62 THE TRAINING GROUND. 
horses are trained, in which the nature of the ground precludes 
the possibility of doing them justice. What is the result 
of such training ? The horses go lame ; and those that remain 
sound must be run about half fit, of necessity courting defeat 
by horses that are fit—a remark specially applicable to long 
distance races. 
Therefore as horses cannot be trained elsewhere, it is of 
paramount importance to have a good training ground. The 
selection of it should be made in dry weather. Then it is 
in its worst state, and its nature can be thoroughly judged. 
Bad or indifferent stables may be altered or even rebuilt ; but 
the nature of the ground no process can appreciably improve. 
As you find it, so it remains; and on it such as it is, you 
must either work your horses or neglect their condition. 
By many the situation is considered the chief object. 
To make it so, is all very well if the owner race for love of 
sport regardless of expense. Gentlemen of this mind, prefer 
having their stables and downs in their own neighbourhood, 
or failing this, near London, so as to be easy of access during 
“the season.” But those who are bent upon making their 
horses pay their way, who race with a view of recouping 
the heavy outlay on the purchase of a stud and its attendant 
expenses, should choose a quiet spot and good ground wher- 
ever they may be found; but reasonably, the farther froma large 
town the better. My preference would be for a place thus situ- 
ated within two or three hours of the metropolis, giving owners 
ample time to see their horses at exercise and inthe stable and 
return to town fordinner. In such a place there would be per- 
fect freedom of action: no telegraph set in motion to announce 
your whereabouts on arrival or departure, nor touts to annoy 
you. Plans could be arranged in peace and the result waited 
in hopeful expectancy, which would often be well repaid. 
