IIORSE-RACINO. 443 



CHAPTER XX. 



LAWS RELATIVE TO THE TURF, &C. 



HORSE-EACmG. 



To limit the excess of horse-races, the statute 13 George IL, 

 chapter 19, decrees that no plate or matches under the 

 value of £50 shall be run for on pain of forfeiture of £200 

 by the owner of each horse so running, and of £100 by 

 such persons as advertise the horse. And although the 

 owners of horses may run them for a stake of £50 and 

 upwards, at such places as are or have been used for horse- 

 races ; yet, if they run them upon the highway, or any 

 other place than those prescribed by the statute, the bet is 

 illegal, and the parties subject to the forfeitures accordingly. 



There is, however, an exception in the statute in favour 

 of N'ewmarket, and Black Hamilton, for any sum or stake 

 less than £50. 



Note. — Although matches or horse-races, made according 

 to the above-cited provisions are legal, yet all bets or 

 wagers above £10 on them are games within the statute of 

 9 Anne, chapter 14, and are consequently void. 



But although the legislature has in many instances laid 

 betting under particular restrictions, yet the practice is not 

 restrained by the common law, unless it may be injurious to 

 public economy. Consequently, all wagers which are not 

 contrary to sound policy in the general interests of the 

 community, or which are not made upon games, or are 

 likely to disturb the public peace, or to encourage im- 



