S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U R F

T H E L I F E A N D T I M E S G E O R G E H O D G M A N

1 8 4 0- 1 9 00

E DI TE D BY

R W R C H A L E S R. AR E N

WI T H I L L UST R A T I ON S

L O N D O N

G R A N T R I C I tL A R D S

19m

S I X T Y Y E A R S T H E T U R F

T H E L I F E A N D T I M E S G E O R G E H O D G M A N

1 8 4 0—1 9 00

EDI TE D BY

C H A R L E S R . W AR R E N

WI T H I L L US T R A T I ON S

L O N D O N G R A N T R I C H A R D S 1 901

P R E F A C E

L ON G prefaces nowadays are companions in mis f f — in O . ortune long sermons being out of date Nor , unless the preface bear to the book the importance

’ the postscript does usually to the lady s letter , is the , so to speak , preliminary or explanatory notice of s much purpose . Still a few words of why thi

“ book of Reminiscences came to be written , and how it was put into shape , may be held pardonable .

- Mr . Hodgman is now in his seventy seventh year , an d for over sixty seasons has he been associated actively with the Turf. In that considerable period h e has met , naturally , all sorts and conditions of ” men , and stored in a marvellous memory is a rare harvest of anecdote , from which , in paddock or at

- dinner table , he has drawn for the amusement of his friends , many of whom , time back , pleaded the desirability of publication . Mr . Hodgman , however , was not in a mood for the pen , and perhaps would never have seriously regarded the idea but for the R insistence of the late Lord ussell of Killowen . P REFA C E

Two years ago at Ascot his lordship , who was one

’ H od man s of Mr . g best friends , seized the occasion

“ ” to test his memory by leading questions . He received such an avalanche of anecdote that he

turned to Mr . Hodgman and said , Hodgman , you ” I f ought to publish your Reminiscences . I did ,

” “ my lord , was the answer , I should need the help

of one or two like you to put them together .

And that should be no trouble . You really ought

to publish . Nor is it too much to say that had Lord

Russell been spared he would have stood sponsor for the volume .

’

Helen s babies wanted to see the works go round , and the Turf world may be similarly curious as to how the ensuing pages were compiled . Briefly ,

S then , I have pent some three months with Mr .

Hodgman , taken note of his reminiscences , and welded them into some degree of cohesion . I wish to add that the chapter on the Jockeys was penned some time ago. This I mention because ” “ 8 1901 I notice in the Sheet Calendar of March , , licences were recorded as taken out for over a hundred apprentices . Apparently the policy of ” drifting has recei ved a check . It remains to be seen whether the lost ground can be recovered .

S W E . R RR CHA . A N . C O N T E N T S

CH AP TE R I — — — Early days A useful reminder Rogu es an d rascals My fi rst book “ — “ F t r to - I wi n on Mr T i m l an d H o t ea he s sell a p y . Ke ly p, s ep, — “ — — ’ an d a j ump I wi n a cen tury Kelly advi ses Lon don T attersall s — — Yard on S u n days C aurouch for th e Cesarewitch of 1847 1 leave — — Ramsgate for L on don Sweeps an d lotteries I draw th e C ur ’ o on m r r t r 1848 — S t but oo C l el Peel s Ca b idgeshi e h ee ( ) mall s akes, g d — — raci n g Lenien t handi cappi n g ; n o stakes Derby and Oaks winn ers

i n 100 n t 9- 19 gui eas Pla e Pp .

CHAPTE R I I

— ’ — Finan cial reverses Flyin g Dutchman s Derby A dread of Derbies ’ ”— ’ — Layers of safe un s Bon Mot s Live rpool Summer C u p A home — — made guide P ro fit therefrom A ru n from B edford Racecourse to — — — B letchley T h e C ambridgeshire of 1851 A n ear prophecy A Good — — Friday visit to Newmarket Con cern i n g Weath ergage A Derby — — “ ” — throw n away Objecti on s to Plaiti n g A tip for Stockwell His — “ ”— Derby defeat Davies T h e Leviathan His heavy losses over ’ — — 20—35 Dani el O Rourke T h e turn of th e tide My fi rst racehorse Pp .

CHAPT E R I I I

“ — - Davi es T h e Levi athan His humble start His letter i n retiremen t — — Derby an d Oaks losses A won derfu l A sc ot A h equin e battle ’ — — Davi es s character T h e man w h o could n ot whistle A cciden t an d — 36—42 assault A sad end Pp.

CHAPTE R I V — — — A dmi ral Rous Han dicappers of to - day Their disabilities My first bet — with the A dmiral Youn g Imp u den ce Puttin g weight on Gridiron ’ — n n d — u rs — Mr Dorlin s on o Ha dicappi g at i nn er T h e Derby c o e . g ec my ’ ’ — r n t - Mr ou n n f H e s r to o o A p eve ed s . R s s Opi io o myself su e d y u — ’ — — bet i n th e dark T he A dmiral s testimon ial H ow conceived A

n t 43- 56 o able men u Pp . C ONTENTS

CHAPTE R V

— “ ’ — — r S Mr. D Orsa r A r t r A om on M . ykes y Cla k Cesa ewi ch T ial c missi — A n nt tr n r Mr S at E m— A r ou saved eglige ai e . ykes gha dmi al R s — — ’ — n r r S ver su Rob ill M or B r zon t Mr . a ge ed M . ykes s g aj aba s be s — — — Greville A close character His Muscovite bets Perkin s pockets — ” — same Mr . Shelley I n th e wron g B oat E1even thousan d poun ds 5 — 0 posted Pp . 7 7

CHAPTE R VI

’ — — - Wild Dayrell s Derby His n obblin g arran ged H ow prevented A ’ o t “ — — — c s ly gettin g ou t Palmer th e P oison er Marlow s Opin i on Mr. — — ’ Fred Swin dell readied Saved by the success of Doubt C ockburn s r u — 1— 8 g im ass rance Wh o set th e law in motion Pp . 7 7

CHAPTE R VI I — — r o T h e t of t nt r Un in n r - r Vi ag bes filly las ce u y placed a selli g ace M . — — William Day i n error Heavy C hester C up bettin g T h e han dicapper — awake C ity an d S u b u rban an d Great Metrop olitan won on on e day ’ ’ — r o E r — h t — Mr rt tt r Vi ag s psom t ial T e real weigh s . Lambe s le e “ — — Somethin g ou t of Virago Lord Glasgow In sisten ce on more “ ’ t— on t h esi tate to oot —A or S tu rd on th e weigh D . sh mem able a ay t — n for 9— Hea h Raci g Life Pp . 7 90

CHAPTE R VIII

Drin kald— ntr tt r — h I B o r o for th e t His ecce ic a i e W y laid ia d S . — — Leger of 1854 A ri ot at Don caster T he fightin g brothers B roome — B lack Tommy an d th e Derby T en T hou san d p oun ds to a sui t of ’ ’ t — M Drin kald s tt r — B n B onn tr — T h e r clo hes r . bi e pill li k y s iumph Lege ’ ’ D — r Swi n dell s — T he son on r — r or efeat M . advice Jack c fede acy P i ess s — — - Cesarewitch A dead heat be tween three A chan ge of j ockeys an d of — — “ ” result My opin i on of Fordham H ow C aptain Little kidded him ’ ’ — - - Heiress s defeats Dulcibella s C esarewitch H er previ ous run n in g 91— 2 Ladies i n hidi n g Pp . 10

CHAPTE R I X

— — H i s tt r—A Lord B rampton ( Sir Henry H awkin s) On Frien dship le e — — - S sh ootin g in cident at B eddin gton T h e long eared parson hillelagh — — - h C o n H i s su ccesses A ccident an d death I su e t e Railway mpa y — — r H n n t me I wi n on an d o t H n on M . awki s agai s ce l se wice awki s ” “ — m— t r o n on —A ortu n t T h e C laiman t His belief in h i His la e pi i f a e “ — 105—113 get o ut T h e C laimant sharpen s a kn ife Pp . C ONTENTS

CHAPTE R X

“ — — — Ned Smith H i s fin an cial diffi culti es A poachin g episode His ’ ”—~ — victim s threat Wh o sh ot th e fox ! Margery Daw Useless fo r — — — racin g A paddock failu re I give h er away H er su bseq u en t value — Sh e throws See Saw an d Ecossais Extra ordinary career of th e latter — — ’ Doeski n : an other gift h orse Rocket s trial for th e Cesarewitch — — of 1858 Faith lost I try to buy T ame Deer C on fiden ce i n Rocket ’ ’ — r t r n on— o t tor - Mr E r restored Colon el F o es e s opi i R cke s Vic y . dwa d ” — “ — — r Green H i s averagin g habit H ow I p urchased Emigran t M . — ’ — Green has half share Emigran t s Gran d Nation al train i n g A cciden t to o C r B o — I d m on — B o n t his j ckey , ha lie yce he ge y m ey yce wi s wi h ’ n — u as o tor — r od son or s fi ht o e arm tied u p L c s Rep si y M . H g f ce a g — — — T h e resu lt H eavy damages claimed I sell my respon sibility T h e — — trial Baron Marti n su ggests arbitration A cceptan ce of A dmiral — 114—134 R ous H i s j udgment Pp .

CHAPTE R X I — — Si r Joseph Hawley Reas on s for en gagi ng Jo h n Porter as train er I sell ’ — “ Si r Joseph T h e B eacon - His sarcasm abo u t that h orse s fo od Was — — — i t sawdust ! Lord Westmorlan d A dispute over my boy Morris I

an d t ords — T om H eartfieldm A fi n e ors m n give way, bea his l hip h e a — — — Vestmi nster His trial I mystify L ord Westmorlan d A good haul — — Vestmi n ster an d th e Cambridgeshire A pertin aci ou s tou t Stron g — — measu res n ecessary A h ag u e - stricken ch ucker- ou t My con fiden ce ’ ’ mi n s er— Mr n s rn ~ r o s i o n ou erda n e M . n Vest t . Gide wa i g ab t C g F y t —T h r n an 13 —151 li tle beggar e F e ch filly h dsomely beaten Pp . 5

CHAPTE R XI I — — Racecou rses that were an d are n ot T h un der at Stamford H ow I mi ssed ’ — n t o n — r am r n d th e him Stamford s exti c i : reason M . S Me ry a Davies ' ’ ’ t n— Mr M rr strata emfi Davi es oo u o r— S r Levia ha . e y s g g d h m u h ews — r Mr n Fr o f rm M - r . o t r A ttorn n bu y J h ail Passage a s wi h . ey Ge e al — — Cockb u rn F u nn y thin gs at Shrewsb ury A N ew Race T h e — — gettin g - h ome stakes A n u n desirable e n try T h e diffic ulty solved — — We go for th e u n desirable A h extraordi n ary race T h e sharin g of t h e s o — E m— Mr a a — p ils gha J mes We therby l oses his watch Mr. ’ ’ — L efevre s opi n ion o f racecou rse thieves clevern ess Th e watch agai n d r — A n d n F or th e t t m 152—165 isappea s agai las i e Pp .

CHAPTE R XIII

— ’ C u stan ce and Fordham Dr . Sh orth ou se s fran k criticism Drivin g Jack — ’ — ou t of T own A rcher s opi n ion of Fordham- Macaron i s Derby Lord ’ n t a ad— Mr Oldaker s u n ortu n t st t m n t— T h e C lifde bea en he . f a e a e e — s r u r u m — - r r a Da e i o s es lt to hi self Fordham heart b o ken M . Willi m y i “ ” 166—1 4 carpeted . Pp 7 C ONT ENTS

CHAPTE R XI V — — H i — best horse Victori ous s un sightly head I b uy him for 125 sovs . — — — — Vision H er Brocklesby victory Subseq u ent su ccesses H er trial — —T h t o R rm —T om with Victori ous H e gives h er 2 st. e defea f Le ea ais ’ — — Jen ni ngs s opin ion T he Goodwoo d trial T h e Sweepstakes victory ’ — A dmi ral Rous s idea- T h e N u rsery su ccess Lord Granvill e takes — ’ — u n der th e odds Jackson s disgraceful offer A dead - heat at Wolver “ m ton : C u of me — t— M on an d th e S ort ha p a se sa Shelly fee r. Jacks h ” — — — h ou se ale Victor H o w p urchased Frozen ou t at Lin c oln N ot — — q uite like a th orou ghbred A half - crown for luck A Royal Hunt — H u — r r n r n C up track A Royal un t C p trial Mr . Geo ge H e ri g d i ks “ — ’ — champagn e an d throws c old water Victor s victory H e breaks — — down i n th e C ambridgeshire Sold for an old son g Success at th e t d 1 —190 s u Pp . 75

CHAPTE R XV — — — Matches Fashi on able forty years ago A match I lost an d won by Lord “ t or n s th e o d b ut —M old roo r Wes m la d lay d s , hedges y b d ma e , Paul “ on —M t t A m r ou — Mr S t rr — J es a ch wi h d i al R s . pec acle Pe y His ort n a m t on — H e r n t t Ot o w h o t u sp i g bi i p ese s me wi h h , bea s his T bal n —A n ot r t — Mr rr sati sfi ed— n at on tt n o r Cai he ma ch . Pe y Se s i al be i g ve o d — T B r — H i n t of u d nt a match at G o wood Mr . eddy ayley s wa j gme — ’ — ’ and obsti n acy Morris s Opi n ion of his Derby h orse Pau l Jon es s — — Cheste r C u p trial with Marin er Even weigh ts or n o gallop T h e u t—Mr B r ms — u on as r n an d res l . ayley helps hi elf Pa l J es a yea li g a — - — — two - year old H i s Derby an d B righton r unn in g Why wron g I train m s l for th e t r— A s t tor tr — St t me h i my e f S . Lege a isfac y ial eel ge s ’ t 1000— A n n u at— F r m n t on —Mr o u l cky defe o dha s expla a i . ’ — — ’ Graham s m u n ifi cen ce I n explicable C esarewitch ru n n in g B u tler s ” —A un n at n n — A rt n t t 191—211 folly n fortu e can o ce ai y upse Pp .

CHAPTE R XV I — — “ D u ke of H amilton H e puts me a th ou san d on Valiant A good — — m— thi n g T h e D u ke mi sse s a chan ce VVh at I said to h i His laugh — — i n g agreemen t I bu y Joh n Davis of h im T h e B righton Stakes run — “ “ ” n in g T u bby Morri s an d B illy Nichol thin k they smell a rat — ’ — A drive to T elsc ombe Jo hn Davis s extraordinary trials H e beats — d o r t— I Provider 150yards Fordham wi shes t o ri e at 14 lb . ve weigh — lose B utler an d pu t up Sammy Mordan H i s eccen tric disobedien ce — —T he A C esarewitch thrown away I sell Joh n D avis for 19 gs. ’ — ’ Stewards C u p T h e D uke of H amilton s Midlothian an d Lollypop ’ — — — H is Grace s declaration H is orders to C u sta nce My orders I try to 212—224 buy Sutler Pp . C ONTENTS

CHAPTE R XVII

— ’ Mr Fr S n an d the T ru t d n 1874 A r l ou t n . ed wi dell h gel i g ( ) dmi a R s s hesi a cy — m a r S w n d an d th e bl u fii n n r— I nto h His ess ge to M . i ell g a swe fall i t e — ’ tr and la th e n for th e C r t Mr. S wi n dell s n ap , y geldi g esa ewi ch sile ce — ’ — ’ — ” Th e A dmiral s bet and wish A rcher s weakn es s T h e good thi ng — — ’ fails Woodlan ds for th e C esarewitch o f 1876 T h e A dmiral s dis

— — —s belief Some fi n e bets Rosebery preven ts their r eali sati on T he — ’ — Curate T om Green s idea of n ot h urryi n g a horse T h e Li n coln shire — — Han dicap H ow raised to a thousan d pou n ds T h e Rin g subscribe a ’ — r t tu 225— mon key Mr Ford s G a i de Pp . 237

CHAPTE R XVIII

n — T h e ott n asco — t th e Ve i , Vidi , Vici , especially Vici N i gham fi Wha — — faithfu l paragraphists i n ven ted I presen t Vici to Fordham T he — — in ciden t of th e lan e T om C an n on comes i n to possessi on H e thi n ks ’ ’ — M T u bbs s u its u — n u — he is i n luck s way r. cheq e : val e Ki g L d Deter ’ ur — Mr T om mination to p chase . Lawley s advice to L ord Lon sdale ' — ’ — Ki n g Lud s Ebor runn i n g His Lordship s promise I get good odds — r t tor 238—2 A n easy Cesa ewi ch vic y Pp . 46

CHAPTE R XIX

— — ’ — Jockeys T h e A merican I n vasi on T h e poet s mistake A merican s i n 1857 — Mr T en Bro and E n s o — T h e two d s of th e . eck gli h j ckeys si e shield — — T h e causes of o ur decay A pathy of train ers Disi n clin atio n of — — “ ” — own ers A corn er i n j ockeys T h e little b oy b ogey What about — — — Johnn y Reiff Why b e is an excepti on A Gilbe rtian travesty A — — plea for a l owe r scale S ome C hester C up examples S trikin g figu res — — T h e easiest proves th e harde st way Why trai n e rs are n egligen t D o — Old o n s orn — n — on Thomas aws n J h O b e J. Goddi g Matthew Daws — — ’ Why I pu t u p Morris A dmi ral Rou s s Comment My b oys M rr u n &c — C on firm i — H eartfield o . at on u t n T h e oo , is, Q i ce, by C s a ce g d ’ th e A r n f t — Mr r n n t on a tt m t me ica s have e fec ed . G eville s i dig a i t an a e p ’ to r n hi s o —T h e tr n of r rt on — W E E l s ui j ckey s iki g case He be J es . sey ’ o — In m urrou n d n for o — E unt C u u wisd m i ical s i gs b ys . H s p s ccesses — ’ — ’ h t t rou t o r M . r n s W a hey b gh him J ckeys fees p otected r . W. G C ave t on— t th e en d 24 —269 wise legisla i Wha will be ! Pp . 7 C ONTENTS

CHAPTE R XX

“ f Mr S n d — H an d t r t o . e Mr. B tt n A n o he ale wi ell . Phillips seek a se li g — — i n Man chester T h e n ature of th e same A case of obstinacy — — C aptai n H awkesl ey suffers and s u lks T h e late H arry Hall T h e New — — Barn s fracas explai n ed Harry Morgan T h e Stewards i n th e sixties “ ” “ — o t an d th e t or u — Mr A r f T h e T u la e L d R ssell . Willes ( gus o — — th e Morn i n g P ost) offen ds A s olemn c oun cil Resolution s an d — “ — — amen dmen ts A rgu s th e Exile A n ew tale ab ou t Hermit William ’ — ’ I A n son as a starti n g - p rice en gin eer Lord Ru ssell s views on th e f — I t n r ton at n eeded age o whisky am ake for M . Glads e Waverley ’ — h r n for th e Stati on T e easo V s Pp . L I ST OF I LLUSTRATI ONS

George H odgman

A dmiral R ous

“ " Jud e Mr . g Johnson

E migrant ( Charlie B oyce Up )

Vestminster

Mr John F rail o Shrewsbur . , f y

D r . Shorthouse

Victori ous

Victor

Mr Ri chard T attersall .

S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T U RF

able chance . The place of meeting was in the Isle

- of Thanet , in which pleasant south eastern corner of

England I was born and reared . Like most boys of the age mentioned I had a fair Opinion of my

the sharpness , and for an attempt at displaying same I received on my way to the course a smart cu ff over the ears . This was the reward of warning one I took to be a yokel against yielding to the

fascinations of the insidious game known , and sixty

all years ago constantly practised at race meetings ,

“ ” as pricking the garter . The to my mind victim turned out to be a confederate , and instead of thanking me he gave me a tingling smack on the

c r side of the head , accompanying the physi al ebuke with a verbal warning that in future pe r haps I

t r would mind my own business ; not , as I af e wards

thought , half bad advice . Between the adjuncts of race courses then and

T he r now there is little or no comparison . ough and the roguish element at that time w as the pre

’ r ca w . dominant characteristic . The three t ick ,

- w thimble rigging , and pricking the garter games of petty swindling that though not recog were

O v n more or less tolerated , the perators e en g a distinctive dress of nankeens and velvet c while

t . they unblushingly carried their tables on eads .

At popular Open resorts I know there st . to be 10 S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T URF f h found descendants O the tribe of thieves . But t e plucking of the pigeons has to be done in furtive fashion , whereas in the days to which I refer the supposed protectors of the public indulged in a

flutter themselves , theirs generally being a winning

hand . Shortly beyond the minor incident related I w as put to trade , in the way of assisting my uncle , who lived at Ramsgate , in his furniture business . The work was none too congenial , and I relieved its

’ O B ell s L e tediousness by opious studies of if , the backing of my fancy , and the making of a little

’ ” book at the Shipwright s Arms , situated at the back of the pier . These mixed extra occupations ,

r varied with visits to London , by the steame

“ D u chess o Ken t c f , in order to ba k one bad for ” the book at the lists , or invest for other reasons , gave me considerable insight into the financial side of the Turf, and, inevitably , a longing for permanent residence in the metropolis , then the Mecca of the

H OW sporting Operator . long I might have remained at Ramsgate , or whether indeed I should ever have

- deserted the rather hum drum paths of trade , except

for . one incident , I cannot say Probably I should have followed furniture to my grave , and made r acing the pastime , instead of the pursuit , of my

i in f . li e The ncident referred to was the arrival , 11 S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T U RF

Mr. the absence of my uncle , of one Tim Kelly , a t all , burly Irishman (as would be guessed by his

Of name) , singularly active of body , with a mind

“ sporting bent , and keen as mustard on getting the better of a bargain . He came with feathers to

“ ” sell . And he did not , in any shape or form , give

0 them away . N ; he sold them . They were good — feathers very good feathers indeed . But I did

’ n ot , for my uncle s interests , desire such a loading of sand in the lower sections of the bags as I later d iscovered . Mr. Kelly appeared very satisfied with

’ B ell s L e the sale , and then , his eye falling on if , he asked if I betted . He quickly , I think , learnt that whatever the deficiencies of my education in the proper manipulation of feathers for sale I was fairly familiar with Turf matters .

It was , I well remember , the Goodwood Stakes 18 47 day of ; and I thought that Hydrangea , who had run second a fortnight earlier for a Gold Cup at

Stamford , held a winning chance . During a walk

h e Off on the pier I told Kelly this , whereupon ered

“ ’ E xeter s l me a pony to three against Lord fil y , 15 who won comfortably from Plaudit , starting at 2 l to . I was able to tell Ke ly of the result before evening , but he refused to believe till I showed him ” a telegram . Communication by wire was then an uncommon because expensive process , the minimum 12 S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T URF

h w c w . o harge, I believe , being half a cro n That ,

a . ever , is detail What I wish to say is that during the afternoon Kelly and I went for a walk on the sands , made hard and dry by the sun after the

as retreat of the tide . He was , I have said , of agile nature , and commenced frisking and jumping a bout . “ " hO ! Can you do p, step , and a jump he inquired .

I confessed to ignorance of the game , though I c the ould , in ordinary way , both hop and jump , and many years later thought nothing of clearing , on

on e - leg, four substantially built chairs . The name — of the game explained fairly its character first you h O ed pp , then stepped , and then jumped without “ ” cessation of action . The step was new to me , an d i Kelly beat me very eas ly. I thought the thing

hO in worth practising, and next morning was pp g,

’ O stepping, and jumping by four clock . On the

Saturday Kelly and I were again on the sands , and he was soon at what evidently was his favourite e xercise . I told him I had improved , but he only laughed .

I should like a match with you , he said . l " Oh , wait ti l I have had more practice . ! ’ Oh , no I m going away. Look here , youngster.

’ owe I you a pony over Hydrangea . I ll bet you 13 S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T URF

r three ponies to one that I beat you now, no matte

’ how you ve improved . “ " O Right , I said , tempted by the dds , and know ing how I had improved by practice .

Of The best two out three ; and you go first, was his remark .

n ot Well , I just beat him , but I was sure he had done his best , and said so . t I daresay I might do a bit be ter , he remarked

Off a in a casual way , and he went again , setting me ll ” . a much harder task But , putting in , I cleared his mark by two feet and thus had increased my

” ’ winning account to a century. Kelly s language ,

Of - I am afraid , was not drawing room character ,

for though it might now be counted Parliamentary , they say funny things in the House these times .

“ ” Hydrangea and Hodgman , he exclaimed , a nice ! pair I wish you both were well , in , personally ,

“ ” undesirable quarters . And to think , he said , as he handed over a nice new hundred pound Bank of

England note To think , damme of coming down to a hole like this and being done by a youngster t like you for a hundred Young man , I tell you wha

’

. e it is . You re wasting your time down here Com

’ to London . That s the place for your sort Afterwards Kelly— I forgave the sanded feathers was very much my friend . By his invitation I visited 14 S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T URF

9th London in the following October , the day , or the Saturday before the Cesarewitch I

’ “ e met him at Fisher s , in Aldersgat Street , the Brown ” — Bear , where he stayed . Through association with the trade , I suppose , I took stock of the furniture . It was chiefly remarkable for the absence of house maidenly attentions , and if any one had happened to call without his card he could conveniently have written his name in the dust on the table or the

- looking glass . Next day (Sunday) Kelly took me

’ to Tattersall s Yard , where always , morning or a fternoon , was to be met a motley company

- swells , men about town , bookmakers , horse dealers ,

copers , and the rest of the kind . The Rooms ,

O of course , were not pen ; but none the less , on

the eve , so to say , of important events , betting

ruled brisk . My companion pointed out to me

Mr . Disney .

That man , Hodgman , he remarked , owns the

’ of — h I v e winner the Cesarewitch C au rou c . backed

’ him at good prices . You d better Stand with me ;

say a hundred to two . ff I took the o er , and , as is known , the son of Irish Birdcatcher made all the running and won f i com ortably by a length from G selle . By next season ( 18 48) I was fairly launched in London

‘

. n v r aw sporting life But I e e s Kelly again . He 15 S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T U RF may not have been a perfect type of the “ honest ” dealer . Yet he had good points . The star of my fortunes rose with remarkable

alrn ost rapidity . Everything in racing that I touched turned to, or , rather , turned in , gold . My invest ments may have been on a minor scale , but they

s were pleasurably profitable . Sweeps and lotterie were then as common in public - houses as cards pro d hibitin g betting are to ay . They were a powerful attraction to the people , and , so far as my experience goes , were honestly conducted . Whether the ex citemen t engendered by the holding Of them was unhealthy or not I leave the learned in ethics to decide . But life without a sweep in the brave ” ort - days of F y eight would have , to most , seemed ff ’ as terribly dull an a air as one of Mr . Gilbert s characters declared existence to be when all went right and nothing went wrong . Of course , I speak in this case interestedly . I was that year borne on ” the full tide of success . Big Willis , who kept the

’ ” King s Head , in Newgate Street, ran two sub stan tial sweeps on the Cesarewitch . It was a heavy

0 betting house , and hence there was a plentiful cr p

- of subscribers . One sweep was for four thousand at a shilling a head , and the other for forty at ten pounds a piece . I joined in both , and drew The Cur for each . This was an extraordinary stroke of 16

S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T URF

Of say, than some , even the aristocracy , would “ ” have done who played the great game in the ” — — Forties . But Colonel afterwards General Peel was a grand specimen of the English sporting gentleman, and , happily , we do not look in vain for worthy successors in this the first year of a

New Century .

R off the acing in those far days was not , in matter of stakes , conducted on the present lavish

w fin d scale . O ners had , in the main , to their own

o money . For their profit they were forced to look t

al their de ings with the holders of books . One has

who heard , and still hears , of owners do not and

e never have betted , and who yet maintain extensiv

a est blishments . I am not surprised ; nor is there

for I f is need wonder. a stud of fair class horses

a decently managed , it should , year in and ye r out , pay its way , to say nothing of the point of profit .

of I won , I venture to state , as many races as most

’ my period . But a glance at my Weatherby s books in no year discloses the netting of great sums : for f the su ficient reason that the sums , like the Spanish

Fleet on a memorable occasion , were then not in

. of sight Sometimes stakes , even when won , were visionary character . The thing would not be tolerated now. But fifty years ago laxity prevailed , an d if your horse was let in very nicely it w as 18 S I XT Y Y E AR S O N T H E T URF understood the managers of the meeting were giving nothing . ! ” Stakes said a certain Clerk of the Course On an occasion . Stakes , sir in a tone of increasing incredulity and surprise . Why , we put yours in to win ! Didn ’ t you back it

Still , I must own that even for the smaller sums

that then existed sport of the highest class prevailed , Thus in the year under notice ( 18 48) I remember 23 being at Canterbury , on August , and seeing

Pyrrhus the First and Miami run in two - mile heats ’ 1 for Her Majesty s Plate of 00 guineas . The one 18 46 had secured , by a neck , the Derby of , and the other had captured the Oaks in the succeeding

of season . This , in view modern occurrences , was an

0 extraordinary incident . N longer is there a course at Canterbury and no longer are Derby heroes and

Oaks heroi nes run in two - mile heats for a hundred guineas plate . C HA P T ER II

— ’ — Fin ancial r everses Flyin g Dutchman s Derby A dr ead of — “ ’ — ’ Derbies Layer s of safe u n s B on Mot s Liverp ool Sum — — - — mer Cup A home made guide P rofit ther efr om A ru n

fro m B edfor d Racecour se to B letchley- The Cambridgeshir e — — Of 1851 A n ear prophecy A Good F riday visit to New — — market Con cern in g Weath ergage A Derby thrown away — “ ” — Objection s to Plaitin g A tip for Stockwell His Derby — “ — defeat Davies The Leviathan His heavy losses over ’ — r h t —M r r Dan iel O R ou rke The tu n of t e ide y fi st acehorse .

T o attem t z p , in a work of this character , a strict respect for chronology were not so much an irksome task for the writer as one calculated to make a tedious record for the reader . Sixty years is a large span of existence , and even with each year restricted to a chapter the book would swell to the size of that Italian historian’ s masterpiece rather than read which the prisoner preferred to serve seven years at the galleys . Possibly I have dwelt with more amplitude on some matters than may be reckoned

nl either justifiable or desirable . I can o y plead l gui ty , and put the blame upon a memory that lingers , as dwells a lover upon the initial stages of l courtship , on a happy time when I thought the bal 20 S I XT Y YE AR S O N T H E T URF f O Fortune was at my feet . Failure was a word I

hO e imagined , as I p all my readers have at times supposed in their cases , that had been expunged from my dictionary . The Turf, though , if a tempt

tirn es r ing is at a stern mistress , and by the hou Flying Dutchman ( 18 49) won the Derby I had severe reason for reflection on the fleeting character of riches . I went for a very heavy stake on

of Tadmor , and the combination of backing the son Ion and Opposing the son Of Bay Middleton played havoc with my banking account . The Turf world at the time was divided in about equal sections over 2 the pair , who started at the same price ( to and

’ ran first and third , the intervener being Mr . Godwin s

Hotspur . (I should have mentioned that at the

’ time I kept a list , at the Fleet Street end of Poppin s

Court . ) Of course Tadmor was , as events proved , taking on in The Dutchman one of the horses

Of the century . Yet he , small as he was , proved ” himself no slouch , and so stoutly was he galloping at the finish that I thought , and still think , that in another fifty yards he would have overhauled his mighty rival . The experience gave me a dread — rather than a dislike Of the Derby in truth Of the classics generally as betting then was conducted . Nor did the course of after years do anything to “ mitigate the feeling. Such men as Davies the 21 S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T U RF

” Leviathan , Tubby Morris , and myself had not then or at any time much chance of laying the

’ dead uns , and usually on the morning of a classic race found ourselves full against the genuine candi ” dates , the safe sort falling to Harry Hill ,

Hargreaves , Jackson , and company, who were the f better positioned for , and the more a fected , the x peculiar business . I do not claim an e travagant delicacy of sentiment . But I will say I never cared l for the practice of daylight robbery , whi e Davies , big as were his transactions , scorned the proceeding , an d was rarely approached by the engineers Of ” O dirty work . I nce did , for an owner , lay a horse to lose five thousand pounds for the Great Ebor .

the He was a good favourite , and , in all, I booked odds to eighteen hundred pounds . At times , so persistent were the inquiries , I thought that the w o ner was doing the double on me . But no ! when the last penny had been garnered the pen was put at work . Without explanation the horse was scratched .

’ I ve done this for you , I said , at settling time .

But no more , either for you or anybody else . Wh ’ ’ y, I m ashamed to say I ve taken a deal of ” this money Off my friends . That was a true bill ; though it was not my fault they lost , as I warned them not to back the horse . 22 S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T URF

” ’ He is , I used to say, no good . Don t back him .

I could not tell them more . But , like many another

warner of danger , I was only laughed at.

18 49. However, to return to If necessity is held

to be the mother of invention , I think she may also claim to be the maternal relative of pushfulness for

f won the ready. A ter Flying Dutchman had , and

I had lost , it was a case of living and thinking hard

an d I cannot recall a hit until Bon Mot , with John

5 . Osborne ( st ) up , won the Liverpool Summer

Cup . John was not then the important character he

a fterwards became . But he had been reared in a good

s k chool , and I new he could ride . I had heard

before most that he would have the mount , and my ” self- made weekly guide impressed me with the

’ c hance of Osborne s mount , who had run respectably

in Ireland , whence he came . There were not then the ” guides to form that now week by week are issued ; an d to overcome the inconvenience I used to paste

’ up the returns from B ell s L ife in a common school

e . xercise book , which I also indexed It served me w l d e l , but it also brought a eal of bother , friends and

a cquaintances being ever loaning it. I suppose they thought they could not Spare the time to go ” an d do likewise . Well , I supported Bon Mot at

listmen a. various prices with the , and he won by

l E ssidariu s 20 1. ength from the , starting at to 23 S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T URF

There were long - priced winners in those days as in these ; and the odds were certainly more easily obtainable . This was the first winner of importance

n that Joh Osborne rode , and the second time the colours he carried (Bon Mot was the property of

f au r u ch for u . O C o t Mr Disney , owner ) had proved nate for me . In the autumn of 18 51 I was at Bedford

’ Races , and saw Mr. Waring s Manifold win the

Scurry Handicap , when not at all expected by his party . The performance struck me as good, and I desired to get back that night to London in order to back him for the Cambridgeshire . The train service was of indifferent character in those far - off ff days , and to e ect my purpose I needed to reach

e Bletchley . There was , however , no conveyanc procurable , but rather than be foiled I ran the dozen miles , thinking then little of such an exertion . From the station I took a cab to the Salisbury

- e Arms , a public house near Charing Cross , wher “ ” Davies the Leviathan kept a list . On looking at his Cambridgeshire prices I found he had Manifold at 100 to 1

Davies , I said , I think this horse will win

‘ the Cambridgeshire . What will you lay me at that rate “ Ten thousand to one hundred lad . I accepted

24.

S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T U R F

so . ll vs each , on the ensuing Tuesday. Thornhi

proposed that he, Mundy , and myself should club

— a together, and lend Parr the hundred proposition

a ccepted and carried out . But when on the Tuesday ll I saw that Nabob was a starter I said to Thornhi , What is this stupid man doing ! The horse hasn’ t

’ abob s been out of the stable for days , and N a top ” s awyer . ! Oh , let him alone He knows what he is

a bout . A n d he certainly did in getting hold of Weather

of gage at old song price , seeing that that son Weatherbit that season won the Goodwood Stakes

and Of the Cesarewitch , not to name a variety small

aflected races that Parr so much . After Weather

n - gage , with his ow er trainer up , had , on Wednesday , 19 May , won the Aristocratic Handicap at Bath in

a canter, I advised Mr . Parr to start him for the w Derby in the follo ing week . Davies earnestly

’ s ff n upported my counsel , o eri g the colt s party a 0 “ ” 1 00. wager of to And , he added , with “ ’ ” e ! . mphasis he rarely used , you ll win it But no 100 1 They were going for Barbarian , also a to ’ k O R ou r e. chance , and he was beaten by Daniel Neither the winner nor the second was of much

a Weather a e ccount , and had g g started he could not,

as . the race was run , have easily lost It may be 26 S I X T Y Y E AR S O N T H E T U R F

a sked why so shrewd a man as Admiral Rous sold

Weather a e . t g g for a nominal sum Well , the bes of

’ Weather a e s us are apt to err at times , and on g g failure in a Selling Plate at Northampton just before he was sold no encouragement existed to hold him

in regard .

who Tom Parr , I may add , was the first trainer

’ discarded the absurd practice Of plaiting a horse s

mane before it raced . And I think I was the next — to . v or follow My con ersion to the new treatment , — ff rather , absence of treatment was e ected through on e day seeing a boy at work on a little horse of

mine called Soothsayer . He was a black colt , but

through excitement and agitation he was , by lather

ing , more like a grey . What are you doing ! ” I said to the boy standing

on the bottom end Of a bucket .

’ ’ Please , sir , he s going to run , and I m plaiting ” his mane .

“ ’ Balchin , I called , look at this horse . He s in

a of nervous funk . Never again plait the mane one

’ Of my horses . It s telling him what he has to do .

’ ” I ll have no more of it .

