134 



THE ENGLISH TURF 



From the above it will be seen that fourteen of the twenty- 

 six races were run over courses of a mile and upwards, and 

 that four of the most important events on the programme 

 are of a mile and three-quarters and two miles. Doncaster 

 Town Moor is eminently suitable for these long races, and it 

 is satisfactory to note that here, at all events, the five-furlong 

 sprint is in a minority. 



The value of the stakes in 1900 works out as follows : On 

 Tuesday, seven races, worth ^3,799 ; on Wednesday, six 

 races, worth ;^7,I35 ; on Thursday, seven races, worth ;^2,63o; 

 on Friday, six races, worth £^,620. Total, ;^i7,i84. 



YORK 



York Races have been in existence certainly for 167 years, 

 and possibly the fixtures do not hold so high a place as they 

 did a hundred years ago, though the August Meeting on 

 the Knavesmire is still an important and popular gathering, 

 and its Ebor Handicap attracts thousands upon thousands 

 of visitors. According to Turf historians, York Races during 

 the eighteenth century were attended by all the great county 

 families, whose coaches were drawn up in a long line 

 beside the course, and who supported the races by running 

 horses or giving money to be run for. These functions 

 appear to have been occasions of great state and magnifi- 

 cence, and we are told that the noblemen of the district 

 vied with each other in the splendour of their appointments, 



