COMPARATIVE STOUTNESS 91 



Us. Min. Sec. 



In 1853, the Emperor's Plate at Ascot was won by Teddington, 5 years, 9st., 



Stockwell, 4 years, 8st. 51bs. (2 miles 4 fur.), in 433 



In 1854, at Ascot, West Australian and Kingston ran in the Cup (2 miles 4 



fur. ) in 427 



In 1857, for the Ascot Gold Cup, Skirmisher, 3 years, German Di Vergy, 3 years, 

 and the Saunterer, 3 years, 6st. lOlbs. each, with Polestar 5 years, 9st.', were 

 all placed, the time being (2 miles 4 fur.) 429 



In 1857, Blink Bonny won the Derby (1 mile 4 fur.) in 245 



In 1859, Artless, 3 years, 5st. 21bs., and Gaspard, 3 years, 6st. 91bs., ran a dead 

 heat for the Cfesarewitch (2 miles 2 fur. 28 yds. ), beating Prioress, 6 years, 

 8st. 51bs 3 58 



BEST AMERICAN TIME MADE IN AMERICA AND ENGLAND. 



In 1842, Fashion, 5 years, 7st. 131bs., ran 4 miles over the U. C., Long Island, in 7 32 



In 1850, Hegira, 4 years, catch weight, ran 2 miles at New Orleans in .... 3 34J 



In 1855, Lexington, 4 years, 7st. 51bs., ran 4 miles (with a running start) at 



New Orleans in 7 19| 



In 1855, the same horse and weight beat Lecompte in the final heat of a regular 



match in 7 23| 



In 1855, Brown Dick, 3 years, 6st. 21bs., ran 3 miles at New Orleans in ... 5 28 



In 1856, Prioress, 2 years, 5st. 131bs., ran a mile over the Metairie Course, New 



Orleans, in 1 45 



In 1857, Prioress, 4 years, 6st. 91bs., ran a dead heat for the Qesarewitch (2 miles 



2 fur. 28 yds.) with El Hakim, 3 years, 6 st. 91bs., and Queen Bess, 3 years, 



4st. lOlbs., in 49 



In 1858, Nicholas, 5 years, 7st. 31bs., ran 4 miles Fashion C Long Island . 7 35 



Here, then, we have data to found a calculation upon, but whether 

 reliable or not is still a matter of dispute. Of course it is quite unfair to 

 compare the speed in a short race with that displayed in a long one, but 

 we shall find that between a mile and a half and two miles and a half there 

 is not much difference in the rate of going. The nature of the course alters 

 the time very considerably, that run over in the Derby being very hilly, 

 and therefore unusually severe, while the Caesarewitch course is compara- 

 tively level, though the Newmarket trainers complain of the hill as if it 

 was as steep as the roof of a house. Much also depends upon the way in 

 which the running is made, for if the pace is very good at first, the dis- 

 tance is not run in the same time as in a race run more slowly at the start. 

 Thus Blink Bonny was scarcely extended in her race for the Derby, and, 

 being able to run the first mile at a steady pace, she made the best time 

 on record ; while at Doncaster, where she was beaten, the time was much 

 worse, being three minutes twenty- five seconds, or nine seconds behind 

 the time of Sir Tatton Sykes. On examining the three lists, we find the 

 performance of this last-named horse to be the fastest on record for his 

 age and weight, he having run at the rate of thirteen seconds and a half 

 per furlong, nearly, while Blink Bonny's Derby time is, as near as may be, 

 thirteen seconds and three-quarters per furlong. We have no reliable 

 record of any horse having run any distance over a mile at so fast a rate 

 as this. Childers and Eclipse are said to have each run a mile in a minute, 

 but this is manifestly absurd, and if the former could only run the Beacon 

 Course, in a trial, at the rate of thirteen seconds and three-quarters per 

 furlong, and the Round Course, in an actual race, at a still slower pace, it 

 is absurd to suppose that he could run a mile in sixty seconds, or at very 

 nearly double this rate. It has been ascertained by experience that a 

 horse loses his pace for moderately short distances if he is strained to the 

 utmost for three or four miles, and our trainers are therefore careful in 