Common sense has , I am glad to say , prevailed , it being the exception now to find that which then w as

the rule . One of my purposes in visiting Newmarket on 27 S I XT Y YE AR S O N T H E T UR F

that Good Friday was to interview Sam Quince , who kept me informed of the principal doings at

- head quarters . His chief news concerned the forth

TW O coming Thousand Guineas and Derby . His advice was that Stockwell should be backed for th e

first and he and Alcoran for the second race . I returned to London that night , and next morning s ent a man , of the name of Wilberforce , to do my m com ission (if possible) with Davies . The Leviathan

25 1 e had Stockwell priced at to , and laid Wilberforc 0 120 to ready money 30 0to . ! ” Will you back him for the Derby asked Davies .

‘ ’ Yes . But not ready . In your book . What price

Ten thousand to two hundred .

O ! Yes , and what dds Alcoran ” Same price .

Right . Next week (as Quince told me would be the case) Al coran and Stockwell ran in a sweepstakes of 100 sovs . each , over the Ditch Mile , the former winning

t . by half a leng h Stockwell , as any one understand ing the horse could see , was not nearly ready , and I w regarded my Two Thousand ager with fondness .

’ The fancied horses for the first of that season s

iliu s classics were Homebrewed , F , and Daniel

’

O R ou rke 10 1 . , to being tendered Stockwell But 28 S I X T Y Y E ARS O N T H E T U RF

the great colt , destined of imperishable fame , cleverly pulled through by half a length from Homebrewed . On the following Sunday evening I called at the

“ Salisbury Arms , where Davies was generally to be found . l ll ! ” We l , Bi , I said , how are you ! ” Come inside , lad . What will you have ” We may as well have a settling, I answered .

’ A settling Why , I haven t had a bet with you

I produced the Stockwell tickets , each represent 1000 40 ing to .

“ ’ Oh , he laughed , I see now . You re Wilberforce , ! ” 3 120 are you And with that he paid me pounds .

Then you have those bets , he went on , about ” Stockwell and Alcoran for the Derby .

Yes .

’ I ll hedge them for you if you like . 0 5 00. Well , hedge Alcoran for A n d Stockwell

’

N O . . , thanks I shall stand him He s a real ” good horse . Alcoran should never have beaten him . ll f Unluckily , Stockwe was a flicted with a bad gum boil , which had to be lanced ; and , of course , the circumstance of him being amiss caused his retreat

. t in the market None the less , in spite of wha ever he lacked in condition , he would , with plain sailing, 29 S I X T Y Y E AR S ON T H E T URF have won the Derby . But Norman could not get

O through when he sought an pening , and instead of securing a clear course was forced on to the rails , Stockwell , in the scrimmage , having his stifle severely cut . The upshot was a victory for Daniel

’ O Rou rke the , whom Stockwell had thrashed in Two Thousand and whom he trounced afresh in the Leger .

That was a shocking Derby for Davies . Mr . Greville approached him one day with a View to backing

’ O R ou rke Daniel , trained by John Scott , who l generally let Mr. Grevil e into his plans . Davies 2000 tendered him to , but the price was

n Off declined . The Davies ered to split matters , by

1500 . . laying to . But Mr Greville refused

Davies was equally firm , and , nettled at the refusal

' ofler of what he considered a good , turned to the barmaid at the “ Salisbury Arms ” (she used to make up his list and take money in his absence) with “ ’ 100 1 R ou rk O e. Emma , put up to Daniel But , mind , nobody can have that price to more than a

’ I f 66 1 the fiver. the stable won t take to , let ” public have the money . Mr . Greville heard this , but remained unmoved . The liberal odds tempted

the the public, and yet Davies did not alter rate “ till he had laid Daniel to lose After

e 1000 wards he betted Mr . Grevill to . 30 S I X T Y Y E AR S O N T H E T URF

r You have , said that gentleman to Davies afte ” the result , had a bad race . ”

SO . . everybody says , Davies answered But , Mr ”

v l n ow . Gre i le , you can have a cheque for your money

to Oh no ! Not at all . I positively refuse accept it now .

r In all , Davies told me , he lost pounds ove

the that Derby , and he was also badly hit when

afore - mentioned Weathergage ran away with the — Goodwood Stakes as indeed were all the list

Me s n . . o keepers , big or little Messrs Tom g , Jack

Bennett , and Thornhill had managed the business ,

and that combination was bad to beat . But Davies retrieved himself when Stockwell cantered off with

h O t e St . Leger. He had discovered that my pinion ” of the colt was right , and he peppered Daniel

’ R ou rke f O and Songstress unmercifully . O course he had to lay Stockwell for small amounts in his

lists . But his big book was a sealed volume when

Stockwell was mentioned . On the Leger morning I “ 1000 500 said to him , Bill , will you lay me to Stockwell

’ ’ No . Not a penny . I ve sworn I won t write ” his name in my book . Just before the race I Offered him a hundred “ ’ ” . im pound note You needn t , I said , put that " your book . 3 1 S I X T Y Y E AR S O N T H E T U RF ’ f All right . I know you ve always been fond O the horse— 200 to And before even the numbers went up he paid me the 300. There was ffi no doubt what had won , for the o cial verdict was ten lengths ! The turn in the tide of affairs con tin u ed n for Davies through the autum , but he took

h e fortune as equably as accepted failure . He was not at all a man to make a noise whatever befell him ; and he rarely shouted over a race . But he broke through his custom over the Cambridgeshire Of

18 52 . , for which he had laid a big bet to Mr Merry against Hobbie Noble , backing Knight of the Shire l for himse f. The pair singled themselves out some ” h way from home , and as the Knight s ot forth

GO with a length lead , Davies called , on , Knight of the Shire ! There’ s that d d Hobbie Noble after you 18 52 I especially remember , because it was in that year I first owned a race horse , or , rather , a portion

’ ” thereof, Mr . J . Barnard (of Barnard s Ring ) and ” I going halves in a bay filly by Sirikol from

Amata , named Tobolski , whom we purchased for

7 00 sovs . from Squire Heathcote . At that time there was betting on almost any little race before i the day of decision , and having no dea that Tobolski was to run for the Beddington Stakes at the Epsom Autumn Meeting I laid her to lose 700 pounds on 3 2

S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T URF

my list . This I told Mr . Barnard about an hour ! ” before the race Good heavens he exclaimed,

’ she s fit and she must run . That was a condition ” of the sale .

’ Then you ll have to back her back . It seems to ff me we have made a nice mess of a airs .

In a little while I went to Mr . Barnard again . Who have you put in to do the business

Mr . Sam Merry .

’ 2000 1000 Off Well , I ve seen him take to ” Davies .

’ That s all right . Half is for us .

Tobolski won by a short head , Wells riding a

S . 7 00 plendid race But as we had to pay out , and

m Of 500 ca e within a shade losing , I did not think a deal of owning horses .

3 5 C HA P TER I II

“ — — D avies the L eviathan H is humble start His letter in — — r etir ement Derby an d Oaks losses A won derful A scot — ’ — A n eq uin e battle Dav i es s char acter The man who co uld

n ot t — A — n whis le ccident and assault A sad e d.

T H E Of name of William Davies has been necessity, and frequently will be , mentioned in these pages . Other pens have more or less faithfully depicted the man who by the gigantic nature of his transactions became known as the Leviathan of

” “ ”

f. the Tur There had been , possibly , leviathans before him and there are , in a quieter way ,

ac leviathans now . But no big layer of my quaintance ever betted with the fearlessness of

Davies , and a man with a keener sense of honour never trod earth . In tracing the genealogy of most

Of d successful layers , whether to ay or of the years that have sped , there is usually no need to consult Debrett ; and Davies was not an exception to the common run . The initial business of his life was

Of that carpentering, and in the exercise of his craft he found himself one day repairing the skirting 3 6 S I X T Y Y E AR S O N T H E T U RF R board of the Newmarket Subscription ooms . His hammering and sawing did not prevent him paying heed to the general conversation of the members , and as the betting proceeded he jotted down with i his penc l a good many of the wagers . A close examination of the figures showed Davies that the bookmakers had much the better of the argument , and he quickly decided that laying the odds was a more profitable business than fixing skirting boards .

Of — The Messrs . Cubitt , Clerkenwell his employers did not long retain his services , Davies flitting to

Long Acre , where he put up a list at a public house kept by one Joe Barr . This was his first step on the path to fortune , and the name and fame of

Davies as a bold , dashing bettor , thoroughly trust

O . worthy , soon spread ver London After the sup pression of the List Houses he took regularly to l travel ing the meetings , and continued pursuit of the career he had marked out for himself till the f l l hand of a fliction fel heavi y upon him . The closing passages of his life were saddened by an attack of paralysis , and towards the end he could see no one . Between Davies and myself

there was ever a strong bond of friendship , and our transactions were as numerous as on occasions they were important . The last letter I received from him I present 3 7 S I X T Y Y E AR S O N T H E T URF

18 GL OSTER A E PL C , “ B RI GHT ON .

DE R O MA N A H DG ,

Thanks for your kind letter . In consequence of the number of persons who call to see me— most of them strangers , many of them beggars , parsons , — Or professed religious people I have been obliged to ask my doctor to give strict orders that I must not see any one . Believe me nothing would give me greater satisfaction than to see you or any of

e my old friends . Therefore it is with great reluctanc

Off I am compelled to decline your kindly ered visit .

ff n I hope you will not be o ended . My limbs are o better . Otherwise I am in good health and spirits .

’ ack s Mr I was pleased to see J y [ . Jack Bennett! name among the winners on the Cesarewitch . I h e Ope he had a good turn . I think I may congratulat you upon having had a very successful year , judging from your increased stud . I hope it is so . I am afraid some of my old pals have not been so lucky . Please to remember me to all inquiring friends an d believe me to remain yours ,

W . D E AVI S .

Of There were , course , with Davies , as with others ,

a . the fat and the le n years He , for instance , lost nigh a fabulous sum when Voltigeur won the Derby 1 in 8 50. Voltigeur was the idol of the sporting 3 8 S I X TY Y E AR S O N T H E T URF

public , much as , a few years back , Victor Wild was

’ T eddin t n s the cherished horse of London . g o Derby was another bad one for Davies , and so again was that of West Australian the losses over him being accentuated when Catherine Hayes won the

Oaks . Everybody was paid to the uttermost f arthing , but the drain had been so heavy that Davies reached Ascot with no more than two “ hundred ready on him . Among the notes he held were the two first fiv ers issued by the Bank o f England . To collectors they would have indeed been treasures , but Davies was tired of them .

“ ’ I ve had no luck since they were given me . H 7 ere , Perry , he said , will you buy them ! ” How much shall I give you , Bill ! ! ’ How much Why , ten pounds That s all I w ant . And may they bring you better luck than ” t hey have brought me . The parting with the curios was followed by a s tartling change of luck , and Davies told me at the

n 2 e d of the meeting that with the 00 sovs . he had won pounds One ofthe best races ofthe week for him was the Fourth Triennial Stakes , the last

’ atwicke s e . Gr vent of the second day . Herein ran Mr S ’ R ittingbourne , Lord John Scott s The eiver , and

’ Lord E xeter s Filbert and Nutpecker . The last n amed pair were for betting purposes not reckoned 3 9 S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T U RF

” On the map , but heavy and sustained gambling ensued over Sittingbourne and The Reiver, and against them Davies laid till backers were exhausted .

“ ” I was reading the race for Davies , and seeing

Filbert coming over the hill by himself, with Nut

’ ofl pecker some distance second , I cried , Why , Bill ,

’ ’ E x r s e here s ete pair leading . It must be a fals ” start .

But it was nothing of the kind . To Filbert went the stakes and to Davies the bets . The explanation of the extraordinary result was that as soon as the

of flag fell The Reiver and Sittingbourne , instead racing , started fighting , rearing up like mad beasts ,

- and rushing Open mouthed at each other . An inci dent of this character stands unique in Turf story . If at times Davies was one of the sternest he

Of s could also be one of the kindest men . The point he insisted upon were complete truthfulness and th e

m Of fulfil ent promises . A client who had had a bad

time , and approached him with an unvarnished tale ,

’ was safe of lenient treatment . You say you can t

pay me on Monday . Very well . When can you

! e pay Name your own time only , when you hav

named it you must pay . And in the meanwhile you ”

ll n ot . can go on betting . I sha stop any winnings

I n Davies had , too , a shrewd sense of humour. 18 50 there lived in the Borough a sporting pawn 40

S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T URF

With an idea Of shaking off the effects of the acci dent he ran the circuit of the course twice , though I

“ ” do not think the faculty would have r ecom mended the proceeding. Shortly afterwards he was struck on the head with a heavy blunt instrument by some scoundrel intent on robbery . The plan was f oiled by the timely appearance of strangers , but though Davies Offered a big reward the identity of 1 his assailant was never disclosed . In 8 57 he retired from the Turf, giving a farewell dinner at

’

Brighton . His parting words I still can recall .

” “ Now, gentlemen , he said , we have , I think , all had a good night ; and I am very glad to see you .

- But now I must say good bye to you . And it is

- good bye . I shall , owing to the state of my health ,

- never see a race course again . I shall never possibly f O . see any you again But I wish you well . — — Gentlemen friends , I may say one and all , good bye . What Davies said he meant . He was after that night , at home to nobody . The late Sir Robert Peel once declared that Davies would grant him an

. ff interview, and called at his house But his e ort was futile , Davies making no exceptions . The letter

I have quoted demonstrates that . He died on 4 18 7 9 “ — October , , after to use the words of his f ” memorial card many years O suffering.

4 2 C HA P TER IV

— - — A dmir al Ro us Han dicapper s of to day Their disabilities —“ ” My fir st bet with th e A dmir al Yo un g Impuden ce — — Puttin g weight on Gridir on Han dicappin g at dinn er The — ’ — ’ r Dorlin s on o r n t Mrs . Ro s De by co urse Mr . g ec my p eve ed u s “ ’ — - opin ion of myself He s sur e to do you A bet in th e — ’ — — dark T h e A dmiral s testimon ial H ow con ceived A

n ot n able me u .

OE S P T , it is said , are born not made and , in a sense , the f O . remark holds true handicappers Of course , as practice improves the poet so does the continuous exercise of the art of handicappi ng improve the

his handicapper . But no man , be assiduity what it may , can aspire to high honours in handicapping

u unless he has a natural bent for the b siness . The e ntire absence of rules demands an incessant drain upon the judgment , and the plan that would fit one s ituation would be woefully unsuited to the next . That we have good and conscientious handicappers now I freely allow ; and I am pleased to be able to s n o t tate that most are my friends . But one of them would I care to place on a level with the late

Admiral Rous , who , in truth , occupies a pedestal by 4 3 S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T URF

f. himsel Of course being human , he made mistakes

. O at times But , considering his pportunities of error , his work was singularly free from blunders .

Handicapping when the Admiral , voluntarily, and without notion of financial gain , assumed command

his was no matter of rule and thumb , and though position in the Jockey Club placed him beyond the province Of hampering criticism it was his courage and ability that gained him the respect Of all

- healthy minded sportsmen . It has been said that

o he was prejudiced and bstinate . Granting that he

O was tenacious in his pinions , it must be urged that his so - called prejudices were based On knowledge of the people he dealt with . N O owner and no trainer had to fear the Admiral if the game were played with a fair regard to the decencies . When anybody

h e complained to him about his treatment of a horse , “ l ! ’ would say , We l run him If you don t run him how can I tell what he is ! Run and when I know

’ N o your horse s true form I will give you a chance . t ” till then .

On his courage I would lay special emphasis , as I think the absence of a Spice of dash and daring is

- Ofli cials one Of the defects of our present day . They seem to work as though ever the acceptance was in

’ their mind s eye , and in trying to ensure the con

en tmen t bad O e t of the best horses , the too ft n go by

4-4 S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T URF

. the board . In the main the scale at present adopted is of too restricted a character . Handicappers can ,

4 . k . 7 if they please , ta e a range of st lb But they

Of rarely avail themselves the privilege , thinking and perhaps rightly— that as soon as an owner sees

to 9st. his horse with much over , his first action is k stri e him out . For this reason I regret the raising

6st. of the handicap minimum to , and I cannot say

I n I have ever heard a sound argument its favour ,

a while we had better racing, bigger fields , and ” larger number of good jockeys when “ feathers

were possible . Of course handicappers now have

much to contend with , and I hold it most unfair ,

except in cases of glaring incompetency , that any

the owner can , if he chooses , bring them before f Stewards for an explanation O their action . The

an d s inevitable result is timidity , we see on occasion a slavish acceptance of running when it is notorious that the same was incorrect from want Of condition

saw or other causes . If I were a handicapper , and I

“ a horse palpably unfit , or watched him snatched ” Off up , I would not take an ounce his back , and the complaining owner would be told the reason in terms

he might not appreciate , but which he could

certainly understand . Owners themselves are often to blame in being frightened at an apparently heavy

l e burden , and in this connection I reca l that the lat 4 5 S I X T Y YEAR S O N T H E T URF

Mr . Fred Gretton declared he would scratch Isonomy for the Manchester Cup as soon as he saw he had

9 st 12l b. to carry.

’ “ Don t be a fool I said . He can win with all t ’ 9 hat . He d have won the Cesarewitch with st . 1 ’ 0 . lb ifyour other horse , Westbourne , hadn t swerved ” o n Of to him . As a matter fact , I was the cause of 12 Isonomy having 9 st . lb . Mr . Johnson had him

9 . 8 . in at st . lb when he showed me the handicap

” ’ Judge , I said , you ve given the race to Isonomy . 4 ’ ” Put lb. more on him , and even then he ll win . The friendship that existed between Admiral Rous a n d myself was of no ordinary character ; and yet t he beginn ing of the association was Of a prosaic 18 50 nature . In I was making a book at the

m e New ark t First Spring meeting , when the Admiral (then Captain Rous) rode up and asked the price of t h e Exotic filly for the One Thousand Guineas . She was then at evens ; but wishing to get a bet with “ il 4 5 . him I said , I w l bet you to , Captain ! I take it . What name ” George Hodgman .

The name was fresh to the Captain , and he paused a moment . Whereupon Bill Davies called

“ ’ out , It s all right , Captain only we call him Young

Impudence .

Off R After the race I ered Captain ous the fiver , 4 6 S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T U RF

“ the but he hesitated to take it , saying , Send it to ” proper place . I told him I had crossed the bet out, and he would oblige me by taking the note . That transaction opened up an acquaintance that developed into an enduring friendship ; and in later years the

Admiral , as he became , scarcely ever published a

O handicap without first asking , and ften taking , my

Opinion . A rather striking instance of acceptance of my v iews by the Admiral occurred in 18 6 1 over a horse — named Gridiron , a four year old bay colt by Daniel

’ ’ O R ou rke out of Monge s dam . At the Lewes , Summer Meeting I had seen him run in the Lewes T . O he Handicap , distance two miles my mind could have been a deal nearer the winner , Stam

- - Old b pedo , who beat my three year , Balham , y three lengths . Fordham , who rode in the race , was fully of my opinion , advising me to try and buy

Gridiron , as only want of condition prevented him romping in . Well , Gridiron was entered for the

Cesarewitch , and at the ensuing York August gathering the Admiral gave me the weights to: glance at . One of my first searches was for Grid

on 6 . 4 . . iron , whom I found the st lb mark

Admiral , you have given Gridiron this race .

’

! . n Oh , nonsense A very bad horse He s bee sold for 4 7 S I X T Y Y E AR S O N T H E T URF

Indeed I rather fancy not . But if he has been ’ ’ ff s o . sold it s a barney A di erent owner maybe ,

bu . Mr t the same stable When you see . Sturt

A lin ton (now Lord g ) , who is staying at Lord Scar

’ brough s , tell him he has made a very bad bargain by selling him at that price . And tell him also you 1000 can £ f. get for him , which I will give mysel “ ! ’ ” Nonsense You re mad , Hodgman .

’ Well , I m not particular to a hundred or so .

’ et 1200 1500 G him for if you can ; if not , ; and I ll ” pay you in the morning . Next day the Admiral made haste to meet me by the Round Tower —the Stewards’ Stand— remarking

’ You are perfectly right about Gridiron . I don t 2000 believe they would take for him . What an old fool they would have made me look ! When 6 4 l . h. the handicap appeared Gridiron had not st ,

13 lh. but 7 st . , and even under that substantial

. 6 4 burden made a formidable show With st . lb . ” l - the affair would have been a wa k over . 3 1 18 60 On Tuesday , July , , I was presiding at a d ” inner at the Old Ship , Brighton , when Mr .

Dorlin g, father of the present Clerk of the Course ,

’ walked in and said , Oh , Mr . Hodgman , I ve seen

Admiral Rous , and he asked me to give you this h andicap for you to look over . If you see anything ! ” needing alteration , will you kindly do it 4 8

S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T URF the Derby track so that he may save a thousand a year .

After careful inspection , the Admiral coincided with me to the letter , and he requested the Messrs .

Dorlin Weatherby to write to Mr . g, instructing him that on no consideration was he to interfere with the Derby track .

Dorlin On the completion of our talk about Mr . g, “ the Admiral remarked Wait a minute , Hodgman ,

’ ”

. e I ll fetch you my handicaps Mrs . Rous , at the tim

very poorly , was in bed in the adjoining apartment ,

the rooms being merely separated by folding doors . When he went for his handicap papers she called I out (and of course I heard every word , much as rattled the fire) What are you doing there Oh I ’m only going to show Hodgman my handi

’ Now , didn t you promise Westmorland and

’ ” n l Sturt that you wouldn t show them to any o e .

’ and now , of all men , you re going to show them

’ H e s su r e to do ou to Hodgman . y

When the Admiral returned it was with , Take

’ ”

f. no notice . She s not hersel In the spring of 18 7 7— the year of his lamented death— the Admiral asked me to put him £ 5 on

h m ton shire ort a . Scamp for the N p Stakes I said ,

Admiral , Scamp has as much chance as you have 50 S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T URF

10 ’ to run on foot . Stand £ with me . I m putting £ 50 ’ on one . I ll not tell what it is until the race is ill over . When you see the result you w be perfectly ” ashamed of your handicap .

The horse I proposed backing, and did back , was

’ 5os I Queen of Cyprus , and obtaining seven put d 0 10 the A miral down 7 to . The public were mad for Scamp , but Queen of Cyprus won by thirty lengths ! Some days passed before I met the Admiral .

He put up both hands in acknowledgment of defeat . “ ” — When I go , he said the gallant old Admiral was then growing feeble Hodgman , you must be ” handicapper . “ They would not stand me above once , I replied . I ! ” Ah , but would Very often the Admiral and I agreed to the letter

’ with respect to horses chances , as the following note demonstrates

13 B E R KE L E Y S UA RE Q ,

Januar 21 1 y , 876 .

EA R SI R D ,

’ Many thanks for your City Handicap . I 9 1 l 0 h . have commenced at st . , and our weights agree throughout . “ The Lincoln Handicap is very good . My pick would be Volturno , Baumber , Gem of Gems , and l Grassenda e.

5 1 S I X T Y Y E AR S O N T H E T URF Where I shall fail will be relative to the

American horses .

Truly yours ,

U . . J RO S H .

—I ’ P S . . am going to Lord Stamford s on Monday ,

for the week .

This was the fir st year the Admiral did not make the Lincolnshire Handicap ; and I had sent him

Mr mine , which I also forwarded to . Ford . It was the Admiral’ s constant plan to let me know where h e w would be week by week , in case I ished to

write him . 18 65 In the May of Mr . Tubby Morris , Mr .

George Reynolds , Mr . Jack Bennett , Mr . John

Barnard , and myself were driving from the White ” Hart Hotel to the Salisbury Racecourse . There

was a deal of talking and laughing, till Mr . George ll ’ Reynolds ca ed out to Mr . Morris , I say , Tubby , don’ t you think we ought to get up a testimonial to ! ” th e Duke of Beaufort

’ What s that I exclaimed . A testimonial to ! the Duke of Beaufort What the dickens for , Reynolds ! Because you settle his accounts— is that ! ’ it, George No . If you re in the mood for testi 52 S I X T Y Y E AR S O N T H E T U RF

monials get one up for a man who has done some thing—for Admiral Rous

’ Capital , cried Morris . The best thing you ve

’

e H od . l o ver suggested , gy We l talk about it as so n as we get on the course . The first thing was to learn whether the Admiral ff would accept the pro er , and Morris suggested he

should approach Mr . Greville .

” ’ Not at all , I urged . He isn t the man . Lord

’ ” Granville s the one .

’ n Of course he is , Morris ow ed . I ll go to

I n his lordship as soon as get back to tow , and ask him if he will see whether the Admiral is ” agreeable . h Everyt ing worked smoothly . Lord Granville saw

his old friend , Admiral Rous , who said he should be

gratified at such a token of esteem .

On this I said to Morris , This must be a general ff a air , and to make it so no one can be allowed to

7 7 7 give more than a pony . In a very brief space 25 £ 4000 of time , though was the maximum , was — collected a fact eloquent of the regard in which

the Admiral was held by all classes .

The testimonial took the shape of two candelabra ,

c R onsisting of a stem or stand , in enaissance style ,

descri supporting branches for six lights , and , as a p

tion before me states , terminating with a figure of 53 S I X T Y Y E AR S O N T H E T URF

’

! . ephyr , the propitious wind To quote further

The stem rested upon a circular base , intersected by four projecting panels , decorated with heads of sea horses . The base was further ornamented by

figures in round reliefs of Neptune and Fame , in

’ allusion to the Admiral s early career , and the renow n he earned both as an able officer and an ” unparalleled judge on the Turf. There were further

’ basso relievos , one Pique (the ship commanded by the then Honourable Captain Rous) as she appeared when after having taken the rocks on the previous night on the Coast of Labrador , about

Fortn eau Point , she was , by the great exertions and

off th skill of her captain , hove in the morning of e

23rd 18 3 5 h September , , and eventually , althoug fearfully damaged and almost sinking, brought

all safely back to England . In , this portion of the testimonial cost 3000 guineas and not even the

. . . who Messrs C F Hancock , of New Bond Street , manufactured it , from designs and models by the

a celebrated sculptor , Monti , have ever produced better . The other portion of the testimonial was a portrait of the Admiral , executed by Mr . Henry Weigall : the best of the grand old sailor I have seen . The presentation banquet took place at

’ ’

Willis s . J on Rooms , St ames s Square , London , 18 1866 Monday, June , ; and as the occasion was 54 S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T URF an historic one for the Turf I take the liberty of e r producing the menu .

NU ME .

POT A GES .

’ rt e r ort al A n laise To u Clai e . T ue g .

Con sommé de Volaille aux Quen elles .

P orssorzs.

t e o r . Saumon de Gloster racolle. Turbo sauc de H ma d

rt r h te t. Truites ala Ta a e . W i bai

N R E E T ES.

t s n r Crou s ade s des Caille aux Fi es He bes . t T r ufi e B lan q uettes de Poule aux s. ’ C otelettes d A gn eau aux Petits Pois.

RE E E S L V .

Y c P rin t ni r J on or . Petits Po ul ets ala a e e. amb s de

o ton n s n s n . Selles de M u . Hau che de Ve ai o

r . n Cailles ba dés Chapo s .

N T R T E E ME S .

t t o s A n A r e en r n Pe i s P i glaises . spe g s b a che. Maras uin e B G e r . ro se a la. n lée de F aise aux q ava i Va ille . r t n n a B o . t B o Champig o s la delaise Pe i es uchées ala Princesse . t on t Ga eau C dé aux Pis aches.

R E s s s DE R or s.

o n Mill i P udi gs glacé s de efr u t.

GLA C ES.

r o . A n n r F amb ise a as . Ce ise .

F RUI T S .

n s &c. n . ot o r Stra rr s. err es E gli h Pi es H h use G apes . wbe ie Ch i ,

Lord Granville presided at the banquet , and paid 55 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF an eloquent tribute to the worth of his old friend .

e He said nothing, however , that was fresh to thos assembled , though all were pleased at the tribute passed to one who feared no man , and who , in his earlier days , had battled successfully with that cruel mistress , the sea .

56

S I X T Y YE AR S O N T H E T U RF

exposure of the horse . But Mr . Clark persisted in his purpose .

’ It s madness , I said .

Madness or not , he runs , was the answer .

h e Well , let me give the orders . If is placed there will be no getting a shilling on him for the ” h Cesarewitch . It was agreed t at I should give f Ben Bartholomew his instructions , and these brie ly were that if he couldn’ t win— and a nice chance he — had with West Australian h e was not to knock

“ ” the colt about . Ben , who frequently rode for me , obeyed his orders to the letter , and informed me afterwards that though by no possibility could he have been placed , he could have finished fourth . lb 6st. 7 . This made it plain that under , I think ,

Mr . Sykes could not reasonably be beaten for the

Cesarewitch .

Still , to make assurance doubly sure a trial was

S determined upon , I lending Tobolski for the pin , in which Missive and Winter also took part . The trial

off came one pouring wet Saturday at Newmarket , the finish being adjacent to the Bushes . Only one ” t S tou saw the pin , and as he had to lie prone in a turnip field under a pitiless deluge , most of the company thought he had earned his information , though Mr . Clark wished to borrow a horse to him “ gallop down . [This tout , by the way , turned 58 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF

out to be my man , Quince , and he considerably surprised me by sending a telegram containing the correct result to my London address ! The gallop was in the highest degree satisfactory , and read the better after Missive , who had been beaten a long way , headed a respectable field at the Chester

Autumn Meeting for the Handicap Stakes , a mile ff and seven furlongs a air . We then agreed to have 4 0 0 0 . . sovs on Mr Sykes for the Cesarewitch , and

Mr . Clark wished immediately to commence betting, the race being fixed for the following week . At that time it was easy to back a horse from Saturday to Monday night to win any sum in reason —say a hundred thousand pounds— without exhausting the market . Consequently , the day being Wednesday , I urged that nothing Should be done till the end of l ’ the week , especial y as no news of the horse s well ill or being had reached us at Chester . We met at

’ Mr . Clark s chambers in London on the Friday morning , to arrange the details of the financial c him . e ampaign Some twenty l tters were awaiting , an d among them three communications from the — trainer of Mr . Sykes saying , first , that the horse

l “ was not himself ; second , that he was no bette an d , third , he was still bad . We were a very

flabbergasted party ; also an indignant one , inas much as the trainer had been told to write to 59 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF

Chester , and by his not doing so we might easily

0 have lost heavily . N thanks were due to him that the commission had not been executed .

’ What s to be done said Mr . Clark .

. o Nothing , apparently But if you like I will g ” down and see the colt . ” Do . Th And there and then I started for Royston . e stables of the trainer were by no means of an ornate

- character , nor were they spacious as a market place . They were more fit for herding swine in than housing

I hO e thoroughbred stock . The colt , saw, was in p I less plight , and expressed myself pretty plainly to

the master of the place , rating him for the state of his stables and his negligence in not writing to

Chester . Very high words passed , and we parted

without assuming the formality of friendship .

’ ” Don t you , wrote the trainer to Mr . Clark , ever send that Newgate Knocker down to see me ” again.

The illness of Mr. Sykes was ofprolonged character ,

k the and , not the first of his ind , he drifted into

lowest equine society . If my memory is not at I fault , the next saw of him was at Egham , on the

30th 18 55 of day of August , that is , after a space two years from the time his trainer wrote of me as ” a Newgate Knocker , a term of opprobrium which 60 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T URF

1 . S beyond me to explain . Mr Sykes then formed one of a party of three for the Surrey and Middlesex

Stakes , distance a couple of miles . And the principal cause of his starting was that , unknown to each

u lbeck Win kfield other , the connections of F and had

50 . promised Mr . Clark sovs each to make running for their horse ! The betting ruled even money

Win kfield 6 5 u lbeck 10 1 w as and to F , while to vainly tendered against Mr . Sykes , who was not expected to win , and whose jockey had no idea the horse had ability to win . But when the jockey found himself carried strenuously to the front he

- f. certainly did not over exert himsel The horse , how ever, took matters very much under his own control,

- u lbeck and in the end dead heated with F . That

S l to Mr . Sykes hould have won easi y was apparent the meanest intellect ; and , red hot with passion ,

Admiral Rous was quickly at the weighing - room door . “ “ - be ru n This dead heat , he thundered , is to m off ordha . . , and F shall ride Mr Sykes

That was impossible , as naturally Major Bring hurst stood out for Fordham again riding his horse

Fulbeck . On that the Admiral went to Preece ,

’ Mr . Sykes s jockey , to whom he said , You , sir, make your way home on that horse as best you can .

’ ’ If you don t win , or I see you don t try to win , mind 6 1 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T URF

’ I ll warn the whole lot of you off ! The general

O pinion was reflected by the betting on the decider , 4 1 to being laid on Mr . Sykes , who won in a canter by a length .

At this time Mr . Clark owed a Mr . Hargreaves a £ 500 sum of , for which he had given a bill , then o verdue . Mr . Hargreaves (in his day a commercial traveller) was recognised as one of th e shrewdest

’ men on the Turf, and he did a deal of Jackson s o ften undesirable work . He wasted no moments in grasping the bearings of the situation ; and act l promptly fol owed thought . ”

I . You owe me , he said to Clark , want it

’ in Clark pleaded he couldn t pay . Hargreaves sisted he must , or take the consequences . Clark a gain cried in his wailing voice , that rose to a pro

: testing shrill , that the thing was impossible he d ’ — i ’ — ha n t on h s honour he hadn t got £ 500. But he might as well have prayed to a stone as to

Hargreaves .

“ “ Look here , Clark , he said , here is a way out of if l the d ficulty . I will burn that bil , and in ad d £ 500. ition , here , give you a cheque for All I want ” in return is Mr . Sykes for the end of the season . “ Oh ! , give me the cheque , and take him Oh , take him ! He’ s brought nothing but trouble to m 7 7 e.

62 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF

The bargain was then and there made , the lease of the horse being made out to the Honourable

Francis Lawley . The deal was no bad one for

fiv e - - Hargreaves , as on the Egham form the year old looked indeed bad to beat in the forthcoming

- l 3 b. Cesarewitch , a penalty only raising his burden

6 . 8 . for to st lb In truth , the race was a certainty him if he did not again go amiss .

Everybody , however , fortunately , did not think so ,

him th e and particularly adverse to , and keen on chance of their own horse , were the friends of Mr . ’ ill Tom Parr s R obg . One of his staunchest sup

, r porters was that fine dashing b! ettor , Majo

Brabazon (Colonel Higgins) . He ridiculed the idea

R ob ill s that g could lose , and freely upported his

Opi ni on with his money . I met him about ten on

ewm the morning of the race , in front of the N arket

Subscription Rooms . ” Well , Major , I said , Mr . Sykes will start a

R ob ill better favourite than g for a hundred .

’

t . I ll bet hat , was his response

“ ’ ’ H od Tubby , Morris said , I ll follow gy. I ll bet ” you a hundred . ” Done , answered the Major .

! On the course , after the horses had gone to the post , Major Brabazon came to our coach and shouted , Robgill beats anything for a thousand 63 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T UR F

’ ”

I . I ll take Sykes , said m ! ! ” Right , Hodg an Two thousand

’ No . I m finished . “ ’ I ll bet you the other thousand , called out

Morris .

Right .

R ob ill Then in stentorian tones the Major cried , g ’ 5000 beats anything . I ll bet to

“ ’ Ma or b e . Good y , j , was my retort You ve settled matters now . Morris and I have lost our hundreds .

’ ” But you ll have to pay us the thousands .

R ob ill Well , g , who did start favourite , was not placed , and Mr . Sykes won with plenty in hand by a couple of lengths , the present trainer , Mr . Fred

Bates , riding him . Thus , in eventful fashion , Mr .

fiv e - - Sykes , as a year old , won the race he could not ,

health continued , have lost as a three .

Muscovite , I may add , was one of those beaten A by Mr . Sykes . rare good horse was this son of

P latoff ou than dica ed Hetman , but he was pp when

. 2 asked to give Mr Sykes , of the same age , st .

11 lb . His chance had come in the previous year

b - - . ll when , y the bye , Mr Grevi e , his owner ,

“ ” did not get all the money he won . A very close

s . . ort was Mr Greville I remember him once saying , If you should try a horse in your bedroom by

e n all yourself, by heavens the r sult would be know 64

S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T UR F collected the whole of the money save the £ 2000

’

. from Mr Whittaker , who had written to Beeton s , in Milk Street , Cheapside , saying he was not in a position to pay , and asking that all his Cambridge shire bets should be scratched . On hearing this , Perkins called on Whittaker to see if he could get something . But Whittaker was obdurate . He had lost , and was not going to pay

” “ ’ Well , said Perkins , if that s your intention ,

’ Whittaker , I ll be frank with you . You can wipe off £ 2000 that , and send and receive in London your winning bets if with that amount knocked off

’ there s a balance for you . I tell you plainly that I ’ l don t intend tipping up old Grevi le a farthing . The

’ bets are in my name , and they re going into my

off pocket . Mr . Greville has put me any number of times . Now, without his permission , I am going to ” put myself on .

Whittaker acted as advised , and never afterwards ” looked back . It is impossible , of course , to pen a word in extenuation of the action either of Mr .

Perkins or of Mr . Whittaker . But I must say that when the tale got abroad Mr . Greville did not

v . recei e a deal of sympathy He was so very , very close .

If the victory of Muscovite , by their piratical

. h policy , benefited Messrs Perkins and W ittaker it 66

S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T UR F

ff had a contrary e ect on the fortunes of Mr . John

n Shelley , at that time a prominent layer , and ow er of Lifeboat and Gunboat , two rattling good horses . From “ information received ” he went a raker against

’ P latoff s Hetman son , and , filling his own book to

O the hilt , desired to continue the pposition . With

“ this purpose he put in Mr . Jimmy Barber to lay the horse to lose ten , twelve , or twenty thousand pounds .

