148 A MIRROR OF THE TURF. 



however, to note that what seems to be most 

 regretted in connection with these races is the 

 falHng off in the betting ; that is not a fiftieth part 

 of what it used to be — hence the regrets. To 

 ensure good racing a field of forty horses is not 

 requisite, either at Chester or anywhere else ; ex- 

 cellent sport may result when not a fourth of that 

 number may be running. It is different as 

 regards the betting element. A very large entry 

 and a good acceptance promotes speculation, and 

 when the field of horses competing is a big one, 

 the odds ought of course to be good and betting 

 brisk. But at the present time, when a week 

 seldom elapses without the decision of a big 

 race of some kind, betting such as took place 

 on the Chester Cup thirty years since need not 

 be looked for. 



It was in the year 1824 the race for the 

 Chester Cup was instituted, and in the course 

 of a few seasons it blossomed into an event of 

 importance, so far as regards the betting of which 

 it was made the medium. Speculation on the Cup 

 commenced at one time before Christmas, and 

 horses could be and were backed to win large 

 amounts before New Year's Day. A favourite 

 form of betting was in " sweepstakes," which were 

 numerous and of large amount. Horses were 

 kept specially to be " readied " for the Cup, and 

 from the day on which it was won by King Cole 

 to that year in which Tim Whiffler proved 

 successful (1838 to 1862), there were big entries, 

 large fields, and lots of gambling. Stories are 

 frequently retailed as to how such and such a 

 winner of the Chester Cup was " managed " and 

 how much was bagged over his success. 



