On the Bides of Racing . 19 



the olden time was considered to be 4 st., and 

 feathers like catch weights were not called into 

 the scales, until it was discovered in 1841 that 

 Tripoli carried 7 st. 5 lbs. in the Feather Plate last 

 3 miles B. C. ; in 1862 the standard was fixed at 

 5 St. 7 lbs. 



Kule 40 disqualifies a horse from running 

 if he carries less in a public race : this Kule 

 would not affect matches. On circular courses it 

 is a very humane regulation to protect children 

 from the accidents incidental to racing, but at 

 Newmarket it is superfluous legislation. 



Kule 4, respecting Maidens, was until lately 

 confined to the United Kingdom; now it extends 

 to every country. 



By rule 7, three subscribers constitute a sweep- 

 stakes, and if the number be reduced by death the 

 race is considered a sweepstakes as long as two 

 horses are left, the property of different persons ; 

 thus in the Juvenile Stakes at York, 1866, by the 

 death of Mr. Osborn, only Mr. Launde's two 

 horses remain, but Mr. L., having sold one of 

 them with his engagements, the sweepstakes 

 stands good. 



Kule 9 raises the standard weight to 8 st. 10 lbs., 

 the original St. Leger weight being for colts, 8 st., 

 and the Epsom Derby, 8 st. 2 lbs. 



