132 THE TURF 



several of them twice in the year. Epsom, 

 Ascot, York, Doncaster, and Goodwood 

 stand first in respect of the value of the 

 prizes, the rank of the company, and the 

 interest attached to them by the sporting 

 world, although several other cities and 

 towns have lately exhibited very tempting 

 bills of fare to owners of good race-horses. 

 In point of antiquity, we believe the Roodee 

 of Chester claims precedence of all country 

 race-meetings; and certainly it has long 

 been in high repute. Falling early in the 

 racing year always the first Monday in 

 May it affords a good trial for young 

 horses, and there is plenty of money to be 

 run for by the old ones, who come out fresh 

 and well. This meeting is most numerously 

 attended by the families of the extensive and 

 very aristocratic neighbourhood in which it 

 is placed, and always continues five days. 

 The course is far from a good one, being on a 

 dead flat, with rather a sharp turn near home, 

 in consequence of which several accidents 

 have occurred, particularly previously to 

 some late improvements. 1 When we state 



1 The following most extraordinary accident happened 

 here some years back. A colt called Hairbreadth, by 



