PREFACE 



It has been my aim in this book to bring Turf 

 history somewhat " up to date." Thanks to Post 

 and Paddock, Silk and Scarlet, Scott and Sebiight, 

 and other works of my late father, " The Druid," 

 those of the present generation who take an 

 interest in our great national sport have every 

 opportunity of becoming fully acquainted with 

 the deeds of the famous horses that flourished 

 prior to "the sixties." Since that date, however, 

 nothing like a history of the Turf has been 

 attempted. Mr. Custance has given us his very 

 interesting Riding Recollections and Turf Stoiies, 

 but, as the name implies, the book is almost 

 entirely restricted to horses that he rode himself. 

 Then to Mr. John Porter we are indebted for 

 Kingsclere, an admirable record of his long and 

 honourable career as a trainer, and the existence 

 of this book furnishes the reason why I have not 

 devoted any space to the wonderful Turf career of 

 the late Duke of Westminster. This portion of 

 my subject has been fully covered by Mr. Porter, 

 and it would have been folly indeed on my part to 

 have attempted to supplement what he has done 

 so well and thoroughly. The only other kindred 



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