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THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA |

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PRESENTED BY

PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND
MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID

EACING LIFE

OF

LOED GEOKGE CAVENDISH BENTINCK

M.P.

RACING LIFE

OF

LORD GEORGE CAVENDISH
. BENTINOK, M.P.

AND OTHER REMINISCENCES

BY

JOHN KENT

PRIVATE TRAINER TO THE GOODWOOD STABLE
EDITED BY THE

HON. FEANCIS LAWLEY

TOitjj 3Hlustratt0tt0

WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS

EDINBURGH AND LONDON

MPCCCXCII

Betitcateti fig permission

TO

HIS GRACE
ARTHUR CHARLES JAMES CAVENDISH BENTINCK,

SIXTH DUKE OF PORTLAND,

IX HUMBLE ACKNOWLEDGMENT
OF HIS GRACE'S CONDESCENDING KINDNESS AND

THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION,

BY HIS MOST OBLIGED, GRATEFUL,

AND DEVOTED SERVANT,

JOHN" KENT.

PREFACE.

IN May 1865 I returned to England, after passing
nine years, almost without intermission, in the
United States of America. Shortly after my
arrival in London, I met an old friend (now de-
ceased) who asked me to come and dine with him
a day or two later at the Windham Club, in St
James's Square. On repairing to that hospitable
resort, I found that the only guest besides myself
was the still living Mr James Weatherby. Natur-
ally I had much to ask him about the incidents
connected with horse-racing which had happened
since he and I last met, nine or ten years before.
Among other questions, I inquired who was now
the Dictator of the Turf. " Since I last saw you,"
Mr Weatherby replied, " there have been two or
three Dictators, such as Sir Joseph Hawley and
Admiral Rous ; but from the day when I first knew

Vlll PREFACE.

the Turf, forty years ago, down to the present
moment, it has had but one Dictator worthy of
that name — I mean, of course, Lord George Ben-
tinck."

Mr Weatherby's words revived in my mind a
desire which had long before been conceived by me,
to gather together materials for the Racing Life of
Lord George Bentinck, who, above all other racing
men within my memory, had left his mark most
impressively upon the history of the British Turf.
I had often enjoyed opportunities of conversing on
this subject with Lord George's old and trusted
trainer, Mr John Kent, who, I was well aware,
entertained the profoundest respect and regard for
his memory. Not until within the last two or
three years, however, has it been found possible
for Mr Kent to write, or for me to edit, the notes
on which this volume is based. Those who are
interested in the subject, and have the patience
to read this work, will, I hope, not proceed far
without discerning that its hero, Lord George
Bentinck, was undoubtedly the most remarkable
man, and also the strongest character, that the
British Turf has known or seen during the present
century. It should therefore, I think, be a matter
of general satisfaction to the vast army of followers
and supporters to whom horse-racing is either an

PREFACE. IX

amusement or a profession, that Mr John Kent,
whose health has long been far from strong,
should not pass away without chronicling what he
knows about the noble master whom he served so
faithfully.

Lord George's active connection with the Turf,
as a prominent actor thereupon, did not extend over
more than fifteen or sixteen years. There have, of
course, been many conspicuous patrons of horse-
racing who have, in "The Druid's" phrase, "found
pleasure in listening to the whistle of a racing-
jacket " for a far longer period than Lord George
was permitted to do. I believe, however, that
between 1830 and 1846 Lord George did more to
improve, and in some senses to revolutionise, the
Turf, than all the other members of the Jockey
Club who have lived during the present century.
The following chapters will explain my meaning to
those who know no more of Lord George Bentinck
than that he passed away before their time, and to
others — many of whom exist — who have not even
heard his name. In preparing Mr Kent's notes for
publication, I have been surprised to find how com-
pletely the lapse of forty-four years, which have
intervened since Lord George's death, have oblit-
erated all recollection of the most masterful and
powerful personality known to racing men since the

X PREFACE.

death of Sir Charles Bunbury in 1820. Few can
be aware, until they study the history of the Turf
between 1800 and 1840, what its condition was
when Lord George Bentinck moved his entire stud
from Danebury to Goodwood in 1841. Not until
1843 and 1844 did matters come to a crisis. In
the former of those years Lord George Bentinck
began to take measures to purify the Turf of some
of its worst iniquities. His first step was to expel
all defaulters from race-courses under the control of
the Jockey Club, commencing at Goodwood, which,
being the private property of the Duke of Rich-
mond, afforded peculiar facilities for banishing and
excluding black sheep of all kinds. The immediate
result was that, in revenge, a few of the most un-
principled frequenters of the race-courses of the
United Kingdom banded themselves together to
sue several of the most distinguished patrons of
the Turf for winning sums of money in excess of
£10 by betting on horse-races, in contravention of
an obsolete statute of Queen Anne, which com-
menced with the words "Qui tarn." I find from a
return ordered by the House of Commons of the
number of writs issued by the Court of Exchequer
between July 1 and December 31, 1843, that thirty-
four were, in all, taken out in the names of Mr J.
T. Russell and of Mr C. H. Russell, his brother.

PREFACE. XI

Upon Lord George Bentinck and Mr Bowes six
writs apiece were served ; four upon Mr Crockford ;
two apiece upon Colonel Peel, Mr Charles Greville,
and Mr Henry Hill ; while the Earl of Eglinton,
Sir William H. Gregory, Mr John Gully, Mr Peter
Cloves, Mr Henry Justice, Mr John Baily, and Mr
John Greatrex escaped with one apiece. The
ninth of Queen Anne, cap. xiv., on which these
actions were based, provided that any amount in
excess of £10 which was won or lost by betting
could be sued for and recovered, together with
treble the amount so won or lost, at the suit of a
common informer. It was stated in the House of
Lords by Lord Brougham on February 8, 1844,
that the penalties sought to be recovered under
these thirty-four writs amounted to nearly half a
million of money. Only one of these " Qui tarn"
actions went into court. On August 8, 1844, the
case of " Russell v. Lord George Bentinck " came
on for trial at Guildford Assizes. The plaintiff de-
clared that "on the Derby Day in 1843, John
Barham Day did, by betting on a horse-race, con-
trary to the statute of Queen Anne, lose the sum
of £3000 to Lord George Bentinck, the defendant,
who was sued to recover from him the said sum of
£3000, together with treble the value thereof,
making altogether the sum of £12,000." The

xii PREFACE.

plaintiff, however, lost his case from failing to prove
that Lord George made the bet with John Barham
Day, as Mr Gully, with whom Lord George betted,
deposed that he took the bet on his own account.

In the following volume it will be made apparent
that the scoundrels who sought, in revenge for
their banishment from Goodwood and other race-
courses, to administer a death-blow to the British
Turf by making it impossible for betting, which
was then and is still its necessary concomitant
and adjunct, to take place any longer, found a
formidable antagonist in Lord George 'Bentinck.
At his instance the " Manly Sports Bill," by which
the obsolete statute of Queen Anne was repealed,
and its penalties abolished, was read for the first
time in the House of Lords on February 1, 1844,
011 the motion of the Duke of Richmond. Follow-
ing upon the Duke of Richmond's bill, it was
resolved that the whole subject of Betting and
Gaming should be referred to Select Committees
of both Houses of Parliament, and even at the
present day their two Reports may be studied
with interest and advantage. I have thought
it desirable to recapitulate in the fewest possible
words the circumstances under which Lord George
Bentinck became, in 1843, the acknowledged Dicta-
tor of the British Turf. Long before that year,

PREFACE. Xlll

however, he had shown by repeated examples
that the racing stables over which he presided
were looked after with a vigilance, and directed
with an intelligence, to which no other like estab-
lishments could exhibit a parallel. That he was
ably, loyally, and faithfully sustained and seconded
by his latest trainers, Mr John Kent and his
father, will be abundantly proved in the following
pages. Undoubtedly the most trying episode
of the younger Mr John Kent's career was that
connected with Surplice's Derby in 1848, when
Lord George Bentinck had quitted the Turf in
order to devote himself with characteristic energy
to the pursuit of politics. With what anxious
solicitude Lord Clifden's splendid colt Surplice was
guarded against the machinations of his enemies
has never before been stated in print. It should,
however, be added that, in consequence of the fatal
mistake as to the comparative merits of Surplice
and Loadstone, for which the Hon. Francis Villiers
was responsible, Mr John Kent was not only
unrewarded for his fidelity and vigilance, but
was actually a loser upon the only Derby winner
ever sent forth from the Goodwood stable.

There can be little doubt that Lord George
Bentinck would have made ample provision for
the faithful trainer who has devoted this volume

XIV PREFACE.

to his much-loved master's memory, had his life
been spared for a few more years. Cut off, how-
ever, as he was, in the prime of his manhood, no
opportunity was afforded him of leaving a sum of
money to the attached and loyal servant who has
already outlived him for nearly forty-four years.

It was destined, however, before the end of Mr
Kent's life, that a tribute to his merit should be
offered by one in whose veins runs the generous
blood of the noble owner of Crucifix and Miss
Elis. Thus in 1889 it was made known to the
present Duke of Portland that Lord George Ben-
tinck's trainer was passing his declining years in
greatly reduced circumstances, sickness, and ob-
scurity. Forthwith the present head of the great
House of Bentinck displayed unprecedented kind-
ness and liberality towards this old and loyal
servant of the family. Ever since that day the
present Duke and Duchess of Portland have lost
no opportunity of showing attention in a thou-
sand ways to the inspirer of the following pages.

Before closing these remarks, I wish to put upon
record the obligations which I owe in more than
one quarter for guidance and assistance of the most
valuable kind. Among others, Mr W. H. Langley,
well known under the name of "Pavo" as the
sporting correspondent of ' The Morning Post,' and

PREFACE. XV

universally recognised as one of the ablest members
of his profession, has been good enough to read
nearly the whole of this work in MS., and to give
it the benefit of his corrections and emendations.
Equally great has been the interest displayed in it
by Mr Wilmshurst of Chichester, whose sugges-
tions have been of the greatest value to Mr John
Kent and myself. Again, Mr Edmund Tattersall,
the head of the great firm whose fame has gone
forth into all lands, has been good enough to
enlighten me upon many subjects connected with
Lord George Bentinck's eventful history. Finally,
the skill, patience, and industry with which Miss
F. Hays has supplied Mr Kent with information
by hunting out and verifying references bearing
upon its composition, is deserving of the highest
commendation and gratitude from its author and
myself.

In the hope that Lord George Bentinck's claim
to be regarded as the most remarkable racing man
of the nineteenth century will be cheerfully con-
ceded by intelligent readers of the following pages,
I now commend them to the public, by whose im-
partial verdict they will stand or fall.

FRANCIS LAWLEY.

LONDON, Sept. 14, 1892.

CONTENTS.

CHAP. PAGE

I. BIRTH, PARENTAGE, AND EARLY YEARS, , . 1

II. NEWMARKET AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CENTURY, 25

III. EARLY RACING DAYS, . . . . .53

IV. HORSE-RACING PREVIOUS TO VANS, ... 76

V. REMOVAL FROM DANEBURY, .... 97

vi. LORD GEORGE'S SUPPORT OF GOODWOOD RACES, . 123

VII. THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1844, . . . .149

VIII. THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1845, . . . .163

IX. LORD GEORGE AS A LETTER- WRITER, . . . 185

X. LATTER HALF OF THE RACING SEASON OF 1845, . 213

xi. LORD GEORGE'S GAINS IN 1844 AND 1845, . . 225

XII. THE SALE OF LORD GEORGE'S STUD, . . .- 241

XIII. THE DERBY OF 1848, ...... 272

XIV. LORD GEORGE AS A TURF REFORMER, . . . 296
XV. PERSONAL HABITS OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK, . 311

XVI. THE FIFTH DUKE OF RICHMOND, E.G., . », . 332

XV111 CONTENTS.

XVII. RACING CAEEER OF THE LATE RIGHT HON. SIR

WILLIAM H. GREGORY, 366

XVIII. RACING CAREER OF THE LATE RIGHT HON. SIR

WILLIAM H. GREGORY — continued, . . . 400

XIX. POLITICAL CAREER OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK, . 426
XX. DEATH OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK, f . . 447

INDEX, . ...... 471

ILLUSTRATIONS.

THE DUKE OF PORTLAND, ..... Frontispiece

LORD GEORGE BENTINCK, . . . . .To face p. 2

MRS SCOTT AND HER ELDEST DAUGHTER (^ET. 15),
WHO AFTERWARDS MARRIED THE FOURTH DUKE

OF PORTLAND, ...... n 4

FOURTH DUKE OF PORTLAND, . . . n 12

WELBECK ABBEY, TERRACES, . . . . .. ,, 22

JOHN KENT, . . ... . . ii 40

ELIS AND HIS VAN, ...... it 68

THE STABLES, GOODWOOD, . . . . . i. 92

GOODWOOD HOUSE, . ... . . . n 116

FIFTH DUKE OF RICHMOND, K.G., IN HIS ROBES, . n 124

CRUCIFIX (j. B. DAY), . . . . . . ,, 126

LORD GEORGE BENTINCK's MISS ELIS, . . . n 180

CAROLINE RICHMOND, n 244

FACSIMILE LETTER FROM LORD GEORGE BENTINCK, {z^anTztf

THE KENNELS, GOODWOOD, . . ,, . . To face p. 270

xx ILLUSTRATIONS.

SURPLICE, . , Tofacep.282

SKETCH OF WELBECK ABBEY, BY LADY CHARLOTTE

ii 318
BENTINCK, .

• >oo
FIFTH DUKE OF RICHMOND, .

SIR WILLIAM H. GREGORY, K.C.M.G.,

LORD GEORGE BENTINCK (BUST), .

WELBECK ABBEY, FRONT VIEW,

THE BENTINCK MEMORIAL, MANSFIELD, . .,466

THE DUCHESS OF PORTLAND AND DAUGHTER, \ ^^ ^S and 4W

THE DUKE OF PORTLAND,

RACING LIFE

OF

LOED GEOEGE CAVENDISH BENTINCK.

CHAPTEE I.
BIRTH, PARENTAGE, AND EARLY YEARS.

LORD WILLIAM GEORGE FREDERICK CAVENDISH
BENTINCK, more generally known as Lord George
Bentinck, was born on the 27th of February 1802,
and was the third son of the fourth Duke of Port-
land, and of his wife Henrietta, the eldest daughter
and coheiress of General John Scott, of Balcomie,
in Fife, who had three daughters, distinguished
from each other as " the rich Miss Scott," " the
witty Miss Scott," and "the pretty Miss Scott."
The " rich Miss Scott " married the Marquis of
Titchfield, afterwards fourth Duke of Portland ; the
" witty Miss Scott" married the Eight Honourable
George Canning, M.P. ; and the " pretty Miss

2 EARLY YEARS.

Scott" married the Honourable F. Stewart, after-
wards Earl of Moray.

The "rich Miss Scott," afterwards Duchess of
Portland and mother of Lord George Bentinck,
was an exceedingly kind and charitable lady,
always ready to supply necessaries and comforts
to the poor, especially when sick or in distress.
Her sympathy was as unbounded as her disposi-
tion was generous. She took the liveliest inter-
est in everything connected with the manage-
ment of her husband's household and estates,
and was an excellent woman of business. As
her Grace declined in years she became very
retiring in her habits, shunning the company of
strangers as much as possible. Indeed during the
last years of her life, which ended in May 1844,
she was often unseen by the guests whom the
Duke, her husband, entertained at Welbeck Abbey
for many days.

A few reminiscences of Lord George Bentinck
may not be uninteresting to those of a later
generation who have heard of his Lordship's dis-
tinguished life and strongly marked character ;
for, with the exception of the Bight Hon. B.
Disraeli's political biography of his Lordship, no
other memorial work has ever been attempted.
I am therefore induced, through the repeated
solicitations of friends, to commit to paper a
few recollections of my noble master, whom I
had the opportunity of knowing thoroughly from

^A^VCUJt^C.,

A LABOUR OF LOVE. 3

long acquaintance with his character, disposition,
and habits. It is a duty of which I have long
desired to acquit myself, but which other avoca-
tions have led me to defer until, at my compara-
tively advanced age, I feel hardly competent to do
justice to the many great qualities and exceptional
merits which made Lord George Bentinck the most
remarkable man that I ever knew. To me, how-
ever, it will be a labour of love to put down what
I remember of my dear and honoured master, who
was pleased to repose in my father and myself a
confidence, and to admit us to an intimacy, which
were, to say the least, unusual when our relative
stations in life are borne in mind. Nor, in asso-
ciation with Lord George Bentinck, ought I to
omit to mention, in the most respectful, loving,
and grateful terms, the name of Lord George's
confederate and valued friend, the fifth Duke of
Richmond, who was my father's and my own
master long before Lord George joined the Good-
wood stable, and long after he left it. His Grace
was one of those high-minded, large-hearted, and
happily constituted noblemen whom to know was
to love ; and I verily believe that never before
did it fall to the lot of any trainer to serve two
such masters. In the reports occasionally given
of them in newspapers and magazines, which have
from time to time come under my eye, there is so
much inaccuracy, and in the case of Lord George
Bentinck often so much injustice, that I feel it

4 EARLY YEARS.

incumbent upon me to tell to the best of my ability
the story of his racing life as I knew and saw it
from day to day. Having known the Turf and all
its prominent patrons more or less intimately for
nearly sixty years, I can conscientiously aver that
the century which is now so near its end has pro-
duced but one Lord George Bentinck. To this
conviction I hope to gain the assent of those of
my readers who have the patience to read this
book from its first page to its last, and to forgive
its many imperfections and shortcomings.

At an early age it was thought desirable that
Lord George, after leaving Eton, should have some
profession, and he entered the army, by joining the
9th Lancers, and eventually attained the rank of
Major in the 2d Life Guards ; but/ as a military
career offered him little prospect of profit or pro-
motion, and as he was far from being insensible to
the attractions of London society, he retired from
the army in 1827.

The celebrated George Canning, who had mar-
ried the sister of Lord George's mother, found in
his Lordship one of the best and most energetic
of private secretaries ; for he had all the qualities,
such as sagacity, grace of manner, knowledge of
human nature, method in business, shrewdness in
negotiation, and skill and indefatigability in con-
ducting epistolary correspondence, which such an
office is generally supposed to require. At the
same time, it presented to his Lordship one of the

MRS. SCOTT AND HER ELDEST DAUGHTER (AET. 15),

WHO AFTERWARDS MARRIED THE FOURTH DUKE. OF PORTLAND.

M.P. FOR LYNN REGIS. 5

most favourable opportunities that could possibly
arise for entering upon a public career.

In 1826 Lord George succeeded his brother, the
Marquis of Titchfield, as member for Lynn Regis,
which constituency he continued to represent for
rather more than twenty years.1 On the acces-
sion of Lord Grey's Administration in 1830, Lord
George was a general but independent supporter
of the Government. In May 1832, when William
IV. refused to make new peers, and Lord Grey
tendered his resignation to the King, Lord George
Bentinck gave a stronger proof than ever of his
complete independence of the Whig party, by
refusing to vote for Lord Ebrington's famous
motion of unabated confidence in Ministers, which,
being carried by a large majority, put an end to
the Duke of Wellington's attempt at the formation
of an Administration, and dictated terms of sub-
mission to the King and House of Lords.

On the retirement of Lord Stanley, Sir James
Graham, the Duke of Richmond, and Lord Ripon,
from Lord Grey's Government in May 1834, Lord
George seceded from the Whig ranks. On the
accession of Sir Robert Peel to office in December
1834, and upon the opening of Parliament in 1835,
Lord George was extremely active in forming the
party which was afterwards nicknamed by Mr
O'Connell " the Derby Dilly," and for a period of

1 Parts of this and the following pages are taken from the * Annual
Register.'

6 EARLY YEARS.

eleven years Lord George remained a steady sup-
porter of Sir Robert Peel.

As a frequenter of Newmarket, Lord George
was constantly at work " whipping " up the sport-
ing members ; and once, on the approach of a close
division, he showed his zeal by bringing up in his
private carriage a country gentleman of very
eccentric habits and manners, who, absurdly
enough, repaid Lord George's kindness in sub-
mitting to his tedious companionship during a
journey of sixty miles, by voting against the party
to which Lord George belonged.

During the first four years of Sir Robert Peel's
Administration Lord George Bentinck was never
absent from his post. Awake or asleep, there he
invariably sat, from the meeting of the House
until its rising, generally occupying the same seat
on the back benches on the Ministerial side.

At this time Lord George was very eager in his
pursuit of the chase, and kept a stud of hunters
in the neighbourhood of Andover for the purpose
of hunting with Mr Assheton Smith's celebrated
pack of fox-hounds. His Lordship was a very
hard rider, and his custom was, after a prolonged
debate in the House, to rise at six next morning,
to start off from the London terminus of the South-
Western Railway by the seven o'clock train, have
a long day's hunting, and return by the same
route to take his seat once more in the House of
Commons. He was in the habit of wearing a

"PINK" IN PARLIAMENT.

light - coloured zephyr paletot above his scarlet
coat, and, fully accoutred in leathers and top-boots,
he would enter the House, and sit out another
long debate. Many a joke was indulged in by his
brother members on seeing the red collar of his
hunting-coat peeping out from under his surtout ;
and he was perhaps the only member ever seen
of late years in the House of Commons in " pink."
Often on these occasions has Sir Thomas Fremantle,
then Secretary to the Treasury and Whip to the
Conservative party, been heard to remark to some
official members, " How I wish you gentlemen
would take example from George Bentinck ! Look
at him ; his attendance is worth all yours put
together, as he is independent of us, whereas
you are office - holders." Constantly would his
Lordship give his official friends a good scold-
ing when he caught them coming in late for a
division.

It is not my business, nor indeed do I pos-
sess the ability, to comment with discrimination
upon Lord George's political career from the day
when he first entered Parliament in 1826, as
member for King's Lynn, until the sadly memor-
able 21st of September 1848, when he was found
dead outside the deer-park at Welbeck Abbey.
I must, however, claim the privilege of an old and
attached servant to bear my humble testimony
to the qualifications possessed by my noble master,
which, despite the opinion of Mr Greville to the

8 EARLY YEARS.

contrary, would in my judgment have made him
a great success in public life. Mr Greville says
that " Lord George never was, and never would
have been, anything like a statesman." With all
deference to Mr Greville, I cannot but think that
Lord George had one gift which few statesmen
possess — a determination never to speak upon any
subject until he had mastered its every detail. I
never saw or heard of his equal in industry, per-
severance, and powers of long - sustained applica-
tion. Like all of his race, he became sleepy after
eating heartily, and it was his practice not to
touch food, after partaking of a very moderate
breakfast at half-past eight o'clock in the morning,
until he left the House of Commons at night. It
was then his habit to dine at White's Club, in St
James's Street, at a very late hour, varying
between 11 P.M. and 2 A.M. I have heard that
the cook at White's Club gave warning to throw
up his engagement — a very lucrative one, as I
believe he was in receipt of £500 a -year — on
account of the late hours at which Lord George
dined. To show Lord George's indomitable energy,
I remember that after his lamented death, Gardner,
his valet, told me that his Lordship's positive
orders were that, however sound asleep, he was
to be called at half-past seven A.M., although he
often did not get to bed until four or even half-
past four in the morning.

Furthermore, I find the following passage in Mr

LORD GEORGE S STATESMANSHIP.

Greville's e Diary,' written three years after Lord
George's death : —

"November 24, 1851. — Yesterday morning Dis-
raeli called on me to speak about his work, ' The
Life of Lord George Bentinck,' which he is just
going to bring out. I find that he means to
confine it to his hero's political career, and to
keep clear of racing, and of his antecedent life.
He seems to have formed a very just conception
of him, having, however, seen the best of him,
and therefore taking a more favourable view of
his character than I, who knew him longer and
better, could do. I asked Disraeli, ' Supposing
George Bentinck had lived, what he thought he
would have done, and how he would have suc-
ceeded as a Minister and leader of a Govern-
ment in the House of Commons ? ' He said he
would have failed. There were defects in his
education and want of flexibility in his character.
In his speaking there were physical defects he
never could have got over. Disraeli added, what
is very true, that he had not a particle of conceit;
he was very obstinate, but had no vanity."

I must venture to demur to the truth of this
prophecy, although emanating from such high
authorities as Mr Disraeli and Mr Greville, by
repeating what I have myself heard from equally
high authorities. I have been told that the late

10 EARLY YEARS.

Duke of Richmond, the late Earls of Derby and
Strafford, General Peel, and Colonel Anson stated
repeatedly that never yet was there a parliamen-
tary speaker who improved so much in two years
as Lord George Bentinck did. I think the fol-
lowing passage, to which a friend has kindly
called my attention, is more just to Lord George's
character, foresight, and ability as a statesman,
than it was possible for Mr Greville to be. It
appeared in ' The Life of the Prince Consort,' by
Sir Theodore Martin, and ran as follows : —

" On February 4, 1847, Lord George Bentinck,
who had expressed himself, during the debate on
the Queen's Speech, as dissatisfied with the Min-
isterial measures for the relief of Ireland, brought
forward a very carefully devised and comprehen-
sive scheme of permanent relief in the shape of
advances to the extent of sixteen millions, to be
made by the Government for the construction of
railways in Ireland. Powers for construction of
these railways had been already granted, and the
Government advances were to come in supple-
ment of eight millions to be provided by the
companies authorised to construct them, but which
they were unable to raise in the prostrate condi-
tion of the country. The scheme was enforced
with all that minute accuracy of statistical detail
and careful anticipation of practical difficulties
which distinguished its author. Much might

INSTANCE OF HIS FORESIGHT. 11

have been done had labour been directed to such
works of permanent utility as railways from the
futile operations to which it had been applied
under the Government grants of the previous
session. A large portion of the public money,
instead of being absolutely wasted, would have
created a permanent source of national wealth,
and developed the resources of the country many
years in advance of what was otherwise possible."

My only remark upon this passage is, that Mr
Balfour, the late Chief Secretary for Ireland,
and leader of the House of Commons, is, I be-
lieve, engaged in giving effect to Lord George's
well-considered proposals delivered nearly half a
century since. I base my own confident convic-
tions that Lord George Bentinck, had he been
spared, would have played a very distinguished
part in public life, upon one fact alone — I never
knew him to fail in anything to which he gave his
serious attention and which he took in hand in
earnest. Whether he would have remained in
Parliament after the final defeat of Protection I
will not venture to say ; and my reason for enter-
taining doubts on the subject will be found in the
account, subsequently given, of my last interview
with his Lordship.

I cannot conclude this chapter without adding
a few particulars about Lord George Bentinck's
father, the fourth Duke of Portland, who was well

12 EARLY YEARS.

known to my father and to my father's contem-
poraries. His Grace possessed so many admirable
qualities, both as a landlord and as a patron of the
Turf, that I deem it my duty to rescue some of
them from oblivion ; and all the more so because
the influence of great territorial magnates is pass-
ing away in this country — not, as I venture humbly
to believe, for our country's good. It will perhaps
be remembered by some of my readers that in
one of his letters to ' The Times,' Admiral Rons
remarked that during his long experience of the
Turf he had known but two men — the fourth Duke
of Portland and the fifth Earl of Glasgow — who
raced from pure disinterested love of sport, and
without harbouring a single mercenary thought
in their breasts. From what I have heard, there
never yet was a supporter of horse-racing who took
more pleasure than did the fourth Duke of Port-
land in breeding, rearing, and racing his own
thoroughbred stock. For that purpose he kept a
few well-selected brood mares at Welbeck Abbey,
where he caused their produce to be broken as
yearlings, and to be exercised and trained as two-
year-olds until the Doncaster September meeting
was over. At the end of September his Grace
engaged some four or five good jockeys to come to
Welbeck in order to try his two-year-olds, the best
and most promising of which he sent to New-
market to be trained by Richard Prince. His
Grace deemed it to be a matter of prime import-

FOURTH DUKE OF PORTLAND. 13

ance that his young colts and fillies should be
made very tractable and quiet, and for this purpose
he insisted that they should be familiarised with,
and accustomed to, every object and every sound
that was likely to render them nervous and timid.1
The number of horses kept in training by his
Grace was always limited, as in the course of some
years he did not annually start more than three or
four animals. One good horse, Tiresias by Sooth-
sayer, he was so fortunate as to breed, and with
him won the Derby in 1819, beating Mr Crock-
ford's Sultan and Lord Rous's Euphrates (both
good horses) and twelve other starters. Tiresias
was a sound and powerful horse, and won nine
times as a three-year-old, and five times as a
four-year-old, over all distances. Next year he
was put to the stud, where he proved a most
unsuccessful stallion. So infatuated, however,
was his princely owner about him, that, in spite

*In his 'Silk and Scarlet' Mr Henry Dixon ("The Druid")
remarks : " Like all Lord Fitzwilliam's horses when Scaife trained
them, Mulatto was very badly broken. Clift, the jockey, used to
say of him, and in fact of every one of them, 'Here's a pretty brute!
I never get on one on 'em but I've a good chance of breaking my
neck ; no mouth, no nothing. I've all to make.' Welbeck, on the
contrary, was quite as remarkable for the height to which it carried
its breaking. The fourth Duke of Portland used to say that a horse
should never go on to a race-course till it could face anything. Hence,
in order to complete their education they were marched over and over
again past a drum and fife band, with a flag flying, in the park ; and
so many screws of powder were let off in the corn-bin that at last
they would hardly lift their heads out of the manger for a pistol
report."

14 EARLY YEARS.

of continued disappointments, he insisted upon
persevering with him, in the confident belief that
one day he would become the sire of a great horse.
Although a good honest runner himself, Tiresias
was the son of Soothsayer, whose progeny were
for the most part big and good looking, but very
uncertain customers. In short, Tiresias proved to
be as great a failure at the stud as Bay Middleton
was, so long as he remained the property of Lord
George Bentinck. At last, his Grace resolved to
have recourse to better sires than the Derby
winner of 1819, and in 1838 his bay colt Boeotian,
by Taurus, won eight races, including the Column
and Newmarket Stakes, and the St James's Palace
Stakes at Ascot.

Never yet was there a more enthusiastic lover
of Newmarket Heath, a large portion of which he
owned, than Lord George Bentihck's father. His
Grace was never absent from a Newmarket race
meeting until old age prevented his attending ; and
the training-gallops and race-course at " the little
town in Cambridgeshire " were constantly receiving
his attention, which involved the outlay of con-
siderable sums of money. At the beginning of
this century a large portion of what was called
" the new ground " on either side of " the Flat "
was covered with furze-bushes, which his Grace
caused to be stubbed up and cleared away. The
land was then ploughed and sown with cole-seed
or rape, which was fed off with sheep and then

"A MORTA' GOOD OLD CHAP." 15

laid down in grass. His Grace next proceeded to
purchase some land which lay contiguous to the
above-mentioned " new ground," so as to prevent
its ever falling into the hands of some purchaser
who might not be favourably disposed towards the
Turf. Since that time the land in question has
been known as " the Portland farm," and portions
of it have been added to the Heath. He also
built the Portland Stand, at the end of the Beacon
course, where the Criterion and Cambridgeshire
courses finished.

I remember a characteristic story which was
told not long after his Grace made the purchase
to which I have just alluded. In riding for the
first time over the ground, he encountered a
shepherd, from whom he inquired " whether he
knew where the land lay which the Duke of Port-
land had just bought ? " The shepherd pointed to
the spot on which they were standing, exclaiming,
" This be part of it." As they proceeded over the
property the shepherd, little knowing to whom
he was speaking, volunteered the remark, " I be
moighty glad t' Duke of Portland 'ave bought
this 'ere farm, because he be a morta' good old
chap."

" And what makes you consider him ' a morta'
good old chap ' ? " inquired the Duke, smiling.

" Because he's good to 's poor, and finds work
for a lot o' we," replied the unconscious guide.

During the intervals between the various race

16 EARLY YEARS.

meetings the Duke almost always remained at
Newmarket, and busied himself in effecting altera-
tions and improvements upon the Heath. For
this purpose he employed many hands, and rode
about among them inspecting the work, and en-
couraging them here and there by a few words of
praise. A groom led the Duke's black cob about
the Heath as he walked among the labourers, and
in this way many hours of each day were spent.
His Grace was always an excellent pedestrian, and
I have known him walk home two or three miles
in heavy rain, followed by his groom leading the
well-known black cob.

During the races the Duke had a waggon fitted
up as a movable stand, and supplied with every
convenience. After he had seen the competing
horses saddled at the Ditch stables, he would get
into his waggon, which was drawn up near the
Bushes, and would watch through a powerful
telescope the running of the horses in the race.
As they drew near to his " coign of vantage," he
would announce in a loud voice what their relative
positions were, and their respective chances of
winning. Although his Grace never betted a
shilling, and indeed held the practice in utter
detestation, I have never known any one who took
such keen interest in racing as he did. He had
an eye, and an exceedingly discriminating one too,
for the riding of each jockey, as I have often had
an opportunity of remarking when he permitted

THE DUKE'S IMPROVEMENTS. 17

me to occupy a place in his covered waggon. His
Grace's long and powerful telescope is now in my
possession, as he gave it to Lord George Bentinck
when advancing age prevented him attending the
Newmarket meeting any more, and Lord George
gave it to me when he sold his stud in 1846.

Although his Grace never took a very active
part in political life, there were few noblemen who
devoted themselves more energetically to improv-
ing their estates than he did. Being the most
practical of men, he was well aware that a
thorough and exhaustive drainage of land was
needed to bring his Welbeck estates into a condi-
tion to produce abundant crops. With this end
in view he drained thousands of acres, many of
them at the cost of £100 per acre.

I cannot give a better illustration of the mag-
nitude of his Grace's expenditure upon his property
than by quoting the following passage from the
last edition of Mr John Murray's ' Handbook to
Nottinghamshire.' The writer says :—

" At two and a half miles from Mansfield a road
leads by Clipstone and Edwinstowe to Ollerton,
seven miles distant from Mansfield. Clipstone is
an estate belonging to the Duke of Portland, and
the road to it runs by the side of a canal of irri-
gation, formed by the fourth Duke at an expense
of £80,000, and called 'The Duke's Flood-Dyke.'
By it the stream of the river Mann, augmented

B

18 EARLY YEARS.

by the sewage and washings of the town of Mans-
field, is distributed by minor cuts, tiled drains,
and sluice-gates along the slopes below it, con-
verting the previously barren valley, whose sides
were a rabbit-warren overgrown with heath and
gorse, and its bottom a swamp, producing hassocks
and rushes, into a most productive tract of meadow
and pasture land, yielding three crops of grass
annually. The river is diverted near the vale-
head, and led along the hillside ; and the bottom
has been drained. The canal extends to near
Ollerton, and the latter portion of it is applied to
the lands of Earl Manvers.

"These famous meadows have been often quoted,
together with those near Edinburgh, in sanitary
and agricultural discussions. The canal - water,
after depositing all its more valuable ingredients
upon the land, runs off through the bottom of the
valley in a stream as clear as crystal and full of
trout, though angling is forbidden. The domain
of Clipstone exhibits a fine specimen of good farm-
ing, and is well worth a visit from all interested
in agricultural improvements."

One of his Grace's favourite undertakings was
to transplant large oak-trees by the aid of very
powerful machinery ; and so successfully was this
effected, that many of these trees are now great
ornaments of the park at Welbeck. Clad in
appropriate costume — that is to say, in a rough

THE DUKE'S KINDNESS. 19

coat and long waterproof boots reaching up to his
hips — the Duke personally superintended the
draining operations of his labourers, and would
not permit the tiles to be laid until he was satis-
fied that there was sufficient fall to carry off the
water.

Lord George Bentinck, as was natural, took
great interest in all his father's proceedings at
Welbeck, and often remarked to me, when en-
gaged in grubbing up trees on the Goodwood
estate in order to make gallops for his race-horses,
that his father, if they had belonged to him,
would have transplanted them with his powerful
engines.

In every relation of life the fourth Duke of
Portland was one of the kindest and most consid-
erate of men. When any matter was referred to
him, he never came to a decision without the full-
est and most patient inquiry. I remember hear-
ing that on one occasion the house -steward at
Welbeck suggested to his Grace the propriety of
making a reduction in the wages of the household
servants. " By all means," replied the Duke, " if
you deem it advisable ; but in that case it is of
course to be understood that I begin with you ! "
I need hardly add that nothing further was heard
of the house-steward's suggestion, or of another in
which he represented that it was a piece of un-
heard-of extravagance and luxury for the servants
to have fires in their bedrooms. "You may stop

20 EARLY YEARS.

the practice if you like," said the Duke, " but not
until you first set the example yourself."

It was the Duke's invariable habit to sit down
to dinner exactly at 6.30 P.M., and such was his
punctuality that nothing would induce him to wait
for any guest, however distinguished, who might
be staying at Welbeck. The same rigorous
punctuality was observed by him in every other
transaction, but I cannot say that it was inherited
by Lord George Bentinck. to whose nature it was
foreign. Such was his Grace's consideration for
others, that, upon hearing that one of his tenants
had given notice to leave his farm, he sent for the
man and inquired why he had taken this step ?
" Because, your Grace," he replied, " I have not
enough money to cultivate my farm properly."
"What do you intend doing?" was the next
question. " I thought of taking a small dairy-
farm, your Grace." " Would you not prefer
remaining in your own house, to which you are
accustomed," was the kind inquiry made by the
Duke, " and carrying on the farm for me, if I paid
you for doing so ? " "I should, indeed, prefer
that, your Grace." An arrangement was accord-
ingly made to that effect, and two or three years
later the Duke inquired from his agent in what
condition this particular farm was, and whether it
yielded a profit ? Reassured on this point, his
Grace sent for the tenant, and observed to him,
" If you are able to make this farm pay when

THE DUKE'S PEDESTRIAN POWERS. 21

cultivating it for me, could you not do the same
for yourself? " On receiving an affirmative reply,
the Duke inquired how much capital the farmer
needed for his purpose, and advanced the sum at
once, with the happiest results.

I have already said that his Grace was an
excellent pedestrian, and delighted in walking.
In one of the letters written by Lord George
Bentinck to Mr Croker in 1846, his Lordship
remarks that he " believes his father, then eighty
years old, was still equal to a ten-mile walk."
I remember being at Harcourt House, Cavendish
Square, on one occasion, when his Grace announced
his intention of walking to some place a long way
off. To this his two daughters, Lady Charlotte
Bentinck, afterwards Viscountess Ossington, and
Lady Lucy, now the Dowager Lady Howard de
Walden, vehemently objected, and begged their
father to order his carriage to the door. His Grace
scornfully repudiated the idea that the distance
was too long for him to accomplish on foot, and
offered there and then to run either of the young
ladies round the garden behind Harcourt House.
The challenge was accepted by Lady Charlotte,
and after an exciting race she won, as it were,
cleverly by a head, to her own great delight.

There is not one member of this noble family to
whom I do not personally owe a deep debt of
gratitude. Hearing of my only son's dangerous
illness in 1887, Lady Ossington (who has since

22 EARLY YEARS.

passed away, followed by the blessings and grate-
ful thanks of all who knew her) provided him with
all the comforts and necessaries that he required,
and showed the greatest sympathy with my wife and
me. On my son's decease in December 1887, at
the age of twenty-four years, her Ladyship caused
a beautiful gravestone to be erected to his memory,
bearing the following words at the end of the
inscription : " This stone was erected by Vis-
countess Ossington, in consideration of services
faithfully rendered to her father, his Grace the
fourth Duke of Portland, and to her brother,
the Eight Honourable Lord George Cavendish
Bentinck, M.P."

Nor should I omit to mention that the spirit of
kindness, sympathy, and generosity which has
always distinguished this noble house, has de-
scended in full measure to the sixth Duke of
Portland, who is now the head of this ancient
and illustrious family. From his Grace, and from
the Duchess, I have received so many favours and
such unbounded kindness, not only in my own
home but also at Welbeck Abbey, that I dare not
trust myself to attempt to enumerate them here.
I am persuaded from my own experience that
their Graces have hearts as kind and warm as that
which induced the fourth Duke of Portland to make
provision for the poor tramps who shambled along
the road in front of one of the lodges on the edge

THE DUKE'S CHARITY. 23

of the park at Welbeck. At this lodge his Grace
stationed a porter whose business it was to give
relief to every indigent applicant for it — a pint of
beer and half a loaf of bread for a man, and half a
pint of beer and the same quantity of bread for a
woman. To children a slice of cake and a little
wine-and- water were in each case dispensed. At
Harcourt House, in London, his Grace's charities
were absolutely boundless. I have often been
present when Mrs Jones, the housekeeper, received
letters from Welbeck, written by the fourth Duke
and by his Duchess, giving instructions for the
distribution of clothing, food, coals, and money
among the poor inhabitants of his Grace's London
property.

The Duke died at Welbeck on the 27th March
1854, at the advanced age of eighty-five years.
His last words, addressed to his regular medical
attendant, were these : " Dr Ward, in a few
minutes the poorest labourer who worked on my
estate, and has gone before me, will be my equal
in every respect." Throughout his protracted life
his Grace was in the enjoyment of perfect health,
the result of abundant exercise and of many hours
passed every day in the open air without regard
to the weather. The Duke preferred walking to
riding ; but when he rode, it was invariably on a
stout trotting cob, which nothing could ever in-
duce him to urge into a canter or gallop. In the

24 EARLY YEARS.

belief that Lord George Bentinck derived many
of his most valuable and characteristic attributes
from his father, I hope that what I have now
written about the latter will not be considered
inappropriate by those who take the trouble to
read it.

25

CHAPTER II.

NEWMARKET AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CENTURY.

A FEW words explaining how I came to be a trainer
of race-horses may perhaps be not unacceptable to
those of my readers in whom a taste for the past
predominates over (what is far more usual) a taste
only for the present. It would by many be deemed
a sufficient reason for me to say that I was born
at Newmarket, and that my father and grand-
father had lived there for more than sixty years
before I came into existence. My grandfather
was a builder by profession, and constructed a
considerable number of the principal houses and
other buildings, including stables, in what has
long been erroneously called, " The famous little
town in Cambridgeshire " — erroneously, because
only half of it is in Cambridgeshire, the other half
being, as every one knows, in Suffolk. Among
the buildings for which my grandfather was re-
sponsible may be included " The Rooms," of which
a Mr Parrs, who also kept a school, was for a long

26 NEWMARKET EARLY IN THE CENTURY.

time lessee and manager. In addition to " The
Booms," my grandfather also built what is now
called the " Rutland Arms Hotel," on the site
occupied by which another inn (of far inferior size
and pretensions, and called " The Ram ") formerly
stood. I have often been told by my old friend
Mr J. F. Clark, the ex-racing judge, that viewed
as an edifice, the Rutland Arms is well calculated
to confer credit upon its builder, as the brick-
work is a very excellent specimen of neatness and
stability. Mr J. F. Clark's authority on every-
thing connected with Newmarket has long been
acknowledged to be quite unexceptionable ; and
the fact that, in addition to being a racing judge,
he has for many years followed the profession of
an architect, lends additional weight to his opinion
on such a subject. Previous to the erection of
the Rutland Arms, which was commenced a few
months after the battle of Waterloo, the Ram
Inn, its predecessor, took its name from an inci-
dent connected with the strange, eventful history
of the eccentric Earl of Orford, about whom so
many queer tales were told. It is well known that
on one occasion Lord Orford drove his favourite
team, consisting of four stags, from Houghton
Hal], his country seat in Norfolk (after which, by
the way, the Houghton meeting is called), into
Newmarket, a distance of about twenty-nine miles.
When he was approaching his destination, the
Essex Hounds chanced to cross the road along

THE HAM INN. 27

which he had passed just before, and catching
up the burning scent of the four stags, they im-
mediately gave chase. As they drew near to the
vehicle, their loud notes, or what fox-hunters call
" their music," alarmed the stags, which galloped
at full speed into the little town, and dashed into
the wide-open portals of the inn which stood on
the site subsequently occupied by The Ram. The
doors were immediately closed, and the lives of the
stags saved from their eager pursuers. This occur-
rence happened about the middle of last century,
and was the cause of the name, " Ram Inn," being
bestowed upon this noted hostelry and posting-
house. In 1775, it was kept by a Mr Barber, who
hailed from the Bull Inn at Barton Mills — the last
stage on approaching Newmarket from the Suffolk
side, and close to which Sir Charles Bunbury's
seat, Barton Park, was situated. Many famous
race - horses were bred there by the Baronet in
question, who lived to be the senior member of
the Jockey Club, and Father of the British Turf.
Sir Charles Bunbury, who was an excellent sports-
man, died in 1820, and owned in his time some
famous horses, such as Bellario, Eleanor (winner of
the Derby and Oaks), and Smolensko, the winner
of the Two Thousand, the Newmarket stakes, and
Derby. I have often heard Admiral Eous recount
that the first race for the Two Thousand ever seen
by him was that won by Smolensko, in 1813. It
is a thrice - told tale that, after the Derby, Sir

28 NEWMARKET EARLY IX THE CENTURY.

Charles gave Goodisson three ten-pound notes for
winning the three races ; remarking to him that
he could not afford more because Brograve, a
celebrated bookmaker of that day, had committed
suicide, from inability to meet his Derby losses,
including a large sum due to Sir Charles.

Mr Barber was succeeded, in 1778, by Mr Daniel
Potter, who reigned for many years, and did not
die until 1813, after which date his widow con-
tinued the hotel until 1828, when Mr Rateliffe
took it. It was in the hands of Mr Daniel Potter
and his widow for thirty-five years. Mr Potter
was an extremely stout man, and in his day
there resided at Newmarket a man of the name of
Robert Bones, who was very tall, and as thin as
a rail. These two notabilities were talking to-
gether at the entrance to the Rutland Arms,
immediately opposite to the shop of Mr Rogers,
the stationer and printer, who was also a clever
sketcher. With a few skilful touches of his pencil,
Mr Rogers took the portraits of these two eccentric
individuals, and a few hours afterwards placed
the sketch in his shop - window, with the words
" Flesh and Bones " inscribed beneath. I re-
member hearing my father say that for a short
time this caricature afforded intense amusement
to passers-by.

My grandfather resided in a house, which he
built for himself, on Mill Hill, Newmarket. Close
to his house stood the residence and stables of

NEWMARKET WORTHIES. 29

" old Mr Prince." After my grandfather's death,
his house was occupied for many years by James
Robinson, and then by Frank Butler, two of the
very finest jockeys that I ever saw. The work-
shops and business premises occupied by my grand-
father were, on his decease, taken by Mr John
Clark, the father of the present much-respected
ex-judge. They remained in the hands of the
elder Mr Clark and his sons for many years. It
is not generally known that, despite my lifelong
connection with Newmarket and Goodwood, my
great - grandfather was a native of Wantage, in
Berkshire, where some of the best training-grounds
for race - horses that England contains may not
improbably have given him a taste for racing.
Anyhow, it is certain that his son, my grandfather,
took up his abode at Newmarket, and was greatly
interested in racing for many years. I find that
" Mr Kent of Newmarket, Cambridgeshire," was
a subscriber to the ' Racing Calendar' in 1775,
and has continued, with slight intermission, since.
It will thus be seen that the surname by which I
am known was borne by people associated more
or less with horse-racing for a hundred and seven-
teen years. In my father's lifetime, no less than
in my own, a vast number of changes have occurred
in the noble sport, which is now more popular than
ever among Englishmen, and, I must add, among
Englishwomen ; nor can I be blind to the fact
that to the influence of the latter such " drawing-

30 NEWMARKET EARLY IN THE CENTURY.

room meetings" as Kempton Park and Sandown
Park are undoubtedly due. Some of these changes
are, of course, unpalatable to an old man like
myself, especially those identified with the short
courses, which are now all the vogue. Upon this
oft-debated subject 1 have no intention of entering
with wearisome iteration at the present moment.

As I have previously stated, my grandfather
lived in a house built by himself on Mill Hill.
This house was within a few feet of that occupied
by the grandfather of Mr Richard Prince. The
latter trained for the fourth Duke of Portland, and
for many other distinguished noblemen, and was
one of the most upright men of his class that New-
market ever contained. " Old Mr Prince " and
his wife took a great liking to my father when he
was a little child, and insisted upon having him
over to their house as often as possible. In fact,
he was adopted at a very early age by her and her
husband, despite their own large family. Mr Prince
himself was of Irish extraction, and was buried by
torchlight, which at the time made a great sensa-
tion at Newmarket. My father was carried when
a child to see this funeral by S. Wright, my grand-
father's foreman, who, to distinguish him from
another man of the same name, was called " slab
Wright," being a bricklayer by trade. Mr Prince
was succeeded by his son, whose mother kept house
for him until his own death. All this time my
father continued to reside under her kindly roof,

RICHARD PRINCE. 31

and upon her death she confided him to her son,
and gave him a beautiful cane as a " souvenir " of
herself. The cane in question has a fine ivory
knob, and was preserved by my father with the
greatest care, and on his death was bequeathed
by him to me. It is now in my possession ; and
whenever I look upon it, my thoughts fly back to
many precious memories of the past, which would
otherwise escape my attention. I have ventured
to reproduce some of them here.

The younger Prince, to whom my father was
intrusted by Mrs Prince, his mother, had the kind
heart of an Irishman, and was exceedingly good to
the boy under his charge, sending him to school,
and treating him in every respect as well as his
own sons. As my father was a light-weight, and
a good natural horseman, he was selected by Mr
Prince to ride in many of the stable trials, and
soon gained some reputation for his skill in manag-
ing dangerous and difficult horses. On one occa-
sion a horse trained by Mr Prince, and looked after
by my father, who invariably rode him at exercise,
was sent to Black Hambleton, in Yorkshire, to be
trained for some North Country engagement. Mr
Prince could not spare my father, and consequently
the horse, on arriving at his destination, soon be-
came so riotous and violent that none of the York-
shire boys could master or control him. Accord-
ingly, my father was despatched to Black Hamble-
ton to ride the horse back to Newmarket, which he

32 NEWMARKET EAELY IN THE CENTURY.

effected, after encountering all sorts of difficulties
and dangers, as the roads were very bad, and
skirted by open ditches, into some of which the
refractory animal would leap, seriously jeopardising
his own limbs and life, and also those of my father.
During the first four or five days he had, as may
be imagined, a very uncomfortable time of it ; but
after that the horse acknowledged his own defeat,
on finding that he had a horseman on his back
whom he could neither frighten nor unship.

At school my father was a great friend of Frank
Baker, a fellow-pupil and contemporary, who sub-
sequently trained for George, Prince of Wales,
afterwards George IV., and was an intelligent and
well-informed man, devoting many hours daily to
study, by which means he amassed a great stock
of general information apart from horse -racing.
Baker was a very steady and economical trainer,
and also a great favourite with the boys and em-
ployees in his stable. For the Prince he was very
successful, and by care, hard work, and thrift
acquired a small competency. His house and
premises adjoined those of James Edwards, who
trained for Lord Jersey, Sir John Shelley, and
many other notable patrons of the Turf. Baker
owned the house in which he lived, and in it he
passed his declining years, altogether secluded
from company. At school the friendship between
my father and Baker was very great, and it con-
tinued until my father left Newmarket in 1823, to

MR PRINCE'S STABLE. 33

accept the position of private trainer to the fifth
Duke of Bichmond, at Goodwood.

Mr Prince soon adopted the habit of intrusting
the entire management of his stable and paddocks
to my father, who took the greatest interest in his
work, and was always a very conscientious and faith-
ful servant to his employers. He was constantly
sent away from Newmarket in charge of horses
which had to run for provincial engagements far
away from headquarters. Among the distin-
guished patrons of the Turf for whom Mr Prince
then trained were included Lord Foley, the Eight
Honble. Charles James Fox, Sir Frank Standish,
Sir Sitwell Sitwell, and many lesser luminaries.
Lord Foley and Mr Fox were racing confederates,
and their success during the early years of their
connection with Mr Prince's stable was pheno-
menally great. It was a very heavy betting
stable about that time, and in the opinion of many
observant judges the first impulse towards reck-
less speculation was administered to the Turf by
Lord Foley, who in the end was so hard hit by
gambling that his noble estate, Witley Court in
Worcestershire, had to be sold for nearly a million
sterling to the grandfather of the present Lord
Dudley. While the success of these two confed-
erates was at its height, their horses were always
great favourites, a fact which led, in one instance,
to that well-known and most disgraceful transac-
tion with which Dan Dawson (an ill-omened name)

c

34 NEWMARKET EARLY IN THE CENTURY.

became notoriously identified. My father used
to relate that in the Newmarket Spring Meetings
of 1811 some horses in Mr Prince's stable were
very heavily engaged, some of them in races
upon which the betting was pretty sure to be
heavy. A design was therefore formed by some
unprincipled scoundrels, who hired Dawson and
another tout to administer poison to those of Mr
Prince's horses which were daily out at exercise
and doing strong work. With this flagitious
purpose in view, arrangements were made by
Dawson and his accomplice to put arsenic into
the drinking-troughs close to what is still called
" Well Gap," half-way down " The Ditch." These
troughs were Mr Prince's private property, and
were covered over with wooden coverings, which
were carefully locked up at both ends. It was
at that time the custom for trainers to water
their horses after doing a strong gallop, especially
if the morning was hot. Every trainer, therefore,
had his own troughs, which were scattered about
at various places to suit their owners' convenience.
As arsenic, unless chemically prepared, will not
mix with water, Dan Dawson took into his con-
fidence an old chemist named Cecil Bishop, and con-
sulted him as to the best way of rendering arsenic
soluble in water. Although Dawson was one of
those " ne'er-do-weels" who pass their lives in the
useless and disreputable occupation of watching
horses, he had received a good education, and

POISONING RACE-HOESES. 35

might have turned his hand to better things.
Apparently his object was not to kill the horses
which drank at the poisoned trough, but to in-
capacitate them from winning a race for several
days after. In some mysterious way a warning
was conveyed to Mr Prince, cautioning him against
watering his horses at a particular trough. For
a time he acted upon this advice, and Dan Dawson,
who for obvious reasons carefully abstained from
being seen near the trough, came to the conclusion
that Cecil Bishop had made a mistake, and that
enough arsenic had not been mixed with the water,
seeing that Mr Prince's horses continued to go in
their usual form. He proceeded, therefore, in the
middle of the night to inject a stronger dose of
arsenic through a tube which he inserted under
the lid. This tube was stuck into the neck of a
bottle full of a strong solution of arsenic. It was
subsequently discovered that one quart of the
water thus impregnated by this unprincipled
scoundrel was more than sufficient to kill the
strongest horse.

