9ii w JOHNA.SEAVERNS GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES BELT AND CAP GREENi YELLOW SLEEVES BELT AND CAP BY ALFRED E. T. WATSON Assistant Editor of 'The Badminton Library,' Sectional Editor of the ' Encyclopaedia Britannica,' Editor 'Badminton Magazine ' Author of 'Sketches in the Hunting Field,' 'Racecourse and Covertside ' ' The Racing World and its Inhabitants,' ' Racing and 'Chasing ' ' King Edward VII. as a Sportsman,' etc. Printed /or p^-ivate circulation, 'Lord Derby's Racehorses' ' Galicia : Her Forbears and her Oft'spring ' PRIVATELY PRINTED FOR MR. FRANK BIBBY OF HARDHTCKE GRANGE, SHREIYSBURY WITH ILLUSTRATIONS LONGMANS, GREEN AND CO. 39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON FOURTH AVENUE AND 30th STREET, NEW YORK BOMBAY, CALCUTTA, AND MADRAS 1919 CONTENTS CHAPTER I PAGE " The Liverpool --------- i CHAPTER H Some Liverpools, including Kirkland's - - - 31 CHAPTER HI Some more Liverpools, including Glenside's - - 93 CHAPTER IV The National Hunt, Lancashire, and Grand Sefton Steeplechases - - - - - - . - ^38 CHAPTER V Some Winners -.-...-- 180 CHAPTER VI On the Flat --------- 206 Caubeen's Pedigree - - 218 Frank Bibby's North End Stud, Exning - - - 219 Individual Description of the Fences constituting the Grand National Steeplechase - - - 221 ILLUSTRATIONS Caubeen - - Frontispiece Photogravure FACING PAGE F. Mason on Kirkland 32 PhotO':^ravure Grand National. Course as seen from the Stands - 44 Kirkland leading the Parade at Liverpool - - 70 Precentor II. and Caubeen at Aintree - - 84 Caubeen - - - 90 Mr. J. R. Anthony on Glenside ----- 93 Photogravure Glenside and Shady Girl jumping Valentine's Brook - - - - - - - - - 106 Comfit 147 WiCKHAM - - -152 Red Coil - - - - - - - - - 156 Leamington 162 Sweet Cecil ig^ Aerostat 188 Ben Ruadh ------- - i^q Plan of the Liverpool Grand National Steeple Chase Course - 220 CHAPTER I "THE LIVERPOOL" Every sportsman who owns a 'chaser has one great ambition — to win a Liverpool, as the Grand National is usually called in conversational phraseology and by writers on Turf affairs. If the Fates are propitious and luck being with him our owner is blessed, his ardent desire being once gratified he seems to be even keener still to win a second. I think there can be no doubt that with the owner of Liverpool horses appetite grows by what it feeds on. In the history of the race, so far as I am acquainted with it and that acquaintance is scarcely casual, no man has ever won it more than thrice, and only one has been so fortunate as to achieve three victories. The late Sir Charles Assheton-Smith, when in the year 1893 known as Charles — or more commonly as Charlie — Duff, carried off the infinitely coveted prize with Cloister, and after succeeding to the property which involved the change of name, won again with Jerry M. in 191 2 and with Covertcoat in 19 13. I was his guest at Liverpool in Cloister's year and again in 19 14, when Covertcoat, starting favourite, never showed promi- GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP nently in the course of the struggle — on this last occasion a guest without a host, for my old friend's heart was affected, and he was persuaded not to risk the excitement of watching his horse run, so that his son Robin, one of the early victims of the war only a few weeks after he had succeeded to the title and estates, entertained the party. I know how much these three Liverpools, far from satiating Charlie Duff, to employ the name which comes up most familiarly, increased his eagerness to secure a fourth ; for he was in the habit of constantly calling on me or writing, sometimes by express, to consult me about animals he was more or less disposed to buy in the hope of making his trio of victories a quartet. This book is the story of two Liverpool winners the property of Mr. Frank Bibby of Hardwicke Grange, near Shrewsbury, one of the very few owners whose names are written twice in letters of gold over the chimney-piece of the County Stand at Aintree ; the story of these two winners, and in particular, amongst other bearers of the green, yellow sleeves, belt and cap which I have taken as the title of this volume, of Caubeen, an admirable specimen of the 'chaser — a model Liverpool horse, unless the criticism be advanced that he was rather too good-looking — deemed by most of his admirers unfortunate in never having won a Liver- pool also. Kirkland, to whom we shall come in due course, won in 1905, Glenside in 191 1, Caubeen ran "THE LIVERPOOL" four times, from 1909 to 19 12. On a previous page I have emphasised the necessity of luck if the owner of the best horse in the field is to reap the reward, and in the case of Caubeen the luck was persistently against him, as we shall see when we reach the years in which he went to the post. Some readers into whose hands this book may fall, those not intimately acquainted with the subject of sport under National Hunt Rules, will perhaps be inclined to wonder why the Liverpool stands out by itself, as it does admittedly, without question, unique. Good horses are found at other meetings, where it often happens that formidable fences have to be jumped, and the spectacle frequently creates much enthusiasm and excitement. But as a test of a great steeplechaser nothing approaches the Liverpool. No other race is contested over so long a distance, 4 miles 856 yards ; on no other course are there fences which resemble the big, stiff obstacles at Aintree. It is just about as severe a test as well- schooled horses of proved capacity can reasonably be called upon to undergo ; at the same time it is not too severe for those who are really qualified to take part in it. In normal times there used to be many hundreds of 'chasers in training, certainly not five per cent, of whom had the least pretension to be regarded as Liverpool horses. Many owners have found annually that their aspirations were hopeless. Animals who had seemed to 3 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES. BELT, AND CAP show some promise of training on into that rare product of the thoroughbred, the " Liverpool horse," have proved themselves unmistakably lacking in the essential attributes. Thus it has befallen that during the last forty years the average number of starters, of horses found worthy to compete in a Liverpool, has been a fraction over twenty. This I calculate to be much under two per cent., not much over one per cent., of the jumpers in training, and there are exceedingly few owners who would fail to take advantage of the chance if they had a horse whose getting round seemed fairly possible ; indeed, every year the entry has included animals whose presence has rather tended to provoke a smile, so completely have they appeared to be out of their class. The only thing that could ever be urged against the great 'chase to counterbalance the fact of its being the glory of 'cross country sport was that to some extent it weakened interest In racing under National Hunt Rules towards the close of the year. This was because certain owners had an eye to the prospective Liverpool handi- cap, and were reluctant to draw attention to horses who were showing anything like good form. I think they were In the vast majority of cases unduly cautious, for at any rate of late years Mr. E. A. C. Topham — and in former days Mr. Reginald Mainwaring, when he had a hand In the compilation — were in the habit of adjusting the weights in a very great measure exclusively on what 4 "THE LIVERPOOL" horses had done over the Aintree course. Still, there was always a contingent engaged for the first time, and in the cases of these the handicappers were bound to judge them by what they had done elsewhere, at the same time, however, realising that winners of good races at Park or other meetings were by no means necessarily Liverpool horses, that, in fact, probabilities were altogether against their ever coming into the select category. As for the number of runners, on two occa- sions the field has extended to two and thirty, when Abd-el-Kader won in 1850 and when the French five- year-old, M. R. Hennessy's Lutteur III., came over in 1909; twice only ten runners have gone to the post, when Charity won before the race became a handicap in 1 841, and again in 1883, when the present Prince Kinsky, then Count Charles, won on his own mare, Zoedone. Something should be said about what may be described with little fear of effective contradiction as the most famous steeplechase course in the world — one may admire Auteuil and other places without a pretence that they are comparable with Aintree. Precisely how this place came to be selected is not known. Some years ago I wrote a large book entitled " Lord Derby's Race- horses " for the present Earl, and the family papers he provided to aid the task made mention of various other courses in Lancashire. The earliest was at Wallasey, where there are records of racing in 1682. William, 5 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP the sixth Earl of Derby, was then in possession, and it is recorded not only that King James the First attended Wallasey Races, but that the Duke of Monmouth won a £60 Plate there on the I2th of September in the year mentioned, the Mayor of Chester, with a troop of forty horsemen, riding over to witness the sport. What we should now call " the card " was much mixed, amongst other items "the Duke had two foot races with Mr. Cutts of Cambridgeshire, the first stripped, and after in his boots, both of which he won." At that period, or at least early in the eighteenth century, the most con- siderable stake in the kingdom was contested on the Wallasey course. The Dukes of Devonshire and Bridgwater, the Earls of Derby and Barrymore, Viscount Molyneux, Lord Gower, Sir William Williams, Sir Richard Grosvenor, Mr. Cholmondeley of Vale Royal, and Mr. Berkeley Mackworth then agreed to subscribe twenty guineas each annually for ten years successively to be run for on the course at Wallasey on the first Thursday in May in each year. There were races also at Preston, one of which the Lord Derby of the period carried off with his bay gelding Looby, who, after finishing last of the four starters in the first heat, won the other two. This, however, refers exclusively to the flat. When steeplechasing was intro- duced to this district I have been unable to ascertain. It appears that there had been races at Aintree, though precisely what sort of races cannot certainly be stated, "THE LIVERPOOL" prior to the year 1839, when a syndicate of local sports- men, who had lately taken over the lease of the Grand Stand and Racecourse, designed what has come to be known as the Grand National. It was then called the Grand Liverpool Steeplechase, with the following conditions : "A sweepstake of 20 sovs. each, 5 forfeit, with 100 added ; 1 2 st. each, gentlemen riders ; four miles across the country ; second to save his stake, and the winner to pay 10 sovs. towards expenses ; no rider to open a gate or ride through a gateway, or more than 20 yards along any road, footpath or driftway." For a great many years prior to the war the Grand National invariably took place in the first week of the season, at the Liverpool Spring Meeting, which followed immediately on the Lincoln Meeting, the Rule of Racing which dealt with the subject laying it down that " no race shall be run earlier than in the week which includes the 25th March, unless that be the one next before Easter Sunday, in which case races may be run in the week preceding." The precise date when this rule came into force I am unable to give, at any rate it was later than 1864, as in that year I find that the Grand National, won by Lord Coventry's Emblematic, took place on the 9th March. GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP 1839 The first race in 1839 ^^^ contested on the 26th February, and is recorded to have " occasioned unusual interest, as shown by the number of visitors who made their way to the scene of action." I may here quote from a writer of the period, who says, " in the course of Sunday and Monday visitors poured in from all quarters, and a high degree of excitement was manifested. The racecourse was visited by hundreds ; the line of country inspected (for secrecy here is impos- sible) ; the sporting houses were crowded to excess, and one of them — the Talbot — was honoured with the presence of several Corinthians from Melton." The mention of the "hundreds" of visitors and of the " several " Corinthians shows that the National eighty years ago was a very pale reflex of what it became. For years before the war not only Liverpool but all towns within reachable radius were thronged, and on the day special trains bore their thousands from all parts of England. Multitudes of Irishmen also found their way. The chronicler goes on to remark, " on Tuesday morning the folks were astir betimes, for in addition to the grand afiair there was a second steeplechase in heats to be decided. The town therefore was soon in a delicious ferment ; the streets were thronged, the cus- tomary queries, ' How many go} "* ' When do they "THE LIVERPOOL" start ? ' and ' Which is the favourite ? ' assailed our ears in every direction and in every possible variety of dialect." All this seems strange, and one is forced to judge that the newspapers of the period were, as it seems to us, strangely lacking in information. For many years past long before the day of the race fairly accurate lists of starters have been compiled ; it has been known at what hour the start would take place ; indeed, the only one of the three questions quoted which had not become obsolete was " Which is the favourite ? " for though several horses would inevitably have been prominent in the market for days or weeks prior to the event, there have been many occasions when it was difficult to say, even shortly before the start, which of the runners would be absolutely in most demand. At this first Liverpool the authorities would not allow any police to be engaged, in consequence of which a body of special constables was organised, notwithstand- ing which, however, there seems to have been some trouble, for it is stated that one of the riders, Mr. W. McDonough, on an animal named Rust, was so hemmed in by the mob when he jumped into a lane that any chance of his winning was at once destroyed. An account of the fences then in existence will be read with interest. There were three brooks, the first that which has become so well known as Becher's, originally a mere ditch five or six feet wide, which was made up with a strong timber fence 3 feet high, placed about a 9 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP yard from the bank on the taking-off side. In his book, " Heroes and Heroines of the Grand National," Mr. Finch Mason, the author, observes that "a horse to get fairly over would have to jump at least 23 or 24 feet." He was apparently not aware that even when easily swinging over hurdles a horse almost invariably covers considerably more than this distance. I touched on this subject in my reminiscences, published in 191 8, entitled "A Sporting and Dramatic Career," describing how, when watching some hurdlers at their work one morning at Danebury, I had asked Tom Cannon whether they did not jar themselves in landing on a road which ran just behind the flight near to which we were sitting on our hacks. I was not a little surprised to hear that none of the jumpers ever touched this road, and on measuring the ground which one of the horses had cleared over their jump we found the distance was 28 feet. There was a second brook at Aintree, which I am not able at present to locate. The chronicler of the period described it as "a very decent jump, made by converting a foot ditch into an eight foot brook with timber in front of it." The third brook was that now known as Valentine's, the difficulty here and at Becher's Brook being that horses formerly took off from plough. In this first National it appears that different fences were jumped the second time round, one of these being a stiff post and rail, and immediately in front of the Grand "THE LIVERPOOL" Stand was a wall, 4 ft. 8K inches in height, which was done away with not long afterwards in consequence of its dangerous nature. For the first Liverpool there were fifty-five entries, of whom seventeen went to the post. Only two were ridden by their owners ; Mr. Fergusson was on his own Daxon, though he started two others, one Rust, of whom men- tion has just been made. The other owner who rode was Mr. Newcombe on Cannonball. There was an amateur starter in Lord Sefton, who is described also as " umpire," a position which must have involved heavy responsibilities. Part of his duty was to explain to the riders what course they were to follow. There could be no mistake about their having to jump the brook which became known as Becher's in consequence of the famous Captain who bore that name, and who was riding Captain Childe's Conrad, falling into it before much of the journey had been accomplished. Bark- ston, Mr. Fergusson's second string, fell at the next brook, and Daxon came down at the third. Apparently he was a bad water jumper, for though remounted, he fell again at the brook which had brought down his stable companion. Mr. Elmore's Lottery, whose fame has descended to us, ridden by Jim Mason, another of the immortals, had been favourite at 5 to i, and won at his ease, though only by three lengths. He is reported to have cleared 33 ft. over the last fence, which is, in fact, much about what might have been expected, but GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP another matter which will occasion a little surprise is the slowness of the pace. The distance, as already remarked, was only four miles, and the time occupied seven seconds less than a quarter of an hour. We have to make allowance, of course, for doubtless a consider- able amount of plough ; still, it seems remarkable that, Lottery having taken the time mentioned, Kirkland should have covered the course extending over an addi- tional half mile in 9 minutes 48Vsth seconds. Times are calculated, it will be seen, to fifths of a second, and the difference in speed between the old days and the present will be realised .when it is noted that the famous Lottery took more than five minutes longer to cover a distance of half a mile less ! 1840 Perhaps the most remarkable feature about the second Liverpool was that just half of the dozen starters came from Ireland, and this half dozen does not include the Marquess of Waterford's The Sea, owner up. Lottery reappeared with a 7 lb. penalty, but was one of four who came to grief at the wall. Only two owners rode their own horses. Lord Waterford, as just mentioned, and Mr. Power, one of the Irish division. He had a heavy bet that he would be first over the wall, and landed his wager. Lottery, who was almost level with him, fell heavily, as did Seventy Four, Tom Oliver coming to grief on the horse who had carried him safely "THE LIVERPOOL" round the previous year. Mr. Villebois' Jerry took the prize, ridden by Mr. Bretherton. 1841 One result of the accident in 1840 was the abolition of the wall, and Lottery in 1841 started favourite at 5 to 2. A suspicion existed that the conditions of the race had been framed for the purpose of stopping Mr. Elmore's great jumper, for the winner of the Chelten- ham Steeplechase, which Lottery had taken the previous season, was set to carry a penalty of 18 lb. This made the horse's weight i3st. 4 lb., and Jim Mason pulled him up when he found that the state of the case was hopeless. This year, 1841, the time is given as 13 mins. 25 seconds, occupied by Lord Craven's Charity. A certain amount of suspicion always attaches to the times of races at that period and for a great many years afterwards, it being suspected that the attempts were casually made by unaccustomed timists with ordinary watches upon which dependence could not be placed. 1842 Again in 1842 Lottery was favourite, and again he had the 1 8 lb. penalty, all the other fourteen runners carrying 1 2 st. This was to be the first of Tom Oliver's wins, which he accomplished on Gaylad, Mr. Elmore's second string. Lottery was again pulled up, and Peter Simple would, it is said, in all probability have won but 13 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP that, to quote the account of the race, he was "baulked by the crowd at the bullfinch out of the lane and threw his jockey," the owner, Mr. Hunter. We are thus informed that there was a bullfinch among the obstacles, ^d it is also to be gathered that the finish was over a couple of hurdles, as it continued to be till a compara- tively late period. This was unquestionably a great mistake on the part of those responsible for the course. After jumping the huge fences horses were, as a matter of course, inclined to chance these puny obstacles, which were on several occasions nevertheless sufficient to upset them. 1843 In 1843 ^^ ^^y t>e said that the Liverpool as we know it was started, for the race was made a handicap, described as the " Liverpool and National Steeplechase," a dual title which may perhaps account for it being called sometimes by one name and sometimes by the other. I cannot make out whether the distance was four miles or four miles and a half, and I can find no record of the time, which would be to some extent a guide, even though it might not appear conclusive. The wall was restored, or at least there was a wall, but not a very formidable one ; it had been reduced to four feet and had a layer of turf on the top. Yet once more Lottery essayed the adventure, with only a 5 lb. penalty, and belief in him remained so strong that he was second favourite at 4 to i, the actual first choice being Peter 14 "THE LIVERPOOL" Simple, who was becoming almost as notable a standing dish as Mr. Elmore's horse. Neither he nor Peter Simple ever appears to have been dangerous, and the race went to Lord Chesterfield's Vanguard, Tom Oliver again in the saddle. One incident noted is that Mr. Holman's Dragsman swerved at a fence and jumped sideways over a gate, from which it may be inferred that the course was not laid out with anything like the directness known to the present and, indeed, the last generation. There must have been a great deal of latitude if jumping a gate were possible. 1845-46 If I discussed all the Liverpools the book would run to unwieldy dimensions, and I can only touch upon a comparatively few. A horse named Peter Simple made his fifth appearance in 1845, and came near winning, running second to Mr. W. S. Crawfurd's Cure-All, to whom he was giving 7 lb. Next season he led for what seems to have been a considerable distance, but dropped out of it a long way from home, and, indeed, he does not appear to have been much fancied, though at any rate more so than the winner, Mr. Adams's Pioneer, a hope- less outsider not quoted in the betting, said to have looked rough in his coat and untrained, and ridden by an absolutely unknown jockey. There is a statement that the distance this year was " nearly five miles," so 15 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP that it is impossible to compare what happened at these old Liverpools with the events of recent years. 1847-48 The race was evidently becoming more attractive, for in 1847, when Matthew won, there were twenty-eight starters, and next year, when Chandler was victorious, twenty-nine. 1849 I take it that the Peter Simple who scored in 1849 was our old friend, but do not advance this with any certainty, as in two accounts of the race over which I am puzzling he is described as a bay half-bred by Patron, and, as we have seen, in a previous description he was said to be grey. At any rate up to the seventies it was nothing unusual to find several horses with the same name, usually of different ages though not always, and one has to be cautious therefore about one's assump- tions. A scandal of the period was to the effect that Captain d'Arcy, who rode his own horse. Knight of Gwynne, about whom he had taken the odds to a great deal of money, offered Cunningham, the rider of Peter Simple, various bribes, the last one as much as ;^4000, to stop his mount. It is also said that " Davis the Leviathan" laid Cunningham 3000 to 30 that he did not win on Peter Simple. In these days there was no National Hunt Committee, and I have no idea what would have happened to a jockey who got into disgrace. 16 "THE LIVERPOOL" Lord Sefton seems to have been the controller or dictator of Aintree, and regularly to have added the duties of starter to his varied responsibilities. He might presumably have suspended a jockey at this par- ticular meeting, but I do not imagine that his authority would have extended to any other fixtures, 1850-51 In 1850 the field numbered thirty-two, Peter Simple favourite at 5 to i, burdened, however, with i2st. 2 lb., and up to the nineties it was an article of faith with many keen followers of jumping that even 12 stone was a prohibitive weight. Presumably the failure of Peter Simple and of other heavily burdened animals led to this belief and appeared to confirm it. The race — I am speaking of 1 8 50 — went to a lightly weighted outsider, Abd-el-Kader, 9st. 12 lb., the property of Mr. Osborne, a keen student and supporter of racing, who contributed to the sporting press of the period, and was the author of one or two books. The story went that, while travelling on the Shrewsbury coach, he took a fancy to the near leader, a good-looking brown mare, whom he bought for fifty guineas, and after hunting her in Ireland and winning some steeplechases, sent her to the paddocks, Abd-el-Kader being one of her offspring. The horse won again the following season, and one fancies that he must have done little meantime, have injured rather than increased his reputation, as he was B 17 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP only up 61b. in the handicap, to lost. 4 lb. The fact that Peter Simple was here again seems rather to confirm the idea that he could not have been the grey who had done duty so long before. This year, 1851, we read of some " nasty bank fences," and the doubt still remains as to the distance of the race, the time occupied having been one second under ten minutes. 1852 One item with regard to the course in 1852 is made unmistakable by a letter from Lord Sefton to the Editor of BelPs Life. That journal had stated that the water jump opposite the stand had been made large and dangerous by his lordship's instructions. Lord Sefton wrote to the paper to the effect that "in the constant preparation of this artificial fence the workmen had gradually diminished the depth of the ditch till it had become a mere splash of water, and I desired that it might be restored to its former dimensions and no more. The water is 13 ft. 6 inches in breadth, and more than 4 ft. deep. The rail is about 3 ft. high, strongly made and leaning towards the water. It is a very large but perfectly fair jump." Of late years the rule has run that there must be " a water jump at least 1 2 ft. wide and 2 ft. deep, to be left open, or guarded by a fence not exceeding three feet in height." The 18 inches is of comparatively no importance, but if the depth was 4 ft. steeply cut away on the landing side, instead of with the "THE LIVERPOOL" present shelving, it may have been awkward in the days of Abd-el-Kader — and Miss Mowbray, who won in 1852 — for we often see horses land with a splash. If they do not clear the water they need not necessarily fall ; in the fifties, so far as can be made out, a fall must have been wellnigh inevitable if a horse jumped short. 1853-4 In 1853 Peter Simple, lost. 10 lb., Tom Oliver up, won for the second time; time 10 mins, 27 H seconds. We find him again, as also Abd-el-Kader, in 1854, when the race went to the favourite, Bourton, a half-bred, a description appended to most of the winners about this period. 1855 Evidently the class varied considerably. In 1855 it was said to have been exceedingly poor, and the only circumstance I see to note is that Sam Darling, a grand- father of the Beckhampton trainer who has had no superior in his craft within living memory, rode Miss Mowbray, second favourite at 4 to i. She broke both her neck and her back, threw her jockey several yards, and he remained unconscious till aroused by a rap on the back of the neck from one of the other horses who galloped over him. 19 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP 1858 The winner in 1858, Little Charlie, was ridden by W. Archer, father of the famous flat-race jockey, Fred. Abd-el-Kader was an example of the manner in which 'chasers used to last. He started, but came to grief at the second fence. One of the most skilful of gentle- meft riders, Mr. Thomas, won on Anatis in i860. For the benefit of readers who are acquainted with Turf history it need hardly be remarked that Thomas was the nom de course of Mr. Pickernell. The strange thing about this race is that Anatis, according to report, had never jumped a fence since taking part in the Liverpool twelve months previously. 1863 The race of 1863 has special interest as having been won by Lord Coventry with Emblem, for during the more than half century which has elapsed no owner has been more warmly respected and, it maybe said, beloved than the Earl who at the time of writing, 191 8, still has horses in training with his friend Mr. Fred Withington at Stockbridge — stable companions of Mr. Bibby's. In my reminiscences I quoted a letter written to me by Lord Suffolk — the eighteenth Earl — on the subject of Lord Coventry's winners. " Both the mares were wretched looking devils at first sight. Emblem was all shoulders and hind quarters, with no ribs at all. I take ''THE LIVERPOOL" it she was much the better mare of the two, but Lord Coventry was not in the habit of publishing his trials, not at least in any paper I took in." 1864 The other mare spoken of was, of course, Emblematic, who followed her sister's example in 1864. Their jockey was George Stevens, who must have been an admirable horseman, though apparently by no means a dashing one. Lord Suffolk's description of him may be quoted, as the testimony of an expert. " He was an undeniably fine rider, with first-class hands, and, I suppose, an extraordinary knowledge of pace, for his trick was lying so far out of his ground that it almost frightened his backers to death. When he won the Cheltenham Steeplechase on Emblem, who was carrying an immense weight, he was such a distance behind his horses that as they passed the stand Lord Coventry rushed out, asked him what the devil he was about and ordered him to go on. I fancy Lord Coventry thinks to this day it won him the race. The real fact, I suppose, was that Stevens hated the rush and confusion of a crowd of horses, and would rather chance being slipped than being jostled ; still, he always seemed to know the moment to go to them. He won on Emblematic the moment he jumped on to the racecourse. I remember hearing Lord Courtenay say to Lord Coventry, ' You may go down and meet your mare, there's nothing else 21 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP in it! ' No doubt Emblematic should have won the Doncaster Steeplechase, then one of the big events, but in my life I never saw a man in such a funk as Stevens. His teeth were chattering, though why I could never make out, for she had fenced perfectly all through the Liverpool. Of course, he wrestled her down, and to this day I can remember my disgust after the race (I had by no means won) when he came and bothered me to examine his head and tell him if he was much hurt! He had a tiny cut from a bit of gravel." In the Sixties and Seventies In the sixties the Duke of Hamilton was a prominent supporter of racing and 'chasing, and the victory of his Cortolvin is to be noted for the fact that the 1 1 st. 13 lb. which the horse carried was the heaviest weight borne to victory until 1893, that is to say during the first fifty years of the race. As already recorded, Abd-el-Kader had won twice. The Colonel, out of a half-bred mare, carried off the race in 1869 and 1870, and The Lamb, belonging to Lord Poulett, having won in 1868, repeated his victory in 1871. The Lamb was a grey, and the course over which he scored was as nearly as possible of the same length as that which has been subsequently in vogue, thirty yards short of four and a half miles. Mr. J. M. Richardson, one of the finest amateurs who ever rode over a fence — though in mention- ing gentlemen jockeys I have been culpable in omitting 22 "THE LIVERPOOL" Captain B. Coventry, who gave an extraordinarily brilliant exhibition on Alcibiade in 1865 — won in 1873 on Captain Machell's Disturbance, repeating his victory twelve months later on the same owner's Reugny, a much inferior animal. Though Reugny started favourite Disturbance was again in the field, Reugny having only lost. 1 2 lb. to carry, whilst Disturbance was burdened with 1 2 St. 9 lb. Second to Reugny was Lord Marcus Beresford's Chimney Sweep, who turned out an admir- able 'chaser after having done service as his owner's second charger when Lord Marcus was in the 7 th Hussars. The old saying that a race is never lost until it is won has on several occasions been strikingly confirmed at Aintree. I have elsewhere told the story of the National of 1876, when it was thought that Captain Machell's Chandos could scarcely be beaten. Experi- ence has shown that it is odds against any horse getting round the two circuits of the course, and 100 to 30 against a favourite must be a false price. No more, however, was to be had against Chandos ; but during the horse's preparation another animal entered from the same stable. Regal, had greatly pleased his jockey, Joseph Cannon, who insisted so strongly on his chance that when Captain Machell backed Chandos he told the bookmakers that they " must throw in the black." There was so little agreement with Joseph Cannon's view of the situation that 25 to i and more was on offer 23 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP about "the black" — Regal. Early in the second round Chandos fell, and the outsider, admirably ridden by Joseph Cannon, just had a neck the better of the finish with Congress. Congress was second again next year, ridden this time by Regal's jockey, and it is perhaps somewhat strange in the circumstances that he did not win, for the owner and rider of Austerlitz never appeared safe in the saddle, and had a habit of clinging hold to the back of it at every fence. Irish horses had a great run of luck about this period. Mr. Garrett Moore, one of a family of horsemen, uncle of the present Weyhill trainer, Frank Hartigan — about whom I shall have something to say later in the book, as he has worn the green, yellow belt and sleeves — won on his own horse The Liberator, and at this time the brothers Beasley were constantly to the fore. Mr. T. Beasley won on Empress — beating the previous year's winner — in 1880, won again on Woodbrook in 1 88 1, and was second, beaten a head by Lord Manners on Seaman, on Cyrus in 1882. Mr. T. Beasley was on the favourite, Zitella, in 1883, but this five-year-old — only three of that age had won up to that date in the history of the race — was never dangerous, and Count Charles, now Prince Kinsky, won, as already noted, on his own mare Zoedone. 24 "THE LIVERPOOL" In the Eighties It is not often that flat racers have developed into Liverpool horses. The winner in 1884, however, Voluptuary, had when the property of his breeder. Lord Rosebery, run sixth for the Derby, had won the St. George's Stakes at Liverpool, the Dee Stakes at Chester, had started for the Leger, and had made two appearances as a three-year-old, one successfully, at Ascot Second to him was another of the Beasleys' mounts, Frigate, who would certainly have been unfortunate if she had not finally won, for she was second again to Roquefort, Mr. H. Beasley in the saddle, in 1885; second, Mr. W. Beasley this time in charge, in 1888, to the present General E. W. Baird's Playfair ; and in 1889 at length victorious in the hands of Mr. T. Beasley. After three seconds a win was surely due! A study of Liverpool results, however, shows with what curious frequency placed horses have finally been successful, though it might be urged that finally is not quite the right word, as several of them have resumed the habit of running into places. A detail to be noted about this year is that no fewer than four winners were behind Frigate ; Mr. Jardine's Why Not, ridden by his part owner, Mr. C. J. Cunningham was second, among the followers being Roquefort — then the property of the reckless multi- millionaire who called himself Mr. Abington — Gamecock and Voluptuary. H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, to 25 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP whom 'cross country racing had always appealed, had two runners, Magic, ridden by John Jones, and Hetty, by a jockey named Hall who was associated with the stable. Neither was at all fancied, Magic starting at 25 to I, the mare at 66 to i. In the Nineties In 1890 the field was unusually small, only sixteen going to the post, what may be called the standing dishes among them, Frigate, Gamecock, Why Not and Voluptuary ; but Ilex, belonging to an Epsom book- maker, carried home his light weight. My friend " Roddy " Owen always maintained that he ought to have won in 1891 on Cloister, then the property of Lord Dudley. According to his statement Mr. H. Beasley on Come Away interfered with him at the last fence, and there was an objection, which, however, the Stewards overruled. Here Ilex was third, Roquefort fourth, Why Not, Gamecock and Voluptuary unplaced. As it was. Cloister was only beaten half a length, and what has been said of Frigate applies to him, for the following season he was second again, his jockey of the previous year, Roddy Owen, riding the winner, Father O'Flynn. Cloister, who had passed into the possession of Mr. Charles Duff, was set to give Father O'Flynn within a couple of pounds of two stone, and good horse as Cloister was this proved to be beyond his powers. Roddy Owen had been passionately devoted to the sport 26 "THE LIVERPOOL" in which he so greatly distinguished himself. I may perhaps note that a memoir of him was produced by his sister, Mrs, Bovill, in conjunction with my friend Sir George R. Askwith, and they were good enough to acknowledge in their Preface the assistance I had been happy enough to render them. Roddy had declared that he would win the Liverpool and then give up riding, a declaration at which, to be frank, we merely smiled. He had meant what he said, and carried it out. Thenceforth he devoted himself to his military duties, and died after doing most gallant service in Egypt, fulfilling a greater ambition than being victorious at Aintree, helping materially to secure the Nile for England. This chapter is extending beyond the limits I had designed for it, the main object of the book being to describe the bearers of the colours I have taken for the title. Consequently I must curtail the description, upon which I should like to enlarge, of the gallant victory of Cloister. It naturally appealed to me more forcibly because, as already noted, I had the pleasure of being the guest of the owner, and so shared his anxiety and appreciated his triumph, for beyond question the per- formance was one of the most remarkable in the history of the race. I have previously remarked that experts held to the opinion that I2 st. was a prohibitive weight over these tremendous fences. Cloister, however, not only won with i2 st. 7 lb., but led practically all the way, 27 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP and cantered home without the semblance of an effort, the verdict being forty lengths. Visitors to the Liver- pool do not hesitate to give vent to enthusiasm when the occasion seems to justify it. The manner in which, in the words of a popular flat race jockey who was present, Cloister had "simply jumped his opponents silly" sent the crowd wild with delight. He was by no means a good-looking horse, but invincibly courageous, no dis- tance was too far for him, he was a superlative fencer, and one of the most amiable creatures imaginable. After the race we went to see him in his box, where he enjoyed a hearty feed whilst his owner leaned against his hind quarters and expatiated on his merits. Cloister was unable to run in 1894, and elsewhere I have described at length the mysterious fact that certain members of the ring knew there was something wrong with the horse at a time when his owner assuredly had not the slightest suspicion of the fact. It was his last appearance at Aintree, and the question must always remain whether he or Manifesto was the better, as also whether there has ever been a better still ? Manifesto made his first appearance, then the property of Mr. H. M. Dyas, in 1895, and finished fourth to Wild Man from Borneo. It is recorded that in the following year, 1896, Manifesto fell, a statement strenuously denied by my friend Mr. J. G. Bulteel, for whom he did such admirable service at a later period. Mr. Bulteel declares that the horse never " fell " at Liverpool on this or any 28 "THE LIVERPOOL" subsequent occasion, but that here he was knocked down. Colonel W. Hall- Walker's lightly weighted The Soarer, ridden by the present General D. G. M, Campbell, won by a length and a half from Father O'Flynn, and I am tempted by vanity which I hope may be held excusable to say that the rider of the winner, whom at the time I had never had the pleasure of meeting, was good enough to write to me and tell me that in no small measure he attributed his success to the advice I had given in the chapter I had written on the subject in the " Steeplechasing Volume" of the Badminton Library, published in 1884. Next year Manifesto won, beating three horses in whom I was particularly interested, as they were ridden by friends of mine, Charlie Beatty second on Filbert, Fred With- ington only a head behind on Ford of Fyne, Gwyn Saunders-Davies fourth on Prince Albert. These three with the same riders started next season, but were not conspicuous behind Drogheda. Ford of Fyne was favourite and finished sixth. The race was run in a blinding snowstorm, which may have affected the result, indeed Reggie Ward, who was prominent and popular at the time, always believed that in more favourable circumstances he would have won on Cathal, who was beaten three lengfths. Another who had threatened danger was a constant Liverpool runner named Barcal- whey, but he came to grief, and drew forth a lament from his rider, R. Chaloner, that he had earned a fiver 29 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP and incurred a bill for at least ;^2o for a new set of teeth. In 1899 Manifesto rivalled the exploit of Cloister by carrying home his crushing burden of 1 2 st. 7 lb. The owner this year had a real good race, having backed his horse to win little short of ^^40,000. Dealing briefly with the career of Manifesto, it may be noted that, after having been fourth in 1895 as aforesaid and winning in 1897, he won again in 1899, was third in 1900, third again in 1902, and at the age of fifteen, third for the third time in 1903. So much for Liverpools prior to the time when the green, yellow sleeves, belt and cap were first seen, and I now come to the purpose of the book, a sketch of the chief horses by whom the jacket has been carried. 