152 THE IIOKSE. 



tiou, principally of Long Island agriculturists, was formed for 

 five years ; the old Newmarket Course was remodelled, and 

 purses given, in May and October of each year, for four, three, 

 and two-mile heats. At the expiration of the five years, find- 

 ing it difficult to raise sufficient funds, or enforce regulations on 

 an unenclosed course, the same gentlemen reorganized the so- 

 ciety, and established an enclosed course, giving it the same 

 name, about a mile north of the former. It is worthy of re- 

 mark, that on these courses, at an early day, some of those 

 horses, whose efforts and characters are still most distinguished 

 in our State and country, made their first entry. On the former, 

 Tippoo Sultan, Hambletonian, Briglit Phcebus, Miller's Dam- 

 sel, and Empress, obtained their first laurels, to be variously 

 worn in this and another field of usefulness. Sultan, after a 

 continued series of victories on the turf, went into the breeding- 

 stud with his flag flying at the piimacle, there to droop, and 

 finally trail in the dust. Hambletonian, with varied success as 

 a racer, as a stallion became distinguished for the elegance and 

 finish, as well as speed and endurance of his get, for the saddle, 

 harness, and trotting-course. Phcebus, though a good one, 

 failed to repose on the elevated platform Avliich his pedigree, 

 fine appearance, and early performance induced his friends to 

 erect. The wreath so deservedly bestowed on the two most 

 magnificent fillies that ever graced the Northern turf, now 

 faded and now bloomed, until the performances of Eclipse, the 

 son of one, and of Ariel, the grand-daughter of the other, added 

 roses whose enduring perfume, while it incites to future struggles 

 for victory, will ever tend to temper the ardor of exultation or 

 soothe the anguish of defeat. 



As evidence that .the renown obtained on this course was 

 fairly won, it is only necessary to state that Messrs. Bond and 

 Hughs, of Philadelphia — whose liberality, judgment, and skill 

 in procuring, training, and managing their horses, was scarcely 

 second to that of Colonel Johnson and Tayloe — regularly at- 

 tended here, with their stable, at the head of which was First 

 Consul, then confessedly among the very best of the South. 



On the latter course. Cock of the Rock and Eclipse first 

 gave evidence of those powers whicli conducted the one to 