One morning Mr Prince's horses were out as
usual for exercise, and when they had finished
their gallops the weather suddenly became very
hot and sultry. Mr Prince remarked to my father,
who was riding by his side, " This rumour about
the troughs being poisoned seems to me ' gammon,'
as I have heard nothing about it for a long time."
My father replied, " Nevertheless, were I you, I

36 NEWMARKET EARLY IN THE CENTURY.

should pull out the plugs at the bottom of the
troughs, and let the water run off; after which
I should fill the troughs again with fresh water
brought from the well." " Oh," exclaimed Mr
Prince, " that will take too long ; there is no
danger ; so let the horses drink their fill, and I
will be responsible for all risks." When the
horses were brought to the troughs, their natural
powers of scent led them at once to suspect that
all was not right. Some of them began to snort,
and refused to touch the water at any price ; but
others drank a little, and were hardly able to get
home, in consequence of the violent griping which
immediately overtook them. On the return of
these latter to the stable, my father, who was
a capital "vet," although all his knowledge had
been acquired by rule of thumb, administered a
strong dose of castor-oil to Coelebs and Reveller,
two horses belonging to Sir Sitwell Sitwell.
Spaniard, Pirouette, and The Dandy, which be-
longed to Sir Frank Standish, were usually at-
tended, like all his other horses, by a Dr Bowles,
of Cambridge, who was a certified physician for
human beings, and also very clever in treating
quadrupeds. At that time the veterinary art
was at a very low ebb, as any one may see if
he cares to exhume such books as ' Taplin's
Stable Directory ' and ' Lawrence On the Horse/
In this instance the delay which necessarily
elapsed before Dr Bowles arrived from Cam-

RACE-HORSES POISONED. 37

bridge proved fatal. The three above - named
horses belonging to Sir Frank Standish died in
great agony ; indeed I have often heard my
father say that he had never seen a poor animal
endure anything like the sufferings sustained by
Spaniard, before death brought him merciful re-
lief. He and his two stable companions were
buried in the gravel-pit near "The Severals,"
opposite to the house in which John Robinson
lived during his declining years. Thanks to the
dose of castor -oil administered by my father to
Ccelebs and Reveller, both recovered, and ran in
many races, the latter winning nine times during
the following year. Their recovery was attri-
buted by the ignorant to the effects of some
vinegar administered to them by a man calling
himself a veterinary surgeon ; but, in reality,
they were saved by my father's prompt action
in drenching them without a moment's delay with
castor-oil.

It was upon Wednesday, May 1, 1811, that
the horses drank poison at the troughs, and next
day a notice in very big letters was posted all
over the town. It ran as follows : —

"NEWMARKET, May 2, 1811.

" T17HEEEAS several race-horses, under the care of Mr
Eichard Prince, training groom, that drank out of
a- trough on the Heath near the ' Well Gap ' on Wednesday
morning, were soon after taken ill, one of which is since
dead, and many remain in a dangerous state ;

38 NEWMARKET EARLY IN THE CENTURY.

" And it having been found, on investigation, that a pre-
paration of arsenic had been infused in the water of two
other troughs on the Heath, where the racers usually drink :

" This is to give notice that Whoever will discover the
person, or persons, who put the arsenic or other poison into
any of the aforesaid troughs, so that he, she, or they may
be brought to Justice, shall, upon conviction, receive

A REWARD OF
FIVE HUNDRED GUINEAS.

" And furthermore, WHOEVER shall discover any person, or
persons, who instigated or abetted the above offenders, or
shall reveal any circumstances which may lead to the ap-
prehension and conviction of any of the parties concerned
in this nefarious transaction, shall be liberally rewarded by

applying to

MR WEATHERBY

AT NEWMARKET."

A few days later the other three horses died,
and the excitement became intense. Suspicion
ultimately settled upon Dan Dawson, who for
some weeks previously had lodged at the " Five
Bells," kept by Mrs Tilbrook, on the opposite
side of the Mill Hill to that on which Mr Prince's
house stood. Dawson had often been seen by
my father walking across the Mill Hill towards
Mr Prince's house, with his head down and a
muffler round the lower part of his face, as though
he desired to escape observation or recognition.
On many occasions my father remarked to Mr
Prince, as he pointed out Dan Dawson to him,
"I cannot imagine who that fellow is; he comes

CAPTURE OF DAN DAWSON. 39

across the hill almost every morning, and passes
our house about the time when the horses go out
to exercise, at a very early hour. He carries his
head as though he were ashamed to have his face

seen."

As soon as the horses were taken ill, Dan
Dawson left the "Five Bells." The First Spring
Meeting of 1811 was then near its close, and
several months were yet to elapse before the sus-
pected culprit was arrested at Cambridge, on
August 12, 1812. Into the details of his trial
and death sentence I shall not enter, beyond
saying that it seems incredible in these days that
a man should be hanged for such an offence. One
justification of the sentence being carried out in
its full severity was said to be, that although
horses were the only sufferers, it was obvious that
human beings might with equal facility have been
poisoned, because in the summer months the lads
on the backs of the horses frequently drank at
the same troughs. Mrs Tilbrook of the " Five
Bells," being, like most of her sex, of an inquisitive
disposition, had examined Dan Dawson's luggage,
which he kept under his bed at her house. She
soon discovered a bottle marked " poison " in one
of his trunks ; and in the neck of this bottle there
was a flaw which made it easy of identification.
The bottle was afterwards found in Dan Dawson's
possession, and was shown to Mrs Tilbrook, who
stated, "If it be the same bottle I found under his

40 NEWMARKET EARLY IN THE CENTURY.

bed, there is a c delve ' in it into which I can put my
thumb." This evidence led to Dawson's conviction
and public execution at Cambridge, in presence of
from twelve to fifteen thousand persons.

If I am censured by some impatient readers for
entering at this length into a transaction with
which many are familiar, I can but plead that the
details given are generally inaccurate, and that
my father was intimately connected with the dis-
covery of this dastardly crime, and was never
tired, in my youth, of talking about it. I remem-
ber that it was his habit to impress upon me most
forcibly, what I afterwards learned from my own
experience, that it was impossible to exercise too
much vigilance as to the water supplied to horses
away from home. This caution was not forgotten
by me when I had Surplice at Epsom, just before
the Derby of 1848.

I remarked at the beginning of this chapter-
that it would have been enough for me to state
that I was the son of a trainer, and born at New-
market, in explanation of the fact that I myself
followed my father's profession. This, however,
was not my father's desire. He would infinitely
have preferred that I should have studied chem-
istry at the laboratory of a relative of his and
mine, at Stratford, in Essex. The firm in ques-
tion was that of Messrs Howard, Gibson, & Kent.
I was placed under their care for a short time ;
but soon after, my father became a widower, and

J. B. O. MUNICH.

FRANK BAKER. 41

was constantly absent from home at the race
meetings where his horses had engagements. He
found it necessary, therefore, to call in my assist-
ance to do what I could towards managing the
vast stud under his care ; and most assiduous he
was in teaching me the art of training racre-horses.
He carefully explained to me the various systems
of training adopted by different professors of that
art. As regards Mr Prince, my father regarded
him as too severe with horses of delicate constitu-
tions ; whereas Mr Boyce, though a most careful
and honest man, seemed to my father to be occa-
sionally too indulgent in dealing with some of his
horses. When my father left Mr Prince's stable,
and transferred himself as head-lad to that of Mr
R. D. Boyce, he remained with the latter for
many years. At last, in 1823, he was recom-
mended to the fifth.. Duke of Richmond, by the
Earl of Stradbroke, as fit to take command of the
large Goodwood stable. He remained at Good-
wood until his death in 1869, when he was
eighty -six years old. The Duke of Richmond
kindly permitted him to occupy until his death
the house and garden at Goodwood, in both of
which he took the greatest delight.

Mr Baker, who, as I have said, trained for the
Prince Regent, continued to be very intimate with
my father from their school-days downwards until
my father left Newmarket for good. Their tastes
and habits were singularly harmonious, and nothing

42 NEWMARKET EARLY IN THE CENTURY.

pleased them more than to dabble in quasi-scientific
studies. During their youth this country was
continually at war with France, and a semaphore,
or signal -post, was erected on the top of the Bury
Hill, the highest elevation in the neighbourhood of
.Newmarket. They were never tired of watching
the signals conveyed from Yarmouth by this sema-
phore to the Admiralty in London, and back thence
to the sea -coast. With a curiosity which was
natural under the circumstances, they endeavoured,
by constant observation, to read the messages
which passed backwards and forwards, and thus
to acquaint themselves with the tidings received
from the seat of war on the Continent. In those
primitive days newspapers were not received in
country places for many days after the arrival of
a report which told of the loss or gain of a great
battle. Everything connected with the war per-
colated through the Admiralty, to which the com-
manders of the different vessels engaged as carriers
of news naturally sent their reports, by semaphore
or by road. After many weeks of close watching,
my father and Mr Baker got to understand the
working of the semaphore sufficiently to write
some of the messages down on paper. Unfortun-
ately one day they dropped a paper on which they
had written one of these messages. It was picked
up on the Bury Hill, and carried by its finder
to Mr Hylet, who was the official in charge of
the semaphore, and was therefore deemed likely

READING THE SEMAPHORE. 43

to take interest in a paper which was supposed
to be his property. Naturally Mr Hylet was
greatly surprised at the accuracy with which the
message had been spelt out, and at the intelligent
comprehension of the principle on which the sema-
phore was worked displayed by the document.
It was therefore forwarded to the Head Office in
London, and a complete change in signalling was
immediately adopted. The two students were at
first very much puzzled by the new signals, but
were not long in discovering their meaning. The
first message which they were able to read cor-
rectly after this occurrence, conveyed the following
words: "A complete revolution in Holland"!
Their persistency in observing and deciphering the
signals was another instance of the truth of Lord
George Bentinck's remark, to which I have so
often heard him give utterance, that " you can
accomplish anything if you will only try hard
enough " ! I doubt whether in those ignorant days
there was any other watcher of the signals ex-
changed from semaphore to semaphore, all over
these islands, who succeeded in accomplishing a
similar feat. The two allies began by mastering
the shutter system of signalling, and thereby forced
the Government to substitute for it the workable
arms which are still employed on board H.M.'s
ships of war for the same purpose.

Let me turn to another field of observation
widely different from that to wrhich I have just

44 NEWMARKET EARLY IN THE CENTURY.

alluded. I have often heard my father relate
some of the practical jokes indulged in at New-
market in his youth, and which were much more
frequent than in this prosaic age. I call it
prosaic ; for the undoubted effect of all our
modern inventions and discoveries — like the
railway, the telegraph wire, the telephone, and
the electric light — is to extinguish the indivi-
duality and quench the imagination of men,
women, and children. It was far otherwise in
the England of my youth. There was then re-
siding at Newmarket a Mr Thomas Bryant, who
was greatly addicted to jokes of this kind. When,
for instance, William Arnull, the well - known
jockey, was sent for on one occasion to the north
to ride some trials for the Hon. Edward Petre,
who was a very liberal gentleman, he returned
very much richer than he was when he started.
Among the presents which, in addition to money,
Mr Petre promised to send to " old Bill Arnull,"
was included a big hamper of wine. On his return
home, Bill could not help boasting to some of his
friends about the hamper that was coming. Mr
Bryant, hearing the news, thought it an excellent
opportunity to play off an amusing joke at Bill
ArnuH's expense. Accordingly he made overtures
to a dwarf, called " Little Peter," who was then
well known at Newmarket, requesting that he
would allow himself to be packed into a hamper,
which was to be despatched to Bill Arnull's house.

BILL AKNULL. 45

The latter's engagements and occupations in riding-
trials on the Heath were carefully ascertained be-
forehand by this inveterate practical joker, and the
hamper containing " Little Peter " was conveyed
in a luggage van to the jockey's residence. Mrs
Arnull, who expected to receive, as per promise,
a hamper of wine, directed that the new arrival
should be put into the cellar. When Arnull got
home his wife told him the gleeful tidings that
Mr Petre's hamper had arrived, and was in the
cellar. " I will go and see it directly," quoth the
exultant jockey ; and down he went, followed by a
little pet dog, who was his constant companion.
Scarcely had the faithful quadruped got into the
cellar before he became greatly excited, and barked
furiously, running backwards and forwards round
the hamper. Thereupon old Bill exclaimed, "Drat
it, there must be a mouse inside ! " As he spoke
he thrust his whip into the hamper, upon which
the dog barked more furiously than ever. " Beggar
my limbs if it ain't a rat ! " ejaculated the jockey ;
" get me a knife to cut the string, so that I may
let it out." Suiting the action to the word, he
uplifted the lid, and out jumped " Little Peter."
" You young rascal ! " exclaimed the astonished
jockey, " what brings you here ? Get out of my
house immediately, or I will lay this whip about
your shoulders." The dwarf, thus admonished,
proceeded to make tracks with all expedition to
the Horse Shoe Inn over the way, at which Mr

46 NEWMARKET EARLY IN THE CENTURY.

Bryant and a knot of expectant friends were
eagerly awaiting his arrival.

William Arnull, who was one of the greatest
favourites ever known in the jockey- world at
Newmarket, or elsewhere, was much afflicted with
gout, which caused him to be of a very irritable
temper, especially when he was wasting hard.
One day, shortly after he had been appointed
overseer of the poor, he was riding off the Heath
in the company of some gentlemen who were his
employers. His temper was in a more than or-
dinarily crusty condition, and some of the practi-
cal jokers, who were his habitual tormentors, saw
that he was in a fit state to be experimented
upon. Accordingly they assembled opposite " The
Rooms," and told a tramp, who had been soliciting
alms, to wait there until "that gentleman" (at
whom they pointed) " came by, as he was very
kind-hearted, and, being overseer, in a position to
give jobs to needy men." Thus encouraged, the
poor man hobbled up to Arnull's horse's side and
pleaded very earnestly for relief, stating that he
had had nothing to eat for a long time. " Noth-
ing to eat ! " exclaimed Bill ; " why, I'll bet a
crown you have had something to eat since I
have, or you wouldn't look as well as you do."

Despite the practical jokes to which he was
continually exposed, no man in Newmarket was
more respected than Bill Arnull. With perfect
truth it might have been said of him, as it was

BILL ARNULL. 47

about the same time of Frank Buckle, that " it
would have been easier to turn the sun from his
course than either of these famous jockeys from
the path of duty." Consequently, his services in
the saddle were in much request by many dis-
tinguished noblemen and gentlemen, whose colours
he habitually wore. Whenever he heard of a
good horse or became cognisant of the merits of
some good performer, he would exclaim, " I wish
he were mine ! Wouldn't I turn him into ' Button
Park ' ! " Nevertheless he did not succeed in fill-
ing his pockets very full, although, for many years,
no man had more riding. In addition to winning
countless races, he was continually wanted to ride
trials, as he was a capital judge of the noble
animal, and always secured a good pace when
questions were asked. In 1822, shortly before
the Craven Meeting, Lord George Cavendish tried
Godolphin to be a good horse. At that time
Godolphin had no engagements, and his Lordship
was undecided in what race to run him. The
Craven Stakes, then a very important event, gener-
ally gave rise to some spirited betting. Mr Boyce,
who trained for Lord George Cavendish, advised
his Lordship to run Godolphin in the Craven
Stakes. With his usual caution Lord George
interposed with the remark, " Send for Arnull,
and let us hear what he says." Upon the great
jockey's arrival he was asked whether he thought
Godolphin could win the Craven ? " Win, my

48 NEWMARKET EARLY IN THE CENTURY.

Lord ? " exclaimed Arnull ; "of course he will win,
and easily enough too, unless a crow flies down
his throat as he comes across the flat/' Lord
George followed his jockey's advice, and Godol-
phin was duly entered. His weight was eight
stone, and, ridden by Bill Arnull, he won in a
canter, as had been prophesied by his pilot. Lord
George won a good stake ; and to show the dif-
ference between then and now, Mr Boyce and
Arnull stood a fiver apiece on the horse, which
in these days fashionable jockeys would doubt-
less magnify one-hundredfold. Vast as were the
number of races in which " Old Bill" rode, no one
ever dreamed of accusing him of riding dishonestly.
Such, however, was not always the case at
the period of which I am speaking, and the very
mention of the word " Escape " recalls an episode
as to which I will only add that Colonel Leigh,
who had the management of the Prince Regent's
stud, accused Sam Chifney of foul riding. Sam
Chifney's son William was then a boy, but old
enough to feel great indignation at Colonel Leigh's
unjust aspersions. Walking up to the Colonel,
the high-spirited boy told him to his face that
when a little older he would have his revenge.
Straightway he set to work to practise boxing,
and took every opportunity of learning the pugi-
listic art. When he had grown into a lanky
stripling of eighteen, he waited for Colonel Leigh
in the street at Newmarket, as he was going to

BILL CHIFNEY. 49

the Rooms, and exclaimed on approaching him,
" I told you I would one day have my revenge
for your ill-treatment of my father ; and now the
time has come." With that he struck the Colonel
a violent blow in the face with his fist, knocking
him down, and striking him as he lay in the road.
But for the intervention of the bystanders it was
thought that he would have killed the Colonel,
who was then a stout and pursy man. The latter
had him up for assault before the magistrates next
day. They sent William Chifney to prison for
six months, with hard labour ; and when he came
out at the end of his term he offered "to make
door mats for a pony " against any other inhabi-
tant of Newmarket. Six months of hard labour
had indeed made him an expert at picking oakum.
Bill Chifney was at the climax of his fortunes
when he won the Derby in 1830 with Priam,
whom he bought as a yearling for a thousand
guineas from Sir John Shelley. In that year the
two brothers, Sam and Bill Chifney, lived in ad-
joining houses at Newmarket, one of which (that
occupied by Sam) was greatly improved and
enlarged by the eccentric Duke of Cleveland, who
was one of Sam's employers. This circumstance
caused great jealousy between the two Mrs Chif-
ney s, and William's wife persuaded her husband
to build a new house so as to cut out their sister-
in-law. She vowed that not a single old brick
should enter into the composition of the new

50 NEWMARKET EARLY IN THE CENTURY.

building. Pride, however, comes before a fall, and
scarcely was the house finished before its owner
found it unavoidably necessary to sell it at a ruin-
ous sacrifice to Mr J. F. Clark, who afterwards
resold it to Count Batthyany. It is now the
residence of Mr John Dawson.

It is not generally known that H.R.H. the
Prince Regent was not driven away from New-
market by the " Escape " affair, but by another
race in which his horse Sultan was supposed to
have been ridden foully. H.R.H. then resolved
to sell all his horses and to retire from the Turf.
Bill Chifney's house became, as I have just said,
the property of Count Batthyany, and his stables
and paddocks at Headley (near Epsom) passed
into the hands of " Lawyer " Ford, who afterwards
disposed of them to my noble master Lord George
Bentinck ; and there Gaper, Refraction, Surplice,
Loadstone, and many other horses from the Good-
wood stable, were located before they met their
Epsom engagements. The inconveniences then
experienced in getting horses from Newmarket to
Epsom have often led me to admire the foresight
and sagacity of Lord George Bentinck, who pre-
dicted that railways would entirely revolutionise
horse-racing. The youngest boy at Newmarket
can now appreciate the accuracy of Lord George's
prophecy.

With one final tale, which about that time
caused no slight amusement, let me close a chapter

ANECDOTE OF GOODY LEVY. 51

which is already, I fear, too long. Three gay
youths, belonging to a class or type which to-day
is far more numerously represented than it was in
my youth, chanced one rough morning to enter a
little wayside inn near Six Mile Bottom, to get a
drop of " something hot " to keep out the cold.
At the fireside a harmless-looking old Jew was
quietly seated, whose pronounced Hebrew features
tempted the three mischievous young sprigs to
make him their butt. "Good morning, Father
Abraham ! " exclaimed the first. " I hope I see
you well?"

" How are you, Father Isaac ? " continued the
second, with well-counterfeited civility.

" All hail, Father Jacob ! " reiterated the third.
" I wonder what brings you out so far from home
on this raw day ? "

Rising humbly from his seat, the old Jew lifted
his hat with much mock dignity, and replied in
quiet tones, " Gentlemen, you do me too much
honour by your courteous inquiries and by the
names you have been pleased to bestow upon me.
My real name is Saul, the son of Kish ; and I
have been sent forth in search of my father's
asses which he has lost. I was about to return
despairing of finding them, when, lo and behold !
the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob has
brought them into this very room ; and here
will I leave them while I go to report to my
father."

52 NEWMARKET EARLY IN THE CENTURY.

With these words, and doubtless with many a
secret chuckle, the old man tottered feebly along
the passage and left the house.

There is a tradition — whether resting on a
stable foundation or on none at all, who shall say ?
— that the hero of this story was none other
than the celebrated "Goody Levy" of "Running
Rein" notoriety. He had gone down to New-
market on a touting expedition, and had disguised
himself as an old and infirm Jew to prevent his
being recognised, as "The Heath," off which he
had been warned, was to him forbidden ground.

53

CHAPTEE III.

EARLY RACING DAYS.

LORD GEORGE BENTINCK evidently took an interest
in racing at an early age, as in 1824, when twenty-
two years old, he rode Mr Poyntz's chestnut mare,
Olive, for the Cocked -Hat Stakes at Goodwood,
beating Lord George Lennox's bay gelding,
Swindon, and three others, after running two
dead heats with Swindon. In the third heat
his Lordship rode without spurs, and to his great
delight won, beating Captain Berkeley, an ex-
cellent rider, who piloted Swindon. At that time
Lord George Bentinck was staying with Mr Poyntz
at Cowdray, and some ladies who were also guests
in the house kindly undertook the task of mak-
ing a jacket for him to ride in. How far this
gratifying success tended to promote his par-
tiality for Goodwood I cannot say, but after its
occurrence he attended Goodwood races without
intermission; was a subscriber in 1827 to the
Cup, Stakes, and Drawing - Room Stakes ; and
was Steward in 1837.

54 EARLY RACING DAYS.

As his father, the fourth Duke of Portland,
took, as I have already said, the greatest in-
terest and delight in breeding and racing his
own horses, Lord George was familiarised from
his youth upwards with the noble sport to
which he subsequently became so attached. Al-
though his Grace was a great supporter of
Newmarket, and seldom engaged his horses else-
where, Lord George, aided by his first cousin,
Mr Charles Greville, obtained the Duke's support
as a subscriber, in 1827, to the Stakes, Cup,
and Drawing-Room Stakes at Goodwood, where
H.R.H. the Duke of York was Steward the pre-
vious year. At the same time Lord George had
an interest in some of the horses running in Mr
Greville's name, and was a very heavy speculator.
Thus it is well known that he backed Mr Richard
Watt's Belzoni and Lord Fitzwilliam's Mulatto
for the Doncaster St Leger of 1826 for a con-
siderable amount. The race, however, was run
when the ground was very deep, and was won by
Lord Scarbrough's Tarrare, so that Lord George
lost heavily — it was reported £27,000 ; but from
his Lordship subsequently admitting to me that
it was " the most disastrous event of his racing
career," I feel sure that his loss must have greatly
exceeded that sum ; and his mother, and sister,
Lady Charlotte Bentinck, afterwards Viscountess
Ossington, most kindly and generously assisted
him to meet it. It may naturally be supposed

BEGINNING OF THE STUD. 55

that this untoward incident could not be unknown
to his father, who was much troubled and grieved
about it, and expostulated most earnestly with
his son, pointing out the consequences of such
reckless speculation. To wean Lord George from
such a dangerous pursuit, the Duke purchased an
estate in Scotland for his Lordship,1 urging him
with affectionate importunity to forswear racing
and betting. For a few years Lord George re-
spected his father's wishes ; but the natural in-
stinct could not be suppressed, stimulated as it
was by his father's stud, and by that of his cousin,
Mr Greville (who was his senior by seven years),
and by his own great attachment to Goodwood, and
to his valued friend, the fifth Duke of Richmond.
The latter took the greatest interest in the noble
sport of horse-racing, and permitted Lord George
to share a few horses with him. This induced
Lord George to make several other purchases,
running his horses in the name of the Duke of
Richmond. These purchases were, in 1832, Kislar
Aga and a black yearling colt by Reveller ; and
in 1833, a chestnut filly, Chanterelle. In 1835
his Lordship bought Pussy, Tiber, and three year-
lings— viz., a colt by Sultan out of Gold Pin, a
colt by Sir Benjamin Backbite, and Wimple, a

1 The estate in question was at Muirkirk, in Ayrshire. On the
death of Lord George Bentinck, his brother, Lord Henry, succeeded
to it, and sold it some years later to Mr James Baird of Cambusdoon,
whose nephew, Mr John Baird, now holds it.

56 EARLY RACING DAYS.

filly by The Colonel. In 1836 and 1837 there
were added Zipporah, Frontignac, Chateau La-
fitte, Hooghly, and Guava. In 1838 the stud
was augmented by The Currier, Tamburini, and
others, all running in the name of the Duke of
Bichmond. Lord George also had horses running
in the names of Lord Orford, Mr Greville, and
Lord Lichfield — Ascot and Bodice, for instance,
running in Lord Orford's name ; Preserve, Dacre,
and Elis in Mr Greville's ; and Elis, Arbaces,
Ascot, El Pastor, with others, in Lord Lichfield's.
It was not to be expected that so many differ-
ent interests could be -reconciled for any great
length of time without some conflict of opinion
arising, and accordingly the two keenest specu-
lators, Lord George and Mr Greville, soon came
into collision. Their differences became so great
that all efforts on the part of their most intimate
friends to compose them were of no avail — the
result being that the horses in Mr Greville's name
were removed to other stables, whilst Elis, with
others, was intrusted to John Doe, Lord Lich-
field's trainer. Preserve joined Lord George's
stud at Doncaster, where his brood mares were
under the charge of Mr Bowe, who kept the Turf
Tavern, and in whose name his Lordship subse-
quently ran most of his horses.

This Mr John Bowe was a£ that time ostensibly
landlord of the Turf Tavern at Doncaster, but the
real lessee was Mr Samuel King, whose daughter

BENTINCK STUD AT DANEBURY. 57

Mr Bo we had married. Lord George Bentinck ran
some of his horses in the name of Mr King, but
the latter was a trainer who, among other horses,
prepared Tarrare — the property of the Earl of
Scarbrough — for the Doncaster St Leger of 1826,
which Tarrare won. Mr King therefore thought
it would expose him to invidious comments if he
appeared as nominator of mysterious horses of
which he was not the trainer, and with which he
had no intelligible connection. Under these cir-
cumstances he begged Lord George to find some
other nominator for his entries, and in this way
the services of Mr John Bowe were secured for
that purpose. In reality, Lord George would have
preferred to use Mr King's name, as he was very
energetic and skilful in managing Lord George's
paddocks and brood mares at Doncaster, and Lord
George knew him well and trusted him thoroughly.
The Duke of Richmond did not approve of hav-
ing any more of his Lordship's horses at Goodwood
to run in his Grace's name, although it was his
Lordship's wish to have all his stud there. In
consequence, therefore, of this objection on the part
of his Grace, Lord George established a stud at
Danebury, where he expended a large sum in
building stables, forming paddocks, making roads
and plantations, and double-turfing the gallops ;
in fact, it was rumoured that his Lordship expended
£1500 for bone-dust alone. At that time John
Barham Day, familiarly known as " Honest John,"

58 EARLY RACING DAYS.

was at the head of the Danebury stables, and he
had long been the Duke of Portland's favourite
jockey.

As previously stated, his Lordship entertained a
great predilection for Goodwood from its privacy,
excellent downs, elastic iurf, and glorious expanse
of ground, affording superb gallops at all seasons
of the year and under all vicissitudes of weather,
and it was greatly against his will that it became
necessary for him to go elsewhere.

Being favourably impressed with my father's
training and stable-management, more especially
when Mr Kent's (in reality the Earl of Uxbridge's)
Rubini won the Goodwood Cup in 1833, beating
Mr Greville's (Lord George's) Whale, and again
when the Duke of Richmond's Elizondo won the
Port Stakes at Newmarket, beating Sylvan and
Bodice, Lord George told my father that these
horses had won solely by reason of the condition
in which he brought them to the post. His Lord-
ship lost heavily upon each race, but he did not
omit to tell his friends, including the Duke of
Richmond, that it was " all owing to Kent's train-
ing."

In 1834 his Lordship bought Venison as a year-
ling, and as he hoped soon to have all his horses
at Goodwood, Venison was entered for the Derby
in the Duke of Richmond's name. Owing, how-
ever, to his Grace's subsequent objection, Venison
was sent to John Day's at Danebury to be trained.

VARIED FORTUNES. 59

When two years old he ran for the Lavant Stakes
at Goodwood in John Day's name, and was beaten.
Gondolier, who had been at Goodwood a year or
two previously in the Duke of Richmond's name,
was sent, after having been in Prince's stable as
Mr Greville's property, to John Day's, in whose
name he ran in 1835. These two horses were all
that ran in John Day's name that year ; El Pastor,
Preserve, Dacre, Marmalade, and Elis ran in Mr
Greville's till that unfortunate difference occurred,
when Elis and El Pastor joined Gab, Arbaces,
Ethiopian, and Ascot at John Doe's, nominally
as Lord Lichfield's property, in whose name they
ran for their engagements. Although Lord George
lost heavily upon Preserve for the Oaks, he had
already been successful with her in winning the
One Thousand at Newmarket, to which were sub-
sequently added the Drawing-Room Stakes and
the Verulam Stakes at Goodwood. With Elis
his Lordship won the Chesterfield, Clearwell,
Criterion, and a sweepstakes at Newmarket, and
the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood. Although
at that time his Lordship betted heavily and
lost considerably upon Preserve when Queen of
Trumps beat her for the Oaks, and when Glaucus
beat her for the Goodwood Stakes, he won a big
stake upon Queen of Trumps when she won the
St Leger, owing to the great ease with which
she defeated Preserve in the Oaks ; prior to which
Mr Greville, in giving Nat his orders, told him to

60 EARLY RACING DAYS.

" come away at Tattenham Corner, but not to
spread-eagle them too far ! " John Blenkhorn,
trainer of the Queen, happened to hear this, and
instructed Tommy Lye to " spread-eagle the others
as far as he could," with the result that such a
tailing race has seldom been seen since !

In 1836 his Lordship entered more fully than
ever into the spirit of racing, and increased the
number of his horses. Elis was beaten for the
Two Thousand Guineas by Bay Middleton, much
to his Lordship's disappointment, as he backed him
for a considerable amount, after trying him with
the Duke of Richmond's Pussy (winner of the
Oaks in 1834) and with others, whom he beat so
easily that we all thought his defeat impossible.
Bay Middleton, however, defeated him in such
style that Lord George never ceased to back Lord
Jersey's splendid colt for the Derby of 1836 ; and
after seeing him saddled and cantered, his Lord-
ship rode up to the ring, which was then formed
on the hill near the mile-post, and took £2000 to
£1000 three times about Bay Middleton, thereby
landing a good stake, although he had Venison
running, whom he had also backed.

Encouraged by his success in backing Bay
Middleton for the Derby and in owning Elis, of
whom, although he admitted his inferiority to Bay
Middleton, he entertained a very high opinion,
and remembering that Venison had evinced good
form by winning the Gloucestershire Stakes and

FIRST IDEA OF VANS. 61

Cup at Cheltenham, his Lordship exercised his
active and ingenious mind in giving effect to an
idea that race-horses might be conveyed in a sort
of van which would preserve them from the risk
and fatigue, to say nothing of the delays, in-
separable from travelling on foot from place to
place. This idea he expounded to my father,
who thought there would not be much difficulty
in accomplishing it, as he remembered a horse
called Sovereign, belonging to Mr Terrett, having
been conveyed in a bullock-van from Worcester-
shire to Newmarket. As there was a similar van
upon the Goodwood estate, his Lordship inspected
it with my father, who was so convinced that the
principle could be adopted for the conveyance of
race-horses, that he at once used every means in
his power to give effect to his master's wishes.
My father judged that if a valuable horse could
be moved from the south to the north of Eng-
land so as to run well in the St Leger, the method
would at once be established and adopted. Hav-
ing Elis engaged in the St Leger, Lord George
thought it a good opportunity to make trial of
this plan. Accordingly he employed Mr Herring,
a coachbuilder in Long Acre, to construct a van
capable of holding two horses. Mr Herring was
kept in the dark as to the object with which the
van was being built, and few were allowed to
know of its construction. As it progressed, its
successful adaptation to the purpose for which

62 EARLY RACING DAYS.

it was built was confidently anticipated, although
it was a heavy cumbrous vehicle, with the wheels
running under it, an arrangement which elevated
the body so high that it was not easy to get the
horses inside. This difficulty wTas surmounted by
raising or banking up the surface of the ground
into a sloping approach. In order to ensure
success, Lord George sent Elis to Goodwood to
be prepared upon its splendid gallops, and to run
in the interim for his Goodwood engagements,
and for another at Lewes. The horse was under
the care of John Doe, who was also in charge
of Ascot, Arbaces, and Toss Up. Elis won the
Drawing-Room Stakes at Goodwood, and in re-
ward for his victory Lord George presented my
father with £25 for the following reason. The
day previous to the race Elis had a severe attack
of gripes, and Lord George thought all chance of
his being able to run was at an end. Even after
the horse's recovery, thanks to remedies suggested
by my father, Lord George feared that the effects
of the medicine would weaken Elis and prevent
his winning ; but my father assured his Lordship
to the contrary. After Elis had won the Drawing-
Room Stakes, his Lordship's hopes that he would
also win the Goodwood Cup began to revive. He
had backed the horse heavily for the Cup, which
was run two days after the Drawing-Room Stakes ;
but it was hardly to be expected that a three-
year - old should beat such a four - year - old as

ELIS. 63

Hornsea at 15 Ib. over a distance of two miles
and a half. Nevertheless, Elis ran a great horse,
and for a time appeared likely to win ; but at
last the distance and the disadvantage in weight
told upon him, and he finished a good second to
Hornsea. Notwithstanding this race, Elis was
pulled out for a second time on the same day—
to run for the Racing Stakes — which he won easily,
beating the Drummer and Taglioni, with odds of
10 to 1 laid on him.

A fortnight later Elis won the Lewes Stakes at
Lewes over a mile and a half, giving 2 1 Ib. to Lord
Egremont's Hock, and beating seven others, in-
cluding Buckingham. This was a great perfor-
mance, and Lord George's hopes of winning the
Doncaster St Leger with him were raised higher
than ever. As the horse continued to take his
gallops at Goodwood with The Drummer to lead
him, assisted by Pussy and Tiber, it was the
general impression that after four races (three at
Goodwood and one at Lewes) Elis would never
see Doncaster. Fortunately he possessed a strong
constitution, like his grandsire Selim. Both were
ravenous feeders, but Elis differed in one respect
from Selim, whom, from his restive and violent
behaviour in the box, it was difficult, and even
dangerous, to approach with a feed of corn. Elis,
on the contrary, was very quiet both in and out
of the stable. Some time after the race at Lewes,
Venison was sent to Goodwood to try Elis, who

64 EARLY RACING DAYS.

gave him 7 Ib. and 21 Ib. to The Drummer, beat-
ing both over the St Leger distance. This was
most encouraging to Lord George, who was greatly
excited, and more than ever anxious to have his
wonderful new van completed. As John Doe was
obliged to return home to Newmarket for a short
time, my father took temporary charge of the
horse, and had many communications made to
him by Lord George on the subject of the van.
My father's interest in it was naturally as great
as that of his Lordship, and he assisted John Doe
in every possible way to prepare Elis for the race,
and to make him handy for entering the van. At
last the day arrived for the machine to reach
Goodwood, and preparations were made for pack-
ing Elis and The Drummer into it side by side,
and despatching them to Doncaster. Lord George,
who had been a frequent visitor to Goodwood
while Elis was there, and who posted down from
London or from Andover to see his favourite, was
on the spot when the van arrived. He inspected
it inside and out with the greatest care, and was
vastly pleased with the result of the examination.
Next he proceeded to inquire with characteristic
thoroughness what the two horses would require
on the road, and gave orders that until the St
Leger was over Elis should eat no corn or hay
except what was drawn from my father's granary
at Goodwood. Even the sieve out of which the
horse was fed was to be taken from Goodwood.

FIRST TRIAL OF THE VAN. 65

As I have already stated, the body of the van
was lifted high above the ground, on account of
the construction of the wheels — being built, in fact,
on the same lines as the old gipsy-vans. It there-
fore became necessary to back it against a bank
which formed a boundary of old Goodwood Park,
and stood opposite the kennels. In this way
entrance into the van was made easy for the two
horses ; and the platform or gangway being covered
with straw litter, the horses entered without hesi-
tation, especially Elis, who was a very docile and
tractable animal. All being prepared, the six
post-horses were attached to the vehicle, and Mr
John Doe mounted the box. After this fashion
was the great tentative experiment initiated, and
the start effected, greatly to the delight and
astonishment of all who had witnessed the prepara-
tions by which the first specially constructed race-
horse van on record was brought into active
requisition.

Nor were the curiosity and wonder less as it
proceeded on its way, the greatest surprise and
interest being excited by it in every village and
town through which it passed. Some of the spec-
tators asserted that a wild beast of extraordinary
ferocity was locked up inside ; others that a
notorious criminal was being sent from jail to be
tried at the assizes. Pedestrians stopped and eyed
it with amazement. The coachmen and passengers
of the various coaches were astounded at seeing

E

66 EARLY RACING DAYS.

six post-horses attached to such an uncommon and
strange-looking machine. At some of the towns
through which it passed three pairs of horses could
not be obtained ; at others it was thought advisable
to have but two pairs. The distance from Good-
wood to Doncaster (about 250 miles) was divided
into three sections of about eighty miles per diem.
At the end of the second day, which was a Satur-
day, Elis and The Drummer were taken out of the
van, and galloped on the following morning on Lich-
field race-course ; and on Monday morning they
proceeded on their way to Doncaster, where they
arrived in the evening (two days before the St
Leger), to the undisguised amazement of thousands
of beholders.

As it required some time to complete the neces-
sary preparations for unvanning the two horses, a
multitude assembled at the Turf Tavern to witness
the disembarkation of the mysterious favourite,
Elis, who a few days previously was supposed to
be still at Goodwood, and not likely to put in an
appearance at Doncaster. When Elis was landed
upon terra firma he shook himself vigorously, and
walked unconcernedly into his stable. At the
betting-rooms in the evening all sorts of conjectures
were rife, and the odds fluctuated a good deal.
In the morning Elis was taken out upon the race-
course accompanied by The Drummer, and the two
went a good gallop. The rapid strides and healthy
appearance of the Goodwood favourite so satisfied

OTHER VANS. 67

all who saw him that it was generally remarked,
" Although he came into Doncaster in the rear of
six horses, he will leave twice that number to
inspect his tail in the great race."

The van, although cumbrous and heavy, was a
commodious vehicle, and completely fitted inter-
nally with padded sides. Moreover, the horses
stood upon a hard-stuffed mattress, so that their
knees might not be broken if they fell down.
There was also a manger for each, and every other
convenience ; so much so, indeed, that the machine
resembled a movable stable.

As this enterprise proved beyond expectation
successful, Mr Herring was instructed by Lord
George to build another van upon an improved
principle — in short, a less cumbersome and pon-
derous conveyance. A hind platform was attached,
which could be let down, so that the ascent might
be made less steep. A door was also added in
front, to obviate the necessity of turning the
horses round or backing them when getting them
out. This second van was used by me for many
years. Mr Hunnybun, a coachbuilder at New-
market, subsequently built others upon greatly
improved principles, with peculiar axles which
brought the body of the van much nearer the
ground, so that the difficulty often experienced
of getting the horses into their travelling carriage
was overcome. Mr Hunnybun's vans were beauti-
fully finished and admirably constructed, costing

68 EARLY RACING DAYS.

from £150 to £160 for a double, and £120 for a
single one. At Goodwood we soon had three of
the former pattern and two of the latter, in addi-
tion to the first constructed by Herring. They
were frequently used, his Lordship being so much
in favour of their employment that he insisted
upon having even the most inferior animals con-
veyed to their destination in them — some of which,
indeed, were of less value than the horses employed
in drawing them. As the average cost of a pair
of post-horses was 2s. per mile, the expenses were
naturally very heavy ; but his Lordship thought
it might be the means of avoiding the introduc-
tion of disease into the stable, which was often
contracted through horses being put into un-
healthy quarters at the various inns at which,
when travelling on foot, they were compelled to
stop. The journey of Elis from Goodwood to
Doncaster could not have cost less than from £80
to £100. It was said at the time that the old-
fashioned trainers complained in no measured terms
of this new mode of conveyance for race- horses, and
insisted that it was unnatural, and certain to be
injurious to the delicate constitution and organisa-
tion of the trained thoroughbred. This they very
soon discovered to be an error, as it enabled horses
which were heavily engaged to run at many meet-
ings which they never could have reached on foot.
To no racing centre was it of greater advantage
than Newmarket, as horses trained there could be

3 3

• <

Y-* Q

< x

H3

ADVANTAGES OF THE VAN. 69

despatched with comparatively little fatigue, and
no wear and tear, to run at meetings to which it
would have been impossible for them to proceed
by road. At that time there were not more than
250 horses in training at the metropolis of the Turf,
while far larger numbers were prepared for their
engagements at various provincial places. In this
manner the van was of immense advantage to race-
horses, and also to their owners and trainers, and,
like many other reforms initiated by Lord George
Bentinck, it was of untold benefit to all who took
an interest in horse-racing. Indeed the introduction
and universal employment of vans inaugurated a
revolution in the management and engagement of
race -horses. When it is remembered that Mr
John Scott's Cyprian walked from Malton to
Epsom and won the Oaks on May 20, 1836, and
was immediately despatched on foot to Newcastle-
on-Tyne, where on June 22 she won the Northum-
berland Plate, having taken nearly a month to
walk 300 miles from Epsom to Newcastle, it is
easy to understand that, previous to the employ-
ment of vans, young horses were often temporarily
worn out, and sometimes lamed for life, by long
journeys on the hard road.

Some two or three weeks before the St Leger
of 1836 it became evident that Elis was being
backed for large sums, and that the market was
being worked actively by some persons who, as
Lord George had reason to suspect, were betray-

70 EARLY RACING DAYS.

ing him, and getting on a big sum of money. To
test his suspicions, his Lordship made it publicly
known that he would not run the horse unless he
could obtain the odds at 12 to 1 to £1000, knowing
well that no one, unless he had previously backed
Elis heavily, would be in a position to lay such
a bet. The result was that £12,000 to £1000
against Elis was laid to his Lordship's commissioner.
Nothing could have been more to his Lordship's
gratification, as it proved beyond doubt that he was
right in his conjectures. Although Mr W. Scott's
Scroggins was a great favourite, having been
heavily backed at 6 to 4, Elis won rather cleverly,
and Lord George was rewarded by landing a good
stake. In my opinion he never would have suc-
ceeded in getting the odds against Elis at 12 to 1
to that large amount had it not been that the layers
believed it impossible for the horse to reach Don-
caster in time to run for the St Leger. They
were well aware that Elis was still at Goodwood
in the middle of the week preceding the Doncaster
meeting, and that it took fifteen or sixteen days
for a horse to walk from Goodwood to Doncaster.
Under these circumstances, the Danebury party,
who had backed him heavily, became uneasy, and
were not long in making up their minds to " un-
load." They were perfectly cognisant of the fact
that Venison, who came from Danebury to Good-
wood to be tried with Elis, had been beaten by
the latter when in receipt of 7 lb., and accordingly

PURCHASE OF BAY MIDDLETON. *71

they made haste to " get on," never caring whom
they forestalled. They soon found, however, that
Lord George was a dangerous customer to take
liberties with ; and I am perfectly confident that
his Lordship would not have allowed Elis to start
for the St Leger unless the bet of £12,000 to
£1000 had been forthcoming.

In the First October Meeting at Newmarket,
Elis again met Bay Middleton for the Grand Duke
Michael Stakes ; but Lord George, satisfied that
although Elis had won the St Leger, Bay Mid-
dleton was the better animal, invested merely at
trifle on his own horse. In the race Bay Middle-
ton, beautifully ridden by Jem Robinson, beat
Elis, ridden by J. B. Bay, rather easily, and
proved to be what Lord George considered him.
Determined to acquire possession of this grand
horse, Lord George offered Lord Jersey 4000
guineas (the largest sum ever paid for a horse
down to that time) for Bay Middleton, which
Lord Jersey accepted. Lord George then pro-
posed to make use of Elis's van in order to con-
vey Bay Middleton to Danebury in it. Upon
this " Tiny " Edwards, Lord Jersey's trainer,
exclaimed, " You may send the van, my Lord, if
you like, but all Newmarket will not get Bay
Middleton into it ! " As usual, his Lordship was
not to be turned from his purpose. The van
was sent, and Bay Middleton was easily induced
to enter it, and was thus conveyed to Danebury,

72 EARLY RACING DAYS.

greatly to the surprise of all who were acquainted
with the horse's impetuous temper. An attempt
was made to train him, but it failed, as his fore-
leg had gone before Lord Jersey sold him. He
was then sent to join Lord George's stud at the
Turf Tavern Paddocks at Doncaster, where Ascot,
who ran second to Mundig for the Derby, and
from thirty to forty brood mares, were already
installed. In addition, his Lordship had a lot
more brood mares at Danebury, and others at
Bonehill, near Tarn worth, making in all about
sixty-five. Next year he had about thirty foals
by Bay Middleton, some of which were out of
valuable mares ; and as his fee was only thirty
guineas, Bay Middleton had some very high-bred
mares sent to him in addition to those belonging
to his owner. Although a most superior race-
horse, Bay Middleton was for a long time very
unsuccessful at the stud, so many of his stock
being unsound and very difficult to train, which
was not only a great loss to his Lordship but
also a great disappointment. A very remark-
able fact was that daughters of Velocipede —
of all mares the most unlikely to throw sound
stock, as their sire was notoriously infirm in his
knees — nicked best with Bay Middleton. On
the other hand, the progeny thrown to Bay Mid-
dleton by Emilius mares and Whalebone mares
were generally unsound, and sometimes cripples.
Still Lord George believed that some day Bay

BAY MIDDLETON'S PROGENY. 73

Middleton would get a good race-horse, and it
was only in consequence of continual failures that
he was at last induced to send Crucifix, Latitude,
and one or two others to Touchstone, with the
result that Surplice and Loadstone were foaled in

1845, and sold by Lord George as yearlings in

1846, with the rest of his stud. His Lordship
did not live to see the full realisation of his antici-
pation that one day Bay Middleton would become
the sire of a great horse. This happened in 1846,
when The Flying Dutchman was born, and in
1851, when Andover, another winner of the Derby,
first saw the light. Again, in 1848, Sir Joseph
Hawley's Venus gave birth to Aphrodite, and in
1853 to Kalipyge, both being daughters of Bay
Middleton, — the last-named being, in Sir Joseph
Hawley's opinion, the best mare that he ever
owned. She broke down in 1856, after winning
the Craven Stakes at Epsom.

The site selected by the present Duke of Port-
land for his breeding establishment at Welbeck
Abbey, upon which he has erected extensive
buildings and formed very complete and well-
arranged paddocks, is the very spot which it was
Lord George's ambition to employ for the same
purpose, if he could have prevailed upon his father
to entertain the idea. The extraordinary success
attending the valuable stud installed at this
moment upon the site in question is another proof
of Lord George's foresight ; but it is doubtful

74 EARLY RACING DAYS.

whether a stud owned by Lord George would
have attained that excellence, or afforded him as
much pleasure as it has to the present Duke, more
especially if Bay Middleton had been stationed
there. It was Lord George's hope, when he bought
Bay Middleton, that the horse might be able to
win the Ascot Cup as a four-year-old in 1837;
but one of his fore - legs, which had been very
suspicious - looking when he ran his last race,
failed in training, and though entered for the
Cup, to which there were forty subscribers, he
could not start. He was then sent, as I have
already said, to join his Lordship's stud at Don-
caster. Nothing could exceed Lord George's dis-
appointment when Bay Middleton failed as a
stallion. The enormous amount of forfeits paid
in produce stakes for his stock would have dis-
couraged any one else, while to some it would
have been absolutely fatal. But Lord George
was too firm of purpose to be daunted or turned
aside by any disappointment. The only effect it
had was to make him patronise more successful
stallions at any cost. However clever and prac-
tical a breeder or owner of thoroughbreds may be,
the uncertainty attending speculation in racing
stock is always likely to upset his calculations.
Although Lord George possessed two game and
fairly good horses in Elis and Venison, he could
not be satisfied without investing 4000 guineas in
buying Bay Middleton. Simultaneously he sold

CASUALTY STOCK. 75

the other two, which it would, perhaps, have been
wiser in him to have kept, and not to have bought
Bay Middleton at all. It cannot be denied that
the late Sir Tatton Sykes spoke truly and from
long experience when he called thoroughbred
stallions, brood mares, and their progeny " casualty
stock."

CHAPTEE IV.

, HORSE-RACING PREVIOUS TO VANS.

THE success attending the conveyance of Elis to
Doncaster by this novel and expeditious method
was a great achievement, as upon few, if upon
any, previous occasions was the attempt to win
the St Leger with a horse sent from the south
of England successful. From Newmarket it oc-
cupied nine days to travel to Doncaster on foot,
and from Goodwood fifteen or sixteen days, which,
with all the vicissitudes of weather, undesirable
accommodation, and inferior provender, entailed
great risk, expense, and frequent disappointment.
To set off with four or five horses in order to
make a long journey on foot, with little or no
change of clothes for the horses or lads, each
horse having his muzzle, containing brush and
comb, rubber, sponge, and perhaps a set of extra
bandages — the whole secured by one of the stir-
rup-leathers and laid over the withers — was indeed
a serious business. I generally accompanied the
horses on my own hack, and sometimes driving

HORSES ON THE ROAD. 77

in my buggy. If the weather proved wet, our
difficulties were greatly increased, as it took an
infinity of trouble to dry all the clothes at the
inns where the horses stopped for the night.
Colds and coughs, attended with distemper or
strangles, were of frequent occurrence, and it was
with a knowledge of all this that Lord George
exercised his resourceful ingenuity to devise some
plan of carrying his horses on wheels to the scene
of action. Previously, the endeavour to win the
St Leger with what were termed in those days
South Country horses had signally failed, al-
though such superior animals had been sent to
Doncaster as Sultan, Plenipotentiary, Shillelagh,
Ascot, Revenge, Byzantium, Rubini, Marcus,
Priam, Frederick, Exquisite, Mameluke, Transla-
tion, Spondee, Redgauntlet, and Preserve. With
the exception of Mameluke, who ran second to
Matilda, and of Priam, who was placed second
to Mr Beardsworth's Birmingham, not one of the
above-named starters got a place, although some
of them were backed heavily.1 Those were indeed
primitive times, and Lord George seemed to possess
a special faculty for revolutionising and galvan-
ising them. Previous to the construction of vans,

1 For the following statement I am indebted to Mr W. H. Lang-
ley : " This was not surprising in Plenipo's case, as he came to the
post as fat as a bullock, from having done little or no work during
the time he was located at Brocklesby Park during the previous
month. Such information was volunteered to me by a resident at
Limber, who saw the horse daily." — ED.

