THE YORKSHIRE MEETINGS 125 



Races do not lack historians, and those who wish to know 

 what manner of racing was in vogue in Yorkshire half a 

 dozen generations ago should read Orton's Annals of York 

 and Doncaster, which treats of the early fortunes of either 

 place. York Races used to be held on Rawcliffe Ings, but 

 the Knavesmire was requisitioned early in the nineteenth 

 century, and a finer flat galloping course it would be 

 difficult to find, though it is liable to become sloppy after 

 heavy rain. 



Doncaster, as the only Northern racecourse on which a 

 classic race is run, demands first attention, and it is satis- 

 factory to know that the prestige of former days is well 

 maintained. The Doncaster meetings, which yield a large 

 profit, are "run" by the Corporation, and that body, from 

 the revenue derived, has considerably reduced the rates, and 

 done much good to the town in all sorts of ways. Indeed, 

 Doncaster Races have played a prominent part in the history 

 of the old Yorkshire borough, and at the same time there 

 has been no stint in the way of expenditure, no niggardly 

 policy with regard to the prizes offered, but an honest 

 determination on the part of a sport-loving community to 

 provide the best racing possible, on terms at which the 

 public have never grumbled. I always think, when the 

 St. Leger week comes round, that the turf at Doncaster 

 is, with the single exception of Goodwood, the best-looking 

 met with in the course of the racing season. I do not 

 affirm that it is any better than the Newmarket courses 

 especially the Bunbury Mile but I say advisedly that it 

 is the best - looking, for, whereas Newmarket frequently 

 shows a thin topping of withered grasses, Doncaster always 

 presents a surface of the brightest emerald, and, thanks 

 to the fact that the public are kept off the run-in, it looks 

 quite as fresh at the end of the meeting as it does when 

 the saddling -bell rings for the first race. Even if the 

 September Meeting comes on the top of a time of drought, 

 the running track at Doncaster looks as fresh as paint, and 

 has that beautifully smooth appearance which sound old turf 

 only can give. The course is on the whole very flat, the 

 sort of level galloping which serves a horse with a long 



