298 STEEPLE-CHASING. 



The results of races during the last few years may well 

 perplex the owner who is practically occupied with the selection 

 of the chaser. Take the popular Sandown meeting for in- 

 stance. The principal steeple-chase is called the Grand Inter- 

 national, and is run over a four-mile course. Tolly Sir John 

 and Savile, both from Danebury, won it in 1885 and 1884. In 

 1883 it was unexpectedly won by Albert Cecil ; in 1882 it fell 

 to The Scot ; the two previous races were both carried off by 

 Regal, who also won the Grand National of 1876. 



Now Albert Cecil was worthless on the flat, so much so that 

 he was bought for some 30/. Savile was little better. The 

 Scot ran twice and was unplaced as a two-year-old, and in 

 eleven attempts next year carried off one paltry little handicap. 

 Regal as a three-year-old won the Wallop Plate of 50/., and a 

 seUing welter handicap also worth 50/. But let us inquire how 

 these horses are bred. Jolly Sir John is an American, but 

 his breeding is very good. Savile is by Cremorne, winner 

 of the Derby 1872. Albert Cecil is a son of Albert Victor, 

 second for the Derby won by Favonius, and of Emotion by 

 Alarm. Regal is by Saunterer, sire of a classic winner in 

 Gamos who won the Oaks in 1870, from Regalia, an Oaks 

 winner and a daughter of Stockwell. The Scot is a son of the 

 mighty Blair Athol and of Columba, by Charleston, her dam, 

 Vexation, by Touchstone. 



What can possibly be inferred from this but that blood will tell? 

 The man who would win steeple-chases must have a well-bred 

 horse,^ he must have a well-schooled and trained horse ; surely 

 his task should be to breed, school, and train accordingly. 



The question of breeding should specially be considered if 

 the game be held as worth the candle, but the consideration is 

 not by any means a simple matter. The stock of some horses 

 seem to take naturally to jumping. Flash-in-the-Pan appar- 

 ently never sired a horse that could not jump, and he never 

 ran over a country, though he was occasionally ridden out with 



1 More recent instances since this was written would strengthen the argu- 

 ment. 