Barber went to Colonel Higgins (Major Brabazon) , 1000 who , for Barber , for Shelley , laid to against Muscovite . But the Colonel was careful .

“ ” “ This , he said , is a bet with you , Barber . I know nothing of Shelley , and if the horse wins I shall look to you for the money . You perfectly ” understand .

nl Certai y .

Later , Colonel Higgins , learning on unimpeachable authority that so far from Muscovite being all wrong he was very much right , went to Barber, with , I understand you have laid that money against Muscovite for a friend of yours of the name of l ” She ley.

Yes .

’ Well , tell him he had better get out . He s in ” r the w ong boat .

Barber saw Shelley , and told him . But Shelley r efused to be convinced . 69 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T UR F

” Never mind , he remarked , what the Colonel s ays . I shall not get out . And to save any trouble

about the money , if that is what he is thinking

about , I will post now . Here are eleven one thousand

pound notes .

Barber cut the notes in halves , retaining one set f himsel and giving the Colonel the other . Such extraordinary hostility roused the fears Of

the Muscovite party , and led to the expulsion from the stable Of the person who was thought likely to ” s erve the layers . With the agent of safety r emoved from the premises Muscovite soon hardened 1 3 . was in price , and at flag fall touched to His on e of the easiest victories ever associated with the

Cesarewitch , perhaps the easiest , save and except

Du lcibella that of . CHAP TER VI

’ — — Wild Dayr ell s Derby H is nobblin g arranged H ow pre — “ — vented A costly gettin g ou t Palmer th e Poison er ’ “ ” n—Mr r S n a — Marlow s opin io . F ed wi dell re died Saved by — ’ — the success of D oubt Cockburn s grim assur an ce Who set n the law in motio . THE present generation can have only a historical interest in the Derby victory of Wild Dayrell in 1 8 55. But some who were at that period in the — active pursuit of racing may if they backed the

horse - not even n ow be aware how near they came “ to losing their money ; in truth , of not having a ” run for the same . I am in a position to relate the

’ c ircumstances , as I played a principal s part in the

spoiling of the intended roguery . A brief period before the Derby— for which Wild Dayrell had been heavily backed alike by the stable and the public I received a letter from a man I never cared for

— h e indeed , always suspected was what was then known as a “ dangerous party —making an appoint

ment , which , unaware of the business on hand , I

kept . He was not long in unfolding his purpose ,

which was the fearless laying of Wild Dayrell . 7 1 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U RF

You are in a position to lay him So get all you can out of him . And think of me . ” ’ d Come , come , I said . I don t quite understan you . Will this horse run

’ ’ No ! He ll be settled before then .

’ Ah , I remarked , I m much obliged to you .

’ man But I m afraid you have come to the wrong . I have no wish to be mixed up in that kind of ” business .

He was disagreeably surprised at my attitude , for being a young and at times a heavy layer he thought I would be sure to jump at the chance of

’ ” n operating against a safe u .

“ ” “ ’ Well , he said , as you say you won t act ,

to Hodgman , I suppose I can trust you not ” interfere .

’ It s your business , I returned , not mine . Immediately he had cleared Off I jumped into a

Off - S cab , and whipped to Bishopsgate treet, to see R . had my old friend , Mr Frank obinson , to whom been entrusted the London backing of Wild Dayrell by the stable . He was soon in possession of the f k . at acts , and quic ly wired to a Mr Manning , Northampton (he had the supreme control of the Derby commission) : I will be down by such and ” f such a train . Meet me . A ter hearing the

n . e incide ts , Mr Manning, with my friend , made hast 7 2

S I X T Y YE A RS O N T H E T U RF

- for at his old fashioned house at Rugeley , occasion

. to eating and drinking did not arise There was , my mind , always an air of undesirable mystery about his proceedings , and , a dead gambler at heart , he cared not so much about the price Of a horse he fancied as the substantial character of the bet . It was , my intuition taught me , only desirable to deal with Palmer when he was known to be in funds , and long before he was arrested for the murder that justified his hanging he bore a most sinister reputa i t on . Thus after Charlie Marlow was brought in

’ with a broken leg through the fall of Palmer s fil Sweetmeat ly , Nettle , in the Oaks , his comment ,

“ made in my hearing, on the misfortune , was It serves me right . What business had I to ride a d d poisoner ’s horse 7 This was in the month

18 55 Of of May , and as Nettle was deemed such character as to be entitled to favouritism for the ’ m Ladies Race the position of Pal er , to the ordinary eye , must have seemed one of passing respectability. — The defeat , through accident , of Nettle she bolted , and fell over the chains near the New Mile post l was a great financial blow to Pa mer , who had plunged upon the filly , heroine in the previous

. . of season , when the property of Mr T Wilkinson , the Gimcrack Stakes . l Mr . Fred Swindel had a very narrow squeak 7 4 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T UR F

of not preceding the unfortunate Cook . In truth , he entirely owed his salvation to the success of a mare named Doubt in the Wolverhampton Handicap 18 53— of then a rare betting race , both before and on the day. It was , in fact, as big a financial concern as some of the chief handicaps are now .

Ordinarily I attended Wolverhampton , where for a number of years I had a couple of bedrooms and a ” sitting room at the Swan Hotel . Through some business in town I was unable to attend the races in

18 53 . , and , hearing of this , Mr Swindell asked me if

I would let him have my lodgings . ! Yes , I said ; but whom are you going with ” Palmer .

be All right, Fred but take my advice and c areful of your pal . “ l all B - - Thanks . I shal be right . y the bye , he says he has a good thing in Doubt for the handicap .

’ ’ ’ I ve put him 500 on at 7 s ; and I ve got 250 on

’ ”

f. . mysel You had better have a pony, lad — Certainly , and we parted and I honestly believe that would have been a final farewell if

Doubt had failed to win . That Swindell was doctored for death in case of the mare’ s defeat cannot indeed , in view of all the circumstances , be questioned . Palmer , as has been mentioned by others , had a peculiar way of drinking his brandy 7 5 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T UR F

You and water , he emptying his glass at one gulp .

i be . ga ned more flavour so, asserted , than by sipping The real reason was that the poisons be conveyed to ff the liquors of his victims should be sure of e ect . When he and Swindell had their “ toddy ” on the — — Saturday night the races began on Monday he persuaded Fred to adopt the gulping fashion . Next — day Swindell was very unwell so queer that he spoke of going home . But Palmer persuaded him to stay on .

Well , get some fresh advice , said Swindell . I

’ c an t make out what is the matter with me . l A doctor was cal ed in by Palmer , and he , naturally instructed by the poisoner , endorsed the view that Swindell should remain at Wolverhampton rather than journey to London .

Mr . Palmer is treating you admirably . You ” could not be in better hands , were his parting words , as Swindell informed me .

Monday , the day of the race , brought no improve

’ Sw in dell s ment in state , and he was confined to bed while Doubt was running for his life ! There were n t ine star ers , of whom Musician and Pastrycook were most regarded . Neither gained a place , the

. e first falling to Doubt, who, ridden by W Sharp , Th pulled through by half a length from Montagu . e

n o racecourse then was very near the town , and 7 6 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF

as great distance from the Swan . So as soon Doubt had won Palmer hurried from the course to — 3 500 500— the hotel . As the bet to was in

’ Sw in dell s name , his death before settling day would

’ have made void the wager . Palmer s interest was now to save the life he had already jeopardised . In the l Of twink ing of an eye he had Fred out bed , before a big fire ; started vigorously rubbing the calves of his legs ; and administered some exceed i n gly hot soup measures which brought the needed r elief. While the trial of P alrn er for the poisoning of — Cook was proceeding , Attorney General Cockburn (afterwards Lord Chief Justice of England) called on

Swindell, when I happened to be chatting with him .

The conversation , over a bottle or so of claret , turned to the trial , and naturally to the Wolverhampton incident .

i th e a Fred , sa d Cockburn ( pair were gre t f riends) , I cannot understand how you escaped the

’ s — coundrel . But I m sure to hang him sure ! ” l Oh , be easy with him returned Swindel .

’ ! ! re Easy Yes You mark my words , I m su to hang him .

i w as And hanged he was . I may mention that t

r through the insistence of Mr. Ishmael Fishe , the

a proprietor of the first Victori Club, and of

. Mr George Herring , happily still alive , that Palmer 7 7 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U R F

r was eventually brought to book . His siniste

reputation I have already referred to , and after

’ Cook s death , under suspicious circumstances , the gentlemen named represented to his mother and his

“ s tepfather the necessity for action . You will be

’ a lmost as bad as he is , they said , if you don t do

something . Once the law was set in motion the

end was inevitable . It was never known , and it w never now can be kno n , how many people , in the

of. course of his nefarious operations , Palmer got rid He thought no more of poisoning a man or a woman to serve his ends than a chemist would of dosing a

cat . To the last Palmer asserted that his agent of

death was not strychnine . This was more or less a

chemical quibble , for he may have employed Nux

vomica , from which strychnine is obtained . If he did not use Nux vomica or strychnine it is probable

O he resorted to morphia , the active principle of pium ,

which produces analogous symptoms . I write this

in for not of my knowledge of toxicology , but from mation gleaned in a conversation concerning the

matterwith Mr . Edgar Nicholson , P .

of Fenny Stratford , Bucks .

7 8 CHAP TER VII

— — Virago T he best filly of last cen tury U nplaced in a sellin g

r —Mr i n rror— t r ace . William Day e Heavy Ches e Cup — — bettin g The han dicapper awake City an d Subur ban an d ’ Great Metro politan w on on on e day - Virago s Epso m trial ’ r t — Mr rt tt r So t n out of The eal weigh s . Lambe s le e me hi g — — ’ Vir ago Lord Glasgo w In sisten ce on mor e weight D on t ”— hesitate to shoot A memorable Saturday on th e Heath

n f r Raci g o Life .

U as M CH discussion has arisen at varying periods , to which horse is entitled to the character Of being the best of the past century . Those familiar with the gi ants of the last sixty years have no hesitation

- in awarding the position of pre eminence to Ormonde . It has been my privilege to see all the mighty ones of the period mentioned , and I unhesitatingly vote in favour of the late Duke of Westminster’ s great horse , who even when a roarer was able to set con siderable O pposition at defiance . I knew all the best — horses West Australian , Voltigeur , and so forth .

But I never came across the equal of Ormonde . Whosoever challenges the position of the son of Bend Or will indeed be hard pushed for argument

e and in the main most critics are agreed . But ther 7 9 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U R F

n o is such unanimity, as in truth there has been no s ll o uch discussion , as to which counts the best fi y f the century that lately was sealed in the book of

. O ft history If my pinion were asked I should , a er careful thought of all the magnificent fillies I have w atched seek Turf honours , unreservedly place

Virago on the highest pedestal . She was a daughter of Pyrrhus the First and Virginia , and the property

f P adwick o Mr . . Her glorious career commenced

n most ingloriously , for at the Shrewsbury Autum Meeting of 18 53 she ran unplaced in a selling race That truly stands an extraordinary circumstance ; n or is it one to be explained away by the suggestion t hat her trainer , old John Day , was unaware of her

n exceedi g worth . Her full merits may not have

Dan ebu r been known to him but the y trainer had , t hrough a rough up , a shrewd suspicion of her a l bility , and to get her beaten in a sel ing plate towards the end Of her juvenile days was part and parcel of the game . l Mr . Wi liam Day , son of John Day , says , in his

’ S Of Reminiscences , when peaking Virago s sell ” in ff in g e ort, I should remind my readers that those days it was only the winner that could be

She ru n as bought or claimed , or would not have , her merits were too well known at the time to h er party to run the risk of losing her In one way 8 0

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U RF

P adwick Mr . went to Shelley and said he wished to back Virago for the Chester Cup of the following year ! A beaten selling plater for a Chester Cup seemed a safe thing to lay in the middle of Novem

P adwick 000 . 5 5. ber , and Shelley betted Mr to 7

In another quarter, I think it was from Jack

S1milar Bennett , he procured a wager , and the winter through her party picked up all the long

O dds , until layers said , Who the devil is this Virago 7 The news of the amounts she had been supported

for I mentioned to the late Mr . Topham , who then

“ ’ framed the Chester Cup weights . She s a bad ” selling plater on the book , I said , but according

’ ” to the market she s something out of the ordinary .

This caused Mr . Topham to take care of her , and 21 when the weights were issued she had lbs . more

than her party expected . In a fit of passion Mr . P adw ick (not then aware of what she was capable) scratched her ; and in so doing sacrificed what to

many would have appeared a tremendous fortune ,

for even with the penalty , by her Epsom successes ,

sh e would have incurred Virago could not , save

by accident , have been beaten . She was indeed

a marvellous creature , winning the City and Sub urban and the Great Metropolitan (under a penalty) w ithin the Space of an hour On each occasion she 8 2 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T URF

won in a common canter , and after her twin successes those who had laid her so deeply for the Chester Cup were indeed relieved that she had been scratched . Had she been able to run she must , as

th e I have said , won , and Ring would have received

shaking up of unparalleled character .

P adwick How good Virago was even Mr . had no — idea not to the day of his death . John Day was a

P adwick very reticent person , and while giving Mr. a general idea , he withheld the details . Mr . William Day says Virago was tried at Findon before the

Epsom Spring Meeting , with Little Harry , a five l 1 lb O d 0 . year , at , and beat him easy over two and

Old a quarter miles , myself riding the one , and the rest beat a long way . This , at least , proved how she was , if we may take it that she was Little

’ Harry s equal at even weights , and he afterwards lb 8 . 7 . won the Ascot Stakes , carrying st , beating l b. 7 . Kingston , the same age , at , and fourteen others It is to be feared that when penning those sentences

’ Mr . Day s memory was as treacherous as his know ledge of the trial weights was fanciful . It may be said that a son should know more of his father’ s business than one outside the family . Yet I venture to state that only one man , besides the trainer , knew the real strength of Virago’ s trial for the Epsom events , and that was my old friend , Mr . George 8 3 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF

Lambert . Between him and John Day prevailed a friendship , based on mutual interests and personal liking , only to be dissolved by death . I reproduce

’ the pertinent points of Mr . Lambert s letter to me , 22 1901 the same bearing date January ,

r - - Old on e Vi ago was tried , when a two year , i m le , and old John Day thought her better than

Crucifix . Little Harry tried her for the two Epsom events . The weights I never knew before the Good wood Cup . She was tried as follows lb — 8 . 3 Virago st . 7 years . l — b. 5 . Little Harry 7 st . 7 years

Little Harry won by a neck . The old man told

P a wi k . d c me this as they started for the Cup Mr . i — n ever knew t nor any one else .

Trainers of the present time might well sigh for another Virago , who was only beaten once as a

- - Old. T Y a . . C three year This was at York , in race , 2 1 when odds of to were laid on her . And I recall ,

n as though it were but yesterday , the Ri g expressions ” at her failure . At last , was the general comment of the bookmakers at last we have got something ou t of Virago That something had been a long ti me coming , as , in addition to the City and Subur ban and the Great Metropolitan , Virago had swept 8 4

S I X T Y YE A RS O N T H E T URF

Off in succession the Great Northern Handicap 6 4 ’ 4 1 ( to on) , the Flying Dutchman s Handicap ( to

1000 ew market on) , a guineas stakes at N First 3 1 Spring Meeting ( to on) , the Goodwood Cup

“ ” 6 1 O ( to on) , the Nassau Stakes ( Any dds , says

C a len dar the , on and the Yorkshire Oaks ( “ High odds on Then came the defeat mentioned ; but she speedily picked up the winning skein , taking the Cup at Warwick and the

Doncaster Cup . Many as are the tales that have been told about the eccentric Lord Glasgow , the yield is even at this m ti e far from exhausted . A more eccentric man scarcely ever breathed ; and I was present at th e dinner - table when he asked Admiral Rous how he had handicapped a certain horse of his . On learning the weight he burst into a violent fit Of indignation

not because he thought he had too much to carry , but because he reckoned he had too little

” ’

7 . If, Admiral , he exclaimed , you don t put lb

’ ” more on I ll scratch him this instant . ” e You have , said the Admiral , very little chanc as matters are ; but if you wish it , you can have ”

f . 7 lbs . more . And o course the horse did not win

’ ” Don t hesitate to shoot ! was an instruction that gained a certain statesman of modern th ee an amount of notoriety that he could readily have

8 7 G S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U RF

dispensed with . In this direction , so far as his horses were concerned , the Earl of Glasgow knew

77

- no such word as hesitation , his thinning out process by aid of the gun being a common topic of conversation at the period he figured largely on the

f. O Tur A bad horse , in his pinion , was only fit to be shot and as the majority of his racing stud were

ff . indi erent , there was ample need for gunpowder h On one occasion , however , the horses beat t eir master . The incidents I refer to occurred on Saturday , 3 0 1 2 8 5 . October , , at Newmarket On Friday night Lord Glasgow declared that he intended to run Six

S horses the next day , and that the losers hould pay

the penalty of death . The news spread in wildfire “ ” fashion , and many who originally proposed cutting

the last day of the Spun - out Houghton proceedings

changed their plans . The first to take her chance

of life or death was Senorita , a bay filly by Hetman

’ P latoff C lifden s , matched against Lord Plunkett over

the last half of the Abingdon Mile .

- ! - ! Good bye , my girl Good bye , my beauty We ’ ve seen the last of you Such and various were the cries from the crowded coaches as she went to the post ; while some who

were near her at saddling - time plucked hairs from — her tail . What betting existed there was , indeed , — very little owing to the excitement favoured 8 8

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T URF to Caracara went down to give battle to the Duke of

’ ’ Re f n d ord s Hesperus Across the Flat . She s certai ” to be 3 to 1 shot, was the common comment ; and w as on laid her rival . But the odds were cleverly fl oored , and Caracara and his sister were handsomely toasted . With Ernestine the Duke of Bedford would not oppose the filly by Don John from Miss Sarah,

e preferring to pay forfeit. So ended as memorabl a day on a racecourse as I can recall ; and the strange part of the business was that neither before nor afterwards did luck flow so steadily Lord Glas

’ f n gow s way . Flatman rode the first our wi ners ; 1b . h but he could not do the weight (7 st 7 . ) on t e

’ s w ister to Caracara , over whom Tommy Lye thre a leg.

90 C HAPTER VII I

Mr Drinkald— e ntr tt re— I ai B o ar o for . His cce ic a i Why l d i d the St r — — h t n . Lege of 1854 A riot at Don caster T e figh i g — — brothers B roo me B lack T ommy and the D erby T en Thou ’ s n o n s to t of ot —Mr Drin kald s tt r l a d p u d a sui cl hes . bi e pi l — ’ ’ B n B n r - h r —Mr Swin dell s li k on y s t iumph T e Lege defeat . — — ’ advice T he Jackson con federacy Priore ss s C esar ewitch — A dead heat between thr ee A chan ge of j ockeys and of — — r esult My opinion of Fordham H ow Captain Little “ ” — ’ — ’ ki dded him Heiress s defeats Dul cibella s Cesarewitch

—H er r s r nn n — i n p eviou u i g Ladies hidin g .

DRI N K A L D i t on he MR . t , who played a prom nent par

u the t r T rf in the Fifties , was one of mos extrao dinary l t et saw . ooking men tha I ever His straight, j b i lack ha r nearly touched his shoulders , and his countenance was of a hue that would have befitted

a . r rrow gipsy The curious hat, with a emarkably na

r m ff b i , that he always a ected accentuated the s u n d trangeness of his appearance, f rther heighte e by the conspicuousness of his clothes . Yet though

r n et be by easo of his g up attracted attention , f h e . o was no seeker for popularity In truth , one hi s aims in life appeared to be to excel in the “ i he n e . gentle art of maki g en mies St ll , to those affe e onfe ct d he could be very agreeable , though I c ss 91 S I X T Y Y E A R S ON T H E T U R F

I did not think a deal of his humour when the night

18 54 in before the St . Leger of he approached me the S ubscription Rooms at Doncaster with :

ou I understand, Hodgman, y have some money h . t t e to lay against Boiardo Wha he said , under

t f irr circums ances, was su ficiently itating , but equally so was the manner of the saying . “ ” What d d fool has been telling you that !

I asked , being nettled . ” ou e Oh, he returned in his bland way, y hav been christened right . You undoubtedly are Yo ung Impu dence “ e Young Impudence or not, I answered , her t are the facts . At the presen moment if Boiardo wins I shall have to pay which is n o

l has o d laughing matter. Bil Davies, I suppose , t l you to come to ask me to lay Boiardo, thinking it a ” joke . He admitted Davies was the instigator of the inquiry.

’ n t Oh, well , I suppose it amuses him , and it ca ” do me any harm . “ ! Bu t how is it you are so bad against Boiardo ff w I will tell you all about the a air. You kno

’

B ail s Ma azin e l . Mr. Baily, of y g , in Cornhil I am in the habit of calling in there for a chat with

’ — or a him . He knows all John Scott s business t 92

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U RF i s v i m , getting a ery handsome beat ng indeed fro

Ivan . The pair met on the same terms on the

a t v Frid y , in the Doncaster S akes , run o er a quarter f o S t. . a mile less ground than the Leger Ivan, n ot bu t his was unreasonably , was favourite , position thr o t eatened by Acr bat, over whom the Scott par y

u . went for a tremendo s stake This time Acrobat ,

a ran h ving , as the phrase runs , his head loose, a ff very di erent horse , beating Ivan in a canter by a len gth . On Templeman returnin g to weigh there ensued a scene almost unparalleled in Turf annals the nearest approach bein g that which occ urred at

’ Epsom when Paul s Cray beat Phenix , The mob , red u w hot with f ry, s armed round the weighing r oom , intent on lynching Templeman , John Scott, or anybody connected with Acrobat o n whom they h could lay violent hands . Some bot er had , however, m m by the ominous urmurings of the orning, been

a d nticipated , and conveniently place at the door of

l o the weighing enc osure were the fam us pugilists,

Johnny and Harry Broome . The incensed Tykes

the made an ugly rush , but on the leaders fighting t brothers rained pitiless blows, and wi h assistance

n comi g the entrance was desperately held . What

e ver the Broomes received they had stoutly earned ,

as withou t them there was a grim prospect of

murder. 94 S I X T Y Y EA R S O N T H E T UR F

ink l . r d But to return to Mr D a . Anxious as he may have been to get 1000 to 8 00 about Boiardo

’ 54 r for the St. Leger of , when three years late it came to one of his own horses in the Derby he preferred to have the market to himself. I must say that nobody bu t himself believed in his Black

Drin kald Tommy, so Mr. escaped interference . Such a contemptuous Opinion had Harry Hill of the Derby pretensions of the son of Womersley that he laid the owner a genuine bet of to a suit of clothes ! I was at the moment of

Drin k l the finish of the race standing with Mr. a d

’

. l on in Tattersall s enclosure His B ack Tommy, the

upper ground , flashed past looking all over a winner.

In truth, it seemed any odds on him . Thinking the

in kal s . Dr d take in his pocket, Mr shouted out. “ ! ’ Thank God I ve won the Derby, and not a soul is on but myself ! “ ” “ ’ ! u t By heavens I said , they haven t p your

’ ’ ”

v s. number up , Drinky They e put up Blink Bonny

r I neve saw a man turn such a sickly colour. His swarthy cheeks seemed blanched and he gasped

as if he had received a heavy punch under the heart .

n S an d By a eck had the poils gone to Malton,

instead of receiving from Harry Hill, Mr .

Drin kald was the loser of a suit of clothes . Black

ma 200 1. Tommy, I y add , started at to 95 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E , T UR F i Bl nk Bonny next won the Oaks, and, of course , developed into a strong favourite for the St . Leger. Various tales have been penned and spoken of as the cause of her defeat . Those , however, behind the scenes — who were thick in the “ inner business ” never doubted but she was stopped at the instigation of Jackson and his friends . Old Mr.

’

I A n son w bv . , I know, was arned Mr Fred Swindell that all was not as all should be with the coach

” ’ A nson B ut . I man . Mr would not listen to such ” an . n w as aspersion The same thi g, he added , d told me before the Derby. The rumours prevaile

a . . ag in before the Oaks Well , he won both And I

shall not listen to slander now .

I had , because of the shortness of the price, laid

extra against Blink Bonny for the Leger ; and told

Swindell of the matter. His reply was , Lad ,

’ ’ I A n son n to keep heavy against her. wo t listen

’ me . But I know I m right .

l the Right or wrong, B ink Bonny was never in

race , and the truth was that the Jackson con federacy had laid Blink Bonny and gone for the

I m erieus e. . winner, p That St Leger day was a sad

H i hfield t bu t one for g House , and yet one canno

’ I A n son a admire the staunch loyalty of Mr. . It is serious business to take a jockey off at the last

u w n he moment, and much the more distastef l he 96

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T URF

. e n I caught Mr Broeck at the paddock ntra ce , and 7 said , Will you put Fordham up Can I get him ! ”

Yes . He told me he should have liked to have r idden for you this morning. ” Get him , then .

n ordham I soo found F , and engaged him , with the satisfactory result that Prioress won comfort

a ably by length and a half from El Hakim , who

finished a head in front of Qu een Bess . — I always had a high indeed , the highest

o ordham all pinion of F , whose superior, taking him

n ot . in all, has appeared in my time He would , w when able , al ays ride for me ; and , in turn , I was l ever glad to hand him my colours . On y once , in a friendship extending over a great nu mber of “ ” years , do I remember being thoroughly at elbows

with him . This was over a mare called Heiress

t 18 60 . hat I had in , which I had bought of Mr

Carew of Epsom . She had run moderately in the t Great Metropolitan , and yet I thought she ough to

in the r w a good race . In June I took her to Bibu y

Club Meeting, for the Stakes . She was not in high

ordham her racing trim, and I told F not to knock

a — he w as bout . But Captain Little , on The Greek — “ ” as good as most professionals kidded so nicely

t t The that Fordham fell in o the rap, and thinking 98 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T UR F

r Greek beaten came to win the ace , to find , when ll he had clapped on fu steam , that the Captain had m . ordha t hi a bit up his sleeve F , in a way, los s head, and freely plied whip and spur.

“ ” u him Well, Mr. B tcher, I said to as I looked

’ u e at the bloodstained sides of the mare , yo ve don ” a n ice thing. “ ’ w I couldn t help it , he ans ered . The Captain got me racing , and I had to come along. ! Humph I returned , walking away .

w as u f . or Well, Fordham, with me , Mr B tcher some time . Then he came and begged me to drop ” did it, saying that though he allowed he knock the mare about he thought he had had enough reminders . In this he was perfectly right, and , as

the the French say, incident closed . With this same Heiress I was not destined to

u . u t have any l ck She nicely recovered, and I p

She her in the Cesarewitch and Cambridgeshire .

in r 6 . eceived st each , and I rather fancied my

the chance , especially for Cesarewitch , a race for which I had an especial fondness . My first invest

t . ment abou her was a thousand pounds , which Mr

on me George Herring put for , returning me 1000 to 1000. I afterwards took to , and , with the mare satisfying me , began to dream ” a i for dreams of n etting a huge st ke . Unluck ly 99 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T URF

t Du lcibella m me , I had to mee , who sca pered home a lone, with Heiress but third . Time upon time friends told me Heiress cou ld n ot win while D ulci bella kept well . I failed to make it out on form , l as 1 10 b. on August I , at , had with Wild Bird a — very , very bad horse beaten The Don a head , lb 16 “ ” and 10 . he , at , on August , had lost Dulci bella. This was at Oxford, when The Don beat

! and Little Gerard by a neck , with ingari third ; , “ C alen dar adds the , a very bad thir There

Dulcibell a ! were eight runners, and was seventh

Consequently, knowing what a wretched horse Wild

d w as Bir , and how bad , too, must be The Don , I

n ot Dulcibella was impressed with , always pre su ming she had revealed her true form at Oxford .

n This she could not have do e , or else in the space of six weeks William Day had wrought in her an m h t i provement t a approached the miraculous . It

’ r t was this apid, this star ling improvement in horses f u orm that ro sed the wrath of Admiral Rous , and the stables from which spran g these equine miracles were generally by him cared for.

Dulcibella did not, as I have stated, forget to

Offi half win . The cial verdict was ten lengths . It could easily have been a hundred . Before the race

“ . w l a ou Mr Fred S inde l came to me, and s id , Do y ” fan cy yours ! 100

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U R F

- bill iard room . The conversation over the game w as

- rather of the smoke room order . Once or twice I t w though I heard a stir, and at last said , Care , there ’ s some one in the room ! ” I went to one “ w embrasure, pulled aside the curtain, but dre ”

B u t . blank . Mr Carew, in another, had unearthed the quarry —his wife and her friend ! Gain and I beat a precipitate retreat to allow the ladies to

B ut ff . n ot retire we did forget, on return, to cha the husbands on the prospect of a curtain lecture

n lasting till the morni g. They certainly had been

m r very frank in their ad issions, and in elating those kind Of reminiscences that warmed the blood of

Falstaff i n his Old age .

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U RF became him on th e bench was an absent factor in his earlier days , when he was the jolliest of companions , with a keen relish for a joke of yours , and frequently the cause of laughter in others . Since , through advancing years , his lordship ceased attending

Of him Epsom for the Derby , I have missed sight , but on his elevation to the peerage I wrote a con — gratulatory note my fir st communication to him an d w received the following ans er, the only letter I ll had from his hand , which I am sure he wi not mind being published

I N EY T R EE T 5 S . , T L “ D e em r 1 c be 26 898 . ,

A R R . O MA DE M H DG N ,

all I thank you much for your note , and your good wishes . It amused me to read you r r eminiscences of the old days , though I cannot write

o about them s vividly as you do . ! Poor Carew He was a good fellow, and

- t a very liberal , kind hear ed man . I remember the

’ day s shooting at Beddington well , though I do not

B ut ! remember hitting much myself. oh how old friends have died off since those cheery days ! With all good wishes for the n ew approaching

Believe me,

Always yours truly,

A . H . H WKINS 106 S I X T Y YE A RS O N T H E T URF

’ t h The day s shooting at Bedding on , to whic his t 18 58 lordship refers , was on the las day of January , w he and myself being the g uests of Mr. Care . I

had been trying Old Robert in the morning, and,

hastening on Emigrant from Epsom , joined the party t j ust as lu nch was being finished . Af er I had had a hasty meal (though I always think a hungry man in ten minutes can eat enough to last him a few hours) ” Mr . Carew said , Come along with me , Hodgman . ” “ l ” et H od . No , said Hawkins, gy stop here

All right . ” ou ! Which way , Hawkins, will y shoot ” Up . ’ l Then I l shoot down .

a At that moment a rabbit flew by , and I c ught

’ her broadside , nearly cutting her in two . I ve ” given that something, Hawkins , I said .

’ Old Hush , hush he cried . There s a d d ” parson the other side of the hedge . w ” All right , Mr . Ha kins, piped the cheery cleric ,

I heard you . Whereupon Hawkin s whispered me

H od Ears like a donkey , gy Hawkins , in those

was u days , a reg lar man of the world, and the things that he didn’ t know were scarce worth learning The knowledge of all sorts and conditions of men that he then gained proved a valuable asset to him

in his career . 107 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U RF

w as I have mentioned that once Mr . Hawkins

n . agai st me in the Law Courts, and here is the tale In 18 6 1 I purchased Shillelagh from Lord Strath “ ” 0 more (otherwise Rollicking Bob ) for £ 5 . He

t as was a chestnut col by Teddington from Thorn ,

bu t . quiet as a lamb, as game as a fighting cock

Old th e He was then three years , and I put him in

H an dica at Autumn Flying p Worcester, wherein

r he ran thi d . The next race was the Shorts Selling

to 3 0 . Stakes , winner be sold for sovs I started him

again , and he failed by a neck to Grant , a Flying m 33 . Dutch an filly , who was sold for gs Fortunately

he was not claimed . At the end of that season I

changed my trainer , engaging Ben Land . One day

’ S Of 18 62 s in the pring part , I said , Ben , where Shillelagh

’

. You ll find him round by The Warren wall, his ” n - old walki g place . ’t I went back to Land with , Why, I shouldn

’ have known him . He s picked up wonderfully these ” past six weeks .

“ ’ Yes , he has . And I think he s a good horse .

’ - But he s not quite yet to my liking. An eye opener

’ in public wouldn t do him any harm .

’ So I ran him in the Earl Spencer s Plate , putting

for up Jack Reeves , who had been standing down a

n w ho lo g time for impudence to the starter, and 108

T U R F S I X T Y YE A RS O N T H E i

“ ” u at the little fish had to be ca ght . In June

Epsom he was matched over half a mile for 100 sovs .

’ ” w s ith Mr. Hall s Spectacle Perry ) Fravola, thi being the last race of the summer meeting . My

t a party at the ime were very strong, and as I dvised

- B u t them to bet , they did in no half hearted style .

Mr. Hall and his friends were equally keen , and sovereign for sovereign was found . In all , a huge

a nd ordham for sum was at issue, I had to thank F

- d n the half length victory . Shillelagh was conce i g a year , and the performance stamped him a good horse , hill Fravola being particularly smart . At Ascot S e

’ won the lagh Queen s Stand Plate , and at Worcester — the Flying Stakes thus making six races off the W reel . At the orcester station , when next morning

r l the jou ney for home began , the railway man cal ed ” th e s out Horses for South come this way. Thi way mean t past a lot of iron girders that were strewn on the ground , and just as Shillelagh was clearing them an engine screamed by, and , startled ,

so the horse jumped back among the obstacles , and

mortification h e severely cut his sinews that , arising, was dead inside three days . Holding the Company at t faul , inasmuch as they should have had clear ground b for valua le thoroughbred stock , I sued them for a thousand pounds , and the jury returned a verdict in f my avour. I had given evidence that to me he w as 110 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T URF

w s worth nearer five thousand , whereupon Ha kin ,

w as who acting for the Company, quietly passed a t no e up Never mind what he was worth . Tell us ” how ou ot much y g out of him . The Company im m ediately gave notice of appeal , and Hawkins said to me, We appeal , Hodgman . And as sure as

’ ’ a ou wa you re living man we ll beat y . He s a true prophet ; to the Company went the second trial and “ T h I tried for the rubber . e second appeal came on d t before Lor Chief Jus ice Cockburn , with (I think) Justices Smith and Payne . The latter, being m the juniors , delivered their judg ents first, and went w solid for the Company. Their senior , ho ever, was

n against them, he stating that he totally and e tirely m differed fro his learned brothers . He considered

’ the Company s servants guilty of gross negligence in leaving girders about a place over which valuable ” w horses had to pass . I ill , he said (I am writing

“ to from memory) , go so far as say that if I had

i n n v been the habit of i iting friends to dinner, and one night I dug a hole , and told them nothing

Of about it , and one them fell in , and was injured , ”

u . I sho ld be responsible This was , I thought , common sense , though not in any way satisfactory ,

aw seeing I had two to one against me . I s

at Hawkins outside the court , laughing me ; and I

. W ou went to him hat did y tell me this morning , 111 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T UR F

! Hawkins That it was a thousan d to one on you

“ ’

. w . Yes And so it was. And e ve won i t You have . But would have been a thousand

’ ou u m to one against y if the old had spoken first. l He only aughed afresh . The names of Hawkins and the Claimant are in dissolu bly linked in the public memory ; and how far instrumental he was in gettin g the alleged ” Sir Roger convicted is well known . But it is n ot common property that in the beginning the clever lawyer really thought the impostor was the

u . gen ine man . This , though , is mere truth Any

u way, one S nday Hawkins met my old friend , him Mr. George Lambert, in Hyde Park , and asked

if . . he had seen me lately Yes, he had ” n Well , said Hawkins , when you see him agai — and make it your business to see him tell him that

i s u on Tichborne the man , and that he o ght to bet

i t . t. And so ought you , Lamber That was enough, 4 00 200 S . and Lambert took to , I haring in

Months later Hawkins crossed Lambert again .

” “ B - - m n y the bye , he asked , did you and Hodg a back that man Tichborne 400 200 Yes . We took to .

’ Then hedge it . I was wrong . He s an im h ” t n im . postor. I know jus about enough to ha g 1 12

C HAP TER X

“ Mr t — H i s fin n d l — . Ned Smi h a cial ifficu ties A poaching — ’ — “ — episode His victim s thr eat Wh o shot th e fox Margery — — — Daw U seless for r acing A paddock fail ur e I give h er — — away H er subseq uen t value Sh e thr ows S ee Saw and

— tr r n r th e tt r — o s i n Ecossais Ex ao di ary ca eer of. la e D e k — ’ an other gift hor se Ro cket s trial for th e Cesar ewitch of — - — 1858 Faith lo st I try to buy Tame Deer C on fiden ce in — ’ ’ Rocket r estor ed Colon el Forester s opin ion - R ocket s vic “ ” r — M r r n— r — to y r . Edwa d G ee His ave agin g habit H ow I ’ r r n t—Mr r n h as r — m r nt s pu chased Emig a . G ee half sha e E ig a

r n N t on tr n n — A nt to o ar i G a d a i al ai i g ccide his j ckey, Ch l e

- — B oyce I hedge my mon ey B oyce win s with on e ar m tied ’ —L u c s o t —M o on or fi ht— up a s Rep si ory r . H dgs f ces a g The — — r esult Heavy damages claimed I sell my r espon sibili ty — — The trial B aron Martin suggests ar bitration A cceptan ce f A r Ro — o dmi al us His judgmen t.