30 CHAPTER II SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S Mr. Bibby has always been a keen hunting man. This book deals with the subject of racing, and it is not within my province therefore to dilate on the admirable service he did for many years as Master of the North Shropshire Hounds. That he should freely have met all demands on his purse may be described as merely a characteristic, it would have distressed him to withhold anything that was wanted, but he also expended time and pains without stint, bent only on assuring the best obtainable sport. Before the colours were known at the principal meetings they had become familiar at minor fixtures, at Tenby, Cardiff, Monmouth, Chepstow, and other places where the amount of the prizes to be won is by no means a measure of the sport often provided. His first absolute success was in the Shropshire Point to Point in 1895, ^^^ humble heroine being a mare called Celsia, daughter of an animal who had carried him to hounds. Celsia was doubtless more at home in the hunting field than between the flags, for though she ran on several occasions she does not seem to have been 31 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP successful elsewhere. My friend Mr. Gwyn Saunders- Davies used to " go round " on her, and once T see that at Cardiff in a steeplechase worth £24. some adven- turous spirits took 6 to i about her and lost their money. At the same time an animal called Ringthorpe, a four-year-old in 1895, was carrying the green and yellow sleeves, and of him it may be said that he was certainly well bred, being a son of Althorp, who won the Ascot Cup of 1886, and Ringlet, who was a notable steeple- chase mare in her day. Ringthorpe had a busy time of it at the beginning of his four-year-old career, and he began early, no later than January, when he was third for a little steeplechase at Tenby, four runners ; third again next afternoon, beaten only a short head and a neck ; second for a hurdle race in Carmarthenshire a week later, and then attempted a more ambitious test, for he started for the National Hunt Juvenile Steeple- chase at Hurst Park in February, the National Hunt, it will be understood, having held their annual meeting on that course. He was not in the first three, which can hardly have surprised his backers, if he had any, as he was not priced in the market, nor indeed does it seem that he ever displayed much promise, though some of the tasks set him were beyond question severe, as, for instance, in the Great Shropshire Steeplechase at Ludlow, a ^500 race, which Mr. Saunders-Davies won on no less an animal than the mighty Cloister. He was 32 ^^> ^^ SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S certainly giving Ringthorpe 3 St., though weight for age wiped off two-thirds of this, and it is not in the least astonishing that Ringthorpe did not show up. In the autumn of that year he was sent to Tenby, and here his capacity was precisely estimated in the Tenby Steeple- chase over the Flying Course ; Mayflower, an even money favourite, won by a length from Popgun, 3 to i, Ringthorpe, 4 to i, another length behind. Ringthorpe seems to have had an extraordinary habit of running third, for he occupied the same place next afternoon in the Grand Stand Steeplechase, moving up one at Cardiff in December, when second to Popgun. One race he did carry off, and that was the Meynell Point-to-Point, an event which friends of the late Sir Peter Walker and visitors to Osmaston, of whom many of us have such pleasant recollections, will certainly not forget, for interest in it was always great. Ringthorpe, moreover, did win at what may be called a recognised meeting, the Pembroke Hunt, where Mr. Saunders-Davies got him home as a five-year-old for the Stewards' Plate. I think I am right in saying that Mr. Bibby was largely induced to take to racing in 1899 on a more ambitious scale in a great measure because his friend Lieutenant- Colonel (then Mr.) F. Lort-Phillips, of Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire, undertook to train horses for him ; indeed, the association may be described as a partnership, for it was understood that Mr. Lort-Phillips would take c 33 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP a sixth share of all the animals who carried the colours. Mr. Lort-Phillips had trained and ridden with marked success for a number of years prior to this. He is by no means inclined to talk of his own achievements, but I extracted from him the detail that before joining Mr. Bibby he had sent out the winners of no fewer than sixty-eight races, in many cases riding them himself, though he is careful to add that the majority of them were hunt races, many contested in Warwickshire when he had the North Warwickshire Hounds. With regard to training, he is anxious that justice should be done to his stud groom, Edward Thomas, who has always been of the greatest assistance to him. In a letter to me Colonel Lort-Phillips says : " Edward Thomas is a native of these parts, and had never had more to do with horses before he came to me than looking after a hunter and a pony trap. I heard of his ability from local farmers, and I would sooner have a Pembrokeshire farmer's opinion of anything to do with horses than that of almost anyone else. Thomas seemed intuitively to understand an animal's capabilities ; instinct raised him head and shoulders above any man I ever knew, both in the stable and training ground. But he was young when I first heard of him and without experience, for which reasons I had the greatest difficulty in persuading him to come to me. He rather wanted to go as a porter on the Great Western Railway ! And this little man in the course of the next six years trained 34 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S the winners of a National, of two Sefton Steeplechases and two National Hunt 'Chases." "The first winner Frank Bibby and I had together," Colonel Lort-Phillips continues, "was Lady Lovelace, a little mare, 15.1, whom I had bought as a five-year-old for £^0 from the Master of the Pembrokeshire, who had found her in Ireland. She won fourteen races, though none of any class. The next horse in my book is Rickarstown, for whom I gave 36 guineas. He won four small races, had run six times without winning before I bought him, and never won again after I sold him for 86 guineas." 1901 Coming to better known animals, it was in the year 1 90 1 that Mr. Bibby made his first attempt at Aintree — in the previous chapter I have commented on the natural ambition of an owner of 'chasers. At the sale of the Duke of Hamilton's horses a chestnut gelding named Zodiac was offered. He was a son of Astrology and Far and Wide, and as a four-year-old in 1900 really did remarkably well in a humble way, though his first essay was admittedly not encouraging. On that occa- sion, at Tenby, he was one of the three out of four who fell in the Town Steeplechase. He was ridden by Mr. A. W. Wood, son, I believe, of a Lincolnshire clergyman, a very competent amateur, one of the best of his day indeed, and one of the keenest. Zodiac's 35 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT. AND CAP second essay was at Ludlow, and there he did not distinguish himself, but at Derby he was only beaten a head by the only other competitor, a son of Herald named Chronicle, on whom odds of 1 1 to 4 were laid. Herald is remarkable in Turf history as having run to an almost unexampled age for an entire horse, and though his stud career cannot be described as particularly brilliant, he was the sire of a considerable number of winners, did, I think it may be said, better at the stud than there had been reason to expect. The day after his narrow defeat Zodiac, ridden by E. Morgan, who was frequently found on his back, started a 7 to 4 favourite in the Juvenile Steeplechase Plate, which he won by half a length, and at the Pembroke Hunt he won the Stewards' Plate with odds of 5 to 4 on him. Evidently he was a particularly sound horse, for again at Ludlow he came out two days running, failing to show up prominently in the Ludlow Cup, two miles on the flat, but winning the Oakley Park Steeplechase from a better favourite in Irish Thisde. At the Pembroke- shire Hunt he won again, with odds of 3 to i on him, and after being beaten at Nottingham for a race which he was apparently not expected to win, as he is not one of those mentioned in the betting, he accomplished a performance which gave his owner particular pleasure. For the Abbeystead Steeplechase at Liverpool he only had one opponent, a useful colt named Pawnbroker, who had won the Altcar Four-Year-Old Steeplechase at the 36 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S Liverpool Spring Meeting, after running second to a really good horse in Glen Royal for the National Hunt Steeplechase, which that year took place at Hurst Park. Pawnbroker's credentials were considered so good that odds of 4 to I were laid on him, but Zodiac beat him in a canter by twelve lengths. It was certainly no mean performance to defeat an animal who had the enormous advantage of having already successfully surmounted the Aintree fences. As a five-year-old Zodiac was less successful. It does not necessarily follow that a placed horse is unlucky, as some persons are inclined to hold. At the same time there is no doubt it often happens that the luck of the race makes all the difference. Zodiac — to be punctilious it should be remarked that he was still a four-year-old, for I am dealing with the 27 th December — was second to a son of the famous Ascetic named St. Pat. He was second again, this time for a hurdle race, beaten three parts of a length, at the Tenby Hunt, and yet once more second at Liverpool for the Stanley Five- Year-Old Steeplechase, a somewhat curious contest. There were four starters, odds of 1 1 to 8 were laid on Uncle Jack II., ridden by the Lewes trainer Escott, Zodiac was the outsider of the four. He and Uncle Jack both fell. The other two, Serapion and Moyfen- rath, stood up, but nevertheless the two fallers finished first and second. Evidently it took E. Morgan a long time to recover his saddle, for he was beaten a distance ; 37 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Still it is something to finish, especially here. Once again at Ludlow for the County Steeplechase Zodiac was second, this time in a field of a dozen. The race was worth ^212, and naturally brought out a respectable field, but it was only by a length and a half that Lord Arravale, ridden by Piggott, was able to get home. Zodiac's only other attempt as a five-year-old was at the Liverpool Autumn Meeting, when he started for the Grand Sefton Steeplechase. This is an event which always takes a great deal of winning. The field that year included Barsac, ridden by Mr. Gwyn Saunders- Davies, a horse who more than once distinguished him- self in the National, having finished second to the then Prince of Wales's Ambush, and in front of Manifesto, in the Spring of this year. Cathal was another animal who may properly be described as a Liverpool horse. He also had been second for the National, having run Drogheda to three lengths in 1898. He was ridden on that occasion by his owner, Mr. Reginald Ward, one of the keenest amateurs of his day, or, for the matter of that, of any other day, and a remarkably able jockey. Reggie Ward was not robust, however, a blinding snow- storm probably had more effect on him than on some of the tougher professionals, one of whom, Gourley, was little likely to be affected by any sort of weather, and he had the mount on the winner. For this Grand Sefton of 1900 others well backed were Coolgardie, Bloomer, who won with 12 st. 41b. in the saddle. Mill 38 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S Girl, Shipshape, Sunny Shower, Atheling's Prize, and another competitor was Drumcree, who was to win the National three years later. What might have happened to Zodiac had good fortune been with him cannot be said, as he came to grief in the country. It was thought desirable to do some of Zodiac's National training in public. Early in the February of 1901 he was sharpened up in the Visitors' Handicap at Tenby Hunt, which he won comfortably, and next day he scored, though with nothing to spare, in the Stewards' Handicap Steeplechase. At the Carmarthen- shire Meeting he resumed his old habit of running second, this time for the Tally Ho Steeplechase, when, however, he was endeavouring to give the winner Ever- leigh 141b., and he was once more second at Hurst Park for the Riverside Handicap Steeplechase, beaten half a length by a good steeplechase horse named Levanter, but finishing many lengths in front of another distinctly useful animal in Nepcote. Then came the Liverpool. In my reminiscences I have dealt with this Liver- pool of 1 90 1, for the reason that I had a special interest in it. I was at that time managing the horses of a nephew, Captain H. A. Johnstone of the 7th Hussars. For him I had been lucky enough to buy at the sale of horses belonging to my friend Harry McCalmont an animal named Cushendun, who had done remarkably well, and was considered by his trainer, Mr. Gwyn Saunders-Davies, who was also here and frequently 39 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP elsewhere his jockey, to have an excellent chance. Some idea of the circumstances surrounding the race may be gathered from what I wrote about it in my book, and I am tempted to quote. " Cushendun's owner really took very little interest in his horses ; more often than not he failed to attend the meetings at which they came out, but we did go to Liverpool to see Cushendun run for the National of 1 901. We left Euston at an early hour, breakfasting in the train, and I congratulated my companion on the brilliance of the weather, for the sun was shining brightly. I explained that the horses in the great 'chase went a long way off into what is called ' the country,' and unless the atmosphere happened to be clear, as it was evidently going to be on this occasion, one missed much of the spectacle. Before we reached Liverpool the sky clouded over, sleet began to fall, presently turning into snow. As we drove to Aintree it was coming down in large flakes, and at three o'clock, when preparations were being made for the event of the day, there were some inches of snow on the ground. A regular blizzard developed. It was almost impossible to see across the course, and some of the owners and trainers hastily got up a petition to the Stewards begging them to postpone the race. Postponement leads to all sorts of inconveniences, for in the racing season every day is occupied, and the Stewards decided that the race must be run. Mr. Saunders-Davies rode Cushendun, 40 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S having taken some trouble to get down to the weight, list. 2 lb., and he had his work for nothing. The snow balled in the horse's feet and he slipped up in the middle of the field. Mr. Davies always maintained that with a fair share of luck Cushendun would probably have won ; at least he should have beaten the winner, Grudon, at the weights, but Grudon was one of the few who escaped mishap." For this Liverpool Levanter, whose name has just been mentioned, was favourite at 5 to i. He was the property of Major J. D. Edwards, ridden by F. Mason, and certainly not over-weighted with 9 st. 131b. Mr. C. Atherton Brown's Barsac, who has also come into this story, another of the several with 9 st. 13 lb., was second favourite at 100 to 14, Mr. H. M. Ripley in the saddle, and Grudon wound up at no more than 9 to i, Mr. Bletsoe's old horse carrying 10 st., and being ridden by Arthur Nightingall, who had won on Why Not in 1894, on Ilex in 1890, and was an extraordinarily fine horseman. Covert Hack, who carried off the Conyng- ham Cup on no fewer than three occasions, and a number of other races, but who apparently could not quite stay the Liverpool course, was backed at 10 to i, as was Drumcree, but little hope was entertained of Zodiac. He was one of the outsiders of the four and twenty who went to the post. It would be impossible to give a description of the race, as well nigh all the time the horses were out of sight in consequence of the snow- 41 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP storm. It had been prophesied that several of them and of their riders would almost certainly be hurt, but curiously enough there were fewer mishaps than usual. Percy Woodland's mount, True Blue, fatally injured himself, having been brought down from the same cause as that which occasioned Cushendun's fall, and his rider broke a collar bone. As the horses neared the win- ning post it was dimly discerned that the bearer of a black jacket and red cap was in front, and this was identified as Grudon. Drumcree followed him at a distance of four lengths, with Buffalo Bill third, and the favourite fourth. The friends of Grudon declared that the horse "ought to have won" the previous year, but this "ought to have won" is a phrase which it is usually well to accept with extreme hesitation. The idea was that he had got his leg through his reins at one of the fences and had fallen by no fault of his own. 1901. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE of £i975 I about 4 m. 856 yds. Mr. B. Bletsoe's br.h. Grudon, by Old Back, II y. 10 st. - - - - A. Nightingall i Mr. 0. J. Williams' b.g. Drumcree, a. 10 st. Mr. H. Nugent 2 Mr. J. E. Rogerson's ch.g. Buffalo Bill, a. 9 St. 7 lbs. H. Taylor 3 Major J. D. Edwards' Levanter, a. 9 st 10 lbs. Mr. T. Tunstall-Moore's Fanciful, a. ii st 6 lbs. Mr. W. H. Pawson's Model, a. 1 1 st. 4 lbs. 42 F. Mason 4 Mr. W. P. Cullen - Mr. W. H. Pawson - SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S Capt. E. Loder's Covert Hack, a. 1 1 st, 4 lbs. A. Anthony Capt. H. H. Johnstone's Cushendun, a. II St. 2 lbs. Mr. G. Saunders-Davies Mrs. J. Widger's Sunny Shower, a 10 st. 8 lbs. Mr. H. Hunt's Prince Tuscan, a. 10 st. 6 lbs. Mr. R. Davies's Coolgardie, a. 10 st. 6 lbs. - Mr. W. H. Pawson's The Sapper, a. 10 st. 5 lbs. Mr. W. W. Lewison's Mayo's Pride, a. 10 St. 5 lbs. Mr. B. Wade's Hornpool, a. 10 st. 5 lbs. - Mr. J. T. Widger Mr. H. Hunt A. Waddington W. Halsey J. PhiUips E. Acres Mr. J. Herdman's Greystone H., a. lost, i lb. J. H. Stainton A. Birch P. Woodland Mr. H. M. Ripley - C. Clack - Mr. F. Hartigan - C. Hogan J. O'Brien J. Poletti A. Banner Mr. A. Gorman's Padishah, a. 10 st. Mr. V. A. Parnell's True Blue, a. 9 st. 13 lbs Mr. C. H. Brown's Barsac, a. 9st. 13 lbs. - Capt. Machell's Chit Chat, a. 10 st. 2 lbs. - Mr. H. Barnato's Prosset, a. 9 st. 13 lbs. - Mr. J. Lonsdale's Curagh Hill, a. 9 st. 9 lbs. Mr. R. C. Dawson's Pawnbroker, a. 9 st. 7 lbs. Mr. F. Keene's Gossip, 9 st. 7 lbs. - Mr. F. Bibby's Zodiac, a. 9 st. 7 lbs. Winner trained by T. Holland. 5/1 agst. Levanter, 100/14 Barsac, 9/1 Grudon, lo/i Covert Hack, Drumcree, 100/8 Fanciful, The Sapper, 100/6 Pawn- broker, 20/1 Mayo's Pride, Cushendun, Prosset, 25/1 Chit Chat, Curagh Hill, 33/1 Prince Tuscan, Buffalo Bill, 40/1 Model, Coolgardie, 66/1 Hornpool, True Blue, Padishah, lOO/i Sunny Shower, Greystone H., Gossip, Zodiac. Place Betting — 9/4 agst. Grudon, 5/2 Drumcree, 8/1 Buffalo Bill. Won by 4 lengths, 6 lengths between second and third. Time 9 m. 47^ sees. 43 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES. BELT, AND CAP 1902 Zodiac was again Mr. Bibby's representative in 1902, and it must be confessed a forlorn hope, though he had the bottoni weight, 9 st. 7 lb. It should be observed incidentally that for a long period lost, was the mini- mum that a horse could carry in the Liverpool. This was altered in the year 1894, when the handicap descended to 9 st. 7 lb. In 1893 Cloister had made so light of his 12 St. 7 lb. that the authorities decided it was necessary to make a wider gap between top and bottom weight, and as to have exceeded 12 st. 7 lb. to any con- siderable extent was practically out of the question, the extension had to be made at the other end. In 1902 Mr. J. S. Morrison's Drumcree started an equal favourite with Lord Coventry's Inquisitor at 6 to I. Mr. Finch Mason's interesting volume, "Heroes and Heroines of the Grand National," is unfortunately by no means free from mistakes. To speak frankly, errors are numerous, and one is made in the account of this event. Drumree, a horse who belonged to the Duke of Westminster, is muddled up with Drumcree and quoted as favourite, whereas the Duke's animal was backed at 10 to i, Mr. C. Atherton Brown's Barsac intervening at 7 to i. The gallant old Manifesto, burdened with i2st. 81b., resumed his familiar task, Piggott in the saddle, and such was the confidence reposed in him that though he is quoted at 100 to 6, in 44 SOME UVERPOOLS. INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S the place betting he was absolutely favourite, no more than 4 to I being obtainable against him. The result was not exactly a surprise, little as it had been anticipated by the majority, for the race went to Shannon Lass, a daughter of Butterscotch and Mazurka, who had gained a certain amount of reputation over other courses, but was not generally supposed to stay well enough or to jump well enough to win a National. The jockey, D. Read, a capable horseman, was regarded as rather of the rough and tumble character, and not very likely to beat the more fashionable riders on well fancied horses. The mare's victory was nevertheless well received, for her owner, Mr. Ambrose Gorham, has always been recognised as a sound sportsman. Mr. Gorham is a man of various occupations. For a while he made a book, he was proprietor of the Queen's Hotel at Brighton, but mainly devoted himself to looking after the horses which were trained under his supervision at Telscombe on the downs in the neighbourhood of Rottingdean, to breeding and preparing greyhounds, and hunting a cheery little pack of beagles, in addition to breeding prize cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and creatures of all descriptions. Shannon Lass, home trained, Hackett being awarded credit for her perfect condition, started at 20 to i, and, as the phrase goes, never having " put a foot wrong," jumped the last fence in company with Mr. "White-Heather's" Detail, ridden by Arthur Nightingall, and Mr. John Widger's 45 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Matthew, W. Morgan up. Detail, apparently very tired, blundered, and Shannon Lass having a little reserve of speed which Matthew did not possess, drew away to win by three lengths. In all her career Shannon Lass was never touched with whip or spur, and a con- siderable portion of the produce of her victory was utilised by her owner in restoring Telscombe Church, close to his property. Zodiac, it might be added, ridden by A. Banner, who had piloted him also the previous year, made a very poor show, being out of the race before Becher's Brook was reached. Mr. Bibby appears to have perceived that Zodiac would be suited by humbler duties than participation in Liverpools. His name is not found again in the Calendar. He was taken into the hunt stable, and later presented to that most gallant soldier and most popular sportsman General Sir Albert Williams, who, it is pleasant to know, rode him to hounds with extreme satisfaction. 1902. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE of £2000 (a handicap) ; about 4 miles 856 yds. Mr. A. Gorham's b. or br.m. Shannon Lass by Butterscotch, 7 yrs. 10 st. i lb. - D. Read I Mr. John Widger's ch.g. Matthew, 6 yrs. 9 St. 12 lbs. W. Morgan 2 Mr. J. G. Bulteel's b.g. Manifesto, 14 yrs. 12 St. 8 lbs. E. Piggott 3 Mr. White-Heather's Detail, 9 st. 9 lbs. - A. Nightingall 4 Mr. T. B. Holmes' Tipperary Boy, 1 1 st. 6 lbs. T. Moran - 46 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S Duke of Westminster's Drumree, li st. 4 lbs. fell A. Anthony Lord Cadogan's Lurgan, lO st. 12 lbs. - F. Freemantle - Mr. J. S. Morrison's Drumcree, lost. 10 lbs. Mr. H. Nugent - Mr. S. W. Tinsley's Helium, lO st. 10 lbs. - H. Caley Lord Coventry's Inquisitor, lOst. 9 lbs. fell Mr. A. W. Wood - Mr. W. H. Pawson's The Sapper, 10 st. 4 lbs. H. Brown - Mr. J. A. Scorrer's Arnold, lOst. I lb. - T. H. Bissell Col. W. H. W. Lawson's Dirkhampton, 10 st. Mr. J. Sharpe - Mr. B. W. Parr's Aunt May, lO st. - - M. Walsh Lord Denman's Whitehaven, 9 st. 13 lbs. - P. Woodland Mr. C. A. Brown's Barsac, 9 st. 12 lbs. - F. Mason - Mr. R. Harding's Steady Glass, 9 st. 8 lbs. Mr. Longworth - Mr. T. Bates' Fairland, 9 st. 10 lbs. fell H. Taylor Mr. F. Bibby's Zodiac H., 9 st. 7 lbs. - A. Banner Mr. Foxhall Keene's Gossip, 9 st. 7 lbs. - H. Hewitt Mr. F. W. Polehampton's Miss Clifden H., 9 St. 7 lbs. Mr. H. M. Ripley - Winner trained by Hackett. 6/1 agst. Drumree, Inquisitor, 7/1 Barsac, lO/i Drumcree, 100/8 Lurgan, Tipperary Boy, 100/6 Manifesto, 20/1 Shannon Lass, Whitehaven, Aunt May, 25/1 Fairland, Detail, 33/1 Arnold, 40/1 The Sapper, 50/1 Matthew, Miss Clifden II., Helium, Dirkhampton, loo/i Steady Glass, Zodiac II., Gossip. Place Betting — 4/1 agst. Manifesto, 5/1 Shannon Lass, 100/8 Matthew. Won by three lengths, the same between second and third. Time 10 min. 3 sees. 1903 A much better than the son of Astrologer was meantime beginning to attract attention, or rather it should be said had for some time past been doing so in 47 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP unobtrusive fashion. This was Kirldand, a son of Kirkham, one of two horses who had been sent over from Australia by a famous Colonial breeder and owner, Mr. J. White. They arrived in this country as two- year-olds, if my memory serves me, it being Mr. White's ambition to win the Derby next year. It soon appeared that they were quite unable to cope with the better class of English-bred horses, but Kirkham was sent to the stud, and if he did not much distinguish himself there, produced Kirkland from an unknown mare by Perigonius. I can find no record of Kirkland running on the flat, but as a four-year-old in March, 1900, he came out for the Stewards' Plate at Kilmallock, one of five runners, and, backed at 4 to i, started his career by a three length victory. The race was a small one, worth ^22 los., but it was beginning in the right way. Moreover, he repeated his success in a Stewards' Plate, worth a sovereign less, at Croom, though he was not awarded this modest prize until after an objection had been decided. An animal called Granagh came in first, but was disqualified. Mr. Bibby heard that there was a promising young one for sale, and Colonel Lort-Phillips went over to Ireland to have a look at him, the result being that Kirkland was acquired for the moderate price of 450 guineas. It was soon found that an excellent bargain had been obtained. At that time Mr. Bibby was one of the SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S principal supporters of a number of minor meetings in the West of England, at Tenby, Cardiff, Carmarthen and similar gatherings. Kirkland's first appearance in England, however, was a higher flight. He was sent to Hooton Park in October to run for the Great Autumn Steeplechase, and though he did not win it he came near to doing so. There were just a dozen starters, the favourite, a useful six-year-old named Easter Ogue, a son of that famous sire of 'chasers Ascetic, ridden by Escott, the Lewes trainer. Three other runners were much fancied, Bonnie Dundee, Rose O'Neill with Mason in the saddle, and Alpheus. Kirkland and Easter Ogue both carried lost. 7 lb., and taking into consideration weight for age, Easter Ogue had some 1 6 lb. the better of the weights. Kirkland, however, ran second to Bonnie Dundee, 10 st. 12 lb., beaten three lengths, with Easter Ogue twice as far behind him. This was a decidedly promising start, as was recog- nised when the horse reappeared at Cardiff some ten days afterwards, for odds of 5 to 4 were laid on him ; unsuc- cessfully, however, as he could only finish third to Boa and Athelwolf. The latter was ridden by a skilful amateur, Mr. H. S. Sidney, who was afterwards killed in pursuit of his favourite sport. This was of course one of many occasions on which Mr. Sidney had opportunities of studying Kirkland's pretensions, and the conclusion at which he arrived was that Kirkland was " the worst steeplechase horse in England ! " How far he was from u 49 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP the mark was frequently demonstrated, and though no doubt Kirkland was one of the chosen few who are vastly better over the big Aintree fences than anywhere else, it will be seen that the horse was able to disprove his critic's conclusion over other tracks. As a five-year-old Kirkland started the season at Tenby, where he won the Deer Park Open Hunt Steeplechase by twenty lengths, Mr. Bibby having, it may be noted, taken the previous event with Zodiac. Kirkland then made his first essay over hurdles at the Carmarthenshire Hunt Meeting, where he won without difficulty, and in the following March, the day after Grudon's National, he went to the post at Liverpool for the Stanley Five-Year-Old Steeplechase. There had naturally been great curiosity to see how he would shape over the Aintree fences, and that they were not supposed to be beyond his powers is shown by the fact that no more than 5 to i was to be had about him. Though he did not win, or indeed come very near to winning, he gratified his owner by standing up and finishing. The market fairly well foreshadowed the result : Drumree, an even money favourite, won from a second favourite in Lurgan. Kirkland was third favourite, and came in fourth. Mr. Sidney on Gangbridge beat him for the Welsh Grand National, and though it was some time before Kirkland again got his head in front, he contradicted Mr. Sidney's estimate by running second at Birmingham, Mr. Sidney again on the winner Cavill, 50 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S and narrowly failing at Nottingham, before he resumed his successful career at Cardiff, where he won each after- noon of the meeting. Next at Warwick he won the Autumn Handicap Steeplechase, the favourite here being a good steeplechase horse named Dearslayer, ridden by Frank Hartigan, backed at 2 to i ; but he could only get third to the bearer of the green and yellow jacket. Kirkland wound up the year by a visit to Leicester, where there was an interesting fight for the Belvoir Steeplechase. Mr. Bibby's horse was favourite at 5 to 4, Castleknock — in receipt of 3 lb. — ridden by Mr. Persse, the present Stockbridge trainer, almost on the same mark, backed at 6 to 4, and the two ran a dead heat. As a six-year-old Kirkland was not kept very busy. He led off by running second, beaten a neck, for a hurdle race at Tenby, failed to justify his favouritism in the War- wick Handicap Steeplechase on the day when Mr. Persse took the National Hunt Chase on Marpessa, and after an outing at Manchester on the first of April, where he was third for the Easter Handicap Steeplechase, nothing more was seen of him till November, when he gave strong support to the belief that it was no exaggeration to regard him as a real Liverpool horse. For the Grand Sefton Steeplechase that November Venetian Monk, a six-year-old who had enjoyed a remarkably brilliant career in Ireland, started favourite, ridden by Mr. J. W. Widger, who had carried off the Liverpool of 1895 on 51 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES. BELT, AND CAP Wild Man From Borneo. Prior to his appearance at Liverpool Venetian Monk had run up a score of nine races, and he seemed by no means overburdened with lost. 1 1 lb. His most formidable opponent was sup- posed to be the Ascetic gelding Hill of Bree, and others greatly fancied with good reason were Thomondgate, Delivery, Detail, and old Manifesto, burdened as the last-named was with I2 st. I2 lb. Pride of Mabestown, ridden by that fine horseman Percy Woodland, and Atty's Pride, Arthur Nightingall up, also had friends. Kirkland is not mentioned by name in the betting. He was one of the " loo to 7 others," but in the hands of F. Mason he won in a canter by eight lengths from Manifesto. This was a triumph, and at least showed that hopes of a National victory were not unreasonable. As a seven-year-old the Liverpool was of course Kirkland's objective. Prior to the great race he was only out once, for the Bushey Handicap Steeplechase at Hurst Park. A month later the Liverpool Spring Meeting was due, and he arrived fit and well to oppose a number of animals whose names have been mentioned in the last few pages. Drumcree early in the month had won the Liverpool Trial Steeplechase at Sandown Park, having previously taken another three mile 'chase on the same course, and likewise a previous one at Windsor. In this last he had been followed home by Kozak, ridden by the present General R. C. de Crespigny, whose father. Sir Claude, was another competitor. It 52 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S always greatly pleased the old sporting Baronet to have a mount in races in which his sons rode. At Liverpool Drumcree was a slightly better favourite than Detail, the two having every possible advantage of jockeyship, as Percy Woodland and Arthur Nightingall were on their backs respectively. The odds were 13 to 2 and 100 to 14, whilst 10 to I was to be had about Pride of Mabestown, Aunt May and Matthew, 100 to 8 against Kirkland, 100 to 6 against King Edward's Ambush II., Fanciful and Inquisitor. I was about to say in almost every race of any importance one hears after the event of some horse who " ought to have won." Perhaps I may be slightly exaggerating when I say " in almost every race," but really I am not sure whether the remark is not justified ; at any rate it is safe to say in a very large proportion of races this is the case. Mr. G. W. Lushington, known to his friends as " Tommy," who trained King Edward's steeplechase horses in Ireland and had sold Ambush II. to His Majesty, maintained to the end of his life that the winner of 1900 ought to have repeated his victory three years later. When in the year 191 1 I was com- piling a work entitled "King Edward VII. as a Sports- man," Tommy Lushington gave me his generous assistance, which was, of course, invaluable, as he was the one person who knew all about King Edward's jumpers. His contention was that Ambush II. had prac- 53 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP tically won his race as the few survivors of the field of three and twenty approached the last fence. The horse was artful as a monkey, however. Seeing a gap he swerved and made for it, with the result that he took off sideways and rolled over on landing. Had it not been for this. Tommy steadfastly maintained that Ambush II. would always have ranked with Cloister, Manifesto and subsequently Jerry M., all of whom did what at one time had been deemed impossible — won the Liverpool with 1 2 st. 7 lb. My old friend Cushendun was no longer in my charge, and though only eight years old, often the prime of life for a steeplechase horse, had undoubtedly deteriorated. But it is quite possible that the just-quoted expression "ought to have won" might properly be applied to Lord Coventry's Inquisitor. This horse was trained by his owner's son, the then Captain Charles Coventry, who was subsequently taken prisoner by the Turks and is in captivity — a multitude of friends hope not in intolerable circumstances — at the time of writing. One hates to retail suspicions about horses having been " got at," but Lord Coventry is most assuredly too generous and high-minded to entertain suspicion without a cause, and he has told me that he is convinced all was not well with Inquisitor when he went to the post. If I remember aright, there had been some trouble about the jockey of Drumcree. Sir Charles Nugent's son, Hugh, afterwards, unhappily, killed when 54 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S riding at Ostend, was quite a competent amateur, and had indeed won races against the best professional jockeys. He was not, however, the ideal horseman who would have been chosen had choice been unlimited, and finally it was decided to put up Percy Woodland, who was undoubtedly quite in the first rank in England and France alike ; for much of his work had been done on the other side of the Channel. Manifesto's weight had been slightly reduced. When third to Shannon Lass he had carried i2st. 8 lb., now he had i2st. 3 lb., the fact of his being fifteen years of age having been taken into consideration, but as much as 25 to i was on offer against him. The Duke of Westminster's Drumree not very far from home fell heavily on the flat. I am not aware of the cause of this mishap ; it was attributed by some to his having been attacked by a fit of the staggers. A foolish member of the House of Commons, a Mr. Lough, who, I fancy, represented Islington at that time, conceived the idea that the horse was dead, a victim of the remorseless cruelty of owner and jockey, and he asked a question in the House of Commons about it ; but at the time when the question was put Drumree, far from being a corpse, was gaily striding out on his training ground and requiring a good deal of holding. Drumcree did not win as easily as had seemed likely just before the last fence was reached. Mr. White-Heather's Detail, who never did much else- 55 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP where, but was suited by the severe course, skilfully handled by Arthur Nightingall, made a vigorous effort after landing on the race course. His pull of 1 8 lb. in the weights, for he only carried 9 st. 131b., was a vast assistance, but Percy Woodland had been on the watch for eventualities and drawing away won by three lengths. A long way behind, at a distance which the Judge esti- mated as twenty lengths, Manifesto and Kirkland were engaged in a vigorous struggle for third place, and the old horse got the better of Mr. Bibby's representative by a short head. So said the judge, whose decision " goes." Mason always maintains that he was third. It is probable that if four jockeys had been selected as likeliest to fill the first four places, those who did so would have been generally chosen, Percy Woodland, Arthur Nightingall, George Williamson and F. Mason. King Edward was present and, one may assume, experi- enced some disappointment at the result, for Tommy Lushington must have inspired His Majesty with strong hopes of victory. 