4I 
We may pass over the brief reign of 
James II. (1685-1688), as it was marked 
by nothing of importance bearing on our 
subject. 
WILLIAM III. (1689-1702). 
The first year of this reign saw the im- 
portation of the first of the Eastern sires 
which contributed to found the modern 
breed of racehorses—the Byerley Turk. 
The Oglethorpe Arabian arrived about the 
same time. The Turf was growing in 
importance and popularity ; and we find that 
a gold bowl was one of the prizes offered 
at the Newmarket meeting of 1689. King 
William took personal interest in racing, and 
kept a stud under the charge of the famous 
Tregonwell Frampton, who filled the office 
of Keeper of the Running Horses under 
Queen Anne, George I. and George II. 
The King seems often to have visited New- 
market, and he encouraged other meetings— 
Burford, for example—by his presence. 
He was keenly alive to the importance 
of encouraging horsemanship ; _ sharing, 
perhaps, the view held by many persons 
at this period that the general use of stage 
coaches and carriages was likely to lead to 
