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The following not placed :-Captain Gardnor's f. by Actæon out of Mistletoe, 3 yrs (Cotton); Mr. Batson's b. c. Barbican, 3 yrs (Chapple); Mr. Hervey's gr. c. Master Eady, dam by Buckford, 4 yrs (Sly); Mr. Osbaldeston's gr. f. Miss Etty, 4 yrs (H. Edwards); Mr. Mathews's ch. m. by Sailor out of Euston's dam, 6 yrs, half-bred (Hays); Mr. Lucas's b. m. Talebearer, 3 yrs (Crouch); and General Grosvenor's br. c. Merrythought, 5 yrs (Macdonald).

Betting: 5 to 2 agst Guardsman, 5 to 2 agst Barbican, and 4 to 1 agst Jim Crow. The running was made by Talebearer and Master Eady. Guardsman shewed his head in front to Tattenham Corner. Jim Crow at one time promised well; Guardsman, however, won by a length.

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The Durdans Stakes of 5 sovs. each, with 40 added; weight for The second horse to receive back his Stake. The winner to be sold for 150 sovs.-Heats, one mile.-Five subs. Captain Gardnor's Ochiltree, 4 yrs (Pavis).. Mr. Gerrard's b. h. Rienzi, 5 yrs (Macdonald) Mr. Turner's ch. g. Sir Felix, aged (Trigg)... ............... 3 3 Mr. Bacon's ch. g. Forester, 3 yrs (a lad)..

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The first heat, Rienzi led at a very slow pace till they got over the road below Tattenham Corner, where they were all nearly together; Ochiltree pulling a-head at the Stand, she came out and won easily.— The second heat was a repetition of the first.

FRIDAY.-A Renewal of the OAKS STAKES of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., for three-year-old fillies, 8st. 4lb.-The owner of the second horse to receive 100 sovs. out of the Stakes, and the winner to pay 100 sovs. towards the expenses of additional police-officers.-Last mile and half.-Ninety-six subs.

Fulwar Craven's b. Deception, by Defence out of Lady Stumps (J. Day).. 1
Sir G. Heathcote's ch. Carolina, by Velocipede out of Nannette (Buckle).. 2
Mr. C. Wilson's b. Louisa, by Mulatto out of Yorkshire Lass (Rogers).
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The following not placed:-Mr. Bowes's Mickleton Maid, by Velocipede out of Maid of Lune (W. Scott); Mr. Bell's b. The Shadow, by The Saddler out of Slashing Harry's dam (Heseltine); Lord Stradbroke's Hesione, by Priam out of Memina (Natt); Sir G. Heathcote's b. La Bellezza, by Emilius out of Samarcand's dam (Chapple); Mr. Forth's br. by Hokee Pokee out of Echo by Emilius (Crouch); Duke of Richmond's b. Reel, by Camel out of La Danseuse (W. Day); Col. Craufurd's b. Dolphin, by Priam out of Mermaid (Lye); Lord Lichfield's ch. Sister to Hector (Wakefield); Mr. Rush's Sister to Pickwick, by Camel (Robinson); and Mr. Osbaldeston's br. Alexandrina, by The Saddler out of Ebberston's dam (H. Edwards).

As soon as the lot had got well on their legs, Deception took the lead at a strong pace, followed by Lord Stradbroke's filly, with Dolphin, Carolina filly, and Reel on the right hand. This order they kept up the hill. On coming to the turn, Lord Stradbroke's gave up the second place to the Dolphin, the Carolina filly and Louisa laying up. At the road past Tattenham Corner, the Carolina filly endeavored to run up to Deception, but without a chance; and before reaching the distance, Louisa got nearly up to Carolina, but they neither of them had the least chance of heading Deception, who won her race by two lengths, the same distance being observed between the second and third. Deception was brought to the post in splendid condition.

Colonel Peel's Ion walked over for the Burgh Stakes of 5 sovs, each, with 40 added; weight for age.-Seven subs.

Sweepstakes of 100 sovs. each, h. ft., for two-year-olds.—Six subs.

