BRITISH TURF. 25 



has expressed it, " enables the race horse to 

 perform extraordinary feats of activity, coupled with 

 great endurance of the highest bodily exertion." 



Having given at some length the pedigrees and 

 performances of the most celebrated race horses of 

 the last century, and from which our present breed 

 has descended, we will now proceed to lay before 

 our readers the principal racing events which 

 have occurred from the commencement of the 

 19th century, up to the present day. 



The general desire which has long existed, among 

 those connected with or interested in the British 

 Turf, that the history of its earliest, should be com- 

 bined with that of its modern events, has caused us 

 to dwell at greater length on the former part ; and 

 the more from the fact, that, while the knowledge 

 of its more recent transactions is within easy and 

 general reach, that of its ancient is gradually 

 fading into obscurity. 



Giving the principal races of each year in a con- 

 densed form, we shall, at the conclusion of each, 

 lay before our readers such facts, anecdotes, and 

 general remarks, as we may consider of interest, 

 or that the object may call for. 



In 1800, races were held at 66 places in England 

 and Wales, five in Scotland, and four in Ireland. 

 The principal stakes were decided as follows: viz. — 



Newmarl-et Craven Meeting. — The Craven stakes, a subscription of 

 logs, each for all ages, two years olds carrying 6st., three years olds 

 9st. lib., six years olds 9st. 5lb., and aged 9st. 7lb., A. F., won by Mr. 



