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LONG A HOME OF GOOD RACING. Manchesters Tracks, on Which the Sport Has Flourished Nearly Two Hundred Years. Not many of niv readers are aware that racing at Manchester dates back more than ISO years, sport having bt-en witnessed on Kevsal Moor in 17M0. This continued uninterrupted for lifteen years, when Prince Charles Edward .Stuart Marched into the city at the head of his Highland clans, and everything was turned upside down. There were faddists even in those far-off times, and prominent among them was one Dr. Byrom. whose influence was such that the races were discontinued until Wednesday. Oeto-t cr 1. 1700. Twelve years later Whitsuntide became the principal race week, with its four days, and has remained so ever since, and a feature was the ladies stand, which was largely patronized by the fair sex. who were prettily described as having "shone forth a pleasing sight to tnauy thousands of spectators, in all the beauty of their sex, in all the gaiety of fashion, and with that delicacy of behavior which inspires the heart." In 1810 was instituted the Manchester Gold Cup. which was won by Mr. Hush-tens grev colt. Friend Ned. Tidden by M. Nome. Next vear Kir T. Stanleys Hooton was successful, with W. Dunn up. and in each of the two following vears the winner was provided by Mr. Houlds-worth. Anti Radical took the trophy in 1S20 and again in 1821 for John Mytton. the reckless Squire or Halston. and not more fortunate was his jockey, Dunn, who met with a tragic end a few years later when riding at Chester. Theodore, winner of the St. [wit, carried Scott to victory in 1824 after a great finish with Jeneral Mina, who was second again next vear. when Mustaehio beat him. After 1S3.. when "Physician won. the Gold Cup was replaced tar a silver one, the first of which was "lifted" 1V Mr. Wbeeldons Oiovanni. Betting "on the hill" in those days must have been profitable for the fielders, for we are assured Hint M matter what horse was to be backed it was favorite. A desperate finish was seen in 1838. aud is thus described: "At the top of the hill they were :.ll in a cluster, at the bottom Modesty and Parolles were abreast, with Cattietina close up. A splendid race ensued from the distance. Modesty and Parolles putting all in. When witliiu a few lengths of the judges eye Templeman made a tremendous effort, Catherine answered to it. and she was lilted in, -winning on the jM.st by half a bead. Mr. Jackson, the judge, slated that Parolles. which was third, was barely a bead behind the first. The pace was exceedingly fast from beginning to end. and the lflirrahs were deafening." The anti-racing folk were again at work about this time, and their attack t.xik an original shape, in the circulation of handbills giving a free prophecy for the Cup. thus: "Mr. Worldlv Wises Sin. bv Temptation. 1: Sir Heedless Headloiigs IVeath. bv Destruction, 2; Baron Scoffers Hell, by Satan. .!. Sportsmen may stake their reputation and risk their salvation on the selected three. Siu. Death and Hell will verily triumph on the course today." The last occasion on which the race for the Cup was contested on Kersal Moor was in I.MS, when Mr. Hesseltines black filly. The Slayers Daughter, won from Coeur de I.iou. Philip. Hooton and others. With the extinction of the races on •Karsy" it seemed likely that the Manchester meetings might come to an end. Several outside districts were spoken of, including Horwich and Newton, but these were too far awav to be identified with Manchester, and. eventually, after White Moss had l een rejected, a site was secured at Castle Irwell mid the new course was opened in 1.S47, and on May 20 the Cup was won by Mr. Stevens Sheraton, whose rider. George Simpson, was the recipient of a handsome whip bearing a suitable inscription. We are informed that the Salford Borough Cup in that particular year was especially interesting, as Nat Flatman — "especially brought down from Newmarket" — won on Lord Chesterfields Lady Wildair, and afterwards was presented with a beautiful pair of silver spurs. Item.— A letter was read from Tommy Lye. regretting that, through indisposition, resulting from a fall, be was unable to be present to contend for the whip and spurs. Tempora mutautur. and no doubt the means of traveling have improved, while there arc jockeys now earning the pay of a prime minister who would look askance at a pair of spurs or a whip. and. as for joumoving fossa Newmarket. I can almost feel tlie grin on the lips of, say. for instance, Trigg, who would think nothing of riding at Newcastle on Monday, Folkestone on Tuesday. Ayr on Wednesday. Stockton on Thursday. Kempton Park on Friday. Paris on Saturday an 1 home to Brixton on Sunday to circle round Brack Well Park in his motor car. On the strength of having previously won the Chester Cup. odds of 4 to I were laid on Peep opay for the 1846 east, but be was easily bowled out by Mr. Greens Swiss Boy. Tommy Lye was the premier jockey and a great public favorite in the "fifties, and. having won in 1883 on Chief Justice. on the same evening a goodly company of sporting gentlemen met at the Post Otlice Hotel for the purpose of giving him a service of plate, bearing the following inscription: "Presented to Mr. Thomas I.ye. senior jockey of England, by a few friends in Manchester, the place of his nativity, as ■ tribute of respect for his talent, high character and long service on the turf." Tommy was grateful. :iud. in acknowledging the compliment, said: "For the handsome way in which you have presented mo with litis plate I feel grateful. To be amongst you is also to me a Measure, and nothing gives nie more joy than to ride and win on the course of Manchester. The distance was never too long for me in the olden time — whether the race was run in one. two. three, four or five beats, but at my time of life I cannot expect much longer to ride either at Manchester or any other pla e. So long, however, as 1 am able, nothing will give me greater pleasure thau to ride on your course." Lye undoubtedly was a great horseman, as witness hig records, but I doubt if ever he earned as much for riding a winner as did George Stern for his share in the victory of Sunstar last week. Racing continued at Castle Irwell until 1800, when a fresh move was made to New Barns, and so until 1002, when the requisitions of the ship canal necessitated another change, and a return was made to the old site, which, however, was largely extended. The cup winners since then liave severally been Rambling Katie, Zinfaiidel. Scullion and Roe ONeill dead-heat. Airship, Bachelors Button. Beppo, Polar Star and Cargill. — Vigilant, in I.ondou Sportsman.
