Imagens das páginas
PDF
ePub

calculating winnings for which penalties are to be carried, the deductions shall be confined to the winner's stake, and the allowances to the second and third horses; nothing to be allowed for deductions for expenses of any kind."

It was also announced that the Club had received, through Mr. Murray, the English Consul-general in Egypt, a challenge from his Highness the Pasha of Egypt, to run any number of horses the Club may think proper to send over, ten miles, for £10,000, and, the communication added, another £5,000-if agreeable. The nature of this affair will be better understood from the following letter, which was addressed subsequently to the editor of Bell's Life:

"SIR: A challenge has been sent through me on the part of the Pasha of Egypt to the English Turf, which I first communicated to the Jockey Club, and now wish to notify to the public through the medium of your paper. It was my intention to have sent you the letter of our Consul-General, in which this challenge is conveyed; but I have unfortunately mislaid it, and after the most diligent search have been unable to find it. I remember, however, the contents of it with sufficient accuracy to answer every purpose. Mr. Murray states that his Highness the Pasha is convinced that his Arab horses are superior to our English race-horses over a length of ground, and he proposes to test their relative merits by a match to be run in Egypt; the distance to be ten miles; the stake £10,000, which he thinks, if desired, might be increased to £15,000; no limitation as to age or weight. The ground over which the match would be run is sand, with a good many stones in it. He concludes by saying that if there is a disposition here to make the match, he will proceed to adjust the preliminaries. Upon the receipt of this letter I wrote him word that I would make this challenge public, and that I thought it very probable it would be accepted, and I then put to him a great variety of questions as to certain points on which I deemed it essential that information should be supplied. Thus the matter stands at present. As soon as I hear again from Cairo I will trouble you with a further communication.

"Bruton-street, Oct. 12.

"I am, sir, your obedient servant,

"C. GREVILLE."

The selection of the Honourable Clerk of the Council as herald of the lists was a judicious one. It will draw blood" another time-the best blood of the Stud Book-or we know nothing of the national amour propre. This, however, shall be discussed when the question is more

mature.

66

That there was various betting during the forenoon, it is as needless to premise as that the settling on the previous day's handicap left pretty evident testimonials of discontent behind it. How few are aware of the true character of the arrangements which succeed any of the great betting races! Is a shilling in the pound paid upon the nail?"... A Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., for two-year-olds, &c., &c.; Criterion course; seven subscribers: the Duke of Richmond's Officious walked over. A Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, for two and three-yearolds, T.Y.C., six subscribers; one paid, and Colonel Peel's filly out of Malibran was the favourite at 2 to 1 against her; she won easily by a length, but it was a poor" race. Match for £200 aside, 7st. each, D.M.; Mr. Payne's Glauca, 7 to 2 on her, beat Lord Stanley's Strongbow by a length. The Town Plate of £50, T.M.M., brought eight to the post, and produced a fine race, won by a head by Antagonist; she was not named among the lot backed, whereof Dover was the best fancied, at 2 to 1 against him. A Handicap Sweepstakes of 15 sovs. each, for two-year-olds, last half of the A3. M.; half-a-dozen went for it, and the winner, also unnoticed in the ring, was Young Bamboo, the property of Mr. Undummy. The Bedford Stakes-a sweepstakes of 50

66

66

[ocr errors]

sovs. each, h. ft., &c., &c., for two-year-olds-course from the Ancaster Mile-post to the Duke's Stand, eleven subscribers; betting, 6 to 5 against Sisyphus, and 5 to 4 against the filly out of Agnes; the latter cut out the work till within half a distance of home, when Nutshell came," and won cleverly by a length: it was a tailing" race, with Lord Chesterfield's filly by Don John at the "tip" of it. A Sweepstakes of 200 sovs. each, h. ft., for three-year-olds, T.Y.C., three subscribers; Lady Evelyn received one stake, and St. Rosalia withdrew hers. A Match having paid, the business on the heath terminated. It should be mentioned here that Lord Stanley had on the previous night offered to run Canezou, 8st. 10lb., against The Flying Dutchman, 8st. 2lb., for £500, h, ft., over the Two Middle Miles, which match was subsequently declined by Lord Eglinton, no doubt for sufficient reasons. It was also understood that a letter had been addressed, at the instance of the Jockey Club, to the British Consul-General, requesting particulars respecting the match proposed by the Pasha of Egypt, before alluded to.