78 HORSE-RACING PREVIOUS TO VANS.

it was a matter of no slight difficulty and risk to
get horses even from Newmarket to Epsom to
run for the Derby and Oaks. Many a favourite
on arriving at Epsom was unable to start, from
being amiss on the day. It was usual for New-
market horses to reach Epsom or the neighbour-
hood three weeks or a month prior to the races.
Some were located at Epsom, some at Ashstead,
Leatherhead, Mickleham, and Headley, the last
place, when Mr Ladbroke resided there, being
headquarters, as, in addition to being an opulent
banker, he was an enthusiastic sportsman and a
confederate for many years of the late Earl of
Egremont. It was his great delight to entertain
as many of the most distinguished patrons of the
Turf as possible, and also to accommodate their
horses. The Duke of Grafton, the Duke of
Cleveland, and the Duke of Rutland were always
included among Mr Ladbroke's guests, and their
horses were provided with excellent stable accom-
modation. Mr Ladbroke also took lodgings near
his own house for their trainers — Robert Robson,
R. D. Boyce, and William Chifney. The Cock Inn
hard by was well patronised by other trainers and
jockeys, so that Headley, as long as Mr Ladbroke
lived, was an important racing centre whenever
the Epsom Summer Meeting came round. In
addition to entertaining as many distinguished
guests as he could find room for, Mr Ladbroke
took the greatest pleasure in inviting all the

ASHSTEAD STABLES. 79

jockeys and trainers who stopped at Headley to
a sumptuous repast, over which he presided in
person, towards the end of the Epsom week.
Needless to say, the Epsom meeting was greatly
enjoyed by Robson, Neale, William Chifney, R.
D. Boyce, and my father. After the death of
Mr Ladbroke, Headley ceased to be so attrac-
tive to frequenters of Epsom, and deeply indeed
was his loss felt and lamented by the inhabi-
tants. Leatherhead and Ashstead were also fa-
vourite resorts during the Derby and Oaks week
— the former place being frequented by John
Scott and James Edwards, and the latter by John
Forth and, after Mr Ladbroke's death, by Neale
and R. D. Boyce. It was at the " Leg of Mut-
ton and Cauliflower " at Ashstead that Cadland,
Frederick, Little Wonder, Merry Monarch, and
the notorious Leander were stabled, and also
Gulnare, winner of the Oaks, whom the Duke
of Richmond came there to see. With his usual
kind and considerate thought fulness, his Grace
said, " Well, Kent, how is the mare ? I hope she
is well, and you too? You ought to live well,
as you have a ' Haunch of Venison ' at one end
of the village and a ' Leg of Mutton and Cauli-
flower ' at the other ! "

After Mr Ladbroke's death the Chifneys pur-
chased a meadow and paddock at Headley, not
far from the Cock Inn, upon which they built
some good stables. Before long the Chifneys

80 HORSE-RACING PREVIOUS TO VANS.

experienced a reverse of fortune, and the land
and stables at Headley passed into the hands of
" Lawyer " Ford, from whom Lord George Ben-
tinck purchased them. It was here that Crucifix
and Grey Momus stood, together with other
horses, including Gaper and Chatham, all of which
belonged to Lord George. In 1845, I passed the
Epsom week there with the Duke of Richmond's
Refraction (who won the Oaks), and other horses
under my charge, and in 1848, full of anxiety
about the safety of the favourite, I took Lord
Clifden's Surplice and Loadstone to the same
spot to run for the Derby, which the former won.

So great was the importance attached by Lord
George to having all his horses vanned to Epsom
and to other race meetings that, although he had
animals running at Epsom on the first day of the
races, and again in the Derby on Wednesday, he
would insist upon having his mares which were
to run in the Oaks conveyed in vans to Headley
on the Derby Day. The inevitable result was
that he had to pay enormous charges for post-
horses — at the rate of fifteen guineas a-pair — to
take the vans from Kingston railway station to
Headley. This was the price paid in 1842 for
Firebrand's van, as his Lordship had backed the
mare for the Oaks in consequence of her having
won the One Thousand Guineas at Newmarket ;
but in the Oaks she only finished third to Mr G.
Dawson's Our Nell, who was first, and to Mr

LORD GEORGE CAVENDISH. 81

Shackel's Meal (both of them daughters of Bran),
who was second. Firebrand was a light-built
filly of very delicate constitution, and her noble
owner grudged no expense in order to give her
every chance. I have known him do the same,
however, with animals not worth more than the
hire of each pair of post-horses attached to their
vans on the Derby Day.

Had Lord George's convenient system of vanning
race-horses been available in Lord George Caven-
dish's time, it is probable that " Royal George,"
as he was invariably called, would have landed a
great stake on the Derby of 1815, which was won
by the Duke of Grafton's Whisker. In Boyce's
stable at Newmarket, where Lord George Caven-
dish's horses were trained, there was in 1815 a
first-class three-year-old, Sir Joshua, the property
of the Hon. Richard Neville, who was afterwards
Lord Braybrooke. Sir Joshua had won the
Riddlesworth at Newmarket, and some other
races, and Lord George Cavendish, one of the
heaviest speculators that I can remember, backed
him for the Derby for an enormous sum. Unfor-
tunately, the horse caught cold while journeying
to Epsom on foot, and was unable to start. At
the Houghton Meeting of that same year, Sir
Joshua was matched to give Whisker, the Derby
winner, 5 Ib. across the Flat. The betting was
very heavy, and when Sir Joshua won cleverly,
Lord George Cavendish got back most of his

F

82 HORSE-RACING PREVIOUS TO VANS.

Epsom losses. Like Lord George Beiitinck, the
nobleman of whom I am now speaking — who, by
the way, was great - grandfather to the present
Duke of Devonshire — could not be daunted or
turned from his purpose. I have often heard my
father describe the celebrated match between
Filho da Puta and Sir Joshua in 1816, when both
were four years old. Filho da Puta had won the
St Leger easily in 1815, and was undoubtedly a
great horse. He was matched to give Sir Joshua
7 Ib. over the Rowley mile in the Craven meeting
of 1816. The winter of 1815-16 was extraor-
dinarily severe in the north of England, and Filho
was sent by Croft, his trainer, from Middleham
to Newmarket many weeks before the great
match. The horse stood at William Chifney's
stable at Newmarket, and was under the charge
of John Scott, afterwards the famous Whitewall
trainer, who was then head-lad to Croft. Not
long before the match Sir Joshua was tried with
Lord George Cavendish's Bourbon, and won his
trial. On the first day of the Craven meeting,
Bourbon won the Craven Stakes very handsomely,
beating a good field of sixteen horses, which gave
Lord George Cavendish and other patrons of
Boyce's stable great confidence in Sir Joshua.

During the race meetings at Newmarket Lord
George Cavendish always lodged at Mr Boyce's
house. When he arrived there shortly before the
Craven meeting of 1816, he was met by the Hon.

ROYAL GEORGE AT NEWMARKET. 83

George Watson (one of his most intimate friends),
and by Mr Boyce and my father, who was then
head-lad to Mr Boyce. They told Lord George
Cavendish that the Yorkshire gentlemen had mus-
tered in great force at Newmarket to back Filho,
whom they thought invincible. " I am glad to
hear it," rejoined " Royal George," " as I have
brought my strong-box with me." When his
Lordship entered the betting-rooms on the night
before the match, he was received with three times
three by the north-country sportsmen. Not much
time was wasted in useless preliminaries. His
Lordship was assailed on all sides by offers to
bet 500 to 400 on Filho, and, taking out his
betting-book with the utmost composure, he wrote
down all the bets offered on those terms. Then
there was a momentary lull, to which Lord George
put an end by offering to bet 500 even that Sir
Joshua won. Again he was accommodated to a
very large extent, and again he tired out all the
backers of Filho at even money. Finally, looking
round the room, the indomitable backer of Sir
Joshua exclaimed, "As no one will go on backing
Filho at evens, I shall be happy, before going, to
bet 500 to 400 on the little horse as often as any
one will take it." The last voice heard that night
was Lord George Cavendish's, as he shouted out,
" Five hundred to four on Sir Joshua ! " without
finding a taker.

How much money Lord George Cavendish staked

84 HOUSE-RACING PREVIOUS TO VANS.

that night will never be known ; but it was the
opinion of my father, and also that of the late Earl
of Stradbroke, whose horses were trained at that
time by Mr Boyce, and who managed the trial of
Sir Joshua, that it could not have been much less
than £50,000. Next day the match came off, and
Sir Joshua just won. When the start was effected,
Filho, who was very impetuous, reared high in the
air, losing two or three lengths, which he could
never quite regain. Perhaps " Royal George "
was fortunate in getting safely through this
desperate encounter between two good horses ;
but although invited to do so, neither he nor Mr
Neville would consent to make the match over
again, although the backers of Filho offered to put
down £3000 against Mr Neville's £2000.

It is a little remarkable that my father should
have served two noble patrons of the Turf who
were so much alike in the magnitude of their
betting ventures as Lord George Cavendish and
Lord George Bentinck. When Bourbon won the
Craven Stakes some foreigners wanted Mr Boyce
to ask Lord George Cavendish whether he would
sell him, and if so, what price he would take.
Mr Boyce replied, " I might as well ask him to sell
Burlington House ; you had better ask him your-
self." And when the question was put to Lord
George, the answer he gave was, " When I want
to sell him I will let you know." At this time
Lord George Cavendish was considered the most

"THE ROTHSCHILD or TATTERSALL'S." 85

influential patron of Newmarket ; and Lord George
Bentinck in his day was regarded by many as
" The Eothschild of Tatter-sail's."

It was always Lord George's opinion that the
most satisfactory races are those over a distance
of ground, and of his preference evident proof was
afforded by his gift of the Waterloo Shield, the
largest and most valuable prize ever given to a
race by one person, which was run for at the
Goodwood meeting of 1837. It may appear to
some that the three prizes of £1000 each, so
generously given in 1890 by Mr C. D. Rose, were
each of them equal to the Waterloo Shield ; but
the advertised cost of the latter was greatly ex-
ceeded by additional embellishments suggested by
his Lordship after it was supposed to be completed.
This magnificent piece of plate was, in conformity
with Lord George's predilections, run for over the
King's Plate Course of about three miles and three
quarters. There were forty subscribers of £25
each, fifteen forfeit, and eighteen runners, and
the shield was won by Colonel Peel's Slane, who
claimed a 7 Ib. allowance for having been beaten
in the Cup. Since 1834 it had been the custom
for one of the Stewards of Goodwood races to give
a Cup of £100 value. In 1837 the Earl of Albe-
marle was Steward with Lord George Bentinck,
and being the senior of the two, he did not feel
disposed to relinquish his right to give the annual
£100 Cup ; so that, in order to enhance the popu-

86 HORSE-RACING PREVIOUS TO VANS.

larity of his favourite meeting, Lord George
promptly gave the Waterloo Shield.

Lord George's father, the Duke of Portland, was
also disposed to encourage long-distance races, and
he established the Portland Handicap at New-
market, to be run for over the last three miles of
the B.C., to which race his Grace added £300.
The Duke seldom or never ran a two-year-old ;
and at that time it was considered unwise to
encourage three-year-olds to race too much, as is
shown by the following extract, which appeared
in the 'Sporting Magazine' of 1836: "The ten-
dency of the great three - year - old races is to
deteriorate the breed of the English race-horse.
Nothing can be done to correct it till the close
of the present season. For a true patriotic at-
tempt in this direction we are indebted to the
Duke of Portland, who has founded and endowed
the Portland Handicap ; and there can be little
doubt that we shall find other stakes upon the
same plan instituted at all the great race meet-
ings." There is no question that races exceeding
a mile in distance afford more opportunity of ex-
hibiting fine horsemanship than the short-course
races of the present day. The riding of such
artists as Samuel Chifney, Frank Buckle, and
James Robinson over some of the long courses
at Newmarket was quite an attraction, and far
more interesting to good judges than the com-
petition of the horses.

FRANK BUCKLE. 87

My father used to say that Frank Buckle had
the finest character of any jockey that he ever
knew. His power of riding long distances was
unequalled in an age when all jockeys per-
formed their journeys on horseback. In point of
fact, Robert Robson, who was called " the Em-
peror of Trainers/' would have nothing to do
with any jockey unless he rode long distances
almost every day on horseback. For many
years of his long life Frank Buckle resided at
Peterborough, where he was born, and where he
now lies buried. Although Peterborough is about
ninety miles distant from Newmarket, Buckle
thought nothing of riding from his own home
to the Heath and back on the same day. In
finishing a race, he had recourse to a circular mo-
tion of his arms, which caused him to be often
called the " Peterborough screw." His integrity
was so well known that, in a corrupt era, no
one ever thought of approaching " Old Frank "
with dishonest proposals or suggestions, as in one
instance he was said to have drawn his whip
smartly across the face of a gentleman who, al-
though a member of the Jockey Club, had the
audacity to ask Buckle to pull a horse in a match.
During the whole of Buckle's career the rivalry
between North, and South was infinitely greater
than it has been during the last twenty or
thirty years. Owners and trainers of race-horses,
and the jockeys who bestrode them, were greatly

88 HORSE-RACING PREVIOUS TO VANS.

under the influence of this predominant feeling,
which was perhaps at its climax in 1827, when
the Honourable Edward Petre's Matilda beat the
Derby winner, Mr Gully's Mameluke, for the great
St Leger Stakes at Doncaster. At the begin-
ning of this century Frank Buckle was the crack
jockey at Newmarket, which was always regarded
as being in the south of England, and simultane-
ously John Shepherd held a similar position among
his northern congeners. Buckle and Shepherd
were frequently in the habit of meeting in races
and matches, and no slight jealousy existed be-
tween them, although Buckle was naturally too
kind-hearted and easy-going to harbour an un-
kind thought about anybody. He was sometimes
forced, however, to ride with suspicion, because
Shepherd was by no means scrupulous, and would
take every unfair advantage that came in his
way, which indeed was at that time a character-
istic of most of the north-country jockeys. Fre-
quently there was a great deal of money betted
upon matches in which Buckle and Shepherd met,
and in those days it was generally impossible to
draw a line, or form an estimate as to the com-
parative merits of the two opposing horses. As
a rule, it was Shepherd's policy to make run-
ning, while Buckle waited, following immediately
in his antagonist's track. It once occurred that,
in a match over the four - mile course at York,
Buckle had his enemy dead - beat about a hun-

BUCKLE AND SHEPHERD. 89

dred yards from home, and came up between
Shepherd and the rails. Even then the north-
country jockey would not allow himself to be
beaten ; as he drove Buckle, who would otherwise
have won in a canter, upon the rails, and kept
his own knee in advance of Buckle's knee, so
that the latter found it impossible to extricate
himself from the position in which his old anta-
gonist held him as in a vice. In those days there
was no such thing as disqualification for foul rid-
ing, and Buckle knew full well that no complaint
made by him would be listened to for a moment on
a Yorkshire course. He contented himself, there-
fore, by saying to Shepherd : " It will not be
long, I reckon, before you and I meet again at
Newmarket, where you cannot drive me on the
rails ; and then I warn you that I will have
my revenge." ,

The words were prophetic, as within a few weeks
the two jockeys met in an important match over
the Beacon Course at Newmarket for a thousand
guineas a side. Shepherd was universally regarded
as a wonderful judge of pace, and resorted as usual
to his favourite game of making play. Buckle, on
the other hand, was one of the finest finishers of a
race that ever galloped across the Flat, and his skill
and finesse in getting the last ounce out of a tired
horse at the end of four miles have never been
surpassed from that day to this. In the match
of which I am now speaking Shepherd made the

90 HOUSE-RACING PREVIOUS TO VANS.

pace so good, that, glancing repeatedly over his
shoulder, he soon satisfied himself that, long before
the winning-post was reached, he would succeed in
galloping his adversary to a standstill. As the
two horses drew near to the judge's chair Buckle
kept close to the heels of the other horse, so that
Shepherd could not see him without turning right
round in the saddle to look. At this critical
moment the north-countryman became aware that
he had not yet done with his pertinacious op-
ponent, who gave every indication of intending to
come up on Shepherd's whip-hand. When they
were about a hundred yards from the chair, Shep-
herd's eye was anxiously fixed upon the winning-
post. Observing Shepherd's preoccupation, Buckle
pulled his horse to the near side, and before Shep-
herd had withdrawn his eyes from the judge's box,
Buckle had stolen a march upon his enemy, and
was leading a couple of lengths on the near side.
Loud cries of " Look at Buckle ! look at Buckle ! "
arose from the onlookers, who were waiting on
horseback at the cords. When it was too late
Shepherd perceived his danger, but Buckle had got
the first run, and although there was a good effort
left in Shepherd's horse, who had been most judi-
ciously ridden, the race was over, and Buckle had
won by half a length. Such shouting and cheer-
ing as arose upon the Heath had, according to my
father, never been heard before that day. As the
two rivals rode back to scale, Buckle curtly re-

BUCKLE AS A RIDER. 91

marked, " I told you when you came to Newmarket
that I would pay you off, as I have done to-day."

Never was jockey more respected than Frank
Buckle during the last thirty years of his honour-
able and spotless career. He was a most agree-
able man, and always glad to give hints about
riding to his younger rivals. When it came to a
fine point between two horses after a long gallop,
it was 6 to 4 on " Old Frank " against any other
" knight of the pigskin." No man had a more
powerful seat upon a horse, and in the longest
race he was never known to tire. Occasionally he
had to ride horses which, without his knowledge,
had been nobbled or in some way made safe before
leaving their stables. My father often told me
that in 1811, at the Second Spring Meeting, he
saw Mr Christopher Wilson's chestnut horse Wiz-
ard beat Lord George Cavendish's Middlethorpe
(also a chestnut horse) over the Beacon Course in
a 500-guinea match. Wizard was ridden by
Buckle, and Middlethorpe by Arnull. In the race,
Milddlethorpe, who was the son of Shuttle, and,
like all of Shuttle's breed, a bad-tempered horse,
stopped so short that Arnull was pitched off, and
Buckle galloped home alone. Much to his aston-
ishment, Buckle experienced the greatest difficulty
in keeping Wizard upon his legs till the winning-
post was passed. The horse reeled and staggered
like a drunken man, and seemed to be wholly be-
reft of sight. " I don't know what you have done

92 HORSE-RACING PREVIOUS TO VANS.

to this horse," exclaimed Buckle to the trainer, " but
he is as blind as a bat." No reply was made by
the trainer, who, as subsequently became known,
lost a heavy stake by backing Middlethorpe for
the match, which, in Wizard's condition, it would
have been impossible for Middlethorpe to lose had
not his jockey fallen off.

In order to get back his losses, Wizard's trainer
persuaded Mr Wilson to make another match be-
tween Wizard and Middlethorpe, conceding 2 Ib.
to the latter. It came off over the Two Middle
Miles in the First October Meeting 1811, and again
the dishonest trainer had to put up with a costly
defeat. He backed Wizard for enough money to
get back all his previous losses. Unfortunately
the horse, on whom odds of 7 to 4 were betted at
the start, fell lame in the race, and Middlethorpe
won by more than a hundred yards.

In 1836, when James Robinson won the Two
Thousand Guineas upon Bay Middleton, and the
Portland Handicap upon Sheet-Anchor, the follow-
ing remarks were made by a sporting writer at
the time : "A very remarkable display of jockey-
ship occurred on the part of Jem Robinson at the
First Spring Meeting at Newmarket over the
last three miles of the B.C. upon Mr Cooke's
Sheet-Anchor, when he beat Lord Chesterfield's
Hornsea, ridden by William Scott, and Mr Mos-
tyn's Birdlime, ridden by T. Lye, in addition to
Hevenge, Rioter, Pelops, Tiber, and other starters.

REMARKABLE DISPLAY OF JOCKEYSHIP. 93

Lye upon Birdlime made running to the distance,
when Bill Scott, who had been nursing Hornsea,
brought him up resolutely, challenged Lye, and
raced with him. The pace was good, and the
punishment severe, and to all appearances Scott
had the race in hand, when, on the lower ground,
for the first time his eyes caught sight of Bobinson
on Sheet- Anchor. A glance was enough, as Bobin-
son was sitting quite still in the saddle, with the
race evidently in hand, and close upon home out
he came with a rush that sent your heart into
your mouth, and won by a length, while half*
the lookers-on believed Hornsea had caught the
judge's eye. When shall we again see two such
races as this and the Two Thousand between Bay
Middleton and Elis ? " Being an eyewitness of
this consummate display of jockey ship, it reminded
me of the same two opponents when they met in
the Derby of 1828, and Cadland, ridden by Bobin-
son, ran a dead-heat with The Colonel, ridden by
William Scott. In the deciding heat, Bobinson,
after making running to the distance, gammoned
Scott that Cadland was tiring, which induced Scott
to take the lead, and, as he expected, to go up and
win. But Jem had a good effort left in Cadland,
for which Scott was quite unprepared, and to
his great astonishment Jem beat him on the post
by about a neck. To witness Bobinson's riding
was indeed a treat, for as a specimen of skill
and knowledge of the animal it could not be sur-

94 HORSE-RACING PREVIOUS TO VANS.

passed. I could mention a number of instances
of this famous jockey's matchless prowess in the
saddle, equal, perhaps, to those above enumerated.
The great secret in his art was, that it was impos-
sible for any one, not even the old jockeys who so
frequently rode against him, to know whether his
horse was extended or not, or whether he was on
the back of a free or a sluggish animal. He sat
without any apparent motion ; and when it suited
his purpose he would appear to be riding as if his
horse were tiring, whether he was so or not, a
latent effort being nearly always left in him suffi-
cient to win the race. He had a great aversion
to short - course races, and as much as possible
avoided riding in them, stating that often some
stable-boy upon an animal hardly able to carry a
saddle got off in front, and was past the winning-
post before any riding on the part of real jockeys
could be called into requisition.

With the view of promoting long races at Good-
wood, Lord George Bentinck, at a great expense,
constructed the Maidstone Course, four miles long ;
and the King's Plate Course (another of his crea-
tions) which was three furlongs short of four miles.
The desired length could have been obtained by
going twice round the hill, as used to be done for
sweating horses in those days ; but of this his
Lordship did not approve, and preferred to make
a course outside the old circle round the hill and
the various clumps of trees. This course was

MATCHES. 95

used for a few years ; but as the taste for short
races increased, the number of courses made by
Lord George was found to be confusing, so dolls
were put across those which were not used, with
a view to guiding and directing the jockeys as to
the right track for them to follow. Even with
these precautions, mistakes sometimes occurred, as
in the case of Ithuriel and Red Deer.

Being always ready to make matches and pro-
mote sport, Lord George pitted his Captain
Cook against Lord Maidst one's Larry M'Hale
over two miles and a half at Goodwood, nominally
for £100 but in reality for £1000 ; as it was cus-
tomary with Lord George to advertise the amount
staked in some of his matches as one-tenth of the
actual sum. Hence the match between his
Bramble and Lord Maidstone's The Caster the
same year in the Craven Meeting at Newmarket,
over the B.C., was for 1200 sovereigns, 800 forfeit,
although advertised at sixty sovereigns each and
forty forfeit. Also at Goodwood the same year,
in a match between Olive-Oil and Rose of Cash-
mere for 500 sovereigns each, the sum was adver-
tised at £50. Although gratifying his partiality
for long races, Lord George did not profit by the
result of his match against Lord Maidstone's
Larry M'Hale, nor by the example of the magnifi-
cent riding of Jem Robinson, whose style he so
much admired, as there was much more agitation
in his Lordship's long arms and legs than would

96 HOUSE-RACING PREVIOUS TO VANS.

have been visible in Robinson's when his oppo-
nent closed with him for the final struggle.
Whether the course was too long for Captain
Cook, who was a bad roarer, trained by the late
Isaac Day, I cannot say ; but it evidently was for
his pilot, who was not so fit for the contest as
Lord Maidstone. The latter, being in fine condi-
tion, rode four winners during the week, beating,
upon Lord George's Na worth his own horse, Me-
chanic, after the two had run a dead-heat over
the Maidstone course, Captain Percy Williams
riding Mechanic. If Lord Maidstone was able to
beat such a jockey as Captain Percy Williams,
after running a dead-heat with him, it was not
much discredit to Lord George to be beaten only
by a neck by such an excellent rider over a course
of two miles and a half, when, moreover, Lord
George was altogether out of condition and his
noble opponent as fit as a fiddle.

CHAPTER V.

REMOVAL FROM DANEBURY.

IN the autumn of 1841 Lord George Bentinck
resolved to remove all his horses from Danebury
to Goodwood, and to sacrifice the enormous outlay
he had incurred at the former place. He stated
his intention to me as he rode off the course at
Newmarket on the Friday of the Hough ton Meet-
ing of 1841, desiring me to send at once and take
charge of those horses he had at Newmarket — viz.,
Tripoli, Topsail, Halfcaste, and Crusade — as "he
had made up his mind not to continue at Dane-
bury." I was also instructed to arrange for the
removal of the remainder of his stud from Dane-
bury to Goodwood, with everything belonging to
him ; which I must confess greatly surprised me,
and caused me to feel in a somewhat unpleasant
position. I was well aware that for a long
time his Lordship had been dissatisfied with cer-
tain proceedings at Danebury, upon which he
enlarged during the Houghton week at New-

G

98 REMOVAL FROM DANEBURY.

market, and especially upon the circumstances
connected with Mr Etwall's Melody colt, who
was heavily backed for the Cambridgeshire Stakes
and ran second, having been trained by John
Day, who also trained Lord Palmerston's Ilione,
the winner of the Cesarewitch during the Second
October Meeting. Rather than submit to what
he deemed an injustice, Lord George thought no
sum of money too great to sacrifice, and showed
his indomitable spirit by leaving Danebury, where,
as was often stated at the time, he was " literally
walking on gold laid out by himself."

When I went to Danebury I found five or six
horses in training, a large number turned out, and
several yearlings. It was his Lordship's wish that
all of them should be conveyed in vans to Good-
wood ; and as the yearlings were unbroken, the
carrying out of this plan was attended with
no little anxiety, trouble, and risk. From the
unusual circumstance of the yearlings not having
been broken, I fully believe that Lord George
contemplated this great change some months
previous to effecting it, as it was his custom
to have his yearlings broken early in the year,
and to try them before the closing of the
Stakes after the Houghton Meeting. He told
me he did not desire to have them broken
at Danebury, in order to avoid any estimate of
their merits being formed there. Four of these
yearlings — Farintosh, Gaper, Bramble, and Fore-

TRANSPORT TO GOODWOOD. 99

sail — he considered very promising, and wished
them to be conveyed in vans to prevent their
incurring any risk in travelling on foot. This
arrangement necessitated the employment of four
vans (two double and two single ones) for four days,
on the journey from Goodwood to Danebury and
back, a distance by road of about 106 miles per day.
I left home between four and five each morning,
and returned at night about ten o'clock. My
daily freight consisted of horses in training and
of yearlings, as I did not think it advisable to
convey all the yearlings by themselves. Under
the most favourable circumstances my responsi-
bility was far too great to be pleasant. Before
leaving Danebury in the morning, I was occupied
for two or three hours in making arrangements
for the journey, some of the youngsters being most
difficult to get into the vans, and refractory when
there, not to mention that during the journey
they were sometimes almost unmanageable. What
with the fatigue of the four consecutive days'
journey and the anxiety attending it, I was glad
enough when my task was completed ; especially
as I was under the impression that the removal
could have been effected with considerably less
expense, less risk, and inconvenience, had all the
horses left Danebury on the same day, and pro-
ceeded on foot to Goodwood. So positive and
peremptory, however, were his Lordship's instruc-
tions, that I came to the conclusion he had more

100 REMOVAL FROM DANEBURY.

reasons for such arrangements than he cared to
express. As we were starting from Danebury on
the last day, John Day's lads jeered at my lads,
and told them that all Lord George's horses com-
bined were not worth as much as their journey to
Goodwood would cost. Before the end of the
following year they had to change their tone,
especially when Firebrand won the One Thousand
Guineas, Flytrap the Column, and Tedworth a
One Hundred Sovereign Stake, all at Newmarket ;
Misdeal the St James's Palace Stakes, at Ascot,
value £650 ; the Racing Stakes, at Goodwood,
value £1300 ; the Grand Duke Michael Stakes,
at Newmarket, value £1100. That same year,
also, Tripoli won the Somersetshire Stakes, and
Topsail the Cup, at Bath ; Mustapha a stake at
Goodwood of the value of £1950; and finally,
Gaper the Criterion, at Newmarket.

Lord George's instructions to me were to take
my own lads and servants in the Duke of Rich-
mond's vans, which his Grace lent him. My next
instructions were to arrange for the transport of
the cart-horses, carts, rollers, &c., from Danebury
to Goodwood, and to provide temporary shelter for
them near the stables at the latter place, as, natu-
rally, such an addition to the Goodwood establish-
ment made it necessary to provide greater accom-
modation, which his Lordship, with the consent of
the Duke of Richmond, lost no time in doing. He
superintended the work at Goodwood personally,

DIETING RACE-HORSES. 101

and soon forgot the great sacrifices he must have
made by leaving Danebury. This did not appear
to trouble him in the least, but rather to incite
him to find means to replace what he had left be-
hind, and, if possible, to improve upon it. During
the winter months much of his time was spent at
Goodwood with the Duke of Richmond ; and he
took the greatest interest in the work as it pro-
ceeded, spending many hours each day with the
labourers employed. Often he was accompanied
by the Duke, who was also greatly occupied in
watching the various works, some of which might
have been thought likely to intrude upon the
privacy of his Grace's splendid estate. On ac-
count, however, of the long personal friendship
existing between himself and Lord George, the
Duke made concessions to him which he would
never have granted to another.

Some of the horses from Danebury being very
light in condition, and others infirm, his Lordship
was most anxious that every effort should be made
to recover them. He therefore suggested to my
father that they should be liberally fed upon split
beans and white peas. Of this my father did not
quite approve, alleging that he had frequently
known horses select the beans and peas, and refuse
to eat the oats with which they were mixed. He
much preferred giving them a certain quantity of
flour in their water, as from experience he found
great nourishment was afforded by it to such

102 REMOVAL FROM DANEBURY.

animals as were subjected to severe races and
strong exercise entailing fatigue, and even dis-
tress ; and it did not discourage them from eating
their corn. This seemed to impress his Lordship
very favourably, and he desired that its effects
might be fully tested upon all those horses whose
constitutions were not as robust as could be wished.
As time advanced the horses so treated improved
greatly in appearance. Firebrand and Flytrap,
being the most delicate, and most heavily engaged,
his Lordship thought their strength and powers
might be still further increased by giving them
new milk mixed with flour to drink, and a dozen
new-laid eggs in each feed of corn. Accordingly,
cows were purchased to provide the required
milk, and the eggs ordered from the farmers
were marked with their initials, to ensure their
being fresh, as his Lordship would not buy from
a dealer or shopman, for fear of the eggs being
musty, so as to give the animals a distaste for
their corn. At first there was some difficulty in
inducing the horses to partake of this unnatural
diet and beverage, but after a time they ate and
drank it with avidity, and stood a good pre-
paration, Firebrand winning the One Thousand
Guineas and Flytrap the Column.

After these successes Lord George, being so much
impressed with the beneficial effects of milk and
eggs, wished all the light-fleshed and delicate ani-
mals to be fed in the same way. Some were most

DIETING RACE-HORSES. 103

wretched specimens, especially those got by Bay
Middleton, which were not worth keeping in the
stable, and still less worth pampering in this
manner. One cripple, Crusade, by Ascot, out of
Crucifix's dam, was fed for some time on this diet.
When a yearling he injured his back by falling in
the paddock, and if a rehabilitation could be
effected, his Lordship thought it would not be
difficult to recover the expense of " a little milk
and a few eggs." When at Danebury, Crusade had
run for small selling races, but without success.
His back was so bad that he had entirely lost
the natural action of his hind-legs. The case was
perfectly hopeless, yet Lord George insisted upon
persevering in this treatment till time at length
convinced him that it was useless. This milk-and-
egg system involved great expense and additional
labour with no compensating result, as was ob-
served by the Duke of Richmond, who one day
remarked to his noble friend, when looking over the
stables with him, " You will soon want my farm
and poultry-yard, George, to supply your horses
with milk and eggs, in addition to filling all my
stables, I think you had better let Kent feed the
horses in his own way ; he has hitherto been
successful for me, and my horses have done very
well." After a few months the milk and eggs
were discontinued ; but the flour, in which my
father and I were firm believers, was given to
many of the horses — to some to accustom them

104 REMOVAL FROM DANEBURY.

to it in case they should ever run down, and need
it ; and it was invariably given after a severe race
or after running heats — especially after a dead
heat — in which we were seldom beaten when it
was run off. Whether the result was due to the
support afforded by the flour or not, I cannot say ;
but it was a matter of common remark that de-
ciding heats were almost invariably won by the
Goodwood stable. Some of the old horses enjoyed
the flour so much that it was with difficulty the pails
containing it could be removed from them until the
contents were entirely extracted by aid of the
tongue, which often amused Lord George greatly.

In 1842 (the first year in which all his Lord-
ship's horses were trained at Goodwood) he ran
twenty-one, and was more successful than he ex-
pected, many of them being very infirm either in
their limbs or wind, — a great failing in the Bay
Middletons, by whom many of them were sired.
John Day, indeed, had such an objection to them,
that he said, when Lord George's stud left Dane-
bury, he would never train another Bay Middleton.
Certainly they were not very desirable animals to
have in your stables. The two finest yearlings
brought from Danebury — viz., Farintosh by Bay
Middleton, out of Camarine's dam, and Gaper by
Bay Middleton, out of Flycatcher — were so infirm
that it was a great anxiety to a trainer to have to
do with them. Farintosh, one of the finest horses
ever bred or seen, was a very bad roarer indeed ;

THE HALNAKER GALLOP. 105

and Gaper had such doubtful legs that it appeared
almost hopeless to endeavour to train him. John
Day, in fact, said he never could be trained ; but
by the aid of "Kent's charges"-— as Lord George
subsequently called the application — and the ex-
cellent training-grounds at Goodwood, he was kept
upon his legs and won the Criteron Stakes at New-
market in 1842, greatly to his Lordship's delight,
as he had a yearling bet of £10,000 to £100 about
him for the Derby. His legs being so bad through
standing over at the knees like a cab-horse, liberal
odds were laid against him for the Derby, after the
Criterion, which were taken by and for his Lord-
ship, till he stood to win a very large stake upon
him. This unexpected success, enhanced by
Gaper's future prospects, stimulated Lord George
still further to persist in his endeavours to com-
mand success. He determined to extend and
improve the exercise - ground, and to form a
gallop upon the ascent for a mile and a half upon
the most elastic turf that I have ever seen. To
attain this object, he devised the famous Hal-
naker Park gallop, which, with other works
upon the Molecomb Hill, he was most anxious
to complete. After explaining his views and
projects to my father and myself, he inquired of
me what the cost of such works would amount
to, as a large number of immense timber -trees
would have to be felled and their roots grubbed
up, banks levelled, and turf and mould brought

106 REMOVAL FROM DANEBURY.

from some distance. I said that it was a most ex-
pensive undertaking, and could not be carried out
for much less than £3500 ; to which he replied, "If
it enables me to win one race it will pay all that."
With his usual ardour, after obtaining permission
from the Duke of Richmond, he at once commenced
the job, employing over one hundred labourers and
twenty-eight cart-horses, the superintendence of
the work affording him the greatest pleasure. One
day, after riding upon the race-course and the Mole-
comb Downs, he pulled up on the summit of the
new Halnaker gallop then in progress, and coming
suddenly upon the splendid and extensive pano-
ramic view spread before him on emerging from the
wood, he remarked, " There's a beautiful sight ! "
Of course I thought he alluded to the landscape so
suddenly brought before his eyes. " I did not
mean that," he explained, " but the sight of so
many men at work, and the means it affords them
to provide food for their families during this in-
clement season." The potato-disease, which pre-
vailed greatly that year, engaged his Lordship's
attention. He said the gardener at Welbeck had
found that a sprinkling of lime over each layer
of potatoes, when storing them, was the best
preservative he had tried ; and he added that
if any of the Goodwood labourers wished to try
the experiment, they were to be supplied with
lime for the purpose at his expense. During
the progress of these works a labourer met

GAPER'S CAREER. 107

with an accident by falling from a tree while
adjusting a rope to assist in felling it. He
sustained a fracture of one of his legs, and was
taken to the infirmary at Chichester. When Lord
George heard of it he inquired whether the man
was married, and on being informed that he had
a wife and family, his Lordship directed that the
wife should be paid her husband's wages until he
was able to resume work.

After the season for laying turf, tan -was put
upon the various gallops and upon the race-course.
The cart-horses were employed upon this work
for months, bringing the tan from Chichester, a
distance of five or six miles. This was, of course,
a heavy expense, but his Lordship believed it to
have been of great benefit to the grass at Dane-
bury, where he had caused hundreds of tons to be
spread, and he thought it would be of equal service
at Goodwood, and repay the cost.

As previously stated, Lord George had backed
Gaper heavily for the Derby. During the winter
and as the spring advanced he was encouraged in
his speculation by the improved prospect of the
horse standing a preparation which would enable
him to run up to his form. In the Craven meeting
at Newmarket Gaper ran on the Tuesday, and
won a sweepstakes of 100 sovereigns each, R.M.,
by eight lengths, beating the Duke of Grafton's
Esop, ridden by J. Day, who, although greatly
surprised at the easy manner Gaper won, still

108 REMOVAL FROM DANEBURY.

thought with his bandaged legs he could not be
trained to win a Derby. On the following Thurs-
day Gaper ran and won again, beating New Brigh-
ton and Jerry Sneak for a sweepstakes of 200
sovereigns each, D.M. John Day, having laid
£20,000 to £250 against him, examined him very
anxiously, and still thought he could have no
chance of winning the Derby with such doubtful
legs. Cotherstone, whom Gaper had beaten for
the Criterion, won the Two Thousand Guineas
easily, which increased Lord George's confidence
in Gaper, and he continued to back him till he
stood to win about £135,000 upon the horse. On
account of his legs Gaper was not tried previously
to running for his engagements at Newmarket ;
but about a fortnight after the Two Thousand he
was stripped and had a rough gallop of a mile and
a quarter, when he won with ridiculous ease. On
the 20th of May, about a week before the Derby,
he was again tried a mile and a half with Discord
(the Melody colt before alluded to) and others,
when he won very easily indeed. This raised his
Lordship's hopes and expectations greatly, more
especially as Gaper appeared to be perfectly sound,
and none the worse for his races and trials. Every
precaution was taken to get him safely to Epsom
and to the Derby post ; and in order to test the
form of Discord, he was started for the Craven
Stakes on the first day, which he won, to the
great surprise of Lord George, beating Knight of

GAPER AT THE DERBY. 109

the Whistle, Alice Hawthorne, and six others.
After the race I said to his Lordship, " Where
would Gaper have been had he run ? " His reply
was, " He would have been in Epsom town before
the others reached the winning-post ! " Robert
Hesseltine, who trained Alice Hawthorne, re-
marked, "If Gaper can beat Discord at 16 lb.,
as stated, the Derby will be won by the Sussex
nag by little short of a hundred yards." As I
understood that John Day had laid £20,000 to
£250 against Gaper, I took an opportunity of ad-
vising him in a friendly way not to risk such a
sum, and at the eleventh hour he got Mr Gully
to take £20,000 to £3000 for him about the
horse from Lord George, losing on the balance
£2750. The tremendous play made by Gaper
cut down more than half the field at once ; the
hill settled the chance of many more ; and as
the leading horses neared the turn five only were
left in the race. Gaper came gallantly round
Tattenham Corner with a lead of a couple of
lengths, and had such a winning look about him
that shouts of " Gaper wins ! " rent the air. " Gaper
was fit to run for a man's life, but we apprehend
that the course was a trifle too sticky for his
action." Such was one report of the race. Another
said : " Lord George's horse rattled round the corner
at such awful speed, and looked so well, that ' Gaper
wins ! ' * Gaper wins ! ' was shouted from hundreds
of throats ; but he ended by being fourth in the

110 REMOVAL FROM DANEBURY.

race. The greatest winners were Lord George Ben-
tinck, who netted nearly £8000 by Cotherstone,
Lord Chesterfield, Colonel Anson (a handsome
stake), Mr Bowes, about £12,000, Mr Gully, Mr
O'Brien, the Scotts, and others connected with the
Malton establishment." Cotherstone won cleverly
by two lengths, Gorhambury being second, — the
betting being 13 to 8 against Cotherstone, 5 to 1
against Gaper, 14 to 1 against Newcourt, with a
long list of others who were backed at various odds.
Such was the termination of Lord George's long-
entertained expectations and anxious hopes. I
did not feel quite satisfied, and thought if Gaper
had been ridden by Abdale, as in the trial, with
a snafHe bridle and without spurs, he would have
run better, and might probably have won, his
health and condition being so good. As it was,
he was ridden by Sam Rogers in a severe curb
bridle, and was rattled along so mercilessly that
the deep ground soon brought him to a standstill.
Like his sire, Gaper was very impetuous, and it
was difficult to make him submit to any restraint.
He was rather a fine and good-looking horse, with
much power, but his legs were so unsound that
the Duke of Richmond remarked to his con-
federate, " I suppose, George, you will have this
horse painted some day ; when you do, I should
advise you to have him taken standing in a
quantity of straw to conceal those legs of his."
Yet it is very remarkable that Gaper ran fifteen

RACING EXPENSES. Ill

times when three years old and won seven races,
beating the Duke of Richmond's Lothario by a
head for the St Leger at Newmarket (D.I.), ridden
for the first time by Flatman, Sam Rogers riding
Lothario, whom Lord George and others in the
stable backed. The next day Sam Rogers rode
Gaper for the Town Plate (D.I.), when 7 to 1 was
betted on him, and he finished last of three
starters.

This year his Lordship ran twenty-eight horses
in 122 races, and had seventy-three in training,
the expenses of which were great. My father's
accounts were — June 30, £3447, 18s. 8d. ; Decem-
ber 31, £3503, 3s. l^d. ; and at the close of the
year Lord George said to me, " I never during
all my life received such bills as I get from you."
Naturally I felt alarmed, and replied, " I am sorry,
my Lord, they are not satisfactory. I know they
are very heavy, but I really cannot lessen the ex-
penses. My hands are continually in my pocket,
travelling so much as I do with so many horses :
I am frequently obliged to pay something extra
to accomplish the distance in time. I do not
think I have charged more than I have actually
paid out of pocket. If there is any mistake, it
is in not charging some few pounds paid by me
which are not accounted for, as it is impossible for
me to put down all that I am obliged to disburse."
" That is just what I think," was his Lordship's
reply ; " you do not charge two-thirds, or one-

112 REMOVAL FROM DANEBURY.

half, as much for many things as I have paid for
the same 'at Danebury. With all your travelling
you must sustain considerable loss by the destruc-
tion of your clothes ; therefore for the future charge
me £200 a-year for their wear and tear ! " That
year I travelled 6155 miles, a large portion of it
by road. The distances were greatly increased in
some years, and for travelling expenses alone I
disbursed £3600 in one year. His Lordship would
never reduce his expenses by selling a horse.
" They will do for the gentlemen to ride," he would
say, when advised to dispose of some ; and on
being told that they were too infirm to carry
gentlemen, he would get over the difficulty by
saying, " Then they will do to teach the little
boys how to ride."

Although he had built a large number of new
stables, and converted into stables all available
buildings, still the accommodation was insuffi-
cient, and Lord George asked the Duke of Rich-
mond to permit him to erect more. "If you had
Chichester barracks," replied the Duke, laughing,
" you would fill all the stalls. You had better
get rid of some of your horses, as Kent recom-
mends." "How am I to get rid of them?"
asked his Lordship. " Sell them, my Lord, if
you can," was my reply ; "if not, give them
away or shoot them," which his Grace thought
good sound advice. After much persuasion, Lord
George consented that fifteen should go to Tatter-

THE GOODWOOD YEARLINGS. 113

sail's, and made a promise not to attend the sale,
but to let them go for what they would fetch.
All were sold but one, which, naturally, no one
would purchase when offered with its engage-
ments. The highest prices realised were £25 and
£30. Some of them were yearlings, and had
been tried. Three of the latter became the prop-
erty of Mr Francis Yilliers, who, like his father
the Earl of Jersey, had no faith in yearling trials.
In the spring Lord George said to me, "You
have got me into a pretty mess by your advice
to sell those yearlings, as Mr Villiers tells me
they can run." I told his Lordship that I was
pleased to hear it. "You are pleased when I
have sold good horses, are you ? " he rejoined,
sharply. I answered that I was glad to hear
they could run, for I knew that his Lordship had
better in his stables, which I hoped would win
some of their engagements. Still he continued
to regret having sold them, and in order to try
and reassure him, I selected some of our horses
which had been tried, and which I thought were
better than those sold, although not the best of
his lot. I therefore advised his Lordship to make
some matches with them against those Mr Vil-
liers had bought. Three or four matches were
accordingly made. Lord George won the first
very easily, and received forfeit for the others.
After this he was satisfied, and no longer re-
gretted the sale of his yearlings.

H

114 REMOVAL FROM DANEBURY.

Counting those belonging to the Duke of Rich-
mond and Lord George, forty or fifty yearlings
were broken each year. I found it very advan-
tageous to ascertain their merits as soon as I could,
and to select a few of the best for heavy engage-
ments, as was proved by results ; for often, when
taken from the paddocks, the most promising were
put into stakes which closed very early. If possi-
ble, all were tried before the end of the Houghton
Meeting. In some years many were tried before
Doncaster Races, as was the case in 1844, when
Ennui (dam of Saunterer, Loiterer, &c.) distin-
guished herself by winning two trials. At Don-
caster John Scott had what was thought a very
fine yearling to sell, called Tom Tulloch — by Het-
man Platoff, out of Cyprian — which Lord George
was anxious to purchase, and desired me to look
him over. I did not quite like the colt, as he was
heavy-shouldered, and one of his fore-feet rather
clubby. Still, his Lordship had a fancy to buy
him. I recommended him not to do so, but to
let some one else have him, and to match the little
filly, Ennui, against him. At the sale Lord George
bid 1200 guineas for Tom Tulloch, when I en-
treated him not to bid more. Eventually the colt
became the property of Lord Maidstone for 1500
guineas. The next day Lord Maidstone, the Earl
of Glasgow, and others went round Lord George's
stud at Doncaster. " So I hear you bought that
yearling from John Scott yesterday," said Lord

THE GOODWOOD YEARLINGS. 115

George to Lord Maidstone. " I will run you for
£500 at Goodwood next year with a little filly
I have got." To which Lord Maidstone replied,
66 John Scott will not take a two-year-old to Good-
wood, but I will run you here." Lord Glasgow
wished it to be a sweepstakes, that he might put
one in, which was agreed to. "I will bet each of
you a thousand I beat you," said Lord George.
The bets were taken. When the race came off, 6
to 4 was laid on Tom Tulloch, but Ennui won easily
by four lengths. This success encouraged his Lord-
ship to try his yearlings as early as possible, and
ultimately some were tried before York Races,
with good results. This was one of the many
endeavours of Lord George to accomplish what
to others appeared impossible. "Nothing is im-
possible," he would say, " if you will only try."
Whenever I told him that I did not think some
wish of his could be carried out, he would say
immediately, " Will you try ?'" and if successful,
he would greet me with, " I told you it could be
done." If unsuccessful, he would say, " As you
could not succeed, I suppose it is not possible.
I am much obliged to you for trying all the same."
A great and just characteristic of his Lordship's
was, that he always acknowledged a service ren-
dered, and appreciated the effort made. There
was no limit to his sanguine self-confidence, or
to the resources he suggested and called into
play for the purpose of accomplishing some object.

116 REMOVAL FROM DANEBURY.

To cite expense as a reason for not attempting it
was sure to offend him ; and he would invariably
sign a blank cheque when he deputed me to make
any purchase for him, and handed it to me, saying,
" There, fill that up for whatever you think it, or
they, are worth."

In 1844 Lord George Bentinck ran thirty-eight
horses in 175 races, and won fifty-three. He had
increased his stud considerably, having about
seventy brood mares and two or three stallions,
in addition to the large number in training, the
forfeits for which alone amounted to £9170. This
was rather a successful year. The stable, including
his Lordship's and the Duke of Richmond's horses,
won sixty-three races, value £19,840, including the
Port Stakes at Newmarket, the Somersetshire
Stakes at Bath, the Chester Cup, Ham, Drawing-
Room, and Nassau at Goodwood, Municipal and
Two-year-old Stakes at Doncaster, the Clearwell,
a great match with Miss Elis against Oakley
and another between Clumsy and Vibration, both
at Newmarket. At the First October Meeting
the stable won six races, ten at the Second October
and ten at the Houghton Meeting, making twenty-
six races in the three weeks. Upon some Lord
George won largely, especially on the two matches
of Miss Elis and Clumsy. The latter was only a
two-year-old, and ran a match over the Two Middle
Miles against Vibration, a five-year-old mare be-
longing to Sir Joseph Hawley. Clumsy carried a

SUCCESSES IN 1844. 11*7

1 feather " and Vibration 8 st. 9 Ib. The betting
^vas very heavy, as it was considered absurd to
*un a two-year-old over such a long course against
i good five-year-old mare ; but to win such a race
vas the height of his Lordship's ambition.

The stable's successes in 1844 commenced with
;he victory of the Duke of Richmond's Red Deer
or the Chester Cup. The betting was heavy, and
;he race had never been won before by a three-
rear-old ; in fact, three-year-olds were not entered
or it until two years previously, when his Lordship
>ut some in. During the winter Lord George was
ible to get on a large stake in small sums by back-
ng the three-year-olds, Kent's lot, and Red Deer
>utright, without directing attention to the horse.
\_s Red Deer was handicapped at 4 st., it ap-
>eared to Lord George so great a certainty that
le made a book for him, laying against others,
.n a letter to me dated January 13, 1844, he says :
6 1 am glad to see Red Deer in at 4 st. (as well
is Strathspey) for the Chester Cup ; for "if Kitch-
ener can get Red Deer out, and if he is the horse
>ver a distance of ground that you tried him
;o be, I don't see how he can be beaten." With
lis Lordship's love for heavy speculations it may
)e easily imagined to what extent he would bet
ipon a race of this description, when entertaining
iie opinion he expresses in the above letter. In
mother letter, written from Harcourt House, Feb-
•uary 24, 1844, he says: "At present all I have

118 REMOVAL FROM DANEBCJRY.

done is to get 700 to 100 about the lot for the
Chester Cup. I wish I had had the luck to get
the odds about the three-year-olds. I have desired
my commissioners to be on the look-out for any
repetition of such offers. I do sincerely hope I
may get through in my match with The Caster."

On March 19 his Lordship wrote me: "I am
delighted to hear so good a report of Bramble.
If he can ivin his match, it ivill pay all my for-
feits at the Spring Meetings, which is as much
as I can expect to do. I am very glad to hear
Kitchener seems to manage Red Deer so well.
I have now got on the odds to £285 about the
lot at 7J to 1, and the odds to £75 outright about
Red Deer, which averages, I believe, about 24 to
1. It has been very hard work to get on ; all in
£10 bets. Your father and you shall stand at
25 to 1. Your father wishes to stand £20 —
viz., 500 to 20 ; let me know what you would
like to stand. I am bound to confess that I
think Chester the worst course in England for a
' feather ' ; if it were at Newmarket, Goodwood,
or even Bath, I should not be much afraid. If
Bramble wins his match against The Caster, he
will be first favourite for the Chester Cup ; and
from what you write me I cannot help being
very sanguine." Bramble's match against The
Caster was for 1200 guineas (Beacon Course).
Although John Scott's party were very confident
of winning with The Caster, Bramble made strong

REMOVAL FROM DANEBURY. 119

running and won easily by twelve lengths. As
Lord George predicted, Bramble became first
favourite for the Chester Cup, being in at 7 st.
9 Ib. and 4 years old, Scott's party backing him
stoutly. " Those who like may back Red Deer,"
said they, " but Bramble will win." John Day's
party also backed the latter, remembering how
easily he beat Ben-y-ghlo and Vitula at Bath the
year before. As Red Deer could beat Bramble
at one half the weight he had to give him — viz.,
3 st. 9 Ib. — his Lordship stood a heavy stake
against Bramble, and felt much alarmed when
he saw him gallop at Chester; but I assured
him he had no earthly chance of giving the weight
to Red Deer, unless the latter fell down. Few
if any other owners would, however, have started
Bramble under the circumstances, and allowed the
public to have a run for their money, when it
would have been so easy to put the pen through
the horse's name. As Red Deer belonged to the
Duke of Richmond, and Bramble to Lord George,
it was impossible to declare to win with the
former.

