RECORDS OF THE TURF.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 141, 25 September 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

RECORDS OF THE TURF.

llistoey is silent as to the exact date of the origin of horse-racing in this country. In JS'ichols Progresses of James the Ji'lnst, it is stated as a lact that the sport was practised in England in tlic tune ol the Itomuas, a people so attached to racing, that, in their ‘ l eternal city,” they used in the contests not only horses, but asses and ostriches even, and their jockeys rode in dih'erent colors, even as modern ones do. Eitzatepuen is aiwuys the standard authority lor the lirst practice ot the sport in England, which, according to Ins chionicies, was a somewhat common diversion in the reign of Henry the Second—iioi-bd—-when Snulhlield was a Jiorse market, the “ hackneys and charging steeds,” being put in competition against cacn other. Massing on to iicnry the Eighth's time, there is an ohicial entry of a sum ot money “paid to the icings waterman for waiting thai daye, and also the dayo that the horses did ryiiuo.” '-there are also payments made to the keeper of the " Earbary Jiorse” lor his board, and a reward "to the boye that ranub tne horse ; and in a book published in Ibzb on horses, mention is made ox wonderful speed, both in short and long courses. lu the recii ol the “ \ irgm Queen,” Jiorse racing it appears, was practised as a general amusement, and not witliout system ; but it was nut until her successor, Janies the hirst, came to the throne that racing became a permanent institution and received royal patronage. It appears that several Spanish liorses were thrown upon the coast of Calloway, while dames was on the Scottish throne, Irom some of the Vessels belonging to tile Spanish Armada, which were wrecked during the reign of Elizabeth, and tne spirit and swiftness of mese liorses were noticed and frequently put to the proof, for the partiality of the aeoten for the pastime ultimately became a passion ; and it would appear that, during d times s reign there they became possessed ot such a lunous spirit of gambling that it was louud necessary to restrain their passion for the sport and belting upon it, and a law was passed which ordained tliat .no person should win more than one hundred marks, the surplus being declared tojio the property of the poor. Although dames, “strictly speaking," did not originate tne races at IScwmarket, yet his patronage accorded them at once made rvewmarket head-quarters, and led to their being permanently established there, and he had a house built there for tiio purpose ol enjoying hunting and Held sports.” -Liuculu also had his patronage, for in the year XOI7, there was a horse race on the heath fora cup, at which James was present, witnessing the contest from a scaifold the city had erected for him. The king was not only a patron, but also a practical supporter of racing, by directing his attention to the improvement of the racehorse, and the crossing, for the first time, of Arabian with English blood. In the next reign, that of Charles the Eirst, there were so many graver things to occupy public attention for racing to make head-way ; but if the sport did not progress, neither did it die out, for races took place in Hyde .Park, and also at Harriet. In the ±mritanical time which followed, the sport was still practised to some extent, and Cromwell himself, seeing the importance of the nation possessing a good breed of horses, kept a stud, which included the famous White 'lurk and a brood mare, called the Collin Marc, so named from being found in a vault during a search for Cromwell’s effects at the time of the restoration. The palmy times of tlie Turf returned with the accession of the “ Merry Monarch,” the second Charles, who “ appeared not only to have entered fully into the pleasures of the sport itself, but to have had its essential interests at heart. He, also, like James the Eirst,

endeavored to improve the breed;” and despatched one of his Masters of the horse to the Levant, for the purpose of procuring horses for breeding from. “'JL'hejj races at jSewmarket were also divided by Charles into regular meetings, which were attend* ej by the monarch and many members of his Court, and ladies, prominent among whom was poor and unfortunate JNeli G Wynne." To the circumstance of the palace of Chari.es-at Newmarket being destroyed by lire in March, causing the hasty return of tuo Court to-London, is attributable the defeat of the Kye House Clot. The Ming gave an additional,and great impetus to the racing by substituting at IWwiuarkei and otbsi’ race meetings silver cups of the value of £IOO each, ou which it became customary to engrave liie winner's name and exploits—in lieu of the former gilts of silver bells, iu this reign an Act was passed for the purpose of putting a restraint upon gaming and betting on horse races to an excessive amount upon tick or credit, although the Ming himself and Court were steeped in gaming, and all sorts of vices.