Thursday. This morning's list was a bumper, consequently the time was "put forward," and so must be this our epitome of the sport. It began with a Match for 100 aside, h. ft., R. M., between Quasimodo, 8st. 9lb., and Queensberry, 8st. 3lb., won by the former in a canter; 5 to 4 on the loser. A Handicap of 10 sovs. each, for three-year-olds, D. M., eight subscribers, brought five to the post; Paquita was the favourite, at 5 to 4 on her; some bungle occurred about The Probe, who was telegraphed to start, but didn't: "they manage these things better" elsewhere: the favourite had an easy victory. Match for 300, h. ft., T. M. M., Tisiphone, Sst. 1lb., beat Borneo, 8st. 71b., by four lengths; even betting: Marlow rode for Lord Exeter, and for the first time made his début in the blue-and-white stripe, this autumn. Match for 200, h. ft., last half of Ab. M.; Preslaw, 7st. 5lb., beat Treacherous, 9st. 3lb., in a canter, by two lengths; 6 to 4 on the winner. Match for 200, h. ft., last half of the Ab. M.; Newport, 8st. 5lb., beat Ploughboy, 8st. 7lb.; 4 to 1 on the loser. A Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, for all ages, first half of Ab. M., twelve subscribers; half-a-score ran for this; Farthingale the favourite, at 2 to 1 against her; she was, however, defeated in a fine race by Philosopher "by a head"-a fitting agent for a philosopher. Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, for two-year-olds, T.Y.C., three subscribers; this was run a match between Blondette and General Seydlitz; the latter the fancy of the ring at 5 to 2 on him, the former the winner by a head. Sweepstakes of 200 sovs. each, h. ft., T.Y.C.; a match again; The Wren, backed at 2 to 1 against Cora, won, but it was a near thing. A Handicap (free) of 100 sovs., A. F., drew together a lot of twenty; Wanota, 9st. 4lb., was the winner, but how many were backed, or how the field ran, must be left to the reader's imagination. The Bretby Stakes of 100 sovs. each, h. ft., for two-year-old fillies, eleven subscribers, R. M., had four to go; Tingie was at 7 to 4 against her, and 2 to 1 laid against Kathleen; Lord Chesterfield, however, was the conqueror; his nomination, Satire, making her rush on the post, and popping in her head just before the favourite's. Champion received in a Sweepstakes of 300 sovs. each, h. ft., three subscribers: Two Matches paid, and the catalogue was gone through.