Rumours being rife that some foul play might
be attempted, as such reports were frequently
circulated in connection with races upon which
there had been much heavy speculation, I deemed
it advisable to lead Red Deer to the post myself,
not feeling disposed to intrust so important and
responsible a task to any one else. The field

120 REMOVAL FROM DANEBURY.

being so large and the circular course so narrow,
the horses were started in two lines. Having
Bramble and Best Bower in the race as well as
Red Deer, I placed the two former horses im-
mediately in front of Red Deer, and instructed
their jockeys to let Red Deer pass between them
as soon as the flag fell. It was with no little
difficulty that I was able to retain hold of the
horse, and avoid being run over or kicked, as
Red Deer was of a free and rather nervous tem-
perament. If he had once broken away with
such a tiny jockey upon his back, I thought it
most improbable that he would ever get to the
starting-post again. At last a start was effected,
when Red Deer, after making two or three vigor-
ous plunges, passed between Bramble and Best
Bower, and took up the running at such a terrific
pace that he was soon many lengths in advance
of everything in the race, and ultimately won by
a dozen lengths, running on to the Dee side be-
fore Kitchener could pull him up. So dense was
the crowd round him, and so great the enthu-
siasm, that it was feared an attempt might be
made to displace the tiny jockey. With all pos-
sible haste, therefore, I made my way to him,
and succeeded in getting hold of the bridle and
in leading the winner back to the weighing-place,
but not till long after all the other jockeys had
weighed and the horses had left the course. It
will readily be imagined that the announcement

ENTHUSIASM AT GOODWOOD. 121

"All right!" was an inexpressible relief to me.
The prevailing opinion that the Chester course
was the most unfavourable one in England for
such a horse and jockey, in which opinion Lord
George Bentinck fully concurred, proved quite
the reverse of the truth, as it was really equiva-
lent to turning the horse loose in a circus from
which there was no escape. Instead of a race,
it bore more resemblance to a " Red Deer chase,"
and every arrangement connected with this re-
markable event appeared to have been thought
out and brought off to perfection.

Upon the return home of Red Deer in his van
he was met at the Fareham station by a large
number of people amid great rejoicings. At the
next stage, Havant, the landlord (Mr Lock), who
enjoyed the lucrative privilege of supplying post-
horses for all the vans and chaises from Goodwood
to Fareham and back, was desirous of adding em-
phasis to the general jubilations by decorating his
horses and the post-boys with a profusion of the
victorious colours. At Chichester the van was
met by many of the citizens, with flags and
banners bearing the well-known yellow and scar-
let colours. The enthusiasm and cheering were
as great as when the news of the glorious
victory of Waterloo was received in 1815. At
Goodwood Lodge gates the Chester party found
a well - constructed set of rope - harness, with
poles, &c., in readiness, and fifty or sixty stable-

122 REMOVAL FROM DANEBURY.

men and lads waiting to take the place of the
post-horses, which were soon detached. The two-
legged substitutes made their way with perfect
ease to the Goodwood stables, delighted at the
good fortune of the Duke of Richmond, the uni-
versally popular owner of the horse. If, indeed,
I were to say " beloved," I should not exaggerate
the prevailing sentiment entertained towards that
estimable nobleman.

Lord George Bentinck started the horses at
Chester, consisting of a field of twenty-six ; and
with a view to helping the tiny jockey, Kitchener,
who weighed only 3 st. 4 lb., Red Deer made strong
running, and won very easily, much to the gratifi-
cation of his Lordship, who immediately despatched
a messenger to Goodwood to communicate the re-
sult to their Graces. The news, however, had been
received there many hours earlier, by means of
carrier-pigeons sent by me from the course, un-
known to any one except my father, so as to avoid
disappointment should the pigeons fail to reach
home. Upon the race Lord George won a large
stake, and stated to me in a letter that he got
every farthing due to him, much to his own sur-
prise, as on no previous occasion had he escaped
loss from defaulters when betting on the same scale.

123

CHAPTEE VI.
LORD GEORGE'S SUPPORT OF GOODWOOD RACES.

PREVIOUS to 1841, when Lord George Bentinck
transferred his race-horses from Danebury to Good-
wood, he had taken great interest in the Good-
wood race-course, and, in conjunction with the Duke
of Richmond, had in many ways improved it and
its stands. In order to relieve the congestion of
traffic flowing through Goodwood Park during the
race week, he increased the approaches to the
grand stand by making two new roads, one on
each side of the park. Subsequently he discovered
that the last half-mile of the course was not so
elastic as he wished, especially in dry seasons. It
was newly made ground, and the soil under the
turf had been laid on loose chalk, through which
the mould percolated and was carried down after
heavy rain, so that the turf subsided in many
places. Under these circumstances the Duke of
Richmond and Lord George caused four inches of
fine mould to be laid upon the old turf, right across

124 GOODWOOD RACES.

the last half-mile of the course. Upon this mould
another layer of turf was superimposed, the grassy
side being turned downwards, and over it another
three -inch layer of friable soil was spread, the
whole being crowned by sods, which, together with
the mould, were bought from a tenant farmer
who lived two or three miles away. Like all Lord
George's undertakings, this improvement of the
last half-mile of the course was conducted in no
half-hearted or perfunctory way. Nothing could
be more satisfactory than the results effected by
this heavy and well - directed outlay when the
season was dry. The mould was held in its place
by the double turfing, to which Lord George
previously had recourse at Danebury. On the
other hand, it was found that in wet weather this
portion of the course was very heavy going, as is
always the case with newly made ground. In
1848, for instance, Surplice could not raise a gal-
lop when opposed by Distaffina in the Gratwicke
Stakes, although Lord Chesterfield was well aware,
through his old mare, Lady Wildair, with whom
Surplice had been tried, that upon racing-ground
the Derby winner could give Distaffina two stone
and a good beating. In 1855, again, John Scott,
who never was partial to Goodwood, attributed the
defeat in the Ham Stakes of Mr Bowes's Fly-by -
Night, who was known to be very smart, to the
deep ground, through which Mary Copp, the win-

LORD GEORGE AND GOODWOOD.

125

ner, galloped without sinking, as her feet were very
large. The upset of public form which, from the
same causes, took place in 1888, will be fresh in the
memory of many of my readers.

It is difficult to imagine to what pitch of perfec-
tion Lord George would have raised the Goodwood
meeting had he been spared to return to the Turf,
which, as I shall shortly state, he contemplated at
the time of his death. In order to demonstrate
what his Lordship actually effected, I have com-
piled the following comparative tables, showing,
on the one hand, what Goodwood races were dur-
ing the ten years prior to the removal of Lord
George's stud from Danebury in 1841, and, on the
other, what they were between 1842 and 1851,
inclusive : —

TABLE I.

*S

£

i

§§•

g

S- CD ^

« S

J*

Subscribe
to the
Stakes.

Acceptane

Starters

11

1

i

1832 . .

64

16

69

28

13

33

6

4,275

1833 . .

89

17

81

26

14

37

9

4,937

1834 . .

90

18

112

41

16

40

10

5,415

1835 . .

58

15

117

29

14

47

10

5,590

1836 . .

85

17

94

41

18

40

10

4,260

1837 . .

133

20

107

39

17

44

10

9,495

1838 . .

116

21

118

40

10

40

8

8,645

1839 . .

111

19

128

45

16

46

9

10,295

1840 . .

171

28

127

64

15

44

9

10,620

1841 . .

175

31

151

49

18

51

9

18,23*

1092

202

1104

402

151

422

90

81,802

126

GOODWOOD RACES.

TABLE II.

°§tb

o c£

|

9

C

II

.

«L

& £'c

"g «

"S^iM

1

I

s»

1

03 'S_2

s g^

§H |

|S

|s|

!

3
m

1!

1

§11

02

^

03 -M

£

1842

177

30

151

50

20

50

9

18,417

1843

206

34

161

48

15

47

13

17,666

1844

242

36

121

52

18

52

9

23,849

1845

230

36

133

58

23

48

12

18,547

1846

352

38

147

60

21

53

9

24,910

1847

220

38

134

63

14

38

9

23,475

1848

210

37

123

47

16

32

9

20,455

1849

201

41

114

41

21

30

S

19,020

1850

199

36

140

43

17

23

8

19,002

1851

193

33

116

41

13

30

10

13,215

2230

359

1340

503

178

403

96

198,556

The ten previ-\
ous years /

1092

202

1104

402

151

...

...

81,802

Increase .

1138

157

236

101

27

...

...

116,754

Although Lord George ceased to run any horses
after August 1846, he had others entered at Good-
wood (some of them very heavily engaged) in 1847,
1848, and 1849, which, of course, augmented the
value of the stakes. I will venture again to call
attention to the extraordinary support given by
his Lordship to his favourite meeting ; and as
specimen years, let me take 1844 and 1845. In
1844 he ran forty-nine horses there — viz., eleven
on the first day, nine on the second, fourteen on
the third, and fifteen on the fourth. For the week
his stakes and forfeits amounted to £6155 — a sum
wholly unparalleled, either before or since, for a
single owner of race-horses to put down at one
meeting. In 1845 Lord George ran forty-eight

-

LORD GEORGE'S EXPENSES. 127

horses at Goodwood — viz., ten on the first day,
nine on the second, thirteen on the third, and six-
teen on the fourth. This year his stakes and for-
feits amounted to £4580.

It was not to be expected that the enormous ex-
penses incurred by Lord George in connection with
his stud, including the training of about sixty
horses, the maintenance of three stud-farms, the
cost of travelling, of stakes and forfeits, and a hun-
dred other charges, could be defrayed, or half de-
frayed, by the races he won in days when owners
ran almost exclusively for each other's money. It
was necessary for him to bet, and it must be added
that he took the greatest delight in it, so long as
he could devote all his energies to watching the
running of his own and of other horses, to compar-
ing their respective forms, and to gaining informa-
tion on all sorts of subjects germane to the Turf,
in which respect I never knew his equal. I can
well imagine what an effort it must have cost, and
what a wrench it must have been to him, to dis-
pose of his stud, and to tear himself away from the
Turf, to which his attachment was so unmistak-
ably genuine ; for success in connection with which
he was exceptionally adapted ; and which, in addi-
tion to affording him great pleasure, contributed
materially to the preservation of the robust health
which, until he took to politics in earnest, he al-
ways enjoyed. It was, indeed, impossible to wit-
ness the zest and appetite with which he invariably

128 GOODWOOD RACES.

partook of breakfast and luncheon at my father's
house after walking about the downs, and breath-
ing their elastic and invigorating air, without feel-
ing conscious that his mind and body were at their
very best. He repeatedly avowed that he never
enjoyed food so much as the simple viands put
before him on my father's table, and expressed a
wish to know where they were obtained, so that
he might procure some of the same sort and send
them to Welbeck Abbey. Even the common fruits
and vegetables at Goodwood he thought superior
to those he tasted elsewhere. He was hardly aware
for how much health and enjoyment he was in-
debted to the fine air he was breathing, to the
simple life he was leading, and the entire absorp-
tion of his faculties in a pursuit to which he was
passionately devoted.

Had it not been that the fifth Duke of .Rich-
mond and every member of his family appreciated
the enjoyment taken by Lord George in Good-
wood and in his race-horses, he would hardly have
been permitted by the Duke to keep such an
enormous number of horses in training, necessitat-
ing the constant employment of a corresponding
number of boys and stablemen. It must not be
forgotten that the racing stables are close to
Goodwood House, and that any lack of order or
discipline among the stable-boys might, and pro-
bably would, have been extremely disagreeable
to the members of the family. My father fre-

EMILIUS'S PROGENY. 129

quently inquired whether the noise inseparable
from such a large establishment, but which he
always endeavoured to keep within bounds, was
the cause of any inconvenience, and was repeatedly
assured that the Duke and Duchess and their
family took pleasure in watching the amusements
of the boys, and especially the games of cricket
in which they took part. When I mention that,
in 1844, Lord George ran thirty-eight different
horses in 182 races at places scattered all over
England, and in 1845, thirty-six horses in 190
races, I do not think that a similar record can be
quoted about any other patron of the Turf. The
nearest approach to it that I can find was that
made by the Prince of Wales in 1789 and 1790,
in each of which years his Royal Highness started
thirty - five horses, almost all of which he had
purchased, while those belonging to Lord George
Bentinck were almost without exception bred by
himself.

Lord George was most favourably impressed
with the soundness and stoutness of the progeny
of Emilius, finding that when to the above-named
qualities Emilius's sons and daughters added speed,
in which they were generally deficient, they never
failed to make their mark. When Priam, Emilius's
best son, won the Goodwood Cup, beating Fleur de
Lis, his Lordship took the greatest liking to that
noble horse, who, in my opinion (and I am never
tired of repeating it), was the best and most

I

130 GOODWOOD RACES.

perfectly shaped race-horse I ever saw. It was
because Crucifix was a daughter of Priam that
Lord George purchased her and her dam at
Tattersall's, when the latter was twenty-two years
old, and Crucifix one of the scraggiest and most
unpromising foals ever seen. There can be little
doubt that Crucifix, when tried as a yearling in
1838, kept Lord George on the Turf at a moment
when he thought of leaving it for ever ; and, again,
the victory of Crucifix's son, Surplice, for the
Derby and St Leger of 1848, confirmed him in his
determination to return to the Turf, which he
would most assuredly have done — probably on a
greater scale than ever — had his life been spared.

Some time after the death of Mr Thornhill in
1844, Lord George purchased Emilius privately,
although the horse was then twenty-four years
old, and very weak. Such was the care taken of
him by Lord George, that the old horse regained
his strength and was as fresh as a four-year-old
when leased, in 1846, to Mr R M. Jaques, of Easby
Abbey, near Bichmond-on-Swale, on the sale of
Lord George's stud. Emilius died in 1847 at the
age of twenty-seven. " He was perfectly well,"
writes " The Druid," in ' Silk and Scarlet,' " until
just before his death, which was caused by some
one giving him a feed of whole oats, which he was
not able to masticate. They buried him near
some loose-boxes in a paddock which the Abbot
of the White Canons of Easby surveyed of yore

DEATH OF EMILIUS. 131

from his study window. A stone that had once
been the crosiered tomb of a Cardinal, but had
gradually mingled with the ruins, and then served
as threshold to the box where Weatherbit now
stands, is built into the wall to mark the spot ;
and thus to a certain extent Frank Buckle's last
Derby winner is canonised."

In Mr Langley's ' Reminiscences of Easby,' full
justice is done to Emilius's extraordinary career
at the Stud ; and it is recorded that " Mr Jaques
hired him for £100 for the season of 1847, and,
owing to his great age, insured his life — the first
policy of the kind ever issued by the office — for
that amount, which, curiously enough, fell in,
owing to the horse dying in the August of that
year, aged twenty-seven."

His Lordship's partiality for stayers was not
gratified when he purchased Bay Middleton.
Nevertheless he managed to win some races
over two or three miles of ground with two-
year-olds got by that famous son of Sultan. It
was one of their characteristics that they stood
less in need of severe training than the young sons
and daughters of other sires. When Lord George's
horses went from Danebury to Goodwood, he
imagined that they would stay better if trained
more severely. After experimenting with some of
them in this way, I found that long and strong
gallops, often repeated, had the effect of making
them worse and worse, until at last they lost even

132 GOODWOOD RACES.

such form as they possessed, through tiring from
weakness. His Lordship soon came to the same
opinion as that inculcated after long experience
by my father, and now repeated by me after sixty
years of familiarity with the Turf in all its depart-
ments. If there be any art in training race-horses,
it consists in knowing when they are perfectly fit
to run the distance for which they are destined
by Nature. Such knowledge can only be gained
by close observation and practical experience. I
could enumerate a vast number of horses which,
within my knowledge, have been sacrificed from
lack of judgment and skill in ascertaining what
was their best distance and what their constitu-
tions required. One instance I will mention which
will perhaps be remembered by some who read
these remarks, as it happened in 1865.

In that year Mr Padwick had a three-year-old
called Kangaroo, who stood at Drewitt's stable at
Lewes, but was under my supervision. With
Kangaroo I won for Mr Padwick the Abbot Stakes
at Chelmsford on March 28, 1865 ; the Craven
Handicap at Lewes on March 30 ; and the New-
market Biennial on April 18. In the last-named
race Kangaroo beat a field of nineteen starters,
scattering them in such a manner after making
strong running that the Marquis of Hastings gave
Mr Padwick 12,000 guineas and contingencies for
the horse, upon the strength of his having easily
defeated the Duke of Beaufort's Koenig, whom

KANGAROO. 133

Lord Hastings and other patrons of the Danebury
stable backed very heavily, taking 7 to 4 to thou-
sands of pounds.

Kangaroo was a very powerful muscular horse,
and appeared to those who eyed him superficially
to be not half-trained when he won at New-
market. When I delivered the horse to John
Day, he told me that he should give him a couple
of good sweats, and try him before he ran for the
Two Thousand, distant a fortnight from that day.
John Day added that by so doing he expected to
improve Kangaroo a stone in a fortnight. My
reply was that I doubted whether he or any one
else could make the horse an ounce better than
he was that day. In addition to severe daily
gallops, such as Danebury has always been famous
for, Kangaroo had two long and distressing sweats,
and when tried was a worse horse by two stone
than when he beat Koenig and a large field so
easily. In point of fact, Kangaroo never won
another race, although he ran at last in very
inferior company. He was practically ruined by
an injudicious attempt to make him better.

Precisely the same thing happened in 1855 with
Oulston, a fine upstanding colt, son of Melbourne
and Alice Hawthorne. Oulston did not start for
the Derby which Wild Dayrell won, and for which,
in point of fact, Oulston was not trained. He was
brought out by Mr Pad wick, his owner, to run
for the Queen's Vase at Ascot in the expectation

134 GOODWOOD RACES.

that, having done very little work at Findon,
where he was trained by old John B. Day, he
would not get half-way. To the astonishment of
both owner and trainer, Oulston won the Vase in
a canter, and before night Mr Pad wick sold him
to Mr Elwes for 6500 guineas, who sent him to
Danebury. At York August Races Oulston was
brought out to oppose Wild Dayrell for the Ebor
St Leger, the latter carrying 6 Ib. extra for win-
ning the Derby. It was notorious that Wild
Dayrell pulled up lame after the Derby, and
having a bad leg he had done little or no work
before meeting Oulston at York. Infirm and un-
trained, however, as he was, the extra 6 Ib. did
not prevent his giving Oulston a stone beating,
as in two months the latter had become a con-
firmed roarer, and almost worthless.

I have no hesitation, as the result of my long
experience, in saying that more horses are ruined
by over-training than in any other way. To assist
Nature is all that a trainer can effect ; but to im-
pose a greater strain on a horse than Nature can
bear, is to defeat the purpose for which the animal
is put into training. When I add that every horse
requires to be trained in a different way — the dif-
ference being sometimes grave and sometimes in-
finitesimal— it will be seen what observation, at-
tention, and vigilance a trainer must exercise who
has one hundred horses under his care. Another
fatal mistake often perpetrated is to get a horse

REVOLUTION IN TRAINING. 135

fit to run, as the phrase has it, " for a man's life,"
two or three weeks before the day when his race
is due. To keep a horse at concert -pitch for
twenty, or even for fourteen days, will try the
skill of the very ablest trainer. I may add, at the
end of a long life, that I could never have gone
through what I did at Goodwood, between 1841
and 1848, but for the constant support and en-
couragement so generously accorded to me by my
two noble masters, the fifth Duke of Richmond
and Lord George Bentinck.

The construction and wide extension of railways,
the facility, rapidity, and safety with which horses
are conveyed in boxes to the scene of action and
back to their training stables, and lastly, the elec-
tric wire, have revolutionised the whole system of
racing and of training, early maturity and quick
returns being at present the order of the day.
Nowadays a vast majority of horses terminate
their racing careers at an age at which they com-
menced it in my youth, the result being that mod-
ern trainers are subjected to much less work and
much less anxiety than their predecessors under-
went. Such, moreover, is the richness of the prizes
now within reach of a good horse during the first
two years of his racing career, that enormously in-
creased prices are given for thoroughbreds of all
ages, although in my opinion these prices cannot
and will not be sustained. Lord George Bentinck
was one of the first to pay long prices for horses.

136 GOODWOOD RACES.

He gave, for instance, 1500 guineas at the sale of
Sir Mark Wood's stud, in 1837, for the famous
brood-mare Camarine, and 1010 guineas for her
yearling colt, Glenlivat, by Rowton or Cetus. As
a rule, modern purchasers of thoroughbred year-
lings have not the same opportunities of looking
over the youngsters which they think of buying
as were afforded to their predecessors fifty or sixty
years since. At that time yearlings were almost
invariably purchased by private contract, and
auction sales were almost unknown. Formerly
Lord George and other purchasers would pay more
than one visit to the best-known stud-farms, such
as Riddlesworth, the seat of Mr Thornhill ; Euston
Park, the seat of the Duke of Grafton ; Underley
Park, near Barrow- in -Furness, the seat of Mr
Nowell ; Bishop Burton Hall, near Beverley, the
seat of Mr Richard Watt ; Sledmere Park, near
Malton, the seat of Sir Tatton Sykes ; Rock-
ingham House, Malton, the home of Mr Allen,
who bred Rockingham and Canezou. Before
buying a yearling (whom he had probably seen
as a foal), Lord George would run round the
paddock after him, rattling a stick inside his
hat, and closely observing the youngster's action
and style of going. In those days, moreover,
yearlings were not fattened up like prize oxen
before they were sold, and their condition was
such that their trainer had not to strip them of
fat before they were fit to gallop. I remember

LOKD GLASGOW. 137

to have heard Tom Dawson say that Mr Copper-
thwaite, an Irish gentleman, sent him a yearling
to train who was as fat as a pig. Six months after-
wards Mr Copperthwaite went to Middleham to
inspect his colt, whom he found to be not half as
heavy as when he last saw him. " Good heavens ! "
he exclaimed to Tom Dawson, " half the horse is
gone already, and if I leave him here any longer,
the other half will soon follow ! " To prevent such
a catastrophe, the colt was taken away next day.

Vast as is the change which racing has under-
gone since Lord George Bentinck's day, I have no
manner of doubt that he would have reaped a
rich harvest by following his old system of early
training and early trying if he had been living
now. It was his uniform practice to find out the
form of his yearlings before he engaged them ; and
I do not think that many of the fatted youngsters
which are now knocked down at prices varying
between one thousand and six thousand guineas
would have had much chance with Lord George's
picked colts and fillies, bred by himself regardless
of expense, and brought up with every care so as
to fit them to be running machines of the highest
quality.

I never remember any wealthy patron of the
Turf who was so obstinate or so blind to his own
interests as the late Earl of Glasgow. It was his
Lordship's custom to make a lot of matches every
year with Lord George Bentinck, seldom winning

138 GOODWOOD RACES.

one of them. In 1843, for instance, these two old
antagonists ran a lot of matches against each
other, all of which resulted in Lord George's
favour, with the exception of one which ended in
a dead heat. This match, run at Goodwood, was
between Lord George's brown filly Alva by Bay
Middleton, and Lord Glasgow's brown filly by
Retainer — Purity. Immediately afterwards Lord
Glasgow characteristically changed his trainer,
and in order to test the capacity of the trainer
whom he had left, he insisted upon making pre-
cisely the same lot of matches over again to be
run in the following year. To this Lord George
greatly objected, as some of his animals were so
bad that he had no desire to keep them in training
for another twelvemonth. Lord Glasgow, how-
ever, insisted, and to oblige him Lord George gave
way. Curious to relate, the result of all the
matches in 1844 was the same as in 1843, including
that between Alva and the Purity filly, which
again ended in a dead heat. The only difference
was that Flatman rode the Purity filly in 1843,
and Job Marson in 1844, Sam Rogers being on
the back of Lord George's filly on each occasion.

There was certainly a fatality attending Lord
Glasgow's numerous matches, for however bad the
animal of his opponent might be, Lord Glasgow's
was sure to be worse. Again, when Lord Glasgow
got hold of one that could run a little, his
opponent's almost invariably proved to be a little

LORD GLASGOW'S UNFORTUNATE MATCHES. 139

better. In 1843 Lord Glasgow was beaten in
nineteen matches, received forfeit in three, and
ran one dead heat. In 1844 he was defeated in
twenty matches, won one, received forfeit in two,
and ran one dead heat. Notwithstanding his lack
of success as a match - maker, Lord Glasgow's
constant aim and ambition was to pit his horses
against those of Lord George Bentinck, and to
make heavy additional bets when the matches
were made. Under these circumstances, no sports-
man that ever lived, with the exception of Lord
Glasgow, would have insisted upon running off the
match when it had been made patent that his
animal was worthless, and the animal he was
about to oppose had shown some form. By paying
forfeit, Lord Glasgow would have annulled the
unprofitable bets he had made. He was not
" built that way," however, as nothing could ever
induce him to pay forfeit unless his horse was
dead or a hopeless cripple.

Mr Langley adds : " One of the most extra-
ordinary matches ever conceived, for particulars of
which I am indebted to a literary friend of long
acquaintance, originated as follows. After a heavy
and late debate in the House of Commons, Lord
George fell sound asleep next day in the drawing-
room at White's Club, so that all attempts to rouse
him proved unavailing until the usual afternoon
visit of Lord Glasgow, who was at once informed
of these fruitless efforts. ; Oh, I'll soon wake him ! '

140 GOODWOOD RACES.

remarked Lord Glasgow, and walking up to the
chair in which the sleeper was ensconced, called out,
' Bentinck, I want to make a bet with you ! ' The
effect was so magical that Lord George instantly
opened his eyes, and replied, ' With pleasure,
Glasgow ; what is it ? ' 'I want to back the pro-
duce of Miss Whip against that of any mare you
name for the Derby of 1848.' 'Done; I name
Crucifix — for how much ? ' ' Five thousand ! ' The
bet was made, Crucifix being at that moment in
foal with Surplice, and Miss Whip with a brute
called Whipstick."

The history of Lord George Bentinck's Farintosh
will further show how atrociously bad Lord Glas-
gow's luck was. Farintosh, by Bay Middleton out
of Camarine's dam, was a magnificent yearling,
and, contrary to his usual practice, Lord George
engaged him very heavily before he was broken.
Among his engagements was a match for 200
sovereigns, half-forfeit, in which Farintosh under-
took to give Colonel Peel's Murat 5 Ib. at the July
meeting of 1842. Long before that date Farin-
tosh had turned roarer ; indeed I never knew a
worse one of his age. Nevertheless, I had instruc-
tions to take him to Newmarket, where I arrived
the day before his match with Murat, which was
also the day upon which the July Stakes was to
be run, in which both horses were engaged. When
Farintosh was brought out for the match, his
appearance was so formidable that at the last

FARINTOSH. 141

moment Colonel Peel paid forfeit. I then implored
Lord George not to run Farintosh for the July
Stakes, as no one was aware that the horse was a
bad roarer, and I felt persuaded that if the secret
was well kept, Farintosh would receive forfeit in
some of his other matches, and might even be
allowed to walk over for some of his smaller
engagements. Lord George, however, was firm,
and Farintosh accordingly started for the July
Stakes, in which he met Murat at even weights.
The race was won by Mr Thornhill's brown filly
Extempore, Lord Exeter's Jerry filly being second,
and Colonel Peel's Murat third, beating Farintosh
(who was last) by twenty lengths.

Unfortunately Farintosh had several engage-
ments and matches for the following year. One
of the last (for 300 sovereigns, half- forfeit) was
against Lord Glasgow's Sister to Pathfinder
(A.F.) I was instructed to keep Farintosh in
training for this match, which it would have been
impossible for him to win, as he could not have
galloped " across the flat " to save his life. Even
under these circumstances Lord Glasgow's luck
would not permit him to win such a match, as
shortly before the appointed day his filly died.

Lord George never forgot the lesson taught
him by Farintosh, whom he entered for thirty-
three engagements before he left the paddock.
The forfeits for these engagements amounted to
nearly £3000, which served at any rate to awaken

142 GOODWOOD RACES.

his Lordship to a sense of the impolicy of engaging
yearlings before they had been broken and tried.
As early as 1833 the Hon. E. M. Lloyd Mostyn
was alive to the advantage of trying his yearlings.
In that year he discovered that his superlatively
good yearling filly Queen of Trumps was a " flyer,"
although, like all the Velocipedes, she was heavily
fleshed and very robust of constitution, with bad
knees.

In those days there were few two - year - old
stakes, and it was dangerous for a colt or filly of
that tender age to travel long distances on foot.
Mr Mostyn, therefore, engaged Queen of Trumps
in but one two-year-old race — the Champagne at
Holywell Hunt Races, which took place close to
her training quarters. This race she won without
an effort, and her next appearance in public was
for the Oaks at Epsom. Here she met and de-
feated Mr Greville's Preserve, on whom 2 to 1
was betted, as previously recorded. So favourably
was Lord George impressed with that performance,
that he gave Mr Mostyn very valuable advice,
which resulted in the Queen being moved from the
sandy gallops at Holywell to the fine downs at
Hednesford, to be trained for the St Leger.

The mention of Queen of Trumps reminds me
that a more honest, industrious, capable, and trust-
worthy man than John Blenkhorn, her trainer,
never entered a stable. He enjoyed Mr Mostyn's
confidence to the full, and it was a pleasure to see

NAT FLATMAN. 143

employer and trainer agreeing and understanding
each other so thoroughly. Sometimes it happens
that all the integrity of an owner, all the skill
and devotion of a trainer, are baffled by the dis-
honesty of a jockey. Many such cases have I
known in my time ; but I cannot resist going out
of my way to put on record what I know of El-
nathan Flatman, one of the most honourable
and meritorious men of his class that I ever en-
countered.

Flatman, better known by the abbreviated
sobriquet of "Nat," was born in 1810 at the
village of Holton, or Holton. St Mary, in Suffolk.
His father (a small yeoman farmer) gave him a
good education at a school kept by a clergyman
near to the house in which Nat was born ; but in
a few years the father failed, and the boy, a pigmy,
less than 4 stone in weight, gravitated to New-
market, where in a fortunate moment for himself
he obtained employment in the stable of William
Cooper, one of the most upright trainers and best
men that ever lived. I have often heard Colonel
Peel say that when Nat knocked, as a boy, at
William Cooper's back-door, he carried all his
worldly goods in a bundle slung to a stick, thrown
over his right shoulder. In 1825 there were plenty
of stables at Newmarket and elsewhere in which
the atmosphere was far less pure than that of the
establishment into which Nat was inducted, and of
which Colonel Peel was for many years the pre-

144 GOODWOOD RACES.

siding genius. The boy's rise in his profession was
rapid and unintermitted. His first mount was on
Lord Exeter's Gold Pin in 1829; his last, curi-
ously enough, upon the Duke of Bedford's Golden
Pippin in 1859. Being able to ride 7 st. 5 Ib. and
to keep down to that weight, he soon got more
mounts than any other jockey, and for seven years
(from 1846 to 1852, both inclusive) he headed the list
of winning jockeys. When he died in 1860, having
been riding for just thirty years, he left behind
him the modest sum of £8000, and, in addition, he
gave his sons and daughters — two of whom were
drowned when the Princess Alice came into col-
lision with, and was sunk by, the Bywell Castle
on the Thames in September 1878 — an excellent
education.

Never was there a more faithful or honest
servant than Flatman proved himself to all his
employers. The masters for whom he rode at the
commencement of his career may be set down in
the following order : First, William Cooper and
his stable, including Colonel Peel, General Yates,
Captain George Byng (afterwards Earl of Straf-
ford), and Captain Gardnor ; second, Mr Payne
and Mr Greville ; third, Lord Chesterfield ; fourth,
the Goodwood stable ; and fifth, Lord Glasgow.

From William Cooper no retaining fee was ever
accepted by Nat ; and from Colonel Peel he would
never take more than £20 per annum, and £50
from Mr Payne. His last list of masters, accord-

NAT FLATMAN. 145

ing to ' Bell's Life/ included Mr Cooper, General
Peel, Lord Strafford, Mr Payne, Mr Greville, Lord
Chesterfield, Lord Wilton, Lord Ailesbury, and
Lord Stradbroke. In addition, he was frequently
employed by Lord Zetland, General Anson, Lord
Derby, Sir Charles Monck, Sir Joseph Hawley, Mr
Bowes, Mr A. Nicol, and John Scott.

Nat's chief characteristics were that, more than
any other jockey of my acquaintance, he rode
scrupulously to orders ; and, secondly, that it was
at all times difficult to induce him to stand £5 or
£10 on his mount, or on a "good thing" from any
of the stables for which he rode. One instance I
remember of a race which he lost from not under-
standing the sluggishness of the horse upon which
he was mounted! In 1847 he rode Mr Mostyn's
Crozier, by Lanercost out of Crucifix, in a Produce
Stake at Ascot, over the Old Mile, against Mr
Harvey Combe's Trouncer. The betting was 5 to
4 on Crozier, and Flatman's orders were to make
strong running, as Crozier was an extremely lazy
horse and a good stayer. To my great surprise
and disappointment, Trouncer waited upon Crozier,
and beat him easily by a couple of lengths. Two
days later Crozier and Trouncer were in another
sweepstakes at the same weights, and among
others they were opposed by a smartish horse
called Epirote, who belonged to Colonel Anson.
Mr Cynric Lloyd, who acted for Mr Mostyn,
thought it quite useless to start Crozier again ;

K

146 GOODWOOD RACES.

but I persuaded him to do so, as I was not
satisfied about the former race, and was prepared
to give W. Abdale the mount upon Crozier, and
to let Nat ride Epirote for Colonel Anson. When
Nat saw that Crozier was being led about the
course, he came up to me exclaiming, " Surely you
are not going to run Crozier again, are you ? " I
replied that such was my intention, but that I
would not interfere with his mount on Epirote, as
Abdale would ride Crozier, " and," I added laugh-
ing, "would win upon him." The little man was
obviously stung by my remark, and said to me in
a low voice, and with a very serious manner, " Do
you mean to imply that I did not try my best to
win upon Crozier the day before yesterday ? " "I
imply nothing of the kind," I replied ; " but I
think the horse deceived you, and that you did
not make as strong running as you might have
done." " Then I insist upon riding him again," he
rejoined. " Certainly," I answerd, " and I will
tell you how I want him ridden. When the flag
is down take him by the head, touch him with
the spurs, and make the pace as strong as you
possibly can every inch of the way." Nat looked
very serious, but obeyed his instructions to the
letter. The betting was 5 to 4 against Trouncer,
6 to 4 against Epirote, 5 to 1 against Bucks ton ;
Crozier not mentioned. The latter was never
headed, and won cleverly by half a length — Epirote
second. Trouncer third, the rest beaten off.

CROZIER. 147

After the race I said to Flatman, " Well, what
do you think of Crozier now ? " "I think him
the hardest horse to ride that I ever sat on. In
fact, he requires two men to get him out, and
make him show his true form. Henceforward I
will ride more strictly than ever to your orders, as
I am now quite conscious that I lost the race on
Tuesday." I have often heard him say that there
was no stable for which he rode with greater
pleasure and confidence than the Goodwood stable,
as he always found our horses to be just what they
were represented to him before the race. One
further trait I must mention, which was, in my
opinion, greatly to his credit. No jockey ever
rode in more trials than Flatman did, but not a
word as to the results ever escaped his lips. He
would stop, for instance, at Bretby, on his way
back from Malton, where he had been riding trials
for Colonel Anson and John Scott. Although
Colonel Anson and Lord Chesterfield were brothers-
in-law, Nat would never consent to say one syl-
lable to Lord Chesterfield, of whom he was very
fond, and for whom he had ridden for years, as to
the trials in which he had taken part. It is
greatly to be regretted that the fidelity, silence,
obedience to orders, and general integrity of Flat-
man are not more closely copied by his modern
successors, some of whom amass in ten years ten
times as large a fortune as by steady industry
and conscientious honesty he acquired in thirty.

148 GOODWOOD RACES.

If ever it were deemed desirable to erect a monu-
ment to a jockey, Nat deserves to have a tablet
set up in All Saints' Church, Newmarket (under
the tower of which he now sleeps), and dedicated
to his memory, as he was beyond all doubt one of
the most respectable and honourable " knights of
the pig-skin " that ever performed upon an English
race-course.

149

CHAPTER VII.

THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1844.

WITH the year 1844 we enter upon a period when
Lord George Bentinck became more than ever en-
grossed in his stud, which now began to realise his
expectations, and to compensate him for his previ-
ous heavy expenditure. It was most satisfactory
to witness his Lordship's delight and the enjoyment
that racing, upon which his whole thoughts were
centred, afforded him. Much of his time was
spent at Goodwood. He stayed with the family
when there ; and when the Duke and Duchess of
Richmond were absent he slept at the Swan Hotel
in Chichester, breakfasting and lunching at my
father's house. When the Duke was at Goodwood,
nothing gave Lord George more pleasure than to
take the house party over the stables, and to show
them the horses. He was ever ready to encour-
age and induce others to take interest in the sport
he enjoyed so much ; and it afforded him no slight
amusement to elicit from the ladies who accom-

150 THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1844.

panied him an expression of their opinion as to the
merits of the horses which they inspected. If, as
sometimes, but not often, happened, their guesses
were correct, he never failed to reward them by
putting the successful guessers on some small sum
" to nothing," in case the horse of their choice
should win an engagement. So extensive, how-
ever, was the Goodwood establishment, between
1841 and 1846, that it would have puzzled not
only ladies, but also some of the keenest male
judges of racing in England, to make a selection
among the horses in the stable, or to read his
Lordship's intentions aright. One of his most
marked characteristics was, that he was always
ready to make matches. At and about that time
it was most unusual for a large party of noblemen
and gentlemen who owned race-horses, to sit down
to dinner without matches of all kinds being pro-
posed before the party broke up. It was his Lord-
ship's custom to note down the weights at which
the horses of his friends were pitted against each
other ; and when a match was proposed to him,
he rarely agreed to it until he had sent for me,
and consulted me upon it. If I thought that his
horse would win, he would go back and make the
match ; and his first question when I met him next
morning would invariably be, " How much of the
match money will you stand, John ? " It was his
express wish that I should have a money interest
in every match made by him under these circum-

LORD GEORGE'S MATCHES. 151

stances ; but I seldom stood more than £10, and
very rarely indeed £25. It was always a disap-
pointment to his Lordship if I refused to stand
anything1, or reduced my venture to £5 or £10.
On these occasions he would inquire of me, " Why
will you not stand more on this match which you
advised me to make ? Surely, if it is not worth
your money it cannot be worth mine ? " To say
the truth, I was never fond of betting on my own
account, and was always glad to discourage his
Lordship, who was apt on all occasions to bet too
much rather than too little. No accountant could
be more accurate and methodical than he was in
recording every bet made by or through him. If
I was a winner, a cheque was invariably sent to
me on the following Monday. In all other mat-
ters his Lordship's attention to detail was equally
minute. Nothing escaped his observation. I once
had occasion to foment a horse for many days
which had met with an accident, and it struck
Lord George that the sponges used were not large
enough. Upon returning to London, he instructed
Gardner, his valet, to buy some big sponges, and
have them sent to Harcourt House, Cavendish
Square. When they arrived, they did not satisfy
his ideas of magnitude. " Go again," he said, " and
search London until you can bring me six sponges
half as big again as these." Gardner again sallied
forth and returned with six enormous sponges, for
which he had paid £15 or £16. "There!" ex-

152 THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1844.

claimed his Lordship, " I told you you could suc-
ceed if you would only try." The sponges were
sent down to Goodwood, where they were kept as
curiosities, being useless for the purpose contem-
plated by his Lordship, as their size and the weight
of water which they held made it almost impossible
to handle them. The story is indicative of his
Lordship's determination to get the best of every-
thing— or what he thought the best — if his horses
required it.

Never was there a man in any class of life less
liable to be daunted or intimidated by difficulties
than Lord George Bentinck. The word " impossi-
ble " mentioned in his hearing served but to inten-
sify his determination not to be beaten ; and I have
often thought that, had his lot been cast in stormy
times, he would have gained the greatest distinc-
tion as the commander of a large army. Nothing
could frighten him ; nothing could tire him, or
exhaust his resources. He delighted in details,
and it was hard indeed for anybody to outwit him
or take him in. Mr Greville never made a truer
remark than when he observed in his ' Diary/
" Lord George did nothing by halves, and was
afraid of no man." But for Lord George's in-
domitable energy and indefatigable perseverance,
the notorious Running Rein case would never
have been thoroughly investigated, and the fraud
exposed. When Running Rein ran, nominally as
a two-year-old, at Newmarket, in 1843, for a two-

THE RUNNING REIN CASE. 153

year-old plate which he won, beating the Duke of
Rutland's Crinoline and ten others, the Duke
objected to him on the ground that he was three
instead of two years old. The case was inves-
tigated by the Stewards, who dismissed it with
the remark that the Duke of Rutland had not
proved Running Rein to be three years old.
When, however, the same horse started subse-
quently for the Clearwell Stakes, in which, al-
though backed heavily by the public, he was
beaten, Lord George's keen and vigilant suspicions
were aroused by something that reached his ears.
During the winter, therefore, he quietly obtained
information which greatly strengthened his doubts
as to Running Rein's real age. Scarcely had the
horse been placed first for the Derby of 1844 before
Lord George mentioned the facts which he had
accumulated to Colonel Peel, the owner of Orlando,
who finished second to Running Rein, and advised
him strongly to make an objection, which he did
at once, and claimed the Derby Stakes. The
Stewards of Epsom Races directed Messrs Wea-
therby to pay the stakes into the Court of Ex-
chequer, and to leave the law to settle who was
their rightful owner. Under these circumstances
an action was brought by Mr A. Wood, the nomi-
nator of Running Rein, against Colonel Peel in the
Court of Exchequer, to decide who was entitled
to receive the Derby Stakes. It was tried on the
1st and 2d of July 1844, and resulted in a verdict

154 THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1844.

for Colonel Peel. I am one of the few survivors
to whom every detail of the Running Rein Derby
is well known, and I affirm, without hesitation,
that but for Lord George Bentinck, Colonel Peel
would never have objected to Running Rein, and
that but for Lord George, Mr Wood would have
won the case. The result of this celebrated trial
was to make Lord George what Mr Disraeli, in
his political biography of that nobleman, calls him,
" Lord Paramount of the British Turf."

Such was the sense universally entertained of
the value of the services rendered by Lord George
Bentinck in this case, that a public subscription
was immediately set on foot with a view to pre-
senting his Lordship with a testimonial, expressing
the gratitude and admiration of the subscribers.
In an incredibly short space of time the sum of
£2100 was collected; but the Hercules of the
Turf, having cleansed the Augean stable, refused
to accept anything, either in the form of plate or
money. It was therefore determined by a com-
mittee of the Jockey Club, consisting of the Dukes
of Bedford, Beaufort, and Rutland, the Earl of
Chesterfield, and Viscount Enfield (afterwards Earl
of Strafford), " that the amount subscribed should
be applied to some public institution, with a view
to forming the nucleus of a fund for securing in
perpetuity to a certain number of the children
of deserving trainers and jockeys enough to sup-
port and educate them from infancy until of an

BENTINCK BENEVOLENT FUND. 155

age to earn their own living." Lord George
Bentinck ultimately expressed a wish that the
money thus subscribed " should be appropriated
for the advantage of trainers and riders of good
character." His Lordship's wish was respected,
and out of it sprang the " Bentinck Benevolent
Fund, for the benefit of the widows and children
of deserving trainers and jockeys." Furthermore,
it was resolved at a general meeting of the Jockey
Club, held on Saturday, July 6, 1844, "That the
thanks of the Jockey Club are eminently due, and
are heartily offered, to Lord George Bentinck, for
the energy, perseverance, and ability which he
displayed in detecting, exposing, and defeating
the atrocious frauds which have been brought to
light during the recent trial respecting the Derby
stakes in 1844."1

That same year his Lordship distinguished him-
self by the courage with which he confronted what
seemed likely to prove — and was in fact — a fraud
of a not less flagitious kind than the attempt on
the part of Mr A. Wood and Goodman Levy to
win the Derby with a four-year-old.

In 1843 Mr Crockford had a two-year-old called

1 Mr W. H. Langley, who witnessed the Derby of 1844 and its six
predecessors, adds : " Before taking leave of the memorable Derby in
question, I cannot resist recording the remarkable coincidence of
Leander, a German-bred five-year-old, belonging to Herr Lichtwald,
and trained by Forth at Michel Grove, being galloped into by the
other * old 'un ' in descending the hill, whereby Leander's off hind
fetlock was so badly smashed that he ran home on the exposed bony
stump !

156 THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1844.

Ratan, trained by Joe Rogers at Newmarket.
Ratan won the New Stakes at Ascot by three
lengths, beating a bay filly, Assay, belonging to
Alderman Copeland, who, from her previous per-
formances, was backed at evens against the field.
Lord George was a heavy backer of Assay, and
lost his money. Ratan was an upstanding, good-
looking horse, but rather short. Lord George
immediately took the odds about him for the
Derby. In the Houghton Meeting at Newmarket
Ratan won the Criterion Stakes easily by four
lengths, and was ridden, as at Ascot, by Sam
Rogers. This encouraged Lord George during
the winter to increase his investments upon Ratan
for the Derby. In the Craven Meeting at New-
market, 1844, Ratan again won a race easily by
two lengths, beating a field of seven. This again
encouraged Lord George to continue backing him
for the Derby. At the First Spring Meeting, Mr
John Day's The Ugly Buck won the Two Thou-
sand Guineas, beating Lord George Bentinck's
Devil-to-Pay by a neck, after a good race ; which
form Lord George did not consider nearly equal
to that displayed by Ratan, and he therefore con-
tinued to back the latter heavily for the Derby.
Still there was such an unmistakable disposition
to lay against Ratan in certain dangerous quar-
ters that Lord George began to suspect some-
thing was amiss ; but as the horse was doing
regular work he could not understand the mar-

HAT AN AND THE UGLY BUCK. 157

ket, and was determined to find out what was the
matter. By some unaccountable means, which
he disclosed to no one, he discovered that Sam
Rogers had bets with Mr Gully and others, in
which he had backed The Ugly Buck upon
such favourable terms that his Lordship's mis-
givings were aroused. He lost no time, there-
fore, in communicating his information to Sam
Rogers, who was much confused upon finding
that Lord George had acquired so much know-
ledge of the matter. Next day Sam Rogers
brought his Lordship a book which contained, or
purported to contain, all his bets. There were
some very suspicious names and bets entered there,
which partly confirmed his Lordship's suspicions,
and in conformity with the usual custom Lord
George then proceeded to call over and compare
Sam Roger s's bets, selecting the Spread Eagle Inn
at Epsom ("Lumley's" it was commonly called in
those days) for that purpose. Lord George,
ascending the steps in front of the inn, said :
" Gentlemen, I am going to call over my jockey
Samuel Rogers's book, and will thank you to
answer to your names and bets ! " He began by
calling out Mr Gully's name. " Here," replied
Mr Gully, quietly removing the cigar from his
lips. "You have betted Samuel Rogers 350 to
25 against Ratan, I perceive," said Lord George,
in an interrogating voice. Mr Gully gave a nod
of assent. " I see," continued his Lordship,

158 THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1844.

" that Rogers stands £50 with you on The Ugly
Buck, no terms or price being named." Again a
nod from Mr Gully. " Are these all the bets you
have with Rogers, Mr Gully ? " inquired his Lord-
ship. " If you have any more in my name, my Lord,
and will specify them, I shall be better able to
answer you," replied Mr Gully, cautiously. Lord
George then read out the whole of the book,
dwelling particularly on some of the bets he
was anxious to emphasise, such as those with
Messrs Tom Crommelin, "Dollar" Scott, and a
number of other heavy betters. He then closed
the book and withdrew into the inn, leaving the
crowd of listeners by whom he was surrounded
110 wiser as to his secret thoughts and future
intentions.1

The betting at starting for the Derby was 5 to
2 v. The Ugly Buck ; 3 to 1 v. Ratan ; 10 to 1 v.
Running Rein; 14 to 1 v. Leander ; 20 to 1 v.
Orlando. The Ugly Buck, ridden by J. Day,
jun., and Ratan, ridden by Rogers, were beaten
some distance from home, the running of the
former confirming Lord George's estimate of him
after he had won the Two Thousand ; but Ratan's
form was altogether inexplicable. An inquiry was

1 For the following valuable note I am again indebted to Mr
W. H. Langley : " The particular transaction he was so anxious to
have acknowledged was a bet of 10,000 to 1000 against Eatan,
which Eogers had laid, and which appeared at the top of a
page, as my informant, an eyewitness of the proceedings, can
testify."

SAM ROGERS PUNISHED. 159

immediately demanded, but for some inscrutable
reason it was not gone into by the Stewards of the
Jockey Club until the October meetings at New-
market came round. The result was that Samuel
Rogers and John Braham were warned off the
course and exercising-grounds at Newmarket ; and
Samuel Rogers was declared unfit to ride or train
for any member of the Jockey Club either at New-
market or any other place where their rules and
regulations were in force. Knowing Sam Rogers's
associates and something of his betting proclivities,
I had frequently remonstrated with him upon the
danger to which he was exposing himself, and the
unpleasant consequences which would ensue if he
were detected. After his disgrace he wrote me
some very penitent letters, expressing the deepest
regret that he had not followed my advice, and
thus avoided the sad difficulties which he had
brought upon himself. Few people were more
free from jealousy or suspicion than Lord George ;
but facts sometimes occurred to which it was im-
possible for him or any one else to be blind. I
have no doubt he received some deprecatory
cautions from Mr Harry Hill, his chief commis-
sioner, respecting his heavy and oft - repeated
instructions to back Ratan for the Derby — as Mr
Hill was a personal friend of Mr Gully, and shared
many horses with him at Danebury. Whatever
reports might be circulated, I never remember Lord
George expressing a desire to guard against any

160 THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1844.

fraudulent design or practice beforehand. All he
wished was, that every endeavour might be used
to get the horses to the post well, and fit to
run through their races successfully. Naturally
there existed a rivalry between the Goodwood and
Danebury establishments, which the Ratan affair
tended to increase. After that my doubts were
strengthened with regard to the running of Gaper
for the Derby, and for a Produce Stake at Abing-
don, where Gaper was beaten by Mr Isaac Day's
Somerset, when the odds were "breast-high" on
Gaper. In the ' Racing Calendar's ' official report
of the race, the following sentence occurred :
" Somerset fell within the distance, but recovered
himself and won by half a neck." This was a
remarkable occurrence, as the following week at
Warwick they met again. The distance (1 mile)
and weights were the same, and Gaper won easily.
Even this did not excite Lord George's suspicion
of any foul play, although at Warwick the betting
was even on Gaper, when, after the running of
Somerset at Abingdon, it ought to have been 2 to
1 on Somerset. When Sam Rogers rode the Duke
of Richmond's Red Deer at Liverpool for the
Liverpool St Leger, and the Gratwicke Stakes at
Goodwood the following year (1844), there were
unpleasant rumours about him then. At Liver-
pool it was remarked that " he rode Red Deer
with the greatest severity, — in fact, that he rode
his head off." Red Deer was beaten two lengths

SAM ROGERS PARDONED. 161

by Ithuriel, Flatman up, the betting being 6 to 5
on Red Deer. The week afterwards the two horses
met again at Goodwood, when Sam Rogers went
the wrong course, though he had so frequently
ridden over it, and was cautioned by Nat that he
was "going wrong." Even then Lord George con-
tinued to support him through that week, and
through the following one at Brighton.

The punishment inflicted on Sam Rogers was
prolonged for three years, on the expiration of
which Lord George, being then senior Steward of
the Jockey Club, invited the favourable considera-
tion of his brother members to a measure which he
brought forward in the July meeting of 1847, by
proposing that the sentence passed on Sam Rogers
and other jockeys should forthwith be remitted.
His Lordship added that Rogers had been repre-
sented to him as having conducted himself well
and discreetly since the infliction upon him of the
severe punishment which he had incurred in 1844.
It was resolved, therefore, nemine contradicente,
that, " upon the recommendation of the Stewards,
the sentences passed in 1844 and 1845 upon Sam-
uel Rogers and others, excepting John Braham,
shall now be remitted, and that they be allowed
to come on the course, and to ride and train
at Newmarket as formerly." In addition, the
Stewards expressed their sincere hope " that the
punishment these delinquents have received may
be a warning to them which they will never forget,

L

162 THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1844.

and that their conduct hereafter may justify the
leniency now extended to them."

When, ridden by Sam Rogers and trained by
his father, Mr Stirling Crawfurd's The Cur won
the Cesarewitch of 1848, beating Colonel Peel's
Dacia, who ought to have won, and affording Sam
Rogers an opportunity for displaying a fine bit of
jockeyship, all recollection of Ratan's year, and
of other transgressions, was obliterated from the
public mind.

163

CHAPTEE VIII.

THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1845.