The brief reign of James the Second and also that of William and Mary, may be passed over,, nothing occurring therein of interest to the sport' ing world. The next occupant of the throne, albe- - it a Queen, was a spirited supporter of the Turf.Anno not only kept race horses, but entered and ran them in her own name. To this Sovereign tno Turf was indebted for several royal plates v Jiieh were given to be annually run for at different meetings. The only items of Turf interest worth recording iu the reigu of George the .First was that the royal cups or plates were changed into specie, or royal purses of oue hundred guineas each. Though iu the time of George the second racing was iu lull vigor, that monarch did not take much interest iu it ; nor did his successor George the Third. But before the third George had closed his long and unprecedented reign, we find his eldest son and successor to the throne largely figuring upon the Turf, and, undoubtedly the then Prince of Wales accorded to horse racing its full share of patronage and support. He had a magnificent racing establishment, and bred some firstTUtO llOTsCd J uut lie V>aS paitiClit ii Ti UiiiOftuiitlto iu Turf transactions, and was obliged at one period to sell his stud of racers; but he afterwards returned to the Turf.

\\ illiam the Fourth, the “ Sailor King,” took some interest in sporting matters, about which, however, he appears to be very innocent, for it is recorded that “just previous to the first appearance of the Koval stud in his Majesty's name, the trainer sought an audience and requested to know what horses it was the Loyal pieasuro to have sent down. ‘ fiend the whole squad,' said the King, ‘some of them, 1 suppose, will win.’” Shortly after the King’s death the whole stud was broken up and disposed of, notwithstanding a remonstrance from the Legislature and a memorial from the Jockey Cluh. The sale realized 1b,692 guineas. To the quaint old city of Chester belongs the honor of having established Kace Meetings many years previously to any other locality. The races as held in that city, and of which the Tradesmen’s Cup, us run for at the present day, forms so prominent a prize at the spring of the year, can be traced backus far as to the year 1511. With regard to the origin of the name of the course, the Koodee Tennant slates that the name is taken from “eye,” its watery situation, and “rood,” the cross which stood there. Silver bells were first given for the prizes, and then cups. For some years the latter did not become the property of the winners, but were held by them for twelve mouths only, and then had to be delivered up and rim for again. Of all the English counties, however, Yorkshire is the one most thoroughly imbued with a love of the sport of horse-racing. It was practised, according to Camden, as early as 151)0, in the Forest of Galt res, on the East side of the City of York, the prize being a small silver or golden beli, which it was customary to attach to the head-gear of the winning horse, winch was then led about in triumph. There was a horse-race on the river Ouse, so hard was it frozen over, hi 1(307. Kaccs appear to have first taken place at Knavesmire in 1709, but there is some dilfercnce of opinion with regard to the date. The earliest notice of races being run on Lancaster Town Moor is in 17U3. The blLeger was first run in 1778, Sir T. Gascoigne’s llollandaise being the winner. Two years previous to this, however, a sweepstakes on exactly the same conditions as the subsequent StLegcr was contested. The race was named after a Colonel StLeger, who resided at Park hill near Doncaster. In 1813 the King’s Plate was transferred from Eurford to Doncaster, when the Meeting was extended to four days, it was further extended in 1825 to five days. Last year the different stakes run for at Doncaster amounted to L1U,137, exclusive of the Queen’s Purse of HOS. The number of horses which ran for the various stakes was 320. Since the establishment of the of the StLeger the weights have been altered four times. The Derby and Leger have been won on five occasions by the same horse, viz., by Champion in 1800 ; Surplice in 1818 ; Flying Dutchman in 1819; A’oltigcur in 1850 ; and West Australian in 1853. Lord A. Hamilton won the StLeger seven times, in three succeeding years, 178 U, 1787, and 1788, and again two years running, 1808, 1809. The competitors were then but few, numbering from five to fourteen only. Lord Eglinlouu carried oil tiie prize in 1812. Of jockeys of late years it may bo stated that F. Butler carried off the prize twice ; Flatman three times, including two years’running ; Marson twice; L. bnowden twice ; Challoner on two successive occasions; and Wells once.