1903. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE (Handicap) of £2525 (including a trophy value £105) ; Grand National Course, 4 miles 856 yards. Mr. J. S. Morrison's Drumcree, by Ascetic, a. list. 3 lbs. P. Woodland i Mr. White- Heather's Detail, a. 9 st. 13 lbs. A. Nightingall 2 Mr. J. G. Bulteel's Manifesto, a. 1 2 st. 3 lbs. Williamson 3 Mr. F. Bibby's Kirkland, a. 10 st. 8 lbs. - F. Mason 4 56 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S His Majesty's Ambush II., a. 12 St. 7 lbs. fell Anthony Mr. H. Tunstall-Moore's Fanciful, a. li st. 7 lbs. Mr. W. P. Cullen - Duke of Westminster's Drumree, a. 1 1 st. 4 lbs. J. Phillips Lord Coventry's Inquisitor, a. lOst. 13 lbs. fell Matthews - Mr. T. Eater's Fairland, a. lOst. 13 lbs. fell W. Morgan Major Eustace Loder's Marpessa, 6 yrs. lost. nibs. .... fell Mr. Persse Mr. J. G. Bulteel's Dearslayer, a. lost. nibs. .... fell E. Pigott Mr. H. Bottomley's Cushendun, a. 10 st. 10 lbs. fell Cole Mr. J. R. Cooper's Kilmallog, 6 yrs. 10 St. 9 lbs. fell Moran Mr. 0. J. Williams' The Pride of Mabes- town, a. 10 St. 8 lbs. - - - fell Dollery Mr. W. Nelson's Patlander, a. lO st. 7 lbs. fell M. Walsh Mr. John Widger's Matthew, a. 10 st. 7 lbs. fell Mr. J. W. Widger - Mr. W. Haven's Expert II., 6 yrs. 10 st. 5 lbs. fell S. Woodland Mr. B. W. Parr's Aunt May, a. 10 st. - fell D. Read Mr. J. Meleady's Benvenir, a. 9 st. 12 lbs. Mr. Hayes Mr. B. W. Parr's Orange Pat, a. 9 st. 10 lbs. fell R. Morgan - Mr. R. C. Dawson's Pawnbroker, a. 9 st. 9 lbs. O'Brien Mr. G. C. Dobell's Saxilby, 6 yrs. 9 st. 7 lbs. fell Goswell - Mr. CD. Barrow's GilHe II., a 9 St. 7 lbs. fell A. Wilkins Winner trained by Sir Chas. Nugent. 13/2 agst. Drumcree, 100/14 Detail, lo/l The Pride of Mabes- town, Aunt May, Matthew, 100/8 Kirkland, 100/6 Ambush II., 57 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Fanciful, Inquisitor, 20/1 Marpessa, Fairland, Killmallog, 25/1 Manifesto, Drumree, Dearslayer, 40/1 Patlander, Expert II., Orange Pat, 50/1 Saxilby, loo/i Cushendun, Pawnbroker, Benvenir, Gillie 11. Won by 3 lengths, twenty lengths between second and third, and a head between third and fourth. Drumree did not com- plete the course. Time, 10 min. 9| sees. 1904 One of Mr. Bibby's Liverpool horses, Comfit, came on the scene this year, when, however, he was a five- year-old, an age at which comparatively few animals have essayed Liverpool honours. I reserve references to him, and proceed to deal with the Liverpool of 1904, in which Mr. Bibby came so near to accomplishing the object of his ambition. At this period there can be no harm in remarking the National Handicap was the result of consultations between Mr. E. A. C. Topham and Mr. Reggie Mainwaring. Each allotted weights and on a given day posted his compilation to the other. It happened that I used to see a good deal of Reggie Mainwaring in those days, for we met frequently at the Junior Carlton Club, and I often stayed with him for Newmarket Meetings at his residence, Mesnil Warren, the house now occupied by Mr. George Lambton. Perhaps I may add that I sometimes published an opinion of what the handicap would be in the " Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News." It seems to be generally agreed that a rise of a couple of pounds, from lost. 8 lb. 58 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S to lo St. lolb., was a fair way of dealino- with Kirkland. Ambush II. was dropped i lb., which appeared to show that the handicappers had summed up the situation with a good deal of accuracy : they had to recognise that he had not won, but at the same time he was probably unlucky not to have done so. The previous year's winner did not reach the post. I forget why, but imagine he must have broken down, as he had been out for the Liverpool Trial Handicap Steeplechase at San- down early in the month. Detail's second accounted for an addition of 8 lb. to his burden, from 9 st. 131b.. to 10 St. 7 lb. There were in all six and twenty starters, Ambush II. a strong favourite at 7 to 2, which cannot be regarded as anything^ like a fair price in a Liverpool, for the reason that it is usually a shade of odds against any horse completing the distance safely. Inquisitor led over the first fence, where mishaps began, though the falling of Railoff can scarcely have affected the result. But a more important disaster was impending, for at the third fence the Royal colours, worn by A. Anthony, were brought down, Dearslayer, who was supposed to have an outside chance, also falling. The field, indeed, was speedily thinned. At the fourth fence my old friends Cushendun and Inquisitor both toppled over, and at the jump before Becher's Brook no fewer than five came to grief — Patlander, Hill of Bree, Comfit, to whom reference has just been made, Kiora and Loch Lomond, the latter breaking his neck. 59 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Before the start little attention had been paid to a big, raw-boned, rather clumsily-shaped Colonial importation, who was identified as Moifaa, carrying a black, white- sleeved jacket, with red cap, not altogether unfamiliar on English race courses, as Mr. Spencer Gollan, their owner, had won a number of races, sometimes being himself in the saddle. Mr. Gollan, indeed, had thoroughly established his reputation as an admirable all-round sportsman. He had ridden a number of winners in New Zealand and Australia before coming to England, where his ancestors had held high rank in Church and State. He was an excellent cricketer, an accomplished golfer, an extremely awkward opponent with the gloves, and an exceptionally efficient oarsman. I think it was a little later than this that he set out to row in a four-oared boat with three professional water- men from Oxford to London, and was the only one of the crew really to last through the fatiguing journey. I used to meet Mr. Gollan when he was staying with our friend Mr. Arthur Yates at Alresford, one of the cheery company of guests who used to disport them- selves over the fences where so many good — and bad — horsemen learnt to ride. Moifaa had been out several times before his Liverpool expedition without much distinguishing himself. At Aintree he started at 25 to I, his owner having an idea that he might with luck get over the jumps but that he was not very likely to win if it came to a question of speed, indeed, it may be said 60 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S that he was very little fancied. His weight, lo st. 7 lb., was considered reasonable enough, and a good jockey was secured to ride him in Arthur Birch, who afterwards met with what finally proved to have been a fatal accident when riding in a steeplechase at Gatwick. When the first circuit of the course had been com- pleted Moifaa was observed to be in front, striding along with little dash but a good deal of vigour, and evidently not at all inconvenienced by the size of the fences. Away in the country it looked as if Detail might be going to make amends for his failure of the previous season, but at the fence before Valentine's Brook Ambush II., who had been careering about on his own account without a jockey, knocked the unfortunate Detail head over heels. An outsider who seemed to have a good chance as the horses neared home was Pride of Mabestown, a son of the extraordinarily successful sire of jumpers. Ascetic, ridden by a skilful expert, Mr. A. Gordon. He fell vtwo fences from home, and then the way was cleared for the big Colonial — he stood over 17 hands high. The verdict in his favour was eight lengths, and behind him was a great fight for second place between Kirkland and an Irish seven-year-old. The Gunner, ridden by Mr. J. W. Widger, who, as previously noted, had carried off the great race in 1895 on Wild Man from Borneo. Kirkland led the other by a neck, which was extra- ordinary in the circumstances, for Mason was not fit to ride, and really ought not to have taken the mount. 61 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Of the six and twenty starters only nine completed the course, old Manifesto, now in his sixteenth year, being one of them. So far as I am aware this is a Liverpool record in the matter of age. Accounts of the race state briefly that "seventeen fell." It may be that one or two of them refused, but at any rate the story of this race goes far to show what competing in a Liverpool means ! I may now revert to Comfit, a son of Butterscotch dam by Clan Ronald, who, like so many other of Mr. Bibby's horses, was purchased in Ireland — for the trifle of ;^I25 — and at once on his arrival in England gave the most convincing evidence that his acquisition had been wise. His first attempt was in the National Hunt Steeplechase at Warwick in 1903, an event to which detailed reference is made on subsequent pages. For this National Hunt Steeplechase of 1903 Connaught, son of that good 'chaser Royal Meath, was favourite, ridden by Mr. H. S. Persse, who has since gained fame as the trainer of the Tetrarch and numerous other not- able winners. Several other animals were fancied, but Comfit, whose name does not appear in the betting, cantered home eight lengths in front of his field, ridden by Captain R. H. Collis, who was afterwards to be closely associated with Mr. Bibby's horses. Comfit did not reappear for some eight months, coming out again for the Grand Sefton Steeplechase, which that season went to Leinster. Comfit was 62 SOME LIVERPOOLS. INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S primarily a Liverpool horse, though on this occasion he failed to make much show, and it was at Warwick again, in the Handicap Steeplechase, that he came to the front for the second time, prior to his first essay in the National, where he wore Mr. Bibby's second colours. Frank Hartigan, who rode him, declares that he jumped so big at each of the four or five fences he encountered before he fell that any one jump would just about have cleared the whole lot put together! In such a race as the Liverpool the actual return of the betting often signifies little, except in the case of those chiefly in request. Thus, Comfit was one of four who started at 22 to I, and there were likewise four who started at 25 to I ; but many of their backers doubtless took very much shorter odds, and quite possibly a few had found bookmakers to lay longer ones. What it meant was that Comfit was deemed likely tO' get over the course if luck with with him, and though not expected to win, might conceivably do so. 1904. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE (Handicap) of £2525 (inc. a trophy value £106) ; Grand National Course, about 4 miles 856 yds. Mr. Spencer Gollan's Moifaa, by Natator, a. ID St. 7 lbs. Birch i Mr. F. Bibby's Kirkland, a. 10 st. 10 lbs. - F. Mason 2 Mr. John Widger's The Gunner, a. 10 St. 4 lbs. Mr. J. W. Widger 3 Major J. D. Edwards' Shaun Aboo, 6 yrs. 10 St. 1 lb. Waddington 4 63 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES. BELT, AND CAP His Majesty's Ambush II., a. 12 st. 6 lbs. fell Anthony- Mr. J. G. Bulteel's Manifesto, a. 12 st. i lb. E. Piggott Mr. O. J. Williams' The Pride of Mabes- town, a. II St. - - - - fell Mr. A. Gordon Lord Coventry's Inquisitor, a. 10 st. 11 lb. fell Acres Mr. W. E. Nelson's Patlander, a. 10 st. 10 lbs. fell Matthews Prince Hatzfeldt's Dearslayer, a. 10 st. 10 lbs. fell PhiUips Mr. White-Heather's Detail, a. 10 st, 7 lbs. A. Nightingall Mr. H. Bottomley's Cushendun, a. 10 st. 7 lbs. fell D. Morris Mr. A. Buckley's (Jr.) Knight of St. Patrick, a. 10 st. 6 lbs. - - fell E. Walsh Mr. W. J. Compton's May King, a. lO st. 5 lbs. fell Dollery Mr. F. Bibby's Comfit, 6 yrs. 10 st. 4 lbs. (car. 10 St. 5 lbs.) - - - fell F. Hartigan Mr. Hall Walker's Hill of Bree, a. 10 st. 4 lbs. fell Goswell Capt. Scott's Kiora, a. 10 st. 3 lbs. - fell M'Guire Mr. E. E. Lennon's Robin Hood IV., 6 yrs. 10 St. 3 lbs. Magee Mr. H. Bottomley's Biology, a. lost, i lb. fell D. Read Capt. Michael Hughes' Band of Hope, a. 10 St. Cowley Mr. M. Crowther's Nahillah, a. 9 st. 1 1 lbs. - Mr. A. Wood Mr. W. N. W. Gape's Benvenir, a. 9 st. 10 lbs. P. Woodland Mr. F. H. Wise's Loch Lomond, 6 yrs. 9 St. 10 lbs. fell F. Freemantle Mr. H. K. Hamilton Wedderburn's Railoff, a. 9 St. 9 lbs, .... fell Sullivan 64 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S Comte de Madre's Oldtown, a. 9 st. 8 lbs. fell Mr. H. M. Ripley - Mr. Barclay Walker's Honeyman II., a. 9 St. 7 lbs. fell Lynn - Winner trained by Hickey. 7/2 agst. Ambush II., 7/1 Patlander, 100/14 Detail, 9/1 In- quisitor, 100/7 Kirkland, 20/1 Benvenir, Manifesto, 25/1 May King, Moifaa, Dearslayer, The Gunner, Comfit, 33/1 Biology, Robin Hood IV., Hill of Bree, 40/1 Band of Hope, Kiora, 50/1 Honeymoon II., 66/1 The Pride of Mabestown, Loch Lomond. Won by 8 lengths, neck between second and third. Time, 9 min. 58 1 sees. 1905 Kirkland had marked himselF out as a highly probable winner, for the history of Nationals shows how fre- quently horses who have run into places have subse- quently won — or on other occasions after one victory have come near to achieving a second. Besides the cases of Frigate and Cloister mentioned on a former page I might have named Roquefort who started his National career by finishing third to Voluptuary, and the following Spring came to the front. Why Not, second in 1889, tried his luck in 1891, was third in 1893, and justified his favouritism in 1894. Wild Man from Borneo, the winner in 1895, had been third the previous season, and a number of other instances might be quoted. After his second in 1904 Kirkland made two appear- ances that year. He ran in the great Cheshire Steeple- E 65 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP chase, a thousand pound race, with somewhat curious conditions : horses might be entered to be sold for jCs^ which of course enabled them to take an allowance, and an animal named St. Moritz, who did so, and was subse- quently bought in for 700 guineas, beat Kirkland by twenty lengths. It cannot be said that this justified Mr. Sydney's criticism of the horse, but at least it showed running two miles and a half over easy fences was not Kirkland's game. This Hooton Park race came only three weeks after the Liverpool, which is an excuse for Kirkland, as it has continually appeared that animals who have undergone a Liverpool preparation and the exertion of the race are of little good for months afterwards. There are admittedly exceptions to this rule. Eremon, for instance, went on from Liverpool to win the great Lancashire Steeplechase at Manchester, and he is not quite the only one on whom the Aintree contest left little effect, but I am nevertheless inclined to speak of the defeats of Liverpool horses during the following weeks as being the rule. Kirkland, however, was con- sidered fit and well enough to be brought out only a week after his Hooton essay at Sandown in the Grand International Steeplechase. Mason was his constant jockey, Mr. Bibby having first claim on that accom- plished horseman's services. No more than 2 to i was to be had about him, though his weight was only 1 1 St. I lb., but he could get no nearer than sixth in a 66 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S field which can scarcely be said to have comprised horses of much class. He was not seen again until the great event. In 1905 Kirkland reappeared at the end of February, a ridiculously easy task being set him. He had one opponent, an extremely moderate animal named Spineret, in a little steeplechase at Ludlow, and he naturally ran away with it. His next appearance was at Aintree. Under the care of Colonel Lort-Phillips he had continued in the right way, and judging from the market, the general impression about him was that, good luck being understood, he was the likeliest to win if he could beat Moifaa. King Edward had been so much struck by the Colonial horse's performance that. Lord Marcus Beresford supporting the opinion if indeed he did not originate it, Moifaa had passed into the possession of His Majesty. His weight had been raised from 10 st. 7 lb. to II St. 1 2 lb., an increase of 191b., but he was neverthe- less a strong favourite at 4 to i , Dollery, who had ridden Cloister to victory, in the saddle, a late engagement, for on the morning of the race George Williamson, who was to have worn the Royal colours, was kicked whilst at exercise, being incapacitated, and a telegram to Birch, who had ridden the New Zealander the previous year, was too late to enable the jockey to arrive. Dollery, who had been without a mount, was therefore secured. Kirkland was backed at 6 to i, pressed in the market by an animal 67 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP called Ranunculus, who was worthy of the respect in which he was held and seemed to have been very favour- ably treated with only 9 st. 12 lb, to carry. Ranunculus had won a race at Haydock Park only a week before, following on another at Birmingham only a few days previously to that, and as it was declared that the further he went the more he liked it, as also that the fences would precisely suit him, his position was readily com- prehensible. Kirkland had gone up 9 lb. in the handi- cap, from lost. 10 lb. to list. 5 lb., which must be esteemed on the whole fair treatment. As usually happens, trouble began early in the race. The second fence brought down Royal Drake, who was supposed to have a chance, together with three others, Kiora, Hallgate and Ascetic's Silver, and at the next obstacle Longthorpe and Nereus refused. Moifaa, jumping boldly in the hands of his new jockey, raced away at the head of affairs in company with an animal called Timothy Titus who year after year greatly flattered his friends. They led over Valentine's Brook, where Detail and Biology, the former a good deal fancied, came to grief. To ride Ranunculus a French jockey, that is to say a jockey from France, unused to English courses, Hollebone by name, had been brought over, and though there would be no justification for saying that with a more skilled pilot Ranunculus would have won, it is tolerably certain that in more efficient hands he would at least have made a better show ; for 68 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S Hollebone seemed to have no definite plan of campaign and allowed his mount to meander about the course. He led over the water opposite the Stand with Timothy Titus in close attendance, Moifaa still holding a good place and clearing the fences in unimpeachable style. Before reaching Becher's Brook, Miss Clifden II. and Dearslayer had fallen. The Actuary and Matthew had been pulled up, and here Moifaa overjumped himself — so far as could be made out — and came down. Before Valentine's Brook was reached, Timothy Titus, Boucheron, who had been sent over from France to run, and Aunt May, ridden by Mr. "Atty" Persse, had all toppled over, and Ranunculus was still in front till at the Anchor Bridge Kirkland deprived him of the lead. Here Mason's skilful jockeyship asserted itself. Ascetic's Silver, galloping along riderless, crossed Kirk- land and was apparently in imminent danger of knock- ing him over ; but Mason avoided the catastrophe. Meanwhile Napper Tandy, ridden by Percy Wood- land, had come upon the scene, with so much go in him that he distinctly threatened danger, but drawing away after jumping the last fence, Kirkland won by three lengths. Another unconsidered animal, Buckaway II., following on at an interval of four lengths, only just beat- ing Ranunculus for third place. The victory of Kirkland was very cordially received, as indeed the victories of favourites usually are in the great races, seeing it means that a great many men have won their money, but it is 69 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP fair to assume that the cheers were also meant as a congratulatory tribute to an owner who was recognised as a staunch supporter of 'chasing, and whose sporting policy was warmly appreciated. Though Kirkland was only nine years old and it seemed natural to expect other successes from him he never won again ; but he was still to make a stir in the world after a long interval. From the March of 1905 until the February of the following year nothing was seen of him, and then the exhibition was not encouraging. He was one of three starters for an Open Steeplechase at Hurst Park with odds of 100 to 7 against him, 6 to 4 being laid on a remarkable jumper named John M.P., 7 to 4 against a good animal named Desert Chief, the favourite winning by thirty lengths, with Kirkland a bad third. He remained in training but could not be produced again until the January 1907, when he tried his luck without success in a little ;6^40 hurdle race at Tenby, for which he was an indifferent third. He was beaten off behind Holy War, Judas and Timothy Titus at Kempton, did better at Leicester a few weeks afterwards, for he ran second, in a very minor event, however, the Thurmaston Steeplechase, Lara beating him four lengths at evens. We shall presently find him again in active service. 70 SOME LIVERPOOLS. INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S 1905. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE (Handicap) of £2550 (inc. a trophy value £100) ; Grand National Course, about 4 miles 856 yds. Mr. F. Bibby's Kirkland, by Kirkham, a 1 1 St. 5 lbs. F. Mason Capt. M'Laren's Napper Tandy, a. 10 st. - P. Woodland Mr. P. E. Speakman's Buckaway H., 9 St. II lbs. Mr. T. Nolan's Ranunculus, a. 9 st. 12 lbs. Mr. D. Faber's Hercules H., a. 9 st. 10 lbs. His Majesty's Moifaa, a. 1 1 st. 12 lbs. fell Col. H. T. Fenwick's Phil May, 6 yrs. II St. fell Mr. Leslie Rome's The Actuary, a. 10 st. 9 lbs. Matthews Mr. B. W. Parr's Aunt May, a. 10 st. 9 lbs. fell Sullivan Mr. W. Bass' Matthew, a. 10 st. 8 lbs. Mr. White-Heather's Detail, a. 10 st. 6 lbs. (car. 10 St. 8 lbs.) - - - fell Prince Hatzfeldt's Dearslayer, a. 10 st. 8 lbs. fell Lord Sefton's Longthorpe, a. 10 st. 7 lbs. - Mr. Cotton's Seahorse H., a. 10 st. 7 lbs. - Count de Songeon's Bucheron, a. 10 st. 6 lbs (inc. 4 lbs. ex.) .... fell Mr. W. B. Partridge's Timothy Titus, a. 10 St. 5 lbs. .... fell E. Morgan - Mr. P. J. Dunn's Ascetic's Silver, a. 10 St. 5 lbs. fell Dunn - Mr. W. H. Pawson's Kiora, a. 9 st. 11 lbs. (car. 10 St. 5 lbs.) - - - fell Owner - Sir P. Walker's Royal Drake, a. 10 st. 4 lbs. fell Waddington - Mr. H. Bottomley's Biology, a. 10 st. 2 lbs. fell H. Woodland Mr. H. B. Black's What Next, a. 10 st. (car. 10 St. 2 lbs.) .... Capt. Rasbotham - 71 Newey HoIIebone J. Dillon DoUery R. Morgan W. Morgan - Cowley - Mr. A. Hastings - Freemantle J. O'Brien U. David GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Mr. D. Faber's Miss Clifden II., a 9 st. 13 lbs. (inc. 6 lbs. ex.) .... fell Barter - Mr, G. C. Dobell's Saxilby, a. 9 st. 12 lbs. - Heaney - Mr. W. M. G. Singer's Band of Hope, a. 9 St. II lbs. Donnelly Mr. C. Levy's Cottenshope, a. 9 st. 1 1 lbs. D. Morris - Mr. C. Bower Ismay's Nereus, a. 9st. lolbs. Goswell - Mr. Delagarde's Hallgate, a. 9 st. 7 lbs. fell A. Cole - Winner trained by Thomas. 4/1 agst. Moifaa, 6/1 Kirkland, 7/1 Ranunculus, 100/8 Aunt May, 100/7 Detail, 100/6 Dearslayer, Timothy Titus, 20/1 Phil May, Seahorse II., Royal Drake, Ascetic's Silver, 25/1 Napper Tandy, 33/1 Hercules II., Longthorpe, 40/1 Biology, 50/1 What Next, 66/1 Cottenshope, The Actuary, Nereus, Matthew, Saxilby, lOO/i Kiora, Miss Clifden II., Bucheron, Buckaway If., Hallgate, Band of Hope. Won by 3 lengths, 4 lengths second and third. Time, 9 min. 48 1 sees. 1906 In 1906 Mr. Bibby's representative was Comfit. He had been off colour in the season 1904- 1905, not having been out since running for an ordinary ;^ioo Handicap at Kempton in February till he reappeared in December and won the Winter 'Chase at Gatwick, very unex- pectedly, as he was the outsider of the little party, and moreover two miles on a Park course was not his metier. This sort of thing may have the effect of sharpening up a Liverpool horse, which is desirable as far as that goes, though on the other hand, gliding through the tops of Park course fences is not a particularly healthy prepara- 72 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S tion for the stiff jumps at Aintree. This has constituted an annual puzzle for trainers. A certain amount of public schooling is no doubt an excellent thing, but there are few meetings at which this schooling may not have a tendency to teach Liverpool horses the mischievous trick of chancing their fences. Comfit, however, having won his race as aforesaid, came out at Kempton Park early in February for the ^6500 Coventry Handicap Steeple Chase, in which he encountered that remarkable animal John M.P. Something about Mr. J. S. Morrison's horse may here be interpolated. The son of Britannic and Guiding Star had proved himself useful over fences and hurdles as a five-year-old. He had, indeed, run second for the valuable Lancashire Handicap Steeple- chase, beaten a neck by Lord James to whom he was giving a stone. Subsequently to that he ran in a hurdle race at Sandown, but from the 23rd April, 1904, to the 5th January, 1906, he was an absentee. When he came out for the Eton Handicap Hurdle Race at Windsor on the latter date no idea was generally entertained that he could have a chance. Odds of 100 to i were actually on offer against him ; and he comfortably beat an even money favourite, Sir Samuel Scott's Series, by a couple of lengths. During his withdrawal Sir Charles Nugent had performed intricate operations on the horse — I forget for how long Sir Charles has told me he kept the patient under chloroform. But it appeared that John M.P. was better than ever, 73 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES. BELT. AND CAP A month later he beat Comfit as aforesaid, giving him moreover i61b. and winning in a canter by ten lengths. At Hurst Park a fortnight afterwards as already noted he ran away from Desert Chief and Kirkland. At Sandown he won the Liverpool Trial 'Chase at his ease, and some fortnight prior to the Liverpool an Open 'Chase at Hurst Park. His friends declared that he was just as good over four miles and a half with all the big fences as over a galloping course of two miles with little to jump, the consequence being that no more than 7 to 2 was on offer against him for the Liverpool, unjustifiable odds, for as a matter of fact it is quite 7 to 2 against any horse getting safely round the two circuits of the course. Comfit, ridden by F. Mason, shared second favouritism with Phil May and Timothy Titus, the last named a well bred son of Timothy who won the Ascot Cup of 1888. Timothy Titus was expected to win several Liverpools. He had looked to have a chance until close home the previous season. Comfit in reports of the race is charged with the responsibility of a false start, but at a second attempt the three and twenty were sent on their way, the usual results marking their journey, Mr. T. Clyde's Dathi, ridden by Moifaa's jockey Birch fell at the second fence, at Becher's Brook Prince Hatzfeldt's second string. Hard to Find, Mr. J. Bell-Irving's St. Boswells, and Lord. Sefton's Canter Home, followed the example, and at the Canal Turn a shout proclaimed that the 74 SOME LIVERPOOLS. INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S favourite was down. John M.P., it was afterwards stated, had gone at the jump at such a tremendous pace that he became unbalanced, and getting his forelegs into the bank tumbled over the wing. Here too the rider- less Dathi ran into Mr. Calverley Bewick's Kiora and knocked him over. It might be supposed that this was helping to clear the way for Comfit, but disaster was supervening. He fell at Valentine's Brook, Mr. H. Buckley's Roman Law tumbling over him, and shortly afterwards Mr. Percy Whitaker, on another of Prince Hatzfeldt's trio, Dearslayer, broke a stirrup-leather and pulled up. Timothy Titus, after jumping the water and going off into the country in a style which flattered his friends, came down at the fence by the canal, and soon the race was reduced to a quartet, Prince Hatzfeldt's Ascetic's Silver, who indeed had practically won at the last fence, Mr. E. M. Lucas's Red Lad, Mr. B. W. Parr's Aunt May, a daughter of Ascetic, ridden by Mr. H. S. Persse, the present Stockbridge trainer, and Mr. J. W. Phillips' Crautacaun. Ascetic's Silver scored by ten lengths. The winner was a big lengthy chestnut horse, to whom some time before Lord Coventry had taken a fancy. There was a question of his satisfying the veterinary surgeon, however, and this resulted in a refusal to pass the horse as sound — unfortunately for the gallant sportsman who had carried off the great event more than forty years previously. I have a very dis- 75 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP tinct recollection of the contest, as it was my custom at the time to pick out a dozen horses to be followed during the steeplechase season, and Ascetic's Silver was one of them. Mr. Arthur Coventry came up after the race to Lord Derby's stand, from which I had been watching, and congratulated me on the good race he imagined I must have had ; but I had unfortunately omitted to back the winner. It is strange that so good an animal, ridden by his trainer, Mr. Aubrey Hastings, who knew him so well, should have started at the long odds of 20 to i. 1906. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE (Handicap) of £2750 (inc. a trophy value £125) ; Grand National Course, about 4 miles 856 yds. Prince Hatzfeldt's Ascetic's Silver, by Ascetic, a. 10 st. 9 lbs. - - - - Mr. A. Hastings i Mr. E. M. Lucas' Red Lad, 6 y. 10 st. 2 lbs. C. Kelly 2 Mr. B.W. Parr's Aunt May, a. II St. 2 lbs. - Mr. H. S. Persse 3 Mr. J. Wynford Phillips' Crautacaun, a. 10 St. 6 lbs. L Anthony 4 Mr. J. S. Morrison's Drumcree, a. 12 st. - Mr. W. Bulteel - Mr. J. S. Morrison's John M.P., a. Ii st. 10 lbs. (inc. 2 lb. ex.) - - - • W. Taylor Mr. A. Buckley's (Jr.) Roman Law, a. 11 St. 5 lbs. M. Walsh Mr. Cotton's Phil May, a. 1 1 st. 5 lbs. - J. Owens Mr. F. Bibby's Comfit, a. 1 1 st. - - F. Mason Mr. W. B. Partridge's Timothy Titus, a. lost. 12 lbs. E.Morgan Mr. A. Gorham's Wolf's Folly, a. 10 st. 6 lbs. T. Fitton Mr. T. Clyde's Dathi, a. 10 st. 4 lbs. - - A. Birch 76 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S Mr. P. E. Speakman's Buckaway II., a. 10 St. 4 lbs. A. Newey - Mr. C. Bewicke's Kiora, a. lO st. 4 lbs. - G. Clancy Prince Hatzfeldt's Dearslayer, a. 10 st. 4 lbs. Mr. P. Whitaker - Mr. W. Hall Walker's Hill of Bree, a. 10 St. 3 lbs. R. Chadwick Lord Sefton's Canter Home, a. 9 st. 13 lbs. (inc. 6 lb. ex.) A. Aylin - Mr, C. T. Garland's Oatlands, 6 y. 9 St. 13 lbs. H. Aylin - Prince Hatzfeldt's Hard to Find, 6 y. 9 St. 7 lbs. E. R. Morgan Mr. G. Johnstone's Gladiator, 6 y. 9 St. 9 lbs. E. DriscoU Mr. Barclay Walker's Glenrex, 6 y. 9 St. 9 lbs. Mr. R. Walker Mr. J. Bell-Irving's St. Boswells, a. 9 St. 7 lbs. D. Phelan Mr. W. Paul's Pierre, a. 9 st. 7 lbs. - - J. Dillon Winner trained by The Hon. A. Hastings. 7/2 agst. John M.P., lo/l Comfit, Phil May, Timothy Titus, 100/7 Roman Law, 100/6 Oatlands, Wolf's Folly, Gladiator, Crautacaun, 20/1 Ascetic's Silver, Buckaway II., 25/1 Aunt May, Dathi, 33/1 Drumcree, Kiora, Pierre, Red Lad, 50/1 Dear- slayer, 66/1 Hard to Find, Hill of Bree, St. Boswells, Canter Home, 1 00/ 1 Glenrex. Won by 10 lengths, 2 lengths second and third. Time, 9 min. 34| sees. Only those placed, and Wolf's Folly, Oatlands, Gladiator, Drumcree and Phil May completed the course. 77 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP 1907 About this period Mr. Bibby's quest in Ireland for promising Liverpool horses was not particularly suc- cessful. He had heard, however, that there might be possibilities in a young one named Loop Head, a chest- nut son of Brayhead and Barberry. As a four-year-old Loop Head had won two of the three little races for which he had started in Ireland, and had kept it up as a five-year-old, taking the Adare Cup at Croome and the County Plate at Tuam. This may not have meant much, though it meant something, and in the winter of 1906 Loop Head was carrying the green, yellow belt and sleeves at Gatwick. Mason rode him in the Winter 'Chase, where he finished third to another five-year-old, Denmark, a well bred son of Queen's Birthday, who had shown himself to be useful and whom later Mr. Bibby secured. It was not long before the new purchase — Loop Head — came to the front. He won a Novices' 'Chase at Hurst Park in the following January, and though this was his only success for some time he ran up more than once elsewhere, making a good show in the Great Bangor Handicap Steeplechase, only missing the Cranbourne 'Chase at Newbury by a head, and scoring at Tenby the following January. Little hope was entertained of him at Liverpool in 1907, though the field was somewhat below the average in point of merit, as is shown by the fact that Ascetic's Silver, who 78 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S had carried lost. 91b. when he won, was this time elevated to I2st. 7 lb., an advance of very nearly 2 St., and nevertheless shared favouritism with Red Lad, who had followed him home the previous season and was now in receipt of 18 lb. instead of the 7 lb. which had separated them twelve months before. Timothy Titus was again prominent in the market, and Drumcree, victorious in 1903 and now thirteen years old, was allowed to take his chance. There were rumours in favour of a seven-year-old named Eremon, a son of Thurles and Daisy, belonging to Mr. Stanley Howard, a name not very familiar to racegoers, but trained by Coulthwaite, whose name was very familiar indeed as a master of his art, with, it is understood, some original ideas of training which suc- ceeded in practice. Eremon had not done much up to that time ; still he had won at Newbury, Hooton and the Vale of White Horse. Prior to his appearance at Liverpool he had been second for a ;^ioo race at San- down, second again at Birmingham, not particularly brilliant credentials, but he was nevertheless backed at Liverpool at as little as 8 to i, and as it presently appeared with excellent reason. Ridden by A. Newey, Eremon went to the front as soon as the flag fell, and raced to the first fence with such speed that Mr. T. G. Arthur's Kilts, galloping with him, made a mistake and broke his neck. At the next fence Prince Hatzfeldt's Rathvale, who was not without supporters, blundered 79 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES. BELT, AND CAP and fell, going- on riderless, a source of danger to the rest of the field. There was a very marked difference between the Ascetic's Silver of this year and of the year before. Here he was never dangerous, appearing to be beaten early in the race, but Eremon was always handy, and the greater credit is due to his jockey by reason of the circumstance that all the way from the second fence he rode without a stirrup. One of the pictures in this book will show what jumping Liverpool fences really means, and too much can scarcely be said in praise of a jockey who compasses them successfully under this dis- advantage. It also happened that Rathvale, for some reason not to be guessed, seemed determined to accom- pany Eremon throughout the journey, sometimes galloping by his side, occasionally swerving just in front of him as a fence was approached. After jumping Valentine's Brook Eremon went away some twenty lengths in front of Mr. H. Hardy's Tom West, who was about as far in front of his follower, and it was only from Tom West that danger ever threatened. Eremon had the better speed, and finally disposed of Tom West by half a dozen lengths, the riderless Rathvale sticking to the winner past the post. It has been emphasised that as a rule after winning a Liverpool a horse is of small good for some months afterwards. Eremon suffered so little that within ten days he won the Lancashire Handicap Steeplechase at Manchester, 80 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S burdened with a 1 2 lb. penalty, in a canter by eight lengths, from Domino and Judas. 1907. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE of £3000 (Handicap), inc. a trophy value £125. Grand Natioaal Course, about 4 miles 856 yds. Mr. Stanley Howard's Eremon, by Thurles, 7 y. 10 St. I lb. A. Newey i Mr. H. Hardy's Tom West, a. 9 St. 12 lbs. - H. Murphy 2 Mr. W. Nelson's Patlander, a. lOst. 7 lbs. - J.Lynn 3 Mr. J. R. Hannam's Ravensclifife, a. 10 st. 9 lbs. F. Lyall 4 Mr. S. J. Unzue's Barabbas II., 6 y. 10 St. 7 lbs. R. Morgan 5 Prince Hatzfeldt's Ascetic's Silver, a. 12 St. 7 lbs. Mr. A. Hastings 6 Mr. P. E. Speakman's Buckaway H., a. . 