1 86 The American Thoroughbred 



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managed by a jockey club composed of the 

 leading citizens of the capital, Colonel Tayloe for 

 a number of years being the president of the 

 club. Among the most distinguished members 

 of the club was Hon. Gabriel Duvall, Judge 

 of the United States Supreme Court by the ap- 

 pointment of President Madison. Judge Duvall, 

 after his retirement from office, being then an 

 old man, was in the habit of riding on horseback 

 from his residence, a distance of twelve miles, 

 to the National Course, witnessing the races, 

 and then returning home in the saddle. He 

 must have been vigorous in his age to have 

 found pleasure in such a journey as this. 



The National Course was often graced by 

 the Presidents, from Jefferson down to Van 

 Buren. General Jackson took the liveliest 

 interest in the races. He once started one of 

 his colts on this course, entered in the name of 

 his private secretary, Major Donelson, but was 

 much chagrined to suffer defeat by Commodore 

 Stockton's imported Langford. John Quincy 

 Adams was also fond of the sports of the turf. 

 One time he walked out to the course from the 

 presidential mansion, saw the race decided, and 

 then walked back again. 



