246 MODERN FARRIER. 



to go twenty-one, but dropped down dead before 

 the conclusion of the last mile. 



Since that period, many cases of equal brutality 

 might be brought forward, all tending to shew the 

 habitual barbarity of the inhabitants of this country, 

 towards one of the noblest and most useful animals 

 in the creation. Tliis species of barbarity seems to 

 be almost peculiar to this country ; for in no other 

 is the horse urged to extraordinary exertion, except 

 in cases of actual necessity. 



127. The Turf Laws. 



Horse-racing. — To prevent the multiplicity of 

 horse-races, the Stat. 13 Geo. II. Chap. 19, directs 

 that no plates or matches under 501. value shall be 

 run for, on pain of forfeiture of 200/. by the owner 

 of each horse so running, and of 100/. by such per- 

 sons as advertise the horse. And though the owners 

 of horses may run them for a stake of 50/. and up- 

 wards, at such places as are or have been used for 

 hoi'se-races ; yet if they run them upon the high- 

 road, or any other place than those prescribed by 

 the statute, the wager is illegal, and they are subject 

 to the forfeitures of the statute. — 4 Term Reports, 

 p. 1. 



But by an exception in the statute, races may be 

 ru|i at Newmarket and Black Hamilton for any sum 

 or stake less than .50/. 



Note. — Although matches or horse-races, made 

 according to the provisions of 13 Geo. II. Chap. 19, 

 are legal, yet all bets or w^agers above 10/. on them 

 are games within the Stat. 9 Anne, chap. 14, and 

 consequently void. — 2 Blackstone's Reports, p. 706. 



But though the legislature has, in many instances, 

 laid wagering under 'particular restraints; yet the 

 practice is not restrained by the common law, unless 

 it may become injurious to public economy. And, 

 therefore, all wagers which are not contrary to sound 



