177 RACING IN BELGIUM, 1841. 66 As we were on the course at exercise, yesterday, a friend observed, "If racing don't progress, locomotives do, in this precious country," and thereupon launched out into extravagant praise of chemins de fer, engines, directors, and the whole rataclan; a proceeding fully borne out, as I afterwards discovered, by the fact of his having divers shares, which had just risen the eighteenth of a farthing. "What," continued he, "are race-horses to engines ?-Donkeys! mere donkeys!" "And yet,” I replied, “I shouldn't mind backing the horse for half a mile." "Pooh!" "For a dinner, at the Trois Frères Provencaux, if you like?" "It's robbing you." "Never mind, that's my affair." But how to prove it?""Easily! My little horse, which you will admit is as slow as a top, shall wait at the turn, and, as the next convoi passes, shall gallop alongside." Now, the reader who has never been on the plain of Mont-plaiser, must be informed that the railroad and the course run parallel, some twenty yards apart. Two minutes afterwards a hissing, sputtering, squealing thing, yclept "Charles Martel," rattled along; and the little horse, taking up the running, fairly beat the monster every yard of the way! "Into you for a dinner, friend," quoth I. "Pooh, pooh, no pace! engine out of order, or something!" But, notwithstanding, I had a very good dinner, to which the loser had the politeness to invite some few of the right sort. If I did not send you an account of the Ghent Meeting, which took place a fortnight previously, it was purely because any faithful description must have appeared too much like "a burlesque." In one race, were unprecedented men, in trowsers, riding horses apparently from the plough, or the hack-cab, every motion of the proud animals threatening to unseat them. In another race, four high-bred cattle, the crack three-year-old indigenès starting for a plate; and, in a quarter of a mile, one jumping the cords, another standing stock still, and a third turning tail, and making the most resolute running to the place from whence he came! leaving the plate to a weed, by Comus, out of the Cambron stable. In a third race, the jock flogging in with nothing against him; with divers other enormities! The Vervier Society, consisting chiefly of the family of Mons. Simonis, wealthy manufacturers, shewed a respectable horse or two; their crack being Cameleon, by Camel, out of Ion's dam. For the 100 naps., given for horses of all breeds, Wild Hero, belonging to Baron Heckeren, would have cantered over; but the trainer had not entered in time; consequently, Fée, a Belgian mare, won it, beating one or two screws. A very good match took place between Mr. Spalding's Daredevil, by Sultan (owner), eighty-two killo, and Mr. G. Lousada's Myrtle, by Zinganee (Capt. Cosby), seventy killo. The same match had come off on deep ground, and the horse had won; but as the soil is lighter at Ghent, the mare had it by a head, but with difficulty. Nothing but Capt. Cosby's very fine riding could have placed her there. Spalding's performances, with his weight, were also very creditable. Another horse of Mr. Lousada's threw his rider, and was not caught till ten o'clock at night, having left the cords, and taken a rural stroll! A Cup, for horses that had never started in any public race, was won by Mr. Thelusson's Jack Brag, by Brutandorf, beating two others; but strong doubts as to the winner or the second horse never having been entered, or run, were entertained. The third, however, did not claim; and finally, a very stupid evening followed this very stupid meeting. I regret to say that racing, which was making some progress here a few years since, is now on its last legs. The meetings at Liege and at Aix-la-chapelle are entirely given up since Mr. Cockerell's lamented death. Namur also, with the exception of the capital, and, perhaps, Ghent, I think likely to follow the others. There were two days of it at Mons; but the vexatious regulations, and continual changes in the nature of the conditions, gave much disgust, and spoiled the sport. Cockerell's decease, the retirement of Mons. Spitaels, and the dissensions between Count Duval and the Vervier Society, perhaps, sufficiently account for this result; added to which, English horses are now as carefully excluded as they were formerly sought after : although, certainly, if they can breed them it is useless to go elsewhere. The Cup and 100 guineas are all that remain now to be run for, by the "toutes races,' at Brussels, on the 22nd inst., the result of which you shall duly have. Wild Hero and Wetday are the only ones mentioned; but there are rumours of a nag to appear at the last moment, who is, as the Yankees say, "to do the trick tidy:" so there is no betting; in fact, there never is any, beyond a few guillaumes. An amazing deal of talk; but, as we used to adage in Italy, Multo fumo, poco arosto! The 22nd was ushered in by most tremendous rains: week after week it has incessantly poured down; and the ground (which, at best, is but a marsh) was absolutely unrideable. Into this "deep mire" waded some hundred pedestrians, and some score carriages. As to the road, it "must have been seen to be believed." After the remarks I have already made about the decline of racing, it is almost unnecessary to say that the absence of Count Duval's stud was felt as its death blow. As to the worthy Count, that he had "abdicated" the supremacy he so long held; my opinion of the cause is, that the haras de Cambron, where his establishment is, is far too damp and low for breeding; and the proof is, that the Vervier Society, immediately they began breeding on the fine high ground about Spa, took the lead, and have since kept it. Indeed, it would take four years to start an opponent. They also went the right way to work, buying such mares as Vespertilio, Ion's dam, &c., and getting Mango for their stallion. Nevertheless, many even of