10 St. 4 lbs. H. Aylin 7 Capt. M'Laren's Napper Tandy, a. lost. 13 lbs. Capt. R. H. Collis 8 Mr. W. P. Hanley's Teddie HL, a. 9 St. 13 lbs. .... Mr. J. O'Brien Butler - Mr. W. B. Partridge's Timothy Titus, a. list. 10 lbs. .... fell C.Kelly Mr. J. S. Morrison's Drumcree, a. ii st. 9 lbs. fell Mr. W. Bulteel - Mr. A. Buckley's (Jr.) Roman Law, a. 11 St. 7 lbs. ..... p.u. A. Anthony - Mr. C. Hibbert's Red Lad, 7. 1 1 st. 3 lbs. fell J. Dillon Prince Hatzfeldt's Rathvale, 6 y. lost. 13 lbs. .... fell E. Driscoll Lord Howard de Walden's Centre Board, a. 10 St. II lbs. .... ref. J. Cain - F 81 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Mr. J. Meynell-Knight's Bouchal Ogue, a. II St. 7 lbs. ... - fell C. Graham Mr. Lionel Robinson's York II., a. 10 St. 6 lbs. fell T. Moran Mr. T. G. Arthur's Kilts, a. lO st. 3 lbs. fell R. H. Harper Mr. White-Heather's Detail, a. 10 st. fell W. Payne Mr. F. Bibby's Loop Head, 6 y. 9 st. 12 lbs. fell A. Hogan Mr. T. Nolan's The Foreman, 8 y. 9 St. 7 lbs. fell E. Lawn Mr. T. Ashton's Seisdon Prince, a. 1 1 st. p.u. M. Phelan Mr. G. Walmesley's Extravagance, 6 y. 10 St. II lbs. .... fell G. Goswell Winner trained by Coulthwaite. 7/1 agst. Red Lad, Ascetic's Silver, 8/1 Eremon, lO/i Extrava- gance, 100/8 Timothy Titus, 100/7 Ravenscliffe, 100/6 Tom West, Kilts, 20/1 Rathvale, Barabbas II., Centre Board, Drumcree, 33/1 Napper Tandy, 40/1 Buckaway II., Detail, 50/1 others. Won by 6 lengths, neck second and third. Time, 9 min. 47 1 sees. 1908 In the history of the race there cannot have been a greater surprise than that occasioned by Major Douglas Pennant's Rubio in 1908. This American bred geld- ing, a son of Star Ruby and a mare named La Toquera, had never done anything of note and had descended to work ridiculously below the standard of the ordinary handicap 'chaser. Being apparently of no use for his destined career as a jumper of fences he was lent to an innkeeper at Towcester who utilised him to help in 82 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S dragging the station omnibus and running about the country in a dogcart on hire to commercial travellers and others. A story is told of the Rubio of a somewhat later day when he had become a 'chaser again and — what had once seemed preposterous — his Liverpool prospects were being discussed. Someone expressed a doubt as to his lasting the course, as to whether indeed he could get three miles. "Not get three miles! " one of those present in the inn parlour exclaimed, "Why, I've driven him thirty myself! " Rubio had been under the charge of Mr. F. E. Withington at Danebury, which was of course a guarantee that everything possible in the way of an effective preparation had been done. It happened, however, that in Mr. Withington's stable at this time there was a mare called Mattie Macgregor, the property of Sir William Cooper, Major Douglas Tennant's father-in-law — a six-year-old, who was supposed to be at any rate the better of the Stockbridge pair. Mr. Withington had an idea that she would run prominently at least, and she figured in the market at 25 to i, odds of four times that amount having in several cases been laid against Rubio, though the return was " 66 to i others," amongst whom he figured. The favourite was Kirkland. Though four years had elapsed since his victory, at the age of twelve he was now remarkably fresh and well, and his accustomed jockey, Mason, was on his back. The stable had a strong 83 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT. AND CAP reputation, and he became so great a public fancy that in the end no more than 13 to 2 was to be had about him. What might have happened had he stood up cannot of course be guessed. A field of four and twenty went to the post, and of these eleven finished without mishap. Kirkland does not come into this category, for though he finished seventh, a detail duly recorded, this was only after a fall, his jockey remounting and con- tinuing to persevere, a phrase which in this connection means to be in a position to take any chance in the event of any being forthcoming by reason of mishaps to most of those in front; it has often happened in a steeplechase that the leaders have fallen and a horse whose prospects have appeared hopeless has gained an apparently impossible victory. On this occasion I watched the race in company with Mr. Fred Withington from the top of Lord Derby's stand, and have a distinct recollection of his amazement when he saw Rubio, carrying his owner's black, red sleeves and cap, lengths in front of his follower over the last fence, that follower being Mattie Mac- gregor. A fortnight previously Rubio, ridden by W. Bissell, had been unplaced fo'r a steeplechase at Hooton Park, and two or three weeks before that failure he had been even less conspicuous at Kempton. Bissell here rode Mattie Macgregor, on the supposition that she was at any rate the better of the two, and H. Bletsoe was lucky enough to have the mount on the winner, to 84 SOME UVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S whom needless to say he did every justice. Rubio beat the mare by ten lengths, and almost as far behind her came Mr. Percy Whitaker on his own horse The Lawyer, the Royal colours being carried into fourth place by Flaxman, one of a family to whom I have already made reference in this book; and it may be added that another son of Circe's, Springbok, finished fifth. Prior to the race I had remarked to Mr. Tommy Lushington, who trained the King's jumpers in Ireland, that I was afraid Flaxman was not likely to do much, for odds of loo to 3 were on offer against him, and when His Majesty's horses did not seem to have altogether forlorn prospects they were generally in more or less request. Tommy Lushington replied that he quite expected Flaxman to run well and thought it highly probable that he would at any rate make his way into a place, reminding me that he had won a three mile steeplechase at Baldoyle just before he was sent to England. The place he just missed. I may perhaps add that another son of Circe, the then five-year-old Cackler, won the Champion Steeplechase the following day. 1908. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE (Handicap) of £2400 ; about 4 miles 856 yds. Major F. D. Pennant's Rubio, by Star Ruby, 10 y. 10 st. 5 lbs. - - - H. Bletsoe i Mr. W. Cooper's Mattie Macgregor, 6 y. 10 St. 6 lbs. W. Bissell 2 85 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Mr. P. Whitaker's The Lawyer III., a. 10 St. 13 lbs. His Majesty's Flaxman, a. 9 st. 12 lbs. - Col. R. L. Birkin's Springbok, a. 1 1 st. 5 lbs. Mr. H. G. Farrant's Red Hall, a. 10 st. 8 lbs. Mr. F. Bibby's Kirkland, a. ii st. 12 lbs. (fell and was remounted) Capt. J. Foster's Lara, a. 10 st. 8 lbs. Mr. S. Howard's Jenkinstown, a. 10 st. 5 lbs. Mr. Foxhall Keene's Chorus, a. 10 st. 5 lbs. Mr. J. W. Phillips' Dathi, a. 10 st. 2 lbs. - Mr. T. G. Paget's Alert HI., a. 9 st. 11 lbs. Mr. G. Walmesley's York H., a. 10 st. 4 lbs. fell Mr. J. E. Rogerson's Wee Busbie, a. 9 St. II lbs, fell Capt. W. A. Pallin's Wild Fox HI., 6 y. 9 St. 9 lbs. fell Mr. P. Nelke's Mount Prospect's Fortune, 6 y. 1 1 St. 1 1 lbs. - - - fell Mr. A. Buckley's (Jr.) Roman Law, a. 11 St. 2 lbs. fell Mr. T. Ashton's Seisdon Prince, a. 1 1 st. fell Mr. G. Walmesley's Extravagance, a. - fell 10 St. 12 lbs. Mr. B. W. Parr's Nanoya, 6 y. 10 St. 7 lbs. fell Mr. H. Hardy's Tom West, a. 10 st. 7 lbs. fell Col. Kirkwood's Paddy Maher, a. 10 st. 3 lbs. fell 86 Owner 3 A. Anthony 4 J. O'Brien 5 Owner 6 F. Mason 7 Mr. W. Bulteel - F. Morgan - R. Chadwick - I. Anthony - L. Harland - W. Rollason D. Phelan Owner - R. Morgan A. Newey - M. Phelan H. Aylin J. Lynn - H. Murphy - Mr. O'Brien Butler - SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S Mr. Foxhall Keene's Prophet III., a 10 St, fell J. Dillon - Mr. J, M. Kerne's Johnston Lad, a. 9 St. 12 lbs. fell E. DriscoU Winner trained by Costello (really by Mr. Withington, Costello was head lad). 6/1 agst. Kirkland, 8/i Tom West, Springbok, lo/i Johnstown Lad, 100/8 Paddy Maher, 100/7 Roman Law, Mount Prospect's Fortune, Seisdon Prince, Extravagance, Lawyer IIL, 25/1 Mattie Macgregor, Lara, 33/1 Flaxman, 66/1 Rubio and others. Won by 10 lengths, 6 lengths second and third. Time, 10 min. 4| sees. Kirkland's term of useful work was by no means over. It has always been Mr. Bibby's custom to send suitable 'chasers, when they have been withdrawn from racing, into his hunting stable. As a rule, as most readers are doubtless aware, ex-'chasers do not make the most comfortable of mounts with hounds. It is their habit to rush their fences, and indeed it would be amazing were this otherwise, seeing that the lesson chiefly taught them has been to lose no time at their jumps. But Kirkland proved extraordinarily amenable. Mr. Bibby took him for his own riding. Truly it seems a gorgeous thing to ride the winner of the Liverpool out hunting, and it might be imagined that, always sup- posing that hounds were fast enough and with a straight necked fox before them, a Master so mounted would be out by himself. (It might not be an easy task to mount the huntsman in these circumstances!) But Kirkland 87 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP when he carried his master did not consider it his duty to play at winning the National. Very much on the contrary, with remarkable intelligence he speedily learned what was wanted of him, and if a particularly awkward fence was reached this sensible creature would obey his rider's hint to pull up, would allow him to scramble through the too awkward obstacle, and then, himself jumping it, would placidly wait to be re- mounted. When the old horse got beyond this, or perhaps it should be said when Mr. Bibby gave up the hounds, Kirkland with a few companions enjoyed a luxurious old age until the war came to upset every- thing, including equine pensioners. Then his master decided that the kindest thing to do was to have him shot, and Kirkland died a painless death, his name being written big in Turf history. Before leaving Kirkland I am glad to be able to give an interesting story with regard to him, which Colonel Lort-Phillips has kindly sent me. It is in connection with Mason, who for a number of years did such excel- lent service for the colours. The Colonel writes : "Mason's first ride for us was at Clonmel in 190 1. I had taken a four-year-old — Semi Colon — over to run and a stable boy to ride her, but as the boy had no Irish licence the Clerk of the Scales of course would not pass him when he went to weigh. I didn't know what to do, but turning around saw a youth, who had ridden in the last race, beginning to change. I said 'Will you ride SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S this mare? ' and I well remember he hesitated for a few seconds — a good deal hung on his decision, as probably I should not have thought of him again had he refused. Presently he said he would ride, and he had to hurry up to get to the scale before the Clerk left. He won the race very easily. The next time he rode for us was in the Sefton the following year. E. Morgan had been riding Kirkland, and although he was certainly a good jockey I saw that he could not get enough out of his mount to enable us to form a good opinion as to what the horse could really do. I wrote to ask Mason to ride him in this Sefton, and for some reason he never answered my letter — I fancy he had been asked to ride something else and could not reply until he knew whether the animal would start. " When in course of time I got to Liverpool I wired to ask several jockeys to ride our outsider, but none could or would, and on the morning of the race I got young Nugent to give him a mile. When he came in after having done so I invited him to ride in the race, and I well recollect his somewhat reluctant answer ' Yes, I'll ride the old beast ! ' I told him I had offered Mason the mount, and had received no answer from him, which led me to expect that Mason did not intend to ride, though if I heard that he could do so my offer would have to stand, I was really annoyed at Nugent's indifference, and had he shown the least desire for the mount I should have closed with him then and 89 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP there, as of course Mason had no claim after keeping me waiting till the last moment. No one wanted to ride the horse in fact, and poor Nugent was really not to be blamed, as Kirkland gave his rider no * feel.' On my return to the Adelphi I found a wire from Mason accept- ing, so with the least possible delay I let Nugent know. It seemed a relief to him much more than a disappoint- ment. " Mason won by eight lengths from Manifesto, who if you will look at the details may I really think be said to have run one of the best races of his life, seeing that he was giving Kirkland 35 lb. As soon as Mason got off the horse's back his first words were ' Will you let me ride this horse in the National ? ' I felt that we had a Liverpool horse, the most difficult animal in the world to find. Next year he ran fourth in the National — Mason always swears he was easily third — according to the judge beaten a head by Manifesto, who was this time giving him 231b. The following year Kirkland was second to Moifaa, and Mason always told me after- wards that it was this race which made him absolutely certain of winning next time, bar accidents. You may have forgotten that Mason, quite against our wishes, rode some horse about a fortnight before the 1904 Liverpool and had a bad fall. He made light of it and appeared all right for our race ; but he had broken two ribs and was very tightly bandaged, so much so that he was completely unable to make anything like proper 90 SOME LIVERPOOLS, INCLUDING KIRKLAND'S use of the horse during the last mile. This he did not tell me until after he had won in 1905, notwithstanding that he was repeatedly down here to ride gallops for us. Then I learnt the truth. He said to me, ' I told you I was sure to win, bar accidents, for I should have won as I liked the year before had I been able to make use of the horse. I was really quite helpless on him for the last mile because of the pain, and because I was so tightly bandaged. I daren't tell you before, as you would have been angry with me for throwing the race away.' " In my opinion Kirkland's performances over Aintree prove him to be about the most typical National horse that has run in my time. He won the Sefton first time over the course, the next time out there he was beaten a short head for third place in the National. The year following he was second, and the next time he won, carry- ing 1 1 St. 5 lb., his time being 9 minutes 48I seconds. Since the race has been run only eight horses have won it in shorter time, and of these only two had won carrying more weight — carrying it I mean in shorter time — viz. : Cloister, 12 st. 7 lb., time 9 minutes 42I seconds, and Why Not, 9 minutes 45I seconds. I was a good deal nettled, I may perhaps add, by some of the news- paper reports which made out that Ranunculus might have won had he not gone so far round. It is a difficult thing to go * far round ' on that course. If anyone took an outside place in the race it was Mason, who told 91 GREE^; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP me that on Kirkland he always went wide to the right the second time round, the reason being that the take off and landing close to the rails on the inside is so much worse than at the middle of" the fences, and no one who knows the course jumps the fences close to the rails on the left. But on Kirkland he declared that he felt absolutely safe to jump wherever he had most room. I have walked the course so often that I defy anyone to contradict me when I maintain that there is no course in England where less is to be gained in distance by stick- ing to the rails. If you go to the start and face the first turning point you will see that there is no advantage in going to the left. The next turn, only about 200 yards further, is by the Canal, where you are far safer on the right than on the left. After this there is little short of a mile and a half almost straight. If Ranunculus had run second, and those who lost money on him wished to account for it, they might have made a plausible excuse. He could only struggle home a bad fourth, however, and it was absurd to pretend that he 'might have won,' more especially as Kirkland was giving him 21 lb. and scored very easily. I cannot help paying due tribute to this most genuine 'chaser." 92 CHAPTER III SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S It must be considered highly probable that with a little luck Mr. Bibby would have won the Liverpool of 1909. It will have been seen that he had not been in the least inclined to adopt the principle of winning by sheer force of purse. He had bought the horses to whom he took a fancy for varying sums, occasionally for large ones, but seldom for what might be considered an extravagant figure. For Caubeen, a son of Chad and Revenue Cutter, he had given ;^i5oo, and the idea that he was a Liverpool horse seemed to be confirmed by the fact that he won the Grand Sefton Steeplechase in the autumn of 1908. At the time of writing Caubeen is standing at Mr. Bibby's stud farm at Exning near Newmarket, and it may be remarked has some promising stock to his credit. The 11 st. 7 lb. allotted to him in the Liverpool of 1909 was not considered excessive, and indeed the result showed that his merit had scarcely been exaggerated. This was the year when M. Robert Hennessy sent over his five-year-old Lutteur III., intent on 93 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP winning the great race. The son of St. Damien and Lausanne had naturally distinguished himself in France, or it may be assumed that it would hot have been thought worth while to put him to the test. He had done well as a four-year-old, and prior to Liver- pool, ridden by his accustomed jockey, Parfrement, Yorkshire bred in spite of his name, had run away with the Champion Steeplechase at Hurst Park. The dis- tance was three miles and a quarter. He was meeting his seniors at even weights, and started the outsider of the four, the favourite being Mount Prospect's Fortune, backed at 5 to 4, followed by Rustic Queen, 7 to 2, with Leinster at 4 to i, Lutteur IIL 9 to 2 ; and he had won without difficulty by half a dozen lengths. Lutteur IIL started favourite, or rather joint favourite with Mr. Nelke's Shady Girl, at Aintree, but by no means a strong favourite, the price being 100 to 9 ; for Parfrement adopted the forward American seat, much after the fashion of the flat race jockeys of that period, and there were many critics who refused to believe that thus " crouching " he could possibly get over the huge Liverpool fences. He did so, however, without mishap, winning by a couple of lengths from Judas, Caubeen, who finished third, Mason as usual up, giving him 10 lb., and giving 1 1 lb. to Judas. This year an exceptional number of animals completed the course, though as usual falls were numerous. Those who came down included Lord Chatham, Buckaway II., 94 SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S Rustic Queen, Domino, Lurcher, the previous year's winner Rubio, Davy Jones, Young Buck, Paddy Maher, Count Rufiis and Red Hall ; Mattie Macgregor refused in the hands of R. Morgan, Red Monk and Black Ivory were pulled up, and another faller was Mr. Bibby's second string Wickham a son of Childwick and Powder- ham. Childwick, a son of St. Simon and Plaisanterie, was the Cesarewitch winner of 1894, and notable as having cost 6000 guineas as a yearling, which was at that time the record price. Wickham cost only a hundred, which he handsomely repaid, winning amongst other races the Grand International Steeplechase at Sandown. Another faller who may be mentioned was Mr. H. G. Farrant's Red Hall, who had finished sixth the previous year. Mr. Farrant was one of the rare instances of a man who became an extremely good rider after taking to the saddle comparatively late in life. He was I believe tutor in the family of Mr. Albert Brassey, and was rather chaffed for his inability to ride, which was the more noticeable in view of the circumstance that Mr. Brassey was for many years Master of the Heythrop Hounds. Mr. Farrant therefore repaired the omission, with such success that on Red Hall he won the National Hunt Steeplechase of 1907 in a field of twenty-seven. 1909. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE (Handicap) of £2400 ; about 4 miles 856 yds, M. J. Hennessy's ch.h. Lutteur HI., by St. Damien, 5 y. 10 st. nibs. - - G. Parfrement i 95 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Mr. B. W. Parr's Judas, a. lO st. lo lbs. - R. Chadwick Mr. F. Bibby's Caubeen, a. 1 1 st. 7 lbs. - F. Mason Mr. H. Hardy's Tom West, a. 10 st. 9 lbs. - H. Murphy Mr. R. Faber's Hercules H., a. 9 st. 13 lbs. - Mr. A. Gordon Sir T. Gallwey's Leinster, a. 1 1 st. 7 lbs. - Mr. J. Rogers Mr. P. Nelke's Shady Girl, a. 10 st. 9 lbs. - G. Clancy Mr. J. M. Kerne's Carsey, 6 y. lost. 8 lbs. Owner Capt. L. H. Jones' Robin Hood IV., a. 9 St. 9 lbs. Mr. R. Walker Prince Hatzfeldt's Ascetic's Silver, a. 12 St. 7 lbs. Prince Hatzfeldt's Rathvale, a. 1 1 st. 7 lbs. Mr. G. Ashton's Lord Chatham, a. 1 1 st. - Mr, C. F. K. Mainwaring's Brineoge, a. 10 St. 7 lbs. Baron de Forest's Lord Rivers, a. 10 st. 6 lbs. W. Bulteel Mr. W. L. Longworth's Logan Rock, a. lost. H. Jackson Mr. S. F. Gilbert's Buckaway H., a. 9 St. 13 lbs. Mr. J. E. Rogerson's Wee Busbie, a. 9 St. 13 lbs. Col. Kirkwood's Phaeton, a. 10 st. 4 lbs. - Capt. W. A. Pallin's Wild Fox HI., a. 9 St. 9 lbs. Mr. H. Hartland's Rustic Queen, a. 12 st. fell Mr. A. W. Wood Major Pennant's Rubio, a. 1 1 st. 9 lbs. fell W. Bissell Mr. W. C. Cooper's Mattie Macgregor, a. II St. 4 lbs. - - - - refused R. Morgan Mr. H. M. Hartigan's Domino, a. 11 St. I lb. fell P. Cowley Mr. F. Bibby's Wickham, a. 10 st. 10 lbs. fell Capt. Collis Mr. H. G. Farrant's Red Hall, a. 10 st. 12 lbs. fell Owner 96 B. Wall D. Phelan Mr. H. Ussher Owner Hon. A. Hastings - W. Morgan J. M'Kenna H. Smyth SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S Col. Kirkwood's Paddy Maher, a. lO st. 9 lbs. fell Mr. O'Brien Butler- Mr. A. Scott's Black Ivory, a. 10 st. 12 lbs. p.u. Mr. A. Scott Mr. F. W. Greswolde- Williams' Red Monk, a. 10 St. 6 lbs. - . . . p.u. E. Morgan Lord St. David's Davy Jones, 6 y. 10 St. 2 lbs. fell I. Anthony Mr. W. Charter's Count Rufus, a. 10 st. fell W. Payne Mr. F. M. Freake's Young Buck, a. 9 St. 12 lbs. fell H. B. Bletsoe Mr. T. Stacey's The Lurcher, a. g st. g lbs. fell E. Piggott Winner trained by H. Escott. 100/9 agst. Lutteur IIL, Shady Girl, 100/8 Domino, 100/6 Tom West, Mattie Macgregor, Leinster, Davy Jones, 20/1 Gaubeen, Rubio, Ascetic's Silver, 25/1 The Lurcher, Paddy Maher, Lord Rivers, 33/1 Judas, Hercules IL, Robin Hood IV., 50/1 Wickham, Rustic Queen, Lord Chatham, Logan Rock, Count Rufus, Red Hall, loo/i others. Won by 2 lengths, bad third. Time, 9 min. 53* sees. 1910 In 1 9 10 Mr. Bibby had no fewer than three of the five and twenty starters, Caubeen esteemed by the public considerably the best, and of the other two Glenside, of whom Mr. Lort-Phillips entertained a very high opinion, preferred to Wickham, who as the event proved would have been much better left in his stable. This was the year when great hopes were entertained that Sir Charles Assheton-Smith's Jerry M. would achieve the distinction which had been gained by Cloister and G 97 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Manifesto of victoriously carrying I2st. 7 lb., an esti- mate which proved to be only a little exaggerated. Jerry M. ran extraordinarily well. He was favourite at 6 to I, slightly in better demand than Judas, who stood at 13 to 2. I remember Lord Marcus Beresford asking me what I had backed ? " I have gone for the two J's" I replied, "Jerry M. and Judas." "Ah," he answered, "but you have left out the right J. — Jenkinstown! " I took this for chaff, but it presently appeared that if he had not actually meant it, he might well have done so, for Jenkinstown won, Jerry M. failing by three lengths to give him 30 lb. Mr. Bibby's three all fell, indeed only five of the starters finished, but that Caubeen, third favourite at 8 to I, should have been among the unfor- tunates was not his fault. Wickham was the first to meet with disaster, ridden by Mr. W. Bulteel, the brother of Manifesto's owner. The horse was none the worse, however, was speedily on his legs again, and as so often happens in such cases speedily joined his field. He was apparently looking out for his stable companion, and, seeing Caubeen, immediately bore down upon him. The two had been jumping together at home, and doubtless with the best intention Wickham thought it well to continue the practice. Where Caubeen went he followed. Mason vainly trying to avoid his unwelcome attentions, and the riderless Wickham suddenly swerving as they approached a fence 98 SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S brought Caubeen down. When horses are a long way from home it is always flitile to protest that they would have won had all gone well with them, but it is certain that Caubeen was making light of the fences and was full of running when the accident happened. Glenside's jockey did not seem altogether at home on the horse and they parted company. 1910. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE (Handicap) of £2400 ; about 4 miles 856 yds. Mr. Stanley Howard's b.g. Jenkinstown, by Hackler, 9 y. 10 st. 5 lbs. - - R. Chadwick i Mr. Assheton Smith's Jerry M., a. 12 st. 7 lbs. E. Driscoll 2 Mr. R. Hall's Odor, a. 9 st. 8 lbs. - - Owner 3 Prince Hatzfeldt's Carsey, a. 10 st. 7 lbs. - G. R. Morgan 4 Mr. Law's Fetlar's Pride, a. 10 st. Ii lbs. - J. Walsh, Jr. 5 Col. R. Birkin's Springbok, a. 1 1 st. 5 lbs.- W. Payne - Mr. Keene's Precentor H., a. 10 st. 7 lbs. - W. Rollason Sir P. Walker's Albuera, a. 1 0 st. 1 2 lbs. fell F. Ly all Mr. F. Bibby's Wickham, a. 10 st. 1 1 lbs. fell W. Bulteel Col. Kirkwood's Paddy Maher, a. 10 st. 9 lbs. fell Mr. R. H. Walker - Mr. F. Bibby's Glenside, a. 10 st. 4 lbs. fell R. Goswell Lord Suffolk's General Fox, 6 y. lost. 12 lbs. - . - . fell T. Wilmot Col. Kirkwood's Phaeton, a. 10 st. i lb. fell F. Morgan - Mr. D. Faber's Hercules H., a. 9 st. 9 lbs. fell C. Hawkins Mr. Longworth's Logan Rock, a. 9 st. 7 lbs. fell H. Jackson Mr. J. A. de Rothschild's Bushido, 5 y. 9 St. 7 lbs. fell J. Hetherington - Mr. F. Bibby's Caubeen, a. 1 1 st. 8 lbs. fell F. Mason 99 fell S. Walkington - fell A. Anthony - St. fell R. Morgan - fell J. Dillon fell G. Clancy - fell F. Dainly St. ref. Mr. F. A. Brown - GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Mr. Ismay's Bloodstone, a. 1 1 st. 8 lbs. Mr. W. Bailey's Judas, a. 1 1 st. 5 lbs. Prince Hatzfeldt's Rathvale, a. ii I lb. Mr. G. Aston's Lord Chatham, a. 10 St. 12 lbs. .... Mr. Nelke's Shady Girl, a. 10 st. 8 lbs. Mr. Stacey's The Lurcher, a. 9 st. 9 lbs. Mr. Mainwaring's Brineoge, a. 10 4 lbs. Sir John Smiley's Captain Farrell, 6 y. 9 St. 10 lbs. ref. G. Brown. - Winner trained by T. Coulthwaite. 6/1 agst. Jerry M., 13/2 Judas, 8/1 Caubeen, 100/8 Jenkins- town, Carsey, 100/7 Bloodstone, Albuera, 100/6 The Lurcher, 20/1 Logan Rock, 25/1 Glenside, Fetlar's Pride, Springbok, 33/1 Paddy Maher, Shady Girl, 66/1 Wickham, Bushido, Rath- vale, General Fox, lOO/i others. Place betting — 2/1 agst. Jerry M., Judas. Proportionate odds others. Time, 10 min. 4| sees. I may here observe that before the next jumping season the alliance between the friends Mr. Bibby and Colonel Lort-Phillips was dissolved, and the horses went to Kinlet Park, Bewdley, under the charge of Captain R. H. Collis. 1911 The year 1 9 1 1 saw Mr. Bibby's second triumph, the victory of Glenside, of whom it may be said without fear of contradiction that he was a strangely underrated SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S animal, that is to say by the average racegoer. In dis- quisitions on the race the winner was spoken of somewhat slightingly, not a little so indeed, some of the critics attempting to explain the result by the remark that something had to win and as all the others fell that something proved to be Glenside. This is an altogether incorrect view, and I say so for this reason : on the publication of the weights I had a long talk about the coming event to Colonel Lort-Phillips. He was not at that time training the horses. His partnership with Mr. Bibby had terminated, and the stable was under the charge of Captain Collis, the scene of action being Kinlet Park, the residence of Colonel R. W. B. Fisher-Childe, C.B., whose park was utilised for gallops, suitable train- ing jumps being of course carefully erected. Col. Lort- Phillips and myself as just remarked discussed the handicap, and he had expressed a strong conviction that Glenside was more than likely to beat Caubeen and win. Lutteur III. was to run again, and though this time he had 1 2 St. 3 lb., it could be argued that the weight was not excessive. When a five-year-old, as noted on a previous page, he had carried lost, ii lb., and weight for age over four miles and a half would show a great advance between the ages of five and seven. The scale as published in the National Hunt rules does not deal with this. The Committee recommend that from the I St of January to the 30th of June six-year-old and aged horses should give five-year-olds 9 lb. in steeplechases lOI GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP of three miles and upwards, but in this respect what is fair for three miles can scarcely be considered equally fair over a course half as long again. There are so few steeplechases of a longer distance than three miles that perhaps a special scale of weights could hardly be expected. I am sure, however, that the reader will see my point. Besides Lutteur III. there was another French horse in the race, Trianon III., a grey six-year-old son of Champaubert, whose friends appeared to be somewhat surprised, if at the same time likewise gratified, at offers of loo to 3 against him. They thought his chance was very much better than the price suggested, though they were naturally delighted to take the odds. In an Open Steeplechase at Hurst Park a little more than a week before the Liverpool Spring Meeting Lutteur III. had given Trianon III. lolb. and beaten him about as many lengths. In the National Lutteur was set to give only 9 lb., but considerations of a few pounds, severely as they tell in a close finish, are frequently set at naught in the great 'chase, where accident and luck help so greatly to victory or defeat. But the chief dangers to the favourite were supposed to be Caubeen and Rathnally, the latter a six-year-old who had already acquired a tremendous reputation — I am not using the adjective at random. Rathnally's friends were convinced that he was little short of a wonder, and that he was in form was shown by the fact that he had won a steeplechase with 6 to i on I02 SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S him at Haydock Park on the same day as that on which Lutteur III. had beaten his grey countryman. The fancy for Caubeen was justified for reasons already stated. Then again Carsey had shown himself dis- tinctly a Liverpool horse. This it will be seen looked like a National which would take a great deal of winning, and there was the previous year's victor, Jenkinstown, with that fine horseman Percy Woodland to make the best of him. It seems to have been the custom of the Liverpool handicapper to penalise a horse, so to speak, that is to say to raise his weight, something like a stone, and Jenkinstown had i61b. more to carry than the weight he had borne twelve months before. Glenside had been a cheap purchase. Colonel Lort- Phillips had bought him for the partnership after he had won a small race at Tenby, giving no more than ;^i50. This low price was doubtless due in a great measure to the fact that the horse had only one eye, the disadvantage of which need not be emphasised. The style in which he had jumped the Tenby banks con- vinced the partners that he could be trusted to jump Liverpool, indeed he was regarded not only by his owner and his trainer, but by shrewd judges with experi- ence of what was required, as an ideal Liverpool horse, and a strong impression existed that had he not jumped his jockey off the previous season — for that is what it came to — he could hardly have been beaten. Glenside was a son of St. Oris and Kilwinnet, his sire it need 103 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP scarcely perhaps be remarked being one of the only two horses who ever beat Flying Fox. This would suggest that his offspring would be gifted with speed, and if it can hardly be said that this was Glenside's strong point, seeing that he was such an extraordinary stayer, he had done by no means badly in two-mile 'chases. He had shown his mastery of the Liverpool fences on two occa- sions. In 1909 he had finished second to Cackler for the Grand Sefton, and in 19 10, missing the Sefton with a view to participation in the Valentine 'Chase the next day, he had finished second to Leinster. For the Liver- pool of 191 1, however, the year we are now discussing, the general opinion, shared I think by Captain Collis, was that Caubeen was tolerably certain to give him the 1 6 lb. at which Mr. E. A. C. Topham had estimated their prospects. There has never been such an unmitigated tale of disaster as that of the Liverpool which Glenside won in the hands of Mr. J. R. Anthony. His starting price was 20 to I, as I have agreeable reason to recollect, for though not neglecting Caubeen I had accepted Col. Lort- Phillips's advice and backed the winner. One after another the horses kept falling at fence after fence, and it must be frankly admitted that backers of Caubeen, ridden by A. Newey, had not a real run for their money. In the official account of the race it is stated that " Caubeen refused," but this gives an altogether inaccurate idea of what happened. He and Rathnally 104 SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S approached a fence together, out in what is called " the country." Rathnally swerved and ran down the jump just as Caubeen was coming to it. It may be that this interference cost Caubeen the race. R. Chadwick, Rathnally's jockey, came off, and had, it is said, quite a considerable chase after his mount before he caught it, climbed again into the saddle, and set off in pursuit. He certainly made up a considerable amount of ground, enough to enable his friends to derive such con- solation as they could from the assertion that he " would have won " had he stood up ; but every year there is an average of I suppose some half dozen horses of whom the same thing is fervently protested. Only four of the six and twenty starters finished, Glenside as already remarked being absolutely the only one who got round without falling, refusing or running out. He had by no means escaped interference, which may have accounted for the fact of his being extremely tired. Those of us who were interested in his success had an anxious moment as he rose at the penultimate fence, for the chance of his getting over seemed not a little doubtful. At the last fence the anxiety recurred, and there was a general sigh of relief as he was seen to land on his legs. Then he had nothing to do but to canter home. Rath- nally also jumped safely, but was twenty lengths behind. Shady Girl followed at an interval of three lengths, and Mr. MacNeill, who had a big bet that he would get round, won his money, for Foolhardy was placed fourth. 105 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES. BELT, AND CAP A few of the others, having been remounted, appeared at intervals, the rest returning to the paddock from various parts of the course. Although this does not appear to be the general opinion it seems extremely probable that the best horse won. Mr. Bibby was unable to be present, a misfortune which must be a matter of lasting regret to him, but Mrs. Bibby gallantly threw herself into the breach and led the horse in, which doubtless accounted for the specially enthusiastic reception of the winner. A word may be added about Glenside's breeding, as stated by St. Gris-Kilwinnet. The dam was by Kilmartin who won the Leger of 1887 out of Neruda by Fitzjames, her dam Performer by Adventurer out of Olga by Charles XII. St. Gris was by Galopin-Isabel, by Plebeian out of Parma by Parmesan. Galopin, sire of St. Simon amongst other great horses, by Vedette by Voltigeur. Here we have some of the greatest names in Turf history. What made the victory all the more creditable was that forty-eight hours before the race Glenside was coughing and had a temperature of 106 degrees. 191 1. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE (Handicap) of £2500 ; about 4 miles 856 yds. Mr. F. Bibby's b.g. Glenside, by St. Gris, a, 10 St. 3 lbs. Mr. J, Anthony i Mr. 0. H. Jones' Rathnally, 6 y. 11 st. fell R. Chadwick 2 Mr. P. Nelke's Shady Girl, a. 10 st. 5 lbs. fell G. Clancy 3 106 SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S a. a. Mr. MacNeill's Foolhardy, a. 9 st. 7 lbs. fell Owner Mr. P. Nelke's Mount Prospect's Fortune, a. 1 1 St. 6 lbs. Mr. P. Whitaker's Rory O'Moore, a. 11 St. 6 lbs. Mr. J. J. Astor's Schwarmer, a. 10 st. M. Charles de Gheest's Suhescan, a. 10 st. i lb. A. V. Chapman Major J. Cliff's Great Cross, 6 yrs., 9 St. 13 lbs. Lady Torrington's Circassian's Pride, 9 St. 13 lbs.- .... Mr. Foxhall Keene's Precentor II., 9 St. II lbs. Mr. C. Luttrell's Carder, a. 9 st. 7 lbs. Mr. W. Stratton's Roman Candle, a. 9 St. 7 lbs. Mr. D. Faber's Hercules II., a. 9 st. 8 lbs. Mr. D. Faber's Hesperus Magnus, a. 9 st. 7 lbs. Mr. C. Wildenberg's Carsey, a. 10 st. 6 lbs. M. James Hennessy's Lutteur III., a. 12 St. 3 lbs. fell Mr. H. de Mumm's Trianon III., 6 y. II St. 8 lbs. fell Mr. S. Howard's Jenkinstown, a. Ii st. 7 lbs. Baron de Forest's Lord Rivers, a. 10 St. 9 lbs. Mr. C. Pearson's Fetlar's Pride, 10 St. 7 lbs. Mr. G. D'Arcy Edwardes' Viz, a. 10 St. 5 lbs. Mr. J. J. Astor's Monk V., a. 10 st. i lb. fell 107 E. DriscoU Owner F. Dainty .. A. V. Cha Mr. C. Walwyn Isaac Morgan A. Aylin B. Roberts T. Wilmot Mr. R. Hall W. FitzGerald P. Cowley G. Parfrement R. Sauval fell P. Woodland fell a. fell fell W. Payne J. Walsh, Jr. H. Bletsoe Mr. F. Drake GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Mr. F. S. Francis' Bridge IV,, a. 9 st. 9 lbs. fell Mr. Roberts Mr. G. L. Pirie's Flaxen, a. 9 st. 7 lbs. fell Mr. A. Smith Mr. F. Bibby's Caubeen, a. 1 1 st. 5 lbs. ref . A. Newey Winner trained by Capt. Collis. 7/2 agst. Lutteur III., 8/1 Caubeen, Rathnally, 100/9 Carsey, 100/7 Rory O'Moore, Jenkinstown, 20/1 Glenside, 25/1 Schwarmer, Circassian's Pride, Fetlar's Pride, 28/1 Roman Candle, 33/1 Lord Rivers, Shady Girl, Trianon III., 50/1 Flaxen, Foolhardy, Viz, Suhescan, Carder, Hercules II., 66/1 Mount Prospect's Fortune, Great Cross, Hesperus Magnus, lOO/i Monk v.. Precentor II., Bridge IV. Place betting — 6/4 agst. Lutteur III. Others in proportion. Won by 20 lengths, 3 lengths second and third. Time, 10 min. 35 sees. Only four completed the course. 