195 



Our various training establishments are all situated around, or close 

 to, the verge of the Curragh, and are, like those near Malton, pretty 

 nearly in their primitive state. The dwelling-houses are mostly of 

 the cottage style, only a few are two-storied — a style no doubt adopted 

 by the old folk as being that least likely to feel the effects of thn 

 storms which too often sweep our plain. The stabling which adjoin 

 the lodges are all of the good old-fashioned substantial style, lacking 

 nothing in anything pertaining to the comfort and well-being of the 

 horses which occupy them, but all in simple, useful fashion. None 

 of the ornamentation, decoration, and so forth which distinguish the 

 gorgeous establishments of Newmarket are to be found in these 

 abodes. Our Irish trainers know and do their work quite as well in 

 their homely, snug little shanties, with their barn-like rows of 

 stabling adjoining, as any of the Englishmen in their regal residences 

 surrounded with villages of stately stabling, while our humble boxes 

 contain as healthy horses and turn out more winners in proportion 

 than come from the superbly decorated stalls of England. 



While scribbling these notea my thoughts naturally run to the 

 principal establishments around and near the Curragh ; for the infor- 

 mation, therefore, of those of my readers who are not as fortunate as 

 the others who know them, I shall pay an imaginary visit to each. To 

 do so I shall figuratively hire a jarvey in Kildare and take with me 

 three Newmarket trainers who, strange to say, have never visited the 

 Curragh, nor have they been to Ireland. They are Messrs. Joseph 

 Cannon, Arthur Sadler, and George Dawson. 



Before starting from the ancient town of Kildare we shall look 

 in at the old Club House. Oh, what tales these walls could tell! 

 Around this very table the great men of old feasted and made merry 

 upon the nights of the Curragh meetings. Many were the magnums 

 of port and claret drank over that mahogany. See here are the 

 marks of the dice-boxes which in vehemence were dashed down 

 while high play was indulged in. Now the place is deserted and has 

 been for years since the time of the Charlemonts, Howths, Waterfords, 

 Clanricardes and Sligos, the Disneys, Westenras, Dalys, Powers, 

 Courtenays, St. George's, Archdales, and Irvines ! 



Down the old and narrow road our jarvey rattles us for a little over 

 a mile, when we arrive at the Curragh verge. The first training 

 establishment we shall visit is Mountjoy Lodge. Here the veteran 

 Dan Broderick still resides. For some years before his lamented 

 death, sporting Captain Stamer Gubbins had here his training 

 establishment with Dan as trainer, whence to victory were sent 

 Fairyland, Juggler, Sailor, and many other great horses. 



Next we come to the home for many years of straightfoward 

 Michael Dennehey. A man who puts his money on a horse sent to 

 the post by the owner of French House has, at all times, an honest 

 run for it and often wins. To train a horse for the flat or over a 

 country, Mr. Dennehey can hold his own with any mar, while 



