Bentinck's Yorkshire Lady, 3 yrs, 5st. 8fb.; and Mr. J. Charlton's Nix-myDolly, 3 yrs, 5st. 8fb. Vulcan was the favorite at almost any reasonable odds-say 3 and 4 to 1.-" Nix-my-Dolly" made (for her) good steady fourmile running, Vulcan second, and Yorkshire Lady third, much against her will. This was the state of affairs for the first time round, when Vulcan took the lead, and somewhat increased the speed, so much so that "Nix-myDolly's" chance was soon out; Yorkshire Lady-thanks to Kent's preparation-kept the horse in action, and was within a length at the finish. The race (Four-mile Course) was run in seven minutes and forty-four seconds. Darling rode Vulcan, Arthur, Jun. Yorkshire Lady, and J. Day "Nix-myDolly." The latter little jockey is son of the late William Day, of Ascot Heath, and he bids fair to become a "star amongst the feathers." A Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, 5 ft. (Handicap), with 50 added, heats, two miles. The Busk mare won the first heat cleverly from King Cole; Portrait did not go for the heat. The second heat was won easily by Portrait; King Cole drawn. Mr. Jones and Mr. Day then agreed to divide the Stakes, much to the dissatisfaction of the backers of Portrait, who, they insisted, "could not have lost the race." The day's sports were brought to a close by Mr. Collett's Rory O'More, 6 yrs, 9st. (Whitehouse), winning the Selling Stakes of 5 sovs. each for all ages, two miles, beating six or seven others :—2 to 1 agst Rory, who might have been claimed for 100 sovs. according to the articles, but no one seemed disposed to invest-his legs are all but gone. Thursday. This day was dull and miserably wet: as a natural consequence the course was distressingly heavy; and to that circumstance I have the gratification of again naming Isaac a gallant winner. The race was for the Town Plate, which the "old boy" won at two heats, quite in a canter, from The Traitor, 3 yrs, and "Nix-my-Dolly." The winner was ridden by his old jockey, Samuel Darling. The Castle Park Stakes were won by Mr. I. Day's Morality beating f. by Uncle Toby out of Dinah; the Stand Stakes, by Rory O'More; Her Majesty's Guineas, by Welfare beating The Currier, Portrait, Happy-go-Lucky, The Shadow, and The Corsair.-Welfare will, after all, prove dear to Mr. Greville. The Hon. Capt. Rous is to be one of the Stewards for 1843; the second is not yet appointed. The subscriptions to the Leamington Stakes and Warwick Cup are progressing favorably. PRESTON RACES. MANY of our readers will associate Preston Races with the famous doings of the truly-celebrated Doctor Syntax, who for many years carried off the Cup in a style only equalled by the splendid running of his popular daughter, our old favorite, Bee's-wing. Alas! Preston Races are not as they were, "more's the pity." For some years, indeed, the races have not been held; and now the thanks of the racing public are entirely indebted for their practical restoration to a few of those fine old Englishmen" who, we rejoice to say, are still to be found scattered about the neighbourhood of Preston. The races were held on the "Holme," a large piece of land on the opposite side of the river, and a very excellent course has been formed of nearly a mile in circumference. Notwithstanding the very unfavorable state of the weather (it rained in torrents), there were nearly 20,000 persons on the course—a convincing proof of the popularity of the fine national sport of horse-racing amongst our friends in Lancashire. The Stewards were, R. Townley Parker, J. N. Farington, J. Meiklam, and W. S. Standish, Esqrs. Mr. Orton was the Clerk of the Course, and most ably were the duties done. On Thursday, Sept. 8, the Trial Stakes, of 10 sovs. each, did not fill, but the Committee formed three races: viz., the Stewards' Purse