136 THE PURCHASE OF YEARLINGS. 



Surely enough has been said to convince the most sceptical 

 that h'ttle dependence can be placed on the breed of any- 

 horse, and that as they truly run in all shapes and forms, 

 so they do in every variety of breeds. Bay Middletou was 

 the largest and longest horse, as well as the best, I ever 

 saw at a mile, and Joe Miller the smallest and shortest. 

 Again, Promised Laiid was just the opposite in shape to 

 CriLcifix — he, short and strong, having the very shortest 

 neck I think I ever saw ; whilst Crucifix had the longest, 

 and altogether appeared the weakest mare in the world ; 

 yet both were equally good. 



I will not multiply instances, but bring my remarks on 

 the purchase of yearlings to a conclusion by saying that, all 

 things considered, it is best to buy those that are out of young 

 mares and dams of winners, and by stallions that are the 

 sires of winners, if only of little races : that is supposing you 

 cannot afford to give large sums for the most fashionably bred 

 ones, which may pay for purchasing, if they are properly 

 shaped as well, and have any pretensions to size. 



Only next in importance to the purchase of yearlings is 

 the engagement of them, a reference to which will here fitly 

 find a place. 



Here again opinions often totally differ. Some engage 

 the best-looking horses only, whilst others, holding opposite 

 views, engage only the best bred ones. Some again engage 

 their horses often ; others, but seldom. Adopting a different 

 mode altogether, some, irrespective of looks, or breed, engage 

 all heavily alike. 



My ideas of engaging horses are summed up in a very 

 few words. The good-looking, if well bred, I would engage 

 heavily ; and the worst, as far as looks and breed arc con- 

 cerned, the least, or rather not at all. My reason for acting 



