THE L. S. D. OF THE TURF. 65 



at whose sale she was purchased for Her Majesty's 

 breeding stud. 



II. 



There are not less, so it has been computed 

 — counting mere foals, yearlings, two, three, four, 

 and five-year-olds, as well as sires and dams — than 

 10,000 horses devoted to the service of the turf 

 The brood mares at the stud number, on an 

 average, 3,000, and the number of sires may be: 

 estimated at say 350 ; the net produce of the stud, 

 deducting casualties of many kinds, such as barren 

 mares, slipped foals, deaths, and exportation, may 

 be taken as being 2,000 foals — colts and fillies — 

 per annum. Of that number a considerable 

 percentage never comes upon the racing scene ; 

 unfitness for the work of the turf, accidents, and 

 death, being constant factors in determining the 

 L. S. D. of racinsf. It would be curious to trace 

 the many calamities that occur to prevent horses 

 distinguishing themselves. Two hundred horses 

 may be entered as yearlings for the Derby, 

 but only about five per cent, of the number may 

 contest a given race. Say that there are fourteen 

 or even sixteen runners ; what has become of the 

 others .<* Several will have died ; many after 

 being trained will be found to have no chance ; 

 and not unlikely several of those entered may be 

 found in the shafts of a cab. Some foals of last 

 year, for instance, may ultimately be trained as 

 horses for ladies ; others may be drafted to the 

 hunting-field or to the circus, v/hilst not a few may 

 ultimately find their way to tramway stables 

 Many a time and oft has a high-bred horse 

 changed hands for a twenty-pound note. 



