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.