THE HORSE. 75 



years ago, that they lack endurance^ and 

 tliat there is not a race-horse living who 

 could run a six miles course in any 

 form. Two hundred years ago they 

 did. 



In 1676 a race was run on Winchester 

 downs, '' none but gentlemen to ride, 

 four mile heats, fourteen stone was the 

 weight up without the saddle, and four- 

 teen stone two pounds and a half with." 

 And during last century the majority of 

 royal plates were given to six year old 

 horses, carrying twelve stone ; and the 

 Duke of Rutland, owner of Bonny Black, 

 the best mare of her day for a long Longdia- 



tances and 



distance, in 1719 challeno-ed all the world ^©avy 



■ o weights 



to run sii^teen miles for one thousand cStufy. ^ 

 pounds." This mare was by Black Harry 

 by the Byerley Turk out of a mare by 