Duval's opponents regretted his retirement, and the loss of his active services, which we trust is only temporary. At 2 o'clock the bell rung, and there appeared amid the pelting of the pitiless storm, on the swamp, or race-course, five high-bred cattle to contend for a dirty half-hundred louis and dirty enough they were; the colours could hardly be distinguished. Had Mr. Clarke been there, instead of proclaiming "blue and white by a head," his accuracy would have obliged him to declare, "mud, and all mud, by a length." The entry was 150 francs, second to save his Stake. All got well off, Ochiltree leading through bog, through mire, for the first mile and a half; where, from want of training (his spirited proprietor having bought him of Major Shirley only ten days previously), he resigned to Worthless, who made a good race home with Leporello, who won by a length. Snarley Yow and Myrtle (who beat the winner last September, giving him, as nearly as I recollect, a stone) were evidently amiss. Leporello is a slow but sticking nag, and has won his owner a good deal of money. Snarley pulled up lame. Betting, even on Myrtle. The pace may be judged of by the two miles taking five minutes and a half. After half an hour's soaking, came the first heat of the indigenes, which was won very easily by the Vervier horse. The entry was-two mile heats, 100 naps. V. S. Actæon, 4 years old Mr. F. Lousada's Bizarre, 5 years old 1 2 dis. bolted. As usual, Alida bolted. Bizarre made a fight of it for a mile, and then resigned. Young Paris distanced. Bizarre was bought as the "crack" of Mons. Spitael's stud. We can only say that he has done quite right to give up breeding; such weeds do not improve la race de chevaux. The next race created considerable interest, from the circumstance of a horse having walked off the steamer to beat the Baron de Heckeren's Wild Hero, and Wetday. The Baron is understood to be merely nominee for the King of Holland. A great stir took place on the appearance of the champion-Bedford, by Shortwaist, dam by Bobadil— purchased for 3,500 fr., by the Hon. F. St. John, of Mr. Goodman. Wild Hero had been objected to, as belonging to the same proprietor as Wetday it being contrary to the rules to run two horses, the objection was held valid. Count Cornelissen's Iago, by Mameluke, out of Miss Screw, was drawn; consequently it was reduced to a match. The first heat Bedford won, but not easily. He is by no means kind to ride, and his jock and he were strangers. The second and third heat he lost; but, to my idea, nothing but inferior riding could have produced this result: a result much regretted by Mr. St. John's numerous friends. Then came a canter over for Actaeon's second heat; and the deciding race between Bedford and Wetday-Wetday first, easy; after which we splashed and swam home as best we might. Second Day's Sport, July 24th.-It has rained without ceasing: even the Belgian newspapers say, "Nous n'entreprendons de décrire ne l'hippodrome, ni les routes qui y conduisent; il pleut depuis quarante huit heures presque sans interruption, que l'on pourrait bien se rappeler a que nous disons hier, et l'on se fera une idée de ce qui est aujourd'hui!" The King was not present, but General d'Hane was sent to present the gold vase. The first was a match, 50 each, between Jack Brag, 65 killo, (Mr. Thelusson), and Mr. Byth's Deer, 55. The Deer got a bad start, owing to the drunkenness of the groom, who would cling to the bridle; but had evidently no chance, Jack Brag winning as he liked. The indigenes followed; 2,500 fr. given by the Town; a canter over, by Acteon (Vervier Society). For the Continental Prizes of 3,000 fr., added to a Sweepstakes of 300 fr. (h. ft.), four were entered: Young Pigeon (Vervier Society), 3 years 1 1 47 killo 2 2 47 killo drawn drawn At starting, Iago flung his jock, and dragged him a little way, but, luckily, without any harm. After being caught, with some difficulty, they started again, and ran neck and neck the whole way, Young Pigeon winning by half a length. The second heat Iago led for a mile and a half, when his opponent went up and defeated him cleverly. The final race for the Cup was the only one that created any interest six were inscribed, but only five came to the post; Jack Brag having got an overreach in his first match. First heat. Ochiltree made running for a mile, and was then pulled up. The Belgian papers state that he was only started to induce Fée to run away! which absurdity needs no refutation; all Mr. H. Lousada's friends know he is far too honourable and sportsmanlike a man to run for anything but to win if he can. Bedford again disappointed the expectations of his backers, and was nowhere. Fée and Wetday ran a good match home, forgetting Daredevil (who had been going "like threacle"), and were much surprised to see him slip by, and win by a length. Betting: 3 to 1 on Spalding's, after the heat. Second heat. All well together till the turn in, where Wetday gave in; and Fée beat Daredevil by a length. Third heat. Fée easy by three lengths. The Vervier Society thus carried off every prize; and it must be very gratifying to them to have beat so easily a horse that ran second for the Chester Cup, and was otherwise a very decent nag: the ground, certainly, was in a state fitted only for a mud-lark. Their victories were transmitted to Vervier by pigeons; the breeding of which is here carried to great perfection. At the dinner, in the evening, a Handicap was made to come off at Spa Races, on the 22nd of August: the terms are two miles, 300 fr. (h. ft.); gentlemen riders. Bedford, 12st. 7lb.; Myrtle, 11st. 12lb.; Leporello, 10st. 12lb.; Jack Brag 11st. 2lb.; Ochiltree 9st. 9lb. Ochiltree is very well in, if he can go the distance. Spa promises a very good meeting. AN AMATEUR. Brussels, July 28. TALES OF THE HORSE. THE DOCTOR'S HORSE, BY SIR JOHN DEAN PAUL, BART. Oft shaking ground and treacherous moor they pass'd : |