— “ MR . A R MI or w as EDW D S TH Ned Smith , as he — ’ more commonly known was a reporter on B ell s L ife when that paper was remarkable alike for

l S its bri liancy and its power in the world of port.

tirn e He was, in his , an athlete , a fine shot, a rare — - in - judge of prize ring matters a word , an all round

S t. u n por On his financial side , however , he was

u fathomable , as no matter what the q antity of

l f . money he won , he was perpetual y in di ficulties 114 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF m ” of . He raced under the na e Mr Mellish , and at

Of in n times had quite a large number horses traini g. When ou t and about he drove a very fast pony in a m few him s art trap , and there were that could pass

n on the road . One day he had some shooti g with a friend of his , a Mr . James Gray , a very respectable,

. t if anything starchy , old gentleman Smi h was

v never wanting in impudence , and as they dro e

ou t home he said , Next time y come to Newmarke

’ ” I ll gi ve you a little shooting at my place .

n Mr. Gray expressed his tha ks, and in due course w the day of the shoot da ned, Smith driving his

in friend to the coverts , leaving the pony and trap charge of the boy . “ ” “ N ow , Jim, he said , we must get to work quickly, as I have to attend the races . The place swarmed with game, and in less than an hour they had shot sufficient almost to fill the trap . Smith ” v ! then looked at his watch . By Jo e he exclaimed,

“ ’

off. m we must be I ve so e writing to do , and

’ ’ mustn t be late for the course . I ve some even better

t - w r . shooting han this for to mor o Come along ,

’ v ff Jim , gi e a hand with the game . I can t a ord ” a nother five minu tes . Very hurriedly did Smith hasten along the road , putting the pony to its t bes pace . The sudden departure , the hastening

u w as home , the caref l manner in which the game 115 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF covered over set Mr . Gray thinking : until with an ll u m t . i mined mind he grasped the situa ion S ith,

’ you d - d scoundrel ! you ve had me poachin g ! ’ ’ ! That s no more your place than it s mine . By God

’ ’ if I d been caught I d have shot you ! Smith

“ u u . wo ld not admit the acc sation Nonsense , Jim ,

’ I wouldn t think of such a thing . B ut none the less poaching they had been , and I have no doubt but that the keepers had been squared to be deaf for a brief period .

Another tale of Mr. Smith and a shooting incident may conveniently be placed here . One autumnal

Saturday Mr. Carew (the lord of the manor at E psom) had a shooting party, of which I was

t. to form a uni I was rather late , and meeting Smith on the road (he w as not shooting that day) m we walked on together. So ehow in our search w for the others we got into an a kward corner,

- set . thick with trees It was dangerous to move, a s d at , though nobody coul be seen , the guns were work all r ound us . At a moment when I was least

ou r prepared the game rushed all way, and I fired without taking particular aim . “ ’ Good God ! said Smith . You ve shot a fox

So I had , for there was Master Reynard on his

O u — n haunches , with pen , gasping mo th and the dead . 116

S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF — . d d Saturday Capital . I shot a old pal of — yours a fox ! The laugh then went the other way .

That Smith was a really first - class judge Of the thoroughbred I should be the first to allow. Yet ff though, at di erent times, I purchased many horses

Of from him , I never came into possession one that did me the least good . My first deal with him was

l ou t Margery Daw, a bay fil y by Brocket of Pro

e tion 400 . t c , the price being sovs I kept her some l time, and found her entire y useless for racing ; and even as a hack she was a failure . Soon after I bought Adamas for 500 sovs . B ut though a smart

his him horse in day, he lost his form and I sent to stand at Stockwell at a stud farm kept by a friend Of mine , Mr. Billy Smith . I had Margery Daw covered several times by Adamas , but he could never stint her , and matters were the same when , after I ”

m . had ade her a present to Mr Billy Smith , he “ ” put her to Grecian . Billy , finding he had too

s many horse to keep , asked me to take Margery

Of Daw back , but I had had enough that lady, and declined . ! What am I to do with her he asked . ! Do Why, sell her, and the others as well . 2 6 s. At auction she fetched g , going to the bid of

. l Mr . Pedley He went wrong financial y , and at 118 S I X T Y Y E A RS O N T H E T UR F

18 65 Doncaster in she was , with See Saw at foot, — sold to Mr. Richard Bell for years manager Of the — w Cobham Park Stud for 55 gs . He after ards sold

l n kir . B on . e 950 s . her to the elder Mr W for g ,

C rin on 1 8 00 . when she was carrying , who made gs as a yearling . At the dispersal of the Middle Park

’ l n . B e kiron s Stud , consequent on Mr death , the 18 2 1200 7 . Cobham Company, in July , gave gs w l 50 0. for the mare , hile her B air Athol foal realised

t Saw u b Apar from See she threw D n ar and Ecossais , the latter of whom had not ru n at the time of her sale . He was an extraordinary horse , winning his three juvenile engagements— one the New Stakes at — Ascot and then going, next season , so completely

e to the bad that he was mad a present to his trainer, ” Old Tom Jennings . Tom promptly had him cut 18 7 4 18 7 6 (this was in ) and did not race him till , t lb. a w hen at 7 he beat Trappist Windsor. That 15 was in August , and in October at lbs . he cantered

11 st . 3 away from Lowlander , later carrying lbs .

in successfully a Flying Welter, giving some of the

4 st. runners All courses were alike to Ecossais, and he was— when well and backed— indifferent to

n weight . Old Tom Jenni gs told me that he had never tried a two - year- Old so highly as he had Ecossais a fact that caused him to start an odds on chance for the New Stakes, which he won by half a dozen 119 S I X T Y YE A RS O N T H E T U RF

”

s . lengths . Old Waterwork , as the late Mr Tom

n ff Jennings was familiarly know , frequently cha ed me about my judgment in giving Margery Daw

w n t a ay . But even that monument of patie ce migh have been forgiven for tiring of her.

Still , I cannot say that my experiences of making presents of apparently useless mares give rise to

r . pleasant eflections Thus , years before Margery

Daw , I had a filly called Doeskin , by Newminster

m b - - on who y the bye , the celebrated Jimmy Grimshaw had his first winning mount , the race being a handicap

18 59 . sweepstakes , run at the Houghton Meeting of l I kept Doeskin till the fol owing autumn, when at Newmarket I ran with her second to Mr.

’ Whittaker s White Rose, whom I claimed . I then

’

. i n said , in the presence of Mr. H Sav le, I sha t ru n Doeskin again . I shall give her to a young ” lady friend to ride .

“ ” “ m w as Oh , he returned, you saw that are I ridin g the other day ”

Yes.

’ th Well , I ll swop , and you can give my mare to e young lady . i Why, what do you want Doesk n for

’ ou ewmin ster t Well, y see she s by N , and I wan to breed from her .

’ nl What, breed from a pony like that She s o y 120

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T UR F i n m g, and ore by accident than knowledge of their

u whereabo ts the parties came together. Mr . Lam t t ber and I had the arrangemen of the weights , an d not knowing quite how good Tame Deer was,

u we put him in at evens with Rocket , to ens re a i c 18 . l nking pace , while Queenstown was allowed lb

but We expected Rocket to win, Tame Deer came r t igh away, and Rocket was beaten a couple of w lengths by Queenstown , S eet William breaking down . On this form, apparently , Rocket would win m no Cesarewitch , and , rather than bother that direction , I was more intent on securing Tame Deer .

’ ’ I said to Mr . Lambert, I m afraid it s no go . I shall

’

off . I ll get and see Ned Smith If he will sell , buy

. u i n Tame Deer Smith , who was a bit seedy, I fo nd

ev erv bed . I told him detail of the trial , and said ,

’

ow e n . Now , Ned, you me a lot of mo ey I ve tried to be a friend to you . Not one of the horses you have sold me has been of any account . So I think

’ you Should sell me Tame Deer . I ll give you a m thousand this moment for him . S ith looked “ ’ rather sick , and said, I m much obliged to you ,

’

. wa George . But I can t sell This told me it s not his horse .

’ But to take up the tale of Rocket s trial an d

’ R . ocket s Cesarewitch The trial , unlike the birth

Thackera ian n ot of a certain y character, was 122 S I X T Y Y E A RS O N T H E T UR F

wrapped up in mystery , with the consequence that

’ S 2os f though before the pin we had taken , the o fers

’ ’ e 3 3 s 4 s Yet n w xtended to and 0 . the intentio al ays

r u n u was to , with C stance up . The Houghton 18 58 Meeting then ( ) commenced on a Monday , and Queenstown was started for the Handicap Plate d . 1 ecided over the Cesarewitch course She gave st . l ff 3 b. u to Harry Bl , who could win races , and beat him a head . Tame Deer was in the race , but I do not

. t think Mr Ned Smith backed him that day . Af er

u Q eenstown had won , I dropped into conversation w ith Colonel Forester ( “ The How did you gallop Rocket with Queenstown ! he asked . “ 18 At lb Colonel , and the mare beat him by two lengths .

Well , Hodgman, I think that is good enough .

’ S win he d nearly with his weight . Rocket , depend

’ upon it, will take a deal of beating, and I m going ” to back him .

the The situation certainly, in the light of success o f d n ot Queenstown , looke brighter , but I did go

5000. . to market again, then standing to win Mr d i . Lambert speculate afresh , wh le Mr Edward Green stepped in and went for sovs . There was , though , so much money for Prioress and f ll 4 1 Malacca that even at flag a 1 to was obtainable . 123 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U RF

ot Custance rode with spurs , but no whip , and just g

ordham The home by a head from Prioress (F ) , and

- Brewer (Hughes) , who dead heated for second place .

. 8 00 . Mr Lambert , I may add, gave sovs for Rocket and Queenstown , purchasing the pair from Mr .

P adwi k m t c . Mr . La ber and I had many trans

u actions both in betting and b ying . I have never

met a fairer dealer or a firmer friend .

so With Mr. Edward Green matters did not run

w as smoothly. He a very heavy bettor, and often when I asked him to pu t me a tenner on he would hi make his own investment three hundred . T s I did “ not mind , except that he averaged the price .

’ 10s Thus he would get to his first outlay, and then

’ ’ ’

5 s 6 s 7 s. w accept , returning me or Morris kne

“u f this , and sed to cha f me about Green being my ” master. One day at dinner at the Regent Hotel l at Leamington, I cal ed to Green , What did my fiver on King of Greece bring in ” Thirty .

“ ’ Tut, tut , said Morris . That s not fair . I

ou ou r laid y eight fifties , and I saw y take anothe

’ ” n eight fifties . The gover or ought to be on at 8 s .

’ ’ B u t 5 s 4 s I took and afterwards to money. I

average matters . ’ ! w Oh , that s it, is it You scarcely kno a horse

. w t from a hen You follo me blindly, win any amoun 124

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T URF

playing cards , which went against him all the night, h and e lost heavily.

” “ n l Well , said he , if thi gs go on like this I shal ” have to sell Emigrant . ’ him I was not playing , but looking on . I ll buy ” ! at a price , I said . What do you want ” Six hundred . I ’ll w ’ ” No . not give that . I s ear I won t . After bargaining I gave him 590— just that m w h I might keep y ord . The S rewsbury engage ment was included , with the proviso that Odiham

t m also was to run , and tha if E igrant won I paid

Land another hundred .

m w a G n Next morning, on y y to the course , ree ,

“ who had been waiting for me , came up with , I hear,

e Hodgman , you have bought Emigrant . Can I hav half of him

“ ’ bu t Well , I don t mind sharing , Green , matters ’ 590 ’ are this way . There s the I ve paid Land h 200 I intend aving on you , I suppose , will

200. risk Now , if he loses, can you put your

’ 500 an d hand on , say , That s a plain question ,

r wants a plain answe . ” I have , said Green , the money in my pocket , ” Take it now .

’ No . I don t want it now. As long as you say ’ f t . you can pay , tha s su ficient You have a half 126 S IX T Y YE A RS O N T H E T URF

” in Emigrant . Both Green and I had a rattling r of ace , our gains far exceeding the cost the horse . E I kept migrant at Epsom part of the summer, until the ground became very hard . Then I sent him to Codford , in Wiltshire , one of my other places . Late in the autumn he returned to Epsom , and commenced a preparation , extending the winter

A S through , for the Grand National . I have said , I do not think ever a better fencer than E migran t

n his has been to Liverpool , and so co fident was I of ability in this direction that he was n ot schooled ff in the orthodox way , a little hurdling su icing . When the weights appeared (Emigrant had

9 10 . st . lb ) I thought he was a paper certainty ,

n . U n and backed him substantially , as did Gree — fortunately , Charlie Boyce his intended jockey about a week before the race went out hunting, and severely hurt his right arm . On hearing of the mishap I hurried from Northampton , and when I neared home Boyce tried to wave an umbrella

S . at me , to how me he was practically all right

It was nonsense , however , as I told him . I was so annoyed that I could scarcely speak to him , for I had asked him to keep quiet, in

w w as vie of landing a big stake , in which he to share . I might certainly have looked elsewhere for h th e a jockey, but there was none I thoug t 127 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T UR F e qual of Boyce , and I was so upset I did not care what happened .

Take the horse , I said to Boyce , to Liverpool , ” an d ride him if you can . On the mornin g of the race he asked me h ow he ” d as was to ri e him . Do you like , I answered , for

I had hedged a deal of my money the night before . Had the jockey been in sound condition I should have gone for a stake of B u t how could t anybody be confident , no matter wha the cha racter of the horse , with a jockey forced to ride with ! the upper part of his right arm strapped to his side I knew too m u ch of the game to feel decently hope t ” ful , let alone extravagan ly cocksure , as I have always held the Opinion that to win a National a jockey should be in almost prize - fightin g con

i n dit o . Green , who only looked to the betting side of the business , never gave a thought to the style in which Emigrant was handicapped through the w temporary infirmity of Boyce , and thre in for over

m but E igrant won , so beaten was Boyce

d - that he nee ed assistance to the weighing room .

b but His was a rare exhi ition of grit and pluck , even while admitting this I could n ot feel enth u siastic abo ut the victory . I t is tr u e I w on £ 5000 or there

B ut abouts . great indeed would have been the spoils had Boyce not gone hunting on that i n 128

S IX T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U RF

Emigrant . Naturally I was in no mood for inter

r ference , especially f om people I did not know, and

d . B ut I asked Mr . Ho gson to go away he refused to budge an inch , and poked his face into mine,

at with , And what was Emigrant doing Worcester

w as At Worcester, I may explain , the weather

w et extremely bad , and owing to the and the cold

w ho the reins slipped from the hands of his rider,

off i n came . The horse was quickly remounted , and

ff n o o the end only su ered a arr w defeat . I may als

at add that the time Emigrant was not mine , but

the property of Ben Land . This by way of

explanation .

B u t . e to return to Mr Hodgson , and the troubl

“ ”

t t . tha his temper brough upon him What , he d ! repeate , was he doing at Worcester What are 7 you laying him for the National for Is it to be Worcester over again ! ” He then fell back on

i u n abuse , and , working himself up into a p tch of

fist controllable excitement , exclaimed , shaking his “ ’ in — b G— d l ! my face , I ll give it you y , I wi l ” before you leave this room . I merely laughed at

him , and took no notice of his threats . Like a man w half demented he strode up and do n the room ,

Drin kal n . d m breathi g vengeance, until Mr ca e to me i hit and said , Hodgman , I believe that man w ll 13 0 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T UR F

bi d n . a you And he has two g gol ri gs, bout the size

’

- of knuckle dusters, on . Don t you let him have the ” first go at you ! With that I thought it w as t abou time to close the incident, which threatened

u seriousness . So I j mped on my feet , and , button ing up my coat , stood strictly on the defensive . In

“ ” the twinkling of an eye Mr . Hodgson peeled ,

v rolled up his shirt slee es , and made a rush . I d feinte , dodged , and , seeing an opening, drove the left flush on his mouth . Up went his feet and h down his ead , striking the fender heavily . He

but u bled profusely, pluckily j mped up , and came

- m o pell ell at me again . I man euvred , thinking he

an d n would stop , not desiri g to hurt him more .

- But he was mad with his self fed passion of hatred ,

u and rushed f riously on to me . I gave him another — l plug and that was the finishing stroke . He fe l ,

cab . knocked out , and was conveyed in a to his hotel — He was smothered i n blood : so was I bu t with

m u his , not y vital fl id . I took little— I may say no— notice of the matter for a considerable period , until I received notice of d an action against me by Mr . Ho gson for damages

— n n for assault the said damages , I thi k , bei g placed

£ 2000. n at I went to my frie d Mr . Thornhill , the well - known confectioner of Gracechurch Street — — who was also an owner of racehorses and told

13 1 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T UR F

the him of matter . He ridiculed the action because he knew all the facts .

“ ’ ’ It s nothing, Hodge . If you like , I ll take the a ction Off your hands for a tenner

Do you mean it I asked . ” Yes .

’ l bo . v Wel , that ll suit me Here , old , is a tenner ” and a clean new one .

ff . We had a drink over the a air, and Mr Thorn

“ ’ S hill, pointing to a plendid ham , said , That s for — — ’ S o - So and one of Mr. Hodgson s solicitors and that — directing his finger to a fat turkey is for — So - and - So the other partner of the legal firm

Mr . Hodgson was employing .

“ ’ how I said , I don t care you work it , or what

’

ou . y do I m out of it . And a jolly good job . But stay suppose I get three months

’ ’

u l h . let Oh , yo l have to do t em They wouldn t

’ ’ m ! B u t e n o . there s fear Hodge , my boy, it s a

walk over . With that I dismissed the matter from m y mind , forwarding all correspondence I received

to Mr . Thornhill .

Mr. Hodgson was as persistent in his legal as he

b du e had been in his pugilistic usiness , and in course — I 18 58 t think in the spring of , jus prior to the — C ity and Suburban my party and myself had all to

o . g to Liverpool Harry Hill, Harry Dowson , and 13 2

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T URF

’ at 13 Place Admiral Rous s house , , Berkeley Square , n t a d lasted several hours . Af er every scrap of e ff vidence had been o ered , and threshed out, the

ir v Adm al, without leaving his chair , ga e his award . “ ff ” The plainti , he said , on the evidence put

was before me , clearly asked for all he got . He the a ggressor , and whatever befell him he merited I t give judgmen for the defendant , with all costs . n i Mr. Hodgso , on the plea of continued ind sposi tion , did not appear in person at the arbitration l proceedings , and when Mr . Thornhi l , who was ” the n responsible , by reason of bargai of the ” tenner, sought to find him for the costs, he “ proved a very rare bird . However, after a time — — as he was on the point of leaving the country h e “ t ” was neatly at ached , and had to settle the heavy account before he was liberated . CHAP TER X I

— Sir Jo seph Hawley Reason s for en gagin g John Porter as — — train er I sell Sir Jo seph The B eacon His sarcasm abo ut ’ — that hor se s food Was it sawdust Lor d Westmorlan d —A t o r bo Morr — I wa an d t dispu e ve my y is give y, bea his — — — lordship T om H eartfield A fin e hor seman Vestmin ster — — — H is trial I mystify L ord Westm or lan d A goo d haul Vest — ” min ster an d th e Cambridgeshir e A per tin acious tout

— - - Str ong measur es n ecessary A n ague s tr icken chucker o u t ’ — i i — Mr on n n My con fiden ce n Vestm n ster . Gide s war i g abo ut ’ “ n — Mr o tt r — r n n Cer dag e . F y s li le begga The F e ch filly ha d

somely beaten .

I N most reminiscences relating to the Turf the name of Sir Joseph Hawley necessarily largely

u n ot fig res . But in one that has come under my notice has been told the unvarnished tale of the reasons that induced him to entrust his horses to m y esteemed friend , John Porter . Sir Joseph was a ul man of pec iar temperament. He had a con su min g hatred of advice , and would tolerate any

thing rather than interference . Yet the most self will ed of us are fr om our necessities at times forced

. own n to seek counsel Still , I I was surprised whe one day Sir Joseph approached me for guidance on so vital a matter to him as the choice of a n ew 13 5 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF trainer. At the time Mr . Manning (uncle of the present Mr. Manning , Clerk of the Scales at New — market) had control in the way of preparation

’ of the Baronet s team . Unfortunately, Mr . Manning

in — th e was poor health indeed , was entering on last mournful stage of life .

“ Poor Manning is settled , said Sir Joseph . I

C an re must look round for a new trainer . you

an commend y one, Hodgman

“ “ Well , Sir Joseph , I answered , to be frank

’ ” with you , you re such a funny man to please .

’ ” “

w . I don t kno that I am , he returned I know w hat I want , and , as far as I am able, what I want

— a I mean to have . I desire a trainer man who can an d will get my horses fit . But over them I hold

’ complete control . The man I wish mustn t advise or suggest , or do anything but train I decide

n . placi g , accepting, running, or scratching ” In that case , I said , I know the very man to suit you . Perhaps Lord Westmorland may stand

. in your way He might not like to part with him, as he thin ks a deal of him . His name is John

Porter . Where he is Mr . George Lambert and

. ff myself have horses But that makes no di erence . d I cannot , however, answer for his lor ship . ” Oh , bother Westmorland , Sir Joseph exclaimed .

’

see . t I ll that he is agreeable For tha matter, he 136

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T URF can know all my business . What stable is Porter in 7

’ r Bill Goate s at Findon .

’ ” That s the stable, said Sir Joseph emphatically .

’ ” I ll see into the affair . A Short time after I met Sir Joseph walking with

and Lady Pigott in Regent Street . He stopped me

’

Oh . said , , I have engaged Porter And I m much ” o . bliged to you The combination , as all know , w orked with successful smoothness . I had not many dealings with Sir Joseph either in the sale or the purchase of horses . In fact , I can on ly recall one transaction ; and that took place in 1 5 t 8 7 . In tha year Harry Hill won with The

£ 50 N r n Beacon a plate at ewmarket , the ace bei g o r ver the Cesarewitch course . At Shrewsbu y later , at f r our lodgings, a deal of cha f arose as to the wo th

f n o the horse amed . l ! Wil you sell him , Harry I asked . ” Yes. ” What do you want ! ” Three hundred .

’ It s a dea I said , and The Beacon became

. ul mine I co d make nothing of the horse, with whom it was n ot a case of improvement following a “ n d . a cha ge of stable One y Sir Joseph said , You ” s i a h ! t ll h ve that orse, Beacon 139 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U RF

” Yes . What will you take for him ” What I gave for him . And that was d Three hun red pounds .

’ ” I ll have him . The Beacon had not long been the Baronet’ s pro perty before he wrote to me, I have been wonder ing what you fed The Beacon on . Will you kindly ! say whether it was saw - dust I am very pleased ”

hi m n ow . with He has greatly improved .

fi ial The second change had evidently been Lben e c .

i n 18 58 Sir Joseph ran him the Cesarewitch of , 4 wherein his weight was st . But he was dis t appointed abou his jockey, and , failing anybody

n ot else , put up Billy Bottom, who could go to scale under 5 st . This action was typical of Sir

’ when l he Joseph , capable of going to any extremity “ ” had made up his mind . The flouting of the

i n ot The hand cap was attended with success, as

Beacon ran nowhere . But in the Cambridgeshire i ‘ he beat all but Euryd ce, this meaning he defeated

- O did thirty four pponents . Nor he lose the race by t more than a leng h . In the ensuing season he won

’ the Queen s Plate at Newmarket over the Roun d

Was . Course , and afterwards sold to the Italians He certainly did come on apace while Sir Joseph 140

S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T UR F

Anyhow, when the storm had cleared the air, I “ ’ c . ooled down After all , I said , I m not so i particular about Morr s . Damme , my lord , you can

’ u t H eartfield have him . I ll p on mine, and beat

” ’ 8 s you . Practitioner was a hot favourite , while

’ an d l os were laid against Hawkshaw, on whom I “ ” C . t had only a fiver uriously, the finish was lef

to the pair, and the upshot of an exciting struggle was supremacy for Hawkshaw and H eartfield by a

- neck . I must say his lordship took the set back in

the . best style He laughed heartily, shook hands,

n H ear tfield h u n a d praised wit o t sti t. It would indeed be a diflficu lt task to praise Heart

S field too highly, and to how the sincerity of my

words , I may mention that on one occasion the

excellence of his horsemanship cost me a Cesarewitch . The matter came about this way : in 18 64 I claimed

a chestnu t two - year - old colt by Marsyas (which I

named Verdant) , at Brighton , from William Day

150 . for sovs , and soon discovered that in him I had

gained possession of a rattling stayer . Evidence of this was forthcoming in the sprin g of the following

H eartfield - season , when , with up , he dead heated

with Golden Dust (T . Cannon) over the Ditch Mile,

an d won the decider in a canter. In the Great Ebor

n Ha dicap he was nicely weighted, and , though not

quite ready , I determined he should take his chance, 14 2 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U RF

w of esteeming , ho ever, more highly the prospects

r m H eartfield Cla emont, who Fordham rode , while was on mine. I met the two jockeys together in “ a 1500 to the p ddock , and said, Fordham , I have

’ 500 t H eartfield 8 00 100 abou yours , and , , I ve to

’ t few about yours . He s shor of a gallops , and will

’ r un if well Don t knock him about, though win m l you can . About a i e from home the pair came away from the others , and there ensued as magni ficen t a struggle for supremacy as ever was witnessed

mir on Kn av es e. the Endeavour, though , as Ford ff l o H eartfie d. ham might , he could not shake “ ’ ” You re winning , said Mr . Tom Lawley to me . ” No . It will be a desperate finish .

w as H eartfield And it , beating Fordham a head . “ h As soon as Fordham dismounted , I said, I wis

ou had y won, George .

’ ’ B u So do I . t that s the best boy I ve seen for

. t n o years I did every hing to beat him, but it was

. ran good Nor was Verdant, as he never again , i wh le the same year Claremont died . Undoubtedly the severity of the struggle left its mark on the b pair , and unquestiona ly also had Verdant escaped

u d more lightly he wo ld have taken , on the han i h capping that must have prevailed, Cesarewitc honours . It soon became an understood matter between 14 3 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U R F Lord Westmorland and myself that the one could at any time borrow a horse of the other for trial purposes . If his lordship sent over for one of mine , my trainer had in stru ctions to comply with the request ; supposing the animal asked for were fit an d well and I had the same privileges with respect hi s . 18 68 S to horses in training In the year , a hort him time prior to Ascot, I met him and asked if he had anything with which I could gallop a two - year l o d.

’ ” n No , Hodgma , I haven t . ” ” B ut ! , I said , what about the old mare ’ t ” Oh , she isn mine .

’ ’ She s been galloped , hasn t she

Yes . And really I see no reason why you

’ ” n h r should t borrow e . It will be all right .

Sh e In due course was sent over, and I tried my youngster . On the morning of the first day at

18 68 met Ascot ( ) I his lordship in the paddock . “ how l Oh , Hodgman , said he , did that ga lop

Well, I tried three of mine with the mare , and i . t she just won So looks as if none was good . The colt I thought smart was beaten a good distance .

B u t as two one stuck a bit to her, and or three friends want me to put something on for them , I

’ V s min r s . e t ste n hall risk a little It s , in the Maide 144

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U R Fl

’ i r the You ll unders tand t after the ace . Get money on . t t The verdic was a head in favour of my col , Parry r h iding capitally. Lord Westmorland was soon wit

u . me , f ll of congratulations

the Well , what price to monkey ” Eights . What did you do for yourself! ”

w on . I six thousand , he cried delightedly ! But what w as the meaning of all the mystery

” ’

. u ve You , I said , are as big a fool as I am Yo

n . a large followi g, and you tell them everything I i t . n do the same myself, too of en to my cost Had I

s the morning a ked you to put me seven hundred on ,

n all and told you the trial , the ews would have been

’ ou t over the place . You know y couldn t have kep quiet . Lord This and Lady That would have known .

w e 5 2 And in the end should have had to take to ,

N ow . or less . the money yields a nice average

” ’ ! u e By Jove Hodgman, he said, yo re quit

’ right . We re both at times bad at keeping secrets . In the next season ( 18 69) I laid myself ou t for

Vestmin r m the Cambridgeshire with ste . Springti e I bought a horse called Van A mbu rgh for £ 8 00

! . mn from Mr. George Angel He was in the autu

r d d trial , with another, and one I bor owe from Lor 146 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF

t . Wes morland I was then training at Telscombe , and was constantly annoyed by the presence of a man named Brown , brother to Tom Brown , the

k s a trainer at Newmar et . He was upposed to be

was his keeper, but observing my trials more in

u r way than preserving game . In tr th , he was eve

t to prying into my business, and , through his repor s m bookmakers , upsetting y plans . I cautioned him once or twice , adding

ou Now, be reasonable , Brown . Whatever y t it want on at any time you can have wi h me, and

’ B ut be shall cost you nothing. I m not going to ” pestered with your presence.

ff n ot t w as The o er did sui Brown , and the caution w m i thrown a ay . He only became ore diligent n his policy of annoyance by making public my

ff N ow private a airs . , it stands to reason that I had n o wish to have my Cambridgeshire trial sent here, there, and everywhere before I had a penny

- . in piece on So I went to a public house, the

t his Borough, kep by Jemmy Welch, a fine boxer at weight .

ou man Jemmy, I said , can y send me down a

’ capable of looking after a good rough u n ” Yes .

him ut Well, let p up at that little pub between

’ "

. a Lewes and my place I ve made all rrangements . 147 S I X T Y Y E A R S O F T H E T U RF The arrival was a splendidly built man close on

r six feet in his stockings . He came down d essed

a very quietly, more resembling parson than a pugilist . His occupation was that of doorkeeper at

’ ess0 s J p Dancing Saloon , from which often an objectionable patron had to be handed down with alacrity rather than tenderness . I kept him for a fortnight without needing his services . B ut on the day of the trial I went over to see him . He was very bad with ague, and looked as if, in his shaky state, a boy could beat him . I told him that I was

n goi g to try a horse , and I wanted Brown cleared ff o .

’ “ ’ ’ u n u Well , g v nor, he said , he s a bad if he

’ ” can t beat me as I am .

“ ’ n ot It can t be helped . He may be on view.

’ If he isn t , so much the better . If he is, you must ” move him off.

A S Balchin soon as I saw my trainer , , he cried

’ That Brown s there , hiding in the furzes .

I went to him and tried persuasion . B ut he only cursed me . So resort was had to force . “ I want this man , I said to the Londoner, to go to the bottom of the hill .

n ! a What are you doi g there he sh rply queried .

Get up And he roused him with his foot . w Bro n sprang up to strike at the pugilist , but 14 8

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U R F

’ Thanks . But I ve done betting.

. l Right But, mark my words , the fi ly I mean , — ’ w — ” Cerdagne she s by Ne minster will go close . Now one like that of which we know nothing

’ [she came from France! may beat me . B ut I m

u s re of beating the English lot .

u t r I told , later, Admiral Ro s the same ; and af e

r — Vestmin ster 1 2— w0n the esult , ; Cerdagne , by — three - quarters of a length with Cardinal York

— h e third, three lengths away hastened to con gratulate me alike on the victory and my weighing up of his handicap . I had said to Mr. Gideon that

I had finished betting ; and then I meant it . But there was a very long delay at the post, and Mr .

out John Foy, riding past, called

’ I ve seen your little beggar , Hodgman, and I

’ ’ ” don t like him . I ll lay you eleven fifties . “ ” Right. Book that . ! Twice he asked . N “ I ’ ll t “ take you eleven fif ies, called Tubby

Morris .

The bets were hardly recorded before I cried ,

’ o F y, that little beggar you don t like has won

now. And he pulled through comfortably. Cer

18 . dagne was conceding lbs , and this made her a

s very good filly. As I remarked to Admiral Rou 150 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U R F in the morning, if she could beat me at that difference she would have had n o difficulty in i w inning the Leger . At that t me I had no boy of

’ m Vestmin ster s 6 y own that could do weight ( st .

4 d - t so borrowe Gradwell , a well behaved , brigh little lad , from Jimmy Barber . Poor Jimmy was t d then out of touch wi h fortune, and foun the thousand - pound note I gave him in the evening most acceptable . Altogether I cleared about fifteen t satisfac housand pounds , and , moreover, had the

a f tion of knowing th t most of my riends were on .

151 C HAPTER XII

— Raceco urses that were an d are not Thun der at Stamf ord ’ H I —St or t n t on r on — Mr Sam ow missed him amf d s ex i c i eas . ’ n th e t n —Mr rr tr t Merr y a d Davies Levia ha . Me y s s a agem ’ Dav ies s oo o r— S r r — Mr Jo n r g d hum u h ewsbu y , h F ail “ ” f r Mr A rn - r Passage o a ms with . tto ey Gen e al Cockburn — Funn y thin gs at Shr ewsbury A New Race The gettin g — — home stakes A n un desirable en try The difficulty solved — — We go for th e un desirable A n extraor din ary race T he

r n of th e o l — — Mr J t r o sha i g sp i s Egham . ames Wea he by l ses ’ ’ —Mr L efevr e s o n on of r o r e t r his watch . pi i acec u s hieves cleve — — n ess The watch again disappear s A n d again F or th e last

time .

MA NY an interesting article could be written about meetings that have been and are no more. One sees at odd times in the papers references to

’ ’ n n ow re departed Croydo and Appy Hampton, suscitated as Hurst Park . The suppression of the former was no matter of genuine concern , for it could never aspire to the dignity of Gatwick . But there are some resorts one could have wished en m during life , and among the may be placed Stamford ,

m 18 4 of which faded fro the fixture list in 7 . One

t to the bes straight miles existed at Stamford , and old stagers its final meeting ( 18 7 3) was rendered 152

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U RF ’ ffi The Clerk of the Course s o ce was , so to speak , R part and parcel of the ing, and hence Mr. Merry could not step outside without putting foot in

’ ’ Dav i es s Tattersall s . idea was to post him as a d hi m efaulter to the Stewards , and so prevent

r fulfilling his duties . Mr. Mer y was as slippery as an n eel and cunni g as a fox , and , in the end , he had the laugh on Davies . Thus he ran up fencing f f rom his o fice door to the course, posting a police man at the entrance gate with strict instructions to allow nobody to pass who was not running a horse !

Consequently, he could not be ordered out of the Ring for the sufficient fact that he was n e ver in it The reason of the stratagem was an open secret and i the incident supplied the humour of the day, Dav es laughing heartily when Mr . Merry popped his head

o . ver the fence and called out , Good morning , Mr Davies ! I ’ m here ! I hope you’ re very well this

m n . . orni g, Mr Davies Afterwards, when Mr.

’ n n Merry s luck cha ged , the outstandi g account was s ettled .

n bu t Shrewsbury is a other course with a past ,

n ot . a present Indeed, the ground over which in the long ago we raced and chased is n ow covered m with buildings . The meeting was anaged by the

f . l the ather of the present Mr John Frai , who began

l n business of his life as a barber. The old gent ema 154 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T UR F

v his t was ne er ashamed of ini ial occupation , and

the circumstance once served him well in a cou rt

law of . He was a witness in some Parliamentary

bribery case , and , on getting into the box , Mr.

- Attorney General Cockburn pounced upon him . What is your name ” John Frail . What are you

A barber at Shrewsb ury.

! n Ah , John Frail According to my instructio s a very frail man Have you been long at Shrews bury ! ” — l Yes . Nearly all my life, and not re ishing

hi s the joke on name I know you, and you should

m ou m have known e. I shaved y many ti es at ” Shrewsbury when you were courting two sisters .

Mr. Frail was soon informed that he could leave

the box . The shrewd wit that served him upon this

occasion benefited him through life . He was a man

who meant to make his way in the world, and he so accomplished his purpose that at this moment the name of the Frails is on e of the best known in

Off Turf icial circles . I am not prepared to say that everything at

n ow Shrewsbury was managed on the lines that , say ,

n prevail at Wi dsor or Manchester . Ways and means

then, in the absence of a considerable public , formed

155 L S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T URF a serious question ; and the authorities tolerated many things their successors would regard with

- amazement to day .

u Some f nny things have been done at Shrewsbury , particularly at the Autumn Meeting . But whatever took place was generally with an idea to help out some decent sportsmen who at the finish of the

’ season were hard up . The year I have in my mind s 18 62 eye was that of , and the last day (Friday) of

’ n Shrewsbury was the final of the season . He ce with “ many it was a case of neck or nothing . On the d i . Thurs ay, Capta n Little , Captain Townley and Mr l George Eade went to Mr . George Angel and said ,

“ ’ ’ all h t o Matters are serious . We re broke . W at s be done C an you get up a race

’ ’

An . gell replied , I ll think matters over I ve no ’ m power . But I ll go and see Hodg an , and talk the ” matter over with him . He approached me with the idea of making u p a small handicap , for gentlemen riders , with j ockeys the usual extra . I went to Mr. John Frail, sen . ,

ou u t and said , I want y to p another race in for

- . r to morrow, for gentlemen riders There are fou of

et the swells dead broke, and we must g a race up for them . I know there are already plenty of races ” on the card , but it will stand this one .

ff r All right. I leave the a air in you hands . 156

S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U RF saying he had n o n otion of such a race closin g so I t ” hought I might take it . ”

i t ill . All r ght , said his fa her . That w do

n Mr . A gell was over at the George Hotel ; so I

an d f. sent for him to come and see Mr. Frail mysel

” “ ’ Here , George , I said , there s a nice mess .

’

. to Mr Priestley has entered T om Sayers . What s be done ! ”

“ ’ ’ w n I don t kno , retur ed George. But he s a ” wretched bad horse . Let him alone.