Friday's leviathan list of fourteen events was diminished to a partial

total of six, one of these exciting some pretty considerable interest. For the Prendergast the public was to be treated with the sight of a great creature of the Danebury division-hight "Pitsford." He was to win this, and then to win the Derby; and because he didn't do the first moiety of his task, there arose a vituperation against the stable. Surely it's bad enough to lose, without being blown up to boot...... Handicap Sweepstakes of 20 sovs. each, &c., T. Y. C., nine subscribers; they laid 5 to 4 against Fuoco, and 2 to 1 agaist the Cob with the comical et cetera; four ran, but the two named had the race at the close between them, the filly winning rather cleverly by half a length. Match 200, first half of Ab. M.; The Wren received half forfeit from Sparrow Hawk. Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, for two-year-olds, first half of Ab. M., four subscribers; all ran; 5 to 4 against the filly out of Buzz, and 2 to 1 against Secondhand; the favourite led to the cords, where Eunuch went up, caught her a few lengths from the post, and won by a head. Match for 100, h. ft., first half of Ab. M.; Sicyon, 6st. 13lb., with 5 to 2 on him, beat Goodwood, 8st. 6lb., by a length, easily. Now came the Prendergast, and half the ring flying off to the saddling stable for a peep at the flyer. When they came back again they found all the world wild to back him, some laying 7 to 2 that he won, others eager to do more, but takers were shy. Well, off they set-Pitsford, as aforesaid, with 7 to 2 and Alfred Day on him, and Nutshell with 10 to 1 against him, and nobody thought about Bolingbroke. This trio constituted the field. Long before they reached the ropes Pitsford was done for, and in running up them Bolingbroke went to the front, and. staid there, and won easily by a length. Moreover this same Bolingbroke is a remarkably fine colt, uncommonly like a race-horse, and-if anything can countenance the folly-is worth backing for the Derby. But not yet; he'll be at a better price for buyers, only have patience. A Handicap Sweepstakes of 15 sovs. each, &c., &c., for two and threeyear-olds, T. Y. C., nine subscribers; seven went for this, 6 to 4 being the odds against Ferule, and miscellaneous odds about the others; the favourite took the lead and kept it," winning very cleverly by a length; First Chance was second, and nothing else "up." Match for 200, h, ft., R. C.; Tufthunter, with 6 to 5 on him, carrying 8st. 10lb., beat Minto, 7st. 5lb., after one of the finest races that can be imagined over such a course; the judge gave it "a head:" thus brilliantly winding up a meeting in itself so brilliant. Several matches and a couple of sweepstakes having paid, the company rose from the feast in every sense of the term satisfied with the entertainment.

THE HOUGHTON MEETING, badly pre-eminent for storm and cloud, this year set in with weather that would have shamed full many a July week. There was sunshine, such as you see in the Italian landscapes of the great masters, and an atmosphere that acted upon your physique like the grape of Epernay and St. Peray. The racing, as the case always is with the hay and straw anniversary, was of the character called "monster." The sheet lists were broadsides, covered with type, announcing sweepstakes, handicaps, plates, and matches in most admired profusion. The company was suited to the entertainment. The élite of the sporting circles made rendezvous in the town during the week, and the tag-rag and bobtail came with the Cambridgeshire, and so departed. It was, in sooth, a brilliant tryst, to which I could not do justice in this page if I

would; alas, that the space and matter should be so ill-adapted that I may not even do my humble best in so fair a cause. Albeit the policy of the Newmarket management enjoys but scanty popularity, there is still a small spirit of progress moving onwards. On the occasion of which I write I found much accommodation from the little enclosure of double cords in front of the winning chair, within which the pedestrian had a protection not heretofore accorded him. The course was in perfection, and the teams, most of them, the finest samples of horseflesh ever exhibited at this, the world's champion-mart for such commodity. Passing by the gossip and gambling, at which latter not the least deplorable feature was the appearance of more than one of gentle position in the character of leg professed, let us foregather on the heath, with as goodly an assembly as ever graced a Houghton. The sport commenced with a Handicap Plate of £50 for three-year-olds and upwards; Cambridgeshire course. There were 16 nominations and 9 runners; with 3 to 1 against Blackcock, the favourite, and 10 to 1 against Defaulter, the winner by two lengths. Two or three others were backed, of which Wanota had the call at 4 to 1. Match for 100, h. ft, T.Y.C.; Sagacity, 8st. 10lb., beat Newport, 8st. 4lb., by eight lengths in a canter; 7 to 4 on the loser. Match for 100, h. ft., Le Beau, 7st., beat Sultana, 8st. 12lb., by a length, in a canter; 6 to 4 on the winner. A Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, for two-year olds; first half of Ab. M.; 4 subscribers; Remnant the favourite at 5 to 4 against him; won easily by a couple of lengths by Subterfuge, not named in the betting. Handicap Sweepstakes of 25 sovs., each, 10 forfeit if declared, &c., 5 subscribers. Three ran for this; Abd-el-Kader, the favourite, at 6 to 4 against him-won by a length. Match for 200, half forfeit; St. Rosalia, 8st. 71b., beat Cockermouth by a head; 2 to 1 on the mare; course the D.M. Sweepstakes of 10 sov. each, for all ages except two-years-olds. Five were named, and they went. Paquita, 6 to 4 against her, ran a dead heat with Laundry Maid, and subsequently walked over, the two dividing the stakes; course the D.M. Next came the Criterion, distinguished by the second appearance of Pitsford. Out of the 37 named nine came to the post; 5 to 4 against the Nigger. The favourite won by a length, This stake was below