of 50 sovs., Han dicap, one mile and three-quarters; the Guild Handicap, one mile and threequarters; and the Holme Plate of 50 sovs. for all ages. The first and last of these races were won by Mr. King's Atalanta, beating in the first Temptation, and in the other Wee Willie and Honeysuckle. Francis rode the winner on each occasion. The great race of the day, and indeed of the Meeting, was the Guild Handicap Stakes of 25 sovs. each, 15 ft., and 5 only if declared, with the princely sum of 150 sovs. added; the owner of the second horse to receive back his Stake; distance one mile and three-quarters.-This race was very prettily won by Mr. Bowers's Collina, by Langar out of Lady Stafford by Comus, 4 yrs, 8st. 6lb., beating Little Philip, 5 yrs, 7st. 2lb; Champagne, 5 yrs, 8st.; Wee Willie, aged, 8st. 12lb.; and Helpmate, 6 yrs, 7st. 10fb. The betting was 5 to 4 agst Collina, 2 to 1 agst Willie, 4 to 1 agst Champagne, and 9 to 2 agst either of the others. N. Stagg rode the winner. On the second day, which was a regular "wet 'un," Mr. F. R. Price carried off the Borough Plate of 50 sovs. for all ages, three-quarters of a mile. Mr. Price's filly was called "Marion," and, as she defeated her companions so easily, it was resolved that she should be sent to Doncaster to have a shy for the St. Leger. Her chance there, we fancy, will be a sorry one. Her race here and the journey must put her chance out. The Guild Cup was gained by Mr. Bowers with his favorite Collina, 4 yrs (Stagg again riding), beating Champagne, 8st. 2lb., and Wee Willie, 8st. 9lb. This race was won by three or four lengths quite easy.. It is to be hoped that these once-spirited races will find ready patrons, to follow up the wishes of the different classes in the neighbourhood of Preston. LEICESTER RACES. THROUGH the popular influence of His Grace the Duke of Rutland and his Noble family, Leicester races have made a decided " upward movement:" and as the Townspeople seem resolved upon coming forward with "the sinews of country racing" in a handsome manner, it is not too much, in these " prophesying days," to prognosticate further advance in the "bill of entertaininent" for the next season. It was rather "an untoward event" to fix the "meet" in the Doncaster week; for it was too much to suppose that several first-rate sporting characters could give Doncaster the "go-by" to attend their own Meeting. We would suggest that in future the Leicester Meeting should take place in the week preceding the Autumnal Warwick Races, for then many of the horses engaged at the latter place would take Leicester in their way. With a fashionable attendance, beautiful weather, and fine racing, these races commenced, on Wednesday the 14th, with the Leicester Handicap of 25 sovs. each, 15 ft., and only 5 if declared, with 100 sovs. added by the Town; twice round and a distance. There were entered thirty-four horses, and the weights fixed, but only five shewed at the Post at the time of starting; viz., Lord Eglinton's Young-'un, 5 yrs, Sst. ; Duke of Rutland's The Genius, 5 yrs, 7st. 4lb.; Mr. Collins's Rochester, 3 yrs, 5st. 10fb.; Duke of Rutland's filly by Bizarre out of Flambeau's dam, 3 yrs, 6st. 21b.; and Mr. Berrington's Chance (half-bred), 5 yrs, 7st. 2lb. This was in every sense a finely contested race, every horse striving to win. A sheet might have covered the lot nearly all the way: in the end the Young-'un was pronounced the winner by a neck only; Genius second, Rochester third, and the other two close up. The Young-'un was the favorite, but there was very little betting. G. Noble rode the winner. The Belvoir Stakes of 5 sovs. each (for Hunters), with 20 added by the Duke of Rutland, heats, twice round, was one very easily indeed by Mr. E. Langley's Rancour, 4 yrs, 10st. 121b., beating Mr. Wheeldon's