THE TURF. 
them were bowls, and various other pieces of plate, 
usually estimated at the value of one hundred guineas ; 
and from the inscriptions on these trophies of victory, 
much interesting information might be obtained. This 
facetious monarch was likewise a breeder of race-horses, 
having imported mares from Barbary, and other parts, 
selected by his Master of the Horse, sent abroad for the 
purpose, and called Royal Mares appearing as such 
in the stud-book to this day. One of these mares was 
the dam of Dodsworth, bred by the King, and said to 
be the earliest race-horse we have on record, whose 
pedigree can be properly authenticated. 
James II. was a horseman, but was not long enough 
among his people to enable them to judge of his senti- 
ments and inclinations respecting the pleasures of the 
turf. When he retired to France, however, he devoted 
himself to hunting, and had several first rate English 
horses always in his stud. William III. and his Queen 
were also patrons of racing, not only continuing the 
bounty of their predecessors, but adding several plates 
to the former donations. Queen Anne's consort, 
Prince George of Denmark, kept a fine stud ; and the 
Curwen Bay Barb, and the celebrated Darley Arabian, 
appeared in this reign. The Queen also added several 
plates. George I. was no racer, but he discontinued 
silver plates as prizes, and instituted the King's Plates, 
as they have been since termed, being one hundred 
guineas, paid in cash. George II. cared as little for 
racing as his father, but, to encourage the breed of 
J24 
