240 RACING, PAST AND PRESENT. 



Eclipse or Hig/ifljer, who were never beaten. Yet we must 

 bear in mind that our system has shown us Crucifix and Bay 

 Middleton who in their day knew no superior : and in our own 

 times, Galopin and many others, who after years of racing 

 retired from the turf without equals — names as much entitled 

 to be enrolled in the "blazing scroll of fame " as those of the 

 never-to-be forgotten worthies of old. 



Formerly gentlemen raced mostly for the pleasure of the 

 sport, and not so much for gain ; as the total value in 

 stakes to the most fortunate could barely be enough to repay 

 their expenses. There are now thousands of men who con- 

 stitute themselves racing authorities, that probably never 

 owned a horse except a hack. Yet these men will bet their 

 hundreds and hundreds on other people's horses : and if not 

 right in their Utopian idea, soundly abuse everyone connected 

 with such animals, to the great detriment of the turf. They 

 forget that if two bet, one must lose : and no one can expect 

 to hold all trump cards in every honest hand. If a betting 

 man, from over speculation, bad luck, or dishonesty, fails to 

 meet his engagements, he is, as he deserves to be, tabooed as 

 a poltroon, and no more heard of But let a gentleman 

 do the same and the turf is blamed for his accounts, and 

 the matter is never forgotten nor forgiven by the enemies 

 of racing. 



The turf is at present composed of all grades, from royalty 

 to the humblest subject. There are rich commoners and poor 

 noblemen ; the first racing for position, the others for wealth, 

 which either or both may miss or attain, and be eulogised or 

 condemned for the manner in which they do it. The safe 

 keeping of the best interests of the turf is wisely entrusted 

 to the rich and noble ; for the poor, though equally 

 honest in all their dealings with it, are often the cause of 