Robin Hood, 4 yrs, 10st. 121b.; Mr. F. Smith's Balugani, 6 yrs, 12st.; Mr. Pank's Fancy, 4 yrs, 10st. 121b.; and Mr. Bunting's Prosperity, 5 yrs. 11st. 7fb. The two last had quite enough of the fun in the first heat, and were drawn in the second. The race excited some interest amongst the "Brush” gentlemen. Old Isaac, all the way from Warwick, came and "picked up" a little Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each, with 50 added, heats, twice round. The "old boy" lost the first heat, but he won the two next after fine struggles. Of course Sam Darling rode "the grey." Whitehouse rode Roderick amazingly well, but he had not the "wear and tear" to put in force. Cattonian did not interfere. Isaac carried 9st. llb., Roderick 7st. 5lb., and Cattonian 8st. 8fb. On the Thursday there were three races; two of which, much to the delight of the company, were won by horses belonging to His Grace of Rutland; namely, Her Majesty's Guineas, carried away handsomely by bay filly by Bizarre out of Flambeau's dam, 3 yrs, 7st. 11lb., beating The Currier, 6 yrs, 10st.; Isaac, aged, 10st.; and bay filly by Mundig, 3 yrs, 7st. 11fb. Little Boyce rode the winner in very excellent style-quite "astonishing the natives." The Currier was the favorite. After Mr. Jackson's Wings had "turned over" to his master's account (Mr. Jackson) a Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each, with 50 added, the Duke of Rutland won the Gold Cup in a canter from Chance, who in reality had no chance. Boyce rode The Genius at 8st. 10fb. Chance carried the same weight. Viscount Curzon has been appointed Steward for next year. THE Sporting Gentlemen of Staffordshire mustered strongly to enjoy a richly covered list on Monday the 19th. As several of the performers" stand engaged in some of the Handicaps to come off, a word or two may be considered necessary to "guide the absentees." We particularly call our Readers' attention to the race for the Staffordshire Stakes of 25 sovs. each, 15 ft., and only 5 if declared, &c. ; two miles.-The winner, Rochester, 3 yrs, carried Sam Darling, jun., at 6st. 11fb., and "did the trick" very cleverly, beating King Cole, aged, 7st. 11fb.; Sunflower, 4 yrs, 6st. 61b.; and Lady Mary, 4 yrs, 7st. 91b. Rochester is now the property of Mr. Collins, the spirited owner of old Isaac and many other celebrated runners. The Two-year-old Stakes, last half mile, was won in a canter by Mr. Worthington's Hooton, by Despot, beating Mephistophiles and Worsley. Oates rode the winner, which is a very promising youngster for country racing.-Old King Cole, aged, won the Cup, at 9st. 2lb., three miles, from a gelding named Wings, who certainly did not use any. Marlow rode the winner. The Queen's Plate was carried off by Miss Kitty Cockle beating in two heats (two miles) Isaac, King Cole, and Miss Kilton. George Calloway rode Miss Kitty-There were several other races, but as they do not interfere with "coming events" we prefer leaving them to be recorded in our Calendar. ACCEPTANCES FOR THE CESAREWITCH STAKES. (Second October Meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 11.) Duke of Richmond's Mus, 9 yrs, 8st. 8lb. Lord Miltown's Scalteen, 3 yrs, 6st. 11lb. Mr. Forth's br. c. by Augustus out of Courtesan, Mr. Stephenson's Ma Mie, 3 yrs, 6st. 3lb. Captain Harcourt's b. c. Arnagill, 4 yrs, 7st. 8lb. Duke of Portland's f. by Bay Middleton out of Mr. Jones's Portrait, 4 yrs, 7st. 7lb. Lord Chesterfield's Rhodanthe, 5 yrs, 7st. 6lb. Mr. W. Sadler's Bellissima, aged, 7st. 5lb. Lord Albemarle's Buffalo, 4 yrs, 7st. Souvenir, 3 yrs, 5st. 10fb. Duke of Portland's f. The Gleaner, by Dr. Mr. F. Clarke's Arcanus, 3 yrs, 5st. 4lb. We think The Shadow, Thistlewhipper, Una, and Lucy Banks, the most "favorably in," with a strong inclination for the Sussex