THE winter of 1844-45 was very severe and pro-
tracted, commencing on the 4th of December 1844
with sharp frosts, which continued with little
intermission till the 23d of March 1845 — two days
before the Northampton meeting. So severe and
wintry was the weather a week before the races
that it was thought they would have to be post-
poned, there being 19° of frost from the 14th to
the 17th of March, and 11° on the 21st. In
order to utilise to the fullest extent the great
advantages afforded by the exercise - grounds at
Goodwood, which are completely sheltered by
plantations and trees, Lord George caused straw-
beds of immense magnitude to be laid down, the
outer ring being nearly half a mile in circum-
ference, within which two lesser rings were formed.
As these straw-beds were some distance from the
stables, it was necessary to make an approach to
them by covering a track or path with litter,

164 THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1845.

leaves, and straw. As there were from sixty to
seventy horses to be exercised every day, I did not
like to trust more than a few of them upon the
track leading to the straw-beds at the same time,
for fear of one or more lads being pitched off, and
the horses getting loose. The straw - beds were
surrounded by a high ring-fence, and as soon as
one detachment had got safely inside the fence,
others were despatched from the stables. There
were outlets provided at many points in the sur-
rounding fence through which riotous horses could
be removed, in order not to disturb or demoralise
their quieter and better-behaved companions. In
this manner the horses engaged at Northampton
and other early meetings were able to do enough
work to make them far more fit to run than others
which had not enjoyed the same advantages. The
famous Halnaker gallop, which ran for a long way
through a wood in the park, afforded a convenient
trial-ground for the Northampton lot : and as the
Halnaker gallop was between two and three miles
distant from the stables at Goodwood, each horse
about to be tried was, by Lord George's instruc-
tions, conveyed in a van to the trial-ground. He
took great pleasure, and was much interested, in
making all these preparations to circumvent " Jack
Frost," and was not a little encouraged by the
results of the trials in which Cherokee, a two-year-
old filly by Redshank ; Discord, aged eight years ;
John oj Gaunt, aged seven years, and others, were

CHEROKEE. 165

"put through the mill." Cherokee won her trial
so easily by four or five lengths, that his Lordship
was afraid some of the old horses in the gallop had
not run up to their form by reason of the shortness
of their preparation. He therefore desired me,
before I left for Northampton, to try My Mary
(who was second to Cherokee) over again with
the unerring old African, as it was his Lordship's
intention to stand a good stake on Cherokee for
the Althorp Park Stakes, if I was able to make
out that My Mary, aged three years, was in form.
The second trial came off all right, as My Mary won
it easily, making it pretty evident that Cherokee
was very smart, as My Mary had won the Pren-
dergast at Newmarket in the preceding autumn.
Accordingly, Lord George, after arriving at North-
ampton, gave his chief commissioner, Mr Harry
Hill, an unlimited commission to back Cherokee for
the Althorp Park Stakes. As I was saddling the
mare, Mr Hill came up to his Lordship in great
tribulation, stating that he was unable to execute
the commission, as they only offered 5 to 4 against
Cherokee, although there were ten starters, and
two or three others heavily backed. " Don't come
here to bother me with your fears," exclaimed his
Lordship, testily ; " go back and get on as much
money as you can, and you will find 5 to 4 good
enough odds when the race is over." And so it
proved, as Cherokee won in a canter by two
lengths. Lord George next proceeded to back

166 THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1845.

Discord with great spirit for the Northamptonshire
Stakes, having already made a book for him, as
in those days the betting on this race commenced
many weeks before it came off. At that time,
indeed, the Northamptonshire Stakes was one of
the heaviest betting races in the ' Calendar.'

In order to discourage others from backing Dis-
cord, Lord George started Clumsy, aged three
years, for the Trial Stakes, and backed him for
£100. The horse was slightly amiss, and ran
second to Mr Osbaldeston's Sorella, who won by
three lengths. Everybody supposed that Clumsy
was Discord's trial horse, and therefore Discord
receded in the betting, much to his Lordship's
satisfaction when Clumsy was beaten. I need
not add that the two horses had never been to-
gether, as Clumsy had not been in condition to be
tried for some weeks before Northampton. The
race was won by Discord by three lengths, and his
Lordship added considerably to his winnings upon
Cherokee.

After this second victory, Lord George thought
he had a choice rod in pickle for his old antagon-
ist Mr Osbaldeston, with whom he had fought a
memorable duel two or three years before, to which
reference will be made hereafter. Mr Osbaldeston
had his famous mare Sorella engaged in the
Queen's Plate at Northampton on the second day,
for which Lord George's John o' Gaunt, one of
the stoutest horses in training, was also entered.

JOHN O' GAUNT. 167

John o' Gaunt had finished second to Discord in
the trial at Goodwood, and the approaching con-
test between him and Sorella appeared to excite
his Lordship more than either of the preceding
races upon which he won so largely. For the
Queen's Plate there were five runners, including
Coranna (a good old horse), and the betting opened
at 4 to 1 but closed at 2 to 1 on Sorella, and 5 to
1 against John o' Gaunt. Lord George freely con-
fessed to me that there was no man whose money
he should more like to win than that of Mr Osbal-
deston, unless it were that of Mr Charles Greville,
for whom his antipathy was still more pronounced.
The Queen's Plate distance was two miles, and
the orders given to Flat man, who rode John o'
Gaunt, were to make the strongest running pos-
sible. Flatman obeyed his orders to perfection,
making the pace so desperate that all the starters
except Sorella pulled up a long way from home,
and did not run the course at all. In the end
John o' Gaunt won in a canter by three or four
lengths. In general, winning or losing produced
no visible effect upon Lord George Bentinck ; but
on this occasion he did not attempt to conceal his
delight. As I led John o' Gaunt back to the
weighing - room his Lordship remarked to me,
" This is indeed a victory ! The old squire will
now have to pay me in coin instead of in lead."
His Lordship's winnings upon the three races must
have been very considerable, and his outlay in

168 THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1845.

causing the three concentric straw-beds to be made
was repaid a hundredfold. Undoubtedly he was
most fortunate in getting two broken-down horses,
like Discord and John o' Gaunt — for such they
were considered at the end of the previous year —
through a couple of big races of this description
by their superior condition. In 1844 Discord
had failed in both fore-legs, his back sinews being
fearfully bowed. By the aid, however, of the
" Gaper charges," Discord was restored during the
winter to such an extent that his Lordship re-
solved to run and to back him at the Epsom
Spring Meeting for a selling race — winner to be
sold for £250. When the weights for the North-
amptonshire Stakes came out in February, I ad-
vised him to accept with Discord, who was handi-
capped at 8 stone. The horse's legs were so im-
proved by the charges that I was able to give him
a good deal of work on the straw-beds, and to get
him very forward in condition. On February 25,
1845, his Lordship wrote to me as follows : —

" By your advice I will accept with Discord at
Northampton, but with such legs I cannot think
he has any earthly chance of getting two miles in
a strong-run race, unless you have given him a
new pair of fore-legs. However, it will only cost
£10, and will not prevent my running him in the
selling race at Epsom."

It was certainly a wonderful restoration, as

JOHN O' GAUNT. 169

Discord won not only the Northamptonshire
Stakes, but also, during the following week, the
Granby Handicap at Croxton Park, carrying 11
stone 10 lb., and the Cup next day, carrying
12 stone. Later in the year he ran in many
other races, and was repeatedly tried at home,
leaving off at last perfectly sound.

After these two experiences of Discord and John
o' Gaunt, his Lordship would never believe that
any horse was absolutely incurable, however badly
broken down he appeared to be. When he bought
John o' Gaunt the year before from the Duke of
Bedford, Mr William Edwards, then his Grace's
trainer, remarked to Lord George : " I suppose, my
Lord, you have bought John o' Gaunt for a stallion,
as it is useless to attempt to train him again. We
have had him fired and otherwise treated, but to
no purpose." When the horse arrived at Good-
wood, his Lordship said to me : " I wish you would
try the effect of your charges on John o' Gaunt's
legs, as I could win some money on him if he could
be brought sound and well to the post, since he
stays so well." Not only did John o' Gaunt win
the Queen's Plate at Northampton, but another at
Newmarket, and also the Cup at Stockbridge and
the Cup at Egham. His Lordship then obtained
a good price for him as a stallion. He afterwards
became the sire of Bolingbroke — a good horse if he
had not been " messed about " ; in fact, he was
only half trained when a distance from home he

1*70 THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1845.

looked like winning the Doncaster St Leger, for
which Voltigeur and Russborough ran a dead heat.
The " Gaper charges " certainly effected some mar-
vellous cures, especially upon the progeny of Bay
Middleton. But I was also greatly assisted by the
excellent gallops at Goodwood, which were kept
in perfect order at Lord George's expense. I do
not believe that it would have been possible to
bring Discord or John o' Gaunt sound to the post
in 1845 had they been prepared on any other
training - ground. Every day the gallops were
bush-harrowed and carefully rolled, and a band
of women were employed to repair the tracks,
remove stones, and fill in the footprints with forks
specially made for the purpose. His Lordship
walked over the tracks after the women had left,
and the slightest imperfection in their work was
sure to catch his eye, when he would desire me to
point it out to them. Although the kindest and
most generous of masters, he would never suffer
a servant or employee to scamp his work or shirk
his duty.

It must be confessed that the Goodwood stable
had a phenomenal year in 1845. Commencing, as
I have just stated, at Northampton and Croxton
Park, horses belonging to the Duke of Richmond
and to Lord George Bentinck won the One Thousand
Guineas at Newmarket ; the Oaks at Epsom ; the
Ascot Stakes ; the Liverpool Cup ; the Goodwood
Stakes and Cup ; the Champagne and Great York-

A PHENOMENAL YEAR. 171

shire Stakes at Doncaster (all of them heavy bet-
ting races, and therefore very acceptable to his
Lordship), in addition to many less important
stakes, such as the Port at Newmarket ; the
Mostyn Stakes at Chester; the Surrey Cup at
Epsom ; the Great Produce Stakes and the Fern
Hill at Ascot ; the Bretby, Prendergast, and
Glasgow Stakes at Newmarket ; and, finally, a
great match between Miss Elis and Oakley, which
the mare, ridden by William Abdale, won by a
head, although the betting — enormously heavy-
was six to five on Oakley, ridden by Robinson.
In fact, the Goodwood stable won eighty - two
races in 1845, the collective value of which was
£31,502 — an unparalleled sum for any stable to
win in those days when " added money " was an
almost " unknown quantity." Lord George as
a thorough, uncompromising, unblemished sports-
man was always ready to promote sport. At the
same time, he steadily kept in view his main
design and chief amusement, which was auxiliary
betting ; and, to this end, it was his custom
whenever possible to try, just before the race in
which he was engaged, any horse that he in-
tended to back. In those days most of the races
for three-year-olds and upwards were over long
distances, and it sometimes happened that horses
with delicate constitutions were unfavourably af-
fected and thrown off their feed by a long and
severe trial. I therefore begged his Lordship on

172 THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1845.

many occasions to desist from this practice on
the eve of a big race, particularly in the case of
Miss Elis, who was always a difficult and deli-
cate mare to train, and who had disappointed
us more than once by not running up to her
trial. As the Goodwood Stakes drew near in
1845, for which Miss Elis was handicapped at
5 stone 7 lb., Lord George, having already backed
her for several hundred pounds, was anxious to
have her tried with Discord, John o' Gaunt,
Naworth, and others, — all of them capable of
getting the distance, and of telling his Lordship
to a certainty whether Miss Elis was good enough
to win the Stakes. For this purpose his Lordship
came to Goodwood, and I lost not a moment in
entreating him not to upset her by a trial when I
was able to assure him with confidence that she
would win in a canter if she came to the post as
well as she was then. It was a vast responsibility
for me to assume, and great was the difficulty I
had in persuading his Lordship to abstain from
trying her. At last, however, he consented ; and
my words, " The Goodwood Stakes will only be an
exercise gallop which will not prevent her from
winning the Cup next day," were fulfilled to the
letter. Never before had I ventured to remonstrate
so earnestly with his Lordship ; and although I had
little fear of her being beaten for the first race, it
was a great relief to me when, as I anticipated, she
" made hacks " of all her opponents.

MISS ELIS. 173

After deciding not to try Miss Elis for the
Goodwood Stakes, his Lordship was anxious to
see her gallop at half speed with John o' Gaunt,
Discord, and other old horses. I again ventured
to remonstrate, explaining that down to that time
Miss Elis had done all her work by herself entirely
to my satisfaction, and that, contrary to her wont,
after being galloped in company with other horses
or tried, she had fed remarkably well, and would
go to the post in better condition than ever before.
After she had taken her usual gallop by herself,
Lord George wished to see the rest perform, and
was so much impressed by the style in which John
o' Gaunt did his work, and the determined way in
which he galloped, that he became quite excited,
remarking, " I have laid heavily against this horse,
and shall be half ruined if he wins." I replied that
if he were not mulcted in pocket until John o'
Gaunt gave Miss Elis 2 stone 10 Ib. over two miles
and a half, no harm would happen to him for a
long time to come, as I knew that over that or
any other distance he would not give her 7 Ib. and
a beating. " But," he rejoined, " that was some
time ago ; are you sure that they are in that form
now, as I never saw John o' Gaunt go in such style
before ? " I lost no time in reassuring his Lord-
ship, and begged him to make strong running with
John o' Gaunt (who was nicely handicapped for an
old horse at 8 stone 3 Ib.), in order to let the mare
settle down to her work, when I promised him

1*74 THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1845.

that he would never have another uneasy moment.
John o' Gaunt's last appearance in public had been
at Stockbridge, where he won the Cup very easily
indeed, and was immediately made favourite for
the Goodwood Stakes. Not long after Stockbridge
Races the Duke of Richmond's Lothario won the
Liverpool Cup, and passed John o' Gaunt in the
betting for the Goodwood Stakes. The starters
for the latter race — I quote from the ' Racing
Calendar ' — were as follows : —

" Lord George Bentinck's ch. f. Miss Elis, by Stockport

3 yrs., 5 st. 7 Ib. (Kitchener), 1.
Mr F. Ongley's ch. g. Eoderick, 6 yrs., 6 st. 12 Ib.

(Crouch), 2.
Duke of Kichmond's b. h. Lothario, 5 yrs., 8 st. 11 Ib.

(Flatman), 3.
Lord George Bentinck's ch. h. John o' Gaunt, aged, 8 st.

31b.

Lord Eglinton's b. g. Aristides, 5 yrs., 8 st. 2 Ib.
Mr H. Eobinson's br. c. Morpeth, 4 yrs., 7 st. 11 Ib.
Sir J. Hawley's b. m. Venus, 5 yrs., 7 st. 9 Ib.
Lord George Bentinck's b. g. Na worth, aged, 7 st. 9 Ib.
Mr Clifton's ch. g. Nottingham, 5 yrs., 7 st. 7 Ib.
Mr Eamsbottom's br. h. Pineapple, 5 yrs., 7 st. 3 Ib.
Mr S. Herbert's ch. h. Ajax, aged, 7 st. 2 Ib.
Mr A. W. Hill's br. c. The Libel, 3 yrs., 7 st. 2 Ib.
Mr Mostyn's b. c. A-la-mode, 4 yrs., 7 st.
Mr Collin's br. h. Eochester, 6 yrs., 6 st. 10 Ib.
Lord Exeter's br. m. Wee Pet, 5 yrs., 6 st. 9 Ib.
Lord Stradbroke's b. f. Boarding-school Miss, 4 yrs., 6 st.

31b.

Mr Parr's b. in. Europa, 5 yrs., 6 st.
Lord George Bentinck's bl. f. Coal-black Eose, 4 yrs., 5 st.
13 Ib.

THE GOODWOOD STAKES. 175

Duke of Kichmond's b. c. Laird o' Cockpen, 3 yrs., 5 st.
12 Ib.

Mr W. H. Johnstone's ch. f. Pythia, 3 yrs., 5 st. 13 Ib.

Mr Etwall's ch. f. JEgis, 3 yrs., 4 st. 10 Ib.

Sir J. B. Mill's br. f. Giantess, 3 yrs., 4 st 10 Ib.

Mr H. J. Thompson's b. f. by Stumps, dam by Comus
3 yrs., 4 st.

" Betting — 7 to 1 agst. Pythia, 8 to 1 agst. Lothario, 10
to 1 agst. Pineapple, 11 to 1 agst. Wee Pet, 12 to 1 agst.
Eochester, 13 to 1 agst. Boarding-school Miss, 14 to 1 each
agst. The Libel, ^Egis, and Miss Elis, 20 to 1 each agst.
Europa, Aristides, and Morpeth, 25 to 1 each agst. Laird o'
Cockpen, Ajax, and Venus, 30 to 1 agst. Eoderick, and 50
to 1 agst. Nottingham.

" Aristides led for a short distance, but at the first turn
.ZEgis and Miss Elis went in front. In coming round the
last turn ^Egis, being then second, just behind Miss Elis,
ran against a post, which broke between her legs, and fell
just before Nottingham and Lothario. At this part of the
race Miss Elis increased her lead, and won very easily by six
lengths. Lothario was beaten by a length for second place,
Pythia and Ajax being close together, just behind Lothario."

It was Lord George's intention that John o'
Gaunt should jump off with the lead and make
strong running, and orders to that effect were
given to his rider. When the flag fell, however,
Lord Eglinton's Aristides, a five-year-old gelding
by Bay Middleton, outpaced John o' Gaunt and
cut out the work at a tremendous pace, until Miss
Elis got into her stride and passed Aristides, soon
having everything behind her safe. When she
went first past the winning-post by six lengths
(which she could easily have made ten or twelve),

176 THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1845.

she ran nearly to the top of Trundle Hill before
Kitchener could stop her. It will be observed that
in this race six of the twenty-three starters were
supplied by the Goodwood- stable — viz., Lothario,
John o' Gaunt, Naworth, Coal-black Rose, Laird
o' Cockpen, and Miss Elis, whom Kitchener rode
in a 7-lb. saddle. But it is also worthy of remark,
in these days when there are no six -year- old and
aged horses in training, and when five-year-olds
and even four-year-olds are rare, what was the
composition of the field that Miss Elis beat so
easily. Among the starters there were three aged
horses — John o' Gaunt, Naworth, and Ajax ; two
six -year -olds — Roderick and Rochester; seven
five -year -olds — Lothario, Aristides, Venus, Not
tingham, Pineapple, Wee Pet, and Europa ; four
four - year - olds — Morpeth, A-la-mode, Boarding-
school Miss, arid Coal-black Rose ; and seven
three -year -olds — Miss Elis, The Libel, Laird o'
Cockpen, Pythia, ^Egis, Giantess, and bay filly
by Stumps. In estimating the merits of modern
three-year-olds like Robert the Devil, St Gatien,
Foxhall, and Plaisanterie, which are able to win
the Cesarewitch and Cambridgeshire with 9 stone,
or nearly 9 stone, on their back, I, for one, should
feel more certain that they were better than
Faugh-a-ballagh, The Baron, and Alarm, if, like
these last-named horses, they were capable of
beating large fields of old horses, such as Miss
Elis defeated for the Goodwood Stakes in 1845.

THE GOODWOOD CUP. 177

After Miss Ells' s victory in the Goodwood Stakes
Lord George was naturally much gratified, though
not in the least elated. Deeming nothing done
while aught remained to accomplish, his thoughts
flew forward to the next day, and he remarked to
me that he hoped he should be able to win the
Cup with her, although well aware that in Weath-
erbit he had a formidable opponent. That same
night his Lordship sent for me, after dinner, at
Goodwood House, and inquired how Miss Elis was,
and whether she had fed well. I replied that she
did not appear to be in any way the worse for her
race, which I regarded as only an exercise-gallop
preparatory to her weight -for-age race on the mor-
row. " In that case," he remarked, " I shall back
her to-night, as there is sure to be some betting on
the Cup, for which Weather bit has many friends."

Next day the Goodwood Cup brought twelve
starters to the post, and the result was reported as
follows in the ' Racing Calendar ' : —

"Lord George Bentinck's ch. f. Miss Elis, 3 yrs., 7 st.
(Abdale), 1.

Mr Gully's br. c. Weatherbit, 3 yrs., 7 st. 4 Ib. (White-
house), 2.

Sir C. Monck's b. g. My Old Hack, aged, 7 st. 5 Ib. (Lye),
3.

Lord George Bentinck's b. h. Discord, Aged, 9 st. 12 Ib.
(W. Hewlett).

Mr Gully's br. h. St. Lawrence, aged, 9 st. 7 Ib. (J. Day).

Mr Surflen's b. h. Gorhambury, 5 yrs., 8 st. 13 Ib. (J.
Hewlett).

M

178 THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1845.

Mr A. Johnstone's ch. f. Kowena, 4 yrs., 8 st. 6 Ib.

(Marson).
Sir G. Heathcote's ch. c. Akbar, 4 yrs., 8 st. 5 Ib.

(Chappie).

Mr Vane's ch. c. Valerian, 4 yrs., 8 st. 1 Ib. (F. Butler).
Colonel Anson's b. g. Arundo, 5 yrs., 7 st, 12 Ib. (Flat-
man).
Baron N. de Rothschild's Drummer, 5 yrs., 7 st 5 Ib.

(E. Flatman).
Duke of Eichmond's br. c. The Laird o' Cockpen, 3 yrs.,

6 st. 13 Ib. (Esling).

" 2 to 1 each agst. Miss Elis and Weatherbit, and 6 to 1
agst. Valerian. Discord made play at a great pace, Miss
Elis next ; she passed him at the turn round the hill and
was never headed, and won by two lengths. Weatherbit
came up to Miss Elis about the commencement of the rails
and ran with her for a short time, but she increased her
lead, and was never approached afterwards. My Old Hack
was a bad third."

I have frequently been present upon race- courses
when the betting was heavy, but never have I
seen money staked so lavishly as it was by Lord
George on the one hand, and by the Danebury
party on the other, just before this event. Weath-
erbit had been a great favourite for the Derby
of that year, which was won by Mr Gratwicke's
Merry Monarch in a field of thirty-one starters ;
but in coming round Tattenham Corner, Lord
Chesterfield's Pam fell just in front of Mr
John Gully's Old England and Weatherbit, both
of whom jumped over him. Old England
finished third, but Weatherbit was the best,
as was proved at Ascot, where Weatherbit

GOODWOOD AND DANEBURY RIVALRY. 179

beat Old England, and also the Duke of Rich-
mond's Refraction, who, however, carried 6 Ib.
extra for winning the Oaks. Weatherbit's next
race was for the Goodwood Cup, and his owner,
trainer, and all the patrons of the Danebury
stable, thought he was the best three-year-old in
England. Lord George, however, had won so
much money on the Stakes, that in backing Miss
Elis for the Cup the firm front maintained by his
opponents exercised no effect upon him, and was
incapable of stalling him off. In 1845 the Good-
wood stable and the Danebury stable were nat-
ural rivals, and Lord George was not the man
to forget when he had good reason for resenting
supposed wrong and injustice inflicted upon him.
The money, therefore, was piled upon Miss Elis
and Weatherbit with a recklessness which I never
saw equalled, and their respective supporters were
both equally determined to have a good pace.
For this purpose Lord George started Discord, and
Mr Gully started St Lawrence, but when the flag
fell Discord jumped off with the lead, and St
Lawrence was not speedy enough to take any
part in the race. So good was Miss Elis's condi-
tion that at the end of the first mile she passed
Discord, and was never again headed. After her
victory, Lord George, although showing no exter-
nal signs of elation, gave me to understand how
much he was gratified, exclaiming, sotto voce, "I
think I have at last got the better of Danebury."

180 THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1845.

In both races Miss Elis was ridden without
spurs. The large sum — about £30,000 — won by
Lord George on the Stakes and Cup would have
been much reduced had the mare been tried before
the former race.

To commemorate the double triumph more fully,
Lord George presented my father with a picture of
Miss Elis, concerning which he wrote the following
characteristic letter :—

" HARCOURT HOUSE, Aug. 6, 1845.

" KENT, — As a token of my sense of the ability
and skill with which you and John trained Miss
Elis for the Goodwood Stakes and Goodwood Cup,
and as a memorial of the fidelity with which on
this occasion in particular my secrets were kept,
by which I was enabled to win, and without which
I could not have won, the large stake I did win, it
is my intention to make you a present of a picture,
in which I propose that your portrait and John's
as well as hers should be comprehended.

" In presenting you with this memorial of your
joint triumph with your son, I must add the wish
that the picture I give you shall descend as an
heirloom in your family. The way I propose to
group the picture is that Abdale should be mounted
upon her, John leading her in his left hand —
dressed in his Gordon tartan waistcoat — whilst
you must be on the old grey mare, in your Cluny
Macpherson waistcoat. The scene should be in
the front of the Goodwood stand; a picture of

PQ

w

o
p^
o
w
o

o
^
o

PRESENTATION PICTURE. 181

the Goodwood Cup should be introduced, and, if
it can be managed, Kitchener walking away in
the distance, loaded with a leathern purse, with
1 Goodwood Stakes ' inscribed upon it.

" I mean to employ Mr Abraham Cooper to
paint this picture for me. He has promised to go
down on Saturday next. I am anxious to have
the picture speedily taken, for many reasons.
First, I wish it to be taken whilst she continues
in her present blooming condition, fearing, if I put
off the day, I may never have her in the same
condition, which happened to me when Elis was
painted, who in consequence appears with 'a pot
belly/ which if he had had it when he ran for the
St Leger, he never would have won it. Secondly,
I am anxious to have her painted during the bright
summer weather, which makes such a difference in
the colour and bloom of a horse's coat. Thirdly,
whilst this weather continues warm, there will be
little fear of the mare catching cold whilst she is
stripped. Fourthly, the printsellers are anxious to
have the picture done as quickly as possible, in order
that the engravings may be made whilst her victories
at Goodwood are still fresh in the public mind.

" Under the circumstances, if there is no objec-
tion, I will engage Mr Cooper to go to Goodwood
on Saturday next. — I am, your obedient servant
m . „ " G. BENTINCK.

" To Mr KENT, Trainer."

When the picture was completed, and Lord
George saw it at my father's house, he was so

182 THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1845.

delighted with it that he desired Mr Cooper to
paint him a facsimile, which now adorns the walls
of Welbeck Abbey, together with the cap and
jacket the mare carried, enclosed in a glass case
suspended above the picture. The Goodwood Cup
of 1845 is also at Welbeck, together with others
which the present Duke of Portland has won ; and
although his Grace has not acquired so much
money by betting as fell to Lord George's portion
at Goodwood in 1845, it is within my knowledge
that he views his equine treasures — St Simon,
Ayrshire, Donovan, and others — with as keen
appreciation as that with which his illustrious
ancestor regarded Crucifix and Miss Elis.

Still further to recognise the services done him,
Lord George made handsome presents to every
one employed in the Goodwood stable. For all
his labourers employed upon the gallops and race-
course (there were about eighty of them in all),
together with others employed on the Good-
wood estate, he desired a dinner to be pre-
pared ; but inasmuch as it was harvest-time, this
part of the rejoicing was delayed until the corn
was carried ; and then all upon the estate were
regaled with a most sumptuous banquet in the
tennis-court, to which about two hundred guests
sat down.

After dinner there was a general expression of
hope that another Miss Elis might be found next
year, and the only division of opinion was as to
the colours which the said successor should carry.

MISS ELIS AND WEATHERBIT. 183

Some hoped it might be " yellow, scarlet cap, and
gold tassel " ; others inclined to " blue and white
cap." At last it was carried unanimously that it
was expedient that the two colours be amalga-
mated, as upon the present occasion.

What was left of the feast was given to the
wives and families of the labourers who served
the owner of Miss Elis.

Although Miss Elis had won the Stakes and
Cup, both races being over a long and severe
course, Lord George resolved, much to my regret,
to pull her out for the Chesterfield Cup on the last
day of the meeting. Her race for the Cup had
been a very trying ordeal, as the pace was tre-
mendous, and Weatherbit, whom she beat, was
undoubtedly a good horse. Despite the 7 Ib.
extra which she carried in the Chesterfield Cup,
making her weight 6 stone 13 Ib., Miss Elis
started favourite at 3 to 1 in a field of nineteen.
She was beaten a long way, and finished . almost
last, .the Cup being won by Mr Etwall's -^Egis,
who was seriously disappointed in the Stakes by
coming into collision with a post before referred to.
From the effects of the two last races Miss Elis
never really recovered, and Weatherbit, after his
defeat for the Cup, was never the same animal again.
In the Doncaster St Leger, won by The Baron, he
was beaten a long way, and next day, with odds
of 3 to 1 on him, was defeated for the Three-Year -
Old Stakes of 200 sovereigns each by Sir R. W.
Bulkeley's Chertsey — a very moderate horse.

184 THE GOODWOOD STABLE IN 1845.

Before concluding this chapter I wish to put on
record a few words about the way in which Miss
Elis came into his Lordship's possession. She was
bred by Mr S. Reed of York, who sent her to
Doncaster to be sold by auction as a yearling.
Although very light in flesh and rough in her
coat, she struck me as being a sound racing-like
filly, who would improve upon good keep. I
therefore offered Mr Reed forty guineas for her,
and a thousand more if she won the Oaks, for
which he had entered her. He was anxious that
she should get into a good stable, and let me have
her at that moderate price. I told Lord George
what I had done, and when he saw her he was
only too glad to take her on the same terms. Be-
fore the end of the Houghton Meeting I tried her
with seven other yearlings, and, although beaten,
she showed more form than I expected from her,
six weeks after I had bought her, a mere bag of
bones. Her trial told me, however, that she was
game and looked like staying, so that Lord George
engaged her in ten races, most of them over long
distances of ground. Stockport, her sire, was own
brother to Elis and Epirus, both of them good
horses ; and her dam, Varia, was by Lottery out
of a Blacklock mare. She stood rather more than
sixteen hands, and although of a very nervous dis-
position, was as game as a pebble, and liked to
make her own running.

185

CHAPTEE IX.

LORD GEORGE AS A LETTER- WRITER.

IN 1864 Lord Beaconsfield remarked to an old
friend, who is still living, and has repeated the
story to me, that Lord George Bentinck's failure
as a Cabinet Minister, or in other words, as a
statesman of the first class, would have been in-
evitable, for the following reasons. " Owing to
his incapacity for condensing or compressing what
he had to say," added Lord Beaconsfield, " he
could not write a letter on any subject without
pouring forth at great length all that was in his
mind, with the result that — to quote some well-
known lines, the author of which I have forgotten,
but which still linger in my memory —

' Blenheim's field became in his reciting
As long in telling as it took in fighting.' "

It has been stated to me by other friends of Lord
George Bentinck that he assisted to break down
his own health by the extraordinary length and
prolixity of his letters. I remember that old John
Bay, the rider and trainer of Crucifix, once ob-

186 LOUD GEORGE AS A LETTER- WRITER.

served to me " that he had not time to read Lord
George's endless yarns about his race-horses at
Danebury." It must be remembered, however,
that old John Day was not much of a scholar, and
that his own letters were of the briefest. I will
not deny that my father and I sometimes found
it difficult to answer Lord George's letters in full,
as they frequently covered six, seven, or eight
sheets of note-paper ; but, as evidences of his
Lordship's astonishing industry, and of the intense
interest which he took in the minutest details of
a pursuit to which his whole heart and mind were
given up, I propose to print a few letters from his
pen which were received on various occasions by
my father and myself, as I am quite sure that no
other owner of race-horses ever wrote to his trainer
almost every day of his life, and at such length
as Lord George frequently found necessary, in order
to express his meaning fully.

I have selected for my purpose a few specimens
which will derive interest from the fact that most
of them have for their subject what I verily believe
to have been one of the three best race -horses ever
owned by Lord George — to wit, Gaper. If this
horse had been by a sounder stallion than Bay
Middleton — say, for instance, Gladiator or Touch-
stone— I am fully persuaded that he would have
won the Derby as easily as in the Criterion Stakes
at Newmarket he beat Cotherstone when both
were two-year-olds. As matters stood, however,

GAPER. 187

Gaper could never take a strong gallop or win a
race without pulling up more or less lame, and,
in addition, he was very nervous and excitable,
and Sam Kogers's heavy hand and rough-and-ready
style of riding made him more irritable. The
first of the following letters was written from
Newmarket on the evening of the day when Gaper
as a three-year-old had the greatest difficulty in
beating a very bad horse called New Brighton,
after having won a sweepstakes of 100 sovereigns
each, R.M., by three lengths on the previous
Tuesday, beating a very moderate horse of the
Duke of Grafton's, called Esop, who was ridden
by John Day. It will be seen that Lord George
was greatly disappointed at this poor performance
of a horse whom he had heavily backed for the
Derby, and on whom he founded the most sanguine
hopes. I should premise that " Philip," to whom
Lord George frequently alludes, was Philip New-
man, stud groom at the Danebury paddocks,
adjoining John Day's stables. To these paddocks
considerable additions were made by Lord George
when he first went to Danebury ; and on removing
his horses from Danebury to Goodwood he re-
tained his paddocks at the former place, thereby
turning to account his heavy investments in loose-
boxes, hovels, paddocks, tanks, ponds, and fences,
together with plantations or belts of trees erected
to shelter the thoroughbred stock from the cold
winds sweeping over those exposed downs.

188 LORD GEORGE AS A LETTER- WRITER.
"NEWMARKET CKAVEN MEETING, 1843.

Thursday, April 20.

Sweepstakes of 200 sovereigns each, half -forfeit, for
three-year-olds. D.M. Nine subscribers.

Lord George Bentinck's b.c. Gaper, 8 st. 4 Ib. (S. Eogers), 1.
Lord Chesterfield's b.c. New Brighton, 8 st. 7 Ib. (Flatman), 2.
Duke of Bedford's br.c. Jerry Sneak, 8 st. 7 Ib. (E. Ed wards), 3.
" Betting — 9 to 1 on Gaper. Won by a short neck.
Three lengths between second and third."

" NEWMARKET, Thursday, April 20, 1843.

" KENT, — I am sorry to say all our hopes are
gone. Gaper, though by the grace of the 3 Ib.
allowed him he got in first, ran a very moderate,
not to say a very bad, horse to-day. Nat and
Sam Rogers being both ordered to make play,
they came away as hard as they could, head-to-
head together, Gaper with the whip-hand, but
never able to get away from New Brighton. He
ran, however, very game at last, and, thanks to
the 3 Ib., just crawled in a head first at last.
Before starting, and during the race, 11 to 1 and
12 to 1 was taken freely about him for the Derby,
but after the race 1000 to 10 went a-begging
against him ! ! ! Scott turned New Brighton over
to Taylor to train, after trying him last year to be
good for nothing ; whilst Taylor this year, having
tried him with Gamecock, thought him good for
nothing also. I am quite beat, and do not pretend
to understand it. By the running with ftooksnest
it would seem as though St Jean d'Acre were

NEWMAKKET CBAVEN MEETING. 189

nearly as good, certainly within 3 Ib. or 4 Ib. as
good, as Pompey ; and allowing Cotherstone to be
able to give 10 Ib. to Pompey, if, as we imagined,
Gaper could give a stone to St Jean d'Acre, he
would have been a dead heat with Cotherstone.
Cotherstone can give a stone to St Jean d'Acre,
but I should say not 21 Ib., and that is just what
we thought to be Gaper's form. Reckoning also
the Fidelity filly at 16 Ib. worse than Conquest,
St Jean d'Acre can give Conquest 7 Ib., and
Maccabseus being said to be able to give 7 Ib.
also, St Jean d'Acre could have given 7 Ib. to
Conquest, and ought to be as good as Maccabseus at
even weights. I presume^ JPeeping Tom is 5 Ib.
or 7 Ib. better than Conquest : this would bring
Bramble to a par with Peeping Tom, and make
him 7 Ib. better than Conquest.

" Colonel Peel tells me Murat can give 17 or 19
Ib. to Rooksnest.

" I am very glad Jerry Sneak started, and thus
won your £20 for you, but I am terribly chapfallen
at this lamentable exposure of Gaper. — I am, yr.
obed. sert., G. BENTINCK."

Two days later his Lordship's hopes began to
revive : —

" NEWMARKET, Saturday Morning, 8 A.M.

" KENT, — I am quite satisfied now why Gaper
ran so badly on Thursday : the fact is, his legs
and joints failed. I thought at the time he

190 LORD GEORGE AS A LETTER- WRITER.

walked home dead lame ; and though John says
he was three times as lame after running for the
Criterion, and that he has frequently seen him
quite as lame after sweating, I should have said
of him that he was as lame as a tree yesterday
morning, and but for John's confidence of bringing
him round, I should have looked upon him as reg-
ularly done up, and given it up as a bad job. We
had him out again in the paddock in the afternoon,
and he was better, but still trotted very lame.
John's confidence rests upon the horse's joints and
legs being nowhere sore when handled, and to
there being no unusual swelling or inflammation
about them. I take it the real truth is that, his
legs not being able to carry him, he is anything in
the world a better horse with 5 stone 5 Ib. upon
him than with 8 stone 4 Ib. ; and above all, I take
him to be a stone a better horse against a moun-
tain-side like the hill above Swan's pond than he
is upon a flat ; and down a hill I daresay he
would never gallop — certainly not if the ground
was hard. I have not seen John or the horse this
morning, but last night John was confident that
he should be able to bring Gaper round for Bath :
a fine gentle rain which has come this morning
will be of great service to him. I have kept him
on here to the last moment, on account of the
ground being in such good order here and so bad
at Bath : besides, the accommodation here is so
much better than at Bath.

A HANDICAP.

191

" I still think that if the ground were soft, and
at light weights, 5 stone 7 Ib. each, tried a mile at
Goodwood up that steep hill, Gaper would be an
awkward customer for all the horses engaged in
the Derby, unless it is ' A British Yeoman.'

" I enclose a handicap I have made, which, if
Gaper were in his Goodwood form, and the ground
were soft, and he could do with 8 stone 7 Ib. on
his back what he can with 5 stone 5 Ib., would not,
I think, come off against him. — I am, yr. obed.
servt. G. BENTINCK.

" One Mile.

St Lawrence

Discord .

Cotherstone

Gaper

Aristides

Pompey

Murat .

Queen of the Gipsies

Bramble

St Jean d'Acre

Maccabseus

Testy .

Canton .

Sirikol .

Conquest

Portumnus

The Brewer

Rooksnest

Monimia c. , .

Elysium

Cowslip

Years.

St.

Ib.

6

9

11

6

9

7

3

8

7

3

8

7

3

8

2

3

7

11

3

7

10

3

7

9

3

7

7

4

7

7

3

7

6

3

7

4

3

7

4

3

7

4

3

6

13

3

6

9

3

6

9

3

6

9

3

6

6

3

6

5

3

6

3

192 LORD GEORGE AS A LETTER- WRITER.

Years. st. Ib.

Extempore , , . 3 63

Fidelity! . 1 . 3 5 11

Fiddlestring . . . 3 5 11

Fragrance1 . . . 3 56

"In handicapping the above, I have put the
D.M. Handicap running out of sight as alto-
gether wrong, my belief being that St Jean d'Acre
ought to have been LAST instead of second. There
is no doubt Canton in private is FULL 10 Ib. better
than Rooksnest ! "

Gaper's next engagement was at Bath, whence
Lord George Bentinck wrote the two following
letters to my father. I should observe that when
" Kent" is spoken of or addressed by his Lordship,
it means my father ; and that when " John " is
named, it means myself. These two letters from
Bath reveal the industry with which, in days when
newspaper reports of races were very flimsy, and
almost confined to ' Bell's Life in London ' and the
' Sunday Times ' (both of which were published on
Saturday), Lord George communicated by letter
with my father, rarely missing a day, and giving a
most exhaustive account of what had taken place
on the race- course.

" BATH, April 26, 1843.

" KENT, — I had barely time to send you a list

1 According to her running in the Chesterfield Stake with Extem-
pore ; but ' according to our trials with Elysium last October, Fra-
grance's weight ought to be 6 stone 5 Ib., and I incline to think that
would be nearer the mark. Extempore will have a better day.

BRAMBLE. 193

yesterday. Bramble's running was very satis-
factory yesterday, as he not only showed speed
but appeared to run on too : the ground was
rather heavy also. Young John Day, carrying 9 st.
1 Ib. on a three-year-old, made strong play — such
strong play that he began whipping his horse before
he had gone half a mile ! ! ! Sam Rogers and
young John Day both thought Bramble would have
beat Kate Kearney colt, at even weights ; but
8 Ib. and such riding as that of young John Day's
would make a mighty difference. However, assum-
ing this to be the fact, and that the Queen of
the Gipsies and Pompey are where they were
last October — viz., a dead heat at even weights —
Bramble would give them a stone, and, if we have
made no mistake, Gaper would give them two
stone apiece, which would make him beat Cother-
stone just as easy as he beat him last year. Would
to goodness I could hope that you could again
bring him sound and right to the post ! I am
quite satisfied now that Gaper was lamed in the
false starts, and that he ran that race with New
Brighton on THREE LEGS. Discord being such a
hard - pulling horse, and William Howlett upon
him, it is impossible there can have been any
mistake about that gallop between him and Gaper ;
and having only 7 st. 5 Ib. on his back, there can
be no excuse for him against the hill.

" If I could Relieve you could get his leg right
for the Derby, I should fear no horse in it except

H

194 LORD GEORGE AS A LETTER- WRITER.

* A British Yeoman ' ; but I cannot flatter myself
that you will be able to do so.

" I find that, besides the colt by Slane out of
Zoe, belonging to Isaac Day, which John Day has
in training, and of which they were fond, there is a
colt by Elis out of Rosalie, trained by Montgomery
Dilly, which they have tried to be smart, and Mr
Greville was backing last Monday for the Derby.
I hope, however, that Bramble may prove good
enough to pull me through.

" The ground was very heavy, which may account
for the trial of the two two-year-olds coming off
so very wrong. They both got off well — viz., they
were the two first ; whilst Charming Kate lost two
lengths' start, and appeared to run slow in the
early part, but won very easy at last. Pastoral ran
faster than anything for 300 yards, and then stood
still. She is a mean, little, short, runtish-looking
animal, with short quarters, but strong back, good
shoulders, good legs, and good feet ; looks like a
strong hack. To look at the lot, it was 4 to 1 on
Pastoral. Mr Wreford's is said to be the worst of
all John Day's lot, but Roe was fond of Midnight
Star. I should think Abraham never can have got
Best Bower out in your trial : I think he ran fast
and tired in his race yesterday.

" I have quite decided not to run Gaper to-day.

" I fear Brother to Harold must beat Discord
to-day. I suspect he is much about the form of
Peeping Tom. Mr Collins, who is rather thick

HINTS TO KENT. 195

with John Day, tells me that, having a dead line of
the Queen of the Gipsies, and being quite certain
to beat her in a canter, which he did, and never
dreaming of my beating him with Bramble, he
made sure of winning the Lansdowne with Peep-
ing Tom, whilst he kept the 4 Ib. off Brother to
Harold in the Cup.

" I understand that old John Smith, who had
all these horses in training, and recommended
John Day to buy the three he bought, says that
Brother to Perseus was a long way the best,
Brother to Harold second, Kate Kearney third,
and Pompey the worst of the lot. I suspect, how-
ever, that speed is the best of the Brother to
Harold, and in that case it is just possible he may
not stay the distance, but I have no notion that
Discord can get the distance either : a mile has
always been held to be his best course, and that
he gets worse and worse every step he goes beyond
a mile.

" I hope when you try you will keep the weights
down as much as possible, and I presume you
will try up to Gaper's form — viz., a stone under
Discord and a stone above St Jean d'Acre. I
suppose, too, you will put Sam Rogers on the old
one to take care it is no humbug pace. However, I
don't wish to interfere. I merely throw out these
as hints, leaving it to Lord March to try the horses
as he likes, and make what use of any of my horses
he thinks proper, except Gaper, who is lame, and

196 LORD GEORGE AS A LETTER- WRITER.

Bramble, to whom, considering Gaper's leg, I must
now look to carry me through all those engage-
ments in which the two horses are engaged
together : besides, having run two races here on
two following days, he would be in no plight to
try Cornopean on Saturday. — I am, yr. obed.
servt., G. BENTINCK."

In the next letter, as well as in one of its
predecessors, it will be noticed that " 8 A.M.,
Tuesday morning," is prefixed to both. My father
and I received scores of letters from his Lordship
written at the same early hour, which always
found him at work during the whole of his racing
career.

" BATH, Tuesday Morning ', 8 A.M.,
April 27, 1843.

" KENT, — The horses are all here perfectly well,
and the course yesterday was in capital order —
quite soft — to add to which it began to rain about
half an hour since, and has all the appearance of
a wet day. Gaper cantered yesterday, and went
quite sound, and John thinks his leg a great deal
better. I don't think, however, that I shall ven-
ture to run him. John is not much alarmed about
his leg for the future, if I save him here ; but I
confess I have no great hopes of it. The ailment
is about two inches and a half above the fetlock-
joint, on the middle tendon of the near fore-leg on
the outside ; there is a knot upon the tendon, and

TWO-YEAR-OLDS. 197

I fear this must be considered a bad place. With
regard to our two -year -olds, I fear we are alto-
gether in a hole with them. We have no reason
to think we have a two - year - old at all who
can give 10 Ib. to Pastoral, and I cannot make
him much above the form of Hooksnest and the
Brewer, weight for age. Gaper would give these
two-year-olds the best part of four stone!!! Colonel
Peel says a real good two -year -old should run
with Garry owen at 21 Ib. I can't have this ; but
John Day says a good two-year-old can just beat
St Lawrence at three stone, which is more conson-
ant with my notions of a two-year-old at this time
of year. If the Wadastra colt and the Ugly
Buck can do so, they have 21 Ib. in hand of the
best two-year-old we can turn out. I hear from
Philip that St Lawrence was John Day's trial
horse last year for his yearlings, and the two-year-
olds have been following him in their exercise this
year. John Day asked Colonel Peel how he
should try a good two-year-old with St Lawrence.
The Colonel replied, ' An out-and-out good two-year-
old should beat him at 21 Ib.' Upon this John
Day exclaimed, '21 Ib., Colonel !!! A two- year-old
beat St Lawrence at 21 Ib. ! ! ! Why, I will run any
three-year-old at Newmarket. I will run Cother-
stone to-morrow a mile with St Lawrence, and
give him 21 Ib. No, Colonel ; I say I am quite
satisfied to see a two-year-old beat St Lawrence
clever at three stone.1

198 LORD GEORGE AS A LETTER- WRITER.

" From this I take it that is about the mark of
the Wadastra colt and the Ugly Buck.

" I fear St Lawrence could give four stone or
four stone and a half to the best two-year-old we
can produce. I enclose a handicap. I have
assumed that T.Y C., instead of half a mile, York-
shire Lady would give the two - year - olds more
weight, viz., 28 Ib. — I am, yr. obed. servt.,

" G. BENTINCK.

"I consider 21 Ib. about the weight a three-
year-old should give a two-year-old, half a mile.

"T.Y.C.

Years. st. Ib.

St Lawrence . . . 6 911

Garryowen . . . 6 9 11

Discord . . . . 6 97

Jeremy Diddler . . . 4 94

Gaper . . . . 3 87

Cotherstone . . . 3 87

St Jean d'Acre . . . 4 77

Yorkshire Lady . . 4 70

Farintosh . . . 3 6 10

Rooksnest . . . 3 67

The Brewer . .367

The Devil-to-Pay . . 2 5 10

Prince of Wales . 2 56

Pastoral. . . . 2 50

Best Bower . . . 2 50"

The description of Gaper's Derby was given in
an earlier chapter. For myself, I must avow that
I have never been able to reconcile myself to his
defeat on that day by Cotherstone. Without

CORNOPEAN AND GAPER. 199

entering further, however, into details and de-
vising excuses, which is as useless as " crying
over spilt milk," I come next to a letter which
was written more than a month after Gaper's
defeat for the Derby. It runs as follows, and
is very characteristic of his Lordship's painstak-
ing thoroughness, and his practical good sense
in always seeing things in their true light : —

" HARCOURT HOUSE, July 1, 1843.

" KENT, — John will have told you, though he
won a head after a desperate race, how wretchedly
bad Cornopean ran yesterday. Whatever we may
have thought before the race yesterday, it is quite
clear now that Cornopean can have no chance at
Winchester ; and the Duke of Richmond and I,
after talking the matter over, think the best plan
now will be to send Bramble to Winchester to see
what he can do a mile, following Decisive and
Chotornian, and so keep Gaper and Cornopean
fresh for Liverpool. I then thought of leaving
Gaper to fight out the stakes about the country,
and giving up Bramble for the Grand Junction
Stake at Liverpool. I think Gap6r keeps gradually
getting worse and worse, as Flytrap did ; whilst I
cannot help thinking that Bramble has not yet got
over his Ascot cough. You hardly ever heard a
horse blow and appear so distressed as he did after
his race for the Stockbridge Produce.

" I have left Mus, Naworth, and Lothario in the

200 LORD GEORGE AS A LETTER- WRITER.

Liverpool Trade Cup, and struck all the others
out, and have made up my mind not to send
Discord to Liverpool at all ; else had he been well,
I know of nothing in the North to beat him for
the Croxteth Stake, whilst I fear St Lawrence is
cock-sure to beat him both for the Craven Stake
and Welter Stake at Goodwood.

" I have left Lothario in the Trade Cup to take
the double chance of his being well by that time,
or else of starting him to get the 5 Ib. allowance
in the Cup at Goodwood, by which time I imagine,
if he goes on well, he will be quite up to the mark
again.

" There will be a great acceptance for the Trade
Cup. I reckon about fifty horses, many of them
of a good class. Pompey is first favourite, and
they take 6 to 1 about him : his running at Bath
must be all wrong ; that never can have been the
same form as that in which he ran at Newcastle.

" I think it more than probable I may go down
to Goodwood by the mail-train to-morrow night,
and so spend Monday at Goodwood.

" I have a dreadful prospect before me : my
stakes and forfeits at Goodwood amount to £4900,
I think, and at Liverpool to £670, and I doubt
£2000 will scarcely cover those I shall incur at
Doncaster, Liverpool, and Newmarket, besides
those all over the country, and I really scarcely
see where I have a reasonable chance of getting
through a stake.

UGLY BUCK. 201

" Tripoli had better go over to Winchester. I
daresay I shall be able to get my stake back to
run. He can walk to Fareharn the day before the
race, and thence go on by the train. — I am, yr.
obed. servt., G. BENTINCK.

"Lord Chesterfield says the Ugly Buck is the
finest horse he ever saw. Colonel Anson says he
is a very clever horse, and one that must run, but
thinks him rather small in the middle-piece. Lord
Maidstone thinks him a clever horse, but not of
sufficient scale to please him. Isaac Day says, to
his mind he is just the size he would choose for a
race-horse — in fact, Venison on a larger scale.

"G. B."

Before quitting the year 1843 I should add a
few words about the year which preceded it, as
on many occasions horses trained at Goodwood
in 1842 beat great pots from Danebury, which
John Day, father and son, and their party backed
heavily, because Lord George's horses which op-
posed them had been trained in 1841 at Dane-
bury, and their form was therefore supposed to
be well known to the owners and masters of that
great racing establishment. Perhaps * the most
notable instance of this occurred at the Bath
Meeting, of which I give the subjoined account,
so far as concerns two races in which Lord
George defeated the Danebury stable. The fol-

202 LORD GEORGE AS A LETTER- WRITER.

lowing description is from ' The Racing Calen-
dar ' :-

" BATH AND BRISTOL BACES, 1842.

Tuesday, April 19.
The Somersetshire Stakes Handicap.

Lord George Bentinck's Tripoli, 3 yrs., a feather (Sharp), 1.
Mr Haley's ch.m. Bellissima, aged, 7 st. 13 lb., 2.

" Seven others started. Betting — 6 to 4 against Tripoli,
7 to 2 against Bellissima.

" Thursday, April 21.

"The City Cup, of 100 sovereigns, added to a Sweep-
stakes of 20 sovereigns each; half-forfeit ; 18 subscribers;
2J miles.

Lord George Bentinck's b. f. Topsail, 3 yrs., 6 st. 5 lb. (W.

Hewlett), 1.

Mr Bigg's ch. c. Eleus, 3 yrs., 6 st. 6 lb., 2.
Mr Wade's gr. c. Greenham Boy, 4 yrs., 7 st. 12 lb., 3.

" Betting — 3 to 1 on Eleus. Won easily by two lengths."

I should mention that Lord George sent Top-
sail to Bath solely for the purpose of meeting
Eleus, and that he wrote to me the day before
the race, giving me orders not to allow Topsail
to run unless Eleus started. His Lordship gave
a heavy commission to back Topsail, and was
rewarded by winning a very good stake, about
which he cared nothing in comparison with tri-
umphing over the Danebury stable.

I now come to a letter written in 1844 from
Bonehill, where his Lordship had paddocks, as

IMPROVEMENTS AT BONEHILL. 203

well as at Doncaster, and addressed to myself.
It will serve to show what a fine judge he was
of a foal's shape and make, and with what
minuteness he entered into a detailed descrip-
tion of what he saw. The first sentences of
the following letter refer to the improvements
which he was then engaged in making in the
race-course at Goodwood : —

" BONEHILL, Nov. 21, 1844.

