626 



A HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH TURF. 



which is unsurpassed in the three kingdoms, and has appealed to the public as well 

 as to owners with unfailing power. Prince Soltykoff, another of the losses of the 

 disastrous year of 1903, was probably the last owner alive who had raced at 

 Goodwood as long ago as 1871. Just ten years before that date, a field of forty-five 

 horses started for Croagh Patricks Stewards' Cup, and the favourite won, which 

 certainly goes far to show that, after Newmarket, Goodwood must be one of the 

 best courses in the country, in spite of not having a straight mile. The Cup Course 

 is a model of what such things should be, and the going is of the very best ; for 

 on the excellent foundation laid sixty years ago by Lord George, a perfect system 

 of top-dressing has produced grass that is closer and finer than is to be seen at 



Newmarket. Anything 

 more glorious than the 

 view it would be diffi- 

 cult to imagine, for the 

 course lies seven hun- 

 dred feet above the sea, 

 on a plateau about six 



miles north - west of 



Chichester, and miles 

 of wooded uplands and 

 swelling hills can be 

 seen as far as the sight 

 can travel. Ancient 

 beech trees shadow half 

 the lawn, and behind 



them is the famous " Birdless Grove." To the south the English Channel lies 

 beyond a great expanse of open country, with the Isle of Wight in the blue distance. 

 Though Goodwood, Brighton, and Lewes make up a pleasant fortnight, the man 

 who races from London is apt to grumble at the difficulties of getting to and fro. 

 But there are luckily still left enough supporters of the Turf who love the sport 

 for its own sake, amid beautiful surroundings, and who are not entirely absorbed 

 in making money over some one else's animals at a meeting near enough to enable 

 them to be back for dinner in Pall Mall. In the modern roll of the Goodwood Cup 

 winners occur such names as The Bard, St. Simon, Kincsem, Hampton, Doncastcr, 

 Flageolet, Favonius, and Isonomy, who was one of the best horses John Porter ever 



Finish of the Derby for 1900. " Diamond Jubilee" wins. 



