DETERIORATION IS FROM THE ARAB 8i 



shows constant importation of Eastern blood from 

 then clown to the present time. He says that 

 Severus is recorded to have held races with real 

 Arabs at Wetherby in Yorkshire before the middle 

 of the second century, and that there is little doubt 

 that similar contests took place at even earlier dates. 

 Severus was a Roman Emperor, and it is notable 

 that he was born in Africa, and in his conquests 

 traversed nearly the whole of the countries of the 

 Eastern horse before he came to England. Possibly 

 these races of Severus in Yorkshire account for the 

 Yorkshireman's love of a horse and skill in horse- 

 flesh, and for his cleverness in racing. The article 

 states that King John was a large importer of 

 Eastern-bred horses, and that further importations 

 of Arabian sires continued during several genera- 

 tions, till interrupted by the Wars of the Roses, 

 after which Henry VHI. took great personal 

 interest in breeding from Eastern sires, his trainer 

 having been styled ' Keeper of the Barra or Barbary 

 Horses.' Cardinal Wolsey held Eastern blood to 

 be of great value, and made extensive use of an 

 Arab sire sent to the King by the Duke of Urbino. 

 Elizabeth had a racing establishment. James I. 

 largely indulged in the sport of racing ; his favourite, 

 the Duke of Buckingham, imported the Helmsley 

 Turk, and Lord Salisbury's studs included Eastern 

 breeds. So that even prior to the time of James I. 

 there had been large and long-continued importation 

 of Arab horses to England. 



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