27 



HACKNEYS 



Origin of the Hackney 



A few words concerning the history of this breed are 

 necessary before we consider the variations of colour. 



The Hackney, like the Thoroughbred, traces its- 

 descent from the horses of Eastern blood (Arabs and 

 Barbs), more especially from the Darley Arabian, imported 

 into England in the reign of Queen Anne. It is now 

 more than two hundred years since the Darley Arabian 

 was brought to this country and stood at Buttercramb, 

 near York, where his owner, Mr. Darley, had a small 

 stud of mares. To the Darley Arabian, some years after 

 his arrival, Mr. Childers sent his favourite mare Betty 

 Leedes ; and she, in 1715, threw Flying Childers, the 

 speediest horse on the Turf of his day. Flying Childers 

 became the sire of Blaze, also famous for his speed. 

 Blaze (foaled 1733) went to the stud in Norfolk, and 

 Norfolk owes its subsequent fame as the home of the 

 Hackney to the blood of Blaze. 



In this regard, it must be remembered that there was 

 then, and had been for long past, peculiarly good native 

 stock in Norfolk, admirably adapted to make the best 

 roadsters when crossed with such a horse as Blaze. As 

 I have shown elsewhere,* Norfolk Trotters were valued 



* The Harness Horse, 4th Edition. By Sir Walter Gilbey, Bart. 

 Vinton & Co., London. 1905. 



