THE RACE-HOKSE. 543 



But of all the meetings in the north of England, that of 

 Doncaster has occupied the most prominent place, on account 

 of the institution of the St Leger stakes, which had their 

 origin in the year 1776. The commencement of this cele- 

 brated race was a sweepstakes of twenty-five guineas each 

 for three-year-old colts carrying 8 st., and for fillies carrying 

 7 st. 12 Ib. for a two-mile heat. There were six subscribers, 

 and the stake was won by a bay filly by Sampson, belonging 

 to the Marquis of Rockingham, who beat Colonel St Leger' s 

 bay filly and the other horses. In the following year it was 

 suggested by Colonel St Leger that the sweepstakes should 

 be continued annually on the same conditions ; and the race 

 was accordingly named the St Leger, in compliment to the 

 proposer of it. The original conditions were continued until 

 the year 1832, when the stakes were altered to fifty sovereigns 

 for each subscriber, with one-half forfeit ; the weights being, 

 for colts, 8 st. 6 Ib., and for fillies 8 st. 3 Ib. ; and the owner 

 of the second horse receiving one hundred sovereigns out of 

 the stakes. The Doncaster race-course is round, and nearly 

 on a dead level. The Four-mile Course, so called, twice 

 round is 3 m. 7 f. 219 yds. ; the Cup Course is 2 m. 5 f. ; the 

 Two-mile Course is 2 m. 52 yds. ; the St Leger, 1 m. 6 f. 

 132 yds ; the Fitzwilliam Course, 1 m. 4 f. 10 yds. ; the Two- 

 year-old Course, 7 f. 189 yds. ; the Red-house is 5 f. 164 yds.* 

 These courses are adapted to the various stakes and matches, 

 which are numerous at these races. The meetings are held 

 annually in September, a fortnight previous to the first New- 

 market meeting in October ; on which occasion a vast con- 

 course of individuals interested in the turf assembles from all 

 parts of the kingdom, and heavy betting takes place. 



In like manner, the other race-courses of the kingdom 

 might be referred to, all of them exciting intense interest 

 throughout large districts of country, collecting for a time 

 great crowds as to a common centre of occupation and 



* Whyte's History of the Turf. 

 3 



