beating another--John Day again riding the winner. The Second Day commenced with the Dorsetshire Stakes of 25 sovs. each, two miles, which were won by Mr. Radclyffe's Brownlock beating Coronet. This was perhaps one of the most beautiful races over the most splendid course in England ever witnessed. It was neck-and-neck nearly the whole way, at speed: old Brownlock, however, took the lead at starting, made play, was never headed, and came in by a length, rode admirably by Cow ley-Trenn doing all he could on Coronet. A Fifty Pound Plate for three and four-year-olds, two mile heats, was won by Mr. Gould's ch. c. Firman beating Whisk and Elspat. The first heat was won by Whisk, but eventually carried off in the next two by Firman, jockeyed in first-rate style by Trenn, who did contrive to give John Day the goby, though not without a struggle, and a pretty severe one, being about three of the best heats ever run over Blandford course. A Handicap Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each, 10 subs., heats, over the New Mile, concluded the sport. It was won by Mr. Biggs's Whisk, in two heats, beating Bacchanal, Omen, Centaur, and Gilbert. During the first heat the three last, finding, I suppose, they ran no chance of winning in the usual way, thought fit to cut off the angle of one post by about some twenty or thirty yards, coming in first; but as this act of course distanced them, the remaining heat was won by Whisk, rode by John Day again!-Confound that fellow, Sir, if I would not almost back him on a jack-ass against any provincial thoroughbred horse and rider in the kingdom. He's up to anything, I know; and I'll tell you why-because I saw him, when about half a distance from home, being two or three yards perhaps behind the other, actually lift his horse from the ground, somehow, with his hands and knees, and giving him a shove, in a manner peculiar to himself, beyond his adversary, came in as quietly as could be, as if nothing out of the way had happened!--and this he did more than once. Now, if the Jockey Club decide this to be fair running, I will with pleasure beg Mr. John Day's pardon for the assertion in my next; in the meantime retaining him, without a fee, for whenever I may require his patent engine of one-horse power*! But there were other thoroughbreds-aye! and cocktails also, besides osses, Mr. Editor, that looked quite longing for a start for the Maiden Plate as well, that wouldn't have been at all backward, at least not very, I take it, on the ringing of the Belle! in coming to the post too, especially in a Private Match or Produce Stake-animals that wouldn't have required the all-prevailing influence, even of Day! to have gone the pace; but I may be mistaken on this "particular point," my opinion being merely backed * I was much amused with John Day; for, instead of cantering up like the others previously to starting, he used to bring up his horse in a sort of jog-trot go-cripple pace, as if the veriest beast alive wot couldn't canter; and then, in passing the stand, he would fetch him a lick over the flank, with a "come-up, you brute;" which, coupled to his knowing look, worth two of any one else, can only be appreciated by those who know the man. by theory, which is ever liable to misconceptions! It is a muchlamented circumstance, Sir, that at these races the " poor girls" haven't an opportunity of displaying "their agility" by running for a "certain article" that must be nameless “Oh! no, we never mention it :" neither is there any jumping in sacks, nor bobbing for live eels, nor grinning through horse-collars, nor jack-ass running, nor hurdle leaping; but everything is conducted in the true sporting style of racing, which I trust will never be departed from so long as the Turf (I don't mean the Book!) shall last. Nothing in my opinion can lessen more this legitimate sport than the introduction of frivolous amusements, as above described. Cocked-hat stakes, hurdle racing, and all such nonsense, may do very well for a stop-gap for an extra day, or for a hunter's or spring meeting; but I consider them as highly derogatory to the character of a regular meeting, and reflecting SIR, but little credit on the sporting celebrity of those concerned. I am induced to record such opinion for the purpose of expressing my satisfaction that Blandford has not followed the example of other counties and other towns, it being too much the fashion of the age in which we live to make a racecourse a sort of raree-show for all kinds of absurdities. The ordinary was tolerably well attended, and at the second ball upwards of 250 persons were present- Mr. Portman at a very short notice, in the kindest and ablest manner, undertaking and performing the office of Steward of the Races (in the absence of Mr. Drax, who happened to be sick). So much, reader, for the Blandford races, written in great haste, and containing, I fear, many mistakes, particularly the Racing Calendar, having lost my catalogue on the Down, and consequently writing from memory; though in the main I hope it will be found 'quite correct.' Yours, &c. 66 September 26, 1831. A NATIVE. A FEW LINES ON CLIPPING. HAVING been a constant reader of the Sporting Magazine for some years past, and having seen but few articles on Clipping, I am induced to trouble you with a few lines, in the hope that the results of experience may have some weight with those (and they are, to my knowledge, not a few) who entertain unfounded prejudices against it. I have found that many Gentlemen think it is of no use except to save the groom the trouble of cleaning a horse properly, or elbow-grease, as it is vulgarly termed; and that it renders a horse very liable to take cold. Now, with regard to the first, I answer, that, putting aside the advantage of saving time (and it is no small consideration to Gentlemen who keep four or five hunters, besides perhaps an equal number of covert hacks, gig-horses, &c.), it has a most beneficial effect on a horse's condition. Having a galloway, which from particular circumstances I much value, and which is in winter so long-coated as not only to render it impossible for any groom to dry him before night, but also to reduce his flesh and condition, I was induced three winters ago to try the effects of clipping, and the horse is now in as good or better condition in winter than in summer. Ten minutes walking will take him cool and dry into his stable, and his liveliness and pace evidently shew the improvement in his health. As to their liability to catch cold, I have never had a horse of mine do so, and I do not believe it has that effect after the first week, and a little care during that time is well bestowed; not allowing them to stand long when heated; and a cloth thrown over them, if kept long at the door, will effectually prevent horses SIR, THE taking cold. Indeed, after that period, it hardens them, as it braces their fibres, and checks violent sweats, which a clipped horse so seldom gets into. I cannot help thinking it peculiarly adapted for coach-horses, as it would enable them to stand the crack pace at which most coaches now go, with half the waste of flesh and strength; and the horse-keepers (as they are called, I believe) might easily learn to do it. Should you think these few lines worth inserting, you shall hear again from, Sir, yours, &c. West Kent, Oct. 10, 1831. HIPPOS. LINLITHGOW AND STIRLINGSHIRE HOUNDS. season is now commencing, when the landscape will be brightened by the glow of burnished woods and the gleaming of scarlet coats, and the welkin ringing with the roar of the jolly hounds. I yesterday visited Barnton, the head-quarters of the Linlithgow and Stirling hounds when they are with us, though I grieve to say that their "visits" are, like those of a superior race to us frail mortals, few and far between. However I don't sit down to grumble, but to say what I saw. I found the following nags (see the end of this paper) all in the highest heart and condition-well fed-no cost, no labour spared. I found that the hounds were in the east country, and had begun the ball already, by rattling up the sharp-nebbed nursery brats, to make them quit their mammy's apron-string; in short, cub-hunting had commenced. The lad who was the master of the ceremonies to me said he believed the hounds would be in Linlithgowshire in the course of ten days. I believe they are to have the honour of attending the Caledonian Gentlemen at Kelso in the current month. A brown gelding of great bone and symmetry, three parts bred, bought from Mr. Wilkie of Ormiston: a chesnut gelding, bred in Yorkshire, equal to 12 stone, bought of Mr. M. Wilkie of Easter Mains: a light bay gelding, a remarkably neat horse: a brown bay mare, of uncommon good form, bought of Norman Shairpe, Esq. of Houstain, and a capital huntress: two other bay horses of superior shape and breeding. The above are for Mr. Ramsay's own riding. The hunting nags are of course at their post in Berwickshire.-Ever yours, |