156 THE HISTORY OF NEWMARKET. [Book X. 



their superiority to their eastern descent — The royal studs at Cardona 

 and Andalozia — The high price of Spanish horses — He disparages 

 the barb — Spurious breeds — Lord Montague's barbs — Their career 

 on the turf — Recommended by the duke for racing — Description of 

 a jockey of the period — Other equine strains referred to — The 

 courser of Naples — Arabian horses — Enormous prices given for some 

 — The Markham Arabian — His failure on the turf — Other foreign 

 breeds — The English thoroughbred — How descended — Famous horse 

 fairs — Lord Poulett's stud — Alleged neglect of horse-breeding in 

 England during the Commonwealth — Revival at the Restoration — 

 Superiority of English brood-mares — Description of such as were 

 adapted for the turf — Barb stallions — Sir John Fen wick's celebrated 

 racing and breeding establishment — Its extent — The father of the 

 turf — Superiority of barbs for breeding racers — Williain Cavendish, 

 Duke of Neweastle — Sir John Fenwick — Appreciation of English 

 horses on the Continent — Bell-horses — Plating racehorses — A stud 

 advertised for sale — Gaming — The turf during the Interregnum — 

 1650. Racing prohibited — 1651. Proceedings thereon in Parlia- 

 ment — Projected meetings suppressed — 1654. Further action by 

 Parliament — More meetings forbidden — 1655. Orders in Council — 

 Copy of Cromwell's proclamation to prohibit horse-races — Ulterior 

 proceedings — 1656. More orders to suppress race-meetings — 1659. 

 The subject again and for the last time before Parliament — Bill to 

 restrict gaming — Racing at Newcastle — Parliamentary proceedings 

 thereon — Oliver Cromwell as a turfite— His White Turk and his 

 Coffin mare — His early career at Cambridge and London — His pre- 

 dilection for rural sports — Cause of the suppression of the turf — 

 Arabian horses imported by Cromwell — Cromwell's stud seized by the 

 Crown at the Restoration — His horses, "said to be the best in 

 England," sent to the royal mews — His son, Richard. 



Shortly after the accession of Charles I., James, 



Marquis of Hamilton, was appointed Master of the 



Horse to the Kino- Georg^e, Lord Gorinp; 



c. 1629. &' & ' fc> 



held a similar, but subordinate office, to the 

 Queen, while William Cavindish, Marquis of Newcastle, 

 was nominated Governor to the Prince of Wales. 

 These noblemen were among the most expert horse- 

 men of the day, and notable for the magnitude and 

 superiority of their studs. Attached to the king's studs 

 there were two Supervisors of the Races, namely, Sir 