0. . I said N There might be an upset George , we will o or him g f . “ ! ” “ ’ Good gracious he exclaimed . He s such a

’ ’ ” u n ! bad , we can t

But we must . Yours they would be laying 3 or 4 to 1 on ; same with mine ; same with either

’ ’ Barber s or Bryan s . Perhaps this unnecessary entry wil ’ l be for the best after all . I ll see we have good

’ men up , and we re doing this for them . None will know till they get to the post , where Captain ” Townley is to tell them . — — I On the morning of the race that is , next day suggested to Fordham (without adding a word) that

u he ought to see Mr . Priestley abo t the mount on

T om t . Sayers , as I thought he migh win In all

a u w as innocence Fordh m fo nd out the owner, who 5 only too glad to have him , and give away the lb . 158 S I X T Y YE A RS O N T H E T U RF extra . That was enough . We knew George would

all t bad try for he was wor h , and as was his horse

had n we were determin ed he should win . It bee a t n rranged hat Captai Little should ride Abron , but as the horse was such a terrible puller , I said that l Pa mer was the man . ” ow we N , Angell , I said , must put a thousand

to ! pou nds on Tom Sayers . How is it be done

b an d l Mr. Angell was agreea le, said he wou d leave the matter in my hands .

” ’ All right , I answered . I ll attend to the

You ou t t . bet ing go and see Fordham weigh , and

’ keep with him . Leave the rest to me . I ve seen

w . To nley, and arranged everything

n I went straight to Mr . George Pay e, and said I want you to put me a thousan d pounds on this

’ raoof ! ’ What do you mean The thing s impossible.

’ You couldn t get it on

’ u et Oh , yo ll be able , I laughed , to g anything

’ ” on this cove . It s Tom Sayers . Good gracious ! He’ s not worth a thousand pence ! He’ s a wretch

’ ’ It s all right , Mr . Payne . We ve good men up .

Nobody will know anything till they get to the post. Look at the names

’

. But, he answered, I can t get a thousand on 159 S IX T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF

At that moment Mr. Ten Broeck was descending the Grand Stand steps . “ e Mr . Broeck , I called . I want you . I hav

u t T om asked Mr . Payne to p me a thousand on

Sayers .

’ He laughed . A brute You re mad , Hodgman

u I told him all I had informed Mr . Payne , abo t

&c. & . c . e the good men , , and , in the end , Mr Payn

t . took one par of the Ring for five hundred , and Mr

Ten Broeck the other for the same amount . At the post Captain Townley said (out of the hearing of Fordham) that he (Fordham) was to win m on Tom Sayers . At the first atte pt Tom Sayers he — e off truly was a brute refus d to jump , and the others (although it was a start !) obligingly came ” back ; and at the next go he was soon allowed to

r 1 . t 00 take the ails After travelling abou yards , Captain Townley called out “ ’ t For heaven s sake , George , push the beas ’ ! ’ along. We re going for you It s a man or a mouse to—day !

’ ordham - F then had a two lengths lead , and Captain

’ ” Townley said , Now , let s have a bit of a flutter . Befor e they reached the bottom end they were pressing Tom Sayers a bit too close .

“ ” “ r Gentlemen , said Townley , let him get neare

’ home . Then we ll flutter again . 160

S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T UR F

” T om ou ! Well , Sayers , how are y going I append the C a len dar retu rn of the race

T R A N I A THE WEL E H D C P .

’ T r n 1 Mr r t om S T om 3 r s. 10st. 3 h . . P ies ley s aye s , by Ki g , y , or G . F dham ’ Mr . B ar r s A ron 11 st. 1 . r be b , aged, lb Palme ’ r 12 st c st Mr n Mr n n ! or 4 s. . ar . 12 . 3 . . o . Du e s a, y , ( lb ) Dix ’

r r 0 . d man s S n 3 s . 9 st. 1 rr Mr . H o g hee ess , y , lb Pe y ’ Mr r Mr . A n A t rt 4 r s. 10 st. 12 . gell s s a e , y , lb Edwa ds

n on T om r Won t r - rt rs of Eve s Saye s . by h ee q ua e a

n t a n t n on t r an d o r t . le g h , eck each be wee sec d , hi d, f u h

Close on twenty years have sped their way since

S the the racehorse peeded along the Egham turf, i 1 meeting finding ts termination in 8 8 4. A better track for the purposes of racing none could have

desired , but at times visitors possessed of portables

a t had re son for wishing they had lef them at home . One who on an occasion so wished was the late

Mr . James Weatherby, in the day of which I am

speaking head of the now world - famous Old Bur fi m r . lington Street . Mr Weatherby was a perfect m type of the fine old English gentle an . He

u co ld crack a joke or a bottle with the best , and was fond of recitin g in the morning the dishes of

the feast of the evening. ” H od u gy, he wo ld say, I did myself well last — ” night very well indeed . 162 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U R F

”

You it . look , was my answer Judging by ” your appearance , no one ever did himself better.

w me One day, ho ever, at Egham, he came to considerably put about .

’

H od I v e t . gy, los my watch t ! Well , wha kind of a watch is it

’ ’ ” Oh , it s an old relic of the family s .

t . At tha moment Mr Lefevre came up, with

’

a t . Wh t s the ma ter, Mr Weatherby

’ ’ n H od I m just telli g gy that I ve lost my watch ,

' ’ ” and t n d . I m ra her a noye , as it s a heirloom ” “ Oh , said Mr. Lefevre, those thieves, they are t very clever. Only two days back they ook two hundred and fifty pounds in notes out of the f t o . lining pocke my waistcoat I would, I swear , give the thief fifty pounds if he would show me how i t it he did t. I though was as safe as though in

the bank . “ “ how ! Well , I remarked , about recovery I

’ ’ don t see a detective handy . I ll have a look in the

ou it other ring. I suppose y would like to get ” back , Mr . Weatherby . ” I should indeed .

Well , if I see one of the detectives , what shall I tell him you will give for it !

’ u t or Oh , a tenner tho gh it s not worth tha — ” anything like the sum except to me as a memento . 16 3 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF

d t in an d I soon met the etec ive I was search of,

him if a told what had happened , and that the w tch 6 was returned to , Old Burlington Street, ten pounds wou ld be paid and no questions asked .

t of He jumped on a s ool , and took a rapid glance the occupants of his ring .

” ’ Mr . Hodgman , he said , there s not a prig t ! here . Do you know where the watch was los

he Mr. Weatherby was standing close by t

’ ” judge s box .

’ m H ow Oh , that s not in y ring . long is it since the watch was missed ! — About an hour perhaps more .

” “ ’ Oh , he said , Boss Tyler s party would work

n ow . that . The watch by is on its way to Bristol

’ ” But I ll do my best . In a very few days the heirloom was returned to

Old Burlington Street , and the ten pounds paid .

N ot . u long after I met Mr Weatherby , and cas ally asked And how’ s the watch going on ! ”

Oh , I forgot to tell you . It went again .

B u t you told me you wou ld never take it on a i r acecourse aga n .

“ So I did . But one day I forgot to leave it at

’ i i t h home , and it went . St ll I ve got back , thoug

it cost me another tenner . l Near y twelve months had passed when , in a joking 164

CHAPTER XI II

’ t n — horth ou se s r n r t Cu s a ce and For dham Dr. S f a k c i icism ”— ’ Drivin g Jack ou t of Town A r cher s o pin ion of Fordh am ’ — — —Mr Macaron i s Der by Lor d Clifden beaten a head . ’ — Oldaker s un fortunate statemen t The serious r esult to him — ” - — s ord rt ro n Mr r t . elf F ham hea b ke . William Day ca pe ed

M E as A PL , and entertaining , are the Reminiscences

n of my old friend, Harry Custance , he has , I ve ture to gently remind him , neglected to mention a comical incident that occurred at Carshalton when I lived C there close on forty years ago . ustance and Ford ham came down one day to ride in a trial the next m n or ing on Epsom Downs . In the evening w e three went to a little hostelry , known as The k Greyhound , ept by an old gentleman of the name of Denby . While we were seated in the cosy smoke

Shor hou s . t e room, Dr dropped in ; and here I must mention that I had instru cted Mr . Denby and his family not to call Fordham an d Cu stance by their — ” n ames the one was to be Simpson and the ” Af il . other W son ter sitting talking I , knowing the Doctor’ s prejudice against both Fordham and

fun Custance , said , thinking there would be some , 166 S IX T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T UR F and noticing that the Doctor (who did n ot then

et t g a deal about) had not recognised ei her,

’ t C ustance s Doctor, wha do you think of riding n ow

n n Custa ce retur ed the peppery old gentleman ,

’ — d ! n He be d He can t ride a bit . He ha gs

’ ” on . That s all he does .

u t the ff C stance , at firs , was inclined to take a air seriously, till I winked at him . “ “ in Well , I said, perhaps there is some truth what you say . B ut surely you will allow Fordham ” is better.

’

! . B ut Oh , yes He s a bit better , mind you ,

m can off n ot uch . Tom Chaloner beat his head

so The fun was a little bit too real for Fordham , I suggested the three of them should take a hand

n at cards , I looki g on . They set to work on some

- simple seeming game , called , unless I am mistaken, ” Driving Jack out of Town . The stakes were

ordham nominal , but F and Custance between them won from the old Doctor five shillings . Both were as pleased as if they had netted a big sum. They

a r might not be ble to ride , but they were too cleve for him at cards . “ off. in the Now , I said , I must be Doctor, morning I am goin g with these two gentlemen u p

’ to The Warren to have an hour s shooting and a 167 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U RF

at h ll look the ouse . Wi you come and have a bit of lunch with us here ” Certainly .

’ The hour s shooting was a trial , and when the business was ended we returned to the Grey ” i hound ant cipating the Doctor. We were stand i ing outside the house , and soon saw him walk ng briskly up . He carried a very heavy ashplant , with t w a top on it abou the size of a decent cauliflo er .

Just before he reached us he raised his stick , and shaking it at Custance and Fordh am call ed out

‘ ’ ’ ’ Oh , Mr. Simpson and Mr . Wilson , I ve found you out ! I know now who you are But I

’ O haven t altered my pinion . Neither of you can ! ” ride The only answer was a hearty laugh . m This was a hu orous occasion . But I recall another , in connection with Fordham , that was very 18 63— grave . It was on Derby Day of the year of

Macaroni . No sterner struggle than that between he and Lord Clifden for supremacy in the chief stake of England had been seen on Epsom Downs from the time they were consecrated to the horse and only in the last stride did Tom C haloner— ever — one ofthe doughtiest opponents ofF ordham squeeze

’

t . Mr. Naylor s col home The verdict was a head ;

r and I should say one of the sho test on record .

t n w a Fordham was naturally upse by so arro defeat , 168

S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T UR F

myself drove home, leaving Fordham and Mr .

n Mannington to follow o their horses . They some how missed each other, and Fordham fell in with f Al . fred Sait , the amous steeplechase rider As they trotted along, across Banstead Common, a Mr .

Oldaker, Clerk of the Course of Harpenden , joined

- t them . He was a well known acquaintance of Sai , ” but did not recognise Fordham in his mufti .

On : reining up , he said

’ r Well, Sait , I ve often hea d it said that Fordham

’

ll d . pu e horses, but I wouldn t believe it Now I am

I saw him wi th m own e e deliber t l satisfied . y y s a e y

u ll L or d Cl den this ter n oon p if af . I did . i Sait tr ed to stop him , but Oldaker persisted , blackguarding (as he supposed) the absent Fordham like a pickpocket . ! To do such a thing, and the horse favourite

’ ’ It s shocking. I can t make out what the Stewards were about

n This was more tha flesh and blood could stand ,

at and Fordham made an ugly rush , sideways ,

Oldaker, forcing him into the abounding prickly furze . Not in the least understanding matters Oldaker cried ! ! ” Cheese it Here , sir, you cheese it I ’ll cheese you Fordham savagely retorted . u ’ I ll cheese you And , raising his whip , he rained 17 0 D R H R T H O US E . S O

f ro d n r om a co o a she/c h made b M r G E O RG E . B . A C K SO N o C o F py f y . J J , y

M VV G A L E [f w d/ b r T . y y . . S ee page 1 7 1

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U RF

Fordham , as the preceding anecdote shows , was m t ost jealous of his repu ation , and whenever he was attacked (if he heard of it) he brought his traducer to book . An instance of striking character cropped 18 58 up in , after he had been beaten on Happy Land by Wells on FitzR on ald for the Two Thousand

u . li G ineas In explanation of the defeat, Wil am

who m Day, trained Happy Land, ade some dis

ara in w p g g remarks to Lord Ribblesdale , the o ner , ’ “ “ ab ordham s out F riding If, he said , I train a horse to win a race and a jockey doesn’ t second my eff ! orts , is it my fault, my lord The insinuation

ordham reached F , and he promptly laid the matter

u before the Stewards of the Jockey Club . This p t l Wil iam Day in a tight corner, and he received a f severe wigging rom the heads of the Turf Senate .

ordham off F , right , told Day that never again would he ride a horse he owned or a horse he trained .

Da y thus did not mend matters , and always after wards Fordham kept a close eye on any of his horses th at he thought would be improved by a

gallop or so . C HAP TER XIV

— — — My best horse Victorio us H i s un sightly head I buy him for 125 o — on— H er B ro tor —S en t s vs. Visi cklesby vic y ubseq u — — s s H er tr t tor o H e s her t - T ucces es ial wi h Vic i us give 2 s . he ’ — defeat of L e B earn ais - T om Jenn in gs s opin ion T he Goo d — — ’ wood trial T he Sweepstakes victory A dmiral Ro us s 1dea — — The Nur sery success Lor d Granville take s un der the o dds — ’ — Jackson s disgraceful offer A dead - heat at Wolverhampton “ of s — S et—Mr J on an d th e S ort Cause ame helly fe . acks h — — — house ale Victor H ow purchased Frozen out at Lin coln

— - N ot q uite like a thoroughbred A half crown for — — luck A Royal Hun t Cup track A Royal Hunt Cup trial “ Mr or e rr n rin n e an d t r o o . Ge g He i g d ks champag h ws c ld — ’ — water Victor s victory H e breaks down i n the Cambridge — — shir e Sold for an old son g Success at the stud .

H A D the late Duke of Westminster been asked

r which was the best ho se he ever owned , he would

unhesitatingly have named Ormonde . And were the question put to me which of the many horses

that passed through my hands I most regarded , I

off t should say, right , Victorious , a bay col by

’ t r Newmins er from Fai play s dam . I bought him

’ i R aw clifie pr vately from Paddocks , near York , now

’ n Mr. Vy er s place . The original purpose was to s end him up to auction at Doncaster , but he had 17 5 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U RF the strangles so bad that he could not be taken out l of his sta l . I do not think I have ever seen a

u n horse in a worse state , or one that looked so s u f ightly. His head was so disfig red that no air view could be gained of his limbs and body ; so I said to the groom “ C over his head up with a sack , and then per ” haps I can see what he is like . The more I examined him the better I liked m him , and I ade up my mind to run the risk of m ffl evil results fro his a iction , and purchased him

- 125 . then and there for sovs The stud groom, a

f w had u real good ello , who done me several t rns , said

You had better pay me now, sir , and settle the

’ matter. There s about a score owing for him at present . d him I instructe to call at Doncaster the next day ,

- fiv e when I paid him the hundred and twenty .

When I told my friend Mr. Mannington of my purchase, he expressed a wish to see the colt .

“ ’ n ow Well, seeing , him won t do much good .

’ ’ He s mine , and he s paid for . Still , John , I should

O like you to examine him , and give an pinion as to

ou f t whether y think his illness will a fec his wind .

B ut u whether he t rns a roarer or remains sound , I ” am sure he is worth the money I have paid . 176

S I X T Y Y E A RS O N T H E T URF

I am aware that this is n ot the orthodox way of purchasing blood stock , as I know that , according to

ou the modern school , y should study strains and families of this number and of that . But I never went deeply into such matters , and if I thought a colt or a filly would race I was a buyer . Nor did I pay much heed to elegance of contour so lon g as the legs were all right ; and when some one said to me

’ “ ” u l head ! of Paul Jones , What an g y he has I thought a su fli cien t answer was that the horse and n o t myself had to carry it . Both Vision and Victorious progressed nicely at

Epsom , and I ran the filly in the Brocklesby Stakes .

an d There was a field of eleven , with Water Baby b and Black ird the popular fancies , any price could have been had about Vision , who nevertheless , with b Perry up , won by half a length from Black ird , é with La M chante third . In the next week she met this pair in the Little John Plate at Notting

5 . m t . ham , and , despite a lb penalty, again bea the

t u The second victory proved her firs was no fl ke , and clearly she was the sort that could safely be w pu t in a gallop . At Warwick she won the T o

r i h Yea Old Stakes , and had the pr zes been of muc value the opening of that season would indeed have

been profitable to me . But to the Brocklesby only

40 . 30 sovs were added to the Little John Plate, ; 17 8 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF

50. t and to Warwick race , Small wonder tha owners in those days had to exercise their wits to make things pay ! After being beaten at Ascot in the Fern Hill Stakes , she won a race at Hampton (25 added and following a failure at Newmarket

3 00 . in a sweepstakes , I sold her for , I think , sovs But before I parted with her she had told me all

the I wished to know about Victorious . I galloped pair on the Friday before the Epsom S ummer 24 Meeting , which started on Tuesday , May . The

’ V s— t u trial was between the three Vic orio s , Vision ,

an d met Vixen . As I was driving to The Warren I

David Hughes , the jockey, brother to Mr . Tom

Hughes . ! ” What are you after, David I called out . I

’ ’ suppose you ve heard I m going to have a gallop ,

’ and you ve come to see the spin ’ t Nothing of the kind , Mr. Hodgman . I didn ” off know you had a trial coming .

“ ” “ ’ l of Jump up , I said , and we l have a glass ” champagne at The Warren .

’

: . After the drink , I said Let s get along, David

’ ’ of I m going to try the three V s , and I believe one

u . them , Victorio s , is the best horse in England

” ’ a Now, D vid , I went on, I m going to ask 2 Victorious to give Vision st . What do you think 17 9 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U R F

it It will be a great thing if he does .

’ “ Oh , he ll do it, I returned , or I shall be abominably disappointed .

Fordham rode Victorious , Perry Vision , and 150 Morris Vixen the course , half a mile . About yards from home Fordham and Perry were together, e ach riding hard . In the next five or six lengths

ou t . t Victorious shot , and won in a canter I star ed him on the Thursday of th e race week for the Two

k 10 . 50 Year Old Sta es , of sovs each , with added ,

’

- twenty nine subscribing . Count Lagrange s Le B earn ais came with a very tall reputation from

B u t Newmarket, and started a hot favourite . in

V n the handsomest style ictorious won by a le gth ,

u £ 2000. and I had a very nice race , winning abo t

n Bearn ais Old Tom Jen ings , who trained Le , was mu ch impressed with Victorious , and said

Governor, that horse of yours is a real good one . Afterwards he won a race by ten lengths at

Hampton , and scored at Nottingham .

Through the courtesy of the Duke of Richmond , I was able to take my Goodwood horses to the Park

n in a fortnight before the races , putti g up one of

al an d the Lodges, where I so stayed for Brighton him Lewes . I took Victorious there , and tried up — the H alnaker gallop one of the best . in England 18 0

S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF

” ’ Hodgman , he remarked , that s a very fine ! horse . Do you run him in the Nursery

’

I t s a . Yes , I do . a mile, and st ying is his game

And , Admiral , Fordham rides .

” ’ Well, he said , with all he s got I see nothing ” to beat him . l It will be a big thing if he does it . But I Sha l back him to win me a thousand , and I expect I shall ” fla fall get a good price at g . In those times there was much betting upon such a race as this Nursery long before the numbers were ” put up , and on occasions the early birds did not get the best of the bargain . One of these on that

n A dmiral day was Lord Granville , who heari g from

Rous that he thought Victorious was sure to win , — stepped into the Ring and took two big bets five ” monkeys with Jackson and six monkeys with

Tubby Morris . Jackson was a dangerous man to bet with , and , as proof, I state that after he had laid Lord Granville the 2500 to 500 he came to me an d

’ said , I ve laid the odds to a monkey against yours ,

. the Hodgman Would you like to have bet , or part ! ” of it That was typical of Jackson . His passion f f through li e was to make horses sa e , and he was not particular about the methods he employed .

ot n . N No , thank you , Jackson for me . Mi e is ” A t going to w in if he can . that moment the 18 2 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF

’ Admiral approached me with , Why, you re running — ” ’ . ! Bu t another, Hodgman Victory Oh yes he s

’ very bad , and he s only running to give Morris practice.

d m 1000to I waite till the last mo ent , and took w “ ’ 1000 0 8 0. sa 8 I Fordham , and said , I ve to ,

Yo u O . George . have the dds to a pony

ot Fordham g a nice place on the rails , and making nearly all the running won by a neck from Mr. W.

’ Day s Watchbox (who had a pull of 21 lb . ) and

l - Wa de rav e . g , they dead heating for second place m d “ Later I re arke to Fordham , George , how

ou came y to make running with all that weight , and in su ch a field

— ou —I Well , you know y know got a nice place, w ” w “ w you kno , he ans ered . And I was al ays — — going easy always easy very easy indeed , you w ” know, you kno . Lord Granville was one of the first to offer his “ congratulations . I thanked him , but said , My

u ou lord , you may know a deal abo t politics , but y

’ d - know d little abou t be tting . You ve taken

5500 to 1000 ou about my horse , and y ought to

1000 u have had to , and co ld have got it , my

ou B lord , if y had gone the right way to work . y ! - h ow m the bye , ca e you to risk such a stake ” u Oh , Ro s told me . S I X T Y Y E A R S ON T H E T UR F

” Well , I said , one of the men you betted with

’ came to me, and asked me to have a monkey of

. w your bet So , you see , you might have been thro ing ” a chance away. ’ t Ah , Hodgman , I shouldn have done it except for ou t Rous . He had seen y , and I knew by tha ” that everything was right . The next race of Victorious was the Chillington

Stakes at Wolverhampton , in the month of August .

n Herei he had only to give The Grappler, ridden by

lb u 3 . Fordham , As in the Goodwood N rsery he

w 21 disa v n had beaten that horse anyho at lb . d a ff t tage , the a air seemed a sof one . At exercise that morning I met Fordham . “ You will walk over for the Chillington Stakes , he remarked Wadlow tells me The Grappler

’ doesn t run .

t Balchin So I said to my rainer, , You may let

u . Victorio s have what he wants He walks over.

u Being a bit of a gl tton , he did himself royally

t i ordham w . ell Jus before weighing out t me , F ran

’ to . w me with , Oh , I m so sorry Wadlo this t momen has had a message from Captain Christie,

r u n u saying he must The Grappler, and of co rse I ” have to ride him .

n I was in a ice fix , but thinking Victorious had m such a deal in hand , I deter ined on a fighting 18 4

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U R F

the Wild Agnes stable , won a huge stake by the s uccess of the filly . He invited me to accept a Slight shade of odds against Victorious to a very big

’ su m. But I said , No . You re going heavy for i W ld Agnes . That tells me she is all right . And

’ my horse is not the horse he was . I shan t bet .

I cannot say I was ever very partial to Jackson , f who was saturated with sel . If he could get s omething for nothing he was always to the fore . It was the custom of myself and friends to have ou r carriages at Newmarket well laden with food

- and wines , while each day there was a two gallonjar

’ of acobs s Mr. J (he kept the Wellington ripping — old ale the sort that would have caused a glow of t satisfac ion to the lover of Lorna Doone , John id — R d. Jackson was very partial to ale especially

’ other people s , and he and two of his pals , in my absence (for I was the biggest beer drinker of the

O party) , would help themselves so freely that ften the jar ran dry in the middle of the afternoon . As ” the Americans say , I grew tired , and one day at

hor thou s . Carshalton mentioned the matter to Dr . S e

’ ” I ll stop Mr. Jackson and his pals , he said . And f he gave me a little phial of stu f, the proper quan tity for two gallons to be well shaken before ” of taken . None our party touched the ale that da y, and by the time Jackson and his friends had 18 6 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U RF finished the jar they were so seriously amiss that for the stomach’ s sake ” they needed a little brandy. We let a great number of people into the

t secre , and the repeated flights over the heath to get from sight of the three ale drinkers were punctuated with roars of laughter After that

a neither Mr . Jackson nor his friends t mpered with “ Shorthou se our ale . They never knew when the ” a brew was on t p. I have mentioned in con nection with Vision ho w little intention at times I had of dealing in blood stock till the accident of situation prompted me .

An even more striking case , I think , was my pur 1 1 chase of Victor in 8 6 . The February of that year

the was an awful time ; indeed , so bad were condi

s l tion that the Linco n races had to be postponed , a t l r 15 star not occurring til Friday , Februa y , the

Lincolnshire Handicap being run on the Saturday . Sportsmen “ in residence by the Cathedral were naturally hard pushed for ways to spend their time , and the general resort was to cards . I was n ot

v much gi en to that diversion , and used rather to stroll about the town and beyond . When starting for one of my jaunts , I happened to pass the yard

’ of the Saracen s Head , and , glancing in , found a

t n rough sor of a countryman holdi g a horse . At the moment I had no more idea of making a deal 18 7 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U RF than I had of flying over the moon . I took fair stock of the horse , and rather fancied him , as he possessed

u good q arters and was well ribbed up , his chief

bit . defect being his forelegs , which stood over a

’ He don t look quite like a thoroughbred , I remarked .

’ That s just what he is , was the retort . Per ’ w ” haps you don t kno much about horses .

’ ’ You re quite right I don t . If he is thorough

’ bred , what s he by

’ By Vindex , Sir Charles Monk s horse .

u Ah , well Just let that boy trot him abo t .

- n The boy took hold of the halter stri g, and can

tered . him up the yard I had another look at him , and was satisfied . What ’ s his figure ” Eighty po unds .

’ I suppose he s yours I remarked . ! ” Whose the h 11do you think he is was the rough retort . “ ’ . ou All right . Keep your temper I ll give y eighty

’ pounds . He s mine .

I pulled the eighty pounds from my pocket, and handed them over. The countryman was extremely d satisfie with the deal , and pressed on me , for luck ,

- a half crown , smacking it into my hand with a force that left the impression . 18 8

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T URF

of al w e . n a r the tri , h n Mr Herri g , who could dministe a w te a d cold a r b th better than most , sai , Oh , I

’ ’ t k . s don thin much of that , George That no

catch .

’ l ask n an d Wel , I didn t you to come dow hold w an argument w ith me . I suppose I kno my own ’ w business . At least , I think I do. I don t kno

’ w a ou . r u h t y want , George The t ial s good eno gh f ” or me.

Who rode Libellous asked Mr . Tom Hughes . ” Your brother , Tom .

’

i n ow i t w . r . Oh , that s all ght I say ill win

” “ . t So do I , I answered And , George , I wan ’ h t you to pu t me a thousand pounds on . That s w a ” I think of it . t S arting favourite , with Morris up , he won by four

n m k n le gths , but in the Ca bridgeshire he bro e dow , ’ 2 and I sold him at Tattersall s for 8 gs . He went

n w d n — of to Irela d , here he begat many goo wi ners

of the number Valour , hero the Manchester Cup in

18 8 1.

190 CHAPTE R XV — — Matches Fashionable forty years ago A match I lost and won b — or st or an th e o s but es—M y L d We m l d lays dd , hedg y “ ” old roo are Jon s — at t A r Ro s b d m , Paul e M ch wi h dmi al u “ —Mr S t e err — H is ort n t on— H e re . pec acl P y sp i g ambi i p sents me t Ot o who e ts hi s n—A not r wi h h , b a Tubal Cai he —Mr rr sati sfied—S n t on tt n r match . Pe y e sa i al be i g o ve a match “ —Mr B r — n f at Goodwood . Teddy ayley His wa t o judg — ’ men t an d obstin acy Morris s opin ion of his Derby horse ’ — Paul Jones s Chester Cup trial with Marin er Even w eights r — h — r r s — o n o gallop T e r esult M . B ayley help himself Paul

- — Jones as a yearlin g and a two - year old H is Derby an d — — B righton runn in g Why wron g I train him myself for th e r—A t a tor tr a —St e t me to 1000 St. Lege sa isf c y i l e l ge s ’ ’ —A h n at— r n n—Mr r u lucky defe Fo dham s expla atio . G aham s — — ’ munificence In explicable Cesarewitch run nin g B utler s — — “ t folly A h unfortunate cannon A certainty upse .

A S l M TCHE , it must be owned , are not very fashionab e

r n owadays . But forty years ago they were a popula di version , and men would stand out for a pound m uch as boxers do at present . I was always very

- partial to match making , and do not , of the great n m e u b r in which I was engaged , recall having lost m ore than three . One of these was with Paul Jones ,

w - - hen a two year old . He was pitted against Chivalry for 200 b r sovs . at the Newmarket Second Octo e 191 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T UR F

of 1867 Meeting , Chivalry being the property of

f . Mr. Samuel Haughton , ather of the present Mr

George . At first I thought I would pay forfeit , as my horse , having been thrown up , was more like a ll f covering sta ion than aught else . But I a terwards reflected that the gallop might do him no harm and how did I know Chivalry was all right ! So I took him from London on the morning of the t ’ match , arriving abou eleven o clock , and had him saddled down the Criterion Course . Chivalry , I found , was all right ; so I knew I had no chance .

Still , I thought it might serve Paul Jones in future

2st . if Chivalry beat him at a stone , for ordinarily would not have brought them together . I did not go near the betting men , and only myself and l trainer saw the colt . While Chiva ry w as on his

od . way to the post Mr. George Beckett r e up ! ” What have you done I said . 1200 100 ’ Taken to 0you don t win .

“ ’ You never mean , I exclaimed , to say I m favourite ! — You are 6 to 5 on . Great heavens ! Those who are backing him

’ ’ haven t seen him . He s as fat as a bullock . I should like to have half your bet .

So you shall . Book it .

At that moment Lord Westmorland came up . 192

lbs h £ 50 . 7 e match , for a side But I wanted , while

f affair s. thought 3 lb. would be su ficient to make the

r close thing . In the end I gave way , and the pai

e ran over the last four furlongs of the Rowley Mil , when Fordham on N u tgirl beat Parry on Duplicity by

- three quarters of a length . I had no bet on the race ;

h e nor did the Admiral . But he was as pleased at t victory as though he had won a thousand pounds . ” “ ’ I You see , said he , you d have beaten me had ” given you 7 lb . Mention otherwhere occurs of the matching of my

’ r v l . a o a al Shillelagh with Mr Hall s F , on the fin

18 62. Mr day of the Epsom Summer Meeting of .

’ ” w as e Hall s right name Perry , and as there wer several Perrys about , he was , to his familiars , by

h e reason t at he wore glasses , known as Spectacl

Perry . Mr. Perry was on the Stock Exchange, but his heart was in sport , though he was pretty

’ c t u s he u e at the b sines of his life , and no one whom

n n . k ew , deserving of a turn , looked to him in vai

S to One of his ambitions , on his porting side , was

‘ me e r beat in a match , and he must be given what ve i credit attaches to perseverance . We were talk ng o n e ave a day , and I remark d to him , Perry , you h ” a little horse , Otho .

’ at a fif Yes . But I ve sent him up to auction , ty ” reserve . 194 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U R F

Oh I should rather have liked to have bought

' if n Well , George , as for that matter he does t ’ hi m reach his reserve I ll make a present of to you .

’ I attended Tattersall s for the sale , and said to

“ ’ Mr to . Richard Tattersall , There s a horse , Otho , be sold . If he fails to command his reserve , fifty , put

b . e . h him aside . He will mine Mr Perry as given

” “ me . on e him on that condition I added , If any ” s bids fifty I hall go on . So keep your eye on me .

: a Nobody bid fifty so he became mine . I won

18 62 and in race with him in the spring of , July I

as s met Mr . Perry at Newmarket . He was p ing our a c rriage , and called out “ d e Well , Ho gman , do you want any mor matches “ e I return d , Yes ; and , if you like , with the little

’ r him t ho se , Otho , you gave me . I ll back agains l 200 t 7 b. your Tubal Cain , at , for aside , on the las six furlongs of the Rowley Mile .

The match was concluded there and then . Half an hour later Mr . Perry returned . Hodge , he

“ ’ ‘ ’ if the said , I ll give you a pony you will make distance five furlongs . No ; I made it six furlongs because though yours

l and s 7 h. oa e is much the better hor e , at , he is a r r r, mine stays 195 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E ' T U R F

Very well . Let the match remain .

off The race came at the First October Meeting,

r ham Fo d riding mine and Sam Rogers Tubal Cain .

ordham Opinions were evenly divided , but F set a strong pace , and won in a canter by three lengths . 1 In the early part of 8 65 Mr . Perry showed fresh anxiety for a match . We were talking at the Club , and he remarked , in a casual sort of way , Would you like another match ! ” ’ ! ” Yes . I m not particular. What shall it be

Old Well , I have an horse , The Principal .

’ ’ old u n And I have an , The Monk , I ll run him against yours , even weights , over the Rowley Mile , ” for 200 sovs . ” “ e That , he said will suit me ; and this tim , l H od . gy, I sha l win

So the public thought , when the race was decided on the second day of the Craven Meeting , as they 4 laid 6 to on The Principal . I again put up

Fordham , while Billy Boyce threw a leg over the favourite , who was beaten three parts of a length .

- H d f . . o A terwards Mr Perry said , Good bye , Mr g

’ v man . I m quite satisfied . I shall ha e no more ” matches with you . Speaking of matches recalls an incident of “ ’ ” T h 18 49 Mr . e Houghton Week , , when Gordon s 196

S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF

r in the closing years of his life M . Brayley was bitterly acquainted with the fleeting character of

riches . I am no believer in the su perstition men

tion ed or , any other . So I do not attribute

’

. a Mr Brayley s downf ll to retribution from the Fates , the rather fixing the blame on the poorness of his

judgment . And the evil of the business in the end was that he often obstinately stuck to his erroneous

of f . ideas in the face in ormation and evidence Thus , because at Ascot in 18 69 he beat Vestmin ster with Duke of Beaufort he would not believe in my horse winning the Cambridgeshire ; and the more I told him that Vestmin ster at the time of his defeat was

not himself, the more he protested he knew better . This same Duke of Beaufort let him down badly in

the Derby of that year . He formed a notion that d he was a goo colt , whereas the best judges told him

he was a bad .

“ ’ I ll back him all the same , he said , and took

30000 to 1000 off Tubby Morris .

’ 10 1 o He ll see to , he told Morris as he b oked

the bet . “ “ I tell you what it is , said Morris . If your

him o horse goes on nicely , you bring to the p st fit

’ as he can be made , and the people like him , you ll

’ ”

100 1 10s . be able to get to , never mind

a e Matters w ere not so bad as that , but all the s m 198 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U R F

’ 5os Duke of Beaufort stood at , doing rather better than many thought would be the case by running sixth . But perhaps the most striking instance Of ’ i Mr. Brayley s infatuation with h s judgment w as

S 18 68 revealed in the pring of , when I tried Paul

Jones with his Mariner for the Chester Cup . The spin took place at Telscombe over a very severe two

as mile track , on about bad a morning as the e lements could have conspired to devise . A bitter w ind swept across the downs , and with the wind was a blinding rain . It was not at all a day o n which to idle about , and I pushed on with matters

“ ’ s Here , Fordham , I said , look sharp . Let

. 9 st . get this over You weigh out at , and you " l Cannon at 8 st . 7 lb . (I shou d explain Fordham was to ride Paul Jones and Tom Cannon Mariner ,

in bo the other the trial being Vixen , with a little y u p, to make running) .

’ a ! Wh t s that shrieked Mr. Brayley . Your R Paul Jones give my Mariner 7 lb . idiculous

“ ” “ ’ Not at all , I said . You d have no chance w ’ ith Mariner at Chester with my horse s weight .

’ S s And , Brayley, I han t back mine unless he beat ” yours easily .

“ ' ' t ! sn t Perfec nonsense Your horse can t , and i 199 S IX T Y YE A R S ON T H E T U R F

’ going to try to give my horse weight There ll be no trial if the weights are not level !

Of Seeing that , his vanity about his Mariner ,

Mr . Brayley was determined , I had to give way ,

n d a it was a case of 9 st . each . I expected Paul

Jones to win , but scarcely anticipated that he would so completely smash Mariner up as to thrash him

by about a quarter of a mile , which he did . In

fact Mariner , from our standpoint , could not be

seen .

’ Oh , cried Mr . Brayley , I wouldn t have had ! ’ this happen for a thousand pounds Mariner , I m

s ure , has broken down

After an interval Vixen passed us , and in time w Mariner , ith Tom Cannon drenched to the skin .

’ ” ! has ! What s the matter , Tom what happened

called Mr . Brayley excitedly . Has he broken down ! ” “ “ . t Nothing of the kind , Tom returned Tha big brute [Paul Jones! had me settled half a mile

at t from home . Mine was stone cold the bo tom of ” the hill . w h Mr . o That satisfied even Brayley , ceased his

lamentations , and on getting to town anticipated

u me in the backing of my horse , with the res lt that

“ ” I was left with the skim of the market . No

m 4 fla - ore than 7 to was laid at g fall , and that price 200

S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF

n to back him . I gave the commission to Mr . Joh

o F y, who returned me what I thought was a very

n poor price , his explanation being that Captai w l m t H a kes ey had had the arket . I replied tha

e the Captain was not acting for me . There wer

- - 5 2 four and twenty runners , and , starting at to ,

Paul Jones pulled through by a neck from Kingsland .