Lord Lynedoch's c. by Jerry out of Mandane by Sultan (J. Day)
General Grosvenor's f. Diploma, by Plenipotentiary out of Icaria (W. Day).
Lord Albemarle's f. Clove, by Cain out of Perfume (E. Edwards)
Sir G. Heathcote's f. by Samarcand out of Cantatina (Chapple)
Lord Westminster's f. Daphne, by Laurel out of the Maid-of-Ionor (Paris)

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The betting was very spirited at 5 to 4 on the Jerry colt, 5 to 2 agst Diploma, 4 to 1 agst Clove, 4 to 1 agst Samarcand, and 5 to 1 agst Daphne.-Lord Lynedoch's colt made the running, and won easy.

The Derby and the Oaks Stakes of 5 sovs. each, with 40 added.--
The winner to be sold for 120 sovs.-)
-Heats, one mile.

Mr. Delasaux's gr. g. Jim Crow, 5 yrs (Hornsby)
Mr. Gerard's br. h. Rienzi, 5 yrs (Macdonald)..
Mr. Higgins's b. m. Maid of Kent, 4 yrs (Higgins)
Mr. Lucas's b. m. Talebearer, 5 yrs (a lad)..
Mr. Shelley's ch. m. Gold, 4 yrs (Wakefield)

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The Maid of Kent went away with Rienzi, and Jim in attendance; at the road Rienzi and Jim Crow passed her: they raced together to the Stand, where Jim got a decided lead, and won rather cleverly.— The second heat was a repetition of the first.

PHOENIX.

CHAPTERS ON THE HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH TURF,

FROM ITS EARLIEST COMMENCEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME.

INTRODUCTION.

ALTHOUGH lengthiness may be a recommendation to a colt or filly, we are not aware that it is usually considered to be such as respects the preface to any literary undertaking. Besides, therefore, our natural inclination to brevity, the first Chapter is in fact entirely introductory; and, consequently, the introduction proper to this series of Chapters may be reduced within very narrow limits. We will only observe, with a view of deprecating any severity of criticism, that there are few matters wherein technical knowledge is more requisite than in writing on the British Turf; and the truth is, that those who have possessed such technical knowledge have seldom been capable of authorship; while the Nimrods, Lawrences, Browns, and Smiths, who have attempted it, have blundered at almost every step. Our only confidence is, that we cannot make a worse hand of it than those who have preceded us; and, however inferior in many respects on this particular subject, we hope to correct no inconsiderable number of mistakes. The BRITISH TURF is a national concern, and worthy of a history. We candidly confess that it is the indifferent opinion we entertain of all the previous works on the same subject that has stimulated us to undertake the present task, which we are rather desirous to designate as "CHAPTERS ON THE HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH TURF," than as a regular "History" of this great National Amusement.

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The Author has nothing to say of Pindar or the Olympic Games-Origin of Horse-racing in England-Its lineal Descendant is not to be sought at Newmarket or Doncaster, but at Village Wakes or Festivals-Eastern Horses probably introduced into England by the CrusadersWars of the Roses-Henries VII. and VIII.-Ancient and Modern Legislation-Queen Elizabeth-James the First-Great Time-Match in his Reign-His Markham Arabian not the first Oriental Steed imported-Authorities of Shakspeare, Sir Walter Scott, and Mr. JamesHorse-shoe supposed to be Roman-English Thorough-bred Horse a distinct Variety from the latter End of the Seventeenth Century.

ALMOST every author who has undertaken to write on the subject of the British Turf has thought it necessary to begin at the very latest with Pindar and the Olympic Games; nay one very recent contempo

rary_writer has commenced still earlier even than this, beginning with the Egyptian monuments, which are probably of an age not by many centuries distant from the Deluge. Were we indeed investigating the general history of the horse, it might be necessary to commence with the earliest traces of the existence of the animal in question, wherever we might discover them: in treating, however, on our own proper subject the History of English Racing-we shall not follow this example, but confine ourselves within the "four seas" by which our Native Isle is girt, as well as within the period of time which is really connected with the sport in question. We shall not prohibit ourselves from an occasional digressive investigation where it will illustrate our particular subject; but we shall endeavor to give a History of the British Turf; and we are decidedly of opinion, that in order to convey a clear account of anything whatever, that mode of writing must be eschewed entirely which treats de omnibus rebus et quibusdam aliis.

