The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-04

Special Cable to Hearst News Service.
 London, January S-In discussing the anti-racing crusade which has sent so many American horses to this side, the British sporting writers show sympathy for their American brethren, and occas- ionally give some interesting information concerning the American turf. For in stance, "The Scout" racing expert of the London Express, said recently:
 "Harking back to the question of the American horses which are coming to that the anti legislation should have been so vexatious, considering all the trouble which has been taken for genera tions in the United States to bring racing to what 1t Is now. Race meetings in America really date back to about the middle of the eighteenth century. The first race meeting was held under proper organization at Charleston in 1760. 1t was a Yorkshire man, Charles Nightin- gale, who laid out the course and built a clubhouse, calling it the Newmarket course. They were well on the way to producing good results from scientific horse breeding before the war of in- dependence broke out, but 1t was not until after the great revolution that rac- ing stables began to be formed on an ex- tensive scale. In 17S6 the new era of racing began, and they seemed to have serious idea of making race meetings a function where mems clothes should be quite comme il faut.'
 Naturally g-distance races were as popular there as they used to be in Eng land, and also in Australia. They were run in heats, too, some being of four miles each. I think the longest race ever run was the distance for a notable event at Wogga. in New South Wales, which was 10 miles. Now these lengthy courses are confined to cyclists and pedestrians; 1t was doubtful whether they proved any thing conclusive for horses. We have gone to the other extreme, however, much to the sorrow of those who look for stamina rather than speed in the breeding of blood stock.
 A sporting writer, in speaking of Danny Maher's first win at cross-country racing, says
 'Nfaher did ride, after all, at Kemp ton, claiming the five-pound allowance, and won the Staines hurdle race on Da- fila. Thus he has had his achievement cabled here, there and everywhere, and will be looked for again under the same rules. There was no stage fright about Maher, yet naturally he was anxious: in fact, more so than he would have been on a derby favorite comfortable hunting saddle he found helpful, and he told many that he was very desirous of scoring. It was a pity that the race was the last on the card, but every one waited. He went very easy in the earlier stages, but Dafila swerved and nearly became "unstuck" at the last obstacle. Those few who could see groaned, but 1t was all right in a flash, and settling down on that fiat the cheering began. and 1t was known the American had won. More cheers when Danny came to weigh in, his face wreathed in smiles; many con- gratulations: back to town; the story of the race told by one to the other. with Maher having to detail 1t, and everybody asked him when he would reappear as jumper. Maher, however. is off for hol- iday.'
 It is now definitely settled that James Braid and J. H. Taylor will meet George Duncan and c. H. Mayo in a foursome for R1O0 side in the spring, The mat ter was arranged at a meeting of the principals. which took place st the offices of the Sportsman. It has hssn arranged