" JOHN KENT, — Upon reconsideration, I think
three inches of mould is too little to place under
the turf. Having decided to take the field mould,
which is to be had at so little expense, and of
which there is no limit in amount, I am clearly
of opinion we should not be stingy of one depth
of mould, and instead of three inches, as was
settled, desire Charles Shepherd to put double
that quantity, viz., six inches, — not, however, un-
doing or disturbing any work that is already done.

" I have also bethought myself, as I am going
eventually to pick up that old road across the top
of Molecomb Hill, and to returf it, if the old
materials were to be picked up now they would
serve admirably, being so close and handy to
mend the road with at the top of Charlton Park
between my field and the race-course. With this
fine dry weather I hope in the course of next week
you will be able to ascertain the real merits of all
the rough lot of yearlings.

204 LORD GEORGE AS A LETTER- WRITER.

"I think I have upon the whole rather a good
lot of foals here. I annex an account of them on
another sheet. — I am, your obdt. servant,

" G. BENTINCK.

" 1. Bay colt by Bay Middleton - - Olive.
A slashing fine colt ; great size, great length,
enormous arms and legs, stands straight and well
on his fore-legs, and with his hind-legs well under
him. I cannot span his leg below the knee.
Shoulders come right into the middle of his back,
and his quarters come well into his back likewise ;
good loins and good quarters, and pretty good
thighs with great hocks ; a little flat-sided, and
might be a little deeper in the girth, but not much
fault to be found ; plenty of body ; sour, thick,
and rather lop - eared but small head ; rather a
small, bad eye, but apparently an idle, easy-
tempered animal ; in the paddock a slashing,
striding, true galloper, and I have set him down
to win the Derby and Leger in 1847.

"2. B. c. by Lanercost — Crucifix. A pretty
good colt ; immense loins, good quarters and hocks,
and deep in the girth ; very thin through the
shoulders ; rather flat-sided though deep in the
body ; ewe-necked ; refined head ; good knees,
but very light below them ; very small in the
fetlock-joints and pasterns, and small feet ; but
his bone and sinew flat, clean, and sound-looking ;
a good goer in the paddock, with quicker action,

FOALS AT BONEHILL. 205

but nothing like the easy stride of the Bay
Middleton colt. Mr Edmund Peel has backed
him with me to beat the other in the Derby.

" 3. Ch. c. by Plenipotentiary — Glentilt. A
sturdy, sound, muscular, hard-constitutioned-look-
ing colt. Looks like plating or winning the 300
sovereigns stake at Goodwood, but a little slack in
the loin, and rather short in the body ; a good
true galloper.

"4. Ch. c. by Plenipotentiary — Latitude. A
long-legged, thin, narrow caricature of Longitude
and Binnacle, having all the bad points of both ;
won't feed, and looks in the last stage of a con-
sumption ; apparently weak and hardly able to
walk. Upon taking him into the paddock, how-
ever, with the Glentilt colt and with a filly by
Plenipotentiary out of My Dear, he proved able
to gallop past either of them, and appears to
be the quickest galloper of all the lot. We
galloped the three till the filly and Glentilt colt
were in a lather all over, but, strange to say,
we could not get the consumptive horse to sweat,
neither did he blow half so much as either of
the others ; but they say they can neither get
him to eat or drink ! ! !

"5. B. c. by Plenipotentiary — Vacuna. A fair-
sized lengthy colt, but long and weak below the
hocks and knees, and not a very good head, but a
moderate goer.

"6. B. c. by Plenipotentiary — Lady Emmeline.

206 LORD GEORGE AS A LETTER- WRITER.

A sturdy colt, very like Plenipotentiary in shape,
but very short arms, and short bad action ; no
stride, putting down his feet pretty nearly where
he takes them up.

" 7. Sister to Pug. Very like Pug, but a finer
Gohanna head, with enormous nostrils, and in all
respects mending upon Pug ; a very fine galloper,
and a very likely mare to win the Oaks.

" 8. Ch. f. by Plenipotentiary — Let-us-stop-a-
while-says-Slow. The favourite HERE of ALL the
FILLIES. No favourite of mine. A good galloper
certainly, and a fine head, but short in the body,
and drooping short Camel quarters ; good shoulders,
and muscular-looking.

" 9. B. f. by Plenipotentiary — My Dear. A
small, smart, racing-looking filly ; beautiful head,
neck, shoulders, body, loins, and quarters, with
fine length, but no legs below the knee ; no bone
and no sinew ; small fetlocks, and straight ; well
put on, but nasty fleshy - looking legs — one of
the old specimens of Bay Middleton legs ; looks
like flying half a mile, but no further ; a good-
actioned filly, but seemed to have no chance with
the consumptive one.

"10. B. f. by Bay Middleton — Chapeau
d'Espagne. Very like, but on a still less scale
than, the two-year-old out of her ; her hock has
got right, but she has a ringbone on the other
hind-leg ; very pretty hack action, but no stride.
I have ordered it to be sold for £5 if no more can

LORD CHESTERFIELD'S ESTABLISHMENT. 207

be got for it. I have eighteen mares here — six of
which are certainly in foal to Touchstone, ten
certainly in foal to Colwick, Camarine's dam barren
to Colwick, and Armida supposed to be barren, but
I think in foal. G. B."

The next letter gives an interesting peep into
Lord Chesterfield's racing establishment at Bretby
Park in Derbyshire, where during the last twenty
years of his Lordship's Turf career his horses were
trained by old Tom Taylor, the father of the still
living Alec Taylor. Colonel Anson was married to
a sister of the Countess of Chesterfield and of
Colonel Henry Forester, and many of his mares
and yearlings were accommodated at Bretby by
Lord Chesterfield, his brother-in-law, as will be
seen from the following letter : —

" WELBECK, Nov. 30, 1844.

" JOHN KENT, — I am afraid we have nothing
very clipping. As you say, they are always be-
hind the old ones, and to be REALLY GOOD they
ought to beat such things as Moonshine and the
Estelle filly at even weights, T.Y.C. I reckon that
the Real filly, Ennui, and Vacuna would about beat
the Estelle filly at 16 lb., for I think we may as-
sume that they can give the Torch filly 16 lb. If
I am right in this, I think they will pay their way,
but not do any great things, unless we find one
amongst them to be superior over a distance of

208 LORD GEORGE AS A LETTER- WRITER.

ground. We have four much too near together for
there to be a real good one in the lot.
" This is my handicap : —

"T.Y.C.

Age. st. Ib.

African . . .5 97

Cowl . . .2 77

Rose of Cashmere . .2 73

Moonshine . . .2 62

Estelle f . . .2 60

Realf. . . .1 4 12 .

Ennui . . .1 4 12

Yacunaf. . . .1 4 12

Torch f. . . .1 3 10

"If I am right in this, it will bring them up to
be as good weight for age next year as Cowl
and Rose of Cashmere, — which may not win the
Oaks, but will win a good many things.

" I forgot exactly what was our best trial last
year, but I think we were always trying the old
horses with their heads FROM home, and that last
year we only tried half a mile instead of three-
quarters. I think you say, too, that the Torch
filly would have won half a mile ; if so, Real filly
and Ennui would have been about winning, carry-
ing 5 st. 7 Ib. half a mile— i.e., just 4 st. under
African. The question, therefore, is, How have our
yearlings been with African last year and the year
before half a mile ?

" They have taken no taste yet of their year-
lings at Bretby, but mean to do so about Christ-

THE BBETBY PARK YEARLINGS. 209

mas. Some of their best — viz., Birkenhead, Mar-
text, the mare by Touchstone — Hornsea's dam (a
splendid animal), and the sister to Euclid — are
still in the paddocks. Spanish Jack (Don John
over again, but out of a mare that never bred
anything to run), Ginger (brother to Mango), the
colt by Camel — Gladiator's dam, the colt by Don
John — Scandal, Stitch, by Hornsea out of Industry,
a colt (a very clever one) by Jereed out of Dirce,
(Sir Harry's dam), Turpin (I think, next to Birken-
head, Taylor's favourite), by Hetman Platoff out
of Black Bess, and five others, amongst them a
great favourite of mine, Shelf ord, by Col wick out
of Marchesina, are all up in the stable, and have
had two sweats apiece, but are nothing like so for-
ward or fit as ours. Most of them have been singed
all over like my cart-horses, but none of them have
been tried in any way. Spanish Jack is the most
perfect horse to look at, but the dam has never
bred anything that could gallop.

" I think all Col. Anson's were going off the end
of this week to Scott's. Lord Chesterfield is going
to train almost entirely with Taylor at home, and
means to make some great improvements in his
training-ground, which at present hardly deserves
the name of a training-ground.

Take them altogether, I never saw such a lot of
yearlings together, especially when I consider how
much good looks and running blood are combined

210 LORD GEORGE AS A LETTER- WRITER.

in them ; and they are all such sound - looking
horses, besides plenty of size without lumber. I
am glad to say all the mares I sent to Touchstone
are heavy in foal, Moss Rose included, and I have
ten out of twelve in foal to Col wick. — I am, yr.
obedt. servant, G. BENTINCK.

" I am very partial to the Colwicks, and wish
I had hired him this year.

" I ram sorry to say I have only got three sub-
scriptions to Sir Hercules : I wanted six, but he is
full."

From the above letters it can easily be imag-
ined that such an establishment as ours, and
such a correspondent as Lord George, involved
an immense amount of letter - writing on my
father's and my part. In addition to answering
his Lordship's letters, three of which sometimes
came by the same post, we had to attend to
nominations, entries, and declarations of forfeit,
and also to making arrangements for travelling
to the countless race meetings where horses were
engaged. All this could not be accomplished
without economising time to the utmost. With
this end in view, I found it necessary to write
a vast number of letters while travelling by
railway, and I often had occasion to rejoice that,
thanks to his Lordship's kind consideration, I

HIS EXHAUSTIVENESS. 211

was always instructed to travel in a first-class
carriage, wherein I was frequently the only
passenger.

I will now bring to a conclusion a chapter which
might be indefinitely extended were I to include
in it further specimens of the numerous letters
which Lord George Bentinck wrote to my father
and myself. It was his custom thoroughly and
fundamentally to exhaust every subject and every
detail upon which he touched ; and as a further
evidence of his untiring industry, I have now be-
fore me ever so many letters which he wrote upon
a new system of ventilation which he desired to
apply to some stables he was building at Good-
wood. The perusal of these and other letters
from his active pen recalls to my mind a few
words spoken to me not long ago at Newmarket
by my old friend the ex-racing Judge, Mr J. F.
Clark, who was well acquainted with the Good-
wood stable when in its prime. " I do not think,"
exclaimed Mr Clark, " that any of the present lot
of trainers in England would have long kept the
situation of trainer to Lord George Bentinck, which
would have worn any of them out in less than a
year." To prepare a hundred horses for their
engagements is under any circumstances a labori-
ous undertaking, but to do so fifty years ago was
almost more than one man could long sustain. I
am quite sure that I should not be here now to

212 LORD GEORGE AS A LETTER- WRITER,

write these words if I had been called upon to
look after such a stable of horses as I had under
my charge at Goodwood ; and to do so continu-
ously for such an indefatigable and exacting master
as Lord George Bentinck over a period of twenty
years, instead of being in harness only from the
end of 1841 to the August of 1848 inclusive.

213

CHAPTER X.

LATTER HALF OF THE RACING SEASON OF 1845.

THREE weeks after her severe exertions at
Goodwood, Miss Elis ran at York for the Great
Yorkshire Stakes, when Lord George Bentinck
backed her again. She was beaten easily by Miss
Sarah, a fine slashing filly, who had run third to
the Duke of Richmond's Refraction for the Epsom
Oaks, and was a daughter of Gladiator (at that
time one of the best stallions in England), and of
Major Yarburgh's famous mare Easter, by Brutan-
dorf. The ground at York was excessively deep, a
large portion of the course being under water. I
well remember that Mr Ramsay's Malcolm, a very
powerful chestnut two-year-old colt, who won the
Prince of Wales's Stakes on the first day, sank
down into the mud as he was being saddled, and
was quite unable to extricate himself until four or
five strong men, whose assistance was invoked by
Tom Dawson, his trainer, applied their shoulders
to his ribs on both sides of his body, and fairly

214 LATTER HALF OF RACING SEASON OF 1845.

lifted him out of the morass into which he was
subsiding. Next morning, when I took my horses
out to exercise, I encountered an old acquaintance
on the farther side of the course under the wood,
who thrust his walking-stick into the spongy soil
up to its handle, remarking that " there was no
bottom to be found." A shrewd, hard - headed
Yorkshire labourer who was engaged in filling in
the holes made by the horses' hoofs on the previous
day, overheard my friend's remark and ejaculated,
" You be mistaaken, zur ; there be a parlous good
bottom, nobut goe deep enouf doun to foind it."

Lord George was at all times very sceptical as to
the soundness of excuses made for any of his horses
which failed to win a particular race. He would
not listen, therefore, to the assurances forced upon
him by some of his friends, that Miss Elis had been
beaten through the deepness of the ground. In
addition to Miss Elis, Major Yarburgh's mare had
also beaten Mr Bennett's Hope, who was second to
Refraction for the Oaks. With his usual practical
good sense, Lord George soon convinced himself
that Miss Sarah would win the Doncaster St Leger,
and immediately commenced to back her heavily
for that race. Before long his Lordship's money
made Miss Sarah first favourite for the St Leger,
and when the flag fell she started with odds of
5 to 2 against her. In the race, for which she
was trained by the late Charles Peck, she was
beaten rather cleverly by Mr Watts's chestnut

THE BARON. 215

colt, The Baron, who was bred in Ireland, and
never came to this country until he put in an
appearance at the Liverpool July Meeting, to run
for the Liverpool St Leger. It was won by Mr
St Paul's Mentor (a bad - tempered brute, who
was said to have nearly killed Mat Dawson in his
brother Tom's stables at Middleham), with Sir R.
Bulkeley's Pantasa second and Lord Eglinton's
Vaudeville third — four others not placed. As
The Baron was being led off the course, John
Scott, after inspecting him long and keenly, said
to Mr Watts, his owner, " If you will send that
horse to White wall without delay, he shall win
the Doncaster Leger for you." Mr Watts took
the great Yorkshire trainer at his word, the re-
sult being known to all. The Liverpool St Leger
was run on July 18, and the Doncaster St Leger
on September 17, so that John Scott had less than
nine weeks in which to effect a transformation in
the Irish horse. He certainly worked wonders by
his skilful preparation of The Baron for the Don-
caster St Leger and Cesarewitch ; and it is note-
worthy that after the latter race, The Baron,
for whom Mr E. H. Clark, familiarly known as
" D'Orsay Clark," immediately gave £4000, never
won again in the hands of another trainer.

When Lord George came, as usual, to the Turf
Tavern to look at his horses in the evening after
the St Leger, he remarked to me in a low voice,
" I have had rather a bad day, as I backed Miss

216 LATTER HALF OF RACING SEASON OF 1845.

Sarah for £3500. I hope you will get it back for
me to-morrow with My Mary ? " At that time the
Great Yorkshire Handicap was run on the third
day of the Doncaster September Meeting. With-
out hesitation I replied that I had no doubt My
Mary would win, as she was so " well in," having
only 5 stone to carry, which was equivalent to
putting in Miss Elis at 5 st. 7 Ib. and Miss Sarah
at 6 st. 2 Ib. When My Mary was tried with Miss
Elis for the Goodwood Stakes, the latter won with
the greatest difficulty, giving My Mary 7 Ib. I
remarked, however, that at the end of a mile and
three-quarters (the exact distance of the Great
Yorkshire Handicap) My Mary would have won,
and this made me feel great confidence that she
would get back Lord George's St Leger losses, and
probably a little more, on the following day.

It may not be out of place or uninteresting
to my readers if I recite here the circumstances
under which My Mary came into Lord George's
hands. She was bred by Alderman Copeland
(a very good and popular sportsman) in 1842,
her sire being Bran by Humphrey Clinker, and
her dam by Oiseau, a grandson of Hamble-
tonian. Bran ran second to Touchstone for the
Doncaster St Leger of 1834, and was the sire of
several good horses, among them being Our Nell
and Meal, who ran first and second for the Oaks
in 1842, as previously recorded. My Mary was
own sister to Our Nell, and had run nine times as

MY MARY. 217

a two-year-old, winning thrice, her last victory
being for the Prendergast Stakes at Newmarket.
After that she was pulled out by Alderman Cope-
land to run for a Selling Plate in the Houghton
Meeting, winner to be sold for £350. She was
beaten by Brother to Chummy, and no one claimed
her. I then advised Lord George to buy her from
Alderman Copeland, adding that I did not think
the Alderman would want much for her. When
she started for the Selling Plate in the Houghton
Meeting I observed that she was ridden in a
tremendously severe curb bridle, and was led to the
post by one strong man and followed by another
with a cart whip in his hand. She was more like
a wild animal than a race-horse in training, and I
attributed her fractiousness to a misconception in
bitting her, and to want of patience and gentleness
in handling her. She was a sound pretty little
filly, and I thought that she might be got through
a good stake if trained and managed with judg-
ment. Lord George got her with little difficulty
for £250, her former owner and trainer being
equally glad to get rid of her.

When we got her home to Goodwood, I began
at first to fear that I had induced his Lordship to
make a bad purchase. She could not be persuaded
to accompany the other horses, but would bolt with
her rider, running under the trees, or anywhere
to get out of the way. Her boy had no power or
control over her, and when in the stable she would

218 LATTER HALF OF RACING SEASON OF 1845.

tremble and quiver like an aspen leaf. I could not
get her to touch food ; and when she went out, I
was full of apprehension that she would run against
a tree and kill herself or her rider. In despair I
resolved at last to put a very steady quiet lad upon
her, who weighed nine stone, and had very light
hands. I told him to keep her out all day, some-
times riding and sometimes leading her, first with
one set of horses and then with another. In the
afternoon she accompanied the yearlings ; and at
last I discovered, to my infinite satisfaction, that
she was becoming less fractious, and regaining her
confidence. Soon she began to feed better, and I
added a liberal supply of flour to the water which
she drank. I then put her into the yearling trials,
telling her lad to stop her when she had galloped
a couple of furlongs, and to canter in gently after
the others.

At last I got her perfectly quiet, so that a friend
of mine who had known her at Newmarket ex-
claimed, " Why, that is not the same animal that
I saw win the Prendergast ! You have made her
as round as an apple and as sleek as a mole."
Time, patience, and gentle treatment had worked
wonders with her, as they will with all horses
which have been maltreated and misunderstood —
a very common occurrence in these days of sprint-
races, in which no starter has any chance unless
" quick out of the slips," and, as the phrase runs,
" always on his tiptoes." As My Mary was a

MY MARY. 219

small filly, and known to possess speed, I got her
ready to run early in the spring, and tried her
half a mile twice before Northampton Races. On
each occasion she won, and it did not upset her in
the least. I then tried her three-quarters of a
mile, and she won again. Presently I asked her
to go a mile, and she proved herself equal to the
task by winning easily. It struck me that, being
by Bran, she might, if trained for it, " get a
distance," and in that case I felt persuaded that
she would win a good race. Accordingly I gave
her a stronger preparation, which she stood well,
feeding capitally all the time, and when ridden in
a snaffle going as quietly as a pony. When the
Goodwood Stakes trial came off, I put her in it,
with the result recorded above. She was struck
out of the Goodwood Stakes, which she would
easily have won with Miss Elis out of the way.
Lord George then made up his mind to put her
into the Great Yorkshire Handicap, as it was just
the right distance for her, and in those days a
very heavy betting race. Six or seven other horses
from the Goodwood stable were entered along
with My Mary, and when she was handicapped at
5 stone Lord George rubbed his hands, exclaiming,
" What a good thing ! " On the day when the £5
forfeit was to be declared, nominations had also to
be made for some other stakes, and I came up to
London to submit a list of entries to his Lordship,
whom I accompanied to Messrs Weatherby's office.

220 LATTER HALF OF RACING SEASON OF 1845.

We did not get back to Harcourt House until
11 P.M. As none of our horses had been struck
out of the Great Yorkshire Handicap, Mr Charles
Weatherby kindly sent a messenger to Har-
court House with a letter asking me to remind
his Lordship that he had several horses engaged
in that race, all of which would accept unless he
declared forfeit for some of them before midnight.
I wrote back hurriedly to Mr Weatherby, thanking
him in Lord George's name for his considerate
attention ; and adding that, as we had not had
time to look over the handicap, all his Lordship's
horses had better remain in.

When I was saddling My Mary I found that his
Lordship was unusually anxious. He said to me,
" I suppose we had better wait with the mare, as
last year she always showed more speed than
stoutness." I assured his Lordship that he would
find her a very different animal to-day from what
she was last year, when, from what I saw of her
condition and excitability, it was impossible to
train her. " She will never be fitter," I added,
" than she is to-day ; and as she has stood a good
preparation, and could not be better in, she ought
to be allowed to make the pace good if nothing
else does." His Lordship consented, although he
did so silently, and without much approving the
policy I suggested. I felt confident, however,
that, if the pace was 'good and true, My Mary
would win before they got to the Red House,

MY MARY. 221

and my words were literally verified. There were
eleven starters, and My Mary made most of the
running at a smart pace. As the field approached
the Red House, she had them all in difficulties,
and won very easily by a length, which Kitchener
might have made twenty or thirty had he cared
to do so. He rode her very steadily in a snaffle
bridle, and without spurs. Before the race, some
good judges who had often seen My Mary when
she was trained as a two-year-old at Hednesford
laughed at the idea that she would get the St
Leger course, and lost their money accordingly.

As we walked away from the course following
the filly, his Lordship, after pausing for a minute
to hear " All right " pronounced when Kitchener
got into the scales, thanked me very warmly for
winning this race with a mare whom no one else,
as he kindly remarked, had ever been able to get
to stay a mile. " You have got all my money back
for me," he added, " and a little more on the top of
it, as I have won rather more than £15,000."

A few days later I received from his Lordship
the following kind and considerate letter : —

" WELBECK, WORKSOP, NOTTS,
Sept. 22, 1845.

" JOHN KENT, — Our Commissioner made poor
work of it for us on the Great Yorkshire Handicap,
averaging only 2 to 1. However, as I consider it
a great triumph of training getting My Mary,

222 LATTER HALF OF RACING SEASON OF 1845.

who was not in other hands able to get T. Y. C. to
run If mile, as well as curing her bad temper, I
shall make up the odds you and your father stood
with me to £25 to £200, which I send you in my
cheque.

" I am obliged to be in London on Thursday for
a meeting on Friday. If any trial of interest were
to take place on Saturday or Monday, I could be
at Goodwood for it. We ought not to try till we
can trust Miss Elis to have got over her two races,
as she must be considered now the key to all the
Cesarewitch horses.

" I cannot estimate her nearer than 9 Ib. under
Miss Sarah, and I suppose, as The Baron actually
gave Miss Sarah 5 Ib., lost start, and beat her a
length, we must estimate him at least 8 Ib. better
than Miss Sarah. This makes 17 Ib. We must
therefore find something, which I fear we shall
not do, that can beat Miss Elis, assuming her to be
in the Cesarewitch at 6 stone 8 Ib., and in the
Cambridgeshire at 6 stone 4 Ib. Discord and
Refraction are the only chances we have in the
Cesarewitch of finding one to do it.

" Lothario and Croton Oil are our only chances in
the Cambridgeshire, but I cannot help suspecting
that Kitchener never got My Mary out the first
day we tried her with Croton Oil. We ought to
try My Mary, Clumsy, Croton Oil, Miss Elis,
Refraction, and Lothario together before the
Cambridgeshire Stakes : if the last two are not

BACKING THE BARON. 223

prepared, I think Clumsy, Croton Oil, Miss Elis,
and My Mary should be tried over again, to
enable me to decide whether or not I should let
those foreigners have Croton Oil. — I am, your
obedient servant, G. BENTINCK."

Before I left Doncaster to return to Goodwood,
Lord George remarked to me with characteristic
foresight, " I think The Baron cannot lose the
Cesarewitch, although I am told that Colonel
Anson and John Scott think he has no chance at
the weight he has to carry — 7 stone 9 Ib. Never-
theless, I shall back him and take my chance, as
he is as well in as Miss Elis would be at 6 stone
6 Ib. or My Mary at 5 stone 12 Ib. Surely my
two fillies would be bad to beat at those weights ? "
With his usual courage, and in total disregard of
what he knew to be the conviction of John Scott's
powerful stable, his Lordship threw a lot of money
on the market to back The Baron, which he in-
creased as the day approached, upon learning that
in my Cesarewitch trial Miss Elis and My Mary
finished first and second, beating the old horses at
very little difference of weight. His Lordship's
money soon made The Baron first favourite, and
he told Colonel Anson what he had done, offering
to give up some of his bets to the stable if they
liked to share with him. He then added that he
had retained Flatman to ride for him in the Ces-
arewitch, but that having no horse he fancied, he

224 LATTER HALF OF RACING SEASON OF 1845.

would surrender Flatman to ride The Baron.
Both offers were gladly accepted, and when the
flag fell The Baron was a great favourite at 9 to 2
— odds which could hardly be obtained. The pace
was moderate, and at the Bushes Flatman took
the lead, winning at last cleverly by a length.
About that time Flatman was riding with great
nerve and skill, and, above all other jockeys that
I ever had to do with, he invariably obeyed the
instructions he received to the very letter. In
addition to winning the Cesarewitch upon The
Baron, he also won the Cambridgeshire upon Mr
Greville's Alarm — the best three -year -old of his
year, with perhaps the exception of Sweetmeat.
In the Cambridgeshire, Alarm, carrying 7 stone
9 lb., beat The Baron carrying 7 stone 8 Ib. by
several lengths, owing to the latter having been
" messed about " in his work : yet, ridden by
Bumby, he started at 4 to 1, and Alarm at 9 to 1.
The pace in the Cambridgeshire was as good as it
had been bad in the Cesarewitch.

225

CHAPTEE XL

LORD GEORGE'S GAINS IN 1844 AND 1845,

MR CHARLES GREVILLE, in his remarks upon the
character of Lord George Bentinck and his un-
timely death, which extend over nearly thirteen
closely printed pages of his ' Diary/ employs the
following words : —

" I have always thought that his [Lord George's]
conduct in selling his stud all at one swoop, and at
once giving up the Turf, to which he had just
before seemed so devoted, was never sufficiently
appreciated and praised. It was a great sacrifice
both of pleasure and profit, and it was made to
what he had persuaded himself was a great public
duty. It is true that he had taken up his new
vocation with an ardour and a zeal which absorbed
his old one ; but still it was a very fine act, and
very creditable to him. He never did anything by
halves, and having accepted the responsible post
of leader of his party, he resolved to devote him-

226 GAINS IN 1844 AND 1845.

self to their service, and did so without stint or

reserve."

That Lord George's determination to sell his
stud at one swoop was, as Mr Greville says, " a
very fine act," will be denied by none who know
what were his Lordship's gains upon the Turf in
1845, and also that in Surplice and Loadstone he
possessed, and knew that he possessed, in 1846,
the two most promising yearlings that ever called
him master. From the details recorded in the last
two chapters my readers will not be surprised to
learn that, to the best of my belief, Lord George's
winnings by betting during the year 1845 must
have amounted to close upon £100,000. It was
seldom his Lordship's habit to speak of money mat-
ters, about which, as about all his business trans-
actions, he was one of the most reticent of men.
His avowal, for instance, after the Great Yorkshire
Handicap, that he won more than £15,000 on that
race, was almost the only statement of the kind
that he ever vouchsafed to my father or myself.
Nevertheless, the amount of his outlay on a race
was in every instance approximately disclosed by
the statement of the quoted odds when the flag
fell ; and on such subjects popular rumour, eman-
ating from well-informed racing and betting men,
is seldom far from the mark. In this manner I
could not help being made aware what were the
races upon which his Lordship had staked most

COUP UPON LOTHARIO. 227

money ; and in addition to the Goodwood Stakes
and Cup won by Miss Elis, and to the Great
Yorkshire Handicap won by My Mary, it came
to my knowledge that his two best races in
1845 were the Liverpool Cup, won by the Duke
of Richmond's Lothario, and the CesarewTitch,
won by Mr Watts's The Baron. Upon these
five races his Lordship must have landed in bets
not less than from £60,000 to £70,000, and this
large sum was augmented when the Duke of
Richmond's Red Deer won the Port Stakes at
Newmarket, Picnic won the One Thousand Guineas,
and Refraction the Oaks. In the last-named race
Lord George had three mares of his own — Miss
Elis, Rose of Cashmere, and Longitude — engaged,
all of which started, as they had shown some form.
None of them had been tried with the Duke of
Richmond's Refraction, and therefore his Lordship
confined himself to backing " Kent's lot " for a
large sum, whereby he showed more judgment than
by taking 8 to 1 about Miss Elis, while Refraction's
starting price was 25 to 1.

But, as I have already said, one of his biggest
coups in connection with that fortunate year was
upon the five-year-old Lothario, when he won the
Liverpool Cup, for which he started first favourite
in a strong field at 4 to 1, to which price he was
brought by Lord George's money. Among the
eighteen starters were reckoned some fairly good
old horses, such as Corinna (who subsequently won

228 GAINS IN 1844 AND 1845.

the Chester Cup), Winesour, and Rowena, and one
good three-year-old, the Ironmaster, who belonged
to the almost invincible Mr A. W. Hill, the owner
of Sweetmeat, the Libel, Salopian, Alonzo, and
Burlesque. The previous career of Lothario shows
(if that were necessary) what the uncertainty of
horse - racing is. At Epsom Summer Meeting
Lothario ran for the Surrey Cup, which Lord
George's Croton Oil won, although Lothario,
who ran very badly, and was beaten a long
way, was much better than Croton Oil at the
weights. A day or two after Lothario appeared
very dull, and was off his feed — the result
of a chill which he caught at Epsom. I was
therefore obliged to ease him in his work, and
between Epsom and Ascot he was limited to an
occasional canter. In this condition he ran for
the Ascot Stakes— a race of which the Duke of
Richmond was very fond — although I had not the
slightest expectation that, over the severest course
in England, Lothario would win it, and he was
not backed for a shilling by the stable. To my
intense astonishment, however, Lothario fairly
wore down Mr Meiklam's five - year - old mare,
Inheritress, who started first favourite at 3 to 1,
and was backed for a heap of money. For this
race Lothario's only backer was, so far as I know,
the Marquis of Exeter, who trusted him with a
" pony," as he had vowed, after Lothario beat

LOTHARIO. 229

his own horse Phlegon for the Port Stakes in
1844, that Lothario should never run again with-
out carrying some of his Lordship's money.

When the weights appeared for the Liverpool
July Cup, Lothario was handicapped according to
his Ascot Stakes form, which Thomas Dawson, the
trainer of Inheritress, made sure that he could
beat with Mr A. Johnstone's Rowena, 4 years,
7 st. 2 Ib. All this Lord George, who knew
everything that was going on, repeated to me
when he came to Goodwood, adding that Mr
Meiklam made light of Lothario's chance. I
replied that if between the 10th of June and the
17th of July I could not improve Lothario from 7
to 10 Ib., there was no use in exercise, vigilance,
and training. The Duke of Richmond was never
fond of trying his horses when he believed them
to be well and fit, and therefore Lothario was not
"put through the mill" before the Liverpool Cup,
which he undoubtedly would have been if Lord
George's property. The horse gave me entire
satisfaction, however, and went through a good
preparation, becoming, so far as I could judge
without taking off his clothes, as fit as possible.
Lord George trusted him with a very big stake, as
was proved by his starting first favourite in the
teeth of the heavy sums laid out by the northern
division on Tom Dawson's lot, as well as on Mr
Bell's Winesour and Mr Mostyn's Milton. The

230 GAINS IN 1844 AND 1845.

race was run at a capital pace, and Flatman on
Lothario won cleverly by a length, with Tommy
Lye on Rowena second.

His Lordship also won a good deal of money by
backing three of his own two-year-olds, Cherokee,
Princess Alice, and Ennui. The first won the
Althorp Park at Northampton, the Woodcote at
Epsom, the Fern Hill at Ascot, and walked over
for the Theatre Stakes at Wolverhampton. The
second (Princess Alice) won the Weston Stakes at
Bath, the Two- Year-Old Sweepstakes at Chester
(beating a large field), the 200 Sovereigns Sweep-
stakes for fillies at Goodwood, the Champagne at
Doricaster, and the Prendergast at Newmarket.
The third (Ennui) came out for the first time at
Doncaster to run against Lord Maidstone's Tom
Tulloch in a match, nominally for 500 sovereigns,
but really for 1500 sovereigns each. Upon this
match J shall have something further to say
presently, when I have related that, after Princess
Alice's victory in the Champagne Stakes, I men-
tioned that it was customary for the winner to
give six dozen of that wine to the guests who
dined at the Turf Tavern after the races. His
Lordship therefore instructed me to give the
necessary orders, adding that he hoped in this
way to confer some slight benefit upon the hostess,
Mrs Bowe, who was the widow of Mr John Bowe,
in whose name some of his Lordship's horses had
previously run and won, most notably Grey Momus,

DRINKING THE CHAMPAGNE STAKES. 231

when he won the Two Thousand in 1838. "Let
the supply of champagne be ample, so that all may
enjoy themselves," were his Lordship's concluding
words to me, as he left the course to return to
Welbeck.

The Turf Tavern was the abode during the Don-
caster race week of a jovial crew, including Mr
Dawson (himself the most hospitable and generous
of men), and his employers, Mr William Hope
Johnstone, Mr Meiklam, and Mr O'Brien. In
addition, I invited John and Bill Scott to dinner,
and any friends whom they might like to bring
with them from The Salutation, where John Scott's
horses always stood. In point of fact, the Turf
Tavern that night was open to all who liked to
enter its doors, and champagne flowed like water
for many hours. At the dinner -table the mirth
was fast and furious, as can easily be imagined
when such guests as Mr Orde of Nunnykirk, owner
of the famous Beeswing, Mr Pedley, Mr Wyndham
Smith, better known as " The Assassin," and many
other choice spirits, were also present.

When Lord George drove over next morning
from Welbeck to Doncaster — there was no Great
Northern Eailway in those days — his first question
to me was, " How did the dinner at .the Turf
Tavern go off?" I replied that everybody had
enjoyed himself more than I could describe, but
that I feared the expense would exceed his Lord-
ship's anticipations, as the bill for wine, almost

232 GAINS IN 1844 AND 1845.

entirely champagne, amounted to about £75, show-
ing that the traditional six dozen had been greatly
exceeded. " I am very glad to hear it," rejoined his
Lordship. " We do not win the Champagne Stakes
every day, and I hope it will do Mrs Bowe a little
good. I shall be only too glad to pay the same bill
for wine over again under similar circumstances."
This very liberal expenditure on his Lordship's
part was not solely due to Princess Alice's victory
in the Champagne Stakes, but was also prompted
by Ennui's match. I have already mentioned that
his Lordship was much struck by Tom Tulloch's
good looks when John Scott brought him as a
yearling to Doncaster to be put up at auction. It
was with the greatest difficulty that I dissuaded
his Lordship from bidding more for Tom Tulloch
than 1200 guineas, seeing that he was a colt with
heavy shoulders, roguish eyes, and a clubby foot.
Tom Tulloch was knocked down to Lord Maidstone
at 1500 guineas, and the match previously alluded
to was ratified. John Scott thought so highly of
Tom Tulloch that he encouraged Lord Maidstone
to back him for the Two Thousand and Derby of
1846 before his form was exposed at Doncaster,
where he was expected to show his heels without
difficulty to Ennui. Tom Tulloch had been tried
greatly superior to Colonel Anson's lago, who ran
second to Princess Alice for the Champagne, and
it never occurred to John Scott and Frank Butler
that a little scratching filly like Ennui could beat

TOM TULLOCH. 233

that form. As I was saddling Ennui, and giving
Flatman orders to come right through with her, he
said to me, " Give what orders you may, you are
sure to be beaten, as I am told you are going
to meet a great horse." Lord George, however,
was not in a mood to be daunted, as he knew
there was not much between Ennui and Prin-
cess Alice, by the latter of whom he had won
largely. So freely did his Lordship back his filly,
that, despite the great reputation of John Scott on
a Yorkshire race-course, and the confidence gene-
rally reposed in his judgment, the odds were never
more than 6 to 5 on Tom Tulloch. When the
signal was given, Flatman made running as hard
as his filly could lay legs to ground, and, to the
dismay of John Scott and his powerful stable,
Tom Tulloch showed the white feather before the
distance was reached, and Ennui won in a canter
by four lengths. I then ventured to remind his
Lordship that making a match against Tom
Tulloch was more profitable than buying him,
with which he heartily concurred. Another race
which brought grist to his Lordship's mill earlier
in that same year was the Great Ascot Produce
Stakes of 100 sovereigns each, with 200 sovereigns
added, for three -year -olds, which was won by
Cowl, who beat Mr Wreford's Winchelsea, a great
Danebury "pot." The betting was very heavy,
but in the end weight of money told, and the
odds on Cowl were 3 to 1, which he landed in

234 GAINS IN 1844 AND 1845.

a canter by two lengths. Upon a number of small
races secured by the Goodwood stable in 1845
his Lordship won considerable sums, and, as a
rule, he had the market all to himself. I re-
member a curious race at Goodwood in which
Lord George, always fond of novelty, had recourse
to an experiment which turned out entirely to his
satisfaction, when Farthing Candle, a two-year-old
belonging to him, won the Innkeepers' Plate in
heats. The conditions of the race were as follows :
" The Innkeepers' Plate of 50 sovereigns added to
a sweepstakes of 5 sovereigns each, for two-year-
olds, a feather ; three, 7 stone 4 Ib. ; four, 8 stone ;
five, 8 stone 7 Ib. ; six and aged, 8 stone 10 Ib.,
the winner to be sold for £50 ; heats, T. Y. C."
There were seven starters, and the betting was 6 to
4 against Farthing Candle, 7 to 2 against the Mus
Colt, and 4 to 1 against Sister to Pompey. The
first heat, in which Farthing Candle cantered
almost at the tail of the field without trying for
it, was won by Auricula, who immediately became
favourite for the second heat, and gave Lord
George an opportunity of investing more money at
a good price upon Farthing Candle, who won the
second and third heats easily, and was then claimed
by Mr Shelley. It must be confessed that in this
and many other races the light weight, fine judg-
ment, and good horsemanship of Kitchener were
of great service to his Lordship, who appreciated
the lad's good qualities greatly — without spoiling

LORD GEORGE'S EXPENSES. 235

him, however, as is now the fashion, by extrava-
gant presents and undue familiarity.

It was not without heavy expenditure and
strict attention to business that Lord George was
able in 1845 to win 58 races, amounting collectively
in value to between £17,000 and £18,000. That
year his Lordship had sixty horses in training,
thirty-six of which started in 1 9 5 races. The ac-
counts sent in by my father for the first half of
the year were £4358, 13s. lljd., and £5586, 5s. 6d.
for the second half, making together an aggregate
of £9944, 19s. 5Jd. To this must be added
jockey's fees, about £800 ; stakes, £5970 ; forfeits,
£4420. Nor must I omit to include his Lordship's
breeding-studs at Doncaster, Bonehill, and Dane-
bury, among which three stallions, sixty brood-
mares, and from forty to fifty yearlings, together
with about the same number of foals, were dis-
tributed. Taken altogether, his Lordship's ex-
penses could not have been less than £40,000 in
1845 — a large sum to recover before anything
could be put to the profit side. His Lordship
was well aware — it was, indeed, an accepted axiom
in those days — that without heavy and successful
betting no man could make a large stud pay ; and
also, that without the closest attention to details,
trials, and the public running of his own and of
other horses, it was impossible for any man to
win by betting. There can be no question that
the increasing demands of his Lordship's parlia-

236 GAINS IN 1844 AND 1845.

mentary duties towards the close of 1845 and at
the beginning of 1846 made it difficult for him to
give as much attention to his stud as he had be-
stowed upon it during many previous years. Mr
Greville truly said of Lord George that " he did
nothing by halves/' and the necessity of main-
taining the position which he had taken up in
the House of Commons and in the country weighed
heavily upon his mind. Among the few books
written by friends and contemporaries of Lord
George Bentinck, there is none, within my limited
knowledge, which affords a clearer insight into
his Lordship's character than the ' Correspondence
and Diaries of the Right Honourable John Wilson
Croker,' which appeared in 1884. From it I
venture to quote the following letter : —

"Lord George Bentinck to Mr Croker.

" WELBECK, near WORKSOP, NOTTS,
October 5, 1847.

" MY DEAR MR CROKER, — My services, such as
they are, shall always be at the command of any
one like yourself who can put the facts which I
am able to collect with more force and in a more
striking light before the world.

" Virtually an uneducated man, never intended
or attracted by taste for political life, in the House
of Commons only by a pure accident, indeed by an
inevitable and undesired chance, I am well aware

LETTER TO ME, CKOKER, 237

of my own incapacity properly to fill the station
into which I have been thrust. My sole ambition
was to rally the broken and dispirited forces of a
betrayed and insulted party, and to avenge the
country gentlemen and landed aristocracy of Eng-
land upon the Minister who, presuming upon their
weakness, falsely flattered himself that they could
be trampled upon with impunity.

" I did deceive myself, I own, with false hopes
that the old English spirit would have been
roused, and that it was only necessary to keep the
dismantled ship floating and fighting under jury-
masts till she went through the repairs of a new
election, and then that scores of better men than
myself would have come to her rescue.

" I own I am bitterly disappointed and broken-
hearted that England has proved so degenerate
that, in face of an emergency, she has produced, as
far as I can see, no new leader to take my place.

" When their rents are not paid, and their mort-
gages are called in, the country gentlemen will
exert themselves, and so will the farmers when
wheat falls under 45s. per quarter, but not before.

" Nothing but pinching adversity will bring such
men to a proper sense of their duty.

" As regards the gentlemen, the entire fund sub-
scribed for the general election did not, I believe,
exceed £8000, and of this King Hudson subscribed
£6000.

" Till the landed interest and the colonial and

238 GAINS IN 1844 AND 1845.

shipping interests all together feel intolerable dis-
tress, we shall do no good ; but in my conscience
I believe if the Navigation Laws are repealed,
which I scarcely doubt, this will happen within
two years. — Always yours most sincerely,

"G. BENTINCK."

It will not seem surprising to those who read
this and other letters, addressed about the same
time by Lord George to Mr Croker, that his Lord-
ship should have found it impossible to conduct
such a correspondence, to work for fifteen or six-
teen hours a-day, and simultaneously to manage
a stud comprising altogether more than two hun-
dred head of thoroughbred horses. Long before
the sale " of everything, from little Kitchener to
old Bay Middleton," I saw plainly what was about
to happen. For the present, it only remains for
me to conclude this chapter by stating that, stim-
ulated by his great success in 1845, his Lordship
engaged his brood-mares in Produce Stakes, and
his yearlings and foals at the end of that year,
to an extent which has, I believe, never been
equalled in the history of the Turf by a single
individual. He began by entering eighteen colts
in the Derby and eight fillies in the Oaks. Five
yearlings or foals he entered in Two Hundred
Sovereigns and Three Hundred Sovereigns Stakes
p. p. ; seventeen brood-mares in Produce Stakes
of one hundred sovereigns each. When I ap-

ZENITH OF LORD GEORGE'S CAREER. 239

preached his Lordship with a list of suggested
engagements for stakes which closed on the 1st
of January 1846, he glanced at it and exclaimed,
" Surely I have more animals which ought to be
put into these important stakes," meaning the
Two Hundred Sovereigns and Three Hundred
Sovereigns races at Goodwood, to which there was
no forfeit. In the end, his Lordship's stakes for
1846 amounted to £35,115, and his forfeits to
£22,110, the total number of engagements being
479.

The point in his Lordship's racing career at
which I have now arrived was its zenith. Had
he not been called away by the imperious claims
upon him made by what he considered a para-
mount duty to his country, it is impossible to
say to what magnitude his stud and his engage-
ments might have ascended. Upon two of his
Derby horses since he came to Goodwood in 1841,
Gaper and Chatham, I had known him stand in
each case to win between £100,000 and £150,000.
Who can doubt that if he had kept Surplice
and Loadstone in his own hands, he would have
won such sums upon the Two Thousand, Derby,
and St Leger of 1848 as have never been landed
before or since ? I have known other rich men
who could not stand to win even a small sum
on a horse without betraying the most painful
excitement. Lord George, on the contrary, was
perfectly calm ; his pulse " made healthful music "

240 GAINS IN 1844 AND 1845.

when he stood to win more than £100,000 upon a
horse like Gaper, whose chance he thought as good
if not better than that of Cotherstone, the first
favourite and winner. Under every test to which
nerve and courage could be put, whether at two
o'clock P.M. or two o'clock A.M., Lord George Ben-
tinck, who, as Mr Greville said of him, " was afraid
of 110 man," never quailed, and was never found
wanting.

241

CHAPTER XII.

THE SALE OF LORD GEORGE'S STUD.

IN the early part of 1846 Lord George Bentinck
often expressed to me his deep regret that, by
reason of the severe pressure of his parliamentary
duties, he found himself unable to devote as much
time as he could wish to managing, engaging,
and watching the running of his race-horses in
training. The inevitable consequence of this pre-
occupation was, that the great pleasure which his
extraordinary devotion to the Turf had afforded
him was now at an end. It so happened that on
the evening of the third day's racing at Good-
wood in 1846, after the Cup had been won by Mr
O'Brien's Grimston, some of the guests assembled
round the Duke of Richmond's table fell to discuss-
ing the magnitude of Lord George's racing estab-
lishments, and the large number of horses that he
had in training. Suddenly his Lordship, who ap-
peared to be more than half asleep, struck into
the conversation with the question, " Will any of

Q

242 SALE OF LOUD GEORGE'S STUD.

you give me £10,000 for all my lot, beginning
with old Bay Middleton and ending with little
Kitchener, and take them with all their engage-
ments and responsibilities off my hands ? " Mr
George Payne immediately replied, " If you will
give me till to-morrow at noon, Bentinck, to con-
sider the matter, I will either accept your offer
or will pay you down £300 if I decline it."
" Agreed," said Lord George, quietly ; and upon
that Mr Payne sat down by his Lordship's side,
and they entered into a long sotto voce conversa-
tion with each other. Mr Payne remarked that
his own trainer, Montgomery Dilly, was not equal
to the task of training so many horses, and presid-
ing over such a monster establishment, and there-
fore he asked Lord George to advise him what to
do in case a bargain was concluded between them.
His Lordship was pleased to advise Mr Payne to
engage me to train the horses and to manage the
stud ; adding that, from my long experience in
connection with the Goodwood stable, I knew the
horses and their dispositions thoroughly, and was
better qualified than any other man to undertake
the business. Thereupon Mr Payne sent for me
immediately, and from him I learned for the first
time that Lord George had resolved to quit the
Turf. Knowing his Lordship's inflexibility and
the iron firmness of his character, I was well
aware that it was useless for me, or for any one
else, to attempt to turn him from his purpose.

MR GEORGE PAYNE'S OFFER. 243

The announcement was, however, a great blow to
me, although his Lordship's repeated intimations
that he could no longer carry on his racing and
his political careers simultaneously should have
prepared me for his decision. Even at that early
date I had come to the conclusion that his Lord-
ship had, in Surplice and Loadstone, the two
best yearlings that he ever owned ; and none of
the friends with whom I was intimate could have
failed to understand what inexpressible pleasure it
would have given me to win the Derby for my
beloved and honoured master, with a horse bred
by himself — a son of his old favourite, the peerless
Crucifix.

Scarely had I found myself alone with Mr
Payne before he announced his intention of leasing
Michel Grove, near Worthing (which was then to
be let), if I would consent to take charge of all
the horses. Mr Payne added that if I would
become his private trainer, he would give me £500
a-year beyond what I was in receipt of from the
Duke of Richmond and Lord George. Although
much distressed at the prospect of losing such a
master as Lord George, I thanked Mr Payne as
best I could for his flattering and generous offer,
and for the confidence which he was pleased to
repose in me. I added, however, that it was
impossible for me to close with him until I had
ascertained the Duke of Richmond's wishes upon
the subject, as his Grace was also my master, and

244 SALE OF LORD GEORGE'S STUD.

had been so long before Lord George joined the
Goodwood Stable. At this moment a note was
brought in and handed to me, with a verbal request
that I would read it at once. Having obtained
Mr Payne's permission, I opened it, and found that
it contained a request from the Duchess of
Richmond that I would go and see her Grace
before I returned to my own house.

Immediately upon leaving Mr Payne, to whom I
respectfully refused to bind myself, one way or the
other, until the evening of the next day, I was
ushered into the Duchess's boudoir, where I found
her Grace, accompanied by two or three younger
members of her family. I shall never forget the
scene. Her Grace's kindness and sympathetic
nature were well known to all her friends and
dependants, and of these inestimable qualities I
had already received from her a thousand proofs.
When, therefore, she inquired with unrepressed
emotion, " John, is it true that you are about to
leave us and to train for Mr Payne ? " I felt as if
I was going to break down completely, and it was
with no little difficulty that I could find voice to
reply, " Your Grace, it appears that Lord George
has offered Mr Payne his stud at a ridiculously
low figure, and has recommended me to Mr Payne
as better able to train and manage them than any
one else. I have already told Mr Payne, however,
that I can enter into no arrangement with him
until I have ascertained the pleasure of his Grace."

•) & €,

MR PAYNE PAYS FORFEIT. 245

" John," rejoined her Grace, " if you leave Good-
wood, there will be an end to the delight and
pride which we have all taken in the horses. As
long as his Grace lives he will always keep horses,
and so long there will be a comfortable home for
you." Without a moment's hesitation I answered,
"If it be his Grace's wish and your own that I
should continue at Goodwood, I will not leave
it until you wish me to do so."

I did not see Mr Payne again that night, but
what I had said to her Grace was quickly com-
municated to him. Next morning at breakfast he
pulled out his pocket-book, and without a word
handed £300 to Lord George, who, I have no
doubt, was sorry under the circumstances to
receive the forfeit. Upon reaching the race-
course, I found that every one knew what had
transpired on the previous evening, and that
morning at Goodwood House, and that the desire
to purchase Lord George's magnificent stud for
what one gentleman described as "a crust of
bread" was almost universal. Among others, a
group consisting partly of gentlemen and partly of
bookmakers, with Mr Henry Padwick of Horsham
— commonly called " The Sussex Lawyer " — at
their head, were conspicuously busy in making pre-
parations, until their further negotiations were
summarily arrested by Lord George's declaration
to me that " nothing would induce him to sell to
a set of bookmakers." He added that unless some

246 SALE OF LORD GEORGE'S STUD.

nobleman, or gentleman of position, or two or
three of them in combination, should arrange to
purchase the stud, and to accept the grave
responsibilities involved in forfeits amounting to
about £18,000, he would not sell at all.

It so happened that the Hon. Edward Mostyn
Lloyd Mostyn, who was then forty years of age,
and who became second Baron Mostyn on the
death of his father in 1854, was at that time
on intimate terms with Lord George Bentinck,
who had taken great interest in his splendid
Velocipede mare, Queen of Trumps, after she
defeated Preserve in the Oaks. Lord George's
judicious advice had powerfully contributed to
Queen of Trumps winning the St Leger, upon
which, as before explained, Lord George was
a large winner. After conferring with his
cousin, Mr Cynric Lloyd, who was an ardent
devotee of the Turf, Mr Mostyn resolved to
approach Lord George and to make him an offer
for the whole stud, on the understanding that the
horses then in training at Goodwood might remain
there so long as he and Mr Lloyd should desire.
The bargain was soon concluded, and in this
manner 208 thoroughbreds — viz., 3 stallions, 50
horses in training, 70 brood-mares, 40 yearlings,
and 45 foals — passed into Mr Mostyn 's hands.
The following letter from Lord George apprised
me of the unwelcome intelligence that I should
probably never see his colours — light-blue jacket

A*wCT

LJ

/

•zfcy

>

«~

-C/K

IJLJJL

BOUGHT BY THE HON. MR MOSTYN. 247

with white cap — on a race-course again, although
it was destined that Slander should carry them to
victory at York for the last time, albeit the Prince
of Wales's Stakes, which Slander won in the old
jacket, went to Mr Mostyn's credit. Lord
George's letter, which Mr Cynric Lloyd brought
to me at the York August Meeting in question,
was in these words : —

"HARCOURT HOUSE,

August 18, 1846, 7 P.M.

" JOHN KENT, — Mr Mostyn has purchased my
stud. Mr C. Lloyd, his cousin, is the bearer to
you of this letter, and from this time Mr Mostyn
stands in my shoes. Carts, cart-horses, saddling,
and horse-clothes are all included in the sale.

" You will therefore, as regards my horses, from
this time receive your instructions from Mr Mostyn
or Mr Lloyd, as may be settled between them.' — I
am, your obedient servant, G. BENTINCK.

" To Mr JOHN KENT, Junr."

