4 RACING. 



than that of compiling a volume on these subjects which shall 

 contain even a small portion of original matter in that part 

 which relates to turf history. 



We are necessarily driven to research in old writings, and 

 here we are bound to accept the outlines, whatever amount of 

 credence we may accord to the minor details. So far, there- 

 fore, as history goes, it is our intention to confine ourselves 

 to extracting such information from other authors as has 

 received some sort of confirmation, or is at least reason- 

 ably possible. The bare history of the turf is not so very 

 recondite, for the introduction into this country of the various 

 strains of blood which have parented our present thoroughbred 

 stock is duly recorded in works the majority of which were 

 written by men of high position ; but when we come gravely to 

 consider what we are asked to believe as to the feats accom- 

 plished by horses even one hundred years ago, the spirit of 

 distrust grows strong within us. If anyone should exclaim 

 against such incredulity, let him, if at all posted up in turf 

 matters, read for one week his contemporary racing literature 

 and reflect thereon by the light of his own knowledge ; then let 

 him try to imagine himself his own great-grandson, perusing 

 some century hence the statements of to-day, and he will 

 readily arrive at the conclusion that his illustrious descendant 

 will do well to accept with some reservation the published 

 accounts of ancestral sporting performances. 



We do not think that we shall unduly tax the credulity of 

 readers when we come to contemporary affairs, and after the 

 legends of the turf have been summarised we may unhesitat- 

 ingly promise matter which at least has the claim to absolute 

 freshness. Through the kindness of the owners and trainers 

 of several of the most famous horses that have run during 

 recent years, we are able to afford readers peeps behind the 

 scenes, which we hope and think can scarcely fail to prove 

 instructive ; for what these famous horses were asked to do at 

 home, and how the capacity which they publicly displayed was 

 privately gauged, will be set forth. Readers will see how some- 



