1 38 HORSE-RACING IN ENGLAND 



ing the old time of age-taking in clearly defined 

 terms, but the proposal was so coldly received by 

 breeders in general and by other authorities that 

 it was abandoned by General Owen Williams, 

 who was to have submitted it to the Jockey Club. 

 Nor is it easy to see why its advocates were so 

 hot upon it ; for one of their main arguments — 

 though the argument may not be supported alto- 

 gether by facts — was that late-born foals pick up 

 with wonderful rapidity what they may be thought 

 to lose in point of time, and, indeed, are found by 

 experience to be better performers than the early- 

 born ; and, if that be their opinion, one would be 

 disposed to bid them have the corresponding 

 courage, for there is no compulsion whereby 

 breeders can be forced to breed to January, or 

 as early as possible In the year, and the very 

 diversity of opinion Is calculated to prevent an 

 undesirable rush and scramble for the earliest 

 months. At any rate, the new rule was promptly 

 adopted by the French Jockey Club (or, rather, 

 Societe d' Encouragement), the foundation whereof 

 In 1833, under the auspices of the French- Eng- 

 lishman, Lord Henry Seymour (reputed father of 

 the late Sir Richard Wallace) and the ill-starred 



