The sun., 1919-02-16
spscsal Correspondence 10 TIE suS.

specioI Correspondence 10 TIE sUS.
LONDON, Feb. 3.-England is enjoying
sport revival that is exceeding even
the most sanguine hopes OF the followers
OF sports, Boxing. racing. all varieties
OF tennis, rowlng-everythine Is BOOM
Ing. In boxing the principal interest
centres IN international competition. In
discussing the armistice and sport the
London Field says:
"Slnoe the armlstice was proclaimed a
gradual but none the less decided change
has taken place with regard to practi-
cally all the field sports of the country.
and as the days wear on the change
will be more marked in every direction.
In the majority OF the field sports OF the
British Isles It Is reestablishment rather
than reconstruction which Is wanted
and which Is now being brought about.
In racing the change Is perhaps the most
marked, simply because the sport has
during the last four years been reduced
to about a fourth Of it's prewar dimen-
sions, and last year was almost entirely
confined to Newmarket, the few country
fixtures which were held being brought
to an end during tho month Of May.
Now a full programme of meetings
almost Of normal strength has been is-
sued. with all the old and important
fixtures to take place on their usual
dates. Cross-country racing, too. was
resumed on New Years Day. and though
there were those who cavilled when a
certain not very large number OF meet
| ings were announced there are indica-
lions to tho effect that had more fixtures
been decided upon there would have been
a scarcity of horses AZ things are there
would appear to be sufficient number
OF cross-country horses in training for
~ Aaxy ~ a,,tp 4K ooh aalK ln~
which arrangements have been made.
but there would surely be a scarcity had
the number of fixtures been doubled.
though II Is reasonable to infer that the
number of horses rendered fairly At to
run will show a continuous increase.
Reap BENEFIT.
"u must be remembered that not very
many weeks ago the prospect Of there
being any winter racing seemed to be
remarkably doubtful. and many stables
in which steeplechase horses are trained
were either denuded OF inmates or con-
! tanned horses which had done little o,
no work. and could not be made at al
in moment; but, as was perhaps nat.
ural some of the more optimistic owners
and trainers had rightly anticipated the
situation, and such men are now reapins
tho benefit. AS regards fiat racing. Il
should be borne IN mind that whereai
before the war the number OF horses ir
training was somewhere about 1000. II
was last year stipulated by the authoi1
ties and agreed by the stewards OF tn,
Jockey Club that tho number should moi
be moro than 1900.
This means broadly that there were
in 1918 less than a third the usual mum
Der OF fiat racers In work. and though
tho number was sufficient for the few
races which were run the ranks mus
be very gradually filled up. Since 1911
and onward scores of thoroughbred
have been bred which have never beer
put into training. many fillies have beel
kept for the stud. and colts which wer,
not particularly promising have beer
put TO other work. 1t should then b.
, no surprise that tho spring handicap
have received fewer entries than usual
but It is probably intended that almos
! all of those entered shall run, and uncel
any circumstances the class Is good
also II must be remembered that tn
merits of field of horses do not de
pend on fits numerical size.
"As regards turf reforms. OF which