244 HISTORY OF THE 



tion of these races occurs in the Racing Calendar 

 for 1801 ; before which time, they had been con- 

 sidered strictly private, and only attended by the 

 members of the Bibury Club and their friends. 

 According to this notice, the horses were all the 

 property of, and rode by, members of the club, 

 no others being allowed ; and the weights for this 

 purpose were never under lOst. In 1801, these 

 races were run over the Burford course ; from 

 this, they were removed to Cheltenham, and in 

 1831, to Stockb ridge, in Hampshire. As the rage 

 among gentlemen for riding races began to die 

 away, and lighter weights became the order of 

 the day, the regular jockies were introduced at 

 these races, but there are still several stakes left, 

 exclusively for gentlemen riders. 



The races of the Bibury Club are held about 

 the commencement of July, a week after the 

 Bath races, and the following is a list of the 

 stakes. 



First day. — The Bibury Stakes of 25 sovs. 



4 



each, 10 ft., and only 5 if declared by a time to be 

 fixed when the handicap is pubUshed ; with 50 

 added by the club ; two miles. 



The Champagne Stakes of 30 sovs. each, 20 ft. ; 

 for two yrs. old colts, 8st. 71b., and fillies, Bst. 

 41b. ; T. Y. C. The winner to give three dozen 

 of Champagne to the club, and £50 to be added 

 by the club if three horses start. 



