It is upwards of a century since racintj commenced in Carolina, as a 

 popular pastime. As we cannot find any account of a race near Charles- 

 ton further back than 1734, we may presume to fix that, as the first 

 year of our Turf history. The earliest I'ecord that exists of any public 

 running, appears in the South Carolina Gazette, February lst,l734. The 

 prize was a saddle and bridle, valued at £20. The race was run on the 

 first Tuesday in Febi-uary, 1734 — mile heats — four entries. The horses 

 carried ten stone — white riders. This was one of the stipulations of the 

 race. There was, also, another condition, that the horses should be en- 

 tered on the Saturday preceding the race. This race took place on a 

 green on Charleston Neck, immediately opposite a public house, known 

 in those days as the Bowling Green House. The Course was staked out 

 for the occasion in the vicinity of the spot, wdiich the lower depot of 

 the South Carolina Railroad now occupies. 



In the following year, (1735,) owners of fine horses were invited, 

 through the newspapers, to enter them for a purse of £100. This year, 

 a Course was laid out at the Quarter House, to which the name was 

 given of " The York Course^'' after, it may be presumed, the Course of 

 York, in England, which was then attaining celebrity as a Race Ground. 

 The Toivn Moor, at York, had become as well attended, at stated periods, 

 by Northern sportsmen in England, as the Heath, at New Market, hJid 

 been, for many years previously, by the Southern supporters of the Eng- 

 lish Turf; hence it seems probable that, in establishing a new Course at 

 Charleston, the name of York was selected and conferred upon it. This 

 opinion is strengthened by the fact, that, in subsequent years, when 

 another Course was laid out and established south of the York Course, 

 the appropriate name was given to it of New Market. 



From year to year, racing was continued over " The York Course, 

 either in the month of February, or beginning of March ; the prize 

 being generally a silver bowl, or a silver waiter, or a silver tankard, about 

 the value of £100 currency, the riders never carrying less than ten 

 stone." 



On the 11th March, 1743, a gold watch, valued at £140, was run for. 



On the 24th February, 1744, over the same Course, a very amusing 

 race was contested, for a finely embroidered jacket, of the value of £90. 



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