1912 In 1 91 2 Mr. Bibby had two representatives in the field of four and twenty, Caubeen again, this time with 1 1 St. 5 lb., the same weight as in the previous year, and Glenside with 1 1 st., an addition of 1 1 lb. Rathnally's friends were once more sanguine in the extreme, and he would probably have started at even less than the 4 to i which was freely taken had it not been for the faith which many men displayed in Sir Charles Assheton- Smith's Jerry M., who finally became an equal favourite with Rathnally, notwithstanding his burden of 12 st. 7 lb* This was the weight he carried when second to Jenkins- town two years before, and as already remarked he had been beaten no more than three lengths, giving 30 lb., 108 SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S but his ability to carry the weight could not be doubted. For some reason Sir Charles was not altogether satisfied with his jockey, Piggott. He had been persuaded that this admirable horseman had grown nervous of the Liverpool fences, and he came to me to discuss the subject of" finding another rider for his great horse. I entertained a very high appreciation of Piggott's skill, and did not for a moment believe in the theory that he was likely to be affected by nerves. A few years ago when managing a stable of steeplechase horses I had always taken particular pains to secure Piggott in pre- ference to anybody else whenever it was possible, and Sir Charles left me reluctantly convinced, or half con- vinced, that a change was undesirable. As a matter of fact Piggott rode a perfect race, as I recollect was cordially admitted by two authorities who spoke with peculiar knowledge, Joseph Cannon, who had won on Regal five and thirty years before, and Mr. George Lambton, who had been prominent in Liverpoois though he had never actually won. I do not know whetner the fences were easier in 1912 than In 191 1. Mr. Topham, I believe, states that there was no altera- tion, at any rate in the size and shape, though possibly they may not have been quite so strongly built up. I am not aware how this may be. There were not so many falls, only about ten coming to grief, Rathnally one of the very first to do so, and Glenside ridden by Mr. H. Ussher was also another victim. Caubeen kept 109 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP his legs, but suffered from interference, and failed to finish in the first five, Jerry M. being followed home by Bloodstone, Axle Pin, Carsey and Sir Halbert, the last named having won the National Hunt Steeplechase, beating no fewer than thirty-seven competitors, in 191 1. Jerry M. I regard as one of the greatest of 'chasers, with the unique record of having won the Liverpool after having previously carried off the Grand Steeple- chase de Paris at Auteuil. In the face of Jerry M.'s favouritism odds of 100 to 9 were taken about Caubeen at Liverpool, but Glenside who was on the same mark with him, both having 11 st. 5 lb., was little esteemed, and started at 40 to i. 1912. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE (Handicap) of £3200 ; about 4 miles 856 yds. Sir Charles Assheton Smith's Jerry M., by Walmsgate, a. 12 st. 7 lbs. - Mr. C. Bower Ismay's Bloodstone, a. 1 1 St. 6 lbs. Mr. H. M. Hartigan's Axle Pin, a. 10 St. 4 lbs. Mr. C. H. Wildenberg's Carsey, a. 10 st. 13 lbs. Capt. F. D. Grissell's Sir Halbert, a. 10 St. 6 lbs. Mr. Stanley Howard's Jenkinstown, a. 11 St. 7 lbs. Mr. F. Bibby's Caubeen, a. 11 st. 5 lbs. - Mr. P. Nelke's Mount Prospect's Fortune, a. 1 1 St. 4 lbs. J. Kelly E. Piggott I F. Lyall 2 L Anthony 3 Mr. H. Drake 4 Mr. A. Smith 5 W. Payne _ A. Newey - SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S Mr. K. F. Malcomson's Ballyhackle, a. 1 1 St. 7 lbs. I. Morgan - Mr. Hunter Moore's Kilkeel, a. lo st. 7 lbs. R. Trudgill - Mr. C. M. Barran's Regent, a. 10 st. 8 lbs, - F, Morgan Mr. F. S. Francis' Bridge IV., a. 10 st. 8 lbs. Mr. G. Poole Major H. M. Cliff's Great Cross, a. 10 st. i lb, E. Lawn - Mr. Foxhall Keene's Precentor II., a, 10 st. A. Aylin Mrs. Croft's Gold Seal II., a. 10 st. • - J. Finn - Mr. 0. H. Jones' Rathnally, 7 y. II St. II lbs. .... fell R. Chadwick Mr. P. Whitaker's Rory O'Moore, a. 1 1 St. 7 lbs. fell F, Mason Mr. F. Bibby's Glenside, a. list. - fell Mr. H. Ussher Mr. C, Pearson's Fetlar's Pride, a. 10 St. 7 lbs. .... fell G. Lyall Sir Charles Assheton Smith's Covertcoat, 6 y. 10 St. 5 lbs. - - - - fell J. Walsh, Jr. Mr. E. Brandon's Whitelegs II., a. 10 St. 2 lbs. fell J. Farrell Mr. Wm. Wilson's Sans Peur, a. 10 St. fell J.Kay Mr. W. Macneill's Foolhardy, a. 10 st. 3 lbs. fell Mr. Macneill Capt. H. C. Higgins' Glenfinder, a. 10 st. fell J. Foran Winner trained by Mr. R. Gore. 4/1 agst. Rathnally, Jerry M., 9/1 Rory O'Moore, 100/9 Caubeen, I2i Carsey, 100/7 Jenkinstown, 20/1 Axle Pin, Bally- hackle, 25/1 Bridge IV., 33/1 Covertcoat, 40/1 Glenside, Great Cross, Bloodstone, 66/1 others. Place betting — 5/4 Rathnally, Jerry M. Won by 6 lengths, 4 lengths second and third. Time, 10 min. 13 1 sees. GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP 1913 I well recall Sir Charles's anxiety as to the weight which would be allotted to Jerry M. the season after his victory. Sir Charles was something of a child, if I may so speak of an old friend, but I think all who knew him well would agree ; and he was anxious it should be known that if more than I2st. 10 lb. was allotted to the horse he would not accept. When the eagerly expected handicap was published i2st. 10 lb. was the weight apportioned. Perhaps I may be excused for adding that I had said nothing about this matter in any of the papers for which I was writing, being quite confident that Mr. Topham would not be influenced by newspaper criticism, comment, advice, or I am almost inclined to say threat. The weight mattered little, how- ever, as before the acceptances were due it was found necessary to withdraw the great horse, and he figured among the eleven who went out from an entry of fifty- three. By extraordinarily good luck Sir Charles had a second string, two indeed, Flaxseed, one of the famous Circe family, in with 1 1 st. 9 lb., and Covertcoat with 3 lb. less. Covertcoat was a near relation of Flaxseed, Cackler, and other notable 'chasers, being a son of Hackler and of Cinnamon, own sister to Circe. He was far removed from the class of Jerry M., but never- theless distinctly a usefiil horse. There seemed doubt as to whether he would stay the course, this doubt being H2 SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S founded on the fact that his own brother Covert Hack was never able to do so, though up to the limit of his compass he was an animal of special merit, as he showed in England and Ireland. Speaking from memory Covert Hack won the Conyngham Cup, one of the most coveted of Irish 'cross country events, no fewer than four times. To oppose the pick of the entry in 1913 Mr. Bibby had a bay eight-year-old gelding named Thowl Pin, bought after a creditable career in Ireland. He was the son of Pilot and Hairpin, and half brother to a horse belonging to Lord Derby named Axle Pin. Prior to the purchase of Thowl Pin by Mr. Bibby in 1912 his owner, Major C. Dalton, had won a military steeplechase on him at the Ward Hunt Meeting, and also the Irish Grand National at Punchestown, starting an even money favourite on both occasions. These exploits were in the Spring, and in the Autumn he first carried Mr. Bibby's colours in the Becher Steeplechase at Liverpool, which he won by half a dozen lengths, an excellent start, show- ing as it did that he was capable of dealing with the formidable fences. The good start was not continued, and he has in fact turned out a grievous disappointment. In 1 9 13 he was unplaced to General Fox, Covertcoat and Irish Mail for the Liverpool Trial Steeplechase at Sandown in February, unplaced to Covertcoat at Hurst Park in March, and a week later behind Couvrefeu II. at Newbury. Liverpool followed. This year, it may H 113 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP be remarked, the usual order which had been observed for many seasons was upset. Instead of a start on the flat at Lincoln there were meetings previously at Kempton, Birmingham, Newcastle, Leicester, Catterick and Alexandra Park, also under National Hunt Rules at Manchester, which had always hitherto come after Liver- pool ; this time it was placed prior to the fixture which had for so long divided the week with Lincoln. The stable then presided over by Mr. H. Ussher, whose name occurs on a previous page as a wearer of the green, yellow belt and sleeves, was a power in the land, and by wellnigh universal consent Ballyhackle, a son of Hackler and Ballymacarney — afterwards to be better known as a dam of steeplechasers — was made a warm favourite, his trainer riding. Ballyhackle stood at 5 to I, four others, Covertcoat, Carsey, Highbridge and Wavelet on the same mark at 100 to 9. Thowl Pin was by no means despised. Though he had done little in his three previous races it was not forgotten that he had jumped the course on his first essay, a forcible recommendation ; and moreover he had conveyed the impression that he was a Liverpool horse. Lutteur IIL was not sent, but France was represented by the grey Trianon IIL, not looked on as dangerous. Piggott was no longer retained by Sir Charles, Covert- coat being entrusted to Percy Woodland, who won at his ease by so much that the Judge made no attempt to go into details, and gave it as " a distance," Irish Mail, 114 SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S who was second, being as much in front of Carsey who was third. As for Thowl Pin, ridden by Isaac Morgan, who had been on most of the horses since Captain Collis had taken over their charge, he met with what might be described as the common fate. The Steeplechase Calendar sums up the happenings briefly by saying that " only the three placed completed the course," and Carsey had fallen. It appears therefore that of the two and twenty starters only the odd two finished without mishap, which was almost as bad as the result in Glen- side's year. Ballyhackle, I might add, did not fall but refused, under what circumstances I forget. It is very certain that Mr. Ussher meant business, also he knew the horse better than anyone else, and it may very likely be that the refusal was due to some sort of interference or mishap, which, however, does not concern us. Thowl Pin ran in the Sefton in which Ballyhackle to some extent redeemed his character by winning from Irish Mail, and Thowl Pin at least completed the course, finishing sixth. 1913. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE (Handicap) of £3170 ; about 4 miles 856 yards. Sir C. Assheton Smith's Covertcoat, by Hackler, 7 y. 1 1 st. 6 lbs. - - - P. Woodland I Mr. Tyrwhitt Drake's Irish Mail, 6 y. 1 1 St. 4 lbs. Mr. 0. Anthony 2 Mr. C. H. Wildenburg's Carsey, a. 12 st. fell- Mr. H. Drake 3 Mr. F. Bibby's Thowl Pin, a. 1 1 st. 9 lbs. fell Isaac Morgan Sir G. Bullough's Regent, a. 1 1 st. 7 lbs. fell Mr. J. Anthony - 115 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Mr. Eric Piatt's The Rejected IV., a. II St. 3 lbs. fell Mr. G. Cotton Capt. H. C. Higgins' Merry Land, a. II St. 3 lbs. fell Trudgill - Mr. C. Pearson's Fetlar's Pride, a. 1 1 St. 2 lbs. fell F. Morgan Mr. W. Macneill's Foolhardy, a. 1 1 st. fell Mr. W. Macneill - Mr. C. Bower Ismay's Bloodstone, a. 12 St. 7 lbs. fell F. Lyall M. H. de Mumm's Trianon III, a. 12 St. 3 lbs. fell O'Connor - Mr. J. R. Fell'sHighbridge, a. I2st. fell F.Williams Mr. W. R. Clarke's Melamar, a. ii st. 6 lbs. fell W. Payne Mr. M. M. Henderson's Blowpipe, a. 1 1 St. 4 lbs. fell W. J. Smith Mr. R. Whitehead's Fearless VII., a. ii st. fell Mr. Pigot-Moodie - Mr, A. H. Straker's Wavelet, 6 y. 1 1 st. fell A. Newey Mr. J. Langley's Tokay, a. 1 1 st. - fell Hopper - Mr. W. A. Wallis's The Miner, a. ii st. 6 lbs. p.u. Mr. L. Brabazon - Capt. H. C. Higgins' Dysart, a. 12 St. 4 lbs. ref. Capt. O'B. Butler - Mr. K. F. Malcomson's Ballyhackle, a. II St. II lbs. - . - . ref. Mr. Ussher - Mr. F. S. Watt's Black Plum, a. ii st. 5 lbs. ref. R. Morgan Lord Derby's Axle Pin, a. 1 1 st. 4 lbs. ref. Mr. P. Whitaker Winner trained by Mr. R. Gore. 5/1 Ballyhackle, 100/9 Carsey, Highbridge, Wavelet, Covert- coat, 12J Axle Pin, Melamar, 100/6 Bloodstone, 20/1 Thowl Pin, 25/1 Irish Mail, Blowpipe, 33/1 Fetlar's Pride, Trianon III., 40/1 The Rejected IV., 50/1 Dysart, Tokay, 66/1 Regent, Black 116 SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S Plum, loo/i The Miner, Fearless VII., Merry Land, 200/1 Foolhardy. Place betting — 2^ Ballyhackle, proportionate odds remainder. Distance, same. Time, 10 min. 19 sees. 1914 For the Liverpool of 1914 Mr. Bibby had no better representative than Thowl Pin again. It was impos- sible to be anything like hopefbl of him, though at the same time it was felt that he represented quite a reason- able possibility, the general opinion, however, being demonstrated by the odds, 100 to 3. Covertcoat was top weight with 12 st. 7 lb., having gone up 151b. from the previous year, a detail which may be regarded from another point of view. Though he carried 1 1 st. 6 lb. when he won, owing to the withdrawal of Jerry M. he had originally been set to carry no more than 10 st. 5 lb., so that his advance in 1914 was a very great one. No doubt it was too much, for though he stood up, and so far as I could see there was no particular excuse to be made for him, he finished no nearer than eighth. It was not a strong field, but even admitting this, Covert- coat was not the sort of horse to repeat the achievement of Cloister and Manifesto. The two French horses were not sent in vain, and the fancy for them could not be held entirely without justification ; but the result was a general surprise. It is easy to get out of one's depth when talking about "class" in connection with jumpers. 117 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES. BELT, AND CAP Most men would have derided the idea that Sunloch was anything approaching the class requisite, indis- pensable, indeed, for a Liverpool winner. Now and then he had won, usually at minor meetings, but no surprise would have been created if his name had been found in a selling race. At Liverpool as a matter of course he had bottom weight, 9 st. 7 lb., in spite of which when experienced writers were dealing with the event they put him amongst the rubbish, altogether out of place in the great steeplechase of the season. If the race had been run again I cannot believe that he would have been near success. Taking advantage of his light weight his jockey sent him to the front, and he was allowed to retain undisputed possession of the lead, doubtless for the reason that the riders behind him were convinced that if he did not fall he would inevitably come back to them. He kept on unflaggingly, and when C. Hawkins on Trianon IIL and A. Carter on Lutteur IIL went on in vigorous pursuit they were too late. The first named was giving exactly 2 st., the other 3 St. within a pound ; and Sunloch won by eight lengths, the same distance between second and third. Fourth place was filled by Rory O'Moore, ridden by his owner Mr. Percy Whitaker. Rory O'Moore jumped well and stayed well, gifts the possession of which he had proved by his success in the National Hunt Steeple- chase six years before. He was followed by a Sand- ringham-bred son of Nunthorpe and Azeeza named 118 SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S Bahadur, who had rather a curious history. He had been regarded as worthless, and early disappeared from active service. His existence was forgotten when carry- ing the colours of Lord Marcus Beresford he came out for a ;^ioo flat race at Lewes. At this time Mr. George Thursby was riding with extraordinary success, and in this Rothschild Plate odds of 4 to i were laid on his mount, a three-year-old son of Count Schomberg named Blind Hookey, who afterwards had a long career as a hurdler. Bahadur, contemptuously regarded, on off^er at 50 to I, scored with some ease. Afterwards running in the name of King Edward he was twice placed for the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown. I do not think there is anything special to be said about Thowl Pin. Reverting once more to the Steeplechase Calendar the summary of the race runs " Dutch Pennant, All Gold IL, Blow Pipe, Thowl Pin, Another Delight, Bally- hackle, Jacobus and Ilston fell, Fetlar's Pride refused, Bloodstone and Diplomatist IL ran out. Regent broke down." Ilston had acquired the habit of falling at Liverpool, and seldom if ever failed to observe it. As for Thowl Pin it will be perceived that he had by no means redeemed his promise, never having won any- thing since his first appearance. He tried again in the Sefton, in which, however, he again fell, and though on several occasions he came near to success the following season, he never quite attained it. At Kempton — though this to be strictly accurate was still in 19 14 — 119 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Lutteur III. eave him 12 lb. and beat him fifteen lengths ; but I think luck was against Thowl Pin at Sandown when he gave Cortigan's Pride 8 lb. and ran her to a neck for the Ewell Handicap Steeplechase. He was second again for a steeplechase at Folkestone, giving the winner, Rubenstein, 91b., second the third time running for the Byfleet Handicap Steeplechase at Sandown, and in 191 5 had one more try in the National. 1914. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE (Handicap) £3515 ; about 4 miles 856 yds. Mr. T. Tyler's Sunloch, by Sundorne, 9 St. 7 lbs. W. J. Smith i M. H. de Mumm's Trianon III., a. 11 St. 9 lbs. C. Hawkins 2 M. James Hennessy's Lutteur III., a. 12 St. 6 lbs. A. Carter 3 Mr. P. Whitaker's Rory O'Moore, a. 1 1 St. 8 lbs. Mr. P. Whitaker 4 Mr. G. Lambard's Bahadur, a. 9 st. 12 lbs. - Mr. R. H. Hall 5 Mr. R. Whitehead's Couvrefeu II., a. list. 7 lbs. Mr. J. Anthony 6 Major Cliff's Great Cross, a. 1 1 st. - - Mr. O. Anthony 7 Sir C. Assheton-Smith'sCovertcoat, a. 12 St. P. Woodland 8 Mr. C. Bower Ismay's Bloodstone, a. 1 1 St. 7 lbs. F. Lyall Mr. N. B. Davis's Diplomatist II., a. 9 St. 7 lbs. Mr. N. Davis Mr. K. F. Malcomson's Ballyhackle, a. 12 St. fell Mr. H. Ussher Capt. H. Wyndham's Another Delight, a. II St. 7 lbs. fell G. Brown 120 SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S Mr. F. Bibby's Thowl Pin, a. lOst. lO lbs. fell Isaac Morgan Mr. A. Shepherd's Blowpipe, a. 10 st. 3 lbs. fell H. Bletsoe Sir Geo. Bullough's listen, 6 y. lost. 12 lbs. .... fell I.Anthony Sir Geo. Bullough's Regent, a. 10 st. 12 lbs. b.d. Mr. H. Drake - Mr. C. Bower Ismay's Jacobus, a. ii st. 21 lbs. fell E. Piggott Sir J. D. Tichborne's All Gold II., a. 10 St. 7 lbs. fell Capt. Stokes Capt. Crawshay's Dutch Pennant, a. 10 St. 5 lbs. fell A. Parnham Mr. B. C. Pearson's Fetlar's Pride, a. lost. 21 lbs. .... ref. D. Dale Winner trained by Tyler. 7/i Covertcoat, lO/i Lutteur III, Ilston, 12| Trianon III., 100/7 Ballyhackle, 100/6 Sunloch, Jacobus, Bloodstone, 20/1 Couvrefeu II., Rory O'Moore, 25/1 Blowpipe, 33/ 1 Another Delight, Regent, Thowl Pin, Bahadur, 50/1 others. Won by 8 lengths, same second and third. Time, 9 min. 58 1 sees. At the end of this year the horses were confided to the care of Mr. Bibby's old friend Mr. F. E. With- ington at that home of racing tradition, Danebury. 1915 This year Mr. Bibby had a second runner, The Babe, whom he had acquired before its first appearance on a racecourse, which was in a Novices' Hurdle Race at 121 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Ludlow in 1912, the son of Karma and Cute being then a four-year-old. He encountered Col. Lort-Phillips's Sweet HacknesSj a well bred daughter of Hackler and Sweet Coquette, who started favourite and beat the colt by a couple of lengths. The Babe did not run over fences that season, though he was out two or three times in hurdle races, his first attempt in a steeplechase being at Sandown the following February, when he was apparently not expected to win and created no surprise ; but as a five-year-old he gratified his owner by standing up for the Stanley Steeplechase at the Liverpool Spring Meeting. He was not at all fancied, but nine of the eleven starters fell or refused, Ilston and Jacobus amongst them, and The Babe followed Lord Derby's Axle Pin safely at a distance of four lengths. This was certainly encouraging, for to jump Liverpool was just what he was specially required to do, and in the autumn he again exhibited his capacity in this direction by winning the Valentine Steeplechase, he being the only one of half a dozen starters who did not fall — unless to be meticulously accurate I note that Flaxseed was pulled up. The year 19 15 was and will always be memorable for the fact that the last Liverpool prior to the break, the last for a number of years which at the time of writing cannot be specified, took place in its proper home. At this period racing in general was rather chaotic. It was understood that a number of meetings would be can- 122 SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S celled, Ascot, Goodwood and Doncaster among them, and that there would be certain extra fixtures at New- market to compensate, so far as compensation was possible ; but what would happen the following year with regard to the National, or to an imitation of it, remained in the clouds. Few men were so pessimistic as to believe that racing had for ever finished at Aintree, still there was no denying the uncertainty of the outlook, and it may be that owners were specially eager to win what would be in all probability the last race over the old course at any rate for an indefinite period. In 19 13 as already described Irish Mail, the property of Mr. H. Tyrwhitt Drake, had run second to Covertcoat, and shortly after the race Sir Charles Assheton-Smith evinced a determination to buy the son of King's Messenger which was not to be resisted. He was above all things keen to carry off three consecutive Liverpools and thus to establish a record which he believed could never be broken, especially as a third consecutive success would have been a fourth victory, seeing that Cloister had scored in 1893. He was prepared to pay more than Irish Mail was worth, and was hugely pleased with his bargain in the Spring of the year. It is seldom in my experience that an owner does not think his fancied animal has at least a few pounds too much weight, and the 10 st. 12 lb. allotted to Irish Mail did not altogether satisfy Sir Charles, though I could not see that it was excessive. This latter was the 123 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP general view. Irish Mail was at the top of his form. In January he had won a steeplechase at Manchester, at Hurst Park he had beaten Balscadden, Rory O'Moore and Growler. It had of course been demonstrated that, to revert to the familiar expression, he was a Liverpool horse. No one could have been surprised to find him on the morning of the race a strong favourite at 6 to i, just preferred to Lord Marcus, about whose ability to jump the fences some doubt existed. A grey horse called Silver Top stood at 9 to i, a horse with rather an interesting history. He had been hunted continuously when one of his riders, feeling himself carried along at a great pace, suggested that the horse appeared quite likely to win a little steeplechase, and he was put into training accordingly, thoroughly justifying the opinion which had been formed of him, for he finished second for the National Hunt Steeplechase of 19 14, and did distinctly well in other events, though as was to be here demonstrated a National was beyond his compass. That good horse Balscadden, together with Lord Suffolk's Father Confessor, were backed at 10 to i, followed in the market by Bachelor's Flight and Ally Sloper. Balscadden was one of those horses who could not be put in the wrong place. He won races on the flat, races to which class attached, two Newbury Cups among them, won over hurdles and over fences alike, calling to mind the achievements of Soliman, the son of St. Simon, of Count Schomberg, of I should also add Wavelet's Pride. 124 SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S Such animals are rare and the more to be appreciated when found. Of The Babe I have already spoken, Mr. Bibby's other runner in 191 5 being Thowl Pin once more. At Liverpool it need hardly be said that there is always a chance for a horse who can stay the distance and jump the fences. In order to win, however, as a rule some- thing more than Thowl Pin possessed in the matter of pace is requisite, and probably on the whole he did as well as could reasonably have been expected in finishing fifth, giving a couple of pounds to the winner Lady Nelson's Ally Sloper. It is not very often that we have seen much of a finish for a National. Here, however, Jacobus made a fight for it, and giving the winner 8 lb. was only beaten a couple of lengths, third place being filled by Father Confessor, a son of St. Gris, who had looked dangerous when approaching the last fence, the more so as one expected a son of his sire to produce a turn of speed. A useful colt called Alfred Noble was fourth just in front of Thowl Pin. A Colonial bred animal called Bullawarra figured in this race. What- ever else he did he was certain not to fall, his admirers protested, but perhaps they did not realise what the Aintree fences were, for he was one of an unusually small number who this season came to grief. Ilston did so ; I have previously noted that it was his habit, and the jumps were also too much for Lord Marcus and Balscadden. The Babe completed the course, 125 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT. AND CAP without at any time during the contest raising hope of his success. The Summer and Autumn meetings were abandoned. Doubtless Mr. Bibby would have had runners for the Becher, the Grand Sefton and Valentine 'Chases had they taken place. For the present there is nothing for us but to look forward to the time when we may again see the green and yellow jacket at Liverpool. 1915. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE (Handicap) of £3515 ; about 4 miles 856 yds. Lady Nelson's Ally Sloper, by Travelling Lad, 6 y. 10 st. 6 lbs. - - - Mr. J. R.Anthony i Mr. C. Bower Ismay's Jacobus, a. 1 1 st. blun. A. Newey 2 Lord Suffolk's Father Confessor, 6 y. 9 St. 10 lbs, A. Aylin 3 Mr. T. H. Barnard's Alfred Noble, a. 10 St. 12 lbs. Hulme 4 Mr. F. Bibby's Thowl Pin, a. 10 st. 8 lbs. - W. J. Smith 5 Mr. A. Browne's Silver Top, a. 10 st. - Walkington 6 Mr. C. Bower Ismay's Balscadden, a. list. 8 lbs. fell F. Lyall 7 Mr. A. Shepherd's Blow Pipe, a. lost. 4 lbs. W.Smith 8 Mr. N. J. Kelly's Hackler's Bey, a. 10 St. 2 lbs. Mr. H. Harrison 9 Mr. Eric Piatt's Irish Mail, a. 1 1 st. 12 lbs. - L. Brabazon Sir Geo. Bullough's Distaff, a. 10 st. 10 lbs. E. Piggott Mr. F. Bibby's The Babe, a. 10 st. - - R. Chadwick Mr. K. F. Malcomson's Ballyhackle, a. Ti St. 9 lbs. b.d. S. Avila Mr. J. M. Niall's Bullawarra, a. Il st. 2 lbs. fell C. Hawkins - Sir Geo. Bullough's Ilston, a. 1 1 st. 8 lbs. fell I. Anthony 126 SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S Lord Lonsdale's Lord Marcus, a. lO st. 3 lbs. fell G. Parfrement - Mr. Adam Scott's St. Mathurin IL, a. 9 St. 10 lbs. fell T. Dunn Sir Geo. Bullough's Denis Auburn, a. 9 St. 7 lbs. fell J, Reardon - Mr. F. Barbour's Bachelor's Flight, a. 9 St. 8 lbs. fell H. Harty Mr. G. Lambard's Bahadur, a. g st. y lbs. fell P. Roberts Winner trained by Hastings. 6/1 Irish Mail, 7/1 Lord Marcus, 9/I Silver Top, lo/l Father Confessor, Balscadden, ii/i Bachelor's FHght, I2| Ally Sloper, 14/1 Bullawarra, 25/1 Jacobus, Alfred Noble, Distaff, 33/1 Denis Auburn, Ilston, Thowl Pin, 40/1 Hackler's Bey, 50 others. Places proportionate. Won by 2 lengths, 8 lengths between second and third. Time, 9 min. 47| sees. 1916 Sport under National Hunt Rules was only permitted on a limited number of courses in England in the year 1 91 6, at Gatwick, Hawthorn Hill, Lingfield and Windsor, together with a couple of fixtures at Colwall Park, a minor affair. A strong feeling existed to the effect that if we were not to have a National something as nearly as possible approaching to it ought certainly to be organised, and the business was energetically taken in hand by Mr. F. W. Cathcart, representing the firm of Pratt & Co. He may be described as manager of Gatwick, and at length it was arranged that a "War 127 GREEN: YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT. AND CAP National " as the race was to be called, should be decided on the Surrey course on the 2ist March, much about the usual time, it will be seen. What in the circum- stances must be regarded as an excellent entry was obtained, indeed it may be assumed that the horses nominated were much about the same as those who would have figured at Aintree but for the regrettable lapse. Of the one and twenty who went to the post seven who had competed for the last real Liverpool were included, to run now over a course specially prepared for the event. All the fences were built up to formid- able dimensions, some new ones also being constructed, and the Liverpool distance was observed to a fraction, 4 miles 856 yards, every pains being taken to make the substitute as worthy as possible of the original. Some experienced trainers and jockeys argued, in fact, that severe as Aintree is the new course at Gatwick was certainly not less so, if not absolutely more so ; for the reason that there were fewer turns in Surrey, and except for the expanse of galloping ground at Liverpool from the start to the first fence, longer stretches between jumps. On the whole the field in 19 16 can scarcely be considered much below the average, seeing that two of the seven who reappeared were the winner and second of the previous season, Ally Sloper and Jacobus, the former being made favourite at 9 to 2, with Lord Marcus, in spite of the number of times he had dis- 128 SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S appointed his friends, at 1 1 to 2, Thowl Pin, who was Mr. Bibby's sole representative, sharing third favouritism with Denis Auburn at 8 to i. This it will be seen implies that great hopes were entertained of Thowl Pin, who seemed to be by no means harshly treated with lo st. i2 lb., 41b. more than he had carried twelve months previously. The victor was found, however, in Vermouth, a six-year-old who had started his jumping career in particularly promising fashion, but had hardly sustained his reputation. He had won two of his three races as a four-year-old over hurdles, but as a five-year-old, though he usually showed up, had only been twice successful, one of his wins however having been in the valuable Lancashire Steeplechase, which he secured by eight lengths from the favourite Temple- do wney. Vermouth looked rather a small horse to jump the big fences, but in this respect size is often deceptive. For instance The Lamb, who carried off two Nationals, is said to have been unusually small. Globule and other good little ones could be mentioned. Vermouth won by two lengths from Irish Mail, a horse whom it was always difficult to make out after his second to Covertcoat. I have spoken of him as favourite in 1915, it having been found that it was impossible to get him to the post the previous year. What happened to him in his last attempt at Aintree I have never been able to make out. One moment he was moving freely, I 129 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP clearing the fences in great style, the next moment he was beaten, dropping out so suddenly that I fancied he must have hit his leg or broken down. The handi- cappers had always remained under the impression that there were great possibilities about him, and at Gatwick he had the substantial weight of 1 2 st. 5 lb., which meant giving Vermouth 9 lb. He had, however, won his last race. Thowl Pin, who had been under the charge of Mr. F. E. Withington at Danebury, a place needless to remark famous in Turf history, never greatly raised the hopes of his friends. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the War National of 191 6 is that despite the size of the jumps and the length of the course, which would have excused horses for becoming tired and so perhaps careless, only a single one of the one and twenty fell. This was Stag's Head and he stood up until two or three fences from home. 1916. GATWICK. THE GRAND NATIONAL SUBSTITUTE, Race Course Association Steeplechase (Handicap) of £1150; about 4 miles 856 yds. Mr. P. F. Heybourn's Vermouth, by Barca- daile, 6 y. list. 10 lbs. - - - J. Reardon I Mr. Eric Piatt's Irish Mail, a. 12 st. 5 lbs. - C. Hawkins 2 Mr. H. C. Davey's Schoolmoney, a. 10 st. 2 lbs. A. Saxby 3 Mr. W. W. Vivian's Jacobus, a. 12 st. - A. Newey 4 Sir Geo. Bullough's Denis Auburn, a. 10 St. 7 lbs. E. Driscoll 5 Lady Nelson's Ally Sloper, a. 1 1 st. 1 3 lbs. - Mr. J. Anthony 6 130 SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S Mr. J. Ivall's Minster Vale, 6 y. list. - G. Calder 7 Sir W. Nelson's Couvrefeu II., a. 12 st. 7 lbs. F. Dainty 8 Mr. H. F. Malcomson's Ballyneety, a. 9 St. 7 lbs. W. J. Smith 9 Mr. F. Bibby's Thowl Pin, a. 10 st. 12 lbs. C. Kelly 10 Lord Lonsdale's Lord Marcus, a. 1 1 st. 13 lbs. G. Parfrement 1 1 Sir T. Dewar's Hackler's Bey, a. 11 st. - Mr. H. Harrison 12 Mr. F. S. Will's Eugenist, a. 1 1 st. 10 lbs. - H. Smyth Mr. F. C. Parker's Lamentable, a. 1 1 st. i lb. S. B. Walkington - Mr. F. W. Parnell's Strangways, a. 10 st. 4 lbs. T. Dunn Mr. T. A. Edge's Lynchpin, a. 10 st. - J. Dillon Sir W. W. Williams' Drumlane, a. 9 st. 10 lbs. Jno. Kelly Mr. David Faber's Hesperus Magnus, a. 9 St. 10 lbs. J. East - Sir Robert Wilmot's Fleur-de-Lys, a. 9 St. 7 lbs. W. Hives Mr. J. R. Heaton's Bligh, a. 9 st. 7 lbs. - B. Roberts Mr. G. P. Sanday's Stag's Head, a. 9 St. 7 lbs. fell W. Smith Winner trained by J. M. Bell. 4J/1 Ally Sloper, 5J Lord Marcus, 8/1 Thowl Pin, Denis Auburn, 12J/1 Vermouth, Hackler's Bey, 16/1 Jacobus, Eugenist, 20/1 Irish Mail, Stag's Head, 25/1 Lamentable, 33/1 School- money, 40/1 Couvrefeu II., Minster Vale, 50/1 Ballyneety, 66/1 any other. Won by 2 lengths, 6 lengths second and third. Only those placed completed the course. Time, 10 min. 22 sees. 1917 Gatwick was again the scene in 191 7, when a field of nineteen turned out, and it may be remarked that seven of these had been out for the last Liverpool race. The 131 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP favourite was a six-year-old named Carrig Park, who had taken kindly to the business though he had only competed in unimportant events, and must have been greatly overestimated. A big chestnut gelding named Chang who followed him in the market was lacking in class and weighted accordingly, having only a couple of pounds above the minimum. Vermouth appeared to be particularly well treated, having only as it were a 71b. penalty for winning in 19 16, but it was too much for him. As for Thowl Pin it was so long since he had done anything that his friends were inclined to despair, and he figured among the " 40 to i others." The race went to a good sportsman in Sir George Bullough by the aid of Ballymacad, a son of Laveno, who had made some name for himself on the flat, and of Ballymacarney, already mentioned as the dam of several well known 'chasers including Ballyhackle. Ballymacad had never been reckoned a good horse, prior to this Gatwick race I cannot make out that he had won since the March of 1 91 2, a truly disheartening spell of failure ; but he had been a distinctly useful five-year-old, and at the age of eleven seemed to be tardily recovering a little of his old form. 1917. GATWICK. •• WAR NATIONAL " CHASE (Handicap) of £1065 ; 4 miles 856 yds. Sir Geo. Bullough's Ballymacad, a. by Laveno, 9 st. 12 lbs. - - - - E. Driscoll i 132 SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S Mr. F. S. Watts' Chang, a. 9 st. 9 lbs. - Lady Nelson's Ally Sloper, a. ii st. lO lbs. Mr. P. F. Heybourn's Vermouth, a. 12 st. 3 lbs. - - - - - Mr. A. Shepherd's Blow Pipe, a, 10 st. Mr. H. Denison's Queen Imaal, a. 1 1 st. 3 lbs. Lord Suffolk's Father Confessor, a. il st. 7 lbs. Lord Lonsdale's Yellow Chat, 6 y. ii st. Mr. H. Trimmer's Charlbury, a. lO st. 6 lbs. Major D. Dixon's Templedowney, a. 12 St. 7 lbs. fell Mr. Eric Piatt's Irish Mail, a. 12 st. 4 lbs. - Mr. E. W. Paterson's Limerock, a. II St. 5 lbs. fell Mr. H, Bottomley's Kenia, a. 10 st. 10 lbs. fell Mr. Douglas Stuart's Carrig Park, a. 1 1 St. 6 lbs. fell Sir T. Dewar's Hackler's Bey, a. 10 st. 1 1 lbs. Mr. F. Bibby's Thowl Pin, a. 10 st. 9 lbs. - Sir Geo. Bullough's Denis Auburn, a. 10 St. 4 lbs. fell Mr. E. S. Wills' Grithorpe, a. 9 st. 7 lbs. - Mr. G. P. Sanday's Fargue, a. 9 st. 10 lbs. fell W. Smith 2 1. Anthony 3 J. Reardon 4 E. Lancaster 5 A. Newey 6 A. Aylin 7 G. Parfrement 8 J. Dillon T. Hulme - E. Piggott W. J. Smith A. Saxby - Hawkins - Capt. D. Rogers C. Kelly E. Burford R. Smyth Mr. H. A. Brown - Winner trained by Hastings. 3J/1 Carrig Park, 5 J Chang, 100/12 Vermouth, Yellow Chat, 100/9 Ballymacad, 14/1 Limerock, 20/1 Ally Sloper, 25/1 Temple- downey, Fargue, Queen Imaal, Irish Mail, 33/1 Kenia, 40/1 others. Won by 8 lengths, 4 lengths second and third. Only those placed completed the course. Time, 10 min. 12 1 sees. 133 GREEN: YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP 1918 Perhaps it would be too much to say that Mr. Bibby was unfortunate in not winning the War National of 191 8. At the same time with a little luck in his favour instead of against him it may safely be asserted that his chance was a really good one. The animal concerned was Wavertree, a son of Wavelet's Pride and Kendal Lily, seven years old when the race was run. His first appearance in public was in the Suffolk Maiden Steeple- chase at Windsor in 191 7, the race being named after the late Lord Suffolk, an energetic patron of the sport and a Member of the National Hunt Committee which he had been instrumental in founding. Mr. Fred Withington had converted Wavertree into an excellent fencer. Probably he was not quite ready for this January race, but a couple of months later on the same course he easily won the three mile Brocas 'Chase, these two being his only appearances as a six-year-old. Next season, that is to say in 191 8, he was sent to Gatwick to run for the Stewards' Handicap Steeple- chase, the favourite for which was Sir George BuUough's Ballymacad, who as just recorded had won the War National the previous year. Wavertree carried only I lb. less, the weights being 1 1 st. 3 lb. and 1 1 st. 2 lb. respectively, and a closer finish is not imaginable. Sir George Bullough, a most strenuous war-worker, has not been on the race course since hostilities began. Lady 134 SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S Bullough was present, and I chanced to be next to her on the Stewards' Stand as we watched the finish. Our conviction was that Wavertree had won by something like a neck, if not half" a length, and though naturally disappointed, with characteristic kindness Lady Bullough remarked that she " did not much mind being beaten by Mr. Bibby." When Sir George became Master of the Ledbury Hounds, it may be observed, he bought the pack with which Mr. Bibby had for so long a time hunted the North Shropshire. Instead of the number of Wavertree which we so confidently looked for in the frame Ballymacad's number was hoisted, the verdict in his favour being a short head. A few days afterwards Wavertree won the Stanley Handicap Steeplechase at Sandown Park, another horse of Sir George Bullough's, Simon the Lepper, being this time second, and just one week later Wavertree ran for the Staines Handicap Steeplechase at Windsor, Here Mr. H. A. Brown was on his back, and three fences from home the horse came down, having looked very much like winning. As it happened I was in correspondence at the time with Mr. Brown, who in writing to me strongly advised me to back Wavertree for the approaching National. The mishap was entirely his fault, the rider stated, and declared that he had been fairly holding Captain Dreyfus all the way, which meant much ; for this horse had been doing particularly well and was an exceptionally useful animal as a test of 135 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP capacity, for the reason that he always lay in front, dis- regarding the weight he might have to carry. Waver- tree seemed distinctly well in the War National, as Ballymacad had to give him 5 lb. and there was practi- cally nothing between them. If Mr. H. A. Brown's estimate were correct Wavertree also should have beaten Captain Dreyfus, for at Windsor there was 1 8 lb. between them, at Gatwick Wavertree had an advantage of 231b. The matter was never really put to the test, as early in the race Wavertree was knocked over, his jockey, Driscoll, losing his teeth as well as his seat. Any idea of remounting and setting off in pursuit was out of the question, and so ends the history of the National up to the time of writing. 