THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE. 



Then if we take White Feather's time for the Goodwood 

 Stakes of 1891, we find the time for a mile is 2 mins. 

 3^5 sees., the distance being set down as two miles and a-half. 

 Put in tabular form the averages compare thus : 



The distance at the top of each column denotes the whole distance run, and the figures in 

 the columns the average pace per mile. 



Now, if the above records be true in every particular ; if 

 Childers and Matchem really performed the feats with which 

 they have been credited, it would appear to be a self-evident 

 fact that the modern racehorse is not by a long way the stayer 

 his ancestor of 140 years ago was. Matchem, it will be seen, 

 on reference to the table, ran more than four miles at a rate of 

 speed which has not been equalled by our fastest Derby 

 winners over a mile-and-a-half course. If Childers and 

 Matchem could run for upwards of four miles at the above 

 average of progression, they must have been not only stayers 

 indeed, but speedy as well, and the decadence of the English 

 racehorse would appear to be a matter not allowing of two- 

 opinions. The late Lord Redesdale, too, was of the number 

 of those who held to the idea that the racehorse of about 

 1866 was not so stout as the horse of a hundred years earlier; 

 but remember what Admiral Rous once said in an article he 

 contributed to Bailys Magazine " My belief is that the present 

 English racehorse is as much superior to the race horse of 

 1750 as he exceeded the first cross from Arabs and Barbs 

 with English mares; and, again, as they surpassed the old 

 racing hack of 1650. The form of Flying Childers might now 

 win a 30 plate, winner to be sold for ^"40. Highflyer and 

 Eclipse might pull through in a ^"50 plate, winner to be sold 

 2 