Mr Lloyd handed me Lord George's letter just
before the races commenced on the first day of the
York Meeting. I had prepared his Lordship's two-
year-old filly Slander, by Pantaloon. out of Pasqui-
nade, to run for the Prince of Wales's Stakes. She
was own sister to Mr A. W. Hill's celebrated horse
The Libel, and, like him, was bred by the Marquis
of Westminster, who was at that time the owner
of Touchstone and Pantaloon, probably the two

248 SALE OF LORD GEOKGE's STUD.

best stallions in the world. Previous to her York
engagement, Slander had already won the New
Stakes at Ascot.

There was no time to substitute Mr Mostyn's
colours, yellow jacket and black cap, for Lord
George's, and with a heavy heart I saddled the
last animal that I thought would ever run in that
familiar jacket, w^hich in the last three years I had
so often seen carried to victory. I have ever since
taken a pride in reflecting that on the very last
appearance of Lord George's colours they occupied
their accustomed place in the van. There were
twenty-one starters for the Prince of Wales's Stakes
— a larger field than is commonly seen at the post
in these days. Mr Mostyn had another filly en-
gaged, called Twysoges, by Picaroon out of Her
Highness, who could run a little ; and in addition,
there was Mr Payne's Clementina, by Venison out
of Bay Middleton's dam, who was very smart, and
started first favourite. The race ended thus : —

Mr Mostyn's b. f. Slander (Abdale), 1.

Mr Payne's b. f. Clementina (Flatman), 2.

Mr Mostyn's b. f. Twysoges (Bumby), 3.

Mr Mostyn's c. Vice-Consul (H. Bell), 4.

Seventeen others unplaced. Won cleverly by a length.

The fourth horse, Vice-Consul, was Lord George's
second string, whom 1 brought to York in case
Slander should go amiss or get disappointed in the
race. Thus it will be seen that in the very first race
in which Lord George's horses ran as Mr Mostyn's

MB MOSTYN'S ARRANGEMENTS. 249

property, the latter gentleman was first, third, and
fourth, the winner being one of Lord George's lot.
Scarcely was the race over before Mr Payne
remarked to me, with his usual bonhomie, " So you
have beaten me the first time you ran against me
after refusing to become my trainer ! " Mr Lloyd
was much elated at winning such a race the first
time of asking, and all the more so because, by my
advice, he backed Slander. Upon the Monday
following York Eaces Mr Mostyn and Mr Lloyd
came to Goodwood to inspect the stud they had
purchased, and to make the necessary arrange-
ments for the future. Naturally their first and
greatest desire was to reduce the number of
animals feeding at Mr Mostyn's expense, and to
limit the outgoings as soon as possible. Their first
design, and that wrhich seemed to be the most
prudent plan under the circumstances, was to offer
the whole of Lord George Bentinck's stud for sale
by auction, and to buy in what they wished to
keep ; but this did not appear to me at all the best
course. In the first place, I entertained strong
doubts whether it would be agreeable to the Duke
of Richmond to have a monster sale of this kind at
Goodwood. If his Grace objected — and I felt
pretty sure that he would — to such a proceeding,
I considered that it would be a great risk to send
heavily engaged horses by railway to London, to
thread their way in large numbers through
crowded thoroughfares to Tattersall's. *It will

250 SALE OF LOUD GEORGE' S STUD.

be remembered that in 1846 railways were in
their infancy, and that the skill and safety with
which race-horses are now boxed and despatched
on a long* journey were then unknown. Besides,
it was certain that bidders would fight shy as soon
as they found that the sale was not " without
reserve." It therefore seemed to me that by far
the best plan would be for Mr Mostyn and Mr
Lloyd to select the animals which they wished to
retain, and to send the rest by instalments to
Tattersall's. The public, I argued, were naturally
prepared to learn that Mr Mostyn intended to
largely reduce the enormous expenses attaching to
such a stud, and were expecting a bond fide sale
of a considerable portion of it.

To these views Mr Mostyn assented, and on
September 7, 1846, a huge draft was sold at
Hyde Park Corner, and, as might have been
expected, drew a large attendance. Thirty lots
were put up — viz., nineteen brood-mares (by no
means the cream of the stud), three yearlings, and
eight horses in training. All sold well, Princess
Alice fetching the top price. This day's sale
realised 3195 guineas. On Tuesday the two-year-
olds, seventeen in number (Tattered-and-Torn
having been presented to one of the Duke of
Richmond's daughters and thrown up), which had
been inspected at Goodwood by breeders from all
quarters, were put up, but to very little purpose,
only two being sold — viz., Blackcock (engaged in

SALE AT TATTERS ALL'S. 251

the Champagne at Doncaster, in the Criterion and
Clearwell at Newmarket, and the Drawing-room
Stakes at Goodwood) for 250 guineas, and Growl
(in the Oaks, Gratwicke, and a 50-Guinea Stake
at Newmarket) for 70 guineas, with their engage-
ments. Master Butler (engaged in the Drawing-
room and St Leger, 1847, and the 300 Sovereigns
Stakes at Goodwood, 1848) was privately sold,
with his engagements, for £30. Particulars of
the first day's sale are subjoined :—

Brood-Mares.

Guineas.

The Maid of Orleans, ch. m., 4 yrs., by Jereed out of

Anchorite's dam, &c. ; covered by Slane . . 200
Charlotte, b. m., 5 yrs., by Liverpool out of Brocade ;

covered by Slane . 100

Charming Kate, sister to Coronation, 5 yrs. ; covered

by Slane 90

Mora, 4 yrs., by Bay Middleton out of Malvina ;

covered by Slane . . . . . 70

Souvenance, b. m., 7 yrs., by Bay Middleton out of

Souvenir ; covered by Emilius . . . . 62
Ratifia, b. m., 4 yrs., by Bay Middleton out of Cama-

rine's dam ; covered by Emilius . . • . . 60
Papilio, b. m., 5 yrs., by Bay Middleton out of Bob

Peel's dam ; covered by Emilius . . . .56
Yawn, sister to Gaper, 5 yrs. ; covered by Emilius . 54
My Dear, b. m., 5 yrs., by Bay Middleton out of Miss

Letty ; covered by Emilius . . , . . 54
Supine, b. m., 4 yrs., by Bay Middleton out of Mar-
rowfat; covered by Slane . . . . . 52
All-round-my-Hat, br. m., 5 yrs., by Bay Middleton

out of Chapeau d'Espagne . ; - * '•+'.' .' . 50

252 SALE OF LORD GEORGE'S STUD.

Guineas.

Nightcap, 4 yrs., by Bay Middleton out of Chapeau

d'Espagne ; covered by Slane . . » • 49

Pulce, b. m., 4 yrs., by Bay Middleton out of Puce ;

covered by Emilius 41

Kitten, 4 yrs., by Bay Middleton out of Pussy ;

covered by Emilius 40

Skill, br. m., 5 yrs., by Bay Middleton out of Skilful ;

covered by Emilius 39

The Dutch Girl, b. m., 3 yrs., by Bay Middleton out

of Flamande ; covered by Emilius . . . 30
Clink, b. m., 5 yrs., by Glaucus out of Jingle ; covered

by Emilius 30

Alva, 5 yrs., sister to Mora ; covered by Emilius . 26
Phantasima, by Phantom ; covered by Emilius . 15

Horses in Training.

Princess Alice, 3 yrs., by Bay Middleton out of Her

Majesty 600

Blackbird, 3 yrs., by Plenipo out of Volage . . 320
Comrade, 4 yrs., by Bentley ; dam by Picton . . 300
Marquis of Conyngham, 3 yrs., by Slane out of Volup-
tuary 260

Discord, aged, by Mulatto out of Melody . . .165

Clumsy, 4 yrs., by Bay Middleton out of Skilful . 150

Pug, 4 yrs., by Bay Middleton out of Barbiche . 110

A bay yearling colt, by Elis out of Miss Petworth . 300

A bay yearling colt, by Col wick out of Skilful . 100
Sombrero, 3 yrs., by Bay Middleton out of Chapeau

d'Espagne 55

A chestnut yearling colt, by Bran out of Katherine . 17

On Tuesday, Dean Swift, The Merry Monarch,
and Playful were put up, and the latter sold for
30 guineas. The Merry Monarch was bought in
for 88 guineas. Total produce of the two days'

SALE OF SURPLUS STOCK. 253

sale, £3720, 15s. What a contrast to the prices
realised by blood-stock since ! Princess Alice was
bought by Mr B. Green, and went into H. Steb-
bing's stable at Hambleton.

Soon after this sale Mr Mostyn was offered
£5000 for the two-year-olds Planet and Slander,
which he refused. Simultaneously £7000 were
offered for Crucifix, and for the two yearlings Sur-
plice and Loadstone, which offer was also refused.
It will thus be seen what a phenomenal bargain
Mr Mostyn had made in buying 208 thoroughbreds
—to say nothing of cart-horses, clothing, bridles,
saddles, buckets, brushes, rubbers, and all other
paraphernalia of a racing-stable in full blast — for
£10,000, when he was able in a couple of months
to refuse £12,000 for four animals amongst this
splendid lot. As it turned out, neither Planet nor
Slander were very fortunate as race-horses. At
Goodwood, Planet in 1846 won the Molecomb
Stakes, value £650. At Doncaster, he ran second
to Van Tromp for the Champagne Stakes ; but
later in the year he won the Glasgow Stakes at
Newmarket, value £800. Next year he won as
a three-year-old a Sweepstakes, value £800, at
the Craven Meeting ; ran second for the Two
Thousand to Sir Robert Pigot's Conyngham, who
was ridden by Jem Robinson ; won the Racing
Stakes at Goodwood, value 1150 sovereigns,
ridden by F. Butler ; was beaten for the Derby,
won by Mr Pedley's ch. c. Cossack, by Hetman

254 SALE OF LOUD GEORGE'S STUD.

Platoff (War Eagle being second and Van Tromp
third), ridden by Flatman ; was beaten in the
Doncaster St Leger by Lord Eglinton's Van
Tromp, Cossack being second and Lord Eglinton's
Eryx third.

As regards Slander, she was beaten at Doncaster
by Mr Pedley's Foreclosure for the Two-year-old
Stakes in 1846 : later in the year she won the
Eutland Stakes at Newmarket, value £270 ; broke
a blood-vessel after passing the Judge's chair, and
never won again. She ran second to Mr Payne's
Clementina for the One Thousand in 1847, and
second to the same filly for the Nassau Stakes
at Goodwood. In the Oaks she was ridden
by Bartholomew, and started at 11 to 2, but was
beaten out of place by Sir Joseph Hawley's Miami,
Mr Payne's Clementina being second and Captain
Harcourt's Ellerdale third, Slander finishing sixth
in a field of twenty-three. In the Park Hill
Stakes, Doncaster, she ran second to Ellerdale.
At the Stud, Slander, despite her splendid breed-
ing— by Pantaloon from an own sister to Touch-
stone— was even more unsuccessful than upon the
race-course. Between 1850 and 1858 she pro-
duced nothing worth training for her then owner,
Lord Clifden, at whose sale in 1859 Lord Fal-
mouth purchased her ; but she produced six very
moderate foals, and after being barren for two
years was destroyed in 1866, at the age of
twenty-two.

SURPLICE AND LOADSTONE. 255

If, however, the later careers of Planet and
Slander were destined " to unbeseem the promise
of their spring," very different was the case with
Surplice and Loadstone. I have already stated
that each of them, when tried as yearlings, per-
formed so well that the brightest auguries were
formed for their future. As a yearling, Surplice,
who was named by Lord George Bentinck, showed
considerable speed, which is not always concomi-
tant with great size and an extremely lazy dis-
position. Moreover, his action appeared to me
to be that of a stayer. In addition to all Lord
George's other yearlings, Surplice beat some speedy
old horses very easily indeed ; and, being the son
of Touchstone and of Crucifix, it was natural that
great hopes should be built upon him after he had
won his trial in such grand style. It was at once
determined to reserve him for the Derby, and to
make no more two-year-old engagements for him
than those in which he was already entered.
Loadstone, on the other hand, was a smaller
horse ; and, being possessed of capital speed, was
engaged in a great many two-year-old stakes, in-
cluding the Champagne, and the Two-year-old
Stakes at Doncaster, and the Clearwell, Prender-
gast, and Criterion at Newmarket.

Although Lord George had ceased to be the
owner of Surplice and Loadstone, his interest in
them seemed to revive when he heard from Mr
Mostyn that they had been favourably tried as

256 SALE OF LORD GEORGE'S STUD.

yearlings. He was .very anxious that they should
not leave Goodwood, for which beautiful domain
his affection was undiminished to the last hour of
his life. On Christmas Day 1846 he wrote a
letter from Welbeck Abbey, which showed that
politics had not quenched his ardent spirit. It
was couched in the following terms : —

" WELBECK, near WORKSOP, NOTTS,
Dec. 25, 1846.

" JOHN KENT, — I am very glad to hear Mr
Mostyn has a good promise in the yearlings, and
trust that between this and next Goodwood Races
everything will be made pleasant and right, so
that the horses may permanently continue at
Goodwood. I hope your father will lose no op-
portunity of getting the Duke's permission to this
effect.

" Let the Duke once take an interest in any of
Mr Mostyn's horses as a Derby horse, and he will
be as anxious about him as if he were his own,
and as unwilling as I should be to see him leave
Goodwood.

" I, who stood to win above £100,000 on Gaper,
was scarcely more interested in him than the Duke
was before the Derby of 1843. I believe Mr
Mostyn never bets a shilling. — I am, your obedient
servt., G. BENTINCK."

No one was more gratified than his Lordship
when he heard that Surplice's merit as a yearling*

SURPLICE AS A YEARLING. 257

had been ascertained to my entire satisfaction.
A commission was given by his Lordship, with
Mr Mostyn's consent and approval, to back Sur-
plice for the Derby, and in it the late Duke of
Richmond and every member of the Goodwood
family participated, obtaining liberal odds. When
Surplice made his debut for the Ham Stakes, at
Goodwood, in 1847, he was ridden by Flatman,
who received orders to make a good pace, and to
keep him going, as he was a very idle horse. I
impressed upon Flatman also the necessity of not
easing or checking his mount if he found himself
(as I expected he would) to be winning easily.
He told me after the race that he had won before
half the distance was run, but that he let him
stride along at three-parts speed, winning in a
common canter. The betting was 7 to 4 on Sur-
plice, "who," according to the 'Racing Calendar/
" took the lead, kept it, and won very easily by
two lengths."

It was natural that such a fine, upstanding,
good - looking colt, the son of Touchstone and
Crucifix, should attract very general attention
and admiration, with the result that, after his easy
victory in the Ham, Surplice was freely backed
for the Derby at comparatively short odds. The
Ham was run for as usual on the first day ; and
upon the last day of the meeting Surplice and
Loadstone were engaged in a 200 Sovereign
Two-year-old Stakes, with eight subscribers. I

E,

258 SALE OF LORD GEORGE'S STUD.

advised Mr Mostyn to run them both, and to
declare to win with Surplice, whose idleness, I
thought, would make him appear to win with some
difficulty. Loadstone, on the other hand, was
such a free runner that spectators might easily
imagine that he could have beaten Surplice but
for the declaration to win with the latter. I
little anticipated, however, that the rider of Load-
stone would be deceived as to the comparative
merits of the two. Flatman, who rode Surplice,
had orders to make running, and to win after
making the best semblance that he could of a race.
Loadstone was ridden by Frank Butler, whom I
told to wait upon Mr Dixon's Hope (a Danebury
filly upon whom her party were rather sweet), and
to beat her if he could in the event of her having
the foot of Surplice. As the race came off, Surplice
made the pace so good that Hope was soon beaten,
and the former won in a canter by three lengths.
Immediately after the race I asked Frank Butler
how Loadstone had carried him. " Very well
indeed," he replied, with a broad grin ; "I could
have won far enough had I been wanted ! "

When he left me Frank Butler joined his first
master and great friend, Colonel Anson, and told
him that Loadstone would have won easily "had
his head been loose." This intimation, coinciding
with what the public observed as to the running of
the lazy horse and that of his free stable com-
panion, soon had the effect of making Surplice

SURPLICE AS A TWO-YEAR-OLD. 259

recede in the Derby betting. Lord Enfield (after-
wards Earl of Strafford) had executed the stable
commission about Surplice for the Derby before
he won the Ham, and he was requested by the
Goodwood party to continue backing him, if the
odds increased. The opportunity was not long in
coming. That night, after dinner at Goodwood
House, Colonel Anson offered £15,000 to £2000
against Surplice for the Derby, which was accepted
by Lord Enfield. It subsequently transpired
that the Hon. Francis Villiers, youngest son of the
fifth Earl of Jersey (the owner of Middleton,
Cobweb, Bay Middleton, Glencoe, and many other
great race-horses), stood half of the bet laid by
Colonel Anson.

As a two-year-old Surplice ran only once after
his two races at Goodwood, in the Municipal
Stakes at Doncaster, 200 sovereigns each, where he
met Sir Richard Bulkeley's Miss Orbell, whom he
beat " hands down," with odds of 10 to 1 laid freely
on him. I remember that Admiral (then Captain)
Rous laid Mr William Whitfield (who is still
living) £100 to £10 on Surplice. The Admiral
was fond of laying long odds on a " certainty,"
and in this case he had no occasion for anxiety.
Finally, Surplice walked over at Newmarket for
the Buckenham Stakes, 300 sovereigns, half-forfeit,
and then went into winter quarters with an un-
beaten record.

Simultaneously Loadstone, upon whom Colonel

260 SALE OF LORD GEORGE'S STUD.

Anson and Mr Francis Villiers built the highest
expectations, ran several times. He was beaten
by a neck at Doncaster by Mr B. Green's Assault
(another Touchstone colt, out of Ghuznee, winner
of the Oaks), after meeting with a great disap-
pointment in the race, the general opinion being
that Loadstone ought to have won. Next day
he won the Produce Stakes in a canter, beating
Colonel Anson' s Contessa. At Newmarket he ran
for the Prendergast, which he won easily by two
lengths, beating Lord Albemarle's Kangaroo, Lord
Exeter's Tisiphone, Sir J. B. Mill's Deerstalker,
and Field-Marshal Grosvenor's Sir Oliver. At the
Houghton Meeting he won the Criterion Stakes,
cleverly carrying 6 Ib. extra and beating Lord
Exeter's Tisiphone, Mr B. Green's State Anchor,
Mr Pedley's Lady Mary, Duke of Rutland's
Palamine, and Mr Hargreaves's Sunnyside. Later
in the same week he won the Glasgow Stakes, in a
canter, by four lengths.

Into the running of these two fine colts I have
entered more fully than I should otherwise have
done, because of the extraordinary occurrences in
connection with them which the coming winter
and spring were destined to bring to pass, affecting
Lord George Bentinck, Mr Francis Villiers, Colonel
Anson, and the noble family at Goodwood, and in
a humbler degree myself, most materially. Here I
may add that, disregarding Admiral Rous's opinion
expressed before the House of Commons' Select

MR FRANCIS VILLIERS. 261

Committee on Gaming in 1844, Mr Francis
Villiers was accustomed to put many questions
to the jockeys in whom he reposed confidence,
and especially to Jem Robinson and Frank Butler,
and to pay the greatest attention to what they
told him. Admiral Rous's avowed opinion was,
that any one who followed the advice of his jockey
would be ruined ; and in this case his warning
words were prophetically correct. I have already
stated what Frank Butler reported about the
comparative merits of Surplice and Loadstone,
after riding the latter at Goodwood. A few
months later Mr Villiers brought Robinson down
to Goodwood to ride Surplice and Loadstone in
their gallops, and, as will be seen presently, his
verdict was the same as that of Frank Butler. Yet
it would be impossible to conceive two finer jockeys
than Robinson and Butler ; and the latter was, as a
rule, a very excellent judge of racing, and especially
so, as he himself expressed it, of " a horse which
he had once had between his thighs." In what
scrapes Mr Villiers, and, in a lesser degree, Colonel
Anson (who was more adroit than his obstinate
and self-opinionated colleague), were entangled by
following the advice of Robinson and Butler will
be shown directly.

Colonel Anson and Mr Villiers had (again by
Frank Butler's advice) given 3000 guineas — then
considered to be a very big figure — for Blaze, a
beautiful dark chestnut Irish colt, by Launcelot

262 SALE OF LORD GEORGE' S STUD.

(brother to Touchstone). With Blaze they won
the Hopeful Stakes at Newmarket, but with 3 to
1 betted upon him he was beaten for the Clearwell
by Mr Payne's Glendower. During the winter Mr
Villiers, who found no difficulty in discovering
plenty of excuses for Blaze's defeat in the Clear-
well, backed him very heavily for the Two Thou-
sand. Blaze was trained at Whitewall by John
Scott, and was thought to be the best colt in his
powerful lot. Simultaneously the two confederates
backed Loadstone very heavily for the Derby ; and
in order to control the latter horse, Mr Villiers pre-
vailed upon the late Lord Clifden to purchase a
moiety of Mr Mostyn's stud. When this sale was
concluded, on March 28, 1 848, 1 had got Loadstone
forward in condition to run for the Two Thousand,
and had induced Mr Mostyn to keep Surplice for
the Derby. The Two Thousand was to be run on
April 25, so that there was only an interval of four
weeks before the race took place. When Surplice
and Loadstone became the property of Lord Clif-
den, my plans and arrangements for the future
were all upset. It was determined not to pull out
either horse for the Two Thousand, but to keep
them out of Blaze's way. Never was a young
nobleman more glaringly deprived of a good stake,
which should have been his legitimate property,
than Lord Clifden, when he was induced to strike
Loadstone and Surplice out of the Two Thousand,
which either of them would have won in a canter.

MR VILLIERS'S TACTICS. 263

Unfortunately all this manoeuvring and wire-
pulling ended in a terrible fiasco. Blaze was beaten
easily for the Two Thousand, finishing a bad third
to Flatcatcher and Glendow^er. This was a sad
disappointment and heavy blow to Mr Yilliers ;
and in the ensuing week he came down to Good-
wood, not in a very amiable temper, bringing Jem
Robinson with him, to try Surplice and Loadstone.
As the former was not fit to be tried, and as Mr
Mostyn and the Goodwood family had certain
contingent interests in the horses, I objected
strenuously to trying Surplice, who, in addition
to being a very big horse, went with rather a
straight knee, and was by no means a light goer.
Mr Villiers was greatly irritated by my opposi-
tion to his wishes, but in it I had made up my
mind to persist. He then expressed a desire that
Robinson might be allowed to ride Surplice a
gallop in his clothes, to which I gladly consented.
Led by an old horse, Surplice and Loadstone
galloped side by side, three - quarters speed, for
a mile and a quarter. When they pulled up
Robinson shook his head, and curiously eyed
Loadstone, who had galloped freely and well by
Surplice's side.

In view of coming events " which cast their
shadows before," I took the opportunity of point-
ing out to Mr Villiers and to Robinson what,
from sure experience, I knew to be the fact — viz.,
that they must not take any notice of the way

264 SALE OF LORD GEORGE'S STUD.

Surplice went in his clothes, as he was one of the
laziest and most deceptive goers that in a long
experience I had ever seen. I added that, when
stripped and roused, Surplice could give Loadstone
a lump of weight and beat him over any distance.
Upon this Mr Yilliers indulged in a sneering laugh,
and ejaculated, " Nonsense ! I know much more
about these two horses than you do. Loadstone
is the best of the two, and so I always thought."
I immediately replied, " If that be your opinion,
Mr Villiers, of me and of my judgment, and if these
horses were yours, I would not train them for
another day. There are others, however, who have
an interest in them, whom it is my duty to serve
to the best of my ability." " Do you mean to tell
me," he rejoined, " that a jockey like Robinson
does not know how a horse carries him ? " " He
most certainly does not, sir," I answered, "if he
believes Loadstone to be better than Surplice."
Mr Villiers turned his back upon me with an ex-
pression of contempt on his face which I shall
never forget.

The Duke and Duchess of Richmond, and other
members of the family, were then at Goodwood
House, and Mr Villiers lunched with them. He
did not fail to relate, in his own way, what had
happened that morning, and endeavoured to pre-
judice my dear old master the Duke, and the rest
of the family, against me. He stated that had the
horses been under the charge of some trainer more

ME, FRANCIS VILLIERS. 265

skilful than myself, the Duke and his family would
not have been in the unfortunate position into
which I had plunged them by advising them to
back Surplice for the Derby. Next morning the
Duchess of Richmond sent for me, and told me,
with her usual frankness and kind consideration,
all that Mr Villiers had said at luncheon on the
previous day. Her Grace then added, " Do not
heed what Mr Villiers may have said, John, as it
will take some one with much more influence than
he possesses to prejudice us against you." Her
Grace's kind and trusting assurances of her un-
shaken confidence and support brought balm and
healing to my wounded self-respect. Before long
the Duke of Richmond came to the stables and
remarked to me, " Mr Yilliers is still quite a young
man, and perhaps does not know quite as much as
he thinks he does."

Upon Mr Villiers's return to London, he con-
tinued, with his habitual confidence in his own
judgment, to back Loadstone for the Derby, and
soon made him first favourite, which caused Lord
George Bentinck and Lord Henry Gordon Lennox
to feel very uneasy. Lord George wrote to me
saying that he had received a remarkable letter
from Mr Villiers which he could not understand,
and he wanted to know what it meant. His
Lordship inquired, further, whether I was still of
the same opinion as to the merits of the two
horses as when he last saw me. My reply was

266 SALE OF LORD GEORGE'S STUD.

that both horses were going on as well as possible,
and that I was more than ever confident as to the
correctness of my opinion that Surplice was far
and away the better of the two. His Lordship
was good enough to write me a most encouraging
letter, in which he stated that he was perfectly
satisfied with what I had told him, as he had
never known me to be mistaken in an opinion
which I had formed after deep consideration. Lord
Henry Lennox could not support the strain, but
brought me his betting-book, which he left in my
hands, with the avowal that he was going abroad
until the Derby was over, as he was too nervous
and agitated to remain in England any longer.
He told me to do the best for him that I could,
and as I had induced him. to back Surplice, to get
him out of the difficulty by hedging the money, if
it could possibly be done.

Naturally, my position was far from being an
enviable one. I knew that if I attempted to save
the money Lord Henry had invested on Surplice,
those who had laid him the odds would not hedge,
in face of the false market established by Mr
Villiers, except upon terms very disadvantageous
to Lord Henry. At that moment Surplice was
very much out of favour, and no wonder, when it
is remembered that, not satisfied with backing
Loadstone for very large sums, Mr Villiers had
several commissioners at work laying against
Surplice. In my dilemma I sought the advice of

DIFFICULTY WITH MR VILLIERS. 267

the Duke of Richmond, and unbosomed myself to
him. His Grace received me with his usual kind-
ness, and asked me what I myself considered the
best course to pursue. " Wait, your Grace, until
the two horses have been fairly and regularly
tried over the distance, and, my word for it, there
will not be much difficulty about deciding what to
do then." The Duke assured me that he was en-
tirely satisfied ; and although my anxiety and sense
of responsibility were, of course, very great, I con-
tinued to train both horses to the best of my
ability, and to await the issue.

About a fortnight before the Derby, Mr Villiers
and Colonel Anson prevailed upon the Earl of
Chesterfield, with whom they were very intimate,
to lend them his five-year-old mare, Lady Wildair,
in order to try Loadstone and Surplice with her.
Lady Wildair was known to be a very true run-
ner, and not long before she had won the North-
amptonshire Stakes (2 miles), carrying 8 st. 5 lb.,
giving Mr B. Green's Sylvan (3 years) 2 st. 11 lb.
Mr Villiers had ascertained through Mr Harry Hill
the relative merits of Sylvan and his stable com-
panion, Flatcatcher, who had won the Two Thou-
sand. He therefore regarded Lady Wildair as a
very valuable trial horse, and through her he felt
sure that he should be able to ascertain whether
Surplice or Loadstone, or either of the two, could
have won the Two Thousand. In addition, I put
Mr Mostyn's Sagacity, 4 years, in the trial, making

268 SALE OF LORD GEORGE^ STUD.

Surplice give her a year and 12 lb., and Loadstone
a year and 10 lb. Not long before Sagacity
had won a handicap (distance 1^ mile) at North-
ampton. It was my intention that Sagacity,
availing herself of her light weight, should make
running, but this Surplice never allowed her to do.
My first proposal was that Surplice should give
Loadstone 10 lb., but at this Mr Villiers jeered,
saying that Loadstone would win in a canter,
and then it would be impossible to form an idea of
the true form of the two horses. Very reluctantly,
therefore, I consented to putting Loadstone into
the trial at 2 lb. less than Surplice, knowing full
well what the result would be.

The trial came off over a mile-and-a-half course,
on May 13, 1848, and ended as follows : —

Surplice, 3 yrs., 8 st. 8 lb. (Eobinson), 1.
Sagacity, 4 yrs., 7 st. 10 lb. (Green), 2.
Lady Wildair, 5 yrs., 9 st. 4 lb. (Flatman), 3.
Loadstone, 3 yrs., 8 st. 6 lb. (Kitchener), 4.

Surplice won with consummate ease by four
lengths ; Sagacity beat Lady Wildair by half a
length ; and Loadstone was at least ten lengths
behind Lady Wildair.

Then followed a scene which, "while memory
holds her seat," I shall never forget. Mr Villiers
had witnessed the trial on foot, standing about
half a distance from the winning-post. When I
rode up to him he threw both his arms into the air,
and exclaimed in a frantic state of excitement,

THE TKIAL RACE. 269

and with ghastly pallor upon his countenance, " I
am a ruined man ! I am a ruined man ! What on
earth am I to do ? " " Whose fault, sir, is it ? " I
could not help replying. " Whom have you to
blame but yourself ? " Wringing his hands, and
in accents of despair which moved me to pity even
in the midst of my natural resentment, he kept on
talking to himself more than to me : " If I back
Surplice for large sums for the Derby, it will be
odds on him before I am half-way out of my
difficulties." After waiting a little until he had
partially recovered from his overpowering agita-
tion, I ventured to say to him, " Mr Villiers, the
Derby and St Leger have been won only once by
the same horse : if you back Surplice to win them
both, the bookmakers will lay you long odds, and
before four months have elapsed you can win as
much money as you like."

This advice I have good reason to know that he
subsequently followed, and thus avoided the total
ruin which otherwise must have befallen him,
although he never had the generosity to acknow-
ledge it to me. When Robinson dismounted, he
remarked to me that it seemed to him almost
impossible to believe that Surplice was the same
horse that he had ridden three weeks before. This
memorable trial made me aware how much more
sensible and practical Lord George was in man-
aging a stud than his friend Mr Francis Villiers.
The latter indulged in fancies based upon his own

270 SALE OF LORD GEORGE'S STUD.

estimate of the way in which horses galloped in
their clothes ; the former was never carried away
by predilections or prepossessions, and nothing
could induce him to back a horse until after one
or more genuine trials.

It was upon the Saturday before Bath Races that
Surplice and Loadstone were tried, and when the
betting - ring was formed in front of the Grand
Stand on Lansdown, the anxiety to back Surplice
was so great that business was altogether im-
possible, until Davies, " the Leviathan," laid £1000
to £700 against him several times. Most of these
bets were taken by Mr Justice, acting for Harry
Hill, who was acting for Mr Villiers. As was
usually the case about forty or fifty years ago
when a horse became a great favourite for the
Derby, there were plenty of rumours in circula-
tion that Surplice would be " made safe " : that, in
the teeth of the immense sums laid against him,
" he would win no Derby " —and much more of the
same sort. Mr Cynric Lloyd, in particular, who
had backed Surplice steadily ever since he won
the Ham Stakes at two years old, was seriously
alarmed, and came to me in great agitation about
what he had heard. Of course my anxiety was
great, and all the more so because the family at
Goodwood House had backed Surplice, and never
allowed themselves to be shaken by anything that
Mr Villiers said. Under these circumstances I
pursued my usual plan when in perplexity, and

C/5

w

Q
O
O

O
O

PRECAUTIONS ABOUT SURPLICE. 27 1

consulted rny kind and trusted master, the Duke
of Richmond. His Grace observed to me, " You
cannot always be watching the horse and his boy,
as he stands in the top stable along with seven
other horses." I suggested to his Grace that the
safest plan would be to move Surplice and Load-
stone from the Goodwood racing-stable into that
at the Kennels, where two good loose-boxes stood
side by side, and a stall by the side of each loose-
box, in which my father's and my hacks were
accommodated. This stable was close to our
house, and into it Surplice and Loadstone were
moved, much to Mr Cynric Lloyd's relief. I
assured him that unless I myself were laid by the
heels, Surplice should not be got at, for I would
never let him go out of my sight except when he
was under lock and key, with the key in my
pocket. I added that every feed of corn, and
every bucket of water, should be given to him by
my own hands.

272

CHAPTER XIII.

THE DERBY OF 1848.

NOTWITHSTANDING the ceaseless vigilance exercised
by all to whom the care of watching and guarding
Surplice was intrusted after he had been tried,
rumours that attempts would be made by fair
means or foul to ensure his defeat for the Derby
were freely circulated on all sides. Such rumours
were naturally to be expected in view of the enor-
mous sums of money laid against him during the
winter of 1847-48. Under these circumstances his
transportation from Goodwood to Epsom became
to me a cause of the deepest anxiety, and endless
were the suggestions made as to the best method
of effecting it in safety. One of these suggestions
was, that I should allow the horse to travel to
Epsom under the charge of two of my most trusted
men, supervised by a policeman, who was to be
specially called in for that purpose. This proposi-
tion I met with a decided negative. Having
undertaken the responsibility of guarding the horse

SURPLICE'S DEPARTURE FROM GOODWOOD. 273

myself, of feeding and giving him his water with
my own hands, of taking care that neither his
food nor his drink should be doctored in any way,
and, finally, of never allowing him to be out of my
sight except when he was locked up and the key
was in my pocket, I did not feel inclined to permit
a stranger, even though he were a policeman, to
take my place. Knowing that many who placed
confidence in me had backed Surplice heavily from
what I thought of him long before his trial, I felt,
as the Derby Day drew nearer and nearer, and the
rumours of intended foul practices grew louder and
more sustained, that my responsibility was almost
more than I could bear.

At last the anxious day — Monday the 22d of
May 1848 — arrived, upon which Surplice was to
take his departure from Goodwood. I placed him,
accompanied by his provender, in a single van,
which I had carefully prepared for his reception.
Locking the door of this van, and putting the key
in my pocket, I proceeded next to ensconce Load-
stone and Sagacity safely in a double van. In
addition to the vans, three or four horses made
their way on foot to the Drayton railway station.
The cavalcade was headed by my father, by Lead-
better (the detective officer from Bow Street),
and by some of the Goodwood stablemen. The
vans and horses came to the end of their railway
journey at the Beigate and Bed Hill station,
whence the vans were drawn by post-horses to

s

274 THE DERBY OF 1848.

Headley, distant about seven miles from Red Hill.
The other race-horses followed on foot, and, about
four in the afternoon, I had the satisfaction of
seeing1 Surplice, Loadstone, Sagacity, and their
companions safely lodged in Lord George Ben-
tinck's stables at Headley, which his Lordship re-
tained for the use of the Goodwood stable when
he sold his stud, and which were never more use-
ful than on this momentous occasion.

As my father was in charge of the travelling
party, I gave myself a little rest in the van with
Surplice ; but on arriving at Headley, my labours
recommenced. I led Surplice out of the van into
his loose-box, and gave him a feed of corn which I
had brought from Goodwood. Then I locked the
stable-door and went with Surplice's lad and our
own blacksmith to procure some water at the
spring upon " Oyster Hill," from which many a
good race-horse has been watered before and since
that day. Close to the spring there are some cot-
tages, from one of which I obtained hot water to
take off the chill of the cold spring. When I
returned to the stable, Leadbetter was a little put
out, exclaiming, " Surely you could have trusted
me for a few minutes with the horse, especially as
he would probably be a bit restless in a new box ! "
" A bit restless, indeed ! " I rejoined, laughing ; " he
is too docile and quiet to be alarmed at anything."
On unlocking the door and entering the box, I
found that he had emptied his manger, which was

RUMOURS ABOUT SURPLICE. 275

a great satisfaction to me, although I fully ex-
pected it, as there never was a better " doer " than
Surplice.

As the Derby approached, everybody, and espe-
cially the " sharps," had it that my horse was " a
safe un." Out at exercise on Tuesday morning,
every acquaintance that I met kept on asking
me, " What's the matter with Surplice ? He's up
and down in the market in a very queer way." To
add to my anxiety, Mr Payne refused to give up
Flatman, believing that he had a very good chance
of winning with Glendower. It was then arranged
that James Robinson should ride Surplice, as there
seemed no probability that any of his masters would
need his services. At the last moment, however,
the Duke of Rutland claimed Robinson to ride
The Fiddler, and the difficulty of getting a good
jockey for Surplice seemed almost insurmountable.
At this critical moment, Mr Harry Hill, whose
interest in the horse, for Lord George's sake, re-
mained unabated, and who had backed him heavily,
recommended, for private reasons, which he stated
to Mr Mostyn and Mr Lloyd, that Sim Templeman
should be put on Surplice's back.

It was, of course, a great relief to me when this
was settled, although I did not think Templeman
the best jockey to do justice to a big lazy horse
like Surplice, who would make a race with a
donkey, and deceived everybody who rode him for
the first time. Sim Templeman formed the same

276 THE DERBY OF 1848.

unfavourable opinion of his mount, after riding
Surplice over the course the day before the Derby,
that Jem Robinson had conceived when he rode
him in a gallop at Goodwood. What increased
Templeman's dislike to Surplice was, that the horse
refused to cross the tan road when ridden at a
foot's-pace down the course, on his way to the
starting-post. All these difficulties and gloomy
prognostications tended, of course, to increase my
anxiety, and made it difficult for me to fulfil my
engagement never to let Surplice out of my
sight, unless he was locked up in his loose-box.
My favourite old pony, with whom Surplice was
well acquainted, enabled me, however, to keep close
to him when walking at exercise. The curiosity
and excitement of the crowd were so great, that it
was extremely difficult for Surplice to make his
way through them, so closely was he mobbed. I
found Leadbetter and the Goodwood stable lads of
great assistance in this emergency ; but it was for-
tunate that Surplice was naturally unexcitable and
quiet, as he was followed to his stable-door by a
large host of gentlemen on horseback, who would
have driven a nervous horse of Bay Middleton's
type wild with irritability. In those days there
was on the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday preced-
ing the Derby, a vast concourse of people assembled
at Epsom to see the Derby horses gallop. Never,
however, did I witness such a sensational scene, or
such intense curiosity as was manifested to catch a

SURPLICE'S UNPOPULARITY. 277

glimpse of Surplice. In the midst of the crowds
by which he was always surrounded he bore him-
self with an unruffled calmness and tranquillity
which, despite my intimate acquaintance with his
disposition and temperament, fairly surprised and
delighted me. I endeavoured to form Leadbetter
and a small brigade of boys under his charge into
a ring around my horse. These human guards
quickly lost their tempers, and became violently
agitated, but the horse never turned a hair. The
same difficulty and disappointment arose when I
placed Surplice in the midst of a group of horses,
including Loadstone, 'Sagacity, and other stable
companions. Hemmed in by a mob of horsemen,
these outposts were always on their hind-legs and
dancing about, while Surplice walked sleepily along,
as quiet as an old cow. On the night before the
Derby a number of roughs surrounded the paddock
in the middle of which Lord George's stable stood,
and kept watch until midnight — not from any desire
to do mischief, I verily believe, but from simple
curiosity. In the morning a fresh lot of touts and
runners emerged from the Cock Inn and kept
watch until Surplice left his stable and walked on
to the course, to start for the Derby.

A great favourite is generally unpopular, but
never was there one more so than Surplice. All
through the winter he had been regarded as a
" dead un," thanks to Mr Francis Villiers's in-
fatuation, and to his reputation for possessing ex-

278 THE DERBY OF 1848.

traordinary talents. Everybody was aware that
Mr Villiers had given a never-ceasing commission
to lay against Surplice, and, with few exceptions,
little backers had staked their money on Loadstone.
In an instant Surplice's great trial shattered all
their hopes, and he became such a favourite that it
was almost impossible to back him. All this tended
to make Surplice more disliked than great favour-
ites usually are. This was shown by the hootings
and hisses with which I was more than once as-
sailed as I walked or rode by the horse's side, or
when, accompanied by boys to carry the bucket, I
proceeded to the spring on " Oyster Hill " to bring
Surplice his water. I invariably repaired to some
cottage for a little hot water to take off the chill,
always going to a different cottage. The fee which
I gave for any small service rendered to me was
more than the poor cottagers expected, and I was
pressingly urged by them to come again for any-
thing that I wanted. Although betting men great
and small would have rejoiced almost without ex-
ception to hear that Surplice had broken his leg, I
feel assured that the humble residents in the neigh-
bourhood of Headley sincerely wished him well.

I have entered into all these minute details at
the risk of being wearisome, because Surplice's
Derby happened at a time when it was more com-
mon to poison or lame horses than is now the case,
and because the circumstances preceding his attain-
ment of the position of first favourite were of a

SUSPICIONS. 279

most peculiar and exceptional kind. Forty or fifty
years ago the sums of money betted upon the
Derby were so large, and the excitement so great,
that it is difficult for a younger generation of race-
goers to understand or realise the anxiety and
sense of responsibility of a trainer who was in
charge of such a favourite as Surplice was in 1848.
I was not unaware that tempting overtures had
been made surreptitiously to more than one em-
ployee in the Goodwood stable to lame Surplice ;
and if he had run badly in the race, suspicion
would doubtless have attached to many innocent
persons who were as eager to see him win as my
father and I were. It will easily be imagined,
therefore, with what feelings I saw the dawn of
the Derby Day break.

My father and I rode by the horse's side from
Headley to the course. I then dismounted and
led Surplice, while his regular lad rode him, and
two police officers walked immediately in his rear.
On nearing the stand, my father went off to see
Templeman weighed, and returned to inform me
that even at the eleventh hour Mr Francis Villiers
had not given up all hope that Loadstone would
prove himself the better horse, and, in order to give
Loadstone every chance, had made some consid-
erable pecuniary sacrifice in order to secure Job
Marson (one of Mr Villiers's favourite jockeys) to
ride him. It was not long before Mr Villiers was
undeceived. The following seventeen horses came

280 THE DERBY OF 1848.

to the post, with the result given below, which I
have taken from the ' Racing Calendar ' :—

EPSOM.
Wednesday, May 24, 1848.

The Derby Stakes of 50 so vs. each, h. ft., for three-year-
old colts, 8 st. 7 lb.; fillies, 8 st. 2 Ib. The new Derby
course ; a mile and a half.

Lord Clifden's b. c. Surplice, by Touchstone — Crucifix, by

Priam (Templeman), 1.
Mr Bowes's b. c. Springy Jack, by Hetman Platoff — Oblivion,

by Jerry (F. Butler), 2.
Mr B. Green's bl. c. Shylock, by Simoom — The Queen, by

Sir Hercules (S. Mann), 3.
Mr Payne's b. c. Glendower, by Slane— Sister to Glencoe,

by Sultan (Flatman), 4.
Mr J. B. Day's b. c. Nil Desperandum, by Venison — Grace

Darling, by Defence (A. Day).
Mr Nunn's b. c. The Fowler, by Irish Birdcatcher — Zillah,

by Blacklock (J. Holmes).
Mr Lillie's br. c. Great Western, by Hetman Platoff — Miss

Frill, by Actseon (Hewlett).
Lord Clifden's b. c. Loadstone, by Touchstone — Latitude,

by Langar (J. Marson).

Mr Baker's br. c. Oscar, by Charles XII. — Morsel, by Mu-
latto (Bumby).
Duke of Butland's b. c. The Fiddler, by Charles XII.—

Liberty, by Langar (Eobinson).
Mr E. E. Clark's b. c. Weathercock, by Emilius — Variation,

by Buzzard (Tant).
Mr T. Parr's b. c. Sponge, by Ascot — Languid, by Cain

(Owner).
Sir J. B. Mill's b. c. Deerstalker, by Venison — Virginia, by

Figaro (Donaldson).

THE RACE. 281

Mr Eolls's b. c. Comet, by Auckland — Miniature, by

Teniers (Pettit).
Lord Eglinton's b. c. Eagle's Plume, by Lanercost — Blue

Bonnet, by Touchstone (Marlow).
Major Pitt's b. c. Fern, by Venison — Puce, by Eowton (E.

Edwards).
Mr Osbaldeston's ch. c. Fugleman, by the Saddler — Camp

Follower, by The Colonel (S. Kogers).

Betting — Even on Surplice, 4 to 1 each v. Glendower
and Nil Desperandum, 14 to 1 v. Shylock, 15 to 1 v.
Springy Jack, 20 to 1 v. Loadstone, 40 to 1 v. Great
Western, The Fiddler, and Fugleman; 50 to 1 v. The
Fowler; 1000 to 15 each v. Fern and Eagle's Plume; 1000
to 10 v. Deerstalker.

Won by a neck ; length between second and third.

The following description of the race appeared in
' Bell's Life.'

" Precisely at the time named on the card the horses were
at the starting-post, and we must do the starter, Mr Hibberd,
the justice to say that a finer start was never seen on this or
any other course. The Fowler jumped off with the lead ;
but either from not being ambitious, or from inability to
keep it, he fell back in half-a-dozen strides, and Great
Western went on with the running, followed by Loadstone
and Fugleman, Nil Desperandum being fourth on the inside.
Behind him came Surplice, Fern, and The Fowler, with The
Fiddler and Springy Jack in their wake. The Fowler kept
his place till near the Craven post, where he fell astern of
The Fiddler. About the same time Nil Desperandum
sprained his off knee, and in the next hundred yards from
being fourth became the last horse in the race. Great
Western maintained his position until close to the top of
the hill, when he was passed by Loadstone, and immediately
afterwards gave way altogether, leaving Fugleman second
to Loadstone, Surplice following Fugleman, with Fern,

282 THE DERBY OF 1848.

Glendower, Springy Jack, and Shylock running in a group
close behind. Half-way between the road and the distance-
post Loadstone declined, and Fern also had had enough of
it. A new formation ensued, Surplice taking a decided lead,
followed by Fugleman with Shylock third and Springy Jack
by his side. Just inside the distance Fugleman was beaten
and dropped behind Shylock and Springy Jack. The race
at this moment was very interesting. To all appearances
the 'crack' was going very uncomfortably, and Shylock
looked so well that ' The favourite's beat ! ' escaped from a
thousand lips. Nor was it until they were half-way up the
distance that ' the Jew ' was fairly disposed of. Springy
Jack now began to look dangerous, as he got to the
favourite's quarters, and came with a tremendous rush in
the last three or four strides, and almost got up. But it
was only ' almost,' as Surplice was never quite reached,
and won by a neck."

Sim Templeman assured me after the race that
had I not cautioned him so strongly about Sur-
plice's laziness, he might have been beaten, as his
horse began to stop directly he steadied him, and
would have pulled up altogether had he not kept
him going. I had warned him emphatically that
directly he ceased to ride him Surplice would cease
to run. Had Mr Yilliers consented to order Mar-
son to jump off with Loadstone, and to make
strong running for half or three-quarters of a mile
(which Loadstone was well qualified to do), there
would have been no danger of Surplice being beaten,
or hard run, as he was as fit as he could be made.
So obstinate, however, was Mr Villiers in his own
opinion, that he would not hear of Loadstone being

u

I-H

SURPLICE'S VICTORY. 283

sacrificed for Surplice. The result was that, when
Loadstone declined, Surplice had to take his own
part, and Templeman said that it was all over as
soon as Surplice took up the running.

When Loadstone showed a bold front, until the
distance -post was almost reached, Mr Villiers, I
heard subsequently, was in ecstasies ; but when
Surplice took up the running Mr Villiers's face
darkened and fell. The pace must have been
very moderate for Loadstone to have lasted so
long, and if Surplice had not possessed good speed
as well as stoutness, the Derby might have been
thrown away from want of a strong - run race.
Many a good horse, in perfect condition, have I
seen beaten under similar circumstances, after the
administration of severe punishment during the
last half-mile, which he would have altogether
escaped .by winning easily had the race been run
from end to end. It is a fatal mistake not to
win your race as early as you can, if you have
got a good horse fit to run. I can remember
sixty-five races for the Epsom Derby, and I have
seen it lost in some instances, and very nearly so
in others, from failing to make use of a good
horse. Three superior horses I can mention — Sur-
plice, The Flying Dutchman, and Cremorne — all of
whom narrowly escaped defeat for want of a strong-
run race.

One other extract I am tempted to make from
'Bell's Life' of Saturday, May 27, 1848.

284 THE DERBY OF 1848.

" The Derby nags assembled in the paddock in charge of
their respective trainers and grooms, Loadstone and Surplice
being foremost in the throng, attended by the elder Kent,
Leadbetter, and Thackwell — the former having been in
charge of the horse for some nights before the race, with a
view of defeating any of those sinister intentions which
former experience led to a suspicion might again be put
into practice : in fact, every possible care had been taken
to protect Surplice from being got at, much to the morti-
fication, it was said, of many who would have been far from
displeased to hear that he had had a ' bad night.' Both
horses looked remarkably well, especially Surplice, of whom
it was said by a competent judge of looks that he was sure
to win, as an animal in more splendid condition was never
witnessed. In the early part of the day as much as 6 to 5
was laid on Surplice, but a perceptible change took place.
Ml Desperandum advanced in favour, and was backed at
5 to 1, and by some parties at 3 to 1, while Surplice went
back to 5 and even 6 to 4 — the latter odds being in some
instances laid by those who were well on him, and whose
confidence was somewhat shaken at the last moment. This
change, we have reason to believe, was effected by a ruse
got up among a party who were opposed to him, and who,
by apparently laying odds against him, induced apprehen-
sion in the public mind of which they themselves took
advantage, thereby getting on at a better price, and saving
some £4000 or £5000. The crush to get a position whence
a view of the course could be obtained was terrific.

" We have given a description of the race in its usual
place, from which it will be seen that it was keenly con-
tested by Surplice, Springy Jack, and Shylock. Surplice
was spurred, although the whip was not used ; and it was
remarked that had the pace been good he would have won
more cleverly, being such a sluggish horse and requiring
a good deal of riding — evidence of which was afforded in
his trial, for when he was nearing the winning-post and

CONGRATULATIONS. 285

experienced the effect of the ' persuaders,' he shot out like
a dart, and won with consummate ease. These are, how-
ever, matters of speculation with which we must leave the
cognoscenti to deal. The winners had their turn of joyous
cheering, and the congratulations offered to the Duke of
Eichmond and to his family, who, we are glad to hear,
are large gainers by the result, were loud and vociferous
beyond description, — congratulations which were given
with equal goodwill to Lord Clifderi and to Mr Lloyd, co-
proprietors of the winner; both of whom, we also learn,
have realised a good profit independent of the stakes, which
are worth £5500.

Thus terminated this ever-memorable Derby —
memorable not only to me, but also to others who
are still living, and were vitally interested in it. I
perfectly well remember, when I was leading Sur-
plice back to the weighing-place after the race,
that a gentleman congratulated me, and added,
" You have now given them the lie direct ! " At
the time I could not understand what he meant ;
but from what transpired subsequently, I have no
doubt that he congratulated me upon defeating the
vile efforts to prevent Surplice from winning the
Derby, which were deemed likely to be successfully
accomplished by some of the knaves who were
heavy losers by him.

Lord Enfield, afterwards Earl of Strafford, being
a brother-in-law to the Duke of Richmond, exe-
cuted some of the stable commission about Sur-
plice, and, having backed him very early, obtained
good odds, which he was enabled to hedge after

286 THE DERBY OF 1848.

the trial at great advantage, so that he and all the
members of the Goodwood family, together with
Mr Lloyd, had the satisfaction of winning good
stakes after hedging their money. Lord George
Bentinck himself won about £11,000. Had his
Lordship not disposed of his stud, it is im-
possible to conjecture what he might have won
upon such a horse. His mind and heart seemed,
however, to be entirely concentrated upon politics
after he had parted with his race-horses. Racing,
to which he was formerly so devoted, passed en-
tirely out of his head, and his betting soon became
extremely limited.

I cannot remember a single instance of his en-
deavouring to obtain information from Mr Lloyd
or from myself about any of the animals which he
had sold to Mr Mostyn. Having occasion to write
to Lord George about Christmas time, in 1846, I
mentioned, with Mr Mostyn' s permission, what I
thought of Surplice, from the form he displayed in
his trials as a yearling, knowing how interested he
would be, as Surplice had been thought likely to
go wrong in his wind — an infirmity which he might
have inherited from Camel, his grandsire, who was
a bad roarer. Every opportunity was therefore
afforded to enable him to be trained for the Derby.
His great size and physical conformation required
that he should not be hurried, and fortunately he
inherited some of the stoutness of Priam, and the
good constitution of Emilius. It was averred by

DEPARTURE OF THE STUD FROM GOODWOOD. 287

some influential noblemen and gentlemen, that had
not the Duke of Richmond, at the intercession of
Lord George, stipulated with Mr Mostyn that the
horses in training should remain at Goodwood till
after the Derby, Surplice, after Lord Clifden had
purchased an interest in the stud, might not have
been allowed to run for that race, any more than
for the Two Thousand, but have been withdrawn
in favour of Loadstone. Such would certainly have
been the case had Mr Villiers's baneful influence
prevailed with Lord Clifden and Mr Mostyn.

