THE HORSE. 293 



it appeared by their running, there were certain 

 horses, perhaps half a score, exclusive of Eclipse, 

 between 1770 and 1780, able to exceed considerably 

 the above performance ; but these things are for- 

 gotten or rather generally unknown. It is sloio and 

 tiresome, to look into the long back ground of the 

 past. Antiquity and novelty have changed hands, 

 and that which is the oldest is now the novelty. As 

 a productive racer, Shark by Marsk, stood first of all 

 that had preceded, and perhaps of all that have suc- 

 ceeded him. He never left Newmarket, where he 

 had thirty-six engagements, starting twenty-nine 

 times, of which he won nineteen, at all distances, 

 from a quarter and half a mile to four, but chiefly 

 the latter. His winnings in four years, amounted to 

 sixteen thousand and fifty-seven guineas, exclusive of 

 the Clermont cup, one hundred and twenty guineas, 

 eleven hhds. of Claret, and the whip. Deducting 

 his losses and forfeits, the balance in his favour, 

 amounted to twelve thousand one hundred and eighty 

 seven guineas. He was injured by too early and 

 constant work, thence his legs were apt to swell ; had 

 he been more favoured, probably no horse of his day 

 would have beaten him. Shark Piggot, born to be 

 wrongheaded and unfortunate, refused the great price 

 offered by Lord Grosvenor, (according to then report 

 ten thousand guineas) for this horse immediately on 

 his being taken out of training. 



Never before was Newmarket so well attended, or 

 the town so full at a first meeting, as at the late Craven 

 Meeting. The old story — ' things run taper at New- 

 market,' was no longer, indeed had long since ceased 



