;^64 THE HORSE. 



stamina, aud capability of bearing fatigue. As to hereditary 

 diseases, we have no data whatever npon wliich any opinion 

 can be formed. The arguments which have been brought for- 

 ward in favor of horses of olden times, with the Carlisle Geld- 

 ing, and Black Chance, as examples, require some little detail 

 to confute. It has been asserted that ' the former had no rival 

 in carrying all degrees of weights, in supporting heats, travel- 

 ling, and constant running, and this maintained to an age sel- 

 dom heard of.' In searching the calendars, for the purpose of 

 forming tables of perfoniiances, it was found that this horse ran 

 on several occasions for selling stakes, at prices varying from 

 eighty to twenty sovereigns — his value, therefore, was not high- 

 ly estimated. Many persons imagine selling stakes are modern 

 inventions, but they were in effect in the early part of the last 

 century. On four occasions only this horse carried twelve 

 stone — 168 lbs. In a general way he carried light weights, 

 varying from eight stone five to nine stone — 112 to 117 lbs. 

 Thirteen of his engagements were matches, and all racing-men 

 know full well that winning matches depends more on the judg- 

 ment of the match-maker, than the intrinsic goodness of the 

 horse. An animal that has been often beaten, cannot with pro- 

 priety be aggrandized by the title of ' unrivalled.' 



" The eulogist of the Carlisle Gelding has been equally 

 ardent in admiration of Black Chance, concerning whom he 

 falls into great discrepancies, which, however, it is not worth 

 while to enumerate, with the exception of one mistake. Among 

 other races won in 1740, is included one at Oswestry, where he 

 is stated to have carried thirteen stone — 182 lbs. There is no 

 record in the Racing Calendar of his ever carrying more than 

 twelve stone. He more frequently ran with ten, and sometimes 

 with only nine. 



"'Arthur O'Bradley,' says Mr, N. H. Smith in his well 

 known ' Observations on Breeding for the Turf,' ' won as many 

 plates as almost any other horse ever did, at both high and low 

 weights, and may be justly said to be the best horse of his 

 time.' He is, therefore, a fit subject for comparison. When 

 his performances are placed against those of Euphrates, Liston, 

 and Independence, they fall into the shade, Babraham is in- 

 troduced more in consequence of his subsequent worth in the 



