HORSES 23 



of racing. While these colts were adapted to the 

 Epsom gradients, and might have become good 

 animals had they been reserved for racing only on 

 such gradients, they were useless for incline gallop- 

 ing, and it was the worst possible judgment to put 

 them to do it. 



But, then, how often do we not see horses put 

 to race on courses where, in point of gradient, they 

 have no chance whatever! To write affirmatively 

 that the principle of racing is entirely governed 

 by gradient, and that the apportioning of weights 

 (presuma)bly to bring the running capabilities of 

 horses to a common level) has no practical result 

 to that end, I suppose will be derided as imaginary, 

 and possibly unsound. 



If there are those who take that view, let them 

 explain why it is that horse'^ run in races under 

 favorable conditions time after time, backed by 

 the stable, and j'et make no show, and when cA^ery- 

 body is disgusted, and not :i shilliiv:]? is^n. tlioy 

 come out and win witliout an effort. Why did Per- 

 simmon beat St. Ffus<.^uin at Epsom, and then get 

 beaten by St. Frusquin at Newmarket? Why did 

 Georgic run perhaps the fastest Cambridgeshire we 

 may see for years, and then, at a slight difference 

 in weight two days lat^r, get beaten by ten lengths, 

 in a slower-run race, in the Old Cambridgeshire? 

 Why did Jeddah win the Derb}- last year compara- 



