Chifney, Samuel. GENIUS GENUINE… A FINE PART IN RIDING A RACE, KNOWN ONLY TO THE AUTHOR… WHY TURF HORSES DEGENERATE. A GUIDE TO RECOVER THEM… AS WELL AS TO TRAIN HORSES FOR RUNNING…. [London]: for the Author, [1803.] 8vo. 170 pp., with half-title ("Price Five Pounds".) Nicely bound in early full morocco, gilt, later spine label, housed in 20th c. slipcase. *************** FIRST EDITION and a nice copy. This work was intended to be published around 1795, but as the half-title verso reads, "From unforeseen circumstances the Author has been prevented publishing this Book at the time intended." A second edition would follow in 1804. The author was a renowned jockey who became the center of scandal. He ran the Prince of Wales's best horse, "Escape," and he lost a race the horse was heavily favored to win. However, the following day the horse ran against the same field, this time at longer odds. Escape's second trip much better and he won the race. In the first race, neither Chifney nor the Prince placed bets; but in the second race, they did. This led to accusations of fraud. – Half title with early inscription "Shubuck's" and pastedown with 20th century armorial bookplate of Barnton.

Binding with minimal wear and a couple of tiny wormholes at front hinge. Contents clean with only a few minor instances of light foxing or similar, final two leaves with light worming to margins. Very Good.