13.S TKAINING IN INDIA. 



to running for such minor events. A useful horse for 

 such races winner to he sold for Es. 500 or Rs. 600 

 ought to be able to do with 10 st. up, mile, in 52 s., 

 or f mile in 1 m. 19 s., on an ordinary race-course. 



Without wishing in the slightest to attempt to 

 discourage those who desire to improve the breed of 

 horses in India, I am convinced the fact remains, that 

 racing stock of even the most moderate pretensions 

 cannot be bred in India without the blood being con- 

 stantly renewed by suitable importations, whether from 

 Europe, the Colonies, or America. The effect of the 

 climate, which is manifest in the indigenous equine 

 type, will not allow, without constant foreign aid, the 

 production of animals fit either for the turf or for heavy 

 saddle work. The country produce bred by General 

 Parrott from nearly pure English blood, although in- 

 capable of holding their own against Australians, have 

 been, at weight for age and class, capable of defeating 

 Arabs at all distances. As a rule, however, the sons 

 of the Desert have "the pull" in races of a mile and 

 a quarter and upwards, against other Country -breds. 

 Among the best have been Pretender, who belonged 

 to Mr. George Plowden, Meg Merrilies, who won the 

 Govern or- General's Cup in 1858, and, also, in 1859, 

 Annandale, the black mare Gipsy, Deception, M. T., 

 late Mermaid, Kathleen, Geraldine, Surprise, May 

 Queen, Engadine, Tangree, and Minden. 



To judge by Predominant, Sylvia, Lord Clyde, 

 Labby, Mike, Maythome, Bustle, Marquise, and others, 

 we must regard English ponies as a good deal better 

 than those of all other classes. Next 10 them come 

 Australasian ponies, like Little Wonder and Achieve- 



