The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-01-13

the fact that public races were cs-
tablis1cd at Chester in 1912. Toward
the latter part of Henry Wills reign
on Shrove Tuesday, the company of
saddlers of Chester presented to the
diapers ii woode bell elnhcllished
with flowers and placed upon the
point of a lance. This ceremony was
performed in the presence of the
mayor at the cross of the Roody Or
Roodec, an open place near the city;
this ITO be given to him who shall
run best and furthest on horseback
before them on the same day, Shrovc
Tuesday" These bells were called st.
Georges bells.
The accession of the Stuarts opened
up an era of prosperity for the sport,
for James L., who, according to
Iouatt, had encouraged if not estab-
lished horse racing in Scotland. great
~ patroniZcd it in England when he
came to the throne. Not only did he
run races at Croydon and Enfield, but
he cndeavored to improve the breed of
horses by the purchase, for q high
figure of Markllam's Abraham, which
little horse, however, was beaten n
every race he ran.
In 1897, according to Camden's Brit
ana. races were run near York, the
Prize being a. little golden bell. lie all
~ 90 al pllLS loI running
horses in Gatherley Forest. Il little
golden ball, which was apparently am
terror to the bell.
In 1909 Robert. Ambrye. some time
sheriff of the city of Chester, caused
these silver bells to be made Of good
value. which bells appointed to be
run for with horses on st. Georges
day upon the Roodee. the first horse
to have the best bell and the money,
nllf in hv fhn r-cn fhu WA, -
other words. "A sweepstake-the bells
to be returned that day twelve month
as challenge cups arc now. Toward
the expense he had an allowance from
the city.
In 1913 subscription purses are first
mentioned. During James LIS reign
races attracted Il great deal of notice,
and the systematic preparation of
running horses was studied, attention
being paid to their feed and training,
to the instructions of jockeys and the
adjustment of weights. which wore
usually about 10 stone. The snort
took firm hold OF the people. The
reign Of Charles l., which commenced
in 1925, saw still more marked strides,
for the king moi only patronized rae
ing at Newmarket. but built a, stand
house in 1867. since which year the
races have been annual.
In 1913 a race meeting was held
at Ranstead Downs. as EPSON Downs
was then called. Cromwell is said to
have kept running horses in the year
1853, but in 1854 he appears to have
gone 80 far as to forbid racing for six
and eight months. After the restora-
ton. in 1860, IL new impetus was given
to horse racing, which had %languisl1ed
during the civil wars. and the races
at Newcastle, which had been sus.
pended, were restored and attended by
the king.
Charles II. rebuilt the house orig.
inalIy erected at Newmarket by Jamet
J.. which had fallen to decay. The
Round course VAS made in 1866, and
racing at the headquarters of the turf
was regulated fin the most systematic
way. Charles II. was the first mon.
arch who entered and ran horses In
his own name; and. q frequent visi.
tor. Queen. Anne, was much. devoted
to the sport. and not only gave royal
plates to he competed for but ran
horses for them in her own name.