Chapter IV: Speed of the Percheron Horse

MOUNTED PERCHERONS.

1¼ MILES——29 RESULTS.

The best two are those of _Julie_, at Montdoubleau, in 1864, time 3 minutes 50 seconds; and of _Godius_, at the same place, in 1857, time 3 minutes 58 seconds.

The poorest two results are those of _Vidocq_, at Mortagne, 1865, time 7 minutes 37 seconds; and of _Lansquenet_, same place, in 1861, time 7 minutes 48 seconds.

The average time of 29 recorded trials is about 4 minutes 12½ seconds.

1⅚ MILES——31 RESULTS.

The best two are those of _Vaillante_, at Mortagne, in 1864, time 4 minutes 38 seconds; and of _Julie_, at Montdoubleau, in 1864, time 6 minutes 14 seconds.

The poorest two are those of _Mouche_, at Mortagne, in 1855, time 9 minutes 18 seconds; and of _Biche_, at Mortagne, in 1855, time 8 minutes 30 seconds.

The average time of 31 trials is about 6 minutes 40 seconds.

2 MILES——40 RESULTS.

The best two are those of _Cocotte_, at Illiers, in 1861, time 6 minutes 5½ seconds; and of _Sarah_, at the same place, in 1865, time 6 minutes 2 seconds.

The poorest two are those of _Balzane_, at Illiers, in 1859, time 9 minutes 40 seconds; and of _Renaud_, at the same place, in 1850, time 10 minutes 30 seconds.

The average time of 40 trials is about 7 minutes 20 seconds.

2½ MILES——65 RESULTS.

The best two are those of _Sarah_, at Langou, in 1865, time 7 minutes 35 seconds; and of the same at Mortagne, in 1865, time 7 minutes 40 seconds.

The poorest two are those of _Marmotte_, at Mortagne, in 1865, time 13 minutes 26 seconds; and of _Julie_, at Courtalain, in 1863, time 11 minutes 30 seconds.

The average time of 65 trials is about 9 minutes 15 seconds.

* * * * *

2⅗ miles were made at Illiers, by _Bichette_, in 1860, in 12 minutes 15 seconds.

2⅚ miles at the same place were made three times, and gave an average of 11 minutes 25 seconds.

3⅖ miles at the same place were made by _Champion_, in 1857, in 12 minutes.

HARNESSED PERCHERONS.

⅞ of a mile was trotted to harness in 1855, at Bethune, by _Grise_, in 4 minutes 2 seconds.

1¼ miles were made at Mortagne, in 1856, by _Battrape_, in 5 minutes 4 seconds.

2 MILES——8 RESULTS.

The best two are those of _Achille_, at Illiers, in 1865, time 7 minutes 17 seconds; and of _Julie_, at Illiers, in 1863, time 7 minutes 40½ seconds.

The poorest two are those of _Championnet_, at Illiers, 1858, time 7 minutes 53 seconds; and of _Bichette_, at Illiers, in 1849, time 8 minutes 13 seconds.

The average of eight trials is about 7 minutes 36 seconds.

2½ MILES——14 RESULTS.

The best two are those of _Vigoreux_, at Illiers, in 1851, time 8 minutes 30 seconds; and of _Bibi_, at Mortagne, in 1865, time 9 minutes 54 seconds.

The poorest two are those of _Bichette_, at Courtalain, in 1860, time 11 minutes 30 seconds; and of _Artagnan_, at Mortagne, in 1850, time 11 minutes 55 seconds.

2⅗ MILES——LOADED.

Two trials were made at Rouen, by _Décidée_:

The first time in 1864, drawing 386 pounds, 2⅗ miles in 9 minutes 21 seconds; the second time, in 1865, drawing 408 pounds the same distance, 10 minutes 49 seconds.