We may pass over the brief reign of 

 James II. (1685-1688), as it was marked 

 by nothing of importance bearing on our 

 subject. 



WILLIAM III. (1689-1702). 



The first year of this reign saw the im- 

 portation of the first of the Eastern sires 

 which contributed to found the modern 

 breed of racehorses the Byerley Turk. 

 The Oglethorpe Arabian arrived about the 

 same time. The Turf was growing in 

 importance and popularity ; and we find that 

 a gold bowl was one of the prizes offered 

 at the Newmarket meeting of 1689. King 

 William took personal interest in racing, and 

 kept a stud under the charge of the famous 

 Tregonwell Frampton, who filled the office 

 of Keeper of the Running Horses under 

 Queen Anne, George I. and George II. 

 The King seems often to have visited New- 

 market, and he encouraged other meetings 

 Burford, for example by his presence. 



He was keenly alive to the importance 

 of encouraging horsemanship ; sharing, 

 perhaps, the view held by many persons 

 at this period that the general use of stage 

 coaches and carriages was likely to lead to 



