TURF REFORM 157 



on this question the committee sought the 

 opinions of the leading trainers. The com- 

 mittee's conclusions were thus expressed: 



In their opinion the prohibition of two-year-old racing 

 would inflict on the Turf a fatal injury. The length of 

 time which must elapse before either pleasure or profit 

 could be derived from a horse which could not be run 

 before he was three years old, and then not till March 25, 

 would deter many from training, and still more from 

 breeding, thoroughbred stock. Our best stallions would 

 go abroad, as the limited demand for their services would 

 oflFer no inducement to owners to retain them in this 

 country compared with the prices to be obtained from 

 foreigners ; our mares, such of them as did not also go 

 abroad, would of necessity be put to inferior stallions. 

 As fewer horses would be bred, the chance of breeding 

 really good stock would be diminished, and a serious 

 deterioration of our breed of horses would be the result. 

 Your committee had, therefore, no difficulty in arriv- 

 ing at a decision that two-year-old racing ought to be 

 permitted. 



The report then went on to state that, with 

 regard to the date at which two-year-olds should 

 begin to race, the committee derived great 

 assistance from the information and opinions 

 given them by the most experienced trainers. 

 In my reply to the circular, I stated that I should 

 prefer to take up and break yearlings in Septem- 

 ber, keep them in gentle work, and train to 

 " try " the following September. Answering 

 the question, " At what time of the year could 



