THE TURF 29 



The most difficult points in the trainer's 

 art have only been called into practice 

 since the introduction of one, two, and 

 three-year-old stakes, never thought of in 

 the days of Childers or Eclipse. Saving 

 and excepting the treatment of doubtful 

 legs, whatever else he has to do in his 

 stable is comparatively trifling to the act of 

 bringing a young one quite up to the mark, 

 and keeping him there till he is wanted. The 

 cock was sacred to ^Esculapius by reason 

 of his well-known watchfulness ; nor should 

 the eye of a training-groom be shut whilst 

 he has an animal of this description under 

 his care, for a change may take place in 

 him in a night, which, like a frost over the 

 blossoms, will blast all hopes of his success. 

 The immense value, again, which a very 

 promising colt now attains in the market 

 adds greatly to the charge over him; and 

 much credit is due to the trainer who 

 brings him well through his engagements, 

 whether he be a winner or not. 



The treatment of the seasoned race-horse 

 is comparatively easy and straightforward, 

 with the exception of such as are very 

 difficult to keep in place, by reason of 