Quince , one of my stable lads , had the mount . He w as a very fine horseman ; and , seeing that Butler

to was on Kingsland , young Quince must be held have shaped well . After the race Mr . Foy said ’ ” Well , you ve won , but I wish the second had .

Surprised , I asked , Why

Because I had a big interest in him . h Well , I should have t ought you might have ” t o . old me , F y, in case I wanted to save He turned away and laughed .

” “ l o That , I said to myse f, is John F y all over . After his ' Chester Cup victory Paul Jones took

f to his chance in the Derby , figuring third avourite

l n Lady Elizabeth and B ue Gow . This position was assured him by the magnificence of his action in the

. w n preliminary canter As the saying is , he ent dow

s at best. To put matter the utmost , he ran well , w ithout ever threatening victory ; and when at the 10 top of his form , I should say he was always lb.

had behind the winner , Blue Gown . I a good look 202 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T URF at m y horse after the race , and was the reverse of

“ ” pleased . He struck me as being on the beefy

side , and I did not , knowing what a gross feeder he

he f was , think had had su ficient work . The form , I

w as e certain , was much wrong , as Sp culum ran

third ; and at any time Paul Jones was 5 lb. and a

’ ‘ neck in front of the Duke of Newcastle s colt . He

was indulged with a walk - over for the Rous Stakes

o d fa at G odwoo , and iled later in the afternoon to get ’ f a place in the Stewards Cup won by Vexfi w ho

3 Vex was a brown filly by Vedette from Flying Duchess ; he nce

s ter to a o n who was o in 18 72. I ou n ot n full is G l pi , f aled c ld make hi g of Vex for t o a e t f n t of so ex much , h ugh b au i ul le g hy filly she was

c ta e a o t on t t she u to t r at the o t the i bl disp si i ha sed bea he self p s , rat n our n off her in s to a t t I t ers o o s . o t p pi i p i g , y, bucke sful s yle h ugh she would suit Lord Westmorlan d for the matches of which he was

so on as sh e w n all r t n t e th e n . Sh e o t o n f d, , he igh , we lik wi d c s me ly

96 n at a t on in Ne mar t Str t. A ter her oo gui eas, uc i w ke High ee f G d woo e o t on of r an I n t r n on h er r t d xp si i b illi cy was a u ally kee ela ives .

B u t t o I o t th e ro n o f n ro Mr h ugh b ugh p ge y Flyi g Duchess f m .

S son for three ear s t n ot r e e t t on . I n tr t imp y , hey did ealis xpec a i s u h , th ey n o more r esembled Vex than a h en do es a hor se ; an d I am as re n tt T he sure as I am of my own existe n ce they we ot by Vede e . ’ t was Mr . S son s t w as on t i n or on . fac , imp s ud c duc ed depl able fashi

T h e w o e n ess was a ot - ot t ro the i ator n s an d h l busi h ch p ch , h ugh d l i es

zar s of Mr S on an d hi s o at s. r on hapha d way . imps ass ci e The e is ly n e en n to an e ta n t so on t an d t t n r t o di g s blishme c duc ed , ha ba k up cy , t ort n n ot which speedily o vertook the own er of Vedet e . Had misf u e e a en I s o rta n e o e nto o on of b f ll him , h uld ce i ly hav c m i p ssessi

o n w o e n s to his s t r was ron o n as Gal pi , h s like es full is e , Vex , as p u ced r his e ta s I o t n n s t r I t o t we e xci ble way . have f e bee a ked whe he h ugh

the alleged Vedette- Flying Duchess produce I purchased betwee n

an d o n were tte an d I e e r n r in the Vex Gal pi by Vede , hav ve a swe ed e n egativ . 203 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T UR F early in the year I sold to Lord Westmorland for

200 s. e sov At Brighton , in the Cup , Speculum gav — Paul Jones 7 lb. and a handsome beating form that I knew to be wrong, and puzzled indeed was

I to make out what had come over my colt . He had in no way lost his action ; he was not in the leastwise ungenerous ; and the fault , I concluded , must be in the training.

B alchin , I said , I am going to have Paul

—“ tr ai n ed Jones trained for the St . Leger mind you . He can’ t be as bad as the Cup running makes him

out . I shall be down every day to see him do his ” work , and then I shall be satisfied . Nor did I ff whenever possible , fail to act up to my word , su er

an ing y inconvenience , travelling any distance , in

order to keep an eye on my colt . In the Yorkshire Oaks a fortnight later a Birdhill

Maesllw ch— filly , named that I had purchased from the Duke of Beaufort— ran a good third to the Duke ’ i ’ L éon e . M sotis of Hamilton s and Mr Watt s y , and

later in the afternoon won the Chesterfield Handicap , w distance a mile . I determined I ould try Paul

Jones with her , and the pair were stripped on

28 Maesllw ch Friday , August To I set 2 lb . 7 . Paul Jones to concede st , a task he cleverly e accomplished . By taking a line through L onie — w ho was uncommonly smart I made out that I had 204

S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U RF

a . rattling chance of winning the St Leger , provided

Paul Jones kept well . On the following Tuesday I went to the Warwick races , and met Mr . Harry ”

. ff Steel Billy Marshall , I said , has o ered me 5000 25 to against Paul Jones for the Leger , and so ” has Stephenson .

“ ’ ’ Well , I shouldn t take the bets . I think it s ” all the odds against him .

’ ’ Now, Steel , don t make a mistake . I ve scarcely

’ left that horse since Brighton . This time I ve seen ” that he is trained . And I told him the trial . Steel was well aware that when I laid myself out for a coup I was not in the habit of practising self- de

i n ce t o . p , and his grave face became more thoughtful

’ ” I m so satisfied , I added that I want you to put me a thousand pounds on . You didn’ t take those bets 2 ” No .

’ Right . I ll manage the business . You attend to he t horse .

I did not again meet Steel , or hear from him , tih

I saw him in the Subscription Rooms at Doncaster.

“ ’ ” “ I ve done that for you , he said . You have 1 to 000.

ordham F , who had been engaged for Formosa ,

off begged , as it was common property she was n ot herself, in order to ride Paul Jones , at

207 o S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T URF

has the finish a 100 to 15 chance . As the world known for these past thirty odd years , Formosa ,

of despite her amissness , beat my colt by a couple m lengths . But the world has not known that Fordha always blamed himself as being the cause of the defeat . “ ’ I thought when I saw Osborne at work on bit Mercury I had the race safe , and took matters a easy . If I had , as I should have done , come clean ” away , I must have won in a canter . Mr. Hodgman ,

“ all he said , I have lost you the Leger and that ” ~ f. money . I shall never forgive mysel This Ford nam told me in my rooms on the night of the race, and he wished there and then to go home . But I saw no sense in that , though I own that I was very

e disappointed , an added tinge arising from knowledg of the fact that if Paul Jones had won the Austrians would have bought him for 5000 sovs .

Still , if I lost the race I gained some whisky.

. t Mr Graham , the owner of Formosa was a spiri merchant , trading under the name of Nicholson

“ ’ Nicholson s London Gin . He shook hands with

’ ’ f - in me a ter the weighing , remarking, I m glad I ve won . But my filly was amiss , and I went for yours,

Hodgman .

an d Mr . Graham was not prodigal in his ways , ” i wh o Tubby Morr s , stood with us , said , Well, 208

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T UR F

had more reason for confidence . I was so piqued at the disgraceful running of the colt that I promptly s truck him out of the Cambridgeshire , and had the mortifi cation of witnessing the success of See Saw ,

“ ” whom I had beaten all ends up in the St . Leger.

It is as well at times not to act on impulse . In the Chester C u p of the following year ( 18 69) Paul Jones l h 7 . 9 b. was handicapped at st , and I thoug t he held

a respectable chance of repeating history . The n ean was favourite , ridden by Wilson , while

Butler was on my horse . The pair went hammer ” and tongs for each other , clapping on the pace to such an extravagant extent that at a period they

were fully twenty lengths ahead of the rest , each jockey riding as though the five furlong were the

h orsefiesh finishing post . The ordeal was more than

l E ean cou d endure , and gradually The g and Paul

Jones dropped back , pumped out so that Fordham ,

on Knight of the Garter , at the Grosvenor Bridge ,

had the race nicely in hand . Dalby , who finished 2 lb third , conceding Paul Jones . , met him next day

’ in Her Majesty s Plate . I gave Butler a severe and

his n deserved rating for ridiculous ridi g. In truth ,

I had a good mind , as Fordham was disengaged , to

make Butler stand down , and told him so . “

- If, I warned him , you do to day what you did

yesterday , I will never put you up again . 210 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF Butler rode as well that afternoon as on the pre vions afternoon he had ill , and Dalby was beaten by a couple of lengths , this circumstance supplying clear proof that Paul Jones should have been in the thick — 1 9— of the C u p fight . That autumn 8 6 I planned three coups : Paul Jones for the Great Yorkshire Handicap ; John Davis for the Cesarewitch Stakes ;

V s min r and e t ste for the Cambridgeshire . The easiest of realisation I took to be the first and the — hardest the third But curiously so strangely Fortune shuffled her cards— the most difficult was the ff only successful e ort . Still , Paul Jones was for the

“ “ ” Great Yorkshire a moral , accidents excepted .

Unfortunately , the interfering agent of accident was l present . A quarter of a mile from home , when ful of running , Paul Jones was cannoned on to the rails ,

' and Butler s feet came out of the stirrup irons . He made a marvellous recovery , but the race was then

’ lost , poor third honours being my horse s share .

Afterwards Paul Jones did nothing , and was sold with the rest of my racing stud .

211 CHAPTER XVI

— The Duke of H amilton H e puts me a thousan d on Valian t — — — A good thin g The Duke misses a chan ce What I s aid — — to him His laughin g agr eemen t I buy J ohn Davis o f him — The B righton Stakes r un n in g Tubby Morr is an d B illy “ — Nichol thi n k they smell a r at A drive to Telscombe ’ — John Davis s extraordin ary tr ials H e beats Pr ovider 150 — r t— I os yards For dham wishes to r ide at 14 lb . ove weigh l e — B utler an d pu t up Sammy M ordan H i s eccen tric disobedi — — en ce A Cesar ewitch thr own away I sell John Davis for ’ ’ — t r s — of 19 gs . The S ewa d Cup The Duke Hamilton s Mid — ’ — lothian an d Lollyp o p His Grace s declaration H is or der s to

—M r r — I tr to S t r C ustance y o de s y buy u le .

WHOE VE R knew the la te Duke of Hamilton with any degree of intimacy found in him a staunch friend and a charming companion . There was

- amb nothing namby p y about His Grace, a man of rare physique , and able , when occasion arose , to use his fists with admirable dexterity . The very soul of kindness , he would do anybody he liked a good turn , and many lost a real friend when he was gathered ” to his fathers . His Grace and myself always hit

n matters excellently , and the number of busi ess transactions we had together is beyond my memory to recall . It must be understood that the members 212

S I X T Y YE A R S ON T H E T URF

s said to Jackson , as if he had uddenly made up his

’ mind , I ll back Valiant .

’ I ll lay you two monkeys . ff 600 300 Then Stephenson o ered to , and Bayliss , 4 10 200 k wishing for a deal , sprung to , ma ing in all 2 1 10 0 0 00. to The horse won anyhow, and after s ordham eeing F weigh in I went to his Grace .

The bookmakers promptly deciphered the situation ,

s n ow ! remarking, Oh , he does your bu iness What next

Well , your Grace , I said , what have you done ! ”

He told me , and I thanked him , adding, And what did you put on for yourself !

Oh , I put nothing on . Not a penny .

Well , I said , excuse me , your Grace , but you h are a d d old was erwoman . I told you it was ” a good thing .

So you did . And I really think I have been slow .

n The incident lived lo g in the ducal memory .

Indeed , a short time before his death the Duke called to me in the Birdcage at Newmarket . He ” was seated with Mr . Langley Pavo of the

r in P st Mo n g o ) under the shed .

Hodgman , he said , what was the name of that horse I put you a thousand pounds on at Shrewsbury ! ” It began with a V . S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T HE T UR F

Valiant I answered .

Yes , yes . 1 1 You got me 20 0 to 000.

I did . And now , Hodgman , would you mind

’ telling our friend Pavo what you called me when I told you I had done nothing for myself !

“ Well , your Grace , if you want the exact words , I said you were a d d old washerwoman . m . e Yes And , mind you , Hodgman , you called ” n by my right ame . In 18 69 I noticed that John Davis was ad

“ ” v r is d e t e for sale in the Calendar . He was a brown horse by Voltigeur from Jamaica , and then aged . He had done the Duke of Hamilton capital service , but as the horse was getting on in years he determined to sell . I had seen this said John Davis run in the Northamptonshire

Stakes , and from what I then noticed considered him n good for raci g . I met the Duke one day ,

“ and remarked , Your Grace , I see John Davis is in the sale list .

Yes . He goes up . Have you put a reserve on him ! ” Yes . Five hundred .

ou I will give y that now .

’ Well , Hodgman , I can t take him out of the sale , you know. 215 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T UR F May I mention to Tattersall that you told me the reserve price

Certainly . Do what you like .

I went to Mr . Tattersall , and said that if there w as no bid over 500 he was to knock the horse

h w r . . . Ston e e e down , at the reserve price , to Mr W S , a rich Yorkshire Justice of the Peace , who stood o ver six feet high , and was dearly anxious to win a big handicap . The reserve was not reached , and John Davis was knocked dow n as I had instructed m Mr . Tattersall . I im ediately wired to Mr . Stone

“ hewer , Have bought the horse . Dine with me to ” night at the Bristol Hotel , Brighton . I gave him th e - five hundred pounds over the dinner table , and he filled in the cheque and sent the same off to

’ Tattersall s at once . Though he was a Yorkshireman ,

h w r . Ston e e e Mr lived at Shoreham , and I let the f horse go to his arm , where he galloped round hay stacks ! This was the only work he did before he ran in the Brighton Stakes , wherein he was ridden by Butler .

“

. u t I said to Mr George Cutt , I want you to p

’

£ 10 . me on John Davis Go to Tubby Morris , and £ 5 put on with him , and lay out the other with

’

f. Billy Nichol . Don t you touch it yoursel He may win , but he has not been trained .

Just as the horses were going out Mr . Cutt took 216

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U R F

“ Mr . T . Hughes , who stood next me , Tom , I shall win both those races , the one with John Davis and ” es min s er the other with V t t . On the following morning I drove from my place in Nightingale Lane , fi Clapham , to Telscombe . My rst stop was at an

in inn just beyond Croydon , and on the signboard ,

w as gilt letters from a scarlet ground ,

JOHN DAVIS .

I was thinking deeply at the time of the horse of that name , and the incident caused me to pull up and have a drink , telling the landlord the reason of the call . Next morning I saw John Davis do his

an d work , and he went with such dash resolution that I was delighted . That year there were at the First October Meeting two races decided over the

w on Cesarewitch course . One of them was by

’

R . Mr . ay s Wildflower , by Wild Dayrell She won with ridiculous ease , and , the owner being a friend of mine , I borrowed her to try John Davis with .

There were several others in the spin , but Wild

flower , as representing recent form , was the chief

- 2 . tell tale . I put her in with st less than the old horse , who simply played with her . Indeed , he won with such a deal to spare that I did not see how

12 . under 6 st . lb he could possibly be beaten in the t Cesarewitch . The trial , in fact , seemed to be almos 218 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T UR F

e too good to be true , and I resolv d on another gallop , this time on Brighton racecourse . Meanwhile

I had met Sir John Astley . “ ” “ H od gy, he said , I hear you are going to ” gallop your Cesarewitch horse .

Yes , I am , Sir John . Next Friday , over the

Brighton racecourse . I have tried him , but I want ” to test the Spin .

Will you put Provider in for me he asked .

Certainly . What weights shall I put on ” Oh , the handicap weights . The result was striking confirmation of the first f test , John Davis cantering home from Wild lower , 1 while Provider was beaten 50 yards . I saw Sir

John on the first day of the Second October Meeting, an d told him what had happened .

H od Much obliged , gy, he said in his cheery “ way . But I shall run . You have no chance if you keep them in the stable . On that day Mr . Ray f ran Wild lower in the Handicap Plate , decided over

. 2 l 7 . b. the Cesarewitch course She , carrying st ,

’ av ile s ra w i k won by a neck from Mr . S Miss G t c e

. 9 ( 7 st so evidently the mare was in form .

Going on my trial , I made out that John Davis

2 4 . at 6 . 1 . st st lb was Wildflower at , and I thought

“ ’ If that isn t a certainty , racing never knew one .

to Fordham , who rode in both trials , begged me 219 S I X T Y YE A RS O N T H E T U R F

7 . 12 . let him have the mount at st lb I said ,

“ ’ do George , how can I , for the Admiral s sake , such a thing ! Put up a stone over weight ! No I I

’ can t do it . The Admiral would never forgive me .

’ Godding s boy , Dan Butler , was engaged , but , for some reason , this said Godding , a very peculiar ff ’ character , took o ence , and swore that I shouldn t — have the boy not a little finger of him . Having said this , no matter what persuasion I brought to bear , he declined to change his mind . This was a w great blow , and ith Fordham impossible he sug gested the only course was to put Sam Mordan up .

“ ’ My orders to him were , Sam , you ve only to get fairly away . Get him nicely balanced , then put

’ your hands on his neck , and he ll do the rest .

’ You ll come home by yourself. But Mordan paid no heed to the instructions , and instead of allowing his mount to stride out , as directed , he pulled and

s sawed him about, singing , as some of the jockey

Mittith Thamm who rode in the race told me , y

’ r an s Thetherwitch da Mo d husband will win the to y. Mittith Thammy Mordan will have her thewing

- f mathiu e to night . Could more egregiously oolish

a ! tactics be im gined Fordham , who rode Taraban , kept an eye on the horse , and repeatedly shouted , ! Sammy , go on Let his head loose But Sammy w the a a ould not listen , and threw r ce away by 220

S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T UR F

on the Duke at exercise hours , and said , Well , ! ” your Grace , what about your horses

’ Oh , I m going to declare with Midlothian . But he can’ t beat Lollypop on his merits ’ d Perhaps not . But he ll beat him to ay . ’ m ’ That s a nice thing , and my oney s on Lollypop

’ Well , Hodgman , you re on the wrong one . But

’ ’ 7 there ! I ll see you later . The jockeys had weighed ou t when I saw the Duke again , and he asked me

’ if I had noticed Custance (Lollypop s rider) about . t Here he is , I said , Cus ance that moment coming in sight ’ d Custance , said his Grace , I ve declare to win with Midlothian You understand now

“ Yes , your Grace .

And you ride Lollypop accordingly . ” Yes , your Grace . fi h ! ” Has your Grace nis ed I asked .

Yes .

r Well , Custance , these are my o ders . You let

Lollypop have his head , come right through , and

’ you ll win by the length of a street .

His Grace and Custance laughed , and the latter “ ” walked away to his horse . Well , Hodgman , said th e ! Duke , What have you done Have you backed Midlothian 222 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T UR F

’ Not a penny piece . I m on Lollypop . 1 1 But you must be on Midlothian . Book 6 to to a pony with me .

Well , with Lemaire up , Midlothian won by four lengths from Lollypop , but it took Custance all his time to prevent the big horse getting nearer than

o - sec nd , be riding in Life guardsman fashion . At night l the Duke cal ed at our place (Mr . Lambert , Mr . Tom “ ” u H ghes , and myself joined forces for Goodwood

P il le reen at yg Lodge) , and his first words were , VJ ell , Hodgman , I told you Midlothian would ” beat Lollypop .

“ Yes , you did , I returned But if Custance h ad not been tied down with orders he could have won anyhow . The proceedings of the evening

e e w r of the liveliest character , the Duke staying

’ till past ten o clock . When in 18 7 9 I saw by the advertisements that the Duke purposed selling Sutler , I resolved that if possible I would become possessed of the son of

B arbill on n e O . , of whom I had a very high pinion I wi ” “ 1500 him if ll , I said , give you for , you

don t want the money immediately .

H e must go through the ring , Hodgman , he “ s w n an ered , and if he is knocked dow to you , you ” can s a y when you like . But I must say , he added , ” th at 1500 I think is too much for him . 223 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T UR F

’ ”

. w He s worth that to me , I returned I kno w here to place him .

I put Mr . Charles Hibbert in to buy him , ex

‘ plaining the circumstances , which the Duke con f i firmed . Fi teen hundred and no more , I sa d to

: . Mr . Hibbert so that , by necessity , when Mr John

Percival , acting for Sir George Chetwynd , made a bid of that amount Mr . Hibbert retired . Sutler did f i n air service for Sir George minor kind of stakes . But I always regarded him as a horse that should h ave won a big handicap .

224

S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF as I was going upstairs at the Regent Hotel ,

Leamington , about at night , I met Admiral

Rous . ! ’ What I said , not dined , Admiral It s near

’ ” ing nine o clock .

’ ’ No . Dinner s not till nine . Such hours don t ” suit me . But I suppose I must put up with them .

’ ” Well , I ve finished dinner, I returned , and am going over to the Warwick Arms at Warwick ,

’ where Lambert , Swindell , and the school are staying .

Oh , interposed the Admiral , do you know anything about the Truth gelding ! ! ” Wh o does he belong to ” Swindell . And with that he pulled his handicap for the

Cesarewitch from his pocket , and showed it me . ! ” What does all this mean I asked , pointing to

a the Truth gelding. You have him in t all sorts — l 12 lb b. 6 . . 6 4 lb 7 . 4 . . 6 st . of weights st , st , st , , 12 ! ” 5 st . lb . What does it mean “ ll We , he answered , I am told by several

’ people that he s a rod in pickle . Others say he is

’ ’ bad . And I m bothered because he hasn t run for

’ two years . That is the reason why I can t settle on ’ l his weight . As you re going to see Swindel , would you mind asking him about what sort ofa horse he is ! ” 226 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T UR F

’ Now, Admiral , you really don t seriously expect that that old fox would tell me anything ! ”

Well , he might . Just ask him . f I walked over to the Warwick Arms , and ound the party I expected . After general greetings I

“ ’ turned to Swindell with , Fred , I ve a message for you from the Admiral . He asked me to ask you

n what sort of a horse the Truth geldi g is . I told him he really couldn’ t expect an old fox like you to i ’ tell me anything . St ll , I ve carried out his wishes . ! Is there any answer , Fred At present he has you — 4 down at all sorts of weights from 7 st . lb. to ”

. 12 5 st lb. “ “ ’ 6 Tell him , said Swindell , that if he s got st . on him he may scratch the d (1 horse . And l ” f . urther , tel him he can have the brute for a hundred

Say two hundred , Fred , remarked Mr. Lambert .

The old boy might take you at your word , and ” give a hundred . him d . Well , two hundred , Ho ge And , mind , tell

6 . can what I say I mean . If he puts st on him he ” scratch the beast .

On my return to Leamington I saw the Admiral , and delivered the message .

” ’

w 5 . 12 Thanks , he said . I ll put him do n st lb.

’ I ll do it now . And he took up the pen and jotted down the burden . 227 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T URF

in The next day , on reaching the Ring , I looked

w as vain for Mr . Swindell . He had disappeared , as A t his way when he wished to avoid questions .

“ ’ n w ' ight I rote him Your horse s weight is 5 st .

12 . lb . I should advise you to leave him in Those who have told the Admiral he is a ‘ rod in pickle ’ are as sure now to back him , and if he is as bad ” you say you can lay him . He returned no answer , and at Doncaster , after the acceptances were de clared S a , I went to peak to him ; but he made

flimsy excuse for hurrying away , and next morning ” stepped it to London . Considering the friendly terms we usually were

th e on I thought the treatment , to say least ,

n was peculiar . Still , I paid no great attentio

in to the matter , for Swindell at times acted ll funny fashion . The fo owing week I went to

on Ayr , and while out for a walk in Glasgow

’ the Tuesday morning I heard a tap at a fruiterer s window .

Hallo , Musgrove I said .

ll ou Ha o , Hodgman , he returned , what are y doing here ! ”

’ Oh , I m up for the races , and was taking a con ” i n al stitu t o .

“ — B - ou Very glad to see you . y the bye , are y betting on the Cesarewitch 228

S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF But what about the forty fifties ! ”

Nay, lad , I know nothing of that bet . Thou

’ u must get out of that thyself. I ve not m ch ” money on . As a matter of fact he had backed the horse to win Next morning , by the Subscription

Rooms , I met Admiral Rous .

“ “ Admiral , I said , that old fox came to my

’ n rooms last night . I ve scarcely had the ch a ce of speaking to him since that night he told me you could have the Truth gelding for a couple of ” hundred .

“ Yes , I know. Mr . Swindell has played a very high game with me .

’ He s laid me nineteen ponies , I remarked . ” “ Why , just this instant , said the Admiral , he

laid me twenty ponies . (The Admiral , I may add ,

after the weights were declared , would bet with “ l ” anybody . ) He tel s me , the Admiral went on , “ ’ l that he s very moderate , but that he may pul

hO e through . I took the bet , but I do p he will be

e . b aten Matt Dawson , however , says the race is as

good as over. Nothing further passed between the Admiral and

’ myself till the number of Lord A llesbu ry s Aven

tu riere went up first in the frame , with that of

the Truth gelding in second place , Glover , on 230 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U R F d aughter of Adventurer , just beating Archer on the

3 . Truth gelding , who carried lb overweight , and 1 started at 5 to . I always hold that it was Archer rather than the horse that was beaten . Even in those early days Archer would waste , and he went to scale as weak as a rat . Had he been allowed a few pounds extra he must have won in a canter .

So , after all , poetic justice was meted out , the cleverness of Mr . Swindell in getting his horse in at 1 2 . 5 st . lb being the cause of the failure of the coup . To show how Archer had wasted , I may add that on the following Thursday he had considerable d ffi 4 i culty in riding at 6 st . lb . Instantly the numbers were hoisted the Admiral came to the

R - ing side and called out in a loud tone , Hodgman Hodgman

s Then the Ringmen took up the cry , till I aid ,

All right . I see the Admiral .

I went to him , and he grasped me tightly by the hand .

“ ’ “ I m delighted , he said , delighted. To think ,

’ all old after , he s been done , and my dear friend ” Payne has won . “ “ I am glad , too , I said , especially as at the last moment I took 500 to 20 about the winner f ” rom Steel . — — 18 7 6 Mr. l Two years later that is , Swindel 23 1 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF

- - had a horse named Woodlands , a four year old

u bou rn I n chestnut colt by N t e out of Whiteface . looking over the handicaps for the Cesarewitch and ’ 13 Cambridgeshire at the Admiral s house , , Berkeley l Square , I told him that he had Woodlands too wel

at 2 lb in 7 st . . for the Cesarewitch . But he would

for not listen to me , saying that Swindell was going

8 . the Cambridgeshire , in which he had given him st

if I ' Well , Admiral , were you I should put

7 lb . on his back for the Cesarewitch and take off th e 7 lb . for the Cambridgeshire . And when race is over I think you will say my views were ” right .

“ No . I will not believe in him for the Cesare l witch . Nor sha l I think of him winning even with 2 7 st . lb.

Finding the Admiral wedded to his own ideas, and hearing that all would be right with Woodlands ,

off th e I took the liberty of backing him , as a set to laying against the Truth gelding . That day , in the evening , I went to the Victoria Club , and met an old friend , Bob Reece .

- — - t Bob, I said , to morrow morning not to nigh do you think you could find Charlie Bush ” Yes .

- - Well , here are two one hundred pound notes .

h e Try and run against Bush early , and see what 23 2

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T URF

I thanked him , and , to the best of my recollection , £ 3 5 I had on at that rate , my fancy , of course , being Woodlands . But I had always a great respect for Mr . Smith , and believed in his judgment , also in that of his commissioner , Mr. Harry Steel a fine , straightforward man . Mr . Swindell was not destined , with Woodlands , to avenge the defeat of the Truth gelding , for Rosebery beat his horse in hollow style by four lengths .

Mr . Still keeping to tales of Swindell , I may mention that in 18 7 4 I ran a horse called The

Curate in the Lincolnshire Handicap , which was

. 18 7 3 won by his Tomahawk In , he then being a

- - four year old , I thought a good deal of The Curate , even to the extent of winning a Cambridgeshire .

But , unfortunately , one day in the summer a terrific storm swept over Telscombe , the thunder and light

ning being appalling . The visitation was reckoned

the severest ever experienced in the district , and

my stables were shaken to their foundations . The

Curate was terrified , and in his fear reared up and

fought the walls of his box , in so doing injuring

n himself severely. When I fetched Mr. Man ington

to him The Curate was apparently a hopeless cripple , but by careful attention he was brought round and

became practically sound . I thought that perhaps

so a change of quarters would be to his benefit , and 234 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U RF

I sent him to Tom Green at Beverley . He met me

an d — ill in London , took charge of the horse who st

— a bore signs of his injury t Victoria Station . This

’ would be in the beginning of the December of 7 3 .

I explained to Tom Green all about the accident , and said , Now , be careful with him . He is on no l account to be hurried . I can give you ti l next autumn .

Later Green wrote , saying, You had better enter

The Curate in the Lincolnshire Handicap . We need

h im is not run , but I should like to see how he ” treated . Then came another letter telling of the marvellous

change that had come over the horse , and stating that if he was n icely handicapped at Lincoln h e

would win . I wrote back to Green asking if softening

of the brain was setting in . However , to satisfy

r him I entered the he se , and at his urgent solicita h . t e tion , accepted Green was cocksure he trained

winner of the race , and , thinking I might be wrong ,

- 2000 though I was nine tenths sure I was not , I took 100 500 100 to for a win , and to for a place . l ” “ l I shal not , I wrote to Green , put a shi ling

on for you . You must please yourself what

you do . “ the Come down , he returned, and look at

’ ” horse . You won t know him . 235 S I X T Y Y E A RS O N T H E T U R F

own I his improvement was great , but I was very

sceptical of him holding a winning chance , as instead of three the horse needed twelve months . I met l ’ Swinde l afterwards and he said , Why , they re

- a backing your horse .

n I have a hundred each way , and shall have o

’ ’ more . I don t think he will win . I can t make out how Green has got him so fit . He must have rushed him . Fred , I said , you will win this

’ ” handicap with Tomahawk . He s a good horse .

“ If you think so you can back him . I have some money on myself. I think as you do . I took fourteen ponies about Tomahawk off Bill

Mundy , and he won from Oxford Mixture , with

Shylock third , and The Curate fourth , missing a place by a neck . I afterwards sold The Curate to Fred Swindell for a thousand pounds , and he won several races with him , though no big handicap . Tomahawk’ s year was the first time that a thousand pounds were added to the Lincolnshire

Handicap ; and the man to whom the credit is due for the further endowment of the stake was Mr. 18 7 3 Harry Steel . He came to me in , after Vest m n i ster (not then my horse) had won , and said ,

’ Hodgman , don t you think that this handicap o ught to have a thousand added The others are 23 6

C HAPTER XVIII

n e — Nott n a sco Ve i, Vidi, Vici, specially Vici The i gham fi — — What th e faithful par agraphists in ven ted I pr esen t Vici — — to Fordham The in ciden t of th e lan e T om Can n on come s ’ ’ n —H n i —Mr i to po ssession e thi ks he is n luck s way . Tubbs — — cheq ue its value Kin g Lud Determin ation to purchase ’ ’ Mr T om e to or on — n s . Lawley s advic L d L sdale Ki g Lud — ’ — Ebor r unnin g H is L or dship s promise I get good odds

r t tor A n easy Cesa ewi ch vic y .

I T is the misfortune of most owners in their time to come into possession of a horse on whom the vocabulary of obloquy might be exhausted without the language of exaggeration being used . One of th e kind indicated that reached my hands was Vici , a son of Fazzoleto and Heiress . I had three n u ff named horses at the time , and , cha ing me about f ’ ” my ondness for the V s , Lord Stamford suggested they should be called Veni , Vidi , and Vici . They certainly came (to hand) , and they as assuredly saw

(the racecourse) . But there was not a deal of the conquering character about any one of them . Vici undoubtedly could go a bit . But without allowing that , like the little girl who had a little curl which ” a o re ched right to her forehead , when go d he was 23 8

S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U RF

w . . hile Veni , whom I had passed to Mr E Green (he

’

- well re named her Eye Sore finished second .

Vici later won me a Welter Handicap at Egham , but I was weary of his vagaries , and at the end of m the season made a present of him to Fordha .

ordham be F used him as a hack , while , further , was a splendid jumper . But with added age came increasing eccentricities , and on one occasion , at

Slough , Vici stopped two hundred yards from home , and try as George might , neither backwards nor forwards nor sideways would he move . Stop where ” ! ordham you are , then , you beast exclaimed F , l removing the sadd e and walking away . ’ ! ” Where s the horse , sir said his man .

’ ’ I don t know , and I don t care . I left him in the lane . You can either fetch him or you can leave ” him .

ordham Ultimately Vici returned home , but F had him had enough of him , and passed on to Tom

Dan Cannon . The genial master of ebu ry soon knew he had a horse , for a change of quarters brought no change of mood . He was an equine law unto him b self, and a out as persuadable as the proverbial pig .

One day at Stockbridge , when Tom Cannon was on

i him , he wh pped round and thrust his rump through a bow window and he was altogether capable of n a ything in the way of misconduct . Cannon was 24 2 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U R F

- naturally not over keen about retaining possession ,

’ a n d considered himself in luck s way when a Win c - hester horse dealer , of the name of Tubbs , met him o u t hunting and asked , Will you sell that horse , Tom ! ”

’ Yes . I ll take thirty pounds for him . I’ll give it you if you ’ ll ride him home to my place .

Cannon did not dally by the way , taking the pre c aution that h e was preceded by an old mare in whose s ociety , and in whose society only, Vici was amenable

off to reason . Right Mr . Tubbs drew a cheque for t hirty pounds , and Tom went back in satisfied mood . w That did not last long , ho ever , for in due course

’ the document was returned bearing the usual bankers s uperscription when there is an absence of assets !

What Tubbs did with Vici I cannot say . But to t his day Cannon laughs if I ask him about Vici ,

T . ubbs , and his cheque

On the horses that ought to have been theirs , but t hrough the curious twists of Fate were not , the majority of owners could tell tales w ithout any straining of the truth . As I have shown , I was distinctly unlucky to miss Galopin , and I was not

’ in Fortune s way w ith respect to King Lud . Though that son of King Tom won nothing as a three—year

t old (he did not run as a two) , I had particularly 243 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U RF

of paid him attention , and thought few finer horses the powerful type had ever looked through a bridle . In 18 7 3 he was advertised for sale with the rest of

’

o ! . wi L rd etland s horses I went to Mr . S ndell and

’ said , Fred , King Lud s for sale . He ought to be

’ bought . I m sure he can win a Cesarewitch . Will you join me ! “ ” “ Yes , he replied , willingly . We will go to ” gether . Shortly afterwards I met my old and much esteemed friend Mr . Tom Lawley . I have always

to held his judgment in respect , so I said , in order

O to get his pinion , Tom , Swindell and I are going buy King Lud . What do you think of him

’ Why , he s a real good horse , and can win almost

’ ’ anything. But , George , I m sorry to say you won t ” get him at any price in reason . Why

an Well , you see , I had no notion that you had idea of buying him , so I wrote to Lord Eglinton , advising him to purchase . He said he was not

me disposed then to make a deal , and that caused to send to old Lord Lonsdale . I said in my letter that he must , or at least ought , to buy the horse , bi who , properly managed , was certain to take a g

’ : r handicap And he s w itten me back to say that , cost what he may , King Lud shall be his . So , 24 4

S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF

e l nobl men , not especial y because he was so amiable in this particular case , but because at no time would l he hesitate to do good to a fel ow man . A little while after leaving his lordship I met Mr . Robert

Lee , a prominent member of the Ring .

“ ” “ m n Well , Mr . Hodg an , he remarked , do you fa cy ! ’ anything for the Cesarewitch I ve a book on it .

- — Yes . I fancy a horse that ran to day King Lud . I ’ll 1 0 2 bet you 0 0 to 0 against him . ! ” Oh , no ll 10 0 15 0 . We , to ’ — Yes . I ll take that twice

Yes . ! ” Three times I asked .

