THE RACE-HORSE. 519 



and the ordinary weight carried by a colt three years old is 

 8 st. 6 or 7 Ib. The difference allowed for difference of age 

 progressively diminishes as the animals become older, until 

 it ceases. But, besides the difference of weight determined 

 by age or sex, there are differences determined by conven- 

 tion. Thus, parties having a match together determine by 

 agreement, founded on their real or supposed knowledge of 

 the powers of the respective horses, the weight which each 

 shall carry. This is usually termed a handicap match. Some- 

 times it is stipulated that horses which have gained stakes, 

 as the Oaks or Derby, shall carry an additional weight ; 

 while, on the other hand, horses whose advantages of breed- 

 ing or otherwise have been inferior, are allowed a discount 

 of weight in their favour. The differences of weight which 

 different classes of horses shall carry, in order that they 

 may be placed in a certain degree of equality, are plainly 

 not reducible to any fixed practical rule, much less to any 

 mathematical theorem founded on the relative powers of the 

 horses under different conditions. The whole adjustment is 

 one of convention, based on the practical observation of 

 sportsmen of the average power of horses, as exhibited in 

 different circumstances. When it is considered that an 

 ounce of additional loading to the same horse may make the 

 difference of a yard or more in half a mile of running, it will 

 be seen how greatly the weight borne may affect the issue in 

 the case of horses of equal powers. From mere experience, 

 without any application of principles, it is surprising how 

 well those practised in the business of the turf are able to 

 calculate the effects of weight on the chances of success. 

 In a match which took place many years ago at Newcastle- 

 under-Line, the horses were handicapped, having their re- 

 spective weights assigned to them by an umpire. Sir Thomas 

 Stanley's Cedric, three years old, was to carry 6 st. 13 Ib. ; 

 Mr Mytton's Handel, four years old, 7 st. 11 Ib. ; Sir Wil- 

 liam Wynne's Taragon, four years old, 8 st. ; Sir John Eger- 

 ton's Astbury, four years old, 8 st. 6 Ib. For three succes- 

 sive heats Taragon and Handel came in nose to nose, reeling 



