226 THE RACEHORSE AS HE WAS AND IS. 



The result of such an examniation on my own part has 

 been a definite conclusion, I believe our horses are superior 

 in speed and endurance to the horses of past times, and, if 

 it be an additional advantage, are increased in size. 



The late Admiral Rous, the first great authority that I 

 shall quote, says : — 



" There is an ignorant notion abroad that the thoroughbreds 

 have degenerated because so niany are broken down before 

 they are four years old. It is no wonder if we reflect 

 that in these railroad times the young horses are destroyed 

 by galloping and racing for ten months in the year — two- 

 year-olds running three and four times in a week. It is the 

 old story, killing the goose for the golden eggs — otherwise 

 there is no deterioration ; on the contrary, the racehorse 

 never was so good." 



Every sentiment of the gallant admiral, as above expressed, 

 I fully endorse. I think the reputation for speed will be 

 safe in the keeping of such horses as the following : — 

 Trappist, TJiunder, Galopin, Prince Charlie, Springfield, 

 Ecossais, and Lollipop ; and for endurance with such as : Nezu 

 Holland, Hampton, Petrarch, and Pageant — some of the 

 latter, and many others I could mention, being equally good 

 at any distance up to and under four miles, though some few 

 may have been sent to the stud, where we shall find many 

 more good horses of both sexes. The names of a few of 

 the latter may be given as follows : — Sterling, Rosicntcian, 

 Speculum, The Earl, Hermit, Doncaster, Blue Gozvn, See- Saw, 

 Jtdius, and Palmer as sires, and Apology, Brigantine, Europa, 

 Hannah, Formosa, Green Sleeves, Marie Stuart, and Frdulein 

 as marcs ; besides a host of others too numerous to mention. 



It will be well now to contrast the performances of a few 

 of these modern horses with those of one of the best of 

 former years ; for which purpose I select the running of Bay 

 Middlcton in 1836, a performance that I think had never up 