filly. ACCEPTANCES FOR THE CAMBRIDGESHIRE STAKES. Mr. Johnstone's Charles XII., 6 yrs, 10st. 2lb. Lord Eglinton's b. g. Galen, 5 yrs, 7st. 12lb. Duke of Rutland's The Genius, 5 yrs, 7st. 5lb. Lord Jersey's Lady Adela, 3 yrs, 7st. lib. Lord Eglinton's br. c. Melior, 3 yrs, 6st. 12tb. Lord Orford's c. by Jerry out of Petulance, 3 Colonel Peel's I-am-not-aware, aged, 6st. 12fb. Mr. Forth's Vibration, 3 yrs, 6st. 11lb. Mr. Forth's br. c. by Augustus out of Courtesan, Lord Albemarle's Nuncio, 3 yrs, 6st. 9lb. Mr. Dixon's ch. g. Hawk (Irish), 3 yrs, 6st. 7ib. Lord Chesterfield's Knight-of-the-Whistle, 4 Mr. Graydon's Recompense, 3 yrs, 6st. 7ib. yrs, 7st. 8lb. Colonel Anson na. Rodanthe, 5 yrs, 7st. 7lb. Mr. Forster Walker's b. f. Billingham Lass, by Lord Orford's Young Quo Minus, 4 yrs, 7st. 5lb. Mr. Ramsay's Whistle Binkie, 3 yrs, 6st. 7lb. 5 yrs. Lord George Bentinck's Topsail, 3 yrs, 6st. The result of the Cesarewitch will of course very considerably affect the betting on this race, but we will venture to hint that Bob Peel, Lady Adela, and Topsail will run well, SKETCHES OF WESTERN SPORT.-No. XIV. CONNEMARA. Journey from Roundstone to Clifden-Snipe, Plover, and Winter Shooting in this Locality-An Invitation to the "Top of the Song "-Irish Hospitality-Ardbear, its Lake, Streams, and Salmon Fishery-Ballyboy Weirs-A Chain of Lakes-Agreeable Approach to Clifden-Picturesque Appearance of the Hills round the Town-Romantic Situation of Clifden-Carr's Hotel-A Bustle, much ado about nothing-Invitation to the Castle-Ramble along the Shore to Mr. D'Arcy's Place-Fine Scenery along the Cliffs-A Land-locked BayHigh Island, its Monastery and Mines - Clifden Castle-A Fairy Spot Swiss Scenery-An Excursion to the Rivers and Salmon Leaps of Ardbear and its Neighbourhood-Bunnown Castle-Manner in which the Salmon ascend the Waterfalls-Their Peculiarities and Greediness when they leave the salt for the fresh Water-Breeding of Salmon, or the Loves of the Salmonida-A Hint to Husbands and Wives-Miserable Condition of the Fish after Spawning, their unwholesome and even poisonous Properties-Fresh Salmon very indigestible -Trout Fishing at Ardbear-A Visit to the Island of Boffin and to the Green Marble Quarries-Connemara Ponies-The Devil amongst the Doctors. We spent several merry days in Roundstone and in its neighbourhood. Indeed we had little inclination to move from such pleasant sporting quarters, where we had fish and fowl galore; and were it not that we wished to take advantage of the unusually fine weather which then prevailed to see and explore every nook and corner of Connemara that was worth seeing or exploring, we should have devoted another week at least to Birturby Bay, Urrisbeg, and the rivers and estuaries of Roundstone. We now, however, left Roundstone for Clifden, which lies about ten miles farther West. The road to Clifden skirts that singular country of lakes which we saw from Urrisbeg mountain, and gives the tourist the opportunity of a nearer observation of it. It is an entirely unpeopled and most desolate-looking tract: ranging the eye over the whole extent of it, not a habitation is to be seen, nor a living creature of any kind-nothing but a vast flat of brown heathy land, with innumerable lakes of all dimensions and forms gleaming in every direction. Some of these lakes lay close to the road, many of them in circled wooded islands, and a considerable portion of the wood was yew. We hired a car that was returning to Clifden for the day, for six shillings, in order that we might proceed leisurely along this interesting tract. The driver, Tommy Millet, an intelligent and humorous lad, seemed to be thoroughly acquainted with the surrounding moors and lakes, and entertained us as we went along with the legendary supersti Vol. XXV.-SECOND SERIES.-No. 150. 31 |