The race-horse of this country excels those of the whole world,
not only for speed, but bottom. There is a great difference,
however, between the present race and that of fifty or sixty
years ago; for in those days four-mile heats were the fashion.
The sporting records at the end of the last century give the
following exploits of horses of that and previous periods.

Childers, known by the name of Flying Childers, the property of
the Duke of Devonshire, was looked upon as the fleetest horse
that ever was bred. He was never beaten; the sire of this
celebrated horse was an Arabian.

Dorimont, belonging to Lord Ossory, won prizes to the amount of
L13,360.

Eclipse was allowed to be the fastest horse that ever ran in
England since the time of Childers. After winning largely for
his owner, he covered, by subscription, forty mares at 30 guineas
each, or 1200 guineas.

Highflyer, by King Herod, was the best horse of his day; was
never beaten, nor paid forfeit but once. His winnings amounted
to above L9000, although he only ran as a three, four, and five
years old.

Matchem stood high both as a racer and as the sire of many of our
most favourite horses. As a stallion he realized for his master
more than L12,000. He died in 1781, at the advanced age of
thirty-three.