62 THE TRAINING GROUND. 



horses are trained, in which the nature of the ground precludes 

 the possibihty of doing them justice. What is the result 

 of such training ? The horses go lame ; and those that remain 

 sound must be run about half fit, of necessity courting defeat 

 by horses that are fit — a remark specially applicable to long 

 distance races. 



Therefore as horses cannot be trained elsewhere, it is of 

 paramount importance to have a good training ground. The 

 selection of it should be made in dry weather. Then it is 

 in its worst state, and its nature can be thoroughly judged. 

 Bad or indifferent stables may be altered or even rebuilt ; but 

 the nature of the ground no process can appreciably improve. 

 As you find it, so it remains ; and on it such as it is, you 

 must either work your horses or neglect their condition. 



By many the situation is considered the chief object. 

 To make it so, is all very well if the owner race for love of 

 sport regardless of expense. Gentlemen of this mind, prefer 

 having their stables and downs in their own neighbourliood, 

 or failing this, near London, so as to be easy of access during 

 " the season." But those who are bent upon making their 

 horses pay their way, who race with a view of recouping 

 the heavy outlay on the purchase of a stud and its attendant 

 expenses should choose a quiet spot and good ground wher- 

 ever they may be found ; but in reason, the farther from a large 

 town the better. My preference would be for a place thus situ- 

 ated within two or three hours of the metropolis, giving owners 

 ample time to see their horses at exercise and in the stable and 

 return to town for dinner. In such a place there would be per- 

 fect freedom of action : no telegraph set in motion to announce 

 your whereabouts on arrival or departure, nor touts to annoy 

 you. Plans could be arranged in peace and the result waited 

 in hopeful expectancy, which would often be well repaid. 



