IMPORTED EASTERN SIRES 431 



1877 and 1893 the Derby was won on five occasions by an 

 unsound animal. (See Appendix M.) 



Records exist of racing in this country as far back as the 

 beginning of the thirteenth century, but of the early improve- 

 ment and management of British horses little is known with 

 certainty. After the formation of good roads, the Romans 

 imported horses of lighter build than the native English 

 horses, with the object of improving the latter for road-work. 

 Athelstan introduced running horses from Germany. Spanish 

 horses were next used before Arabians were brought in. 

 What were called the " Royal mares " were imported by 

 Charles II. About the end of the seventeenth and beginning 

 of the eighteenth century the most famous of the Eastern 

 sires were introduced, viz., the " Godolphin Arabian," the 

 " Byerly Turk," and the " Darley Arabian." These horses, mated 

 with the Royal mares and with the best of the native English 

 horses of the time, acquired a very large share in the establish- 

 ment of the English Thoroughbred. Going still more closely 

 into the origin of the best Thoroughbred horses of the present 

 day, it will be found that nearly all can claim relationship 

 with one or other of the three famous sires " Herod," 

 " Eclipse," and " Matchem." 



The superior qualities of the few have been taken advan- 

 tage of in the improvement of the many. The improvement 

 has been great in the special direction and for the special 

 purpose for which the race-horse is kept. " Two distinguishing 

 qualities of the English Thoroughbred are, great speed with a 

 light weight over a short distance, and early maturity." So 

 much has the element of usefulness been sacrificed in recent 

 years in the interests of baby racing, says one high authority, 

 "it is generally estimated that out of every 2000 horses bred, only 

 about three obtain pre-eminence for speed, strength, staying 

 power, and pluck . . . hundreds of horses being permanently 

 ruined by pernicious premature training." It is true that the 

 length of a race, which in olden times extended over three or 

 four miles, has now been much shortened, and horses are 

 trained to do short distances at high speed ; but there is little 

 doubt, nevertheless, that the staying power of the breed is as 

 good as ever, while the pace in later years has greatly increased. 

 Greater speed has been associated with a larger stride and 

 increased height. Sir Walter Gilbey records, on the authority 



