The royal races are held at Doshan Tepe, six miles from Tehran, where there is a soft sand-soil course, said to be a two-mile one, but the correct measurement is one and a half miles.

The Persians breed and train for long-distance speed and endurance, and the races at Doshan Tepe are from three to nine miles.

The Prince pointed out the last winner of the nine-mile race, saying that he ran it in twenty-five minutes.

This horse was a well-shaped, warm gray Arab, with black points.

He, with a darker gray and a chestnut, all Arabs of pure breed from Nejd, none of which it is said can be obtained except by free gift, or rare capture in war, took the eye most with their make and shape.