The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-08
steepIechase Racing.

Steeplechase Racing.
Late English papers show that there is a
growing love for steeplechasing in Great
Britain, as the entries for the various stakes
that are being run for about this time and
will continue to be until early spring fully
attest. For one race over timber there are
no less than ninety-one subscribers. Men
who formerly would not look at a jumper
except in hunt are now training and run
ming steeplechasers and own large numbers
of them. Captain Machell is the last con-
vert in that direction and he has lately pur-
chased several that are very good at the bust
ness two of them being winners of impor-
tant races during last month.
The steeplechase races of England are
generally sweepstakes with added money
and that is the manner they should be ar
ranged in this country Should the Amer
lean Jockey Club and other racing associa-
tons throughout the land open few stakes
with liberal additions for steeplechasers
we have no doubt that hundred horses
could be found within the centennial year
that would be respectable enough for cross
country purposes. There never was sound
thoroughbred horse that could not jump,
and all they need is to be taught that they
have to do it. Some horses can carry weight
better than others, and there are horses of
all degrees of speed but with handicap
per of judgment all can be brought to an
equality by the adjustment of weight Colts
and FLIES are foaled every year that are dis
carded in their infancy because of some Pc
culiarity in their conformation that does not
please the eye of the breeder that might
make capital weight-carrying steeplechasers
when matured and taught the business prop
erly, and become stars in cross country
events.
The training and running of steeplechase
horses more frequently would give employ
ment to many good jockeys who have grown
too heavy for fiat racing mounts and are now
idle The fact of having something to fall
back on when overgrown would lead many
light weight lads to make riding profession
when by good behavior they could command
profitable business for life.
The large crowds that attend racecourses
on steeplechase days at all the meetings in
the United States prove conclusiyely the
popularity of that style of race with the
masses of the people and should urge the ne
cessity of giving more sport of that kind by
every jockey club Instead of one steeple-
chase at meeting the hurdle race and stee-
plechase should be alternated, so that one or
the other should be given every day of the
races But the jumps should be altered
from what they are at present, and instead
of being only fit for Polo ponies to 60 over
they should be brought up to the European
standard-four feet and half high-when
much greater degree of interest would be
added to the event. The present height of
our hurdles, fences and stone walls is per-
fectly ridiculous. We are reminded Of an
/ incident connected with them that was quite
amusing at the time. 1t occurred during
the first race meeting at Monmouth Park.
I steeplechase had been run and the crowds
/ were making their way to the cars, when
large black fellow, belonging to one of the
! Kentucky stables, to show his contempt for
that style of racing, put q little darby jockey
on his back and, going into the field, actually
ran and jumped the hedge and water in
! front OF the SJanu rs clean ana clear as any
( of the horses had done. The fellow then
put down the boy and, walking away, sneer-
ingly remarked, "Dat's a wonderful jump
for a horse, dat is
Time is not the test for any kind Of horse
racing in Europe; but, although we think it
the best in America it could well be dis
pensed with in across country events A
steeplechase of about four miles recently at
/ Croydon, England, was timed by Benson
chronograph, and the winner was nine min
utes and forty-seven seconds in going the
distance, which was quite satisfactory to the
spectators there but if such q race had
taken place at Jerome Park and the time
board had been put out indicating such re-
suit the people would have been simply dis
gusted. The only way is to drop the timing
altogether when the fences are made higher.
Wendell Phillips ms n "COp."
Mr.. Phillips once wanted to appoint all
the federal generals, and thereby put down
the late rebellion. The country, however,