HORSE RACING. 



CHAPTEE I. 



0^ THE STATE OF THE ENGLISH TURF IN 1865. 



The number of horses in training has increased 

 'pari passu with the wealth of the country. They 

 may be calculated at 2,500, exclusive of steeple- 

 chasers and the yearlings which are taken up 

 between July and December ; they have doubled 

 in thirty-nine years. The votaries of racing may 

 be multiplied by ten. 



Although the condition of the Turf is in a pros- 

 perous state where it is protected by gentlemen — 

 for instance, at Ascot, where there is more money 

 actually given to be run for than on any eight 

 country race-courses in England, because there 

 are no deductions, fees, charges for weights and 

 scales, or illicit sales by auction, and the entrance- 

 money is paid to the second horse, according to 

 the ancient law of the land; and again at New- 



B 