So common indeed has been the practice of introducing certain flourishes about Pindar and the Sporting Festivals of Greece, that an apology seems almost necessary for the omission. To us, however, it seems as uncalled-for in reality, as it was, in our humble opinion, for our earliest historians, Gildas and Company, to begin the history of Britain with the Siege of Troy. To trace the pedigree of Eclipse from Xanthus and Podargus, or from Pherenicus and the other victors of the Olympic and Isthmian Games, would not be more difficult than to trace that of our British Kings from Venus and Anchises, nor do we see that it would be more useful. The pedigree in question, it is true, might be manufactured of materials equally authentic; but after due and deliberate consideration we have declined the task.

It is highly probable that Horse-racing was an amusement to which the English people were exceedingly partial, and which they practised at a very early period. We must not, however, look for its like, as they carried it on, in the present sports of Newmarket or Doncaster; but at our country Wakes or "Feasts," as they are in certain parts of the Island intitled. In the volume of the Library of Useful Knowledge, there is a description from Fitz-Stephen, a writer of Henry the Second's reign, of horse-racing, or rather of the method of trying horses at fairs in the reign of that Monarch. After reciting Fitz-Stephen's words, the writer of the treatise in question observes-"this description reminds us of the more lengthened races of the present day, and proves the blood of the English horse even before the Eastern breed was tried." It is certain we may be reminded of matters by contrast; and this we should be disposed to regard as one example thereof; for nothing can be less like a modern race than Fitz-Stephen's account of these Smithfield scurries of the twelfth century: nor, so far as we are able to discover, does it prove anything whatever as to the blood, or size, or action of the animals exhibited. The jockeys seem to have raced two or even three ways, in order rather to shew their paces than to try their relative speed: but here is the literal description:-"When a race is to be run by this sort of horses, and perhaps by others, which also in their kind are strong and fleet, a shout is immediately raised, and the common horses are ordered to withdraw out of the way. Three jockeys, or sometimes only two, as the Match is made, prepare themselves for the contest. The horses on their part are not without emulation: they

tremble, are impatient, and continually in motion. At last, the signal once given, they start, devour the course, and hurry along with unremitting swiftness. The jockeys, inspired with the thought of applause and the hope of victory, clap spurs to their willing horses, brandish their whips, and cheer them with their cries." Certainly this racing, if racing it was, is most unlike the "genius genuine" of the redoubted Chifney, who instructs the jockeys to sit as still and keep as gentle and steady a pull upon their steeds " as if the bridle rein was a single thread of silk which they were afraid of breaking." It is not here that we are disposed to seek for the origin of the English Turf.

Those who have witnessed the kind of sport which is shewn at the village festivals at the annual commemoration of the Patron Saint (though this latter part of the business be now forgotten), where we mean to say horse-racing forms part of the diversion, may imagine what the Turf was in its original outset. A saddle and bridle, a plated cup, or a purse containing a few pounds or crowns, was probably the prize. The steeds were such as the neighbouring villages in their rivalry produced; and the jockeys some light-weighted farmers' sons, or boys promoted by one remove from driving the plough. Even in that day, perhaps, as at present, some small-waisted, light-limbed stranger, evidently not warrantable as to soundness, might occasionally drop in and "enter at the post;" might follow the lustier coursers of the vicinity for half a mile or so at a very respectful distance, until the spavin had become fairly warmed; then creeping up at the conclusion, put them to their best, and win by several lengths amidst the gaping "who'd-ha'-thowt-it's of the Johnny Raws! This, we doubt not, was the kind of sport with which the British Turf commenced.

