THE HORSE. 295 



probably it has not of late been customary to make 

 matches for so large sums as formerly, for example, 

 of a thousand, or several thousand guineas. 



If I venture to say a few words on the customary 

 morality of the Turf, I must agree, that the nature of 

 the case will not admit of its being too straight laced 

 in certain particulars. It seems there necessarily 

 must be manoeuvre and stratagem in horse racing. I 

 allude chiefly to a horse l running to win/ or not, at 

 the option, and according to the interest of his pro- 

 prietor; the general understanding of this, is or 

 ought to be the security of the betters. They are, 

 however, now and then had at this lock, and do not 

 fail to make loud complaints, until fortune offer to 

 themselves the opportunity of advantageously play- 

 ing the same game. This stratagem has yet been too 

 often practised indefensibly, of which I remember a 

 very palpable instance. ' A capital horse was matched 

 against one of very inferior form, over the Beacon 

 Course. The odds in betting were very high on the 

 former, and ten to one against the latter which proved 

 the winner ; nobody doubted of the match being a 

 partnership concern. Certainly, trying horses will 

 never be entirely laid aside, but it is by no means so 

 frequent and regular as formerly, when old racers 

 earned considerable sums as trial horses. The late 

 Sir Charles Bunbury said to me on a particular oc- 

 casion — f I have no notion of trying my horses for 

 other people's information/ Many horses have been 

 killed in trials ; for example, Spanking Roger of old, 

 and Sailor of late years, both at Newmarket. A few 

 more words may not be thrown away here, on the 



