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ENGLISH RACING IN ITS INFANCY. Old-Tiine Horses Carried High Weight and Ran Long Distances. Although the most important race in the world, the Derby, was run for at Epsom until two years ago when owing to the baseless action of "war tini" sentimentalists" ■ race at Newmarket was substituted for It, few people have any idea when the first meeting took place on Banstead leominonly calle.l Epsom Downs. "Orteat Annals." which contains the returns of the Derby and Oaks from their inception, tells us that there was a Gold Cup run for at York as early as 1709. and that at Black llambleton King George IH.s Gold Cup. value 100 guineas, was run for by five-year eld mares in 1715. and was won by a mare rejoicing in the name of "Who Would Have Thought It." Also, that the Royal Gold Cup. for any horse, mare or gelding, not exceeding five years old 140 pounds each, four miles, wis in existence long prior to that late, the conditions lieing altered to mares only in the days of Queen Anne. The old-time chroniclers, however, were sadly remiss: thus the first recorded race at Hambleton is that of 1715, as mentioned. There were doubtless, in similar fashion, races at Newmarket which were allowed to go unchronieled long before the first recorded race in April. 1716, and also at Epsom prior to that in May, 1727. Tlie Newmarket race referred to was a match for 100 guineas, in which Mr. Pelhams famous mare Brocklesby Betty beat an unnamed mare owned by the Duke of Devonshire. As a runner Brocklesby Betty, which was foaled in 1711. was considered superior to any horse or mare of her time, notwithstanding that she was a broodmare before being trained. According to Picks record she was un beaten during her turf career, in tlie course of which she won several Royal Cups at Hambleton and Newmarket and some matches, mostly over four miles. She was by the Curwen Bay Barb — tlie Hobby mare, from which such modern horses as Solon. Nenophon. Pepper and Salt. Barealdine, Lowland Chief. Ossian and Hagioscope were descendants in tail female. Brocklesby Betty, therefore, was an early member of the No. 23 family, which then, as now. was noticeable for its good staying qualities. As to Epsom, the first recorded race, in 1727. was a Jive and Take Plate of 0 guineas, in which horses of 14 hands were set to carry 120 pounds. By his winning two heats in succession, the stakes went to La*d Tankervilles bay horse Harlequin, which stood only 13 hands 1 inch. He was by Uncelebrated Mixbury Galloway, which himself stood no more that 13.2. and was one of the best runners of his day at low weights.
