22 RACING. 



discover his sentiments and inclinations upon the subject of 

 horses. He was a lover of hunting, and for that purpose pre- 

 ferred English horses, of which he always had several in his 

 stables after he became an inhabitant of France. 



When William III. ascended the throne he not only added 

 to the plates given to different places in the kingdom, but 

 rendered a more necessary and important service to the 

 country. He founded an academy for riding, and invited from 

 France a very able and experienced horsenian— Major Joubert 

 — to preside over his institution. 



Queen Anne continued the bounty of her predecessors, with 

 the addition of several plates. Her Royal consort, George, 

 Prince of Denmark, is said to have taken infinite delight in 

 horse-racing, and to have obtained from the Queen the grants 

 of several plates allotted to different places. 



During this reign the Darley Arabian was brought into 

 England. 



Towards the close of the reign of George I. he discontinued 

 the plates, and in lieu gave the sum of one hundred guineas. 

 The statute 13 George H. c. 19, for the prohibition of races 

 by ponies, forbids all matches for any plate or prize under 

 the value of 50/., and enacts that each horse which shall be 

 entered to run, if five years old shall carry 10 stone ; if six, 11 ; 

 and if seven, 12 stone. 



This Act of Parliament had a twofold intention, being 

 framed not only to prevent the encouragement of a paltry 

 breed of horses, but also to remove all temptation from the 

 lower class of people, who constantly attend these races, to 

 their very great injury and loss of time. 



It was thought expedient about 1785 to impose a tax upon 

 running-horses ; accordingly the financier obtained a statute for 

 that purpose in the 24th year of the reign of George III., c. 26, 

 whereby it is enacted that : 



For every horse entered to start or run for any plate, prize or sum 

 of money, or anything whatsoever, in addition to the duties of 

 former and subsequent Acts laid upon horses, shall be paid the 



