CHAPTER XI 



THE THOROUGHBRED OR RACE HORSE. 



TO do anything beyond indicating the chief points of the 

 race horse, is beyond the scope of this work ; in 

 fact, it is a variety of hoise upon which whole volumes 

 have been written, its history being traced back to the famous 

 Arabian imported by Mr. Darley from Aleppo, and foaled 

 during 1702. This celebrated sire may be looked upon as the 

 foundation stone of the present race of thoroughbreds, hke- 

 wise of many others of the hghter breeds of horses. 



Years and years of careful breeding by selection, have 

 bi ought the race horses of to-day up to their high standard ol 

 excellence, and the early maturity — with a corresponding early 

 decline for work on the turf — of these animals, constitutes one 

 of the most striking features of the breed. 



Before entering into the outlines of the race horse, it is 

 advisable to briefly notice the Arabian horse, whose Oriental 

 blood has done so much for the thoroughbred. The Arab is of 

 somewhat small build, usually being about 14.2 or 14.3 hands 

 and of a sinewy mould. The forehead is short and squarely 

 formed ; the ears small and well apart ; muzzle short, and 

 nostrils large. Chest of medium width, but very deep at girth. 

 An important feature of the Arab is seen in the beautifully 

 arched neck and flowing mane. The shoulders are somewhat 



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