RACE COURSES i6i 



training establishment of Danebury, has usually some 

 very good two-year-old sport. The place has long- 

 been specially popular with many of the leading 

 patrons of the turf, and it is seldom that good horses 

 do not go to the post for the Hurstbourne Stakes — 

 Stockbridge indeed is recognised as having a charm of 

 its own, and much regret has been expressed at the 

 fact that a renewal of the lease for the training 

 ground and racecourse cannot be obtained. It was 

 here that the Marquis of Hastings and the Duke of 

 Beaufort had their horses under the charge of John 

 Day, father-in-law of the present tenant, Tom Cannon, 

 during a very sensational period of turf history. The 

 Southdown Club meeting is held at Lewes, where the 

 course on the top of a range of hills near the capital of 

 Sussex has some resemblance to Stockbridge. Of the 

 racing clubs which have lately come into existence 

 Sandown Park was one of the first. This has a pear- 

 shaped course rather more than a mile and a half in 

 circumference, and is on the whole tolerably easy ; for 

 though there is a stiffish hill at the finish, horses in a 

 race of six furlongs or more have to come round turns 

 which necessitate a certain amount of easing. There 

 is also a new T.Y.C. here, quite straight, running 

 through the middle of the park, the awkward point 

 about which is that if races are viewed from the Stand 

 it is impossible to judge with anything approaching 

 accuracy what has won until the judge has confirmed 

 impressions — or perhaps in most cases destroyed them 



