98 THE HORSE 



is only by comparison that the word pure is applicable to them or any 

 others. But since the thoroughbred horse, as he is called, has long been 

 bred for the race-course, and selections have been made with that view 

 alone, it is reasonable to suppose that this breed is the best for that pur- 

 pose, and that a stain of any other is a deviation from the clearest stream 

 into one more muddy, and therefore impure ; the consequence is, that the 

 animal bred from the impure source fails in some of the essential character- 

 istics of the pure breed, and is in so far useless for this particular object. 

 Now, in practice this is found to be the case, for in every instance it has 

 resulted that the horse bred with the slightest deviation from the sources 

 indicated by the Stud-book, is unable to compete in lasting power with those 

 which are entirely of pure blood. Hence it is established as a rule, that 

 for racing purposes every horse must be thoroughbi^ed ; that is, as I have 

 already explained, descended from a sire and dam whose names are met 

 with in the Stud-book. 



EXTERNAL FORMATION 



Next comes the external shape or conformation of the race-ho^^se, 

 which is a subject very much studied by those who have the selection and 

 management of them. Experienced trainers, and those who have watched 

 the performances of the celebrities of the turf for successive years, will tell 

 you that " the horse can run in all forms," and so no doubt he can as an 

 exception, but the rule nevertheless is, that there is a standard which 

 should be regarded as the best suited for the racecourse, and this will vary 

 somewhat according to the performance which is required of each individual. 

 There is no doubt that the most skilful selection is not always attended with 

 success, and the statistics of the turf do not lead us to believe that £1000 

 invested under the advice of John Scott or John Day, in the purchase of a 

 yearling, will always bring a remuneration. Indeed, the contrary has so 

 often been the case, that high-priced yearlings are generally regarded with 

 suspicion when they make their first appearance on the course. The 

 winner of the Derby of 1860 went a-begging, and was at last bought for a 

 very moderate price. So also with Butterfly, the winner of the Oaks ', no 

 store was set upon her until she came to be tried ; and even on the morning 

 of the race she was not generally thought good enough to win. The cele- 

 brated Blink Bonny was a mean-looking mare, and would not have fetched 

 £50 at Tattersall's, from her appearance alone, and that wonderful animal 

 Fisherman was never liked till he proved his powers. Still, it cannot be 

 denied that a good judge will select the ten best horses out of twenty, or 

 perhaps out of a hundred ; but he will possibly leave the very best out of 

 his list. The theoretical rule is simple enough, but it requires great ex- 

 perience and a good eye to carry it out in practice. It is simply this, that, 

 cceteris paribus, the horse which is formed in the mould most like that of 

 the greatest number of good race-horses, will run the best. Thus, supposing 

 it is found that out of fifty good horses forty-nine have neat heads, light 

 necks, deep chests, oblique shoulders, long racing hind-quarters, strong hocks, 

 etc., the presumption will be that a horse resembling those forty-nine in 

 shape, will also resemble them in speed and endurance. On the other hand, 



