THE RACE-HORSE. 



67 



It is now admitted that the present English thorough-bred horse is of foreign 

 extraction, improved and perfected by the influence of climate and diligent 

 cultivation. There are some exceptions, as hi the cases of Sampson and Bay 

 Malton, in each of which, although the best horses of their day, there was a 

 cross of vulgar blood ; but they are only deviations from a general rule. In our 

 best racing-stables this is an acknowledged principle ; and it is not, when pro- 

 perly considered, in the slightest degree derogatory to the credit of our country. 

 The British climate and British skill made the thorough-bred horse what he is. 



The beautiful tales of Eastern countries and somewhat remote days may lead 

 us to imagine that the Arabian horse possesses marvellous powers ; but it cannot 

 admit of a doubt that the English-trained horse is more beautiful and far swifter 

 and stouter than the justly-famed coursers of the desert. In the burning plains 

 of the East and the frozen climate of Russia, he has invariably beaten every anta- 

 gonist on his native ground. It has been already stated that, a few years ago, 

 Recruit, an English horse of moderate reputation, easily beat Pyramus, the 

 best Arabian on the Bengal side of India. 



It must not be objected that the number of Eastern horses imported is far too 

 small to produce so numerous a progeny. It will be recollected that the thou- 

 sands of wild horses on the plains of South America descended from only two 

 stallions and four mares, which the early Spanish adventurers left behind them. 



Whatever may be the truth as to the origin of the race-horse, the strictest 

 attention has for the last fifty years been paid to his pedigree. In the desoeait of 

 almost every modern racer, not the slightest flaw can be discovered : or when, 

 with the splendid exceptions of Sampson and Bay Malton, one drop of common 

 blood has mingled with the pure stream, it has been immediately detected in 

 the inferiority of form and deficiency of stamina, and it has required two or 

 three generations to wipe away the stain and get rid of its consequences. 



FLYING GUILDERS. 



The racer is generally distinguished by his beautiful Arabian head ; tapering 

 and finely-set-on neck ; oblique, lengthened shoulders ; well-bent hinder legs ; 



p2 



