TWO-YEAR-OLD RACES 37 



(1893) ; but in the ordinary course of events it is not 

 till Ascot, a fortnight after the Derby, that one sees 

 the two-year-olds on which the fame of the English 

 racehorse is to depend. The New Stakes at Ascot 

 dates from 1843 ; the list of winners is a brilliant one, 

 and now come names that are to be met with again in 

 the Middle Park Plate, the most important stake for 

 horses in their first season. Of late (since 1890) the 

 Coventry Stakes has been added to the Ascot pro- 

 gramme, and this is of equal interest with the older 

 race ; indeed, it is in one respect superior, for in the 

 Coventry all competitors meet at even weights (except 

 as regards the usual 3 lbs. allowance for fillies) and in 

 the New Stakes there are penalties and allowances. 

 Kermesse, Melton, Friar's Balsam, Donovan, Isin- 

 glass won both New Stakes and Middle Park Plate, 

 and Ladas won the latter after carrying off the 

 Coventry. At Ascot one begins (often, however, 

 arriving at most incorrect conclusions) to speculate 



o 



upon how the two-year-olds of the season should be 

 rated, and it is probable that further light will be 

 thrown upon the question by the July Stakes at the 

 Newmarket First July Meeting and the Chesterfield 

 (1834) at the Second July. Here, too. Middle Park 

 winners and Dewhurst winners (the Dewhurst ranking 

 only second to the Middle Park) are found, as they 

 are in the Richmond and Prince of Wales's Stakes at 

 Goodwood. It was at Goodwood that St. Simon ran 

 for the first time, though in a minor event called the 