No . Twice will do .

d all Later I backed the horse again , and stoo , in , to win 3 000 sovs . On the morning of the race Lord Lonsdale t old me that Captain Machell

o thought that the h rse would run very fairly , but

“ ” “ that it was no good thing . Still , he added , I

400 10. have my tenner on . Steel got me to

Right to the finish King Lud stood at a good price , 4 1000 5. the starting odds being to But he won , with much to spare , under the guidance of Bruck shaw ; and in the ensuing season upset the odds

Boiard Al laid upon for the exandra Plate at Ascot ,

’ n the deft handling then being C u sta ce s . 246 C HAPTER XIX

— — ’ Jockeys The A merican In vasion The p oet s mistake

A m r n in — T en B ro an d n o e ica s 1857 Mr . eck E glish j ckeys — The tw o sides of th e shield The causes of our decay — — “ A pathy of train er s Disin clin ation of o wn er s A corn er — “ — i n j ockeys The little boy bogey What about Johnn y — — — R eilf Why he is an exception A Gilbertian tr avesty A — plea for a lo wer scale - So me Chester Cup examples Strik — — i ng figures The easiest proves th e har dest way Why — — train er s are n egligen t Thomas Dawson Old John Osborn e — — — o J. Go ddin g Matthew Dawso n Why I put up M rris ’ A m r R o o n t M o - H eartfield Morr d i al us s c mme y b ys , is , — — n &c. C onfirmati on t n oo th e A r Qui ce , by Cus a ce The g d me i ’ n f t —Mr r v n n t on at an tt t to ca s have e fec ed . G e ille s i dig a i a emp — — r n hi s o tr n of r rt Jon W . ui j ckey The s iki g case He be es E . ’ ’ — - nt s Elsey s Wisdom I n imical surrou n din gs for boys E . Hu — — ’ Cup successes What they bro ught him Jockeys fees pro ’ t d— M — i be ecte r . r n t on t . W G . C ave s wise legisla i Wha w ll th e end

H A D to anybody , some ten or so years ago , dared hint that the first season of the twentieth century would see American jockeys in such demand in England as by their presence to be a serious danger to the livelihood of many of the home school , his alleged foolishness would have been held a fit matter

e for ridicule . Yet the apparently impossible chang has come to pass , and there are no signs of any 24 7 S IX T Y YE AR S O N T H E T U R F a batement of the invasion ; rather , the reverse is threatened . In truth , to judge by American com mu n ication s the United States will soon be denuded

Of f its leading professionals , the o fers emanating from

r English owners being of irresistible cha acter . That there are here and there still English owners firm l believers in the O d school must be allowed . But the great trend of Opinion runs solid for the Yankees when they preserve the proprieties , and only his folly in pursuing practices he must have known the Turf authorities could not tolerate has caused the absence of Sloan from the saddle in England . If the present state of affairs is satisfactory to the

English division , then indeed are they easy to please .

We yet r etain

r - in t o t Some small p e em en ce . We jus ly b as A t t r or o an d leas supe i j ckeyship , claim

The honours of the T urf as all our own .

This may have been true at the moment when w the poet Co per designed the preceding lines . But it is so far from the fact at the present as to cause the quotation to carry a quaintness never anticipated

all by the author . Superior jockeyship , if not the honours ofthe Turf, were in very truth our own when ,

18 57 m Tan kerle off say , in we saw the A erican y taken

Prioress (after she had dead - heated with E l Hakim 24 8

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U RF

horses the Americans ride . To my mind the evil has been wrought by ( 1) The extraordinary apathy of trainers in the education of apprentices

(2) The grievous disinclination of owners to l al ow apprentices to ride and , thus , (3) The steadily decreasing numbers of capable

English jockeys , and by consequence (till came the m American invasion) the high ter s , they could , ” owing to the existence of a corner , not so much ask as dictate .

With regard to the third point , I suppose I have n ot lived these seventy - seven years without under

in standing that , a measure , a man , whatever his trade or profession , has a right , by the exercise of m f. his skill , to do the best he can for hi sel That is a proposition of such self- evidence as to need no demonstration . But , none the less , I am not pre pared to allow that it is for the best interests of the i Turf that a d minished number of jockeys , by the very restriction of their numbers , should be so placed as to be able to demand princely salaries while I am equally certain that if stable affairs had been

O managed on a basis of common sense , the pportunity of demanding extravagant terms would not have ff arisen . But stable a airs have not been so managed , with the consequence of an absence of youthful riders 250 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T UR F

who , were the apprenticeship scheme in fair sway ,

ff Th e would o er strong competition to the old hands . sporting proverb runs that nothing beats a good old

’ ’ u m u n except a good young . The lack of good young

’ ’ w ho uns has tended to the enrichment of the old uns , lived in a paradise of apparent security till the “ ” Americans swooped down like the wolf on the fold . In olden times the average trainer usually had three or four boys that , apart from causing to work in

e the stables , he taught to ride , and that he saw wer

O given pportunities to ride in public . Practice , everybody knows , tends to perfection , and without

has practice there can be little cleverness . There grown up an idea that it is not safe to trust a little boy when a coup is in contemplation ; and yet , on the other hand , there is a rush for Johnny

f of Rei f even at the expense , as some would call it , putting up two or three stone of dead weight How ” can the views and the practice be reconciled Oh ,

”

f . it may be said , Rei f is an exception Yes he is an exception , because he has been exceptionally

—n w hich be treated . He has had exceptional should — commou facilities of tuition he has had exceptional opportunities of practice and , above all , he has had

th e exceptional supervision by his relatives . These are reasons why the younger Reiff is an exception to some of our youngsters . 25 1 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U RF It is a disgrace to a country boasting Turf pre eminence that the constant cry should concern the

’ of - dearth light weights . If an owner s horse is let lightly in he is afraid to bet because he cannot find a bo ! y Could anything , in the way of putting the tail before the head , be more exquisitely Gilbertian Alr eady we have raised the handicap minimum to

6 st . , and there have been demands for a rise to 6 . 7 . st lb I did not always think so , but I am

4 . convinced now that a return to even st . 7 lb would be an immense benefit to the Turf. In that case trainers would be compelled to look after and bring out apprentices , and owners , in turn , to allow them to be put up . Suppose we had such weights and such fields as existed for the Chester Cup in the ’ f Fi ties , where should we be Regard the following examples

S R C UP OF 1851 THE CHE TE .

’

5 t r NA N Y 3 rs . 4 st. 12 . C . Lis e s y , lb ’ 5 Sa on T H E B A C K OC T OR . 3 rs . 5 st. 4 . x s L D y , lb ’ 5 Gratwicke s H sssn O B URG . 3 rs. 5 st. 6 . H M y , lb

10 . . ( inc. lb ex ) ’ r t 4 rs. 6 st. 12 . 2 r . B ro n o . w s Ha ic y , lb ’ 5 n 4 rs . 6 st. 10 . Gle s Damask . y , lb

’ r r Ro r t. 4 rs . 6 st. 10 . 5 . t Sir E He be s be y , lb ’

4 rs st. 1 5 in n . . 6 0 . Pill g s Lady Ede y , lb ’ 1 4 st 10 b. 5 F o t r M ton . rs. 6 . s e s ickle y , ’

5 on C aurire 5 rs. 6 st. 6 Laws s . y , lb ’ 4 . 5 C ar ew s . 5 rs . 6 st. Eva y , lb

’ ’

5 Yor Yo r n t . 4 r s. 6 st . 4 1h . C . Peck s k u e Wa ed y , ’

l fl s. 6 or C ifden s o r . 5 r st L d Wall we y , . 252

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U R F

’

Mr . S n r B n t . 3 r s . 4 st . or pe ce s e i a y , F dham ’ M r P t o t r . A 6 st. 1 0 . z roo aj i s Vampy e ged , lb Gla eb k ’ Mr M rr . o n r or . 4 r s s 1 6 t. 0 . . B is s Hu ge f d y , lb asham ’

Mr . t r 4 . o o . r . 6 st. 1 s 0 . A rn o H Hill s H h pe y , lb ld L h ’ Mr . an s aw s h S n 4 o . rs . 6 st. 10 . N g Gh la i gh y , lb eep ’ or t r or 4 o ro . rs . 6 st . 8 . . n n L d Wa e f d s C ckc w y , lb W Wy e ’ Mr M r n on t V o . r o 6 s . s t . 6 6 . . rr on a i s s iew Hall y , lb E Ha is ’ r F r B r 4 M . r s . 6 st. 4 . H iskman ishe s eba y , lb ’ Mr F arran ce s r n n . 4 r s . 6 st. 4 1h . J. n n Ca di al Wisema y , Wy e k l ’ Mr Drin a d s t . A . 6 st . A Dulce ged , . Pavis l ’ r D e amere s r . 4 r M . s 6 st. A t rton Ha p y , he ’ Mr iske I n n rr r 5 D s o . 3 r . st . 11 . . S t y The dia Wa i y s , lb T mi h ’

M r n n t . 5 r 0 . r R . t o s . st . 1 Mr 5 ca . a i s Wilm y , lb ( 1 1 h . 6 st. )

’ t r to n r Mr . Thomas s Sis e Fe ce ’ ’ n t r or R on O n o . 3 rs . or 5 st. L d Wa e f d s edm d Ha l y ,

i nc . 5 tr 8 lb . ( ex a) ’

M r . s . st . Mr . . O orn rr B 3 r 5 6 . J sb e s e y i d y , lb ’ 5 S rif . 3 r s . st. 6 . Mr . n Pilli g s High he f y , lb ’ A m t t . 3 s. 5 st . Mr . o n o r C pela d s The Lady y y , ’

o n oor . 3 rs . 5 st. car . 5 st . 3 . Mr . Phillip s K hi y , ( lb ) ’ 4 t H oltb s U r . 3 r s. s . 12 . Mr . . . W D y l ica y , lb ’

Mr on R r r r . 3 rs . 4 st. 10 . . S ax s icha d P imme y , lb ’

S r ro . 3 rs. 4 st. 7 . Mr . r G eville s ca ec w y , lb ’

1b. c r . S t B r S r . 3 r s. 4 st. 4 a Mr . J. mi h s a ley uga y , ( C lifi e . Jn 4 st. 8 lb ) ,

’

Mr rt n on N n . 4 rs . 9 st . 1 . . Ma i s s a cy y , lb ’ 8 st . Mr M n n R u ssborou h . 5 r s . . 7 . a ga s g y , lb ’

baldeston s Mo n t n r . 4 r s. 8 st . 6 1h . Mr . Os u ai Dee y , ’ 2 4 r s . 8 st. . P hilli s s r t . Mr . p T u h y , lb ’

t. Mo A on zo . 5 rs. 8 s Mr . seley s l y , ’

n r A n on B t r . A 7 st . 12 . Ge e al s s ackbi e ged , lb ’ 1 t . 0 . 4 rs . 7 s A r o to . Mr . r G eville s i s y , lb ’ or ton L n . 6 r s. 7 st. 8 . L d Wil s ady Evely y , lb ’

r E li n ton s o t . 4 rs . 7 st . 8 . Lo d g Hipp ly us y , lb

’

P hilli s s nif . 4 r s . 7 st. 6 . Mr . p Le J y , lb ’

t 1 . 4 r s. 7 s . 6 b Goldfi n der . Mr . r Palme s y , ’

. 6 r . R Old T an r s 7 st. 5 . r . . . r M E Cla k s Tucke y , lb 254 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF

’ orn O Mr S on B o tor . 4 r s. 7 st . 5 . . O . ax s The lack D c y , lb J sb e

’ t r or au rr . A 7 st . . o C Lord Wa e f d s Duc Da as ged , D D yle

’ K t n r O R t . 6 rs . 7 st. Sir . B oot W h s e ail y , i che e ’ f R or o r . 4 r s . 7 st. E slin C Duke o edf d s Hesse H mbu g y , g

’ Nott B r n . 4 rs . 6 st. 12 . car . 7 st. Mr . s i mi gham y , lb ( n t 12 1b. ) K igh

n d Won by a len gth a le ngth a a half betwee n secon d an d thir d .

Fordham , it will be noted , at this time could ride

- - 4 . st Of the forty three runners , twenty six carried

st . under 7 , and of the first four two were burdened

5 . with less than st and two with less than 6 st . i These instances were by no means isolated , as w ll be revealed by a glance at

S P F THE CHE TER C U O 1853 .

’

m r G L DF I N E R . 5 s. s . Mr . O D r 7 t. 6 A ldcroft Pal e s y , lb ’

les s T A L F URD . s. st. 1 K n ow O 3 r 5 6 b. in c . 1 Mr . 0 . y , ( lb extra) A shmall ’

4 r . s 12 Mr arr s T R I P L E . s 5 t. . . P y , lb Wells ’

A l r . t n S ott ro . 4 s 6 s . 12 . ta J. Jon O Cap i c s leg y , lb es ’

Jac . s . st . 1 t n tt 6 r 6 0 . St n Cap ai Key s Li le k y , lb a way ’

n 5 rs. 6 st. . Mr . orr . 8 tt C M is s Timid Faw y , lb Hie ’

B to n 5 s. t or t r or . r 6 s . 8 . . o C L d Wa e f d s ellews w y , lb D D yle ’

I n t . rs . 6 st. 6 r 101b. r Mr oo r 5 . ca . 6 st. o O . C pe s a he y , lb ( ) C uch ’

4 r . 6 st 4 S r ro . s . . Mr . r r n O G eville s ca ec w y , lbs Ha di g ’ 4 r Mr . . R . r on t nt n . s . 6 st. 4 . n ton O E Cla ke s C s a i e y , lb Qui ’ ’

r x 4 . t A n s n s B a e . rs 6 s . car . 6 st . . Mr . I o 2 n O y y , ( lb ) Chilma ’

M r . . . 4 s st. l 5 8 . S . Ste es Mr . . R ar O E Cl k s issive y , lb gg ’

t n S ott n . 3 rs . 5 st. 7 1b. car . 5 st. Cap ai c s Hele a y , (

11 lb . ) Carroll O ’

r Sn o on n ll . 3 r Mr . e s r s. 5 st. 6 . R Kimbe l y wd Du hi y , lb icka ds ’

3 rs. 5 t B s 0 illan s s . s . Mr . W 6 . t Peggy y , lb a e ’

n n 3 rs. 5 st s 0 Mr . B r . . u ke s Ha ah y , Hughe ’ t n on t S nt nt. 4 le 0 Mr . J. . 3 rs. st. 12 . J. Ste s M a ley s C e me y , lb gg ’ in on r t n n 4 Mr . o t. 3 r . t J s s . 10 . . Wilk s s L d Lieu e a y , lb

st . ( car . 5 ) Olliver 255 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF

’

hinlech . 3 . 4 t 1 1b. t n n A u c rs s . 0 car . Cap ai La e s y , (

t 13 . 4 s . lb ) ’

n Guicowar . 3 r s. 4 st. 10 . Mr . o o Th mps s y , lb ’ 1 0 . r B Ro . 3 rs. 4 st. M . alfe s salba y , lb ’ 4 A n n . 3 r s. st. . Mr . . o 7 T P well s e Page y , lb

’

min ster . 5 s. s . N o New r 8 t 8 . Mr . an O ich l s y , lb Templem ’ L 4 Rot o o . r s. st . 1 in B ron 8 . c. a hschild s e p ld y , lb ( tr 5 lb . ex a) Char lton O ’ A or ton n . 8 st. t n O L d Wil s Lady Evely ged, Fla ma ’

rr In n or . 4 rs . Mo rr 7 st. 6 . O Mr . B is s dia Wa i y , lb asham ’

A st. 4 Sir . B oot R t . 7 . t n r O W h s e ail ged, lb Ki che e ’

Mr Sa on B o tor . 5 rs. 7 st. 3 . A r O . x s The lack D c y , lb b ahams

n l n t t th W on by half a eck ha f a le g h be ween e secon d and thir d .

Of the twenty - eight runners in the above race exactly two thirds were handicapped at under 7 st . — Coul d we find twenty one light weights now

Their plenitude was continued , as note

E S R C UP F 1 4 THE CH TE O 85 .

’

t n n P A I N ON DA S . 3 r s. 4 st. 10 . F or Cap ai La e s E M y , lb dham ’

5 s . rr I N DIA N A R R I OR . r 7 st. 6 . B Mr . o M is s W y , lb asham ’ or r A C ROBA T . 3 r s. 5 st. 10 . r L d De by s y , lb Ga vey ’

4 s. st. 4 . Meikl am s . r 6 car . 6 st. 6 . Al dcroft Mr . Peggy y , lb ( lb ) ’

4 r s. 6 s . 1 t . t 0 . A shm ll Mr . o r a H wa d s Ca spaw y , lb ’

A or . 4 rs . 6 st. 6 . J G Mr . ar r . oater P ke s ldf d y , lb ’

Ma en i s s S n r t. 4 rs . 6 st. 6 . O r Mr . g a dhu s y , lb llive ’

Me t 2 . r . s Mar n R r 6 . J11 Mr . . . . so . E Cla k s Dea lb F , ’

m 3 s. st . 4 . T o . r 5 B r ar Mr . . . S ott W H c s y , lb ea p k ’

5 st . 3 . car . 5 st. rs 5 . t r . 3 . rro Mr . . G Ma he s Eva y , , lb ( lb ) Ca ll ’

t. 3 . in o 3 r s . 5 s r t Mr . B r r o . o r a be s D m y , lb F s e ’ 1 i 3 r s. 5 st. . nc . 5 . M t r St. r . Mr . . G a he s Cla e y , lb ( lb extra) Creswell 0 ’ o on Sir J r . 3 r s. 5 st. car . Mr . Th mps s ames G aham y , (

1 1b. 5 st . )

’

M r o r St r of S rr . 3 rs. 5 st. . H wa d s a u ey y , 256

S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U RF

’

r . 12 . c r i o t. 3 s 4 st. Mr. Dr nkald s J r a . ack F s y , lb ( 5

’ ’

le. 3 r s. 4 st. 10 . r . T oo Mr . D O Hill s y , lb '

wles s B aalbec . 3 rs. 4 st . 10 . Mr . . Kn o F y , lb ’

L le rs. 4 st. 10 . Mr . B l ur . 3 ai ey s y y , lb ’

4 t. 4 1 Ju u be. 3 rs. s b. R . r Mr . . E Cla k s j y , ’

N t e h son 3 rs. 4 st. 4lb. s J . Mr . igh p y ,

’

N N w n t r . 6 rs. 8 st. 2 1b. n 0 Mr . o ich l s e mi s e y , Templema ’

Mr B r r o n t. 4 rs. 7 st. 5 1h . ents 0 . a be s C b u y , Clem ’

A n n S t r n . 4 rs . 7 st. 2 . t n 0 Sir J. B o ar o swell s ie u he la d y , lb Ch l ’

n n re s. 4 rs. 7 st. iff 0 Mr . Ha dley s La cashi Las y , Cl

n n t the am t n the se on and ir Wo by a le g h s e be wee c d th d .

Of the runners , amounting to a couple of dozen ,

7 st. above enumerated , nineteen carried less than ,

and six less than 5 st . There was indeed in those

- days no paucity of light weights . As a final example of what must be held to be a crushing indictment of the present system I recite the runners for

P THE CHESTER C U OF 1856.

’

N E A T . rs . 4 st. 13 . inc. 1 . Mr . r r O C 3 0 Pa ke s y , lb ( lb

5 st. 1 . extra) car . lb ’

Y W JA K . r s . . Mr . o r E O C 3 5 st 8 . H wa d s LL y , lb ’

r C h esterfield s T YP E E . 6 rs . 8 st. Lo d y , ’

r Y r r r 4 s . Mr . J. O o n e o e . r 5 st. 1 1 0 b. . sb s kshi G ey y , '

Mr . o s o rt n . 4 rs . st. o 6 6 . Heyw d C u e ay y , lb ’

n tton . 4 r s. st. 1 Mr . J o 6 2 . acks s Lady Ta y , lb ’ l d n s or C if e oo . A 6 st. 10 . L d P dle ged, lb ’ ill ’ Mr O R e s n . 4 rs. 6 st. 10 . . y Va dyke y , lb ’

Mr . r r ar r . 5 rs . st S 6 . 8 . hephe d s Ca dsh pe y , lb ’

Mr . r n e. 5 r s. st . 1b 6 8 . G eville s Qui c y , ’

r . o n on n . 4 r 1 1 M . R S s . st. h 6 8 . inc. 10 b. W bi s s idi g y , ( tr u nton ex a) G . Q i 0 ’

Mr . B ar er s Goorkah . 6 rs. 6 st. 6 . M n 0 b y , lb u dy

259 R S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U R F

’

r N B r ton . 6 rs . 6 st. 4 . s Mr . . F Fishe s ew igh y , lb Hughe ’ 1b n t n R I . 4 rs. 6 st . 4 . o Mr . o n igby s m ge e y , Qui ’ A r 6 r s . 6 st. car . 6 st . 3 . r Mr . r r A l o . Pa ke s df d y , ( lb ) lde ’

5 s . 6 st r M n . r . M r . J. . Sta ley s Mishap y , C eswell ’

Mr . . arr t t. 4 r s . 6 st . rro T P s Fa alis y , Ca ll ’

Mr . . arr Stor . 3 rs . 5 st . 6 . Sn o n E P s k y , lb wde ’ m s A o . 3 rs . 5 st . 5 1b . or Mr . Sidebotto lepp y , Tayl ’ R 3 rs 5 st. 3 . in c. 5 lb r d o t t . . . M . i ley s H spi ali y y , lb ( extra) B ullock ’ Mr . orr B . 3 r s. 4 st. 6 1b. car . 4 st. 10 . r r M is ubble y , ( lb ) G imme ’

Mr . J. oo n . 3 rs . 4 st. 7 . car . 4 st. 10 . B r tton W d s Vi e y , lb ( lb ) i ’

R n 3 r s. 4 st. 7 . r Sir . . T Hawley s eda y , lb Dwye

’

R an n . 3 r s. 4 st. 6 . J. Sn o n Mr . . . V T W edhead s Du ck y , lb wde

’

m n 4 s. 8 st . 7 . B rt o o 0 Mr . Osbaldeston s R ifle a . r y , lb a h l mew ’ R Mr 6 rs. 8 st. 2 . . r on 0 Mr . . . r . S . E Cla k s ykes y , lb F Ma s ’

n r . t 12 0 Mr . o r S t . 5 s 7 s . H wa d s cy hia y , lb Wells ’ R n r r A 7 st. 10lb r ton B aron ot o . . 0 hschild s Hu ge f d ged, Cha l ’ dcro Mr . C o erthwaite s r B r . 5 rs . 7 st. 101b. A l ft 0 pp The Ea ly i d y , ’ t n n n on . 5 r s. 7 st. 2 . . n n 0 Cap ai La e s Epami das y , lb G Ma

Won by a head a head between th e secon d and third ; two len gth s

between th e third and fo urth . Of the thirty runners above enumerated twenty

three carried less than 7 st . If these considerations do not cause dissatisfaction with the present returns then indeed is one as the

voice crying in the wilderness . Of late years the apparently easiest way— the way of raising the “ ” weights to suit the jockeys , instead of raising the jockeys to suit the weights — has been the

popular ; and we are now realising that the chosen

w oc as the hardest way , as is not of infrequent currence in politics and letters as well as on the 260

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T UR F

. e in greater degree with J Godding , from whos hands came polished jockeys like French , David

Plumb , Huxtable , Sayers , Parry , Butler , Wilson ,

&c &c . . ; while Matthew Dawson sent out , among many others , Archer , F . Webb , and Billy Grey. ” Once upon a time a trainer regarded a good home

w n boy as necessitous as a good horse or two . My o

’ plan with my trainers boys was to put them up on any available occasion , and, as I have mentioned , though I was sure Victorious could in the Mile Nursery at Goodwood in 18 64 give the weight to Victory I none the less ran the latter for the sake of Morris . Why do you run Victory Has he a ! ” chance asked Admiral Rous . Not a thousand ! “ to one Then why run him . To give Morris ” ” practice . Oh , he said , a very good plan . In

o thus acting , if I was serving the boys I was als i benefit ng myself, as when I wanted them for a

s good thing they were ready to hand . In thi

s H eartfield way I assisted in the poli hing of , Morris ,

Quince , Vidler, Johnson , Gaston , Mitchell , and others , exceeding a dozen , and all could be trusted

e to ride well some magnificently. My trainers wer not solitary pursuers of the plan . The custom was common , and in this way the old was continually being leavened with the new. We , in those times , never had to murmur at the absence of capable 262 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U R F

e f in r cruits . Every year brought a resh stream , and this conn ection I take le ave to quote from Harry

’ e C u stan ce s charming Reminiscences . Custanc says

“ ’ Wh ilst on this topic [of Fordham s fine horse manship! I must relate a little anecdote of Fordham’ s re- appearance in the saddle after an absence of tw o

e l y ars through il ness . Mr . T . Jennings gave him his first mount in the Bushes Handicap on a horse c alled Pardon , belonging to Count Lagrange , at the m 1 New arket Craven Meeting of 8 7 8 . Fordham w ould not mount in the Birdcage , as no one hated fl th attery more than he did . We went down e c i t - ourse together to the Ditch M le s arting post , and

- w he got into the saddle half way do n . He seemed all t right at first , but just before we got to the pos

S his pirits failed him , and he said to me

’ ’ Cus , I wish I hadn t got up .

’ ! he Why , George was my answer ; whereupon resumed :

’ Look at those kids ; I don t know one of

’ them .

h T ere were several small boys , and only Archer of the older ones riding . ” [The small boys , I may add , were Lemaire ,

n Heather , Hopkins , Gallo , Barker , Greaves , J . Berry,

Ke s ndall , and Morri ! 263 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U R F

’ : I said My dear George , don t you trouble

o The ill ou ab ut that . y w know y soon when you get

’ up side of them , especially at the finish .

Thus we see that in two years , even at so late a 18 7 6—18 7 8 period as , a new school had arisen which

' ordham ordham knew not F , and which F did not

n k ow . The circumstance would in vain be looked ff for . of late days We have been su ering , to use a commercial term , from a restriction of output . And the result ! That until the Americans came over a certain number of “ crack ” or “ fashionable ” j ockeys (the phrase is not mine , but the accepted of the hour) practically ruled the Turf, till it became almost a matter of arrangement which of a certain

w in set should , while , granting everything to be fair , owners were forced to pay princely retainers to be sure of services on needed occasions . In this latter particular , I own , the arrival of the Americans has brought no relief. Yet they have done good by forcing the pace , and so increasing the accuracy of the running . Since they flocked over we have not been pained with the experience of a mile and a half race being a trot for a mile , and then a burst for

S m peed , with the too com on result of the speedy w instead of the staying horses inning . I have said that the arrival of the Americans has not lessened the cost of jockeys . Perhaps in their direction the 264

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T URF

n n . a othi g Take the c se of Herbert Jones , who is a a tt ched to Egerton House . Here is a jockey who 4l can o 7 st . b. go to scale at ab ut , and despite the fact that he rode Diamond Jubilee to victory in the e w Two Thousand Guin as , the Ne market Stakes , the

Derby , the Eclipse Stakes , and the St . Leger through the confessed inability of either Watts or im ’ — M . C annon to manage Pers mon s brother he was allowed to go through what should have been the

- season of his life with only thirty seven mounts , of w ! hich he won on seven One would have thought , an d been pardoned for thinking , that with Royal patronage of the extent indicated by the privileges enjoyed by Jones more call would hav e been made on

his services . But the Turf world is full of contra

dictions which pass the understanding of man . Recent legislation has held out some inducements

for e w the putting up of appr ntices , but o ners , against

their interests , are slow in response . They have through their supineness found themselves in the past hampered by a Jockey Ring of extended

r a amifications , and now they are thrown b ck on Am ericans at , so to say , any price , their position becomin g desperate when these are unavailable or h th t e . ey cannot do weight Perhaps , with this and

t s hat jockey cros ing the Channel , because things

h of ere are not as they were , and no healthy influx 266 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U R F ll recruits discernible , they wi realise the seriousness of the situation , and , by being less exigent , tempt their trainers to return to the old and the same path . It was indeed pleasant to see W. E. Elsey , w Ow n hen Weldon left him , turn to his , in Yarnell an d of ff Foster , both whom , when a orded the chance , did l wel for the shrewd Baumber trainer . That some of the present surroundings of the Turf are inimical to the continuance of a young lad in the prime of condition and in the possession of good h abits must be allowed , whatever sadness there is in

admmi n the s o . Many a one of fair promise has gone to the wall almost ere he has fulfilled his indentures . To the lack of restraint may be traced the cause ; an d without being an anti - tobaccoist it has grieved me to see boys , depending for their future on their

n s . erves , ucking at cigars nearly their own size

That way inevitably lies ruin. A boy , no matter what the measure of his horsemanship , is after all no more in mind than his age indicates . The greater his success the greater the surrounding dangers from d ! esigning men and , alas nowadays women , and u nless he be carefully guarded the things that

- should be his makin g may cause his undoing . One of the most regrettable features of the time is the “ hero worship of jockeys . At a period they had little worship and often little money . E. Hunt 267 S I X T Y Y E A RS O N T H E T U R F

now a spectator of the scenes in which once , with

— has credit to himself, he was an active participator told me that for riding Shannon to victory in the

he Goodwood , the York , and the Doncaster Cups

received no more than , for the three victories ,

- fiv e 18 7 1. twenty pounds , that being in Before and beyond that date jockeys were frequently hard

the pressed for travelling money , and many are

fiv ers . . . e that Mr Lambert , Mr Swindell , Mr Georg f Angell , myself, and others lent pro essionals dis

appointed of their legal dues . It was at the instance — of Mr . W . G . Craven then a Steward of the Jockey Club— that a rule was passed which protected jockeys from defaulting and dilatory owners , it 18 being decided at a meeting of the Club on April , 18 8 0

’ That all jockeys fees Shall be paid to the Stake holder or th e Clerk of the Course at the same time

as the stakes . I said at the moment that that was the best and

has the fairest thing ever done for jockeys , and time

proved the accuracy of the expression . The desire now should be not to do something for jockeys in the

to way of fees , but to get owners , through trainers , do something for themselves by ensuring a constant w supply of fresh young hands . If, ho ever , only the fashionables are to be employed— whether English 268

CHAPTER XX — f S n H e and r . B . se a A nother tale o Mr . wi dell M Phillips ek — — settlin g in Manchester T h e n atur e of the sam e A case — — of o bstin acy Captain H awkesley suffers an d sulks T h e late — — Harry Hall T he New B arns fracas explain ed Harry Morgan — — “ ” T he Stewards in th e sixties The Tout and th e late “ or R s — s of th e Mor ni n P ost L d u sell Mr . Willes ( A r gu g )

offen ds- A Solemn Co un cil - Resolution s and A men dments “ — — A r gus th e Exil e A n ew tale ab out Hermit William ’ — ’ I A nson as a startin g - price engin eer Lor d Russell s views on th e n hi — n r r tone eeded age of w sky I am take fo M . Glads ’ at r t t on—T he r the Wave ley S a i reason fo V s .

A N M Y tales have I told ere this of Mr . Fred Swindell ,

bu t w ou ld erha s be . there is one it , p p , a pityto leave out

ofhis w As most acquaintances knew , S indell had what

on e is termed a dry sense of humour , and the gift upon occasion was certainly not appreciated by one of his

“ ”

M f Mr . . anchester riends , a Billy Phillips The pair w ere in Cottonopolis , with not a deal to do , and their ” thoughts ran upon the extent of the old . “ ’ in While I m here I ought to get some , said

l So - - so Swindel , and , Bill , I think and [I purposely , for u u reasons , s ppress the name! ought to pay p,

’ a especially as I hear he s won a good bit lately . Sh ll w e call on him 7 27 0 S IX T Y Y E A RS O N T H E T U R F

"

. too d Yes . Certainly I want some , returne

Phillips . “ l ’ We l , we won t frighten him by going together .

’ I ll try him first , if you like , and you wait round the corner .

I n The shop , I may add , was in Market Street . walked Fred into the establishment , and asked Is ! So - - so Mr . and in ” L an hi man cas re . Yes , answered a grim old typical

’ ”

- - So so. He is . I m Mr . and

’ ’

a . Oh , you re not the man I w nt He s much younger .

Ah my son perhaps . ” Yes , I think so , said Swindell . And what ’ s the nature of your business !

’ Well , he owes me some money . It s been owing ” a long time , and I think it ought to be paid . ! Ah , and what might it be owing over

’ be Oh it s some bets , and I think it ought to settled .

! of You do , do you Well , I settle those sort ” ofli ce accounts , and , seizing a long ebony ruler , he

’ ! e roared , I settle them with this Now , if you r

’ ” not out of this place in a second I ll kick you out . l What did you do , Fred I asked , for Swindel told me the tale himself. ” “ - ad r ou t La , he solemnly eturned , I went 27 1 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U R F

r s q uicke than I went in , and I went out backward ,

for the old man looked like assisting me , and he had f the right sort of eet . ” l w as Mr. Billy Phi lips , when he saw Swindell ,

n aturally anxious to hear the result of the visit . ! ” Did he settle he asked eagerly . “ — l Yes , said Fred , he settled with me we l ,

’ ” partially . I ve got a bit , and suiting the action to the word he slipped his hand into his inside pocket

a s though depositing notes .

’ better ~o l I d g for mine then , remarked Phil ips .

’ ” There s no time like the present , said Swindell,

n d off a Phillips strutted .

The formalities of inquiry were about the same , but the old gentleman did not waste much time in

n e . parleyi g , b ing in an even more irascible mood ” d “ ’ ’ Oh , he shoute , you re another of em , are you ! Settle ! Yes ! Take that And crash came

the ruler on the head of poor Phillips, who in the twinkling of an eye found himself hatless and bleed

ing in the roadway , the infuriated parent roaring

’ ’ I f of ! there s any more you , send em along This ” is my settling stick ! It w as a long time before ll f v Phi ips orga e Swindell , who did not think the

r j oke would be car ied to the extent it was .

e n e a man and Th re is a firm ess which b comes , 27 2

S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T UR F

r that was at her mercy . But he could not u n her h f t e . that or the next day , or the ensuing , or ourth

I begged of him several times to start her , but he h curtly told me he knew his business best . On t e

the Friday I had a filly named Vexatious , in 4 l 6 . b. w as Nursery Plate at st , and Valentine 1 handicapped at 7 st . lb.

’ e I mean to run mine , Captain , I said . You v

’ had every chance ; and as it s the last day I must ” have a cut in .

“ ’ . to Do as you like , he returned I m going ! back mine . Do you want your hundred on

Certainly . That was part of the deal . But I

S hall have two hundred on mine , and , Captain , ” mark my word , I am sure to beat you .

The answer was a laugh of ridicule . I am not ”

dr . afraid of yours . I shall put you the hun ed on What with the trial and the waiting policy everybody was on the look out for Valentine , and ,

H aw kesle as Captain y put his money down freely , 5 4 600 200 she soon stood at to , while I obtained to

firm f about my Vexatious . One of the est friends o the Captain was Mr . Pryor , who, as the present bearer of the name , raced in the Mexican bluejacket.

ff his He was of a di erent typ e to his friend , and on

had asking me what I thought , I related all that

n passed between the Captai and myself. 274 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U R F

” ’ on a e Well , said he , I ve a good stake V lentin , ” but I shall save it on yours . f Vexatious won by a neck rom Professor Anderson ,

. ra with Val entine a bad third . Mr Pryor was natu lly a bit obliged to me for saving him his money , and did not mince words of congratulation .

’ ” H m H awkesle a , I remarked , Captain y takes v ff a ery di erent attitude . He passed me a minute go " as though I had been his greatest enemy on earth . "

Mr . He can only blame his own obstinacy ,

n Pryor commented . For three years the Captai ” r nursed his w ath to keep it warm , as though I

f a were the party at ault . Assuredly he had lost d eal of money , but he risked his stake with his

e O . yes pen However , the more you try to persuade s for t ome people their good , the more they are upse

are when , things eventuating your way , they placed h t e . in wrong In the end the Captain came round , s f nl hfl self to hook hands , and con essed he had o y blame .

a l of if at The late Harry H l , Spigot Lodge , was ,

of times a man sardonic humour , never a lovable creature , and I have heard him boast that he cared for r nothing on the earth , under the earth , or ove “ h an t e earth . He d I had a passage of arms in 1893 , after Golden Drop had won , in startling style ,

27 5 s S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF

H an at an outside price , the Manchester November i d cap. I own I was to blame in letting my temper

is get the better of my reason , and if one can it ” always better to take a set back with a philoso

hic . e p calm , either natural or assumed Still , ther was some excuse for the personal ebullition in the circumstance that if one man had ever tried to serve a f l nother that man was mysel to Hal . Through me £ 500 he obtained for the services of his boy , Morgan , i for Sutton in the Cambridgeshire . This was n

18 7 5 . , and three years later I arranged that Mr Gretton should give him the same sum when Morgan

i had rode Isonomy to V ctory in the same race , while Harbinger annexed the Cesarewitch another thousand

. d would have gone into his pockets Yet again , I sol

P ascarel 500 . . so him for sovs , to Mr Fred Gretton that , in one way and another, I was continually serv

ou r ing his interests . Consequently , considering

i s relat ons , and taking into account that the benefit

- S h e were , so far , all one ided , I thought he mig t hav ”

O o . pened his mouth about G lden Drop Moreover, s he had plenty of opportunities . Thu at the Derby Meeting I said to him

’

w m . Harry , you ll at Manchester

’ ’

S . a t Perhaps I shall , and perhaps I han t I h ven

if e on e backed him . And I back him I want som

" ’ to do the business who can hedge the money if I don t 276

S IX T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T UR F

In the Sixties the Stewards and the members of the Jockey Club were more thin - Skinned than their su ccessors of this day ; and for the most trivial

offe nce against their laws , or sometimes their

O n pi ions of propriety , a man might find himself “ ” ld “ ” off. O o warned My friend , Mr . R dney of

Newmarket , has received many precious paper documents of an alarming character for exercising “ ” v a - his oc tion of horse watcher , but not one ever

troubled his digestive organs , while when the late Lord Calthorpe became more attentive than usual “ ” Mr . Rodney consulted the late Lord Russell (when

u Sir Charles) and discovered , by his ac men and research , a spot on the Heath that was no more under the control of the Jockey Club than are the

u plains of Timbuctoo . One of the most curio s

incidents , as showing the sensitiveness of the 18 62 members of the Jockey Club , occurred in , and as the majority may find the tale a fresh one I

reproduce the items , taken from a Report of the Principal Proceedings of the Jockey Club during the year [ 1 abridged from the Sheet

Calendar . “ Lord Winchilsea having called the attention of the meeting to a letter in the Mor ning P ost of

’ t 20 s a Oc ober , signed Argu , in which the Tarragon case was prejudged in an offensive manner 278 S IX T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U R F It was moved by Lord Stradbroke and seconded by Mr. Greville That the meeting was of Opinion that it w as n ot expedient to take notice of anonymous writers in public prints . On a division the numbers were

’ For L ord Stradbroke s motion 10 Against it 12

Win chilsea It was then moved by Lord , and seconded by Admiral R ous

a to That letter be written by Mr . Weatherby l . e Mr Wil es , a gentleman writing under the signatur

‘ ’ Mor ni n P ost him to of Argus in the g , requiring make an apology for certain offensive expressions

him Mor nin P ost 20 used by in the g of October , ff a ecting the character of the Jockey Club .

rs This was carried on a division , the numbe bein g For the motion Against it The meeting then adjourned till Friday after

the races. At the adjourned meeting on Friday

’ Willes s w as Mr. answer to the letter that wr itten to him in pursuance of the resolution passed at a meeting of the C lub on Wednesday having been

e r ad , 279 S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T URF The following resolution was moved by Lord Win chilsea and seconded by Lord Glasgow

That Mr . Willes having been required to make an apology for certain offensive expressions reflecting on the character of the Jockey Club , used by him in

‘ ’ S Mor nin a letter igned Argus , published in the g

P ost 20 18 62 of October , , and not having done so , be warned off the Lands and Property of the Jockey

Club at Newmarket . To this the following amendment was moved by ll General Peel , seconded by Mr . Grevi e That a Special Meeting of the Club be called for

’ illes s the purpose of taking Mr . W letter into con

sideration , and deciding what is the best course to

be adopted . “ d The meeting having divide on the amendment , the numbers were For the amendment 6 Against it 11

The meeting then divided on the original motion , w hich was carried , the numbers being

’ For Lord Win chilsea s motion Agai nst it ” Adjourned .

