THE HORSE. 75 



years ago, that they lack endurance, and 

 that 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 Long dis- 

 tances and 



distance, in 1719 challenged all the world heav 



weights 



to run sixteen miles for one thousand 

 pounds." This mare was by Black Harry 

 by the Byerley Turk out of a mare by 



