RACE-HORSES. 827 



remains always contingent, since he has not yet shown what he is 

 capable of accomplishing. Speculations have no other base than the 

 succession of trials undergone during the training. Under these con- 

 ditions the price may vary from $200 to $6000. 



Beginning at the age of two years, as soon as the colt appears 

 upon the race-course, his value increases in proportion to the number 

 and nature of the prizes which he has won. His value as a stallion 

 may then be $2000, $6000, $10,000, $20,000, $40,000, and even 

 $60,000, when his conformation is perfect. On the contrary, if he has 

 not been successful, his owner can scarcely dispose of him for a few 

 hundred dollars. With such variations, it is impossible to determine 

 anything. Horses which have been purchased for $20,000, by reason 

 of the hopes arising from a victory too easily won, have been known, 

 after a few easy defeats, to depreciate in value to $1000 or even to 

 $600 ! 



Origin. — The running-horse is always of the so-called thorough- 

 bred blood. His pedigree is inscribed either in the English or French 

 Stud-BooL It is therefore very easy to become accurately informed 

 as to the qualities of his ancestors by consulting one or other of the 

 aforesaid records. 



B.— The Steeple-Chaser. 



Mode of Utilization. — This name is given 1o a variety of horses 

 which only appear in races in which obstacles are to be leaped over. 

 Here, again, the horse is mounted and always ridden at a rapid gallop. 

 The trial takes place upon the race-course, as in the preceding case, but 

 a series of artificial obstacles are intentionally placed upon the track, 

 such as hedges. Avails, ditches, brooks, Irish benches, etc., over which 

 the animal must leap successively before reaching the end. This kind 

 of race, being much more exciting, delights the public infinitely more 

 than the ordinary race, on account of the incessant dangers threatening, 

 at each new obstacle, the jockey and his mount. 



Height. — The medium lieight is comprised within the same limits 

 as that of the preceding, — that is to say, between 1.55 metres and 1.65 

 metres. The intrinsic value being equal, preference is given to the 

 tallest subjects, because they are able to leap over higher obstacles 

 without loss of speed. 



Conformation. — The conformation does not differ much from 

 that of the running-horse, for only horses which have not performed 

 well on the race-course are risked in the steeple-chase. High withers, 

 a short and straight dorso-lumbar region, a strong and beautiful attach- 



