St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-07-12

there was oil the same a pedestrian
Journey to be performed at time
thought in these days most critical in
the period of preparation. The horse
van, which was subsequently utilized a
great deal, was comparatively modern
invention, and it certainly did not exist
during the first fifty or sixty years Of
the Derby, SO the competitors from afar
must have been walked down on the
roads. This mast have been training
itself of a certain description, and il
doubtless left the idea for many years
that good deal of walking was neces'
sary to get race horse tit. Trainers
not long passed away used to consoles
two or three hours walking exercise
sine qua non, and this was to be twice
day.
All this has been changed. Long
walking and long sweats have been dy-
ing out in favor of sharp gallops over
shorter distances, and quite revolution
has taken place in the training OF race
horses, greyhounds, and athletes. 1t Is
argued BY the modern school that the
fastest runners mostly spring from shoe'
makers, tailors, or artisans who are
pretty we'll confined all day. but steal
time to exercise their running abilities
for short spells mornings and evenings.
Such men rs these can always beat
gamekecpers, postlnen, or others OF IKE
vocations demanding much walking,
and it would be maintained that there
must be q loss Of speed where the dura"
ton of muscular effort is continued. A
sort of stationary condition like hunter
must have represented the fettle of old
Derby winners, and good pipe opener
q day or two before the race was con-
| sidered the most essential part OF the
final preparation.
There are some curious accounts OF
the early journeys of race horses to meet
ings. Orton's Turf Anna1s gives one
of the famous John Singleton, who be-
can life in no very luxurious way, rs his
| father was laborer Mt four pence day.
Rising from boy to clean the boots to
the stable, he lived with very needy
gentleman called Read, who bred few
race horses. As Singleton increased in
Importance in the eyes OF his master
they entered into schemes together, and,
as money was badly wanted, toward the
end of a season young Singleton started
off with lilly called Lucy from Pock-
lingtou to Aorpeth, distance one
hundred and twenty miles, with but
ten and sixpence in his pocket.
The lad was groom, trainer and jockey.
Sore beset at saddling timely roughs
and busy-bodies-a friendly butcher
turned up to give helping hand. and
the race was run and won, and several
others besides, in continuing the trip.
Great trainers were wont to take expe-
ditions of this sort at much later date.
Old John Day rode Little Red Rover
from Stockbridge to Plymouth in 1888
to win the SaItram Stakes and another
race the same day, He reached his
journeys end two days before the meet,
ing, and the next morning a sportsman
who is alive now, led him a gallop on
hunter that could race bit round the
Plymouth course Old John probably
stopped on the road at his friend Mr.
Wreford's but any way Little Red Rover
must have travelled close on three
hundred miles there and back to wiz
two races. | wonder how he went to ZIP
som when he ran second in the Derby t.
Prism! But it was odd training, to re
gard it from the point of view we TAX
Of such matters in these days.--BeI
Life,