1918. GATWICK. " WAR NATIONAL " STEEPLECHASE (Handicap) of £985 ; 4 miles 856 yds. Mrs. H. Peel's Poethlyn, by Rydal Head, a. 1 1 St. 6 lbs. ----- E. Piggott i Mr. F. R. Hunt's Captain Dreyfus, a. 12 St. 7 lbs. J. Reardon 2 Sir Geo. Bullough's Ballymacad, a. 11 st. 3 lbs. Mr. L Anthony 3 Mr. Barclay Walker's Berneray, a. 10 st. 4 lbs. S. Avila 4 Mr. E. S. Wills' Mark Back, a. 10 st. 5 lbs. H. Smyth 5 Mr. F. S. Watt's Chang, a. 10 st. 2 lbs. - Mr. O. Casebourne 6 Mr. P. F. Heybourn's Vermouth, a. 11 st. 13 lbs. Mr. J. Anthony 7 Sir Geo. Bullough's Simon the Lepper, a. 10 St. R. Burford 8 136 SOME MORE NATIONALS, INCLUDING GLENSIDE'S 9 10 II 12 Mr. T. M. M'Alpine's Shaun Spadah, a. lost. II lbs. A. Stubbs Mr. H. Trimmer's Charlbury, a. g st. lO lbs. J. Dillon Mr. H. Denison's Queen Imaal, a. lOst. 7 lbs. A. Newey Col. H. P. Burnyeat's Clear Money, 5 y. II St. 2 lbs. fell Lieut. Pepper Lady Nelson's Ally Sloper, a. 1 1 st. 9 lbs. - J. Walsh - Mr. F. W. Parnell's Top Hole, a. 11 st. 2 lbs. .-.-.- p.u. C. Hawkins - Capt. F, B. F. Bibby's Wavertree, a. 10 St. 12 lbs. . - - - fell E. Driscoll Mr. Douglas Stuart's Sergeant Murphy, a. 10 St. 7 lbs. S. Walkington Mr. H. Bottomley's Awbeg, a. 10 st. p.u. L. Jones - Winner trained by Escott. 5/1 agst. Poethlyn, Wavertree, Ally Sloper, 7/1 Ballymacad, lO/i Shaun Spadah, I2| Vermouth, Chang, 14/1 Berneray, 20/1 Captain Dreyfus, 33/1 Charlbury, 40/1 Mark Back, Ser- geant Murphy, 50/1 Top Hole, Simon the Lepper, Queen Imaal, lOO/i Awbeg, Clear Money. Won by 4 lengths, bad third. Time, 9 min. 50? sees. 137 CHAPTER IV THE NATIONAL HUNT, LANCASHIRE, AND GRAND SEFTON STEEPLECHASES So far we have only dealt with horses who have run at Liverpool. Notably as the National stands out, how- ever, for reasons which have been stated, there are other special events success in which means reputation as well as profit. The three chief ones are those at the head of the chapter. Perhaps there is no more sporting contest than the National Hunt Steeplechase, which was instituted in i860 and became an object of ambition with the best class of steeplechase owner. Afterwards for a time it flagged, indeed at Liverpool one year a field of only three, hardly deserving the name of field, turned out, truly a contrast to the revival, for at Cheltenham in 191 1 no fewer than thirty-eight went to the post. It may be well to give the conditions of the first National Hunt Steeplechase, which at that time had the prefix of "Grand," presently to be dropped. " The Grand National Hunt Steeplechase of 5 sovs. each, with 300 sovs. added ; the second to receive 138 THE NATIONAL HUNT 50 sovs. out of the stakes ; for bona-fide hunters that at the time of starting have never won any steeplechase, hurdle race or flat race value 20 sovs., not including the winner's own stake, and that have never started in a handicap steeplechase or hurdle race up to the time of starting; four-years-old lost. 10 lb. ; five, 12 st. lib. ; six and aged 12 st. 10 lb. ; to be ridden by Gentlemen, Farmers or Farmers' Sons who have never ridden for hire ; four horses the property of different owners to start or only half the added money will be given ; if only three start the second money will be withheld, and in the case of a walk over, only one fourth of the added money will be given ; entrance 3 sovs. the only liability for non-starters. About four miles." The principle of the race remains, though some alterations have been made in the conditions. The distance has always been four miles, but the value has been increased to £1000, which means ;^8i5 to the winner, and the weights have been revised. A five- year-old is seldom found in the entry. Horses of that age now carry 11 st. 8 lb., six and aged i2st. 31b. As only maidens are eligible there can be no question of penalties or allowances. With the detailed early history of the race we are not now concerned. In the " Steeplechase " volume of the Badminton Library, which I wrote more than thirty years ago, I described the anxiety of Baron Rothschild to win with a good jumper he then owned called Led- 139 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP burn, and it may be assumed that the anxiety of the jockey, then known as " Mr. Roily," and later as Lord Hardinge of Penshurst, for some years Viceroy of India, was not less. " Mr. Roily " went down continually to Mentmore to ride the horse in his work, but unfor- tunately for the friends of Ledburn an opponent was Schiedam, ridden by Mr. Richardson, who carried off two Nationals on Disturbance and Reugny. Schiedam's jockey has told me that this was the best horse he ever rode, in spite of Disturbance's exceptional capacity. Once when finishing a four mile steeplechase Schiedam was so fresh that he playfully shied at a piece of paper which had blown on to the course. One reason why such a high opinion was entertained of the National Hunt Steeplechase was doubtless because apart from the National it was almost — for several years it has been absolutely — the only race run over fences of four miles. When things become normal again, and 'chasing revives, as there is every reason to think it must simply because so many people desire this revival, the desirability of having more long races may be expected to come up for discussion. There has been a tendency of late years to shorten courses. Thus the Ladies' Plate at Sandown, which used to be run over three miles on the flat, an excellent test of staying, was some time since shortened to two miles and a half. One of the National Hunt rules provides that " There shall be in each day's programme at least two steeplechases, 140 THE NATIONAL HUNT one of which must be of three miles or upwards." That is not unsatisfactory so far as it goes, but steeplechases of more than three miles are extremely rare, I think others are needed and three and a half miles as just remarked is with two exceptions at present the limit, so far as my memory serves. There may be longer ones at some minor sporting fixtures. In Mr. Bibby's first year, 1899, he had a runner in the National Hunt Steeplechase, a mare called Fille d' Amour, Mr. A. W. Wood, son I believe of a Lincoln- shire parson, in the saddle. She was only a four-year- old. It will be noticed in the original conditions that animals of this age used to be eligible, though they are so no longer, and it may be observed that it is one of the most remarkable things about French racing that an extraordinary number of four-year-olds have won the four mile Grand Steeplechase de Paris and run up for it. I have no doubt that later in life Fille d'Amour did duty in Mr. Bibby's hunting stable : she never won a race. It should have been noted that the National Hunt Steeplechase was a movable feast. The rule used to be for Clerks of Courses to send in their tenders to be considered at a general meeting of the Committee, the applications stating what sum, if any, the directors of the course were prepared to add. I believe ;^25o was the lowest amount ever offered in the early days when this practice was in vogue. In 1899 the bid of Hurst Park was accepted, and the 141 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP race went to a good five-year-old named Glen Royal, ridden by Mr. Fergusson. Glen Royal started favourite in a field of twenty-two. Kempton Park was the scene in 1900, when only ten ran. Mr Bibby was not represented. Again a five- year-old was successful, Eoos by name, winning by a neck from a four-year-old named Spiddal, belonging to Mr. Reginald Mainwaring who for so many years officiated as handicapper. There was an almost even money favourite this year in Easter Ogue, a six-year-old son of Ascetic, sire of so many successful steeplechasers — and reputed sire of a great many others, or so it is generally suspected. The story at least used to be that if an owner in Ireland had a horse to sell he would represent the animal to be the offspring of this son of Hermit. I do not think that anyone except Reggie Mainwaring had any idea that Spiddal would run so well. My old friend, however, was one of those for- tunate persons who gratify themselves with the notion that everything they possess is superior to the posses- sions of anybody else. This was not only the case with his horses. I remember strolling about his Newmarket garden one day when he explained to me that no one else had ever been able to grow such glorious sweet peas, and that the blackbird who was hopping about beneath them was the sort of bird no one would ever see else- where. When Spiddal came so near to success his owner's crowing seemed not without justification. 142 THE NATIONAL HUNT In 1 901 the National Hunt Meeting took place at Melton, and Mr. Bibby was not disposed to be without a runner over that sporting course. On this occasion seventeen went to the post, the colours about which I am writing being carried by Colleger, a four-year-old son of Narellan or The Penman, ridden by " Mr. Deer," a name which disguised the identity of Mr. Harrison. Considering that, as aforesaid, the runners were all maidens, it is somewhat remarkable that out of the seventeen the first and second favourites, Friar John and Castleknock, both five-year-olds, should have finished first and second. It may be noted that eleven of the seventeen were of this age. About Friar John Colonel Lort-Phillips has very kindly sent me an interesting story, which I am the more inclined to give as it deals with two other famous animals, Kirkland and Mr. Quilp. I may quote from Mr. Phillips's letter. He writes as follows — "I only wanted one horse, as Frank Bibby and I had not launched out at that time. Barclay Walker, with whom I was staying in Ireland, asked me if I would buy him a couple of 'chasers and keep them for him, which I consented to do if I could satisfy myself that they were worth buying. I proceeded to Charle- ville, which place I generally made a centre from which to go and see various horses, and I generally took about a week looking over from twenty to forty young ones who seemed to show promise. The first horse I saw was Kirkland, and oddly enough I had a letter in my 143 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP pocket from Reid Walker saying that he had bought a nice young four-year-old of this name. As soon as 1 saw the horse I liked him, but I presently perceived that he was lame and guessed that he had been spun by Reid Walker's vet. after he had written to me. This turned out to be the case, and had the effect of bringing the price down from the ^800 which Reid Walker was to have given to the ;^45o which I gave. Of course I did not take Kirkland until I discovered what was wrong with him. My vet. could find nothing except a slight thrush, and as I had a great many other horses to see the vet. advised the application of a hardening lotion to the frog, which would temporarily make the animal sound supposing it were thrush from which he was suff^ering. On my return a week later he was quite sound, and so I bought him. In the meantime I had seen a little horse win a race at Newcastle, and this one struck me as I think no other animal I had seen in Ireland had ever done. He was as fat as a bullock, and blew terribly after winning his little race. I felt I could not leave him, but I did not close the bargain for some days, as I thought the price, .;^45o, excessive for so small a horse. I afterwards refused two offers of ;6'3000 for him, as Barclay Walker would not sell. I therefore had obtained him and Kirkland, but I had not been able to find a third that I thought it desirable to purchase. The above mentioned little horse was Mr. Quilp. 144 THE NATIONAL HUNT I then went to stay near Dublin and spent some days looking round about that district, which I knew well, hoping to come across a second horse that would do for Barclay Walker. I found only one that I cared about, and as the owner and breeder said he would not take less than ;^900 I hesitated, writing to Barclay Walker to say I thought the price too high for an untried horse. He, however, said 'buy,' so I did. This was Friar John. My purchases therefore that summer were Friar John, Kirkland and Mr. Quilp. Mr. Quilp I may add ought certainly to have won the Great Metropolitan at Epsom, but the jockey entirely misunderstood the instructions I gave him." I mention ail this because we are discussing the National Hunt Steeplechase which Friar John won in the hands of Mr. Sydney, the second, Castleknock, being ridden by Mr. H. S. Persse, the Stockbridge trainer who was so often prominent in this 'chase. Mr. Persse won it in 1 902 on Marpessa, a very useful son of Marmaton who afterwards passed intO' the pos- session of Major Eustace Loder, and secured for him the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown amongst other races. Mr. Bibby ran a grey five-year-old named Frosty. The meeting was held at Warwick, Mr. Sidney rode, twenty-three starters, and I may perhaps add that " Mr. Deer," who so often wore the colours, had this year kindly undertaken to ride one of the horses I had bought and was managing for my nephew •^ 145 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP — Brown Ewe, a son of Brown Prince and Lambthorpe, half sister to Lambay a very useful horse belonging to the then Captain Murray-Thriepland. She was not as good as she looked, and Frosty though backed at lo to I, a short price in the circumstances, was never prominent. But next year Mr. Bibby's luck was in the ascendant. I have already dealt with Comfit in connection with the Liverpool, but omitted description of this previous exploit. Mr. Bibby had only given ;^I25 for the son of Butterscotch, who made his first appearance on any course in this National Hunt Steeplechase, held again at Warwick, and starting at an outside price, unmen- tioned by name in the betting, indeed, beat seventeen opponents without difl^culty in the hands of Captain R. H. Collis. He by no means surprised his owner and trainer, who fully realised what a good animal he was. There was a strong favourite this year in Con- naught, a five-year-old son of that good steeplechaser Royal Meath. As little as 1 1 to 4 was taken about him, and after falling and being remounted he finished fourth. Frosty was another of the numerous fallers and not long afterwards came to a tragic end. He was sent to Liverpool to run for the Valentine Steeplechase, and fell at the first fence. Mason speedily remounted. There were only two others in the field. Flying Swallow and Patlander, and Frosty was not long in getting on terms with them. It looked, indeed, as if he had won 146 ^J ,» '^^y THE NATIONAL HUNT his race, when on reaching the fence at which he had fallen he again came down heavily and broke his neck. The top of a culvert, just where the horse took off to jump, was broken. 1903. THE NATIONAL HUNT STEEPLECHASE of £825, for the first, £100 for the sec, £50 for the third, and £25 for the fourth ; for maidens ; 4 yrs. old 10 st. 10 lbs., five 12 St. I lb., six and aged 12 st. 10 lbs. ; entrance £10 or ;^5 if dec. ; four miles and about 150 yds., starting and finishing on the Race-course (45 subs. 18 of whom declared ft.-£8i5). Mr. F. Bibby's Comfit, by Butterscotch, 5 y. 12 St. I lb. Mr. B. Sheriff's Alston's Pride, 5 y. 12 St. I lb. Mr. A. D. H. Law's Miss Clifden II , 12 St. 10 lbs. - . - - . Ld. Cadogan's Connaught, 5 y. 12 st. i lb Mr. G. Wright's Smiling Morn, 5 y 12 St. I lb. Mr. Walter Winans' Blackthorn II., 6 y 12 St. 10 lbs. - . . . , Mr. H. R. Rape's Randle, a. 12 st. 10 lbs. Mr. F. Bibby's Frosty, 6 y. 12 st. 10 lbs. • Mr. Atherton Brown's Mellin, a. 12 st. 10 lbs. Mr. Rasbotham Mr. J. Cannon's Chief Warder, a. 12 st. 10 lbs. Mr. E. Cookson's Erin's Aid, 6 y. 12 st. 10 lbs. Capt. St. G. Daly's Wamba, 6 y. 12 st. 10 lbs. Mr. C. A. Hartley's Shillyshally, a. 12 st. 10 lbs. - a. Capt. R. H. Collis i Mr. W. Bissill 2 Mr. H. M. Ripley 3 Mr. H. Persse 4 Mr. J. Adams, Jr. 5 Mr. Buckland Owner Mr. Deer Mr. A. Gordon Mr. Coker Mr. A. Hastings Mr. J. Tomlinson 147 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT. AND CAP Mr. F. S. Leuw's Mac, a. 12 st. 10 lbs. - Owner Mr. R. K. Mainwaring's Maresco, 6 y. 12 St. 10 lbs. Mr. A. W. Wood - Duke of Westminster's Etona, a. 12 st. 10 lbs. Mr. C. Garnett Mr. Louis W. Winans' Cork II., a. 12 st. 10 lbs. Mr. M. Nichols Mr. A. Gorham's Blisworth, 5 y. 12 st. i lb. Mr. B. Bletsoe Winner trained by Thomas. 1 1/4 agst. Connaught, 5/1 Miss Clifden II., 7/1 Maresco, 8/1 Alston's Pride, lo/i Wamba, 100/8 Frosty, Chief Warder, Randle. Won by 8 lengths, six lengths second and third ; only those placed completed the course. Time, 1 1 min. Colonel Phillips has also kindly sent me a detailed account of Comfit's National Hunt Steeplechase, which must not be omitted. " I always believed, and believe still, that Frosty had in him the makings of a great 'chaser. He was a beautiful grey horse of good size and quality. I bought him at one of the Tattersall Sales at Newmarket, as a two or a three-year-old, I forget which, for 60 guineas, and he did so well at home that we kept him for the National Hunt 'Chase of 1903, asking 'Mr. Deer' (David Harrison of Tenby) to ride him. We had Comfit also in the race, and had asked Captain CoUis to ride this one. I thought Comfit would run well, but pinned my faith to Frosty, and should have preferred to put Collis on him if I had thought that Harrison THE NATIONAL HUNT could have held Comfit. The orders were for Frosty to go to the front and for Comfit to wait on him. No sooner had the flag fallen than Comfit jumped off with a lead, while Frosty was about the last to get away. The third fence was a particularly nasty one, a very badly made open ditch with a deep take-off. I expected grief at this point. Comfit, who would have jumped at a house, led over it, five or six horses following him cleared it all right, but then two or three refused and broke the rail. The ditch was full of them, and among the lot was Frosty, who had no right to be where he was. Comfit won, but I still believe we had a better horse in Frosty. After he had run conspicuously at Hooton for the Cheshire Autumn 'Chase we sent him to Liverpool to run for the Valentine. There had been a great deal of rain and part of the course was flooded. Mason was to ride him, and for some reason — probably he was late, which, however, was very unlike him — he did not walk the course as the other jockeys had done. Starting below the stand and approaching the second fence Frosty on the left took a very heavy fall, but Mason, undaunted, remounted him, set off" in pursuit, and actually caught the others before they had got to the Canal Turn. Then he waited on them, and to my horror approached the same fence at which he had fallen at exactly the same place again. The horse turned a complete somersault and broke his neck. On examin- 149 GREEN: YELLOW SLEEVES. BELT, AND CAP ing the spot it was quite evident that the flood had extended to that corner of the fence, and each time Frosty had taken ofl^ out of a regular bog. I think the loss of this horse was the greatest blow I ever had 'chasing, not forgetting Comfit's fall in the National when leading, when he broke his shoulder. Odd we should lose both those horses at Liverpool, which I have always considered my luckiest course ! " At the beginning of the century much was thought of a big black gelding named Timothy Titus. Season after season he was backed for the National, the fancy for him being largely due to the circumstance that he won the National Hunt Steeplechase at Cheltenham in 1904. He was sufficiently well bred, being a son of the Gold Cup winner Timothy, and was much fancied, starting at 5 to i, on a level with a mare named Miss Clifden II., who was considered, and with reason, just the sort of animal for this particular event. It has been a peculiarity of the National Hunt that when a par- ticularly hot favourite has been produced it has almost invariably been beaten, and this was the case here, the short odds of 7 to 2 being taken about Loch Lomond, another animal of unimpeachable breeding, he having been by Blairfinde. Mr. Bibby sent two this year, Billy Balsam and Pinchbeck, both five-year-olds, ridden by Mr. A. W. Wood and " Mr. Deer " respectively. Billy Balsam was taken to be the better of the pair, neither, however, being good enough to show up prominently. 150 THE NATIONAL HUNT Billy Balsam was a son of Avington, winner of the Kempton Park Jubilee of 1894. In 1905 Cheltenham was again chosen, and Miss Clifden II. showed that there had been good reason for selecting her the previous year. Mr. Bibby ran nothing, nor had he a representative at Warwick in 1906, when Count Rufus beat a field of twenty-eight. It looked indeed as if Warwick had become what may be called the headquarters of the National Hunt, for the race was run there again in 1907 and also for the three following celebrations, in 1907 Mr. Farrant being rewarded for perseverance by the victory of Red Hall. This was just the sort of success that had been contemplated when the National Hunt Steeplechase was first started, the triumph of a good hunter, ridden and trained by his owner, the only thing to be said against this idea being that if the owner in question is a welter weight he is debarred from the privilege of steering his own animal. This year Mr. Bibby ran Wickham, Captain CoUis up. Red Hall though a genuine hunter was certainly sufficiently well bred, a son of Winkfield, who was by Barcaldine, this last named one of the very few animals in racing history who was never beaten, indeed there are some critics who maintain that a better than Barcaldine has never been known. Robert Peck to whom he belonged certainly had the highest opinion of the horse, though oddly enough he was earnestly cautioned against 151 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP buying him by Fred Archer, who had ridden Barcaldine a gallop and declared that "he could not stride over a straw." Peck saw what was lacking in the horse's con- dition, and built him up, so that as a five-year-old he proved the wisdom of his owner, winning the Northumberland Plate, ridden by Archer who had found reason to alter his opinion, with the heavy burden of 9 St. lolb., the last of the four races he contested in 1883, he having previously beaten Tristan, a Goodwood Cup winner, and others at Kempton. I have a long letter from Robert Peck giving a full history of Barcal- dine, but it would scarcely perhaps be pertinent to quote it here. Wickham was also notably well bred, his sire Childwick having been a son of St. Simon and Plaisanterie, winner of the Cesarewitch and Cambridge- shire of 1885. Sir J. Blundell Maple paid 6000 guineas for Childwick as a yearling, the highest price that had ever been given at that period. Wickham was sixth for the National Hunt, only eight of the twenty-seven starters having completed the course, and the following season he flattered his friends until the last fence had been jumped. The favourite in 1908 was Captain J. F. Laycock's Rory O'Moore, a son of Royal Meath. Rory O'Moore did excellent service for his owner for several years, and so much was thought of him at Warwick that as little as 4 to I was taken about him, in face of a demand for another of Mr. Bibby's in addition to Wickham, a 152 THE NATIONAL HUNT six-year-old son of St. Gris, called Breemount. Bree- mount started at 5 to i, being practically as good a favourite as Rory O'Moore, Mr. Cuthbertson in the saddle. He had been out twice previously, second for a Maiden Steeplechase at Newbury, and second again on the same course a month later. The idea was that he would prove better than his stable companion, which turned out to be a mistake, Captain Collis on Wickham having been the only danger to Rory O'Moore. 1908. NATIONAL HUNT STEEPLECHASE of £815 150 yards. 4 miles Mr. P. Whitaker Capt. R. H. Collis Mr. J. T, Rogers Mr. J. R. Anthony Capt. J. F. Laycock's Rory O'Moore, by Royal Meath, 6 y. 12 st. 3 lbs. Mr. F. Bibby's Wickham, a. 12 st. 3 lbs. Mr. Romer-Williams' Captain Morgan, a. 12 St. 3 lbs. Mr. J. W. PhiHpps' Davy Jones, 5 y. 11 St. 8 lbs. Mr. E. Holland's Potheen H., a. 12 st. 3 lbs. Mr. E. Holland Mr. J. L. Cross' Kennet, a. 12 st. 3 lbs. - Mr. H. S. Harrison Mr. A. Scott's Redeswire, a. 12 st. 3 lbs. - Mr. T. R. Scott Mr. G. Reynolds' Siberia H., a. 12 st. 3 lbs. Mr. G. Reynolds Lord Aberdour's Bunting, a. 12 st. 3 lbs. Mr. T. E. Brooks Mr. F. Barbour's Royal Heart, a. 12 st. 3 lbs. Mr. F. Bibby's Breemount, 6 y. 12 st. 3 lbs. Capt. W. C. Elwes' Sir Patrick H., a. 12 St. 3 lbs. Capt. P. A. Kenna's Twister H., a. 12 St. 3 lbs. 153 Mr. F. Barbour Mr. N. Cuthbertson Mr. H. M. Ripley Capt. Pilcher GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Mr. J. Nelson's Royal Monk II., a. 12 St. 3 lbs. Mr. J. H. Nelson Mr. M. Nickalls' Bald Eagle, a. 12 st. 3 lbs. Mr. M. Nickalls Mr. W. Paul's Finella, a. 12 st. 3 lbs. - Mr. W. Paul Mr. E. M. Robinson's Willowtit, a. 12 St. 3 lbs. Mr. P. A. Poole Mr. F. C. Stern's Mainsail II., a. 12 st. 3 lbs. Mr. Flint Mr. W. Walker's Royston II., a. 12 st. 3 lbs. Mr. C. P. Stedall - Mr. G. H. Warren's Harkaway VIII., a. 12 St. 3 lbs. Mr. R. de Crespigny - Mr. Wadsworth's Philiron, 6 y. 12 st. 3 lbs. Mr. A. Gordon Mr. Wilkinson's The Swell IV., a. 12 St. 3 lbs. Mr. J. Walster Mr. Rigby Wright's Noble Bentinck, a. 12 St. 3 lbs. Mr. R. Wright Mr. A. Scott's Fitzrush, 5 y. 1 1 st. 8 lbs. Mr. A. Scott Mr, Basil Hanbury's Kineton, 5 y. list. 8 lbs. .... fell Mr. W. Bulteel Mr. Delagarde's Dick Phenyl, 6 y. 12 St. 3 lbs. - . . . fell Mr. R. Bruce Mr. W. E. L. Eccles' St. Barbe, a. 12 St. 3 lbs. .... fell Mr. W. Eccles Mr. B. Parry's Gillow, a. 12 st. 3 lbs. fell Mr. E. Brain Winner trained by Whitaker. 4/1 Rory O'Moore, 5/1 Breemount, 8/1 Captain Morgan, I2|/i Wickham, Kineton, 100/7 PhiHron, Potheen II., Davy Jones, 20/1 Finella, Royston II., Siberia II., 25 others. Won by 6 lengths, 8 lengths second and third. Time, 10 min. 27 sees. The following season the green and yellow jacket was carried by Gloom, Captain Collis once more doing duty. Something was thought of this horse as he started fourth 154 THE NATIONAL HUNT favourite at 8 to i. Prior to Warwick he had run at Hurst Park against the Liverpool winner of 1906, Ascetic's Silver, but had fallen in the race. Two more fancied animals were Wychwood and Glen Rex, who finished first and third, Major Purvis on Our Philip intervening. Gloom at any rate safely completed the course, the judge placing eight on that occasion, of which number Mr. Bibby's was last. Glen Rex belonged to Lady Walker, wife of Sir Peter Walker, who was such an enthusiastic patron of 'cross country sport, enjoying it all the more as his horses were trained in his own park, I happened to have been staying at Osmaston shortly before the race, and know what a high opinion was entertained of this son of Enthusiast of Glen- vannon. But the National Hunt usually takes a great deal of winning. In 1900 when Nimble Kate won, Mr. Bibby ran nothing, nor did he send anything to the post in 1 90 1 when the race was transferred to Chelten- ham, and a huge field of thirty-eight competed, a record number. The Cheltenham course had been reorganised, and particular interest attached to the gathering. From the hill on which the stands are built a perfect view is to be had of the entire contest, except when the horses are at the back of the buildings ; and those visitors who are privileged to watch from a tower room devoted to the Stewards and their friends are able to see ever}' fence. What they did see on this occasion was a great 155 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP many falls, there having been a considerable amount of disaster at the first jump. Sir Halbert, the property of Captain Grissell himself in former days a successful rider, particularly in India, landed in the hands of Mr. A. Smith after a thrilling finish with Major Purvis on Our Philip. As a rule the National Hunt Steeplechase is won by a substantial margin, this time it was only the matter of a neck, and as I remember the race, of what looked a very short one. Though as already noted Mr. Bibby was without a runner the Lawrenny stable was represented by Col. Lort-Phillips's Misalliance II., a five-year-old mare who never I think won a race, and was sent to Germany. The National Hunt seemed to have been permanently transferred to Cheltenham, at least the meeting was held there for the following four years until its abandonment in consequence of the war. In 191 2 Mr. Bibby did not contribute to the field of thirty-one, when the race was taken by The Rejected IV., in 1913 Col. Lort-Phillips ran Carew, but gained an indirect success, as the winner, Kransfiagl was aison of his horse Missel Thrush. In 19 14 Col. Phillips ran a five-year-old named Tod, the race being taken by War Dupe. In 191 5 the Cheltenham stand had been utilised as a hospital and a not incon- siderable proportion of the spectators wore the blue garb of the wounded soldier. It was evident that they vastly enjoyed the spectacle, some of those who had not recovered sufficiently to move about the enclosures 156 THE NATIONAL HUNT gazing eagerly from the foot of their beds. Neither Mr. Bibby nor Col. Phillips was represented, but at last Major Purvis fulfilled his ambition, taking the race on a grey gelding called Martial IV. That is the history of the event up to the present time, and one can only look anxiously for its renewal. An important race which Mr. Bibby carried off at the National Hunt Meeting of 19 14 is worthy of detailed mention as follows : 1914. CHELTENHAM. NATIONAL HUNT HANDICAP CHASE, of £832 ; 3 J miles. Mr. F. Bibby's Red Coil, by Wavelet's Pride, a. 10 st. 7 lbs. - - - - I. Morgan i Mr. M. B.Smith's Dark Collar, a. lost. 6 lbs. Avila 2 Mr. W. H. P. Rees' Celerity, a. 1 1 st. 6 lbs. Mr. J. R. Anthony 3 Mr. W. F. Stratton's Roman Candle, a. 10 St. 4 lbs. (4 ex.) .... Walkington 4 Major Cliff's Great Cross, a. 1 1 st. 9 lbs. - T. Hulme 5 Lady Nelson's Ally Sloper, 5 y. 1 1 st. 2 lbs. (4 ex.) A. Smith 6 Mr. C. W. C. Henderson's Shaun Ore, a. 10 St. 3 lbs. J. Lyall 7 Mr. C. Bower Ismay's Wilkinstown, a. 11 St. 9 lbs. Alf. Aylin Mr. F. S. Francis' Bridge IV., a. 1 1 st. 6 lbs. Mr. G. Poole Mr. H. La Montagne's Hugomart, 6 y. 10 St. 10 lbs. Mr. L. Brabazon - Mr. J. B. Charters' Scarabee, 6 y. iost.61bs. Bletsoe Sir George BuUough's Simon the Lepper, 5 y. 10 St. 5 lbs. (4 ex.) - - - J. Mahoney 157 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Capt. F. D. Grissell's Sir Halbert, a. 10 St. 2 lbs. B. Ellis Mr. D'Arcy Edwardes' An der Wien, 6 y. 10 St. 1 lb. McCormack Mr. W. B. Parr's Fleeting Peace, a. 10 St. I lb. Capt. 0. Butler - Col. Williamson's Ragged Robin, 5 y. lO st. A. Hogan Mr. J. C. Munro's Volvanstown, 6 y. 10 st. G. Lyall Winner trained by Captain R. W. Collis. 7/i Great Cross, 8/i Dark Collar, 9/1 Fleeting Peace, lo/i Hugomart, Celerity, Simon the Lepper, I2i/i Roman Candle, Wilkinstown, 100/6 others. Won by 5 lengths, 4 lengths between second and third. Time, 7 min. 35 sees. The Great Lancashire Steeplechase. After the Liverpool the most valuable steeplechase contested in England — if not the one which signifies most — has for a good many years past been the Great Lancashire, the principal feature of the Easter Monday fixture at Manchester. Until 1901 this was a ^1000 stake, which with deductions for second and third meant that it yielded a little over ;^8oo to the winner ; but in 1902 the value was raised to ^2000, and was won by a grand 'chaser named Roman Oak, who had been second twelve months previously. The distance of the Lancashire Steeplechase is three miles and a half, but apart from the fact that this is a mile shorter than the National and that this additional mile makes such a 158 THE GREAT LANCASHIRE STEEPLECHASE vast amount of difference, the Manchester fences are nothing like those at Aintree, the course, indeed, being a very easy one. Competition is nevertheless naturally keen, there being so few steeplechases of high value in the Calendar^ and the best horses are attracted. Mr. Bibby first made his bid for success in 1 900, when Zodiac went on from Liverpool to try his luck. He had not taken part in the National, but had started for the Stanley Five-Year-Old Steeplechase on the Saturday, as it happened a rather curious contest. There were four runners. Two of them stood up but failed to finish the course, whilst the two others. Uncle Jack II. and Zodiac, finished first and second after having fallen and been remounted. These two met at Manchester, where Uncle Jack repeated his victory, Zodiac getting no nearer than eighth. The race dwells in my memory for the reason that Cushendun, from the stable I was managing, shared favouritism with an animal called Montauk, a son of Strathmore and Spinaway. Montauk failed to distinguish himself, Cushendun finishing fourth, behind Lambay, to whom I have referred on a previous page. Old Manifesto, with only one pound less than 13 st. to carry, was in the field, but as I think has been remarked, horses who have run for the National are seldom any good for a long time afterwards, and Manifesto was nearer last than first. Mr. Bibby sent nothing in 1901, when the race was taken by Coragh Hill, a son of Gallinule, nor in the two following 159 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP years, in each of which Fairland, by Ascetic, was successful. But in 1904 it is far from impossible that Leamington lost for the Lawrenny stable by bad luck. Colonel Lort-Phillips has kindly sent me the history of this race. Mason, who was always secured when possible, had hurt himself and was unable to ride at the meeting, Percy Woodland was engaged for John M.P., Frank Hartigan for Biology, Piggott was retained by Mr. J. G. Bulteel for Dearslayer, and in fact it was impossible to get any of the best riders ; for at this time on Easter Monday, besides Manchester, there were meetings all over the country, at Colchester, the Eridge, Grafton, and Herefordshire Hunts, at Marken Rasen, Win- canton, Cardiff, Torquay and Wethcrby. Manchester was of course infinitely the most important, but some of the jockeys were engaged at the minor fixtures. I will give the story in Colonel Lort-Phillips's own words. " I borrowed some breeches and boots at the very last moment, and put up the stable boy, Legge, who had brought the horse to Manchester but who had never ridden a race. I did not know what orders to give in such a case, but took him aside and tried to impress upon him that he was to 'jump off in front and stay there! ' I could think of no instructions more easy to remember, or more satisfactory in the result if they could only be carried out ! I said to him ' I shan't 160 THE GREAT LANCASHIRE STEEPLECHASE forgive you if you don't jump off in front, and if you are blamed by the starter I will be responsible.' The lad did what he was told as far as he was able, and had the starter allowed him to get well away I verily believe he would have won, in spite of the fact that he was absolutely inexperienced and was competing against all the best jockeys of the day. It was unlucky that the starter did not let the horses go when they were fairly well lined up, as it was a three and a half mile race. The boy jumped off as told to do, but from the distance I saw the starter ride up to him and evidently curse him for what he considered his undue haste. This happened three times. The third time I thought Legge would never be able to stop the horse ; but they waited till he came back, and before he could turn round the flag was dropped. When Legge did get his horse round he lost no time. He was fourth approaching the first fence, fourth as he passed the stand, fourth as he passed it again the first time round, and fourth in finally passing the winning post! It was really a distinctly good perform- ance on the part of the lad, but when I tell you that he was no jockey, that indeed he would never have become one, you can understand why it was I thought we were unlucky not to win the race, as I am convinced we certainly should have done had Mason ridden ; in fact so much had Leamington in hand that I thoroughly believe he would still have won had the lad been able to L l6l GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP get off in front and simply sat and held him, as he was a hard puller. After this Leamington developed a habit of propping over the small fence in front of water jumps and either falling or galloping through them. I vainly endeavoured to get him out of this practice. I dug surprise ditches about the park, putting small fences in front of them, but all to no purpose." 1904. MANCHESTER. LANCASHIRE HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE of £1750 for winner, £150 for sec. and £lOO for third ; winners extra; entr. £25, 15 ft., or £3 if dec. 3| m. (70 ents., viz. 16 at £25, 42 at £15, 12 at £3— £1725.) Mr. G. Edwardes' Lord James, by Trenton, 6 y. 9 St. ID lbs. - - - - R. Woodland 1 Mr. J. S. Morrison's John M.P., 5 y. 10 St. 10 lbs. (inc. 8 lbs. ex.) - - P. Woodland 2 Mr. T. Eater's Fairland, a. 12 st. 2 lbs. - Goswell 3 Mr. F. Bibby's Leamington, 6 y. 10 st. 1 1 lbs. Legge 4 Mr. Spencer Gollan's Moifaa, a. 1 1 st. 10 lbs. (inc. 14 lbs. ex.) - - - Birch Lord Coventry's Inquisitor, a. 1 1 st. i lb. - Acres Prince Hatzfeldt's Dearslayer, a. 1 1 st. - E. Piggott Mr. John Widger's The Gunner, a. 10 st. 1 1 lbs. - - - - - - - Mr. J. W. Widger - Mr. W. J. Compton's May King, a. 10 st. 10 lbs. Pinyoun Lord Sef ton's Alboin, 6 y. 10 st. 10 lbs. - Sears Mr. J. Lonsdale's Coragh Hill, a. 10 st. 9 lbs. J. Walsh Mr. S. Hill-Wood's Maisie II., 6 y. 10 st. 7 lbs. Waddington Sir P. Walker's Royal Drake, 6 y. 10 st. 5 lbs. (car. 10 st. 7 lbs.) - - - F. Lyall 162 THE GREAT LANCASHIRE STEEPLECHASE Mr. H. Bottomley's Biology, a. lO st. 5 lbs. F. Hartigan Mr. J. A. Scorror's Arnold, a. 9 st. 8 lbs. (car. 9 St. 13 lbs.) - - - - T. Bissell Mr. Moorgate's Prince Tuscan, a. 9 st. 7 lbs. E. Driscoll - Winner trained by Major Edwards. 