PREFACE. 



paragraph which compresses a century of progress into an inch or two of epigram. 

 In Racing, as in every other form of Sport, we must recognise that any living 

 organism which is likely to survive will adapt itself to its environment. Things 

 have greatly changed on the Turf, just as they have elsewhere. But the Turf 

 is gradually adapting itself to the new conditions, and in that very adaptation I 

 see a clear proof of its continuous vitality, in spite of all the lamentations about 

 new-fangled ideas, or foreign invasions, and the " pernicious influence " of both. 



It is probably in connection with American jockeys and trainers that the last year 

 on the English Turf 

 will be best remembered 

 of one who scarcely 

 lived to see the twen- 

 tieth century, though he 

 had the satisfaction of 

 knowing that his colt 

 Volodyovski (by Floriscl 

 II., out of La Reine) 

 was established as win- 

 ter favourite for the 

 Derby of 1901, at 9 to 

 2. The death of Lord 

 William Beresford, 

 V.C., did not disqualify 



the horse either for the Derby or the Leger, as he was nominated for both those 

 events by the lady who races under the name of " Mr. Theobalds," and had only 

 been leased by Lord William for his racing career. Volodyovski won the Derby 

 of 1901 under the colours of Mr. William C. Whitney of New York, but his jockey 

 lost the St. Leger. Though it may be doubted whether Lord William Beres- 

 ford ever really enjoyed himself so much in England as he did in India, he had 

 attained the second place in the list of winning owners in both the last years 

 of his life, and there is little doubt that the ambition which began with his marriage 

 to the widow of a Duke of Marlborough would have eventually been rewarded 

 with the first place, if he had lived long enough ; for the number of horses he had 

 in training and the characteristic courage of his methods must have commanded 

 an even greater success than they had attained already. 



I'illyby "Persimmon " out of" Fanchettc." 



Sandringham, 1901. 



