OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.-Continued. 



have indeed, ever been written upon horse-racing, and it is but an inadequate description of this work 

 to say that it will take its place for all time among the classics of the turf. The demand for it will 

 be such as to carry it beyond a doubt into many editions, for it will be read by the next generation, 

 and by many generations which are yet to come, with an interest scarcely inferior to that exhibited 

 by readers who are either the contemporaries of its author or the sons of Ins contemporaries; and 

 concludes by saying ■ ' To do exhaustive justice toone of the most unmasking, searching, and fearless 

 expositions of the plague-spots infecting our chief national sport that have ever seen the light m print, 

 would far exceed the limits accorded to us upon the present occasion ; suffice it, in conclusion, for us 

 to say that written in admirable and sinewy English, supported by a widely diversified and far-ex- 

 tending experience, and drawn from the stores of a comprehensive and retentive memory,. Vv llliani 

 Day's "Racehorse in Training" has never been surpassed in wisdom and knowledge by any of its count- 

 less predecessors upon the same or upon cognate subjects; and that its publication m the present year 

 is undoubtedly so significant and noteworthy an incident, that a lover of horse-racing, however long 

 his life may be, is not likely to see it repeated in his time.* 



This is a remarkable book, and we are fortified in the opinion by the unanimous verdict of the 

 universal English Press. All the papers that have noticed it— from the omnipotent Tinws down to 

 the modest penny ' local '—agree as to its merits. The Thins asserts ' Mr. Day has not only written a 

 useful book, but one that in its simple and straightforward sty le does no little credit to his literary 

 ability' The Standard announces 'the whole is arranged with a clearness and conciseness which 

 would do credit to the most practised writer,' and declares itself ' surprisedat theamount of informa- 

 tion upon every subject connected with racing.' The Daily Telegraph says, ' \\ llliam Day has written 

 one of the most fearless, searching, authoritative, and interesting works that has ever appeared upon 

 an inexhaustible subject.' The Field is stronger still, and commends it as never having been 'surpassed 

 in wisdom and knowledge by its countless predecessors upon the same or cognate subjects.' The 

 Sporting Lif< deems the book 'one of the best and most exhaustive on a subject most difficult to 

 handle ever launched on the ocean of public criticism.' The Sporting Times regards the book 'as one 

 of the most valuable ever contributed to Turf Literature;' and the Sportsman considers it lias 

 evidently been written bv a deep-thinking and conscientious man.' W e might adduce a host of other 

 criticisms equally favourable and eulogistic from the 'small fry of the Iress, but probably the 

 opinions we have q uoted from the ' upper ten ' amongst the newspapers will be considered ample proof 

 in support of the dictum with which we started. With such a consensus of praise, therefore, we are 

 justified in stating the work will be found a most valuable handbcok to those initiated into the 

 mysteries of training the 'noble animal ;' but we will say even for those not gifted with horsey 

 tendencies it possesses a rare amount of interest and entertainment. \\ eto whom the arcana of the 

 paddock is an occult science, and the jargon of the betting ring an unknown tongue, have perused 

 with infinite zest the wealth of anecdote and illustration with which Jhebook abounds, all being 

 told in a simi 

 the best test < 

 be a true critem. 



enviable amount of popularity, as may be judged from the fact that it has already passed through 

 three editions, and we believe it about to be launched on a fourth— nay more, we find our C continental 

 neighbours have not been insensible to its attractions, for we are told it is now being translated into 

 French and German. A book possessing such high credentials scarcely needs any other testimony of 

 its excellence, and we may pretty confidently predict that it will take a permanent place among the 

 standard works of Turf Literature. Mr. Day, backed by a thirty years experience in the training and 

 management of racehorses, is entitled to speak with authority, and yet he expresses his opinions with 

 a modesty ami absence of assumption that are highly commendable, though not always observable m 

 writers who can boast a lifelong acquaintance 'and practice in the subjects with which they deal. 

 He might be excused if he spoke mor< magistri, but lie is never found asserting his opinion in an 

 obtrusive manner; he has always the evidence of facts to back him up, and therefore Ins statements 

 are entitled to the respect and attention they have received from all quarters \\ e presume the intro- 

 ductory chapters on the economy of the training stable will be considered of great, it not primary, 

 importance to racing men. and certainly if anyone has aright to speak ex cathedraov such a subject 

 it is the master of the Woodyates stables. We are obviously unable to give an opinion on the manner 

 in which he has acquitted himself, but, borrowing the words of 'those who ought to know, we may 

 say in the words of Tin Sporting Mirror, 'The management of the horse in health and sickness is so 

 comprehensive and clear that to everyone keeping a hack, carriage horse, or hunter it is an invaluable 

 treasure ' Possibly to the general reader, if he have what may be called an historical cast of mind, 

 the chapter on ' Pacing Past and Present ' will prove of the most interest ; m our case it was so and we 

 have read with considerable relish that portion of the book which contrasts the racing of the last 

 and earlier years of the present century with its aspect in the latter days. There has been a wonder- 

 ful change in this as in everything else in the lapse of little more than a hundred j ears and the halatw 

 of the aristocratic ' meetings,' Ascot, Epsom, Derby, and Doncaster, will be disposed to smile when 

 he reads of the little ' one-horse ' affairs that took place m 1750, seme thirty years anterior to the first 

 Derby. The Author carries us pleasantly through all the phases of the development of the national 

 sport up to the gigantic transactions which accompany the 'big races of our time. Ihese matters 

 will, however, as we have said, be most taking with outsiders; but all men possessed of any right 

 feeling will applaud the fearless manner in which, to use the language of the ruM, he exposes the 

 plague-spots infecting our chief national sport.' Mr. Day thinks the remedy for the evi Is of the pre- 

 sent betting system would be to legalise it; and he very fairly asks, If transactions on the ^tock Ex- 

 change are legal, why should it be otherwise with those on the turf? And it is difficult to gainsay 

 such a position. Aiid we think his suggested reforms with regard to the management and arrange- 

 ment of races should meet with the approval of all who sincerely wish to see our racecourses punned 

 from the abuses and objections with which they are but too justly chargeable. I lie author is evidently 

 in earnest as to his wish to ' cleanse the Augsean stable' of the load of impurities with which it is 

 defiled ■ and if his suggestions secure the attention they deserve he will have the satisfaction of seeing 

 our races relieved of much of the odium which at present rests upon them. At anyrate. he has made 

 his mark on the literature of the turf, and we believe his work will be regarded as the text-book on 

 racing matters for very many years. We do not think it is likely to be superseded by anything more 

 ' fearless searching, and authoritative ' than itself, and we subscribe heartily to the opinion expressed 

 by a contemporary-' That the work, as a whole, is a masterpiece of .plain, sensiblejmtang, a Perfect 

 mine of wealth to trainers and owners of horses, and, we may add, jockeys, lo such we regard the 

 volume as a trustworthy rod, m.enm which this century, we predict, will not see surpassed. —Dorset 

 County Chronicle, February 1st, 1881. 



The Racehorse in Training, with Hints on Racing Reform.— London : Chapman & Hall. 



