STUD BOOK. 81 



evinced any pretensions to racing qualities. There may be an 

 exception; but I believe I am correct in stating that there is 

 not. 



The science of breeding horses is replete with interest to 

 those who are immediately concerned in that pursuit, or racing 

 in its various phases; and to those who are not, considering its 

 importance in a commercial and national point of view, it can- 

 not fail to excite attention. The unanimity which has presided 

 over the progress made in racing and breeding for that pur- 

 pose is indubitable; still there are persons disposed to cen- 

 sure the exciting customs of the turf, as conducive to the 

 defeat of that object for which they ought to be framed with 

 the most careful application. In addition to the subjects al- 

 ready noticed, it is frequently argued that the prevailing 

 fashion of handicap races, and light weights in general, are 

 calculated to encourage the breeding of a degenerate class of 

 horses. Here it must be observed, that it is not in the power 

 of human ingenuity to introduce systems which are quite 

 free from objection. In whatever may be advanced in the 

 way of improvement, something occurs to prevent the attain- 

 ment of perfection. With respect to weights, it cannot be 

 denied that the custom of carrying high weights prevailed 

 with our ancestors very materially over the usages of modern 

 times; but without investigating the fact, many persons enter- 

 tain an opinion that it was an universal practice; which, how- 

 ever, is a mistake. 



It is not because these facts are mentioned, that the pre- 

 vailing custom of running at very light weights can be de- 

 fended, for the racing community has fallen into a very great 

 extreme, more prejudicial on other accounts, than with re- 

 fence to its influence on any presumed degeneration of the 

 race-horse. 



That higher scales of weights than those which are gener- 

 ally adopted would be conducive to the interest of all parties 

 there cannot exist a doubt, and many of the best and most 

 enlightened patrons of the turf concur with the opinion; 

 but it is a subject over which it is difficult to exercise any 

 control 



For all purposes, except that of draught, fifteen hands 

 two inches is the most desirable, an inch over or under in- 

 cluded. There is a standard of excellence which regulates 

 the stature of all animals; that exceeded or not attained, the 

 acme of perfection is wanting. It is unnecessary to remind 

 those who are intimately acquainted with racing that no 

 undersized horse, that is, one not exceeding fourteen hands, 