At iNew market, as previously stated, races were first instituted in the reign of James the first. There are now six meetings in the course of the year, and in the past year 251) different stakes were run for by 1,2u6 horses. The race grounds have belonged to the Jockey Club upwards of 100

years. The period at which racing first commenced at Epsom is uncertain, but is believed by some to date back as far as the reign of James the First. The Derby was first instituted in 1780 by the late and twelfth Earl of Derby, The first winuning horse was Diomed. There were thirty-sir subscribers, and nine starters. For twenty years af-

the Derby was established, tho number of subscribers averaged thirty-five, and the average numher qf ten. During the lust twenty years, ». including 1862, Jhonftmber of subscribers'averaged ■t 195,.and, the starters 26. Coining down to recent years Mr. Gully lias won the race twice, in 1847 ; and 185-4 j Sir J. Hawley, three times, two years in succession—lßsß and 1859; Mr. Bowes four ; times, including two following years—lß32,lßs3. , The Day family have had four winning mounts ; , Scott was successful four times, including 1811, . 1813; S. Tenjpleman three times, twice in suc.ces- . sion ; Maraon had double fortune in 1850-1; . , j>anjt Butler the same in 1852-3 ; Wells the same ip 1858-9. Last year the value of the race was jE6,525. The Oaks was first run for in 1779. This race takes its name from an ale house which . atone time stood on Banstead Downs, and which was subsequently fitted up by General Burgoyne ps a hunting seat, and afterwards sold by him to the Earl of Derby, who named the Oaks race after his seat. Eranjk Butler carried off this prize no less than six times, twice in 1843—1, and then four times in succession—lßl9-50-51-52. The first authentic accounts of races being held at Ascot tvas in 1727. A race for a Gold Cup was instituted in 1807 ; the Royal plate of 100 , guineas was. given in 1785. Last year tho value of the stakes run for in June was £11,431. The now “ glorious Goodwood” Meeting had a somewhat spirited inauguration in the spring of 1802, when it was established by some officers of the Sussex Militia, in conjunction with the Members of a local Hunt club. The first year's prizes . were worth upwards of £3OO, and the sweepstakes almost as large an amount; but the meetings declined during the next few years, and even up to 1825 were of little account. Two years later the gathering began to make rapid progress. In 1830 the Grand Stand was opened, and in 1831 the Royal Purse was procured to be annually run for. In 1837 the amount of the stakes contested was more than £II,OOO. Under tho auspices of tho Duke of Richmond and Lord George Beniinck the meeting made such rapid strides that it not only rivalled, but eclipsed, many of the principal gatherings, and in 1845 the value of the stakes was no less than £24,809. After Lord George Bentinck’s death the races fell off somewhat, but will hold a first-class rank, and last year the money run for was £II,OOO.

The Jockey Club was instituted in the reign of .George the Second, but the exact year is not specified. The first official mention of the Club is stated to be in Heber’s Racing Calendar for 1758. The head-quarters of the Club were from the first established at Newmarket, and its members are selected from those highest in rank and position in the racing world, the whole legislative responsibility of horse-racing devolving upon the Club, tvhi.ch is an elective constituted body. Since 1812 the Club has declined to interfere with regard to bets,

Last year the number of places at which races were held was 187 ; the number of races run, 2,171, which were contested by 3,315 horses ; and the total amount of the prizes run for, £280,406.