100/30 agst. John M.P., 6/1 Royal Drake, lo/i Inquisitor, The Gunner, 100/9 Fairland, 100/7 Moifaa, Dearslayer, 100/6 Lord James, Biology, 20/1 any other. "Won by a neck, bad third. Royal Drake, Inquisitor, Dear- slayer and Alboin fell. Time 7 min. 345 sees. Nothing from the Lawrenny stable ran in 1905, when Seisdon Prince won from Wolf's Folly, which latter very useful 'chaser was again second next year to Theodocion, a particularly well bred horse, being by Marcion out of Minthe, a high class mare. Marcion distinguished him- self on several occasions, notably by his success in the Ascot Cup of 1893, but though he seemed to promise remarkably well as a sire he fell much short of reasonable expectations. Mr. Bibby ran Leamington again, but though Mason was in the saddle the horse was little fancied. I do not ascertain that anything was wrong with him, but he was not at his best. Next year again Mr. Bibby sent nothing, but the race was remarkable for the victory of Eremon. It has previously been emphasised that as a general rule animals who have taken part in the Liverpool do little for at any rate the remainder of the season. Eremon was an exception. As recorded on another page he easily won the National, 163 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP which was run on the 22nd of March. With a 12 lb. penalty he won the Lancashire Steeplechase on the 4th of April with equal ease. In 1908 Caubeen made a bid, though not a successful one, as he missed a place, finishing fourth. The race wanted some winning this year, indeed all the dozen starters had at different times distinguished themselves, the race going to Sir Peter Walker's Albuera, who was followed by a constant winner in Moonstruck and a sturdy, good class 'chaser in Tom West. I have seen a good many horses who appeared to have broken down hopelessly return and win good races. Albuera was an example. When paying a visit to Osmaston I went round the stables one evening with Sir Peter Walker and we came to a sorry looking animal with a coat like a sheep, and a general aspect of forlornness. Possibly I looked at him with a lack of admiration, for Sir Peter remarked " I suppose you don't recognise that one. He won the Manchester Steeplechase." It was indeed Albuera who had long been in retirement, but who came out in very different shape and duly won races. 1908. MANCHESTER. LANCASHIRE HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE of £1725 ; 3|m. Sir Peter Walker's Albuera, by Wellington, a. 10 St. 2 lbs. - - . . . Chadwick I Mr. R. B. Henry's Moonstruck, a. 10 st. 9 lbs. A. Newey 2 Mr. H. Hardy's Tom West, a. 10 st. 8 lbs. - Murphy 3 164 THE GREAT LANCASHIRE STEEPLECHASE Mr. F. Bibby's Caubeen, a. lO st. ii lbs. - J. O'Brien 4 Mr. H. W. Sampey's King Pluto, a. 9 st. 10 lbs. ------- Jackson 5 Mr. W. B. Mynors' Midas, a. 10 st. 6 lbs. 2 ex. W. Morgan 6 Mr. B. W. Parr's Judas, a. ii st. - - E. Driscoll 7 Mr. A. Buckley's (Jr.) Roman Law, a. 11 St. 13 lbs. A.Anthony 8 Mr. C. R. Hodgson's Whipsnade, a. ii st. 10 lbs. R. Morgan Mr. L. Neumann's Baeldi, 6 y. fi st. 8 lbs. J. Walsh, Jr. Col. Kirkwood's Apollo Belvedere, a. 11 st. I lb. Mr. O. Butler Capt. J. Foster's Lara, a. lost. 10 lbs. fell Mr. W. Bulteel Mr. M. Harper's Agony, a. ii st. - fell Goswell - Winner trained by Latham. 4|/i agst. Agony, 5/1 Albuera, 6/1 Tom West, 7/1 Roman Law, Moonstruck, 12J/1 Baeldi, Judas, 100/7 Whipsnade, King Pluto, 100/6 Caubeen, 20/1 others. Won by 15 lengths, bad third. Moonstruck, who as just remarked was second in 19085 moved up to first place the following season. He was an exceptionally useful animal over his own dis- tance, stayed three miles and a half well, but was not a Liverpool horse ; the additional distance and the big fences were too much for him. This was an interesting celebration of the Manchester race, to no small extent because the great Jerry M. was one of the one and twenty who contested it, starting second at 6 to i. Other especially well known animals were Springbok, a son of Circe, who probably produced more good steeple- 16s GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP chasers than any mare in the Stud Book ; Leinster, own brother to Hidden Mystery, whom Sir Charles Nugent, his trainer, proclaimed to be at least as good as any jumper ever known, and Sprinkle Me, winner of two Grand Military Gold Cups. Mr. Bibby's pair were Wickham, ridden by Mason, and Sweet Cecil with Captain Collis in the saddle, the former being backed at half the odds laid against the latter, lo to i and 20 to i respectively. Neither, however, had anything to do with the finish. Moonstruck being followed home by a five-year-old called First Champion, one of the outsiders of the party. Sweet Cecil was a useful bearer of the colours about whom I shall have more to say in the next chapter. Dealing here only with the Manchester race it may be remarked that he ran again the following season, and was, moreover, very much expected, with his accustomed jockey. Mason, in the saddle. Mr. George Edwardes produced the favourite this year, a six-year-old named Viz, ridden by Newey, who was in great form at this period ; after him came Sweet Cecil and another six-year-old named The Duff^rey, both backed at 7 to i. The Duff^rey was decidedly well in with only 9 st. 131b., in receipt of 20 lb. from Sweet Cecil, it may be observed, and his light weight got him home by fifteen lengths, Sweet Cecil, carrying more than any of those who finished in front of him, sixth. Next year The Duffrey was moved up in the handicap to 1 1 St. 7 lb., a big increase ; but it was not too much 166 THE GREAT LANCASHIRE STEEPLECHASE for him, and he repeated his victory, though this time with very little to spare. Usury running him to three parts of a length. Mr. Bibby was represented by Caubeen, in at the same weight as the winner. Mason was unable to ride at the meeting, in consequence so far as I remember of an accident which kept him out of the saddle for a Ions: time. He had not ridden at Liverpool, and when a leading jockey is absent there it may be assumed that misfortune has overtaken him. The Manchester race, it will be seen, was not a lucky one for Mr. Bibby, indeed he came nearest to victory in 19 1 2, and then was no nearer than third, with Wick- ham. There was a small field, only a dozen going to the post, with an exceptionally hot favourite in Wilkins- town, who had only 9 st. 9 lb. to carry, Wickham's weight being 1 1 st. 6 lb. Mason had another engage- ment this year. He had been secured for Kippeen, and Ivor Anthony wore the green and yellow. No mistake had been made about Wilkinstown, one of the extra- ordinarily large number of winners of this event trained by Coulthwaite, and Stag's Head separated Wickham from the winner. 1912. MANCHESTER LANCASHIRE HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE of £1725; 3|m. Mr. C. Bower Ismay's Wilkinstown, by- Oppressor, a. 9 St. 9 lbs. - - - R. Chadwick i 167 R. Trudgill 2 I. Anthony 3 F. Mason 4 W. Payne 5 E. Piggott 6 S. Walkington _ G. Lyall - Mr. Ussher _ R. Wall _ GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Mr. G. W. Sanday's Stag's Head, a. 10 St. 1 lb. Mr. F. Bibby's Wickham, a. ii st. 6 lbs. - Mr. S. Hill-Wood's Kippeen, a. lO st. 5 lbs. Mr. R. M. Liddell's Ashbrooke, a. list. - Sir C. Assheton-Smith's King of the Scarlets, a. li st. 13 lbs. Mr, P. Nelke's Mount Prospect's Fortune, a. 11 St. 13 lbs. Maj. H. M. Cliff's Great Cross, a. lO st. 11 lbs. G. Lyall Capt. F. D. Grissell's Salmon Fly, a. 1 1 st. 8 lbs. ref. Mr. Stokes' Battieta, 6 y. 11 st. 1 lb. b.d. Mr. W. F. Stratton's Durrain, 6 y. 9 st. 13 lbs. fell E. Ward Mr. H. S. Watson's Ballinagoul, a. 9 st. 10 lbs. p.u. T. Goswell - Winner trained by Coulthwaite. 7/4 agst. Wilkinstown, 1 1/4 Kippeen, 6/1 King of the Scarlets, I2|/i Battieta, Durrain, Wickham, Salmon Fly, 100/6 Ashbrooke 20/1 Mount Prospect's Fortune, 33/1 others. Won by 8 lengths, 10 lengths between second and third. Time, 7 min. 39 1 sees. There was an even stronger favourite in 19 13, Rathnally, who must have cost his faithful followers a series of fortunes, for he was continually being backed for races he did not win. His usual luck, or want of luck, attended him here. He had gained one of his rare victories last time out in the Open 'Chase at Hurst Park, and as little as 4 to i was taken about him at Manchester, where he failed to finish in 168 THE GREAT LANCASHIRE STEEPLECHASE the first ten of fourteen, the race going to Irish Mail, then the property of Mr. Tyrwhitt Drake — it was after- wards that he was acquired by Sir Charles Assheton- Smith. A useful animal called Couvrefeu II. was second, beaten three lengths, and Mr. Bibby took third place with Forkhill, a horse who had gained some reputation ; for in the face of Rathnally, the much fancied Twelfth Lancer, ridden by Mason, and the grey Frenchman Trianon III., Forkhill was backed at loo to 9. In 1 914 Forkhill was again sent to the post, but performed ingloriously, Isaac Morgan having to pull him up. This was the closest struggle in the history of the 'chase, Eugenist only getting home by a head from the favourite, Alfred Noble. Mr. Bibby ran nothing in 191 5, when Vermouth won from Temple- downey, and in 191 6 there was no meeting at Manchester, 'cross country sport being restricted in England to Gatwick, Lingfield, Colwall Park, Haw- thorn Hill and Windsor, at which last named place a race called the Lancashire Steeplechase was run. Oddly enough the finish twelve months previously was just reversed, Templedowney beating Vermouth. Nothing of Mr. Bibby's ran, nor did he send anything to Windsor for the substitute at that place, called this year the April Handicap Steeplechase, for I suppose this must be taken as the substitute ; but in 191 8 the Manchester Meeting was resumed, and I have the strongest possible 169 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP conviction that it was only by sheer bad luck that Waver- tree was beaten. As noted on a previous page the horses had been moved to Mr. Fred Withington's stable at Danebury, and that they could by no possibility have been in better hands need not be remarked for the edification of anyone who is acquainted with the modern Turf. Luck had constantly been against this son of Wavelet's Pride and Kendal Lily. As the field turned into the straight Wavertree was full of running. I was privileged to be Mr. Bibby's guest for the meeting, stood with him to watch, and was half inclined to offer premature congratulations, when suddenly Poethlyn swerved to the right, forcing Wavertree violently on to the rails, so that his jockey, DriscoU, cut his boot and injured his foot. Coming on again when he got clear Wavertree was going much faster than Poethlyn at the finish ; but the latter, ridden by Piggott, had obtained so great an advantage that it was not to be wrested from him. So ends the history of the Lancashire Steeplechase so far as it has reached at the time of writing. The Grand Sefton Steeplechase. At the beginning of this chapter I have expressed the opinion that the Grand Sefton Steeplechase should have been given precedence over the Manchester race, the reason being that the first-named is unquestionably the 170 THE GRAND SEFTON STEEPLECHASE greater test, seeing that the distance in each case is the same and that the Grand Sefton is run over the severe Aintree fences, whereas the Manchester course is a very easy one. In 1899, the year with which our history begins, Mr. Bibby sent Zodiac to Liverpool, to run, however, in the Abbeystead Steeplechase for four- year-olds, an event which has since been abandoned. Only two went to the post, Pawnbroker was so strong a favourite that odds of 4 to i were laid on him, but Zodiac beat him by a dozen lengths. The stable was not represented in the Grand Sefton, which was won by Sir Thomas Gallwey's Hidden Mystery, with Drogheda, who had won the National the previous year, a warm favourite. I remember that Lord William Beresford greatly fancied a five-year-old son of Ascetic named Easter Ogue. I had secured Mason, who was to do such admirable service later in the green and yellow, for Boreen, originally named Boreenchreeogue. This was one of the animals I managed and it occurred to me that the last two syllables of his name might judiciously be dropped. There is an idea that it is "unlucky" to change a horse's name, whilst others make the change with a notion that it brings good luck. I have no super- stitious fancies, but it is a fact that whereas he won a long list of good races in Ireland, and horses generally im- prove when they come to this country and are placed in the most competent hands — as was the case with Boreen, for Mr. Gwyn Saunders-Davis trained him — he lost his 171 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP form and only won a single race against a very small field at Newmarket. In 1900, when Mr. R. Bourke's Bloomer took the Grand Sefton, Zodiac ran, but fell, and in 1901 nothing from the Lawrenny stable was produced, the race going to Inquisitor, belonging to Lord Coventry, the victory being received with a warm demonstration, for it was remembered that forty years had passed since the brown jacket and blue cap had been carried home in the Liver- pool by Emblem. It can scarcely be said that an agree- able surprise was forthcoming in 1902, for Mr. Bibby and Col. Lort-Phillips estimated Kirkland at what may be described as his true value. Nevertheless though it was impossible not to esteem his chance with 10 st. 51b. and Mason to ride him, the opposition was unquestion- ably formidable. Venetian Monk, the favourite, had won no fewer than nine races during the previous season, Hill of Bree, a son of Ascetic, had shown excellent form, and amongst others was the mighty Manifesto, a source of extreme danger even with 1 2 St. 12 lb. Manifesto, indeed, ran wonderfully well but Kirkland won easily, beating the great horse by eight lengths. 1902. LIVERPOOL. GRAND SEFTON STEEPLECHASE of £412 ; about 3 miles. Mr. F. Bibby's Kirkland, by Kirkham, 6 y. 10 St. 5 lbs. - - - - F. Mason I Mr. J. G. Bulteel's Manifesto, a. 12 st. 12 lbs. E. Piggott 2 172 THE GRAND SEFTON STEEPLECHASE Mr. Allerton's The Panther, a. lO st. I2 lbs. H. Woodland 3 Col. W. Hall Walker's Hill of Bree, 6 y. 10 St. 9 lbs. J. Phillips 4 Mr. J. Collins' DeHvery, 6 y. 10 st. 12 lbs. A. Birch 5 Duke of Westminster's Drumree, 6 y. lost. 12 lbs. .... fell A.Anthony Mrs. H. Bourke's Thomondgate, 5 y. 11 St. II lbs. .... fell p. Cowley - Mr. Owen J. Williams' Pride of Mabestown, 6 y. 1 1 St. I lb. - - - - fell P. Woodland Mr. T. Clyde's Dathi, 5 y. 10 st. 13 lbs. fell J. O'Brien Mr. W. B. Partridge's Spread Eagle, a. lost. 12 lbs. .... fell Mr. Rogers Mr. John Widger's Venetian Monk, 6 y. lost. nibs. .... fell Mr. J. W. Widger - Mr. G. W. Smith's Hercules H., 6 y. 10 St. 5 lbs. fell T. Fiely Mr. W. H. West's Lord of the Soil, 6 y. 10 St. 2 lbs. fell T. Moran Mr. R. Cartwright's Atty's Pride, 6 y. 10 St. 2 lbs. A. Nightingall Mr. " White-Heather's " Detail, 6 y. 10 St. I lb. fell Mr. Payne Winner trained privately. 3/1 Venetian Monk, 5^1 Hill of Bree, 7/1 Thomondgate, 8/1 Delivery, Detail, lo/i Manifesto, I2|/i Pride of Mabestown, Atty's Pride, 100/7 others. Won by 8 lengths, 5 lengths second and third. Time, 6 min. 14 sees. In 1903 Mr. Bibby sent a competitor who had to be regarded with much respect, the five-year-old Comfit, whose name has been mentioned earlier in this chapter 173 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP as winner of the National Hunt Steeplechase. He had not been out since scoring at Warwick until he went to the post at Liverpool, but though he stood up he did not run particularly well behind Leinster, who, only a five-year-old, carried his I2st. 7 lb. successfully, win- ning with nothing to spare from the six-year-old Saxilby in receipt of 30 lb. The following two seasons Mr. Bibby again ran nothing. In 1904 Captain H. T. Fenwick won with Phil May, and in 1905 the five-year- old Hackwatch, a son of Hackler and On the Watch, was invincible. This horse carried off all the seven races for which he started, and he was not beaten in 1906 when, however, the Grand Sefton was the only race for which he ran. Here Mr. Bibby ran a six-year-old named Wild Boer, one of the few offspring of Victor Wild who did any- thing to perpetuate the fame of that good horse. Nor was Wild Boer much of a luminary. He won nothing in 1906, though the previous season, after taking a hurdle race at Cardiff, he had carried off the ;^400 Cheshire Autumn Steeplechase at Hooton Park. On former pages I have commented on the achievements of the offspring of Circe. One of her sons. Springbok, won in 1907, when Mr. Bibby ran Loop Head, a six- year-old son of Brayhead and Barberry. This horse had shown no little promise as a five-year-old before Mr. Bibby bought him, he had won in Ireland, having earned four brackets in half a dozen attempts, one, 174 THE GRAND SEFTON STEEPLECHASE however, being a walk-over, but though he ran well on various occasions when he came to England a Novices' 'Chase at Hurst Park was his only actual success in 1907, and the Liverpool fences proved too much for him, the great majority of the field. Loop Head among them, falling in the Grand Sefton. But in 1908 Caubeen added greatly to his reputation by winning the race, which was strictly in accordance with expectations, as he started favourite. There was a good field. Spring- bok among them, and an even more formidable rival in Jenkinstown, who was to win the Liverpool two years afterwards. Eighteen went to the post, and Caubeen carrying lost. 11 lb.. Mason riding, won by five lengths. Jenkinstown this time was pulled up. Wolfhound refused, Rory O' Moore, Roman Law, Nanoya, Apollo Belvedere, Tempo Bello, Spinning Coin and General Moon all fell. 1908. LIVERPOOL. GRAND SEFTON STEEPLECHASE (Handicap) of £499; abt. 2 m, 7^ fur. Mr. F. Bibby's Caubeen, by Chad, a. 10 st. 1 1 lbs. F. Mason i Mr. J. M. Kerne's Johnstown Lad, a. 1 1 st. W. Morgan 2 Lord St. David's Davy Jones, 5 y. 10 st. 2 lbs. I. Anthony 3 Col. Kirkwood'sPhaethon, 6y. lost. 7 lbs. Mr. R. Bruce 4 Mr. J. E. Rogerson's Wee Busbie, a. 10 st. 4 lbs. D. Phelan 5 175 GREEN: YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT. AND CAP Capt. L. H. Jones' Robin Hood IV., a. 10 St. 2 lbs. Mr. R. Walker Mr. W. L. Longworth's Logan Rock, a. 10 St. 8 lbs. F. Lyall Col. R, L. Birkin's Springbok, a. I2 st. - J. O'Brien Miss H. G. Studd's Spinning Coin, 6 y. 10 St. 9 lbs. R. Gordon Mr. P. Whitaker's Newsvendor, a. 10 st. 7 lbs. (7 ex.) Owner Mr. S. Howard's Jenkinstown, a. lo st. 6 lbs. E. Lawn Mr. A. Buckley's (Jr.) Roman Law, a. 1 1 St. 8 lbs. fell W. Bulteel Capt. J. F. Laycock's Rory O'Moore, a. 1 1 St. 2 lbs. fell G. Lyall Mr. B. W. Parr's Nanoya, 6 y. 1 1 st. fell R. Chadwick Col. Kirkwood's Apollo Belvedere, a. lost. 12 lbs. .... fell Mr. O. Butler Mr. W. C. Cooper's Tempo Bello, 5 y. 10 St. II lbs. (i ex.) Mr. T. W. Pratt's Wolfhound, 5 y. 4 lbs. Mr. W. Wilson's General Moon 10 St. fell Mr. J. Manley 10 St. fell E. R. Morgan 5 y. fell Hamilton Winner trained by Donnelly. 5/1 Caubeen, 6/1 Davy Jones, lo/i Springbok, Roman Law, 12J/1 Nanoya, Johnston Lad, Newsvendor, 100/6 others. Won by 5 lengths, bad third. Time, 6 min. I2| sees. In 1909 that brilliant horse Cackler was easily success- ful in a race which wanted a great deal of winning. His half-brother Springbok was in the field, as was Wych- wood — who had won five races during the season 176 THE GRAND SEFTON STEEPLECHASE including the National Hunt Steeplechase — Bloodstone, Rathvale, and Lanigan's Ball who had secured his three previous races ; but it was Glenside who followed Cackler home. Thus in eight years Mr. Bibby had won the race twice and sent out also a second. Caubeen tried again in 1910, but Cackler was invincible, and carrying 1 2 St. 7 lb. easily beat two previous winners in Leinster, in receipt of 17 lb., and Springbok in receipt of 191b., Caubeen receiving 12 lb. fourth. Glenside tried his luck once more in 1 9 1 1 . Here was a regular field of Liverpool horses, nearly all the fifteen having won over the course ; but of these fifteen ten fell, including Glenside, and Springbok, who had become a standing dish. Carsey won from Jenkinstown, and Carsey won again in 191 2 from Ballyhackle, a warmish favourite at 100 to 30. This year Mr. Bibby started Prince Hugo, well enough bred, son of Sir Hugo who won the Derby of 1892. Prince Hugo had been fancied for the National Hunt Steeplechase, for which as little as 5 to i had been taken about him. The horse had run well in Ireland before Mr. Bibby bought him, having won the Irish Grand Military at Punchestown, and he gratified his owner on his arrival by standing up for the Valentine Steeplechase at Liverpool, running Rory O'Moore to four lengths. This looked encouraging, for it perhaps need not be remarked that the Valentine Steeplechase is not a handicap. M 177 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP 1912. LIVERPOOL. GRAND SEFTON STEEPLECHASE (H'cap) of lsi2, nearly 2 miles 7| fur. Mr. C. H. Wildenburg's Carsey, by Kersey, a. 12 St. 5 lbs. W. Payne i Mr. K. F. Malcomson's Ballyhackle, a. 1 1 St. 9 lbs. Mr. H. Ussher 2 Mr. M. M. Henderson's Blowpipe, a. 1 1 st. i lb. W. Smith 3 Mr. W. R. Clarke's Melamar, 6 y. 1 1 st. 6 lbs. M. Tighe 4 Mr. C. M. Barran's Regent, a. 11 st. ii lbs. (7 ex.) L Anthony 5 Mr. E. Brandon's White Legs H., a. 10 st. II lbs. Mr. F. Bibby's Prince Hugo, 6 y. II st. 7 lbs. Baron de Forest's Lord Rivers, a. 12 st. 7 lbs. fell Sir C. Assheton Smith's Covertcoat, 6 y. II St. 1 lb. fell Lord Sef ton's Fervent, 5 y. 10 st. 1 1 lbs. fell Mr. A. L. Ormrod's Turco HI., a. 10 st. II lbs. fell Mr. Stokes' Old Faithful, a. 10 st. 9 lbs. fell Winner trained by Hastings. 100/30 Ballyhackle, 4J/1 Covertcoat, 6/1 Regent, 8/1 Carsey, lO/i Lord Rivers, Melamar, 12J/1 others. Won by I J lengths, 6 lengths between second and third. Time, 6 min. 24I sees. The name of Thowl Pin must have become familiar to the reader. He did duty in 19 13 in an interesting contest for which Rathnally and Bally- hackle were joint favourites, the latter winning from Irish Mail, who gave him i lb. and ran him to a length 178 J. Farrell 6 L Morgan 7 F. Mason - E. Piggott _ J. Kelly - E. Pearce _ R. Wall - THE GRAND SEFTON STEEPLECHASE and a half. There was the usual tale of disaster, and this year Carsey, who had so often completed the course both safely and prominently, was one of those who came to grief. Thowl Pin at any rate completed the course, finishing fifth, behind Sir George Bullough's Ilston and in front of Regent. Rathnally was ninth. There is only one more Sefton to recall, no Autumn Meeting having been held at Liverpool since 19 14. Eleven started in 1 913, Thowl Pin once more, and this time he fell. The race was won by Distaff, the curious thing about it being that within so short a period as eight years the Sefton had fallen on no fewer than four occasions to the offspring of Circe, for Distaff was an own sister to Cackler and half-sister to Springbok. 179 CHAPTER V SOME WINNERS More or less detailed comment must be made about the best of the numerous horses Mr. Bibby has run at meetings other than the two centres and the movable National Hunt with which we have so far been dealing. I have indeed already spoken of Leamington, but there is more to add about the son of St. Andrew and Sister Warwick — the dam bred in the United States. This was a singularly lucky acquisition, as he cost no more than 85 guineas at the sale of horses from the stable of the American trainer Huggins in 1902, Huggins having given up his English practice after taking heavy toll of our stakes with horses the property of Mr. Whitney and Lord William Beresford. Leamingrton was not long in showing that his purchase had been judicious, though it was indeed some time before he actually won a race. His start was over hurdles as a five-year-old at Carmarthenshire in 1903, and he began by running second, beaten a length by a useful filly named Pendulum. His first win was in a race of no small importance, 180 SOME WINNERS the great Shropshire Steeplechase at Ludlow in April. The result was a surprise, as Leamington was not mentioned in the betting, Maresco was a warm favourite, and four of the remaining nine were evidently much fancied ; but Leamington not only won, but did so in a canter by twenty lengths. Obviously he was something more than useful. It will probably surprise a student of the Calendar to find that the scene of Leamington's next success was in Ireland at Clonmel, where he took a Subscribers' Plate, but apparently the object of sending him was to run for the Metropolitan Plate at Baldoyle, in which he was beaten a length by an animal named Carrier Pigeon, a son of Rathbeal, whose name is known as the first winner of the National Breeders' Foal Stakes at Sandown, an event which for many seasons past has been the most valuable two-year- old stake now run. Returning to England Leamington won the Winter Steeplechase at Gatwick in December from the favourite Mintstalk, a frequent winner, and wound up the year by carrying off the ^'400 Midland Handicap Steeple- chase at Nottingham. Here he beat animals of respectable class. Harvest Home II., Hill of Bree, Sir Peter Walker's constant winner Flutterer, Pride of Mabestown, Ranunculus, who as already remarked was greatly fancied for the Liverpool, St. Moritz who now started favourite, Saxilby and others. Ludlow has always been a favourite course with Mr. Bibby, and 181 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES. BELT, AND CAP here in April Leamington won him the Oakley Park Handicap Steeplechase, another case of a canter and twenty lengths. Unfortunately trouble supervened and no more was seen of the horse for rather over twelve months. In December 1905 he reappeared in the Mid- land Handicap Steeplechase at Nottingham, and was evidently believed to be himself again as 6 to i was taken about him in a good field. Mr. Parr's Aunt May, a more than useful mare, who had shown herself good enough for a place in the Liverpool, was here favourite. She was frequently ridden by Mr. H. S. Persse, the present Stockbridge trainer, but at Notting- ham Freemantle had the mount, and won after a close finish with Theodocion. Leamington, ridden by Mason, was the only one of the ten who fell. His next attempt was for the ^1000 Great Cheshire 'Chase at Hooton Park, a race with somewhat curious condi- tions, a considerable allowance being made for animals who were entered to be sold for £^0. Leamington did not claim this allowance, as did the horses who occupied the first three places, Mr. Washington Singer's Bellivor Tor, Seisdon Prince and Flutterer. Bellivor Tor I may pause to remark was an animal who had been constantly beaten on the flat, indeed I do not think he had ever won a race, until the idea of giving him a stimulant, vulgarly called a " dope," was carried into effect ; for at that time the practice was not forbidden. Bellivor Tor's 182 SOME WINNERS medicine agreed with him, and for the next two seasons he was generally first or second, nor it will be seen was his constitution injured. After winning this race entered to be sold for ^50, as just remarked, he was bought by Lord Sefton for 650 guineas, though this did not turn out by any means a good bargain for his new owner. Leamington's next essay at Manchester has already been described. His only other success that season was at Hooton Park, where he took the Plodders' Steeple- chase. In 1907 again he added only one more to his score, nor can it be said that much credit was due to him. At Tenby he only had a single opponent, the five-year- old Mar Lodge II., who fell and broke his back, leaving Leamington to finish by himself, and that was the end of him, except that I have omitted mention of a race in France for which he was sent over in 1904, as a six-year-old. The Auteuil course was in fact peculiarly unsuitable for Leamington, in consequence of his inability to jump water, a weak place in his equipment to which I have previously referred. Most readers are aware that besides the big water jump in front of the stands there is an unguarded brook, just the sort of obstacle more than likely to interfere with an animal who is not good at this particular game. Among the fourteen who started for the Grand Steeplechase de Paris this year were four English horses, Leinster, third favourite at 7 to I, Fairland a 20 to i chance, Patlander 30 to i, 183 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP and Leamington loo to 3. I have previously observed that four-year-olds have been singularly successful over this four mile course, but oddly enough only two of that age started in 1904, and neither showed up, the five- year-old Dandolo, ridden by Percy Woodland, winning from an animal of the same age, Gascon II., Frank Hartigan in the saddle. Mason went over to ride Mr. Bibby's horse, who blundered as it had been feared he might do. Sweet Cecil Another who did good service, and yet I think did not entirely fulfil the expectations that had reasonably been formed of him, was Sweet Cecil, an Irish bred son of Sweetheart and Cistus, for he cost ^600 as a six-year- old after having won a number of races in Ireland, including the Irish Grand National, which he took from Shady Girl, a good mare who subsequently carried Mr. Nelke's colours prominently in this country. After that Sweet Cecil started favourite for the Conyngham Cup, a four mile race at Punchestown, in which he finished third to Teddie III. and Flaxman, the latter having passed into the possession of King Edward, who gave 2000 guineas for the son of Hackler and Circe, one of the extraordinarily famous family, own brother to Cackler amongst others. I have spoken of Sweet Cecil as something of a disappointment because frequently as he came to the front he never won quite the sort of 184 SOME WINNERS event which seemed to be within his compass. Mr. Bibby had justification for the hope that he had secured a Liverpool horse, and it was at Liverpool that he made his first appearance in England, at the Autumn Meeting of 1907 in the Valentine Steeplechase. Cackler, then a four-year-old, who had already won three races and was to prove himself invincible, took part in this event, winning by eight lengths from a good 'chaser named Roman Law. These two were better favourites than Sweet Cecil, about whom, however, only 5 to i was obtainable. Mason rode, but the horse fell, and though shortly afterwards he won at Newbury from Lord Howard de Walden's neatly named Centre Board, a son of Speed and Ballast, there had become reason to fear that Sweet Cecil was not likely to win a Liverpool. In 1908 he was out fourteen times, six times victori- ously. He won the Stewards' 'Chase at Gatwick from Razorbill, ten days later the Grange Steeplechase at Hurst Park from Sprinkle Me — who carried off two Grand Military Gold Cups — dead-heated with Lord St. David's Atrato at Newbury, was beaten a neck by that very useful horse Tom West at Leicester, and won the Stewards' Handicap at Ludlow, a serviceable six weeks employment! Later in the year he took the Lough- borough Open Handicap at the Quorn Hunt Meeting, and after a good second to Veglo at Sandown, won the Leamington Handicap Steeplechase from Razorbill, winding up the year with a couple of seconds, which in 185 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP both cases reflected credit on him, for his opponent at Kempton Park was none other than the mighty Jerry M. and at Newbury he was beaten by Carsey, who distinguished himself in more than one National. The horse was sharpened up at the beginning of 1909 in the Licensed Victuallers' Novices' Hurdle race at Kempton, odd as it may seem that an eight-year-old who had a longish string of races to his credit should have been able to appear as a " novice." He soon returned to fencing, however, won the Stewards' 'Chase at Gatwick, was beaten three parts of a length at Derby by Judas, in receipt of 16 lb., and won at Ludlow. In 19 10 we find him again in a Novices' Hurdle Race, and for the second time he won the Loughborough Handicap. In 191 1, carrying within a pound of 12 St., he secured the Liver- pool Trial 'Chase at Ludlow from Regent, lost. 91b., the Liverpool winner Jenkinstown, 12 st. 3 lb., third, and he won also the Park 'Chase at Hurst Park, which could scarcely be regarded as a triumph as there was only one other runner, King of the Scarlets, who fell, leaving Sweet Cecil to complete the course at his ease. In 1 91 2 he was only out twice, winning a race at New- bury, and failing at Ludlow against Jacobus and Master at Arms. Throughout his career Sweet Cecil ran altogether in fifty- two races, and won twenty- two of them. There are many horses about whom I have to talk, and the question is in what order it will be best to 1 86 SOME WINNERS discuss them. To rate them according to merit would certainly not be a good plan, for the reason that it would be impossible to make, as it were, a species of handicap, and chronological sequence would be puzzling as they overlap. Perhaps the best way will be to deal with them alphabetically. Aerostat Some people appear to have a notion that steeplechase horses are chance-bred animals only by a sort of courtesy reckoned as thoroughbred. Probably few readers of this book need be told that this is ludicrously incorrect. Aerostat, for instance, was the son of a Derby winner, and of one who was notable in that list as winner like- wise of the Two Thousand Guineas, the Eclipse Stakes, and a number of the most valuable prizes on the Turf — Ayrshire. Mr. Arthur Coventry was riding one day on Newmarket Heath a good looking mare named Molynoo, and pulled up to talk to the Duke of Port- land, who was struck by his friend's mount, asked what she was, and kindly said that if Mr. Coventry cared to do so he might send her to Ayrshire. Meantime Mr. Bibby bought her, and Aerostat was born at Hardwicke Grange. As a four-year-old he was only out once, in a Novices' Steeplechase at Newport, but as a five-year- old he did remarkably well, winning no fewer than six of the eleven races for which he started. Aintree was rather too much for him. He tried in the Stanley 187 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Steeplechase but did not complete the course behind Captain Foster's Lara. We find him in good company at Newbury, running with Judas, Fetlar's Pride and others, including Denmark, whom Mr. Bibby subse- quently purchased. He had an easier task at Mon- mouth, where he won, as he did at Gatwick, starting an odds on favourite, and 15 to 8 was also laid on him at Windsor, where he justified the odds. As a six-year- old he carried off four of his eight races, the Surrey Steeplechase at Gatwick, favourite, beating Mr. Leopold Rothschild's Key West, Onward, Barrabas II., Glenely and other winners. At Bangor, favourite at 5 to 2, he won the Stewards' Steeplechase, the Loughborough Handicap at the Quorn Hunt in a field of fourteen, the County 'Chase at Ludlow ; but Timothy Titus and Do be Quick were too good for him at Kempton. As a seven-year-old he was only out for a Hurdle race at Sandown. The following season he made an ambitious essay at Hurst Park against Veglo, Holy War, and Moonstruck, giving 7 lb. to the two latter. For Holy War Sir Charles Assheton-Smith paid 4000 guineas, but to the general amazement Veglo won, giving the expensive purchase 141b. Aerostat never scored again. Unfortunately it was decided to send him to France where he broke down and had to be destroyed. SOME WINNERS Ben Ruadh Ben Ruadh, son of William Rufus and Ben Doran, is another who was bred at Hardwicke. He took some time after coming out at Birmingham in February 191 1 as a four-year-old to make his way to the front, though he finished second at Ludlow, an indifferent second, however, beaten twenty-five lengths by Red Plume. He was backed at 7 to i for the National Hunt Juvenile Steeplechase, won by Mr. W. H. Tyrrwhitt Drake's Asteroid, by Dieudonne, and was at any rate one of the half dozen to complete the course. At Ludlow in April he was second in a field of nine to that good jumper Cross Question, Mr. Bibby's Fork Hill also running, but Ben Ruadh was preferred and started at 8 to i, the other not mentioned in the betting. Ben Ruadh won a Maiden Steeplechase at Blackpool in September and a similar event on the same course a fortnight later. What was thought of him is shown by the fact that at Sandown he was almost favourite, starting at 5 to 2, for a race which was won by Domino, backed at 9 to 4. As a five-year-old it is rather curious that he led off by win- ning at Manchester on the second day of the season, the 2nd January, and after some unsuccessful attempts won on the last afternoon but one of the season, when he beat the much-belauded Rathnally a couple of lengths, the scene of this exploit being Blackpool, a course which evidently suited him well. One of his six-year-old GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP successes was an exciting race at Blackpool when he was only opposed by Purdysburn. Odds of 6 to 4 were laid on the latter, the distance was three miles, and Ben Ruadh got home by a short head. Billy Balsam, Bogo, and Breemount Of Billy Balsam and Bogo there is not much to be said, indeed I think I need not formulate their moderate essays. Breemount, a son of St. Gris and Mavourneen, who cost ;^42o, must be set down as unlucky. I have always thought that he ought to have done a great deal better than he did. He only came out once as a five- year-old, unplaced to Domino for the Tantivy Steeple- chase at Gatwick. As a six-year-old he began well, though not victoriously, by running Lord St. David's Atrato to three lengths for the Sefton Steeplechase at Newbury — no relation to the Aintree contest. At the following Newbury meeting he was again second, this time to Whipsnade, and ran for the National Hunt as already noted, when his stable companion Wickham was second to Rory O' Moore. He was not out again for a year, until the next National Hunt of 1908 at Warwick, when he won the Foxhunters' Plate, Captain Collis up, over three miles and a half of the National Hunt Course, that is to say a stiff hunting country. He nearly always started for races of some pretension. In the Welsh Grand National at Cardiff he was third to Roman Candle and Timothy Titus, beating Ballyhackle, and the follow- 190 ■ ■ ■' i" XjA^^^t ■ i < -^ ■HdH : m ■ l.'" SOME WINNERS ing season several times ran second. He never did himself justice. Colon Colon, by May Fox-Comma, was a half brother to the dual Cambridgeshire winner Hackler's Pride, need- less to say one of the best animals of her day. He was bought in Ireland from his breeder, an excellent bargain at ;^ioo, for this is less than the price of a fair hunter, and after running between the flags he carried the First Whip for several seasons to Mr. Bibby's Hounds. As a four-year-old he tried his luck for the National Hunt Juvenile Steeplechase, the meeting taking place that season, 1900, at Kempton. Colonel Hall Walker was very confident of taking this prize with the four-year-old son of Gallinule and Erin called Wellesley, who started at 2 to I. He fell and injured himself so severely that he had to be destroyed, and the race was won in a canter by Full Flavour, a son of Satiety and Muscat, ridden by Frank Hartigan, in those days an amateur. Colon fell, only four of the twelve completing the course. His one other race as a four-year-old was the Tantivy Steeplechase at Gatwick the following week, where he made little show behind Shipshape. As a five-year-old Colon very nearly did all that was asked of him. He was not seen till October, when he was second at Not- tingham, and after a failure in a hurdle race at Keel Park he ran four times without being beaten, taking the Cardiff Autumn Steeplechase, the Cottrell Maiden 191 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Steeplechase the following day, the Llangibby Steeple- chase at the Llangibby and Tredegar Hunt, and the next afternoon the Ruperra Steeplechase. In 1902 he was only out once, at Tenby, and it was decided that he might be better employed in the hunting field. Creangate I have already remarked that Mr. Bibby never sought to win races by mere weight of purse. This is a delicate subject. I should like to say that few rich men regard money less, and it was assuredly not from hesita- tion in writing a big cheque that he seldom gave large prices for the animals he bought. Creangate, a son of Walmsgate and Crean, was, however, expensive. For him 2000 guineas was paid, and the colt certainly seemed worth the money. As a two-year-old in Ireland in 1905 he scarcely had a superior, and as a three-year-old he continually distinguished himself. He won the Dublin Plate at Baldoyle, a race of the same name at another meeting there, the Champion Plate at Tramore, the Paddock Post Plate at Baldoyle, and coming to England, or rather to Scotland, the Edinburgh Gold Cup. He appeared to have all the makings of a great jumper, and was generally supposed to be a bargain, indeed he would probably not have been sold but that his trainer got into trouble. Col. Lort-Phillips tells me that he considered the horse dirt cheap. Most unhappily he caught a chill in the course of his journey to England, nearly died of 192 SOME WINNERS pneumonia, and when he recovered was found to be a bad roarer. In spite of this he at least showed what he might have done. As a five-year-old he won a hurdle race at Ludlow, beating two frequent winners, in Viz, belonging to the late Mr. George Edwardes, and Giulan, and in a Novices' Steeplechase at Hooton he beat that famous son of his sire, Jerry M. To state this without explanation might, however, cause mis- apprehension, for Cowley, Jerry M.'s rider, broke a stirrup leather and came off. Still, Creangate disposed of the second favourite, a 7 to 2 chance. On Guard, and he won the Flintshire Steeplechase at Bangor from Bally- macoll, a son of Hackler and Ballymacarney, half brother to Ballymacad, winner of the War National, and to BaUyhackle whose name has constantly appeared in the book. This was a great day for Mr. Bibby, as besides Creangate's victory he took other races with Wickham and Caubeen. Subsequently Creangate beat On Guard again on the same course, and the following afternoon only failed by about half a length to take a hurdle race. It will readily be perceived that had he remained sound he could hardly have missed a memorable career. Denmark This son of Queen's Birthday and Floraline is scarcely worth a paragraph. He had belonged to two or three owners before Mr. Bibby, thinking that he saw room for improvement in him, bought him for 260 guineas after N 193 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP he had won a selling race at Ludlow. He did come on as it had been anticipated he would do, and won races at Birmingham, Worcester and Ludlow, after which Mr. Bibby let him go. He continued to win. Fork Hill Frosty having been discussed, the only other " F " with whom I have to deal is Fork Hill, a son of Henry the Eighth and Gransha, who as a five-year-old in 191 1 ran for the Stanley Steeplechase at Liverpool, failing, how- ever, to complete the course. As a six-year-old he did fairly well. For the Manchester Handicap Steeplechase, Razorbill, a hot favourite at 6 to 4 on, had to struggle his very best to get rid of Fork Hill, who ran him to a length and a half, and the horse afterwards won at Leicester, at Manchester, and after finishing a good second to Roman Candle at the Herefordshire Hunt Meeting won a flat race at Ludlow. Mr. Bibby's horses appear to have run an exceptional number of seconds, and Fork Hill was one who evinced this peculiarity. As a seven-year-old, starting favourite for the Tarporley Handicap, no more than 5 to 4 being laid against him, he won comfortably, and continued his seconds behind Colonel Lort-Phillips' Succubus, a horse of whom much was expected though be fell far short of anticipation, and behind Lord Coventry's Belus at Ludlow, Belus being trained at Danebury by Mr. Fred Withington, who the following year took charge of Mr. Bibby's horses. 