208 SPORTING STORIES 



much admired by the acknowledged amateurs of the 

 Turf." 



Such was the commencement of the famous Goodwood 

 Races, the first meeting being held in 1802. The then Duke 

 of Richmond was in his sixty-sixth year when he instituted 

 them, and died five years afterwards. It was his grand- 

 nephew who raised the races to something like their present 

 importance in the Racing Calendar. 



Goodwood early in the nineteenth century was almost 

 purely local, and as such was looked forward to by all the 

 South Country folks as the great event of the year. Houses 

 were filled with guests from all parts of the kingdom, and 

 there was hardly a cottar who had not a relative down for 

 a few days. 



The Grand Stand, a small wooden erection with a 

 thatched roof, was occupied by the principal families of 

 the neighbourhood ; while the farmers, trades-people, and 

 labourers took up their station in every kind of vehicle, or 

 on horseback, opposite the winning-post. 



A race ordinary, which was furnished with venison by 

 some patrons of the Turf, was opened on the first and 

 second days of the meeting, when a considerable quan- 

 tity of strong beer, sherry, port, and punch was drunk. 

 Matches were made for the following day, stewards 

 named for the ensuing year, and the healths of the retiring 

 and succeeding stewards drunk. A ball was given at the 

 Chichester Town Hall on the second day, into which rolled 

 many a top-heavy gentleman from the ordinary. There 

 was a supper, with more toasts and much cheering, and no 

 doubt many headaches the next morning. 



What would a jockey of the present day say to such a 

 costume as this : — A black velvet cap with a long French 

 peak, and a bow of black riband behind ; long hair falling 

 to his shoulders ; a white cambric neckcloth of ample folds 

 tied at the back ; a long body-coat with flaps, wide skirt, 

 three buttons at the sides, where it opened as well in front 

 and behind ; knee-breeches strapped just below the knee ; 

 white cotton stockings; and black leather Oxford shoes 

 with long tongues and silver buckles. Yet such was the 

 dress worn by the winners of the first Derbys. The incon- 



