We may sum up this aspect of our subject by saying 

 that the modern race-horse, as a sire for the improvement 

 of our breeds of useful horses, is Hving upon the reputation 

 made by his ancestors, who, by reason of their form and 

 qualities, could do what we have made it impossible for the 

 modern Thoroughbred to do — i.e., impart qualities we have 

 carefully bred out of him. 



Such horses as Shark, whose portrait is here given, had 

 bone and substance. The work they were called upon to 

 perform required the highest qualities of the horse — stamina, 

 staying-power and ability to carry weight. Shark was foaled 

 in 1771, and was got by Marsk from a mare by Snap; 

 he was bred by Mr. Robert Pigott, and made his first 

 appearance on a racecourse at the Newmarket First October 

 Meeting of 1774. He started 29 times and won 19 times, 

 receiving 6 forfeits and paying 4 ; he won more money than 

 any horse up to his time. 



Shark, like many of our celebrated Thoroughbreds, was 

 sent to America in 1786, and in Virginia laid the foundation 

 of the famous Snap blood. 



Hambletonian, another representative horse of the old 

 stamp, was foaled in 1792 ; he was got by King Fergus from 

 a mare by Highflyer, and was bred by Mr. J. Hutchinson, 

 of Skipton, near York. In 1795 he was sold to Sir Charles 

 Turner, and by him in the following year to Sir Henry 

 Vane Tempest. Hambletonian was only once beaten, and 

 on that occasion (at York August Meeting of 1797) he ran 

 out of the course just after starting. His most famous 

 achievement was his victory over Mr. Cookson's Diamond on 

 25th March, 1799, at Mewmarket. 



Such a horse as Orville, whose portrait faces page 18, may 

 be offered as an example of the race-horse of a century ago. 

 This horse was foaled in 1799, and was by Beningbrough out 

 of Evelina. He was bred by Earl Fitzwilliam, and between 

 1801, when he ran his first race at Doncaster, and the Second 



17 