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We have frequently ourselves in the freshly-remembered days of boyhood witnessed scenes like these: yea, more, we have been on the course, and a capital course it was, at a Yorkshire village race, when two sly ones have encountered. "When Greek meets Greek," says old Pigott," then comes the tug of war:" and we have seen a prize of five pounds sterling contested at three severe heats, and at last won by a horse, we well knew to be by Walton out of Bedlamite's grand-dam, from a mare, pedigree unknown, whose owner was the sporting waiter at the Dog and Duck Tavern, Hull! A friend assures us that he one day saw Connelly, in his best and proudest days of Epsom and Newmarket, actually give a boy five shillings to ride his pony at a village race, the youngster doubtless thinking he could ride it quite as well, yet unable to refuse the bribe.

But to return it is here that we are to look for the direct succession to the races of the Middle Ages, and not at the refined and systematic assemblages of modern times. Such was the popular commencement of a sport so intimately blended with the tastes and feelings of English, and especially of Yorkshiremen. Nor is it impossible that the horses of that day possessed a cross of the Eastern blood, particularly in places where the sport was supported by persons of consideration, and was therefore of a higher order. As early as A. D. 1121, we hear of an Arabian horse in England, and certain it is that the Crusades introduced many of a superior form. An old metrical romance is quoted in the treatise above-mentioned, which speaks of two coursers purchased (query, stolen or appropriated?) by Richard Coeur de Lion at Cyprus,

and which were the admiration of the age in which they flourished. King John, though no great credit to the Turf, was in his day a Sportsman, and possibly there may not be wanting those who will deem, from what history tells us of his character, that he was fitter for the Turf than anything else. Against this craven King we may set the heroic Edward the Third, who imported, besides others, at one time fifty very expensive steeds from Spain in order to improve the breed. Thus we may observe, that the same sagacious mind perceived the value of the two animals for which England is still so pre-eminent-namely, horses and sheep; for while he sought for the best of the former that money could procure in foreign lands, he made it a very heavy misdemeanor to export even a single sheep from his own.

The long and disastrous Wars of the Roses must have been very detrimental to the breeding of horses; and that the English nags were at their termination but of a mean quality, we may gather from the Act of Henry, we think the Seventh, relative to the New Forest; by which no one was permitted, under a penalty, to turn out any stallion under twelve hands and a half high. The Library of Useful Knowledge, we suspect, is incorrect on this particular subject. It states that "the lowest height for the stallion was fifteen hands, and for the mare thirteen hands; and that, even before they had arrived at their full growth, no stallion under fourteen hands might be turned out on any forest, moor, or common where there were mares." We find, from a report of a Parliamentary debate, that about fifty years ago the Statutes of the olden time relating to the New Forest, Hants, were under revision. On this occasion, that clever but whimsical Peer, Lord Abingdon, who, we may observe, amongst other celebrated horses bred Pot8os, ably contrasted the old-fashioned prudence of our ancient lawmakers with the verbose and pedantic absurdities of modern legislation. He shewed that King Henry the Seventh's Parliament wisely prohibited the turning out of mean and undersized stallions promiscuously among mares upon a common; but added, that it was reserved for more enlightened days to make the prohibition universal, by extending it to "any horse, mare, or gelding." The Library of Useful Knowledge observes, in speaking of Henry the Eighth, that the means he adopted were perfectly in unison with his arbitrary disposition, and very little calculated to effect his object." We contend that to prohibit the turning out of small stallions was both wise and useful: the folly and tyranny was in making the exclusion of small horses universal. The Library of Useful Knowledge ascribes this to Henry the Eighth in certain Royal Proclamations. Had not Lord Abingdon interfered, the same principle would have stultified an Act of the British Legislature, for it had passed the Commons about the year 1780.

That the breed of horses in England had exceedingly deteriorated during the convulsions of the fifteenth century cannot be doubted; and very little progress in improvement was made generally even for a century after the cessation of the Civil Wars. The frugality of Queen Elizabeth was not likely to foster a pursuit, which, however valuable to a nation, is neither cheap nor feminine. At the period of the threatened invasion by the Spaniards, we are told the Queen could only mount three thousand cavalry! The treatise before mentioned quotes Blundeville, a writer of that period, as speaking of English horses as chiefly

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