And so home , as Mr . Pepys would have said . It all reads rather comical now : and at the time ll — the humour was not unapparent . Mr . Wi es who 28 0

S I X T Y Y E A RS O N T H E T U R F

a f r ! Wh t o I queried .

of to Well , Bloss, the trainer Hermit , wished

me give the horse a good pipe opener , and he asked whose place yours was . I told him , and he said ,

‘ What sort of a man is he ! Would he object to

’ ’ ll ! th e me having a ga op It s very place I want . I

’ s aid I didn t think you would object , and , anyway , I " added that I would chance it .

’ Oh , that s all right , Reeves . And how did Hermit go ! ”

ad Splendidly I led him , or, rather , tried to le him , on Molly Carew , but he galloped clean away , and pulled up thoroughly sound . I was so pleased 2000 30 I went straight to London , and took to . You

’ ” had better do the same . I think he s sure to win .

At first I said I would , but I let the matter drop , b and only won upon him through my ook . I am aware that my friend Custance states in his Reminiscences that Hermit had not had a canter for nine days till he was sent a mile on the Tuesday — morning the day before the Derby . But Custance

was o at the time of the Saturday spin , on his wn statement , at Chantilly ; hence he could not be expected to know , and as he was not riding Hermit,

Ra ke dl him but The , Bloss would har y tell .

the We have changed all that since then , said 28 2 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T UR F Mock Doctor in the French farce when his patient

at suggested , because he was examining the right , th h the eart was on the left side . Such a striking physical revolution has yet to occur. But in a way the change that has come over the system of betting is no less startling than would be counted the trans position of the cardiac organ . There is perhaps as

S much gambling as of yore in bulk. But it is pread

O in over a wider surface , and the serious perations the majority of cas es scarcely commence till the numbers of the runners for a particular race are ff . R for hoisted Nor by many is the ing ever a ected , there has grown up a species of speculation generi

- - bu m as s . . s ess cally known the p (starting price) ,

’ to n that extends from , so to say , Land s End Joh

’ O Groats . And the purpose of the operators is that not l on y shall the horse win , but that , by the absence of for money him at the post , with victory shall be associated long odds . The practice has certainly not a to n dded the gaiety of the Turf, and by reaso of the need of secrecy many friendships have been

a u sundered . That man with large n mber is hero w ho can place a thousand pounds without any

a and t the coming b ck to the Ring , agains such

o in s travelling layers , who als have , most case , “ ” - s. . . r their p joints , fight tooth and nail In thei da a H i hfield a a e y the p trons of g House , M lton , h v 28 8 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T UR F a dministered some severe blows to the starting - price

agencies , particular cases of note being the Lewes

ew cou rt Handicap successes of N and Street Singer,

and the Manchester Cup victory of The Docker .

’ I A n son William , however , was not always an adept

at arranging this kind of coup , and in connection ” w - s . . ith the burly Yorkshire trainer and p business , I recall an amusing incident that occurred at Carlisle

’ i n m 1 I A nson the sum er of 8 8 5. was running

G a Prince Rudolph in the rand Stand Handic p , and as the horse w as entering the course he turned f to his riends with , There goes the winner .

’ Mi e all him . n s on star tin You can go and back . g p r i ce The inevitable result was a flooding of the market

with money for the horse .

“ ’ ” ’ ! I A n s n What s winning said o to me .

’ ’ ” Wh ll all . ! y, you ve won , Bi It s over now I

! c of ried , for Prince Rudolph was pulling Luke out h t e saddle . “ ’ ! . Capital was his remark . Yes , he s won

“ ” Go ! o w as ! od horse Then , H dge , what price he

“ ” Five to four . ! ’ Five to what Why , I thought he d be at ’ h ’ b 5 1 . e to . Mine s on starting price W o s b en ack ing him here ! ” ” ns Well , I remarked , co idering what you 28 4

S I X T Y YE A R S O N T H E T U R F d an a s . ow have a chat over a sandwich and a gl s N , d ” Ho gman , was his general salutation , come and

’ r s a have you bitter beer , and I ll have my whi ky and ” sandwich . One year (when he was Sir Charles) ,

a e just as we separated , three friends from Scotland c m

up to me .

’ fift - - Hodgman , said one , I ve some een year old — ! w hisky the right stuff. Have a drop

’

. Sir No , thanks I ve just had a bitter with ll Charles Russe . “ who 2 s Sir Charles he sarca tically returned.

a At that moment Sir Charles passed by , and I s id

to ds e him , Sir Charles , some Scottish frien of min

sa fif n - - y they have some tee year old whisky . Would you like to try it ! ” ” “ Fi ve~ear —old whisk No thanks , he replied , y y " sati es me i t i s ood sta when la id down sfi if g y! . “ ! ” “ it By Jove said the owner of the whisky ,

w as of Sir Charles , and , after all , there is a deal ” truth in what he said .

d a as Everybo y is familiar , in a way , with the L d who won for Lord Rosebery the Derby Stakes of

— n d 18 94. a There may , though , be some here — there a stray one n ot aware that his lordship

n 18 69 o at ow ed a colt of the same name in , a peri d which the Primrose Lord had only passed his

was wn majority by the space of a year. He a bro 286 S I X T Y Y E A RS O N T H E T UR F c a f ! and tii n e as olt by L mbton , rom enobia , at a he ,

a e the later L das , was regarded as likely of D rby

fu ow a honours . Anyway , his then youth l ner c me

me 21 18 69 an d to at the Lewes , on April , , as a ked me what I would t ke for my horse Target , an a of r l ged son A til ery , who the previous day had run second to Citron in a welter , and that afternoon had an engagement in the Lewes Spring

Han dicap . “ 500 Well , my lord , I said , I will take sovs . ’ h for . e him Mind you , he s not worth that sum , as can n i o ly , w th the best of the weights , scramble

t . f hrough little races But I find him use ul , as he is a rare one to lead work . “ ’ That s exactly what I wish him for . I want him l ! to lead Ladas in his Derby gallop. Wi l you sell answered Lord Rosebery . “ ’ f Yes , he s yours , my lord , a ter the handicap ,

’ ” w . hich he will win, and it s worth betting on

o . . 1 f 7 8 2 . o Target , who nly had st to the st lb the f - - our year old Epworth , with Butler up , pulled

t . hrough by a neck , the field reaching to eighteen

’ T 8 s I had a very fair race , as arget started at ,

u w tho gh I am not aware hether his lordship betted .

W o hen all was ver , I said

’ ” He s yours , my lord .

” “ o man Yes, he answered , laughing ; but , H dg , 28 7 S I X T Y Y E A R S O N T H E T U RF

I really think you ought to have thrown the race into the deal . bit Target , I suspect , led Ladas a too well in his

' 66 1 gallop , for he was allowed to start at to at

Epsom , and ran without distinction .

’ My tas k and my readers labours are now nearing l a c ose . For those who have followed me , even in

z of hapha ard fashion , I can only extend the thanks an old man , well past the allotted three score and

e ten , and trust that if not instruction they hav derived some amusement from a perusal of these f pages . One incident and one explanation ollow ,

the and then the pen is put aside . Most followers of f Tur , and all who are keen on the noble art ofboxing , — — know my young young to me in years friend , Mr . ” all T . W. Gale , otherwise Tommy to and sundry .

We were together in Edinburgh at the time Mr. W.

E . Gladstone was stumping Scotland . In my later f time I have requently passed for that Right Hon .

’ s gentleman double , though , I suppose , two more mentally and politically opposite men never were

n . bor As my photograph precedes these pages, readers can judge of any similarity between myself ” and the Grand Old Man . Mr . Gale was always

n insisti g on the likeness , and one evening at Waverley Station he and his friends passed the word round 28 8

I N DE X

A s m enos M e 88 B a a 47 il , lh m , A ron 157 162 B an of E n n 39 b , , k gla d, A ro t 93 94 B nst a o on 170 c ba , , a e d C mm , A ro th e Fl at 89 90 Bar r n 26 c ss . , ba ia ,

A a s 118 273 B r r Mr. 69 70 151 157 d ma , , a be . Jimmy, , , , , A dven turer 23l 158 161 162 241 , , , , E ean Th e 210 B arbillon n e 223 g , , , A n tr 125 B ar r 263 i ee , ke ,

A r or 197 B rn rd Mr. J. 32 35 52 i lie, L d, a a , , , A oran 28 29 B rn rd 8 n 32 lc , , a a Ri g, A r te Str t 15 B rr Joe 37 lde sga ee , a , , Al an dra te 24 6 B rt o o B en 58 ex Pla , a h l mew, , li n B te Mr Fr A ton or 48 . 64 g , L d , a s , ed, A lle sbur or 230 B r 267 y, L d, aumbe , A ta 32 B u er 51 ma , a mb , B Mr 214 A m ri an 247 248 249 250 264 . e c , , , , , , ayliss , , 265 266 269 B on T h e 139 140 , , eac , , ,

A n l Mr . or e 146 156 157 B a ort of 52 ge l, Ge g , , , , e uf , Duke ,

158 159 101 162 268 B tt Mr. or e 192 , , , , ecke , Ge g , ’ ’ A A m to 152 B n ton 106 107 ppy p n, eddi g , , A r r Fr d 169 225 231 262 B di n ton ou 101 che , e , , , , ed g H se , ” A r u 278 279 280 B d n t on St 32 g s, , , ed i g akes, ” A r the E ile 281 B ord of 25 90 gus x , edf , Duke , , A r o to 25 B or a 24 i s , edf d R ces , A ri to r ti an i a 26 B ee H n t r 197 s c a c H d c p, u e , ’ A rk T h e 285 B ton 66 , , ee s , A rt r l 93 B Mr i r 119 hu Welles ey, ell , . R cha d, ’ A rti r 287 B ell s L i e 11 12 23 114 lle y, f , , , , A ot 39 110 119 144 179 189 B n Or 79 sc , , , , , , e d , n n tt Mr 3 3 52 2 198 246 285 B . 1 8 8 , , e e , Jack, , , , A ot Sta 83 B r S are 51 134 232 sc kes , e keley q u , ,

A t 89 B rr J. 263 ssaul , e y. , A starte 157 162 B r 235 , , eve ley, A t Si r ohn 219 B r C 98 s ley . J , ibu y lub , A tri 109 B on 109 us a, i della, A tri n 208 B r B roo 181 us a s , i ch m, A to rat 281 B r 214 265 u c , i dcage, , A ven turiere 230 B o t Str t 72 , ish psga e ee , A r 228 B r d 178 y , lackbi , B T o 95 lack mmy, B u rr Mr 92 93 Bl r A t o 119 , , , ai h l, ’ M M n e 2 Blenki ron r . 119 B s az 9 . W aily ag i , , , Dalchi n 27 148 184 B t 24 , , , le chley, 290 Bl n B onn 95 96 4 1 46 47 57 58 59 63 70 97 i k y, , , , , , , , , , .

B o Mr. 282 99 101 121 122 123 139 140 l ss , , , , , , , , , B o n 202 209 142 143 209 211 217 218 219 lue G w , , , , , , , , , B n 121 221 225 226 228 229 232 233 lueski , , , , , , , , B ard 246 244 245 246 248 2 6 28 oi , , , , , 7 , 9 B o r o 92 93 95 on r T om 167 168 ia d , , , Chal e , , , ' B on Mot 23 24 C n n En 266 , , ha el ( glish) , B oro T h e 41 147 C n t 282 ugh, , , ha illy, B otto B 140 r n ro 24 m , illy , Cha i g C ss, B o B 196 C d 66 yce, illy, heapsi e , B o r 127 128 129 C hérre 221 yce, Cha lie, , , , B r zon M or 63 64 69 t r 59 60 aba , aj , , , Ches e , , B r ton or 105 t r 82 83 185 199 202 amp , L d, Ches e Cup, , , , , ,

B r . T 197 198 210 ayley, Mr eddy, , , 199 200 t r C u — nn r and o e s , Ches e p Ru e s J ck y ’ ’ ’ ’ B r r T h e 124 for 1851 52 53 54 56 252 ewe , , , , , , , , B r t on 38 42 142 149 180 204 261 igh , , , , , , , 207 216 219 t r n 204 241 , , Ches e field Ha dicap, , Br ton St 216 t n Si r or 224 igh akes, Che wy d, Ge ge , B ri n r t M or 61 C n ton Sta 184 ghu s , aj , hilli g kes, B r to 164 lr 191 192 193 is l , Chiva y , , ,

B ri to ot 216 r t t. 184 s l H el, Ch is ie , Cap , B ro t 118 C tron 287 cke , i , B ro Sta 178 273 t an d S r n 51 82 84 132 cklesby kes , , Ci y ubu ba , , , , , B roo arr 94 me , H y, r o o n n 94 n t T h 112 B o , h , C , e, , 113 me J "y laima B ro n B r 15 218 w ea , Clapham,

B ro n Mr. 147 148 149 r ont 143 w , , , , Cla em ,

B r n . or 157 158 r t 145 ya , Mr Ge ge, , Cla e , 01 r —2 B n r 2 . E . R 51 6 ucca ee , Cla k, Mr ’ B 78 C ar . D Orsa 57 ucks , l k , Mr y, B r 149 C r n 37 u y Hill, le ke well,

B . r 232 233 C n or 17 89 ush , Mr Cha lie, , lifde , L d, , B n 263 C n r 197 ushes Ha dicap, li che , B u t r 210 211 216 220 262 C o C o n 119 le , , , , , , bham mpa y, 287 o St 119 C bham ud , C o rn A ttorn - n r c bu , l, 77, ” k ey Ge e a A EN D A R 81 85 100 162 233 155 C L , , , , , , 278 289 o rn or ti , C ckbu , L d Chief Jus ce, C t or or 278 111 al h pe, L d, r d r 17 24 32 66 99 o or 127 Camb i geshi e , , , , , , C df d , 100 140 146 147 190 198 210 on r t 181 , , , , , , , C fede a e , 211 217 232 234 276 ontr t 241 , , , , C ac ,

n n on M. 266 oo Mr. 75 7 7 78 Ca , , C k , , , , C nn on T orn 142 199 200 242 orn i 92 a , , , , , , C h ll, 243 C otton o o 270 p lis , C n t r r 19 o r de o 193 a e bu y, C uleu R se, C r r 89 90 o 121 a aca a, , C vey,

r Mr. 49 96 101 102 106 107 C o r 248 Ca ew , , , , , , , , wpe , 116 117 r n rr 18 1 , C a be y,

Mrs. 101 Mr C r C r n W. . 26 . G 8 a ew, ave , , C r 284 C ri non 119 a lisle , , C r ton 166 169 173 186 r t r on C o r 192 a shal , , , , C i e i u se, C t r n H s 39 C ro on 152 218 a he i e aye , yd , , C aurou ch 15 24 C tt M rs 37 , , ubi , ess , C r n 150 C r t T h e 234 235 236 e dag e, u a e, , , , C r t 15 16 17 25 26 38 C ur T h e 16 17 esa ewi ch , , , , , , , , , , 291 I N D E X

C st n e 121 123 166 167 168 E o 119 u a c , , , , , , c ssais, 173 222 223 246 E n r 288 , , , , di bu gh,

C tt . or 216 E r Mr. 161 162 u , Mr Ge ge, dwa ds , , , E rton o 266 ge H use, A C IA 17 E E t on 285 D , ggs , lec i , 210 211 E 60 63 94 162 163 178 Dalby, , gham, , , , , , , ’ an i n S oon JeSSO s 148 D c g al ( p ) , ’ an O Rourke 26 28 30 31 47 E nton or 244 D iel , , , , , gli , L d, Danebur 80 242 E i nton St 185 y, , gl akes, i T h e L evi athian 21 24 RI 97 98 248 Dav es , , Hakim, , , — 26 28 29 30 31 32 35 36 42 E W. E . 267 , , , , , , , , lsey, , 46 92 93 127 153 154 E r nt 107 125 126 127 128 , , , , , mig a , , , , , , on M tt 153 225 230 Daws , a hew, , , , 262 E ” 30 mma , a on T om 261 E n n 54 65 168 180 248 D ws , , gla d, , , , , o n 8 0 8 3 86 En n or u t of 77 Day, J h , , , gla d, L d Chief J s ice , 80 81 83 100 101 E n l 248 249 260 268 269 Day, William, , , , , , g ish , , , , , 142 174 183 En l n 249 , , g ishme , ” rett 26 E o 32 49 83 84 98 106 10 Deb , ps m , , , , , , , 7, ’ De Ginkell s 177 109 110 127 189 194 261 dam, , , , , ,

n Mr. 166 E o o n 166 168 De by, , ps m D w s, , r ord 93 E ort 287 De by, L , pw h , rb 168 281 Ern t n 90 De y Day, , es i e, er T h e 19 21 26 28 29 30 38 E r 140 D by, , , , , , , , , u ydice, 7 1 72 95 96 97 106 169 198 E t r or 12 25 39 40 89 , , , , , , , xe e , L d , , , , , 202 266 281 286 287 E ot F 46 , , , , x ic illy, r M t n 276 De by ee i g, ' r r 49 50 FA I RP A Y S 175 De by T ack, , L Dam, ia on 266 F t ff 102 D m d Jubilee, als a , Mr 15 24 - - l n . F a B 89 Dis ey, , , augh a lagh , t Ml 87 142 263 F 25 Di ch le, , , aux Pas,

on Mr . 161 162 F azzoleto 238 Dix , , , , o r T h e 284 F n n Str t or 78 D cke , , e y a f d, o s n 120 F r orz 8 9 D e ki , e am , on t r 119 175 176 185 228 F rn St 179 D cas e , , , , , , e Hill akes, 229 F rt 39 40 ilbe , , on t r 87 268 Fili u s 28 D cas e Cup, , , on t r St 94 F n don 83 139 D cas e akes, i , ,

Don n 221 F r . I 77 Jua , ishe , Mr shmael, ’ “ D on T h e 49 100 F r B ro n B r 15 , , , ishe s w ea , Mr 4 0 Fitzr nald 1 4 D rli n . 48 9 5 o 7 o g, , , , , o on 89 Fi tz St 185 D uble Th g, william akes , o t 75 76 77 F t n 90 265 D ub , , , la ma , , r 2 2 F n 2 o on . r 1 9 13 03 D ws , Mr Ha y, , lyi g Duchess, ’ r 14 F i n u t n H n i Drewi tt M . 5 85 , , ly g D chma s a d cap, 5 1 F n t n T h 1 2 Dri nkald Mr. 91 93 9 30 133 e 2 3 108 , , , , , , lyi g Du chma , , , ,

r r B o T h e 189 For Mr. 237 D umme y, , d , ,

B Ford T . 52 23 W. of u ort 198 199 . 7 Duke ea f , , , Mr , , Dulcibella 70 100 101 Ford 47 61 97 98 99 121 , , , ham, , , , , , , n r 119 124 143 145 158 159 160 161 Du ba , , , , , , ,

nn . 157 161 162 162 166 167 168 169 170 173 Du e, Mr , , , , , , , , T he 193 174 180 182 183 184 194 196 Dupe, , , , , , , , , li t T he 193 194 199 207 208 210 213 214 219 Dup ci y, , , , , , , , , , 220 242 255 26 264 , , , 3, r 1 For t r C ol 12 EA DE . o 156 61 . 3 , Mr Ge ge, , es e , , ’ E r S n r t 108 For o 207 208 a l pe ce s Pla e, m sa, , E i e Sta 266 Fo ter 267 cl ps kes, s , 292

I N D E X

ot r 21 T he 123 H spu , Lad, , o ton Meet n 88 120 123 d 286 287 288 H ugh i g , , La as, , , H i d 124 179 a r n ou nt 180 263 ughes, Dav , , L g a ge, C , , Mr m r 84 112 113 . T o 179 189 190 218 rt Mr . o Hughes, , , , , , Lambe , Ge ge, , , , 223 121 122 2 24 136 169 221 , , 1 3, 1 , , , , n r or 73 223 227 268 Hu ge f d, , ,

nt E . 267 ton 287 Hu , , Lamb , r t r 152 M nte 178 Hu s Pa k, La écha , H u ta 262 n B en 108 125 126 130 x ble, La d, , , , , ' r 112 n E n d 283 Hyde Pa k, La d s ,

ran 12 13 14 n Mr. 214 Hyd gea , , , La gley, , L aw o rt 108 C u s, ’

I A N SON Mr . 96 H on . F . 63 , , Lawley, , ’

Mr . r 43 244 I A nson i 284 M . T om 1 , Will am, Lawley, , ,

I 89 L . B . S . C Railwa 181 lex, . y, I ri 96 n ton 124 226 mpé euse, Leami g , , In 129 B rn 180 dia, Le e ais, M Ir n 190 r. o rt 246 ela d, Lee , R be ,

I r h B r t r 89 r Mr . 163 is i dca che , Lefev e, , I ono 46 276 r 223 263 s my, , Lemai e, , It i n 140 eon 204 al a s, L ie, I van 93 94 47 180 287 , , Lewes, , , H nd 284 287 Lewes a icap, , Mr 22 r A C KS ON . o n 62 97 o 121 J , J h , , , , Lewes Racec u se, 182 185 186 187 209 214 ou 189 190 , , , , , Libell s, ,

a o Mr . 186 o t 69 J c bs, , Lifeb a , i 215 n oln 187 189 235 Jama ca, Li c , , , Mr T m 1 120 1 0 n o r n 51 52 18 nn n . o 1 9 8 n 7 Je i gs, , , , , Li c l shi e Ha dicap, , , , 4 263 23 , 235, 236, 237 r n Str t 233 t o 37 Je my ee , Lis H uses, o 8 1 174 268 278 279 tt ar r 8 3 8 4 J ckey Club, , , , , , Li le H y, ,

280 tt t. 98 99 156 159 161 Li le, Cap , , , , , o n 266 tt r rd 100 J ckey Ri g, Li le Ge a , o n 215—221 tt o n t 178 J h Davis, Li le J h Pla e, ’ o n O Groats 283 r oo 127 128 129 132 J h , Live p l, , , , “ o n on d 46 r oo S um r C u 23 J h s , Ju ge, Live p l me p, o n on Mr. 177 o Mont z 17 J h s , , L la e , o n on 262 ol o 221 222 223 J h s , L lyp p, , , on r rt 266 on on 11 14 15 24 28 37 39 J es, He be , L d , , , , , , ,

t Mr . 157 59 65 76 173 228 235 Jus ice, , , , , , , on A r 37 L g c e, M m 12 1 E Y r. T i 5 on d C u 153 K LL , , , L s ale p, n 263 on ord 242 246 Ke dall, L sdale, L , , ’ i n t Str t 16 or C n 168 170 K g s Head, Newga e ee L d lifde , , i n L u d 243 246 orn oon 186 K g , , L a D e , i n of r 124 o Joe 193 K g G eece, L we, , n nd 202 o n d r 119 Ki gsla , L wla e , ’ i n ton 8 3 o tor 129 K gs , Lucas Rep si y, i n to n 73 284 K gs w , Luke, i n T om 162 243 o 90 K g , , Lye, T mmy,

Knavesmi re, 143

n t of St. or 93 MA C A RON I 168 K igh Ge ge . ,

n t of S t . tr 193 Mach ell C t. 245 246 K igh Pa ick, , ap , , n t of th e rt r 8 9 210 Maesllwch 204 K igh Ga e , , , n t of th e S r 32 M n t 144 K igh hi e, aide Pla e, M 123 alacca, A B RA DOR o t o f 54 M ton 95 283 L , C as , al , , 294 I N D E X

’ Man t r 65 155 270 276 277 on r or 177 ches e , , , , , Nels s Ya d (Y k) , Man t r C u 46 190 284 N ew B on Str t 54 ches e p , , , d ee , M n st r o r n d ewcou rt 284 a che e N vembe Ha icap, N , 276 r t 25 27 46 58 81 8 5 Newma ke , , , , , , , M n o 24 25 86 109 113 115 139 140 147 a if ld, , , , , , , , M Mr 2 136 180 186 191 19 19 203 214 ann n . 7 5 6 i g, , , , , , , . , , M nni n ton Mr 169 1 0 1 6 1 218 219 229 263 . 7 7 77 a g , , , , , , , , , 201 234 r t t 278 , Newma ke Hea h , M r r 118 120 r t St 266 a ge y Daw, , Newma ke akes, Mari n r 199 200 n t r 120 150 175 281 e , , Newmi s e , , , , M r t Str t 271 tt 74 a ke ee , Ne le, Marlo r 74 s t o f 203 w, Cha lie, Newca le, Duke , Mar r W 129 ew t 119 M . . N S shall, , akes , “ Mar ha Mr 129 13 Mr 216 21 2 . 3 o . B 7 37 s ll, William, , Nich l, illy, , , M r 142 o on Mr 208 a syas, Nich ls , . , Marti n r n 1 3 on Mr d r B o 3 o . E 78 , a , Nich ls , ga , ’ Me s n M 3 n i 2 o r. 3 o o on on G n 08 g , , Nich ls s L d , M Mr . 115 t n n 218 ellish , , Nigh i gale La e, M r r 208 o tt 193 e cu y, N ise e, M rr Mr 32 or n 30 e y, . , N ma , M rr Mr. Sam 35 153 154 ort ton 27 72 127 e y, , , , N hamp , , , Mi i 19 ort ton r St 50 215 am , N hamp shi e akes, , M r Stu 119 ott n 178 180 241 iddle Pa k d, N i gham, , , Mi l ot i n 219 222 223 N u tbou rn e 232 d h a , , , , M l Str t 66 ut irl 193 194 i k ee , N g , , M Gratwi cke 210 t r 39 iss , Nu pecke , M i 58 iss ve, Mi S r F 90 OA KS T he 19 39 74 96 97 ss a ah illy, , , , , , , Mit 262 O 125 126 chell, diham , , M or 2 ld r Mr 0 1 3 o o t 83 O . 17 7 ck D c , ake , , , Mo n 121 Old B r n ton Str t 162 164 leski , u li g ee , , Mo r 282 Old o rt 107 lly Ca ew, R be , ' ” Mon 46 47 Old S B r ton 48 ge s Dam, , hip, igh , ” Mon Sir r 188 Old t r or 120 k, Cha les , Wa e w ks, Mon T h e 196 On e ou n n 46 k, , Th sa d Gui eas, Mont 76 Or n o 17 agu, la d , Monti 54 Ormon 79 175 , de, , Mor n Mittith T hamm 220 O orn o n 23 24 208 261 da , y, sb e, J h , , , , Mordan am 220 221 t o 194 19 , S , , O h , , 5 Mor n 276 277 O ord 100 ga , , xf , Morn i n P ost 214 278 279 280 O or M t r 236 g , , , , xf d ix u e, Morr 141 142 180 181 183 190 is, , , , , , , 3 4 124 262, 263 PA DWI C K, Mr. , 8 2, 8 , 8 , “ — Morr Mr. 22 49 52 r o on r 73 78 is ( Tubby , , , , Palme (P is e ) , 53 63 64 93 97 123 125 150 r 161 162 , , , , , , , , Palme , , Mr 2 3 182 198 208 209 216 217 r o . 7 , , , , , Pa d e, ,

Mr S 57 64 arr Mr . T om 25 26 27 63 . ykes, , P , , , , .

Mrs. t 25 rr 145 146 194 262 Taf , Pa y, , , ,

M n Mr . 25 26 217 236 P a scarel 274 u dy, , , , , , Mr 22 r 6 M ro . 8 t oo 7 usg ve , , Pas yc k, ’ Mus o t 64 65 66 69 70 265 u r 92 c vi e, , , , , , Pa l s C ay, Musi i n 7 6 on 178 191 192 199—211 c a , Paul J es, , , ,

M soti s 204 n Mr. or 41 159 160 y , Pay e, Ge ge , , , ,

185, 231

A B OB 26 a n Mr . u st 111 N , P y e, J ice, “ ” S ta 85 o 214 215 Nassau kes, Pav , ,

Mr . 118 a or Mr. 168 N yl , , Pedley , , 295 I ND E X

C ol. 17 18 Rob i ll 63 64 Peel, , , g , , n r 280 o t r an d t M t n Peel , Ge e al , R ches e Cha ham ee i g , Si r o rt 42 41 Peel, R be , Mr 280 o t 121 122 123 125 Pepys, . , R cke , , , , “ r Mr. o n 224 odn 278 Pe cival, J h , R ey, r n Mr o n 65 66 o rs Sam 196 Pe ki s , . J h , , R ge , , rr 161 162 178 180 194 195 o l i n B ob 108 Pe y, , , , , , , R l ick g , 196 o r ord 286 287 R sebe y, L , , M rr r . 39 ou n o r 140 Pe y , , R d C u se, n 94 o A r 25 27 43—56 61 85 Phe ix, R us, dmi al, , , , , , “ — i Mr. B 270 272 100 109 133 134 150 181 183 Phill ps, illy, , , , , , , , i ott 139 184 193 194 220 226—228 230 P g , Lady, , , , , , P ille reen od 223 yg L ge, Mrs u n tt 86 o . 50 Pl ke , R us, , ’ o n C o rt 21 o St 203 P ppi s u , R us akes, ort r o n 135 136 139 141 o M 194 195 P e , J h , , , , R wley ile, , Mr 4 u n o l . 1 o t 189 P we l, , R yal H Cup , rr th e F r t 19 80 221 Py hus i s , , Rugby , 262 u 73 74 Plumb, David , R geley, , r tit on r 141 142 unn n n 17 P ac i e , , R i g Rei , r 61 u or of ll o n 278 285 P eece, R ssell , L d, Ki we , , Mr 1 62 2 r t . 157 158 16 1 l Si r r 78 286 P ies ley, , , , , Russe l, Cha les, , r n o 284 P i ce Rud lph , ri n T h e 196 SA C KB UT 89 P cipal, , , ri or 97 123 124 248 S t A r 170 P ess, , , , ai , lf ed, ro or A n d rson 275 St. r T he 30 31 57 92 94 95 P fess e , Lege , , , , , , , , ro id r 219 221 96 151 204 207 208 209 210 266 P v e , , , , , , , , , rot t on 118 S r A r 24 29 30 P ec i , alisbu y ms, , , M 2 4 2 r 219 M H . 120 r or r. 7 75 S . P y , , , avile , , , ’ ” S r n H 187 a ace s ead,

UEEN B 97 98 249 S on Mr . 97 177 Q ess, , , ax , , , n of C r 51 S r 262 Quee yp us, aye s, ’ n t 140 S 50 51 Quee s Pla e, camp, , n to n 121 122 123 124 125 S r rou or 48 Quee s w , , , , , ca b gh , L d, in Sam 28 59 S ot n 286 288 Qu ce, , , c la d , , in 202 262 S ot 285 Qu ce, , c ch Whisky, S ott B l 225 c , i l, A K E The 2 2 S ott Jo n 30 92 R , , 8 c , h , , a t 11 S ott ord o n 39 94 R msga e. c , L J h , , Rawclifi e o 175 S rr n 24 Padd cks, cu y Ha dicap,

Mr. 218 S n 121 Ray, , ealski , Mr B ob 232 233 S u on 281 Reece, . , , ecl si , 108 109 See Saw 119 210 Reeves , Jack, , , , Mr 2 S 6 . o n 281 82 n or t 8 89 Reeves, J h , , e i a, , “ ” n t ot 124 226 S nn on 268 Rege H el, , ha ,

nt S tr t 139 S r W. 7 6 Rege ee , ha pe, , f o n n 251 S rn 157 Reif , J h y, hee ess,

r T h e 39 40 S Mr. o n 69 82 Reive , ; , helley, J h , , “ ” n n t n 166 S r oo B ob 73 Remi isce ces (Cus a ce) , , he w d, , 263 282 S 108—10 194 , hillelagh , , “ ’ n n . 80 S or m 216 Remi isce ces (W Day s) , h eha ,

Mr r 2 1 h ou Dr. 166 16 168 186 n o d . o 5 13 S orth se , 7 Rey l s, Ge ge, , , , , , ord 174 S ort n 141 Ribblesdale, L , h s Ha dicap, on of 180 197 S r u r 80 8 1 125 126 139 Richm d, Duke , , h ewsb y, , , , , , c a 75 154 155 156 213 214 273 Ri k by, , , , , , ” Ridd o n 186 S on 166 168 , J h , imps , ,

R ort St 25 S on Mr. 203 iddlesw h akes, imps , , 296

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tor o 175 185 262 289 t A u tr i n 39 79 Vic i us, , , , Wes s al a , , i tor 183 262 st o rn 46 V c y, , We b u e, 238 289 st n t r Du of 79 175 Vidi, , We mi s e , ke , , i r 262 t or an d ord 50 136 141 V dle , Wes m l , L , , , , n 186 Vi dex, r o 7 9 85 t a 232 Vi ag , , Whi ef ce, ” r n 8 0 t H rt Sal ur 52 Vi gi ia, Whi e a , isb y, on 177 178 179 187 t o 120 Visi , , , , Whi e R se, n 1 9 199 200 2 Mr 2 7 8 9 tt r . 1 0 Vixe , , , , Whi ake ,

o t u r 38 79 215 tt r Mr . o n 65 66 V l ige , , , Whi ake , J h , , o t rn o 51 r or 28 29 V l u , Wilbe f ce, ,

n r Mr . 175 d A n 185 186 Vy e , , Wil g es, ,

n r Mr . r 153 B rd 49 100 Vy e , Cla e, Wild i , , r 71 73 218 Wild Day ell, , , A B A 225 dflo r 218 219 W M , Wil we , , r n Mr 24 Mr . T . 4 . n on 7 Wa i g, , Wilki s , ,

rn r Mr. 113 Mr . 279 280 281 Wa e , , Willes, , , , “ ” rr n T h e 125 167 179 189 B i 16 Wa e , , , , , Willis, g, ’ rr r n Willi m 54 n ton M . o 65 s s oo Wa i g , J h , R s, ” “ ” rr n ton T 65 on 166 168 Wa i g , eddy, Wils , , r 141 178 179 207 226 on 210 262 Wa wick, , , , , Wils , , ” r A r s 226 227 t r 127 Wa wick m , , Wil shi e, r C u 85 n st r 189 243 Wa wick p, Wi che e , , t r B 178 Wi nchilsea ord 278 279 280 Wa e aby, , L , , ,

tt Mr . 204 n ou n d 177 Wa , , Wi db , tt o n 266 n sor 119 155 Wa s, J h , Wi d , , r Stat on 288 Wi n field 61 Wave ley i , g , Weath erbit 26 nt r 58 , Wi e , t r oun d 101 o r ton 75 7 6 77 Wea he b , W lve hamp , , , Mr 9 r m n 5 t r . 27 o to n 7 Wea he by, , W lve ha p Ha dicap, 2 t r Mr . 16 163 o r 95 Wea he by, James, , W me sley, 164 165 oo n 232 233 234 , W dla ds, , , t r M rs 50 or t r 108 110 130 Wea he by, ess , W ces e , , , ’ t r 18 Wea he by s, ath er a e 25 26 2 31 We g g , , , 7, Fr d 262 A N KEES 248 Webb, e , Y ,

Wei all Mr . n r 54 rn 267 g , He y, Ya ell, m 147 or 47 84 175 245 Welch, Je my, Y k, , , , on 267 or C u 268 Weld , Y k p, r Sam 289 or r O 85 204 Welle , , Y kshi e aks, , ” ‘ n ton H ot l 186 Welli g e , 35 174 Wells, , “ r n on 113 ! EN OB I A 287 Welsh Ha p, He d , , t r n di S r r ! t n ord 244 Wel e Ha cap ( h ewsbu y), e la d, L , ! n r 100 i ga i,

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