170 DEFECTS IN THE TURF SYSTEM DONCASTER. 



who will condescend to bestow a portion of their time on a most interesting-, and 

 highly useful pursuit, which has certainly suffered, and its advancement been 

 retarded, from its committal, with few exceptions, to ignorant and incapable 

 hands, and with the additional misfortune of a powerful interest also subsisting 

 in opposition to any beneficial change. But interest must necessarily be a power- 

 ful and leading motive to all ranks, and considering the vast sums at stake in breed- 

 ing or training the Race Horse, can it be doubted whether or not, an actual and 

 practical knowledge on these points, ought to form a prime object of solicitude ? 

 Having during a long series of years, as opportunity has served, taken practical 

 views and formed opinions on this subject, we shall, by and by, although it 

 may probably be a repetition, refer to certain common defects in our Turf 

 System, and we flatter ourselves propose such as may prove effective remedies. 



Inclination however leads us to give precedence to a little Anecdotal History of 

 late Turf transactions we allude to the well-known dispute respecting the START 

 for the St. Leger Slakes, during the last Meeting at Doncaster ; on which the 

 Jockey Club have since decided with an equity and impartiality, from which, to 

 the best of our information, that honourable body, consisting of men of the most 

 distinguished rank and fortune in this Country, have never been known, in a single 

 instance, to swerve. Reckoning the amount of the Stakes, and of the very con- 

 siderable sums depending in bets, a heavy and extensive interest was at issue on 

 this occasion ; and, as in the everlasting whirl of affairs, every fresh occurrence is apt 

 to obliterate the recollection of its predecessors, of however weighty import, and as 

 men's memories are treacherous, and their attachment to bad customs, in an 

 equal degree, tenacious, it is highly for the interest of the Sporting World, that 

 the affair should be thoroughly canvassed, put fairly upon record, and that proper 

 regulations in the case should be established, and due care taken, that in future, 

 they never be infringed. 



The St. Leger Stakes of twenty-five guineas each, for three year old Colts, eight 

 stone two pounds ; Fillies, eight stone St. Leger Course fifty subscribers, was 

 run for on Monday, September 28, 1819, fourteen horses starting, of which the 

 three following only were placed : 



Mr. J. Ferguson's b. c. Antonio, by Octavian, dam by Evander, 

 ridden by T. Nicholson ------------1 



Mr. Pierse's b. c. by Walton, out of Lisette -------2 



Lord Ellington's b. c. Archibald, by Stamford ----- 3 



In consequence of Col. Cradock's b. c. Sir Walter, by WhitworthMr. Lamb- 

 tons br. c. Agricola, by Sir H. DimsdaleMr. Jaquess b. c. by Thunderbolt- 

 Mr. Watson's b. c. Harmonious, by Walton and Mr. Uppleby's ch. c. Wildboy, 

 by Amadis, not getting off when the word was given to start (not being ready) the 



