOPICS.
not to leave in the stable buckets having iron hoops
or handles ; for horses are inclined to paw at them, and
frequently injure themselves, the foot and leg becoming
fast between the iron hoop and the edges of the bucket :
the latter falling, the horse becomes frightened, springs
back, and by a sudden downward motion presses the iron
against the skin. In the construction of the manger it is
desirable to have a sort of bar at each end, about five
or six inches from the extremities, to prevent the horse
pushing the oats out, which he is most likely to do, par-
ticularly when first placed before him, appearing to prefer
eating them from the ground, but generally wasting a
large quantity.
Inasmuch as the period from which horses take their
ages renders it desirable to have every precaution taken
to be as forward as possible with nourishment, and
the season of the year not usually supplying the quan-
tity which might be wished for, care should be taken
to have a field with a ivinter crop of rye-grass, which
is much earlier than other pasture, and can be either
mown by the scythe or otherwise supplied, and which is
far more nutritious to the mare at foaling-time than
dried hay : the great drawback to the early foal being the
want of a sufficient quantity of milk, especially where the
dam may not be a good suckler. Many expei-ienced
persons maintain that an April foal is quite as good as
one dropped very much earlier, assigning as a reason the
want of a sufficient supply of milk or nourishment from the
dam, believing that the foal becomes retarded in its natural
growth : in short, all breeders should take care to have a
field of early grass, which is not more expensive than any
other, although far more desirable and profitable in every
THE STUD-FARM. 327
respect. In the paddock the addition of a contrivance
(which admits of various forms) is most useful for the
purpose of enabling the foal to take his bruised oats,
occasionally with a little moistened bran, or cut carrots
without the interference of the dam (who, no matter how
good a nurse, is certain to devour the entire before the
foal has time to partake of any). The most simple plan
is to place the food in the centre of a fenced-in inclosure,
where the foals can have access to it without such inter-
ference, forming at a distance of about four feet a paling or
obstruction to the mare; taking care at the same time that
it should be well rounded, of proportionate height, so as
not to injure the foal in passing under backwards and
forwards.
Bearing m mind the number of contagious diseases
with which horses are so frequently attacked, it is neces-
saiy to have, as far removed as possible from the general
stabling, a sort of hospital, with well-ventilated and airy
boxes, to which the horses upon the first appearance of
sickness should be immediately removed, and the boxes
from which they have been so changed should be forth-
with whitewashed with lime and water, and otherwise
cleansed and ventilated.
The stud-groom should be provided with the usual
medicines and instruments, which are so frequently and
so suddenly required, and might not on an emergency be
easily procured; the want of which might be attended
with very serious consequences to the owner. Any stud-
groom possessing reasonable intelligence and ordinary
experience will soon understand how to treat those cases
which are so common in horse-flesh, and about which so
much ridiculous fuss is frequently made.
328 TURF TOPICS.
Having made these few general remarks upon the ab-
solute requisites to a properly-conducted breeding estab-
lishment — remarks which, no doubt, are superfluous to
the numerous experienced parties who breed extensively,
but which may prove useful to those who are about to
commence, I would wish to impress upon the beginner,
above all things, to be provided with those artificial or
forced crops, nje-grass and turnips, which are likewise
most desirable for brood mares at that season when they
most require such nourishment : the latter strewn over
the field are capital for producing milk; the former,
being cut and placed before the mares, prevents its being
trampled upon and wasted, at a period when it is so
scarce and valuable. Boiled turnips mixed with bran,
linseed, bruised oats, &c., by way of change at night,
will be found most beneficial substitutes for the grass at
that period of the year.
Where outlay is no object, perfection cannot be too
dearly paid for in obtaining all the requisites referred to,
and I would strongly recommend a beginner to remember,
that to be " penny wise and pound foolish " is bad
economy, especially in horsebreeding, which from the
competition in the present day, as well as the remune-
rative prices realised by breeders, presents an open field
for prosperous speculation.
There is, indeed, no speculation to which these remarks
are so applicable as to that of horse-breeding ; it is one
which peculiarly requires liberal ideas, and an entire ab-
sence of all petty considerations.
329
CONCLUSION.
I FEEL it is now time to bring my observations on Turf
Topics to a conclusion. In offering them to the public
I am not influenced by any desire to acquire literary
notoriety, or to be regarded as a successful author:
my object is one far less egotistical, and I can with
truth say, much more philanthropic. It is simply to ex-
tend to those whose youth and want of knowledge in
racing matters may render the information valuable, the
results of a lengthened and costly experience — to warn
them against the dangers which beset their path — and
yet, at the same time, to encourage them (if their cu--
cumstances permit of it) in the pursuit of that pastime
which, of all others, is most fitted to add power to the
mind and vigour to the body.
Even at the risk of being condemned as one prone to
indulge in self-praise, I cannot refrain from adverting to
the singular fulfilment of some of my predictions which
has so recently taken place.
I allude, amongst others, to the success of 'Gla-
diateur' in the 2000-guineas race at Newmarket. If the
reader will refer to the 142nd page of this Treatise, he
will feel satisfied that the theories I there advanced have
330 TURF TOPICS.
beeu now proved to have been sound in their conception ;
and that subsequent events have fully justified opinions
which were the offspring of a judgment that has been
matured, as well by disappointment as by experience.
It may be that I have in some degree written so as to
dishearten the man who truly loves the Turf; who is suf-
ficiently favourecf by fortune to indulge in its pleasures ;
but still who, from his peculiar idiosyncracy, may not be
able to bear up against reverses. If I have done so, I
did not intend it; and can only retrieve my error by re-
minding him —
" That the world is always turning on its axis;
Mankind turns with it, whether heads or tails :
We live and die, make love, and pay our taxes.
And as the veering wind shifts, shift our sails."
THE END.
LONDON:
Printed by Day & Son, Limited,
Gate Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields.
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