194 SOME WINNERS Gay Mac and Good Business This son of Uncle Mac and Girsha showed no small promise. As a five-year-old in 1 9 1 5 he started, and at any rate completed the course, for the Tantivy Steeple- chase at Gatwick, afterwards winning a Maiden Five- Year-Old Steeplechase at the National Hunt Meeting, the last celebration of which took place at Cheltenham in the year named. There were seven starters and five of them fell. In December 191 6 Gay Mac came out at Windsor against some of the best steeplechase horses in training, including a National winner in Sunloch, and it is not surprising that he failed to score, though it is to be noted that he shared second favouritism with the winner of several races called Minster Vale, and whilst 5 to I was taken about Gay Mac, 7 to 2 was the price laid against the favourite Poethlyn, whose name has occurred on previous pages. One of Mr. Bibby's sons used him as a charger in France, where the horse died. Of Good Business there is nothing to be said so far except that he is in Mr. Withington's charge at Danebury. Lady Lovelace and Loughnavalley The daughter of Somerton and Yarrow Dale was one of those with whom Mr. Bibby started ownership, and may I think be regarded as notable, showing how races may be won by a poor performer judiciously placed. 195 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT. AND CAP She was a five-year-old in 1899, and started humbly in the Derllys Selling Hurdle Race, entered to be sold for ^'70. This she won, as also the Harkforward Hurdle Race for half breds next day. Her third attempt was over fences at Tenby, the Lawrenny Plate, and she landed the odds of 3 to i which were laid on her. At the Pembrokeshire Hunt she failed by a short head, afterwards winning on the same course on successive days. There was so little competition for her that she was bought in for no more than ^^ guineas. Mr. Bibby does not bet ; for an owner who did so she would have been a remunerative investment. As a six-year-old she won at Tenby, not to be sold, by a head from Simple Prince, ridden by Mr. J. W. Widger, Wild Man from Borneo's Liverpool jockey. This year she started eleven times and was successful on six occasions. As a seven-year-old she was only out once, securing the Penally Steeplechase at Tenby, after an objection. An animal named GlendufF came in first, but was dis- qualified on the ground that his rider had no licence, and it appeared that he had " repeatedly ridden without one," also there was a contingency attaching to the horse which would likewise have been fatal. She was not seen as an eight-year-old, nor as a nine until October, when the Charlton Park Steeplechase at Cheltenham was awarded to her on an objection which is worth mention as bearing upon National Hunt Rules. A mare called Violetta won. The protest against her was on the 196 SOME WINNERS ground that she had gone the wrong side of a post. This was overruled, but the National Hunt Stewards re- opened the case. The question was " Whether a flag which had been knocked down during the running of a previous race was or was not to be regarded as still marking the course to be traversed." The Stewards decided that it was, and reversed the decision. Lady Lovelace won afterwards at Cardiff. Loophead has already been mentioned. The peculiarity about Loughnavalley, a daughter of Heckberry and Glance, was the astonishing number of seconds she ran. As a five-year-old in 1905 she started by running second at Mullingar. Mr. Bibby bought her, and she made her first appearance in England at Gatwick in a Novices' Steeplechase, unsuccessfully. As a six-year-old she had been out no fewer than ten times before she won. She was second to that good horse Old Fairyhouse, one of the brilliant sons of Hackler and Circe, for the Chaddesdon Steeplechase at Derby ; second for a hurdle race at Cardiff, for another at Monmouth- shire, for another, and also for the Stewards' Steeple- chase, at the Pembrokeshire Hunt ; second again at Cardiff, (and third by way of a little change next day,) second for the Henley Steeplechase at Ludlow, second for the Members' Handicap still at Ludlow. As a seven-year-old she was second to Dathi at Tenby, and it is not surprising that her owner had grown tired of her. She was bought by Mr. Cuthbertson. 197 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Mighty Oceariy Mr. Pick, and Mount Hecla Mighty Ocean, a son of St. Grls and Tidal Wave, came out in Ireland as a four-year-old in 1907, the property of Sir E. C. Cochrane, from whom Mr. Bibby bought him, and he ran first for him at Kempton. As a five-year-old, if one were not aware of the circum- stances a casual glance would suggest that he had vastly distinguished himself. In the Stanley Five-Year-Old Steeplechase at Liverpool he gave a couple of pounds to that grand 'chaser Jerry M. and finished second to him. An examination of the details, however, some- what mitigates the admiration which the bare record suggests. There were seven starters and Jerry M. was the only one who stood up. Captain Collis remounted Mighty Ocean after a fall and finished second, it might indeed be said " a sort of second," as the verdict was a distance. Mr. Bibby presented the gelding to Captain Collis, for whom he won a little race or two. Mr. Pick, by Picton-Duegna, was bought after the death of Mr. Francis Lambton, a member of one of the most sporting families in England, who gave his life for his country early in the war. "Pickles," or sometimes " Mr. Pick," was the affectionate nickname by which Francis Lambton was known to his many friends. As a four-year-old in 19 14 the horse narrowly missed his first race, a Maiden Hurdle at Haydock Park, beaten a head in a field of twelve by the 5 to 4 favourite Dabber. SOME WINNERS The following season he won over hurdles at Clifton, taking also the other two events for which he started. He came out as a 'chaser in 19 16, third in good com- pany to an even money favourite in Limerock, who but for a fall in the War National after he had actually cleared the last fence would I think there can be no possible doubt have taken that prize in 191 7. Mr. Pick is a much better horse on the top of the ground, so that conditions are often against him. They were in his favour at Windsor in December last year, 191 7, and he beat ten opponents for the College Maiden Steeplechase, subsequently on the same course winning the Rays Handicap Steeplechase from Sergoi, Shaccabac, Meridian, Green Falcon, Wavylace, Mask Off, Elgon, Fashion, Veni and Hannibal. During the last season he continued to do well. In February 191 8 he was second at Gatwick, third to Real Grit and Scarlet Button at Sandown, won the Surrey Double Handicap Steeple- chase at the War National Gatwick Meeting from Eager Simon, Bernstein, Scarlet Button and White Surrey, being afterwards beaten only half a length at Manchester by Minstrel Park, that good horse Pollen, a 5 to 4 on favourite, eight lengths behind him. There are evidently great possibilities about Mr. Pick. Mount Hecla is ideally bred for a 'chaser, a son of Hackler and Breemount's Pride. Unfortunately he has not entirely justified his pedigree, though he has won races. As a five-year-old in 191 1 he had been beaten 199 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP at Birmingham, Ludlow and Nottingham before win- ning the British Camp Steeplechase at Colwall Park, an even money favourite. In 191 2 he led off at Warwick with an easy victory. This was in February, and he did not score again till November, when at Hooton he beat Olga's Pride, Moonstruck, Judas and others, and made a good fight against Moonstruck at Birmingham, where the last named, an animal of good class whose deeds have already been recounted beat him a length and a half. His only other success that year was in the Stewards' Handicap Steeplechase at Hooton, where he just got home from Red Cockade, this five-year-old in receipt of 191b., Domino and Distaff two of those behind him. He had a busy season in 19 14, being out altogether no fewer than twenty times. Early in the year, however, Mr. Bibby got rid of him. He went into Mr. Joseph Widger's stable and won several races in Ireland. Red Cloth, Red Coil, and Rex Red Cloth by Cherrystone — Katie Kendal as a five- year-old in 1906 belonged to Mr. Peebles and Mr. Hodgson before Mr, Bibby bought him, for 440 guineas, after he had won the Pavilion Steeplechase at Sandown from Valentian. The idea that there was room for improvement in him was justified. He ran in better class races, and after a second at Kempton Park was third to Atrato and Giulan, beaten a length SOME WINNERS and a half and a neck, for the ;^iooo Great Cheshire Steeplechase at Hooton. He then took three consecu- tive races, the Tarporley Handicap Steeplechase, in which the favourite Ballyhackle fell ; the County Steeplechase at Ludlow, Ballyhackle this time beaten on his merits unplaced to Red Cloth, the two now meeting at even weights ; and the Busbridge Handicap Steeple- chase at Sandown, thirteen behind him. At Notting- ham he was second to Cannock Lad for the Midland Handicap Steeplechase, Leinster and Ballyhackle un- placed with nine others. In 1909 he won the ^200 Waterloo Steeplechase at Manchester in February, and made a good fight with Bloodstone for the Easter Handicap at Manchester, the latter winning a length, giving Red Cloth 5 lb. Red Coil, by Wavelet's Pride out of a mare by Red Prince II., started her career as a four-year-old in 191 1 at the Meath Hunt Meeting, after which, purchased by Mr. Bibby, she ran for him at Birmingham and Sandown. Her first success was in the Elvaston Steeplechase at Derby, where she beat that good mare Distaff, with, however, a considerable advantage in the weights. Mr. Bibby was usually represented at the Manchester New Year Meeting, and here Red Coil won the Canal Maiden Steeplechase, after surviving an objection for " nearly putting Mavourneen's Gift over the rails half way up the straight." This the Stewards agreed was a ground- less complaint. She won again at Newbury in January, GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP but nothing else that season. As a seven-year-old, after a second to Jacobus at Manchester, she beat Bloodstone at Haydock Park, and then distinguished herself by carrying off the National Hunt Handicap Steeplechase at Cheltenham. There was a great deal of grief among the seventeen starters. The pace must have been remarkably good, for Ally Sloper, Bridge IV., Hugo- mart, Fleeting Peace, Ragged Robin and An der Wein were all pulled up ; Sir Halbert, who had won the National Hunt Steeplechase over the same course as noted on a previous page, Volvanstown, Wilkinstown and Simon the Lepper fell. She won the Great Shrop- shire Handicap at Ludlow, and in the Uxbridge Handi- cap Sweepstakes at Kempton Park was second to the very useful horse Silvertop, the winner in receipt of 251b., Lord Rivers, Belus and others of note behind. In the Sandown Handicap Steeplechase she gave the National winner Sunloch 7 lb. and beat him twenty lengths, was a good second for the Charlton Handicap Steeplechase at Cheltenham to Hackler's Bey in receipt of no less than 41 lb., indeed she ranks high amongst bearers of the colours. Rex was chiefly a hurdler. This son of Laveno and Reigning Queen, a four-year-old in 1906, had run and won in Ireland before Mr. Bibby bought him for ;^8oo. It is perhaps a little curious that on the day when Rex was last seen in Ireland at Leopardstown two other horses who were to join Mr. Bibby's stable also ran. Mighty 202 SOME WINNERS Ocean won the Stand Plate, for which Rex ran third, and Sweet Cecil started favourite for, though he did not win, the Winter Plate. Rex first ran for Mr. Bibby at Sandown as a five-year-old, and after two or three unpro- ductive essays won a flat race at Ludlow on a day when his owner came very near to sweeping the board ; as earlier in the afternoon he had won the Open Hunters' 'Chase with Glenside, the County 'Chase with Red Cloth, and the Henley 'Chase with Creangate. A subsequent success of Rex in the Throckmorton Hurdle Handicap at Gatwick was somewhat amusing by reason of the strenuous efforts to dispossess him made by the owner of an animal called Mystical, who only ran third. Mystical was a strong favourite at 6 to 4, and one is led to suspect that his friends thought it worth while to stretch several points in order to get rid of the two who had beaten him. The first objection was for crossing, and this the Stewards overruled, whereupon Mystical's jockey reported Mason and O'Brien for foul riding. This was also promptly dismissed. Not even yet con- tent, application was made to the Stewards of the National Hunt to reopen the case, which they naturally refused to do. Semi-colon and Shoot Semi-colon, own sister to Colon, was one of the early bearers of the colours, a four-year-old in 1901, started over hurdles at Tenby, as so many of Mr. Bibby's 203 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP horses have done since, and at a second attempt took a similar event at the Carmarthenshire Hunt Meeting, which Mr. Bibby has helped so greatly to support. Her first essay over fences was at Hawthorn Hill in a ;^2oo race, her first win being over the Flying Course at the Pembrokeshire Hunt in a race for which Frosty also ran, there being a declaration to win, however, with Semi-colon. We find her next at Clonmel, where she took the Three Mile Executive Plate. Returning to England she tried for the ;{^2 5o Midland Handicap Steeplechase at Nottingham, but was not equal to the task of dealing with her elders. As a five-year-old she was sold after winning a hurdle race at Cardiff. Shoot was bred by Col. Lort-Phillips, who rated him as a horse of considerable promise. He was by the imported Derringer out of May Bloom, a four-year-old in 1904. In January he was introduced to racing over hurdles at Carmarthen and in a little steeplechase at Tenby at the beginning of the year, not to be seen again till he reappeared at Hooton in November, where, how- ever, the company was too good for him, including as it did Judas, backed at a short price for the Liverpool, Onward, that very useful animal Flutterer, who won a number of races for Sir Peter Walker and remained in training to an exceptionally old age, and others who were in the habit of winning. As a five-year-old he ran again at Tenby against only one opponent, an animal named Barograph, who came in first, but after passing 204 SOME WINNERS the post crossed his legs and fell. The Stewards duly passed him. Shoot won the Past and Present Handicap Steeplechase at the Sandown Grand Military- Meeting, and the Stewards' 'Chase at Ludlow, after which he met Ascetic's Silver at Hurst, starting favourite, moreover, at 5 to 4. In the course of the race he broke down or his friends believe that he would have beaten the Liverpool winner, and as it was he finished second in front of Mr. Gorham's very useful Wolf's Folly. Terpsichore 11. This mare was bred in America, a daughter of the Derby winner St. Blaise and Reel Dance. As a five- year-old in 1899, after three fruitless attempts, at Tenby she won the last race on the Thursday and the first race on the Friday, Mr. Gwyn Saunders-Davies won the Grand Military Handicap Steeplechase on her at Cardiff on Easter Monday, and Col. Lort-Phillips rode her himself in a Private Sweepstakes, also at Cardiff ; but Sir Peter Walker's good old horse Missionary landed the odds of 5 to 2 which were laid on him. This I think disposes of all the horses that have not been mentioned in the previous chapters and are in any way noteworthy. 205 CHAPTER VI ON THE FLAT So far as racing goes steeplechasing has been Mr. Bibby's favourite sport. He has nevertheless run a certain number of horses on the flat, for the most part home bred, and in the future it is probable that he may be found devoting more attention to racing under Jockey Club Rules. Not many flat races have been won by bearers of the colours. Racing is conducted on two different principles. An owner may be exceedingly anxious to win whatever he can, and places his animals accordingly so that he may be able to back them with what appears to be good prospect of winning his money ; or he may adopt a far more sporting attitude, take his chance in races the winning of which would gain reputa- tion for his representatives, having no regard to the odds ; and as previously remarked Mr. Bibby does not bet. Holy Smoke There can be little doubt that Holy Smoke, a son of Ayrshire and Halo — the dam an animal about whom there will presently be something to say — would have 206 ON THE FLAT won races had a less ambitious policy been pursued. Holy Smoke came out for the Coventry Stakes at Ascot in 1910, needless to say one of the principal events of the season success in which almost inevitably presages a brilliant career. Winners of the Coventry include Ladas, Persimmon, Desmond, Rock Sand, St. Amant, Cicero, Black Arrow, Louviers, who was beaten a very short head for the Derby by the King's Minoru, Admiral Hawke, the brother to Pretty Polly. Later in the list come the names of Shogun, who I shall always think was most unlucky to lose the Derby of 19 13, and the famous Tetrarch. In 1 9 10 Holy Smoke was beaten out of a place in the Coventry, which went to Radiancy, the second being Cellini, afterwards winner of the National Breeders' Foal Stakes at Sandown, already described as much the most valuable two-year-old prize of the season. Holy Smoke's second attempt was in the p^iooo British Dominion Stakes, also at Sandown, and he was held in sufficient respect to cause him to start second favourite at 100 to 30. He then ran in the Soltykoff Stakes at New- market, in the Richmond at Goodwood, which was won by that good horse Mr. Leopold de Rothschild's Pietri, on whom 6 to 4 was laid. In a Plate at the First October Meeting he encountered Stedfast and other good animals, and there were formidable rivals in the Alington Plate at the Second October, a race which created something of a sensation, for Lord Falmouth's 207 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP charming filly Lady's Mantle, after running third, dropped dead in the Birdcage on her return for her jockey to weigh in. Holy Smoke was second to St. Nat for the Houghton Stakes, and second to the favourite, Mr. Reid Walker's Desman, for the Osmaston Nursery at Derby. Desman had just beaten him for the Aling- ton Plate, so that the form was correct. As a three- year-old Holy Smoke missed the ;^iooo Tudor Plate at Sandown by a short head, and was beaten again by a head for the Hastings Plate. He ran at Lewes for the Nevill Maiden Plate, and for the third time was beaten a head, by Drinmore. Wootton rode the winner, and I think it may be said was more than a head. better than Holy Smoke's jockey. King''s Scholar With King's Scholar Mr. Bibby was more fortunate. This horse was a son of Your Majesty, the Persimmon colt who won the Leger of 1908 amongst other races including the Eclipse Stakes, the dam Don's Birthday by Donovan-Tay by Bend Or, a mare still in the paddocks at Newmarket. As a two-year-old in 191 3 King's Scholar was second in his first race to the favourite Honeywood, who afterwards carried off the Cambridgeshire. He was third to Stornoway for a rich Biennial at Ascot, then third to Breakspear and Soulouque for the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Goodwood. 208 ON THE FLAT 1913. BRIGHTO^f. ROTTINGDEAN PLATE of £200, of which sec. rec. £10, for 2 yr. olds. Entr. £3, or £i if dec. T.Y.C. 5 fur. 88 yds. (44 ents. viz. 32 at £3, and 12 at £1 — £187.) Mr. F. Bibby's King's Scholar, by Your Majesty, 8 st. 9 lbs. . . . . Wm. Griggs i Mr. J. B. Joel's King Finch, 8 st. 9 lbs. (car. 8 St. 10 lbs.) F. Wootton 2 Mr. J. A. de Rothschild's Albany Beef, 8 St. 12 lbs. A. Whalley 3 Mr. G. Edwardes' Stage Fright, 8 st. 12 lbs. - E. Piper Mr. H. J. Goodson's Sudden Squall, 8 st. 12 lbs. F. Greening Mr. E. J. Marshall's Llanavon, 8 st. 9 lbs. - S. Donoghue - Mr. Russell's Chiddingstone, 8 st. 9 lbs. - W. Earl - 2/1 agst. King's Scholar, 5/2 Albany Beef, 4/1 Stage Fright, 8/1 King Finch. Won by 3 lengths, neck second and third. He won the Rottingdean Plate at Brighton, and was within a short head of winning the Suffolk Nursery at the Newmarket Second October, among those behind him being the favourite, Mount William, who was only- giving King's Scholar 51b. He was then second for the Orleans Nursery at Sandown in a field of seventeen, and second to Sir John Thursby's beautiful filly Torchlight for the Free Handicap. I913. NEWMARKET. FREE HANDICAP of £100 each, 25 ft., for 2 yr. olds ; Bretby Stakes Course, 6 fur. (8 acceptances — £525.) Sir J. Thursby's Torchlight, by John o' Gaunt, 8 st. 6 lbs. carried 8 st. 7 lbs. - D. Maher i o 209 GREEN: YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Mr. F. Bibby's King's Scholar, 7 st. 12 lbs. - H. Jelliss 2 Mr. Sol Joel's Honey wood, 8 st. 10 lbs. - Walt. Griggs 3 Mr. E. Temple Patterson's Land of Song, 9 st. S. Donoghue Mr. Ernest Tanner's Carancho, 8 st. 2 lbs. - A. Whalley Mr. 0. Lewisohn's Coronis, 7 st. 13 lbs. - J. H. Martin Sir E. Vincent's b.f. by St. Amant — Renais- sance, 7 St. 8 lbs. J. Prout 11/10 on Torchlight, 5/1 agst. King's Scholar, 7/1 Honeywood, 8/1 Renaissance f. Won by i| lengths, 5 lengths second and third. As a three-year-old King's Scholar won the Imperial Handicap at Lingfield, from Cigar, a horse of consider- able reputation, and was third to Black Jester for a Biennial at Ascot. In 191 5 he ran for the Newbury Spring Cup, won by Lord Rosebery's Wrack, and wound up as one of thirty-seven starters for the Chester- wood Handicap at the Newmarket First Extra Meeting. With such a field as this the race is often practically decided at the start. 1914- LINGFIELD. IMPERIAL HANDICAP of £400, of which sec. rec. £30 and third £15 ; winners extra; entr. ^{^lO or £3 if dec. 1 mile straight. (22 ents. viz. 15 at £10 and 7 at £3 — £345.) Mr. F. Bibby's King's Scholar, by Your Majesty, 3 y. 7 st. 4 lbs. - - - F. Herbert 1 Mr. P. F. Heybourn's Cigar, 6 y. 9 st. 3 lbs. H. Randall 2 Mr. E. Herz's Short Grass, 6 y. 8 st. 1 lb. (1 ex.) F. Rickaby 3 Mr. W. J. Tatem's Indian Mail, 4 y. 7 st. 7 lbs. (2 ex.) E. Piper 4 210 ON THE FLAT Ld. Savile's Halifax, 4 y. 8 st. (inc. 10 lbs. ex.) G. McCall Mr, W. R. Wyndham's Matelot, a. 7 st. 10 lbs. H. Robbins Mr. T. Nolan's Knuck-na-Corriga, 5 yrs. 7 St. 4 lbs. Waggott Duke of Portland's William Gunn, 3 y. 7 st. 3 lbs. M. Wing Mr. W. H. Allden's MacChanter, 5 y. 7 st. - P. AUden Mr. Keith Arbuthnot's Tinklebell, 4 y. 6 St. II lbs. D. Dick Mr. H. K. Brushwood's Gotham, 5 y. 6 st. II lbs. R. Cooper 4/1 agst. Indian Mail, 6/1 Halifax, Cigar, Short Grass, 7/1 Matelot, William Gunn, lo/l MacChanter, Gotham, 100/8 others (offered). Won by a neck, l| lengths second and third, fourth close up. Misty Laiv Misty Law, a daughter of Ayrshire and Ben Doran, showed up in four of her six races as a two-year-old in 191 1. She was just beaten by Mr. Nelke's Pollywin for the Cliftonville Plate at Brighton, won from the favourite Scotchlike, 11 to 8 on, the Hardwicke Stakes at Stockton, something of a coincidence, Mr. Bibby's residence being Hardwicke Grange ; won the Hastings Nursery at Yarmouth, giving weight to all the other starters, and again with top weight, giving from 131b. to 27 lb. to everything else in the race, third for the Crowborough Nursery at Lingfield. As a three-year- old she won the Bishopsgarth Handicap at Stockton. 211 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP Halo Halo came early in the history of the colours. This filly, who was to become the dam of Holy Smoke, showed up well in her first season. She was out five times, making what must be considered a highly pro- mising first appearance, third to Game Chick for the Princess Cup at the Newmarket First July. Game Chick won half a dozen races worth ;^932o. Halo was then thrice consecutively successful, taking the Lambton Stakes at Stockton, the Badminton Plate at York and the Sallow Maiden Plate at Gatwick in a field of thirteen ; but she was not equal to beating her opponents in the Snailwell, for here she met the speedy Chacornac, and amongst others Dieudonne, winner of the Middle Park Plate. Next season Halo did not keep up her record, though she secured the Ditch Mile Handicap. Pain Bis Pain Bis was another of the early ones, a son of Bread Knife and Pansy. He, too, would surely have won races had this been made a main object. He started in the Great Surrey Foal Stakes at Epsom on the day after Ard Patrick's Derby, and then tried his luck in a Biennial at Ascot, which went to Lord Falmouth's invincible filly Quintessence. In 1903 he was beaten a neck by Imperious for the Heath High- Weight Handicap at the Newmarket Craven Meeting, ON THE FLAT and beaten half a length for the Liverpool Cup by Captain Kettle, with the Two Thousand Guineas winner Handicapper a length and a half behind him. This form must be considered certainly good enough to win races. For the ;^2ooo Prince Edward Handicap at Manchester he was placed fifth, and he ran in the Cam- bridgeshire. There Hackler's Pride only had to give him 3 lb., and his chance must have been very remote. As it was he never won a race, though as a four-year-old he only failed by a short head in the Friday Welter on the afternoon when Pretty Polly won the One Thousand Guineas. Dorastus and Myron These two were sons of Diploma, Myron by Ladas. He only made a single appearance, but had been so well tried that he started a strong favourite at 9 to 4 in a field of twenty for the Country Two-Year-Old Plate at Lingfield in November, 1906. A gelding belonging to Lord Alington, Grab by name, jumped off and was never caught, Myron finishing third. Dorastus by Florizel IL came a year later, but did not run as a two-year-old. As a three in 1908 he began with a win, taking the Cleveland Apprentice Plate at Redcar, but seconds and thirds were the best he could do afterwards. Svindune Svindune is a half brother to King's Scholar by Swyn- ford, and much was asked from him as a two-year-old, 213 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT. AND CAP as he was sent for the New Coventry won by Diadem, whom he was not at all likely to beat! His one other appearance that season was in a field of twenty-one for the Princess Plate. In 1917 he only made a solitary attempt on the flat, unplaced to Trinity Square at Windsor, and in 191 8 the best he did was to finish second to Corydon for a four-year-old Hurdle Handicap at Manchester. He is a good looking colt from whom something may be expected, though it is to be feared that he is disinclined to do his best. St. Tudwal From this son of St. Frusquin and TuUia there is reason to hope much at the time of writing. He is a contemporary of Svindune, but did not run as a two- year-old. As a three in 1917 he showed respectable form when third to Roubaix for the Wood Ditton Stakes, and for the Hastings Plate he also ran distinctly well, second to Argosy. This colt was giving Tudwal 7 lb. and beat him a length and a half, but Coq d'Or, Pamfleta, Sunset Glow and Wildwood were behind and much was thought of Argosy at the time. As a four-year-old St. Tudwal's occupations were varied. He began with a hurdle race at Sandown in March, followed on by another hurdle handicap at Man- chester, where, however, his owner's Svindune also ran and a declaration to win was made in the latter's favour. I think Svindune ought to have taken the race for 214 ON THE FLAT reasons which need not be discussed ; at it was he finished second. Next day St. Tudwal won the Palatine Hurdle Race, ran away with it, indeed, the verdict being twenty lengths, and though I am sorry to use the term " ought to have won " too frequently, I really think he was most unlucky to miss the Twickenham Plate at the Newmarket First Spring Meeting. The favourite here was King John, afterwards winner of the Irish Derby, others backed in the race being Rosmarin, McNeil and Cattegat. While St. Tudwal was making a determined effort, King John's jockey cut him over the head more than once, and according to my reading of the race it was certainly this which accounted for St.Tudwal's defeat by half a length. The Hastings Plate was run over a mile and a half, as was the Bushbury Maiden Plate at Wolverhampton, which St. Tudwal won easily with odds of 5 to 2 on him. Last July (191 8) St. Tudwal finished second to He for the Summer Handicap, in front of such well-known horses as Furore, Greek Scholar, St, Eloi, The Viking, Evan and Rosmarin, and as when the Cesarewitch weights were published He gradually became — as he started — favourite for the great handicap, a fancy for St. Tudwal naturally developed. Mr. Bibby's horse was backed down to a short price and ran well without actually threatening danger. To be precise he was seventh to Air Raid, who beat He by a short head — very luckily, for if Donoghue had ridden He, as but 215 GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP for an unfortunate disagreement he would have done, I have no doubt whatever that the colt would have won. 1918. NEWMARKET. CHIPPENHAM PLATE of £176. i mile 4 fur. Capt. Giles Loder's King John, by Roi Herode, 7 St. 9 lbs. J. Martin i Mr. F. Bibby's St. Tudwal, 4 yr. 8 st. 4 lbs. - Carslake 2 Mr. E. Hulton's Rosmarin, 4 y. 9 st. 2 lbs. - V. Smyth 3 Mr. Arthur James' Decameron, 3 y. 7 st. 3 lbs. Hulme 4 Mr. J. P. Arkwright's McNeill, 3 y. 8 st. 4 lbs. F. Fox 5 Capt. A. de Rothschild's Cattegat, 3 y. Sst. 4 lbs. Whalley Mr. Russel's Linonyx, 4 y. 8 st. 2 lbs. - 0. Madden Mr. J. W. Harvie's Roughwater, 4 y. 8 st. - Lancaster - Sir W. J. Tatem's He, 3 y. 7 st. 3 lbs. - T. Leader - Mr. H. C. Sutton's Lady Wilavil, 3 y. 7 st. i lb. Collett 3|/i King John, 4|/i Rosmarin, St. Tudwal, 6/1 McNeill, Cattegat, I2|/i Decameron, 14/1 He, 20/1 others. Won cleverly by J length, bad third. CESAREWITCH STAKES (Handicap) £1010; 2I m. Mr. W. M. Cazalet's Air Raid (4), 3 y. 8 St. I lb. O. Madden I Lord Glanely's He, 3 y. 7 st. 10 lbs. - A. Smith 2 Major F. C. Stern's Buckthorn, 3 y. 7 St. I lb. G. Hulme 3 Mr. H. Ellis' Furore, 5 y. 8 st. 12 lbs. - H. Robbins 4 Mr. P. W. Carr's Warwick, 4 y. 6 st. 9 lbs. A. Flannigan 5 M. M. Calmann's Haki, 6 y. 7 st. 5 lbs. - J. Brennan 6 Mr. F. Bibby's St. Tudwal, 4 y. 7 st. 1 1 lbs. C. Foy 7 Mr. J. E. Potter's Golden Rule, a. 7 st. 1 1 lbs. V. Smyth 8 Mr. J. White's Ivanhoe, 5 y. 7 st. 3 lbs. (lex.) R. Cooper 9 Sir A. Bailey's Brown Prince, 4 y. 9 St. 2 lbs. F. Fox - 216 ON THE FLAT Mr. W. M. G. Singer's St. Eloi, 6 y. 9 st. J. Childs Mr. L. Winans' Planet, 4 y. 9 st. - - Carslake - Mr. W. T. de Pledge's Greek Scholar, 5 y. 8 St. 3 lbs. A. Whalley Mr. J. White's Chapel Brampton, 6 y. 8 st. E. Wheatley - Due Decazes' Mont Saint Eloi, 3 y. 7 st. 7 lbs. J. H. Martin Mr. L. Winans' Race Rock, 6 y. 7 st. 5 lbs. J. Mason - Mr. A. E. Barton's Leandros, 3 y. 7 st. 2 lbs. Ringstead - Mr. Stuart's Chinaman, 4 y. 7 st. l lb. - K. Robertson Mr. W. B. Tilley's Morning Star, 3 y. 6 St. II lbs. ------ T. Leader - Mr. S. B. Joel's Princess Nathalie, 3 y. 6 St. II lbs. ------ Lester - Mr. W. M' Ilroy's Pastures New, a. 6 st. 9 lbs. T. Gates - Sir H. M. Fitzhubert's Mountain Laddie, 5 y. 6 St. 10 lbs. (3 ex.) - - - E. Quirke Mr. G. W. Smith's John Jackett, 5 y. 6 St. 5 lbs. Weston - Mr. W. H. Dixon's Traceable, 3 y. 6 st. 3 lbs. (3 ex.) W. Balding 5| He, 100/15 Furore, 10 Greek Scholar and Ivanhoe, 100/9 Haki and St. Tudwal, 100/6 Brown Prince, 20 Golden Rule and Buckthorn, 25 Air Raid, 33 Planet, Leandros, Race Rock, Morning Star, and Princess Nathalie, 40 St. Eloi, 50 Mont Saint Eloi, Chapel Brampton, and John Jackett, lOO bar nineteen. Short head, i| lengths. 3 m. 57f sees. Winner trained by Taylor. 217 < H < « M , Ooo 1 f ^ O CX3 r X ^ U H m Z' Hermit ) (Ch. 1864)1 Is Devotion | (Ch. 1869) 1 Newminster Seclusion 8 took well Alcestis O On < 2; w w < r Harkaway w r King Tom (B. 1851) I ^ May Bloom (B. 1861) ID 33 OS a w > Pi Q < 00 > 00 ^ S« (B. 1826) Yard Arm (Bl. 1843) Solon (Br. 1861) . Constance Pocahontas Newminster Lady Hawthorn Whalebone I Sir Hercules I Peri Sheet Anchor I Fanny Kemble (West Australian Darling's dam r Coningsby (Br. 1859) Integrity f Touchstone \ Beeswing J Tadmor \ Miss Sellon f The Baron \ Pocahontas f Touchstone \ Sacrifice f Economist \ Fanny Dawson f Glencoe \ Marpessa / Touchstone \ Beeswing f Windhound \ Alice Hawthorn f Waxy \ Penelope J Wanderer \ Thalestris / Lottery \ Morgiana r Paulowitz \ Loyalty J Melbourne \ Mowerina Birdcatcher Dau. of Hetman Platoff Venison Ruby Van Tromp Rectitude, by Lottery 218 Frank Bibby's North End Stud, Exning. YEARLING COLTS, 1918. Sire. Dam. Colour. Age. 1917 Caubeen, - Early Blossom, - Bay, - April 30th. Dorando, - Farrand, - Bay, - April 15th. Polymelus, Mandamt, - Bay, - March 2nd. Caubeen, - Wavespray, Bay, - April 9th. Caubeen, - Miss Bromley, - Bay, - April 17th. YEARLING FILLIES, 1918. Sire. Dam. Colour. Age. Spearmint, Don's Birthday, - Bay, - February 14th. Sunstar, - Haweswater, Bay, - March i8th. Prince Palatine, Marsovia, - Bay, - March 13th. Prince Palatine, Marybud, - Chestnut, May 13th. Bayardo, - Singlet, Bay, - February 19th. Swynford, - TuUia, Bay, - February 17th. Bowman, - Singer, Bay, - April 14th. 219 .i'jr^r 220 INDIVIDUAL DESCRIPTION OF THE FENCES CONSTITUTING THE GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLE CHASE. 1 & 17. — Thorn fence, 5 ft. high and 2 ft. thick. 2 & 18. — Thorn fence, 4 ft. 6 in. high, guard rail on take off side 2 ft. high, close up against fence. 3 & 19. — Thorn fence, 4 ft. 10 in. high, with ditch on take off side about 6 ft. wide and 4 ft. deep, and a rail in front of said ditch 2 ft. high. 4 & 20. — Rail and fence, the rail being 2 ft. 6 in. high and the fence 5 ft. high. 5 & 21. — Thorn fence, 5 ft. 2 in. high and 2 ft. thick. 6 & 22. — Known as " Beecher's Brook," a thick thorn fence 5 ft. high, with rail 2 ft. in front and a natural ditch about 5 ft. wide on the far side and 4 ft. deep. 7 & 23. — Thorn fence, 4 ft. 10 in. high, with rail in front 2 ft. 6 in. high. 8 & 24. — Thorn fence, 5 ft. 2 in. high, ditch on take off side 5 or 6 ft. wide, and rail in front 2 ft. high. 9 & 25. — Known as " Valentine's Brook," a thorn fence 5 ft. 3 in. high, with a rail in front 2 ft. high and brook on far side. 10 & 26. — Thorn fence, 5 ft. high, and 2 ft. thick. 11 & 27. — Rail 2 ft. high, a ditch about 7 ft. wide and 4 ft. deep, and a thorn fence on far side 4 ft. 9 in. high. 12 & 28. — Rail 2 ft. high, fence 4 ft. 9 in. high, and ditch on far side 6 ft. wide, 13 & 29. — A thorn fence, 4 ft. 9 in. high. 14 & 30. — A thorn fence, 4 ft. 9 in. high. 15. — Thorn fence, 5 ft. high and 2 ft. in width, ditch on take off side 5 ft. wide and a rail in front 2 ft. high. 16. — The "Water Jump," — 16 ft. wide. I'RrN'IRD IN GREAT BRITAIN EV ROBERT MACLEHOSE AND CO. LTD. AT THE UNIVF.RSnY PRESS, GLASGOW