Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-10-02
THE RACEHORSE REGION.

RC0loN.
SiR:-I fear, Mr.. Editor, The sceptre must short
ly pass from the racehorse region on The east Q
the mountains, not because the climate, The soil
or The feed has lost its influence, but because
gentlemen will cease 10 breed when they no lon
ger enjoy The pleasures OF the race course, ant
when loo late 10 remedy an evil Of their own crea
ling, many gentlemen who have not only deep
interest in these matters but strong sectional
pride, also, will feel the most bitter regret al the
consequences OF their own conduct.
Experience has shown that where jockey clubs
are established and properly conducted, they soon
beget tasle Tor The enjoyment OF The turf, and
with il passion for fine horses; at hrst, oil ne
cessily they buy their horses, then some COM
nence breeding, when fashion and The success oil
one individual is sufficient TO induce hundreds to
embark in The same speculation, as every man
easily persuades himself his cslts must be worth
as much as his neighbor's; but lei this Jockey
club 20 down. and these same men have no
chance OF seeing the races; they soon lose all
taste for and interest in The sport; as consc-
qnence they first neglect their stock, then finding
il no longer profitable, sell off and quit. This state
oi things once brought about, it is always more
difficult 10 induce men 10 Tecoinmence business
from which they have retired, either from disgust
or want OF profit than 10 embark in one they have
never tried.
ding the racing calendar OF the Register, and The
lists OF southern names 10 The northern stakes,
with The rich purses and heavy matches TO be run
for on those courses The coming fall, while the
race courses in Virginia and North Carolina
seem almost forgotten; their purses are few in
number, small in value, and as consequence,
bestow but lille value on horse winning them.
Now, sir, this must be the case, so long as the
gentlemen having the best stables take them 10
the north, and thereby do all they can TO swell
the purses and increase the sport on those tracks,
but, sir their treason will bring its punishment in
lis train; as the purses diminish, the sport itself
will depreciaie, and becoming a small business,
fall into such hands as shall give 1t neither res
pectabiily nor interest, and when gentlemen cease
iobreed, sporismen will have no horses 10 campaign
in the north, at the same time they may sell their
stations, as Oihello's occupation will be sole
If a horse cannot be sold on leaving The turf, al
fair price as stallion, the present high prices
must 60 down, and in this way the lurfte will
lose his best chance ofgeitng of hard bargain.
Once more, beg the gentlemen now on The
turf in Virginia, 10 foster The tracks in The Old
Dominion, or the rule will depart from judah;
they have always opposed the tariff, bu. Tor none
will they pay in this racing lax 10 the north, which
they now impose on themselves; lei me suggest
TO Them at once, TO make it direct tar, send
their money, but stay at home, raise purses and
stakes and lei those who breed the horses paHici-
pate in the amusemenls of the turf; pursue this
plan, and the racehorse region will defy all inya-
ders.
To attend the southern courses docs not inter-
fere with US in Virginia and North Carolina as
their meetings come on during vacation, and
offers not only chance of winning, but some
times market.
beg gentlemen in Virginia connected with
the turf, 10 reflect on this subject and they must
see its influence. Some of The most popular
tracks have lost their high standing and interest,
because their purses remain as formerly, while
our racers have been content to raise those Of
Maryland Jersey and New York; TO them they
have given their money and carry their horses.
Their money they may continue TO carry, bu! in
short time they must be without horses.
Our country is loo large for stables 10 attend
from Carolina to New York: gentlemen must he
content, at least some OF them, TO race at home, il
they wish The general patronage of The turf and
to keep up The taste for breeding fine horses among
their neishbors. A.