but it was a race, Pitsford being second for it. its average interest: if some others of the lot named had run it would have been rather more exciting. Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, for all ages but two-year-olds; Criterion course; 6 subscribers, and 4 to go. They took 6 to 4 about Strongbow, and were right, for he won by a length. A couple of matches having paid, the list was run out.

Tuesday being the anniversary of the Cambridgeshire Handicap, drew a mighty multitude hitherwards. They said the crowd was something superior to the host of last year. If so, what a party must have congregated on Newmarket Heath in the Houghton Meeting of 1848!

Space compels me-or rather the want of it-to close, as far as the present number is concerned, with a word only anent the great event. Thirty started for the Cambridgeshire; and Raby, with 6 to 1 against him, was the winner-by a length. The four following days were brimfull of sport, and the curtain fell on the turf year of 1849, as on a drama of interest, and haply not without a moral, which "all who run may read."

DOGS AND DOG-BREAKING.

BY RAMROD.

Man has not a more faithful servant than the dog. Amongst our fellow-men we find, alas! great variableness. The loss of fortune, the loss of power, or the loss of health, each has its result. Friends who

once rallied round us, "in sickness or sorrow shrink from the test"; but the dog never changes in his feelings towards us: he is always the same. Faithful to his master, he lays at his feet his courage, strength, and talents, and only waits his commands to fulfil his will; he is always ready to forgive, and will lick the hand that gave him pain-in this, a good example to us all.

Σ

The shepherd's dog is no doubt th stock from which every sort has sprung-he is the body and root of the tree-and how extraordinary their sagacity! they really can (as a farmer observed to me the other day)" do almost everything but speak." I was riding a short time back along a road in South Wales, and met a flock of sheep (a lucky omen, by-the-way; at least so say the old women) driven by a man and dog. I heard the man say something in Welsh to his faithful follower, but did not understand what it all I saw the dog jump over the hedge, and make a circuit which ought him to the entrance of a lane: I then saw that he had been desired to go there to prevent the sheep going the wrong road. On the hills the shepherds' dogs know their master's sheep amongst some thousands, and will gather them together. The Scotch are preferred to the Welsh dogs, as being more sagacious and easier taught.

As regards breeding, the best time for pups to come is about May; they will then have all the summer before them; and in selecting whelps, choose of course the strongest. But I will here mention that it does not always follow that the largest pups turn out the best dogs, but still it must be observed as a general rule. I know instances where whelps which have been discarded have given the go-bye to those selected as being the best. As soon as they are taken from the dam, let them be well fed upon potatoes, buttermilk, and oatmeal, and but little flesh, as that leads to the distemper: above all, take care that your young dogs have plenty of exercise and plenty of water. Occasionally give them a tablespoonful of syrup of buckthorn-a better medicine you cannot give them. The first complaint to attack a dog is the distemper, which each has one time or another; it mostly comes on before the expiration of the first year. When it makes its appearance, syrup of buckthorn and sulphur may be given with good effect, and at a more advanced stage the following :~

Opium, 3 grains.

Emetic Tartar, 5 grains.

To be given every third night. The dog must be kept very warm, and fed with warm broth, and his nose washed out with alum water.

A dog never has the distemper above once. Many ino@ulate for it,

« AnteriorContinuar »