A LESSON FROM FRANCE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 895, 2 May 1907, Page 13

A LESSON FROM FRANCE.

.1; is high time that we turned to France and took a lesson from their methods in dealing with the question of he national horse supply, says the Glasgow “Herald.” The French Government has realised that it is from the racecourses, chat they must obtain horses of strength, speed, and quality as stallions for the State stud farms. France breeds the horses for its army itself, and is independent of other countries in .his respect. In various parts of the provinces arge stud farms have been established, and over 200 thoroughbred stadions have been bought from the racecourses to serve as s allions the mares, mostly halfbred, that are selected with similar enterprise and care. Those pe p’.e who are agitating for the suppression of racing in England are evidently not aware of the important part that the racehorse plays in the military programmes of Continental countries. Not only France, but Germany, Austria Russia, and Italy have large establishments supported by .heir respective Governments for breeding from thoroughbred stock (brought to a high standard on the racecourse) the horses- required for national defence. When we read of a famous racehorse being bought for a large sum by a foreign Power it is not merely for the development of racing that he has been acquired, but for a far more important mission. All the racecourses in France are under the direct control of the Ministers of Agriculture and Finance, and it is specially stipulated by law that no racing will be permitted that does not have for its aim the improvement of the breed of horses. Large sums are voted annually by the State in the way of prizes and premiums, and the inspectors make periodical visits to the various training establishments and purchase horses that have proved their superiority on the racecourse. Special prizes are given for steeplechases on the understanding that the Government has the right to take the winner at a stipulated price. There is one race in particular at Auteuil to which is given, and should the winner be a four-year-old the Government has the right to buy him for The price being reduced to if the winner should be five years old or upwards. In this way the owner, or breeder, gets a good price for his horse, and the Government acquires one that has stood the test for strength and stamina. Tn this system we have the explanation of the remarkable progress that France has made, and why racing in that country has become such a great national industry.