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red-coat point-to-point races, such as was introduced, in 1873, by the 

 Curraghmore, and which have since been the fashion with the 

 Kildares, and I am happy to see they are becoming the custom with 

 most packs in Ireland. These races should be jealously restricted 

 to the members of the Hunt and gentlemen hunting with it, with 

 absolute exclusion of the regular racehorse, professional racegoer, 

 and bookmaker. 



To effect this, I do not think a much better programme could be 

 adopted than one on the lines of our own old Curraghmore Red- 

 coat Kace, which was a race within a race. The system was some- 

 what as follows : — A sweepstake of £5 each, p.p., for horses the bond 

 fide property of subscribers to the covert fund and regularly hunted 

 with the Curraghmore Hounds during the past season and up to 

 within a fortnight of the meeting, and that had never won a steeple- 

 chase value £30 or started for one of £100 ; to be ridden by those 

 qualified to enter a horse, provided he never rode the winner of a 

 steeplechase value £100; weights, 13st. and list. 71b.; four miles, 

 over a sporting country ; to be ridden in full foxhunting costume, 

 with tall hats and red coats ; the riders of list. 71b. to wear a wide 

 white band round the left arm. Conditions : If the race be won by 

 a horse carrying 13st., he takes all the stakes ; if by a horse carrying 

 list. 71b., the stakes to be divided between him and the first 13st. 

 horse ; at least five horses in each class the property of different 

 owners to start, or the conditions will be changed or race declared 

 void at the discretion of the stewards. 



The principle was to confine the race to absolute hunters, regularly 

 kept at work through the season, and not thrown by for the purpose 

 of the race, to be ridden by novices between the flags ; and as each 

 man mounted himself according to his weight for the purpose of 

 going straight to hounds, the weights were chosen as being about 

 the average of the light and heavy men. Of course, if the entries 

 admit of it, there could be separate races for the light and welters. 



In addition there should be, at least, two races for farmers of the 

 country, for their own bond fide horses, to be ridden by themselves or 

 sons, or by members of the Hunt qualified for the red-coat race, 

 but not by professionals. 



No doubt the professional racing man looks upon that sort of thing 

 as a farce, and takes no interest in it ; but that genus seeks for gain, 

 not glory, on the racecourse, and if red-coat races be kept unpopular 

 according to the professional turfite's ideas, and they be not favoured 

 even with his presence, so much the better for all parties. 



I wish to see point-to-point races popular all over the country. 

 The peasantry attend them in large numbers, and come long distances 

 to do so, reminding one of "auld lang syne," and undoubtedly 

 beneficial results to the hunting of their respective countries must 

 ensue. 



Lady friends sometimes object to young fellows riding steeple- 



