70 



The Book of the Horse. 



From this table it will be seen that for seven years, ending 1872, over 700 foals were 

 required to supply the annual demand for two-year-olds. Of the remainder, a certain number 

 are not run until three years old, or are used as stallions or brood-mares without being trained. 

 The rest are drafted off as steeplechasers, or as hunters, riding-horses, barouche and team 

 leaders. The inferior are distributed over the country, and become cheap hacks, or find their 

 way down to cabs and tradesmen's spring-carts. 



It will be observed that one-third of the two and three-year-olds disappeared from the four 

 and five-year-old races, and only 380 four and 390 five-year-olds and upwards remain. The 

 surplus (554) passed through the same sieve as the yearlings. Death and damaging accidents 

 accounted for perhaps twenty per cent. ; a few were transferred to the stud-farm, the rest were 

 converted into horses of general utility. An elaborate calculation has shown that out of 

 fifteen foals only two would remain worth training at three years old. 



It is therefore plain that on the character of these drafts from the turf the character of 

 the English pleasure-horse mainly depends. 



The following table shows that the number of races run in the United Kingdom has 

 diminished since 1869 by more than three hundred ; but the stakes have been increased in far 

 greater proportion, and the wagering has attained vastly niore importance, although it was 

 easier twenty years ago to win a larger sum upon three or four of the chief races run for each 

 year than is now the case. 



This table shows the following change in racing arrangements : — 



In 1867 the races for a half mile and under were . . , 



For over half a mile and under a mile ..... 



In 1872 the competitors for the hat' mile and under were , . . 



Over half and under one mile ...... 



390 



745 



188 



1032 



Out of 1,923 races, only 116 were for two miles and upwards. 



The number of races run for during 1875 was slightly in excess of the previous season, 

 the exact figures being 1,909, as against 1,873. The increase was almost entirely in the short- 

 distance races ; for there were 261 of half a mile or under, or twenty-eight more than the previous 

 year. More than half of the total number of races were run for on courses of more than 

 half a mile and under a mile ; 256 were mile races ; 261 were over a mile and under two ; 

 79 were over two miles and under three ; 1 1 were over three miles and under four ; and six 

 were decided over a four-mile course. 



The Earl of Coventry, as an owner and breeder of race-horses, a master of liounds, and 

 acknowledged judge of the points and qualities of a useful horse, in a letter he addressed tc 



