THE nOKSE. 



to inchide Beeswing and Alice Hawthorn, " claim distinguished 

 position on the scroll of fame. When comparing the perform- 

 ances of race-horses, it is not customary to compute the aggre- 

 gate distances which they may run in their various i-aces, and 

 with contemporaries contending for races, for which the distances 

 are nearly equal, it would afford no criterion ; but in this case 

 it is a different affair. The object is to determine whether the 

 allegation is -well founded, that the horses of the olden time were 

 superior to those. of the present day in point of stoutness, sound- 

 ness, and constitutional stamina, and the ability to endure fre- 

 quent running. A reference to the table of performances al- 

 ready given sets that question at rest. The total number of 

 races won by horses of modern times is also greatly in excess, and 

 taking these two circumstances into consideration, the palm of 

 merit for soundness, capability for frequent running, and stout- 

 ness, must be awarded to them. Every owner of Tace-horses 

 and every trainer hnows full well^ that frequently running 

 moderate distances tries the legs, and detects infirmities iriore un- 

 equivocally, thorn, occasionally running long distances. It is a 

 very general remark, that the old-fashioned distances of four 

 miles have been reduced. That is true ; but they have not all 

 been so materially shortened as not to afford good horses op- 

 portunities for distinction. It cannot be denied but that there 

 are a vast number of races at short distances, yet there are also 

 many two miles and upwards, and many three miles. The vic- 

 tories of the best horses of the present day are most decisive at 

 long distances, and they in turn passing from the course to the 

 stud, still maintain their position as favorites. Two miles will 

 determine the lasting powers of a horse, if the pace be true from 

 end to end. It has been clearly proved that tlie horses of mod- 

 ern times are superior to those of our forefathers on the points 

 already named ; but whether our best racers could beat Flying 

 Childers, Regulus, Eclipse, Highflyer, and other worthies of 

 that time, is a question that cannot be decided ; neither does it 

 appear very important for practical purposes. On the capability 

 of horses running distances, there are some mistaken notions 

 touching the customs of our forefathers, and from the fact of 

 their races in general being four miles, it is conceived that their 

 horses were more capable of running those distances, than those 



