2-791-510 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Horse-racing in the reign of Charles II, 1844. 'We here present our readers with what may be termed one of the "curiosities" of Horse-racing, originally considered as a liberal pastime, and practised for pleasure rather than profit, without the idea of reducing it to a system of gambling. About the period we have illustrated, however, "Horse-races were desports of great men, and good in themselves, though many gentlemen by such means galloped quite out of their fortunes...At the latter end of the reign of Charles I., races were held in Hyde- park, and at Newmarket, and the prize changed from that of a bell to a cup'. From "Illustrated London News", 1844, Vol I.