BREEDING. 115 



by horses which could not with a fair chance of success have 

 competed at any weights with the best racehorses of their day 

 over such a course as the Beacon. 



There has of late years been much outcry respecting the 

 •deterioration of our breed, principally owing to the fact that 

 valuable racehorses are now seldom tested over long courses. 

 But the modern system can claim in its favour that it does not 

 drain away the stamina of horses and mares before they are 

 put to the stud ; for as to mares it has been clearly proved 

 that some of the best, and those especially who have ranked 

 amongst ' Cup horses,' have been valueless at the stud, whereas 

 some of our most eminent matrons were never raced at all, 

 having in all probability been found wanting when tried. 



Equally, too, some of the most celebrated stallions have 

 failed on the racecourse, though many who gave little promise 

 during the first few seasons in the paddock have done well in 

 after life, when rest restored their constitutions. 



EcHpse will at once be cited in contradiction to this theory ; 

 but it must be remembered that he had nothing taken out of 

 him until he had arrived at maturity, and that he only began 

 racing after five years of age. 



Our three great sires of the Eastern strain, whether Arabian 

 or Barbs, had no pretension to size. The Godolphin Arabian,^ 

 whose portrait has been handed down to us, was a very common- 

 looking horse, and it is not surprising to hear that before coming 

 to this country he had been drawing a cart in Paris. To this 

 day many of the small Tarbes entire horses, which are used in 

 gigs and general common work on the high roads of France, 

 much resemble the pictures of that illustrious sire. 



The Godolphin Arabian was first used on his arrival in 

 England by Mr. Coke as teaser to Hobgoblin ; the latter 

 having declined Roxana, she was put to the Arabian, and 

 produced Lath as his first offspring. He afterwards belonged 

 to Lord Godolphin, and covered for many years at Gog Magog 



1 Said to be the only Arabian of the pure Nedjee strain ever brought to this 

 country. 



I 2 



