BEGINNINGS OF RACING. 7 



Markham for an Arabian, the first animal of 

 that breed seen in England, while in the time of 

 the same king, races were run in many parts of 

 England for silver bells, notably at Gatherly, 

 in Yorkshire, Chester, Croydon, and some other 

 localities. At this period the condition of 

 the competing horses began to attract atten- 

 tion, their wants being methodically attended to, 

 the weights to be carried adjusted, their exercise 

 gallops and sweats being also properly defined. 

 The repute of English race-horses during the 

 reign of the first James became so great that they 

 attracted attention in France, to which country 

 several were exported, the methods of keeping 

 and training them which then prevailed here 

 being adopted by the French. 



In the year 1640, in the days of Charles I., 

 the first Newmarket meetings were inaugurated, 

 and, as will by-and-by be shown, horse - racing 

 has been a feature of that famous town ever since. 

 An account is given in another chapter of the 

 rise of horse-racing in different localities, in which 

 the further progress of the sport in its earlier days 

 will be alluded to. 



Many apropos squibs and satires were pub- 

 lished during this and the succeeding reign of 

 Charles II. One of these is entitled "New- 

 market," and it shows that the town had at that 

 date become celebrated as the chief seat of horse- 

 racincf : 



Let cullies that look at a race, 



Go venture at hazard to win ; 



Or he that is bubbl'd at dice, 



Recover at Cocking again. 



Let jades that are foundered be bought ; 



Let jockies play crimp to make sport. 



