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THE AGE OF ENGLISH RACEHORSES. In an article recently published, the London Times, in comment iug on the Liverpool Graud National, draws attention lo the age to which steeplechasers last in F.ngland. and says a different condition of affairs prevails m racing under Jockey Club Rules. At the present time horses generally cease to run when just about the age at which they used to la-gin. Of the 4.01M starters last year in tint races in F.ngland 7til only Were five-year olds and upwards, further examination showing that the five-year-olds were much more numerous than the six vears-olds, which in turn predominated largely over "the aged horses. On the other hand. the great BcUpae never ran till he was five, and in this he seems to have differed little from the major-it of his period. Then Ihe two year-old races were scarcely known: now, of last seasons runners no fewer than lo.JO were of that age. ••It amy be." continues The Times, "that the horses of a former generation lasted longer because tin -v were sounder: indeed, there are many persons who wilt he strong in support of this theory. But there is another reason for. the early withdrawal of good animals. Engagements are. as a rule, made chieflv for two-year-olds and three year-olds, in certain eases for four-vear-olds. An examination ol the volume of "Races to Come" demonstrales how seldom they are made for the elders. It. therefore, a horse has acquired a considerable reputation al the end of his four-year-old career, there is a temptation, with stud fees as high as they are at present, to take him out of training. He may lose the high Character lie has gained if he continues to compete, owners of good mans will then be less desirous of his services. Then it is pointed out how unusual it is to see a six-year-old ho.se competing in an important weight-forage race in England, and that last year in th- Ascot Cold Cup there was no starter among the eight over five years old. and none among the seven in 1012. nor among the six in 181L In 1! 1 » there were a couple of six year-olds in a field Of 13, none among the six in tSOfi, in HOB one and an aged horse out of six. and not one among the nine in 1907. During these years ■ •" horses went to Ihe |H st for this trophy, and it will astonish most Iieople to learn that the number included only three six-vear-olds and Mr. Washington Singers Torpomt, then aged eight, an exceptional animal. This is significant and we are inclined to seek the explanation in the value of horses for stud pur-liosrs. The owner of Eclipse is said to have boasted that during the J.l years from 1774 to 170 he received *12.".KH In fees. The horse was naturally-regarded as a wonder, and had. it will be seen, an astonishingly long period of service, for he was foaled during the great eclipse of 1704. He was the sire of 335 winners. To show how things have changed, it may he noted that in the ten years dining which Persimmon stood at Saudringham he earned no less a sum than 1837,973. Mares are usiiallv retired young because their owners are anxious that they" should not endanger their vitality i.v too arduous work. In some eases it is thought that two seasons in training are sufficient."