After the Derby the Duke of Richmond gave
his consent to the horses remaining under my
charge until the Goodwood Races were over. Lord
Clifden immediately purchased the remainder of
Mr Mostyn' s interest in the stud, and everything
went well with the horses until the deep ground
at Goodwood interfered with Surplice's long stride,
and made him quite helpless in the mud. I can
scarcely doubt that my old and honoured master
the Duke of Richmond was not sorry when the
time came for this large stud of horses to leave
Goodwood. Although his Grace was on friendly
terms with Mr Mostyn and Mr Lloyd, and also
with Lord Clifden and Mr Villiers, he was not so
much at his ease with any of them as he had been
with Lord George Bentinck between 1841 and
1846. The Duke enjoyed beyond measure his
almost daily visit to the Goodwood stable, when
it was filled with his own and with Lord George's

288 THE DERBY OF 1848.

horses. It was disagreeable to him, however, to
go round the stables when the remotest suspicion
might arise that he was trying to pry into the
secrets of others.

It may be interesting to my readers if I succinctly
recount the performances of Surplice after he won
the Derby of 1848. First come his two Goodwood
defeats. On July 25th he ran for the Gratwicke
Stakes of 100 sovereigns each, half- forfeit, one mile
and a half, 50 subscribers. The race came off as
follows : —

Lord Chesterfield's b. f. Distaffina (Flatman), 1.
Lord Clifden's b. c. Surplice (Kobinson), 2.
Duke of Kichmond's br. f. Hornpipe (Templeman), 3.
Mr Bowes's ch. f. Wiasma (J. Holmes), 4.
The betting was 5 to 2 on Surplice, 3 to 1 agst. Wiasma.
Won easily by a length ; a neck between second and third.

This was a most extraordinary race, and to this
day I am quite unable to explain it. Surplice
(who was perfectly well) could always give Horn-
pipe two stone and a beating, and in this race she
ran him to a neck at even weights. Lord Chester-
field told me that his mare, Distaffina, was at least
two stone worse than Surplice, and yet she beat
him at even weights !

Two days later Surplice ran again for the Racing
Stakes of 50 sovs. each, New Mile, 17 subscribers.
The race ended as follows :—

Mr Payne's b. c. Glen dower (Flatman), 1.

Colonel Anson's b. c. Corsican (F. Butler), 2.

Lord Clifden's b. c. Surplice (Kobinson), 3.

SURPLICE'S AFTER CAREER. 289

Betting — 13 to 8 on Surplice, 5 to 2 agst. Glendower,
7 to 2 agst. Corsican. Won by a length. From the very
commencement Surplice ran a beaten horse, and took no
part in the race.

On August 14, 1848 (a fortnight after Goodwood
Races), all Lord Clifden's horses left the stable
where they had so long been trained, and were
transferred to his Lordship's private racing es-
tablishment at Newmarket, over which Robert
Stephenson presided. The lot included Planet,
Projectile, Fallow Deer, King of Morveri, Crozier,
Tiresome, Czarina, Mustard filly, Slander, Tama-
rind, Sagacity, Archness, Surplice, Loadstone,
Honeycomb, Cucullus, and the Flycatcher filly.
It was arranged that Surplice should be kept for
the Doncaster St Leger, and should receive a
special preparation for that event. The St Leger
was fixed for the 13th of September, and in the
four and a half weeks which intervened between
Surplice's departure from Goodwood and the St
Leger day he fluctuated strangely in the betting.

At last the St Leger day arrived, and the
following horses started for the race :—

Lord Olif den's b. c. Surplice (Flatman), 1.
Lord Stanley's br. f. Canezou (F. Butler), 2.
Mr B. Green's b. c. Flatcatcher (Eobinson), 3.
Duke of Bedford's b. c. Justice to Ireland (Templeman).
Mr B. Green's b. c. Assault (Winteringham).
Mr T. Parr's b. c. Sponge (Whitehouse).
Mr Humphries's b. c. Escape (J. Holmes).
Mr Pedley's br. c. Bessborough (J. Marson).

T

290 THE DERBY OF 1848.

Lord Stanley's gr. c. Cannibal, (Marlow), also started and

were not placed.

Betting — 7 to 4 v. Canezou, 2 to 1 v. Surplice, 7 to 2
v. Flatcatcher, 9 to 2 v. Justice to Ireland. Won by a neck :
Flatcatcher beaten three lengths.

The ' Racing Calendar ' adds : —

" There was one false start, and all the riders were fined
5 sovs. each for starting without orders, except Marson,
who pulled up his horse immediately, and was fined 3 sovs.
only. The fines were subsequently mitigated to 3 sovs.
and 1 sov. with an intimation to the jockeys that if they
offended again in the same manner, the highest penalty
would be enforced,"

"This mishap," says 'Bell's Life,' "was all the more
unlucky because the horses got off capitally on the first
occasion — better, indeed, than on the second. When the
flag fell, they dashed off at full speed, and Flatcatcher,
followed by Assault, at once rushed to the front, the for-
mer leading by a few strides, and then giving way to
Assault who made running at the top of his speed, Surplice
and Justice to Ireland following just behind Flatcatcher,
Canezou lying up with them, Sponge next, and Cannibal
and Escape in the rear. Assault led the van to the rise
of the hill, and then resigned in toto, his stable companion
Flatcatcher taking up the running. At the Eed House
Surplice took second place, with Canezou at his quarters,
Flatcatcher still leading. Just before the distance -post
Flatcatcher was passed by Surplice and Canezou. The
mare then took the lead by half a length, and up to the
stand appeared to have the best of it. At this point,
however, Surplice got to her head, and after one of the
most exciting races ever witnessed, won in the last two
or three strides by a neck, steel and whipcord having been
vigorously plied to land him. Flatcatcher was three lengths
behind the pair, and the rest beaten a very long way off.

SURPLICE AT THE ST LEGER. 291

" It was one of the most desperate struggles ever seen —
Surplice proving himself as game and honest a horse as
ever breathed, to the great discomfiture of those who did
not hesitate to proclaim after the Derby that he was a
cur. Lord George Bentinck was not a little gratified at
witnessing the success of the produce of his favourite
mare.

"There was a great deal of private gossip about the
substitution of Nat for Robinson on Surplice's back, and
it was remotely hinted that suspicions had been excited,
first from Robinson having been seen in conversation with
Messrs Green and Stebbings on the race-course on Tuesday
morning, and next from his having hedged the bet which
Lord Clifden had laid him — £1000 to £50 against Surplice.
We are quite satisfied, however, that such circumstances
would have no weight with Lord Clifden and his friends,
as the first was a mere commonplace occurrence, and the
second was a course which any prudent man would adopt,
according to the well-known racing principle, ' No bet is a
good bet until hedged.' "

Whatever may have been the motive which
caused Nat to be substituted for Bobinson, I am
in a position to state that it was done solely by
the advice, and at the instance, of Mr Harry Hill.
It is a satisfaction, however, to me to reflect that
such an occurrence never took place in the Good-
wood establishment during the thirty years of my
connection with it.

The chicanery practised over this St Leger with
regard to Surplice was strongly commented upon
by numerous supporters of the Turf; and had he
not been the superior horse he was, possessing
great speed with stoutness, he would in all prob-

292 THE DERBY OF 1848.

ability have been beaten. Had Robinson, after
making such a desperate pace with Flatcatcher,
in strict accordance with his orders, been able to
steady him when Canezou and Surplice headed
him, and to keep an effort left in his horse, the
race might have ended as did the second heat for
the Derby of 1828, in which Cadland just beat the
Colonel. Evidently it was Robinson's hope that
he might win by riding. Otherwise he would not
have made so much use of Flatcatcher, when he
knew the merits of Surplice as well as he did.

It was a fortunate victory for Mr Villiers, as I
know from the most unquestionable authority that
he won largely, chiefly by some double event bets,
one of which, £10,000 to £100, came to my know-
ledge, as well as others which were reported to
me, but not by Mr Villiers. Nor was my advice
to him after the Derby trial acknowledged in any
way. I received, however, a far greater reward
than any Mr Villiers could bestow upon me ; to
wit, from my old master, Lord George Bentinck,
who expressed his desire that I should serve him
again. Any acknowledgments which Mr Villiers
might have been pleased to make to me could not
have produced so much gratification as I felt when
I found that the confidence placed in me by Lord
George Bentinck was unchanged.

Two days after the St Leger, Surplice walked
over for the North of England Produce Stakes.
At Newmarket First October Meeting he met his

SURPLICE AT NEWMARKET. 293

old antagonist, Flatcatcher, in the Grand Duke
Michael Stakes, A.F., with the following result : —

Lord Clif den's Surplice (Eobinson), 1.

Mr B. Green's Flatcatcher (Flatman), 2.

11 to 4 on Surplice. Won by half a length.

In the Second October Meeting, Newmarket,
Surplice started for the Cesarewitch Stakes. The
race came off as follows : —

Mr W. S. Crawford's ch. g. The Cur, 6 years, 8.3

(S. Eogers), 1.

Colonel Peel's ch. f. Dacia, 3 years, 4.13, (Collins) 2.
Captain Harcourt's br. f. Ellerdale, 4 years, 8.5 (J.

Marson), 3.
Colonel Peel's . b. f. Palma, 4 years, carried 5.3 (G-.

Browne), 4.
Mr Meiklam's Inheritress, aged, 8.8 (Templeman) ; Lord

Clifden's Surplice, 3 years, 8.5, including 12 Ib. extra

(Eobinson) ; and 26 others ran.

Betting— 3 to 1 v. Surplice, 5 to 1 v. The Cur, 12 to 1
v. Dacia, 12 to 1 v. Inheritress. Won by a length. Surplice
was beaten a long way.

Next year, in 1849, in the First Spring Meeting
at Newmarket, Lord Exeter's b. m. Tophana, 6
years, received forfeit from Lord Clifden's Surplice,
4 years, T. M. M., 500 sovs. h. ft.

At Goodwood Surplice ran for the Chesterfield
Cup (mile and a quarter), which was won by —

Mr F. Nicoll's ch. c. Woolwich, 3 years, 6 st. (Hiett), 1.
Mr Payne's Crucible, 3 years, 5.7 (Charlton), 2.
Lord Exeter's Medea, 3 years, 4.10 (Barker), 3.

294 THE DERBY OF 1848.

Mr Eolt's Collingwood, 6 years, 9.8 (F. Butler); Lord
Clifden's Surplice, 4 years, 9 st. (Eobinson) ; and seven
others were not placed.

Betting — 6 to 4 on Surplice, 5 to 1 v. Collingwood, 8 to
1 v. Crucible. Won by a length; half a length between
second and third.

Surplice was beaten a long way, not displaying much
improvement upon his 3-year old form when tried with
Lady Wildair and Sagacity.

At Newmarket Second October Meeting Surplice,
8 st. 5 lb., walked over for a Sweepstakes of 1000
sovs., each, 400 ft., A.F. (3 subscribers). In the
Houghton Meeting, Collingwood, 9 st. 2 lb., was
matched against Surplice, 8 st., A.F., 200 h. ft.
Collingwood walked over.

In 1850 Surplice ran but once — viz., in the First
Spring Meeting at Newmarket in the following
match :—

Duke of Bedford's b. f. St Eosalia, 7 st. 5 lb. (Pettit),
beat Lord Clifden's Surplice, 8 st. 10 lb. (Pearl), T. Y. C.,
300, 50 ft.

Betting — 6 to 4 on Surplice, who was beaten easily by
two lengths.

Thus terminated the racing career of one of the
most sensational horses of the century. After
having accomplished the great feat of winning the
Derby and St Leger, beating some really good
horses, Surplice failed to win any other race of im-
portance, losing his speed and form altogether. It
was rather a remarkable coincidence that he should
have won the Derby and St Leger each by the

END or SURPLICE'S CAREER. 295

same distance — a neck, and that F. Butler should
have ridden the runner-up on each occasion. To
show how naturally sluggish Surplice was, I may
mention that Springy Jack, who was second to him
for the Derby, was believed by John Scott and F.
Butler to be a stone worse than Canezou, who was
second for the St Leger. Yet he beat each of
them by a neck, although most assuredly as good
a horse on the Derby Day as he was on that of the
St Leger.

296

CHAPTER XIV.

LORD GEORGE AS A TURF REFORMER.

LORD GEORGE BENTINCK'S name will endure while
horse-racing forms the favourite pastime of the
British nation, as that of the greatest Turf reformer
ever known. By his stringent code of laws, pro-
mulgated in 1844, he purged the race-courses of
defaulters, established punctuality in starting for
each race by fining the clerk of the course 10s.
for every minute behind time, and insisted that
each horse should be numbered on the card, a cor-
responding number being exhibited on the tele-
graph frame. He required also that the names
of the jockeys should be recorded on the board
and card, and that the jockey should be properly
dressed in a silk, velvet, or satin jacket, and in
boots and breeches, as it was by no means unusual
to see jockeys riding in trousers or gaiters, with
jackets and caps of the roughest and most grotesque
description. The saddling of the horses at a given
place, and their walking and cantering before the

TURF REFORMS. 297

stand, were likewise enforced by him, together with
their starting by the aid of flags. More necessary
improvements than the latter two there could not
possibly be, as it had long been difficult for jockeys
to find the horses they were about to ride when
saddling- time arrived, and the consequent delay in
starting was most vexatious and annoying. At no
place were these improvements hailed with greater
satisfaction than at Epsom, as the Derby candi-
dates were so surrounded by gentlemen and others
on horseback that jockeys could not find their
mounts. When Lord George suggested these rules
and conditions for Epsom, the late Mr Dorling, the
clerk of the course (to whom Lord George lent
the sum of £5000, thus proving the stepping-stone
to that official's successful career), stated that he
thought they could not be enforced. Lord George,
who was Steward, replied, " If the conditions are
that the horses must be saddled in Epsom town,
never fear but I will enforce them." His first
attempt to start the horses by the flag system was
with one flag upon a very long pole, with which
he marshalled the horses to the post, walking a
little in front of them, and soundly rating any
jockey wrho attempted to advance beyond the line
prescribed by the starter. The objection to the
one-flag system was soon shown, as the jockeys
watched its gradual lowering and attempted to
jump off before it had actually fallen. His Lord-
ship then instituted the advance-flag ; and was

298 LORD GEORGE AS A TURF REFORMER.

also very strict about the weighing of the jockeys,
as it was notoriously impossible to weigh some of
them accurately, so expert and quick were they
with their toes and heels, which enabled certain
jockeys to ride some pounds over their proper
weight. There was one jockey in particular whom
Lord George suspected of this imposition. He
related his suspicions to me, and desired me to
arrange a trial a few hours before a race in which
this jockey had to ride 8 stone, though not on one
of our horses. I did so, and with a light saddle
he scaled nearly seven pounds over that weight.
After the race it was discovered that several
pounds of lead had been nailed upon the under
part of the scale.

In the report given of Doncaster Races in 1843,
it was stated that " the Corporation had been
brought to a just sense of their duties by the
indefatigable Lord George Bentinck, who may
with the utmost propriety be styled the greatest
reformer of all abuses connected with the Turf.
The same admirable rule respecting defaulters,
which worked so well at Goodwood, is to be put
into force here." In connection with the Second
October Meeting of 1843, the following remarks
were written : " Honest men have to thank Lord
George Bentinck for this valuable reform of the
Turf; for if that nobleman had not persevered to
the utmost, even his powerful influence would
have been blighted, and a host of rotten sheep left

STUDIES THE PUBLIC CONVENIENCE. 299

to infect the constitution of the remaining flock.
We are left without sufficient words of praise to
the noble Lord for his indefatigable exertions."

Not only for the general interest of the Turf
did his Lordship employ his active mind, but also
for the safety and pleasure of the public — alleging
that if comfort, convenience, and accommodation
were provided for them, to enable them to enjoy
more fully the pleasures they sought, they would
not object to pay for them. Hence his Lordship's
proposition to form an enclosure round the Stand
at Goodwood, Liverpool, and Epsom, to which the
outside public at first raised great objections ; but
his Lordship's observation and forethought soon
enabled him rightly to estimate the advantage of
such a step, and before long he greatly extended
the enclosure at Goodwood till it encompassed the
beautiful trees, which now afford the greatest enjoy-
ment to those who partake of luxurious luncheons
under their shade. Like other reforms and im-
provements originally established at Goodwood,
these enclosures have been adopted at all the
fashionable race meetings of the United Kingdom
and throughout the world. Goodwood race -course
being private property, and owned by a nobleman
who delighted in the noble sport, it was always
the Duke of Richmond's desire to make the
meeting as perfect as possible, which, with Lord
George's energetic and judicious assistance, his
Grace succeeded in accomplishing. A sporting

300 LORD GEORGE AS A TURF REFORMER.

writer on " Glorious Goodwood " in 1844 remarked :
" His Grace the Duke of Richmond and Lord
George Bent in ck are unwearied in their efforts to
do away with the few faults and imperfections
which still remain/' The comfort and convenience
of the public were always well considered by these
generous and considerate noblemen. It was Lord
George who discovered that the public would
readily pay for value received ; and that in these
receipts there existed a large supplementary and
potential source of income which should be applied,
and revert to, the public convenience and enjoy-
ment. At that time the added money to the
various races at Goodwood was almost nominal,
amounting to no more than £1050 ; while the
collective value of all the stakes run for was
£32,589, for which 242 horses started. In the four
days there were forty-three races — viz., thirteen
the first day, nine the second, eleven the third,
and ten the fourth, of which the Goodwood stable
sent seventy-five to the post. As may be imagined,
his Lordship and all connected with the stable
were thoroughly tired, out ; yet after dinner his
Lordship was always eager to add interest to the
next day's racing, and was never too weary to
make matches and bets. Four glasses of wine were
all he allowed himself, and the fatigue of the day
often caused him to fall asleep after dinner ;
nevertheless, he would rouse up when any remark
was made which -interested him, particularly when

REFORMS IN JUDGING. 301

any one offered to make matches or bets. He
never smoked, and appeared to doze when others
were smoking. But, asleep or awake, he was
always perfectly self-possessed ; and sleeping or
waking, no one ever heard from him an indiscretion
or an unmasking disclosure. " All the world and
his wife know full well how quiet Lord George
Bentinck is when he has a good thing." Such
was the remark of a writer who had watched him
closely and knew him well.

The primitive arrangements for conducting most
of the provincial race meetings, previous to the
time when Lord George's attention was drawn to
them, undoubtedly demanded reform, as among
other anomalies it was customary for a private
gentleman to officiate in the capacity of judge,
and also in that of starter. The consequence was
that gross errors occurred in the awards of many
races ; while the disappointments and unsatis-
factory scenes witnessed at the starting-post were
disgraceful in the extreme. Two very flagrant
errors in the decision of races affecting the Good-
wood Stable came under my observation, — one in
1824, when the Duke of Richmond's mare Dandi-
zette ran for the Goodwood Stakes, and passed
the winning-post first ; but the race was given by
Mr Greville, who acted as judge, to Lord Veru-
lam's Vitellina. At that time the judge's box was
perched aloft, considerably above the level of the
race-track. Dandizette finished close to the rails,

302 LORD GEORGE AS A TURF REFORMER.

and passed right under the judge's chair without
attracting Mr Greville's observation, which was
concentrated on Vitellina and The Ghost on the
opposite side of the course — the latter hanging so
much upon the former that she was in great
danger of being forced against the rails. The
jostling race between these two animals absorbed
Mr Greville's field of vision, and he saw nothing of
Dandizette ; but the oversight was so apparent
that Lord Verulam offered the stakes to the Duke
of Richmond, stating he was quite convinced that
Dandizette had won easily enough. His Grace
thanked Lord Verulam for his honourable proposal,
but declined to receive the stakes, stating that,
whatever his own private opinion and that of
others might be, the judge's decision was irrevo-
cable, and must be obeyed. The Earl of Burling-
ton was also present on this occasion, it being the
only race meeting at Goodwood that his Lordship
was ever known to attend. He said to the Duke,
" So you have won the race ; but it has been
given against you by a judge who is above all
things a Newmarket man ! " Again, in the year
1837, the Duke of Richmond's Skilly golee, three
years old, ran for the Gold Cup at Southampton,
which he won easily enough the first time ; but
the judge gave it a dead heat between him and
Mr Sidney Herbert's Bulbridge, three years old.
It was so glaring an error that I felt compelled to
remonstrate with the judge, whose reply was, " I

IMPROVEMENTS IN STARTING. 303

hope you are not offended, but we wanted to
make all the sport we could " ! The next heat I
told Reeves (the jockey who rode Skilly golee) not
to have another dead heat, and he won by four
or five lengths. As I rode past the winning-post
I asked the judge how far the horse won this time.
He replied, " By a length." " No bad length,
either," I rejoined.

Occurrences of this sort were by no means un-
common in those days. The starting of the horses
was generally performed by the clerk of the
course, or some other official quite unused to the
work, and the jockeys took every advantage of
him. Jockeys then, as now, would use every
device in their power to obtain an advantageous
start, and to this end some would deliberately
cause false starts until they attained their object.
Sometimes a favourite would be kept at the start-
ing-post for an hour in a state of frenzy until he
was more than half exhausted before the flag fell.
As the horses were started by word of command—
the single word " Go " being their nunc dimittis—
the jockeys were often unable to understand what
the starter meant, and sometimes ran the race
right through when it was no start. The person
deputed to start the horses at Goodwood in 1830
had an impediment in his speech, and when he
became excited it was with great difficulty that
he could articulate a word. For the Duke of
Richmond's Plate that year there were a number

304 LORD GEORGE AS A TURF REFORMER.

of false starts, which delayed the actual start for
a very long time. After the race, William Arnull,
the oldest jockey who took part in it, and one
upon whose word full reliance could be placed, .
was summoned by the stewards to explain the
cause of the long delay. He replied, " Some of
the horses were no doubt restive, but in my
opinion the fault lay chiefly with the starter.
He is just like an old firelock which fizzles ever
so long in the pan before it goes off, and when he
did get the word out, there was no knowing
whether he said ' Go ' or ' No ' ! "

One of the most flagrant attempts on the part
of jockeys, and of others behind the scenes who
bribed them, to defeat a great favourite, was
practised at Doncaster in 1827, when Mameluke,
who won the Derby, was brought out to run for
the St Leger. There were twenty-six starters,
some of them having been sent to the post for
the express purpose of impeding and delaying the
start, and upsetting Mameluke's temper. Re-
peated false starts followed each other, in some
of which three or four horses ran a considerable
distance before they could be stopped and brought
back. All these delays and checks had the natural
effect of irritating Mameluke greatly, so that he
fretted, kicked, and plunged with such violence
that Sam Chifney the younger, who was upon
his back, had the greatest trouble to induce him
to approach the starter at all. After a monstrous

JOCKEY'S TRICKS. 305

loss of time a start was at last effected, but in
most irregular fashion, as Matilda and Translation
got off several lengths ahead of the rest of the
field. When the flag fell Mameluke's head was
turned the other way, which caused him to lose at
least one hundred yards. Although Jem Hobinson,
on Matilda, made every use that he could of his
advantageous start by forcing the pace, Mameluke
gradually made up his lost ground, and got on
terms with Mr Petre's filly ; but in the end Robin-
son's splendid riding was not to be denied, as he
nursed his mare for a final effort, and won the race
by a short half-length. There are many living,
besides myself, who remember the race, and the
rumours about it, which were on every tongue.
Some blamed the starter, who, I believe, was
shortly afterwards dismissed from his situation.
At that time the jealousies between the north-
country and south -country jockeys were in full
blast, and deep were the ill - feeling and malice
existing between them. Nor were these evil
practices confined to the jockeys. There were
speculators on the Turf who were always ready
to purchase horses engaged in a great race, with
a view of sending them to the post solely to
create difficulties at the start, and thus facilitate
the victory of an outsider. For instance, when
Priam, who was a great favourite, w^on the Derby
in 1830, there were fourteen false starts, all of
which took place in a heavy downpour of rain.

u

306 LORD GEORGE AS A TURF REFORMER.

Fortunately Priam was a most docile and trac-
table colt, and nothing could exasperate him or
ruffle his perfect temper. In the end he won
easily, beating twenty - two opponents, some of
which were sent to the post without the remotest
possibility of being able to run into a place. I
have seen all the best horses that have flourished
and had their day for more than sixty years past,
and I now repeat my well-considered opinion that
Priam was the most perfect race-horse I ever saw.
His constitution was magnificently sound ; his
temperament and nervous system beautifully at-
tuned ; his shape, make, and action were fault-
less. No weight known to the ' Racing Calendar '
could crush his spirit. All courses came alike to
him. I well remember how frequently I rode him
at exercise when, in 1831, he came to our stables
to run for the Goodwood Cup of that year, which
as a four-year-old he won in a canter, carrying 9
st. 5 Ib. two miles and a half. That was sixty-one
years ago, and I question whether there is any
other man still living who ever crossed the back
of that " bright particular star " among horses, the
beautiful and incomparable Priam — the peer of
Flying Childers and Eclipse — the " horse of the
nineteenth century ! "

Lord George Bentinck's connection with Priam
is somewhat remarkable, as it was through his
Lordship's instrumentality that in 1831 he was
sent to Goodwood, after the Ascot Meeting, to be

PRIAM. 307

trained for the Goodwood Cup. He was then the
property of the Earl of Chesterfield, whose horses
were trained by Richard Prince at Newmarket.
Prince also trained for the Duke of Portland and
Mr Charles Greville, with each of whom, as son to
the first and cousin to the second, Lord George
was intimately connected. Being so favourably
impressed with the advantages of Goodwood as a
training-ground, Lord George persuaded Lord Ches-
terfield (then a young man of twenty-six) to send
Priam there from Ascot, instead of allowing him to
travel on foot to Newmarket, and thence to walk to
Goodwood. It was Lord George's admiration for
Priam which induced him to purchase at Tatter-
sail's, as a foal, the most extraordinary animal
that he ever possessed. I well remember that when
Octaviana and her filly foal by Priam were put up
for sale in 1837, the foal was as weak, narrow,
and puny a thing as could well be seen. But
in her veins there coursed the blood of Priam,
Emilius, and Orville on the father's side, and of
Octavian, Shuttle, Delpini, and King Fergus on
the mother's. Always a firm believer in good
blood, Lord George purchased Octaviana when she
was twenty-two years old, because by her side there
ran a filly foal got by Priam. The price he paid
for the pair was 65 guineas. It was in this man-
ner that he became the owner of the celebrated
Crucifix.

Let me conclude with two other instances of Lord

308 LORD GEORGE AS A TURF REFORMER.

George's zeal, energy, and acumen as a Turf refor-
mer, to follow which vocation he was additionally
impelled by the fact that he was often the victim
of abuses which then existed. In the year 1834,
when Preserve won the Clearwell at Newmarket,
the horses were at the post an hour before the start
took place, although there were but nine runners.
Preserve was a great favourite at 6 to 4, and there
was evidently a concerted endeavour to defeat her
by irritating and wearying her as much as possible.
This foul design was repeated when Preserve won
the Criterion at the Houghton Meeting, the betting
being 13 to 8 on her. Although there were four-
teen false starts, the Emilius blood, as in the case
of her half-brother Priarn, was too stout to be
exhausted and defeated by manoeuvres of this
rascally kind.

Again, when his Lordship brought out his extra-
ordinary filly, Crucifix, he became the target at
which the shafts of envy, hatred, and malice were
relentlessly aimed. An attempt was made to defeat
her for the Chesterfield Stakes at Newmarket,
through the usual agency of countless false starts.
In one of these all the horses engaged ran the
course through, and Lord Albemarle's chestnut filly
Iris came in first, defeating Crucifix by half a
length. Crucifix was carrying 9 Ib. extra for
winning the July Stakes, and lost fifty lengths at
the starting-post. It transpired, however, that

ATTEMPT TO DEFEAT CRUCIFIX. 309

the signal had never been given, and it was de-
clared " no start." To run another heat with 9 Ib.
extra was undoubtedly a severe tax upon an over-
grown, light -framed, leggy, and half-furnished filly
of a most irritable and impetuous temperament —
a defect which she inherited from her dam ; but
such was her superiority that she was equal to the
task, and won the actual race in a canter by two
lengths, Iris second. It was 7 to 4 on her before
the first heat and 2 to 1 against her for the second.
When she ran for the Criterion in the Houghton
Meeting, it was 3 to 1 on her, although she again
had 9 Ib. extra to carry. The usual false starts
were resorted to, maddening Crucifix so much that
she ran a dead heat with General Yates's Gibraltar.
The stakes were then divided, which was to the
advantage of both ; as Crucifix, although pretty
certain to have won the second heat, might have
been overtasked, to her own permanent injury.
In the following year (1840), when Crucifix, after
winning the Two Thousand and One Thousand
Guineas, ran for the Oaks, the betting was 3 to 1
on her. There were fifteen runners, and more
than an hour was cut to waste before the horses
got off. Although Crucifix won by half a length,
it was her ruin, as she had become so fretful that
in one of the innumerable false starts she hit her
leg and never ran again. She was beyond all
question a victim to the rascally policy pursued

310 LORD GEORGE AS A TURF REFORMER.

by her envious and unscrupulous opponents, after
making the utmost possible allowance for her im-
petuous temper.

Having witnessed and suffered from these unjust
and iniquitous efforts to defeat favourites, Lord
George resolved that he would introduce reforms
to frustrate as far as possible the machinations of
the promoters of all this mischief.

311

CHAPTEE XV.

PERSONAL HABITS OF LOUD GEORGE BENTINCK.

LORD GEORGE BENTINCK was the beau ideal of an
English nobleman. He stood over six feet in
height ; his figure was, beyond that of any other
man of my acquaintance, stately and elegant ; his
features were extremely handsome and refined, his
hands and feet small and beautifully shaped, and
his whole appearance most commanding. He was
invariably dressed in a long black frock-coat, a
black or very dark blue, double-breasted, velvet
waistcoat, and dark trousers, having (in the fashion
of that day) straps attached, which passed under
his boots. Over his waistcoat he wore a fine, long,
gold chain, which went round his neck, and was
clasped together on his breast by a gold loop, in
which was set a large and very conspicuous tur-
quoise, which I always regarded as symbolising
his sky-blue racing jacket. Round his neck he
wore a costly cream-coloured satin scarf of great
length, knotted under his chin, and with a gold

312 HABITS OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

pin stuck in it. This gold pin (he had two or
more of them) contained either a big ruby or a
pearl. On his head he invariably wore a tall, new,
beaver hat. In this costume, including frock-coat
and tall hat, Lord George was always dressed when
he went round the stables at Goodwood, or pro-
ceeded to the exercise-grounds on foot to see his
horses gallop. On the race-course he usually wore
a green cutaway coat, buckskin breeches, and top-
boots. I must revert for a moment to his scarfs,
in order to say that, although they cost nearly a
pound apiece, nothing would induce him to wear
them more than once. They were then put away,
and many drawers were full of them when he died.
After his death I purchased from Gardner, his
valet, the scarf which he had on when his body
was found, and half-a-dozen others, which I still
keep as mementoes of my honoured master.

Lord George was never known to suffer any of
those whom he employed as commissioners to take
the slightest liberty with him. In speaking with
them he never laughed, and his look, when serious,
was somewhat stern. He never sat down, or per-
mitted them to sit down, in his presence, but would
stand before the fireplace while talking to them,
with the palms of his hands planted just behind
his hips. I have heard two of his most trusted
commissioners say that, without asking questions
or pumping them in any way, Lord George always
elicited from them all the racing information that

CORONATION. 313

they knew. In Coronation's year Lord George
had a large round book on the Derby, and was at
all times prepared to lay £10,000 to £2 00 against
any outsiders, not in John Scott's or John Day's
stables, whose name he heard for the first time.
One day, at Tattersall's, Isaac Day asked his Lord-
ship to lay him £10,000 to £200 against a Sir Her-
cules colt, born in 1838, the year of her Majesty's
Coronation, from which event he took his name.
This colt was trained in a small private stable.
Before Lord George could lay the bet he was
touched on the elbow by Mr Joseph Bond, whom
he often employed to do commissions for him. Mr
Bond shook his head, and the bet was not laid.
Having thus escaped being caught for the long
odds, Lord George never laid against Coronation at
all, and won his whole book. The only explana-
tion that he subsequently vouchsafed to his friends
was, " I followed Mr Bond," to the great gratifi-
cation of the latter.

To me his Lordship was always very unreserved
and communicative, as he knew from experience
that I should never abuse his confidence. My
positive instructions were never to come to London
without seeing him, let the hour be w^hat it might.
Frequently I arrived at Harcourt House very early
in the morning by the mail train, and the hall-
porter would immediately call his Lordship's valet
to announce my advent. Lord George would sum-
mon me without a moment's delay to his bedside,

314 HABITS OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

and after I had talked to him for one or two hours,
would order breakfast to be prepared for me before
I left. At that early hour it often took so much
time to provide this meal that I was scarcely able
to do justice to it, although I felt bound to eat as
much as I could, as his Lordship would invariably
inquire of me before we parted whether I had
enjoyed my breakfast. I often begged him to
allow me to -get what little I wanted at some
refreshment - room, but to this he would never
consent.

When I arrived in London late in the evening,
Lord George was often at the House of Commons,
or at White's Club at dinner. Wherever he might
be, it was my duty to find him with the least
possible delay ; and if not at White's Club, I
sometimes remained there, hearing that he was
expected at eleven o'clock, as he had ordered
dinner then. He would keep me talking till long
after midnight ; and upon one occasion desired me
to meet him next week at the Winchester station,
upon the arrival of the first train from London,
about 11 A.M., which necessitated my leaving home
about 5 A.M. to post to Fareham (a distance of
twenty - two miles) to catch the train for Win-
chester. Thence we posted to Danebury paddocks,
to inspect the stud previous to the closing of the
stakes on that day (the 1st of January). After
minutely inspecting the stud, Lord George found
that it had not occupied as much time as he

PERSONAL KINDNESS. 315

expected, and said he thought we had better go
straight back to London, instead of proceeding to
Winchester to dine, as he had arranged, having
ordered dinner at the George Hotel. Arriving in
London at Nine Elms station about 7.30 P.M., his
Lordship, being unable to find his luggage as
quickly as he wished, said, " I will drive on to
Harcourt House to order you some dinner, if you
will get another cab and bring my luggage with
you." When I got to Harcourt House about 9
P.M., Mrs Jones, the housekeeper, came to inquire
what I would like for dinner, as his Lordship had
desired her to provide the best she was able, and
to get fish, game — in fact, whatever I could enjoy.
My reply was, " A mutton - chop with some tea,
if you please," as I had had nothing since five
o'clock that morning. " I must provide more than
that, or I feel sure his Lordship will not be satis-
fied," exclaimed Mrs Jones. Feeling faint and
tired, I was not in a mood to wait long, and was
therefore allowed to have what I asked for without
delay. As I was eating, Gardner, his Lordship's
valet, came to me and desired me, when I had
dined, to go to White's Club, where I found Lord
George at dinner about eleven o'clock. " I hope
you enjoyed your meal ? What did Mrs Jones get
for you ? " were his first questions. I told him
that I had had a mutton-chop and some tea. " Is
that all she provided for you ! " he answered. I
stated that I preferred it to anything else, as it

316 HABITS OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

was so late, and so many hours had elapsed since I
had breakfasted. " So long as you have had what
you wished, I am satisfied," he rejoined.

As a vast number of stakes closed that day at
midnight, the forfeits for which would amount to
thousands of pounds, I reminded his Lordship of
the time, as he did not appear to consider it. A
cab was at once ordered, and we arrived at
Weatherby's office about 11.40 P.M. Mr Wea-
therby was afraid that something serious had
occurred to prevent his Lordship naming for the
various stakes to which he was a subscriber. " I
am in plenty of time ; Kent has all the nomina-
tions made out," observed his Lordship, looking
over the various stakes to see how they had filled,
until two o'clock, when he drove to Harcourt
House, and there kept me talking over various
matters till nearly five. Then he rang for his
servant to order some breakfast at six o'clock for
me, as he wished me to see some yearlings Mr
Tattersall had for sale at Willesden before I re-
turned home by the coach from Piccadilly at
8.45 A.M. His Lordship never made any allowance
for fatigue, either in himself or in others. The
exertion and labour he underwent were prodigious,
and the strain imposed upon his mind must, in-
deed, have been great, as it was incessantly at
work both night and day. After being upon a
race-course all day, he would invariably return to
London by a late train, and often desired me to

ENDURANCE OF FATIGUE. 317

return with him. Giving the guard 10s. or a
sovereign, according to the distance, he would
desire him to keep a coupee locked, and he insisted
that I should travel with him, when every detail
connected with his enormous racing establishment
was discussed. After that, he would talk upon
various subjects, many of a private and family
nature, upon which I could hardly have expected
him to speak to me. He would relate anecdotes
about his father and brothers, their pursuits,
habits, and peculiarities. Of his mother and
sisters he always spoke in the most affectionate
terms ; and when any question of expense arose he
would often remark, " Never mind the money ;
my mother will let me have any amount."

His prediction as to the great revolution the
construction of railways would effect in racing and
other interests has been fully realised, and he
encouraged railways in every way. He was a
considerable shareholder in the London and Bir-
mingham line, as he informed me once when
travelling upon it ; at the same time expatiating
upon the immense advantages that railways had
conferred on mankind, and upon the addition to
the lives . of individuals made by them, in conse-
quence of their having shortened the hours of
travel.

When the Chichester Old Bank stopped pay-
ment in 1842, my father was a creditor for the
amount of £3600, which was not only a very

318 HABITS OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

serious loss to him but also a great inconvenience,
as it crippled him in the conduct of his business.
A few days after the occurrence Lord George came
to Goodwood, and was apprised of it. He sym-
pathised warmly with my father, and immediately
placed £2000 to his account at another bank.
The consumption of oats in the Goodwood stable
was about 1500 quarters per annum, and they
were obtained twice a-year in consignments of
700 or 800 quarters at a time. They came
generally from Scotland or from Wisbech. A few
months after the stoppage of the bank, the usual
half-yearly supply of oats had to be ordered, and,
with his usual considerate kindness, Lord George
said to my father, " Kent, I am sure that you
must need a further advance to enable you to
meet all your requirements ; here is another cheque
for £2500." Neither of these sums would Lord
George allow my father to deduct from his account
until July 1845, so that he had the use of £4500
for three years without paying a shilling of interest
upon it. The July (1845) account amounted to
£4704, 16s. Id., which sum appears in my father's
ledger with " Deduction of £4500 received on
account," written under it. This will be admitted
by all to have been a generous and considerate act
on Lord George's part.

At Harcourt House Lord George kept about
half-a-dozen harness - horses, and a couple of
travelling carriages, one of which he made use of

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HIS HUNTERS. 319

when journeying down to Danebury, or Goodwood,
or Welbeck. As railways began to extend over
all the kingdom, these travelling carriages were
less and less used every year, until discontinued
altogether. At Welbeck his Lordship kept some
first-class hunters in order to go out with the
Rufford hounds ; but when in the south he greatly
preferred to hunt with Mr Assheton Smith, whose
pack brought him more nearly into contact with
Danebury and Goodwood. It was one of his
favourite fancies to have all his horses (including
racers, hunters, and cart-horses) singed, and he
always insisted that the hunters and cart-horses
should have their manes cut off. Indeed in some
cases it was Lord George's wish that a heavy-
coated horse should be shaved, although it was
by no means easy to get a barber to undertake
the job. So much impressed was he with the
advantages to condition resulting from depriving
all horses of their long coats when employed in
any description of hard work, that he gave orders
to have all the cart-horses singed, with the ex-
ception of a black mare, who had an unusually
thick coat, and was a very free worker. Con-
sequently she was always in a sweat, and very
irritable. The carter who attended her thought
that, if singed, she would be more irritable than
ever, which might bring on some dangerous disease.
When Lord George heard the man's objection, he
replied, " If she dies, she will die my property, and

320 HABITS OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

not yours. I insist, therefore, that you have her
singed without delay." Lord George was quite
right in his anticipation ; for instead of becoming
more nervous and irritable after losing her coat,
she became perfectly quiet in her work, and soon
put on a lot of flesh, of which she stood greatly
in need.

Although very severe upon his race-horses in
training, and resolved to try them constantly, and
to run them in as many races as possible, some-
times twice in the same day, he greatly disliked
to see them punished and abused by jockeys. In
the stable he would go up to them in their stalls,
and fondle and caress them as if they were his
own children. To show how much he hated to
see a horse (however sorry a nag it might be)
cruelly treated, I remember being with him very
early one morning upon Epsom race-course during
the Derby week. In the furze-bushes at the top
of the hill a gipsy was ill-using and beating his
horse unmercifully, and Lord George called out to
him to desist. The gipsy paid no attention to the
remonstrance, and Lord George jumped off his
horse and threw the rein to me, bidding me to
remain there until he had given " that brute " a
sound hiding. I implored him not to do so,
reminding him that there were a lot of other
gipsies and roughs close by, who would be sure to
interfere on behalf of their friend and comrade,
and might do him some injury. Observing my

HIS HATRED OF DISHONESTY. 321

earnestness, and acknowledging the justice of
my remarks, his Lordship remounted his horse,
adding, " You have disappointed me in giving that
scoundrel a good thrashing ; but perhaps you are
right."

All those in Lord George's service who did their
duty with zeal and fidelity were sure to be hand-
somely rewarded. Although not prone to suspicion,
he was indefatigable in his exertions to unmask
dishonesty, and to bring those guilty of it to well-
merited punishment. In 1844, for instance, when
Red Deer and other horses were being prepared
for the Chester Cup, my letters to Lord George,
addressed to Harcourt House, were opened by
some miscreant connected with the Post Office
in London. By a clever device the paper was
cut just outside of the seal — there were no envel-
opes in those days — and after the contents had
been read, it was again closed by a hot iron ap-
plied to the edge of the sealing-wax, which was
made to extend over the cut. Occasionally a little
additional wax was employed. Upon one occasion
the letter had not been effectually reclosed, and
Lord George discovered the fraud. He then ex-
amined other letters which he had received from
me, and had no difficulty in detecting the treachery
of which he had been made the object. His first
step was to warn me to seal my letters with a
wafer, and then to cover the wafer with wax. He
remarked that moisture would not act upon the

x

322 HABITS OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

wax or heat upon the wafer, and that between the
two no one would be able to tamper with my
letters. He then communicated with the Post
Office authorities, who soon discovered that the
delinquents were two sorters named Saunders and
Tapson, who were dismissed the service. It was
the opinion of the law officers of the Crown that
these men, having opened but not having stolen
the letters, could not be further punished. If
such an outrage were to be perpetrated now, the
offenders would probably find themselves much
more severely dealt with than their predecessors
were in 1844.

About the same time a well-known pugilist who
kept a tavern not far from the Haymarket was
found to be implicated in the conspiracy with
these rascally Post Office employees. When Red
Deer won the Chester Cup the pugilist in question
landed a large stake, and gave a sumptuous dinner
to his friends, at the close of which he produced
some wonderfully fine old port and brandy, which
turned out (as he anticipated) to be a capital ad-
vertisement, for the same brand of port and of
cognac proved to be as inexhaustible as the widow's
cruse of oil in Scripture. To prevent treachery
among the numerous lads and servants employed
in such an immense stable, many of whom were, of
course, exposed to all sorts of temptations when
attending race meetings, was found to be almost
impossible. In one instance I succeeded, however,

A CASE OF TREACHERY. 323

in detecting a culprit. Towards the close of the
racing season of 1845 I had reason to believe that
the results of our trials were communicated to a
party in London. I set to work, therefore, in earn-
est to discover the traitor, who, I was convinced,
must be one of the lads riding in the trials. I
therefore arranged some trials with a view to
gaining the information that I desired, and at last
I succeeded in getting possession of a letter which
fully revealed to me who the traitor was. This
letter, which gave full particulars of several trials
and of other stable secrets, was in the handwriting
of a boy who acted as amanuensis to another boy
who could not read or write, but who rode in every
trial. He therefore employed a quick, intelligent
lad to write for him, and to read to him such let-
ters as arrived at Goodwood. Before long I got
the amanuensis entirely into my confidence, and
by him I was placed in possession of all the ras-
calities which were going on, and of the names
of the parties in London who were implicated in
the plot.

Knowing that I had behind me such a master as
Lord George Bentinck, who would grudge no ex-
pense so long as he was able to find out the villain
who was betraying us both, I had at my command
all the resources necessary for getting to the bot-
tom of the conspiracy. Upon reporting progress
to Lord George, I received from him the following
encouraging letter : —

324 HABITS OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

" HARCOURT HOUSE, January 31, 1846.

" JOHN KENT, — You deserve and I give you
the very greatest credit for the zeal, skill, and
ability with which you have detected the traitor
in our stable.

" Now we have found him, we shall be fools
indeed if we cannot ruin him and all his gang.

" Of course we must continue to sham the ut-
most confidence in him, and then we must take
good care to put him wrong in everything of any
importance.

"It is too late to put him on the wrong scent as
regards Best Bower in connection with the Chester
Cup, unless we can manage it by making Miss
Elis win the trials a long way. It will be too late,
also, to attempt setting him wrong as to Blackbird
and the Voluptuary colt ; but I think with Nereus
and Hose of Cashmere we might have fine game
with B. and E. They must both have a ride or
two on Nereus when half trained, so that he may
be beaten a long way in all his trials. Neither
will it be too late to deceive him about Planet.
However, I must leave all this to you, as I see you
are now quite master of the situation. — I am, your
obedient servt., G. BENTINCK."

To this letter I replied by suggesting some
slight alterations in the programme, and begged
his Lordship to let me know what was the amount
of the reward which he proposed to give to the lad

DEFEATING TREACHERY. 325

who had been useful and faithful to me as an
informant and confidant. I received from his
Lordship the accompanying reply by return of
post : —

" HARCOURT HOUSE, Feb. 6, 1846.

" JOHN KENT, — Nothing can be more able,
clever, and skilful than the manner in which

you have discovered the misdoings of ; but

it is absolutely necessary we should keep him on
without allowing him to suspect that we have
found him out, and then we will make him the
most efficient tool that could be for our own pur-
poses. is the very man of whom I spoke to

you some time ago as having always got the cream

of the betting out of our stable. must not

on any account be discharged, but the boy who
tells you must be well rewarded. I therefore
authorise you to pay him anything you think

right. must be kept right in ALL MATTERS

of SMALL importance ; but where we mean to do
great things, such as with Nereus, Rose of Cash-
mere, and Planet, he and B must be put quite

in the HOLE. I shall have no scruple in dismissing

at any moment, when I find it will best

answer my purpose to do so. Do you think

stands quite clear about the watch ? It seems an
odd thing to do — to send a watch to York to be
repaired ! Is it quite certain the watch was not a
present and a bribe from some betting man at York ?
— I am, your obedient servant, G. BENTINCK.

326 HABITS OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

" P.S. — The way Colonel Anson and John Scott
saved first Attila and then Cotherstone from being
poisoned was by sending the head lad in the one
case and the boy in the other, who were to do
the job, suddenly away to fetch a horse from
Malton, so that no suspicion that the conspiracy
had been discovered was excited. The conse-
quence was that in both cases the whole gang of
conspirators were entirely ruined. In like manner

we must make excuses for getting out of

the way when occasion requires it. Sometimes we
can do so by ordering him to ride some weight
we know he cannot ride, and then taking him off
at the last moment. G. B."

Liberally as his Lordship paid all his servants,
and great as was the trust he reposed in them, it
must have been a source of great annoyance to
him to find he had been betrayed by one who had
in every way been encouraged to do his duty. In
addition to his wages the culprit was earning £20
to £25 per annum by riding trials, and frequently
was in receipt of presents when a horse won with
which he had been in any way connected. It was
one of his Lordship's best traits that he dealt with
and treated everything and everybody strictly
upon their merits. The fidelity and loyalty of my
confidant in the above matter were above all
praise, as the traitor had not the slightest sus-
picion that he was mistrusted, but continued to

STABLE PRECAUTIONS. 327

ride trials with the utmost confidence, as I knew
by the letters which he persisted in dictating,
some of which were not very correct as to the
merits of the animals upon which he gave an
opinion. For instance, he made great mistakes as
to the weights carried by horses in many of the
trials.

I soon found that some change of tactics in
weighing the lads was essential. I also had to
employ various descriptions of saddles and saddle-
cloths to attain my object. The traitor considered
himself so very clever that in one of his letters he
stated, " My master may think he is deep enough
to deceive us in the weights, but he cannot
deceive me with his loaded saddle-cloths. Such
and such a horse must have had a lot of weight to
carry, and then won easily." It so happened that
he was not within 2 J stones of the right estimate,
as the lead in the saddle-cloths had been replaced
by pieces of pine-wood of the same shape. All
this was very gratifying to Lord George, as it
afforded him an opportunity of making a distinc-
tion between a faithful servant and a scoundrel.
It is needless to add that the traitor, after he had
been turned into a dupe and had served his pur-
pose, was summarily dismissed, while those who
had bribed him suffered great losses. The faithful
servant was liberally rewarded, and eventually had
a good situation obtained for him.

Lord George was so frequently at Goodwood,

328 HABITS OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

and spent so much of his time there, inspecting his
horses and entering into the minutest details, that
it was hardly possible for my father or myself to
pay him as much attention as we could have
wished. We had many other pressing duties to
discharge, and were constantly compelled to apolo-
gise to him for our frequent absences. He always
replied, " Do not mind me ; I can amuse and occupy
myself in a dozen ways." Sometimes he would
remain a great length of time in the box with some
favourite horse, watching every movement, and
ending by patting and caressing him or her. If he
happened to be present at feeding- time, he would
take the greatest interest in their various appetites,
and loved to see them enjoying their food. Nothing
could exceed the pleasure taken by Lord George in
his extensive racing establishment ; and although
he frequently passed hours in and about the stable
unattended by my father or myself, it never came
to our knowledge that he applied to a servant or a
lad for information on any subject. I cannot say
as much for some other professed gentlemen whom
I knew too well.

It is impossible that any one could ever have
cared less for money than Lord George did. At
the same time, he was far too clear-sighted and
too practical to allow any one to wrong him long.
In these matters Lord George realised the descrip-
tion given of him by Mr Disraeli, when he says :
" Lord George valued the acquisition of money on

HIS DISREGARD OF MONEY. 329

the Turf because there it was the test of success.
He counted his thousands after a great race as
a victorious general counts his cannon and his
prisoners." Mr Disraeli adds in another passage
of his ' Political Biography of Lord George Ben-
tinck,' that if certain letters written by the lat-
ter, which Mr Disraeli had seen, were to meet
the public eye, they would cause their author to
be regarded as a far more amiable and tender
character than those who knew him but slightly
gave him credit for being. " Not," says Mr Dis-
raeli, " that it must for one moment be supposed
that Lord George was blind to what was occur-
ring on all sides. He was the most sensitive
as well as the proudest of men."

When Mr Disraeli called at Harcourt House just
before the Christmas holidays in 1846, his Lord-
ship remarked to him with great emotion, " In this
cause I have greatly shaken my health, shattered
my constitution, and shortened my days, but in it
I will succeed or die." The words were prophetic,
and to me it will ever be a painful thought that
my dear and honoured master wore himself out
while still in the very prime of life for politicians
who were too selfish to bear any portion of the
immense burden which he voluntarily took upon
his own shoulders. That he was aware of this
would, I feel sure, have been made apparent if his
political correspondence had been preserved. But
in a note appended to Mr Louis J. Jennings's

330 HABITS OE LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

' Correspondence and Diaries of the Right Hon-
ourable John Wilson Croker,' I find the following
words : " The editor has made diligent inquiry for
Lord George Bentinck's political correspondence,
and has been informed by Viscountess Ossington,
his Lordship's sister, that the whole of it was
probably destroyed by the fourth Duke of Port-
land, his father."

But although all the letters addressed to Lord
George by Mr Disraeli, Mr Croker, Lord Stanley
(afterwards Earl of Derby), and others, have
perished, some of those written by Lord George
himself are still extant. Knowing him as well as
I did, I can well conceive the feelings with which
he must have penned the following passage to Mr
Croker from Welbeck on October 8, 1847: —

»

" When I accepted the lead of what was left of
the old Conservative party, I did deceive myself
with false hopes that the old English spirit would
have been roused, and that it was only necessary
to keep the dismantled ship floating, or fighting
under jury-masts, till she went through the
thorough repair of a new election. I own that I
am bitterly disappointed and broken-hearted that
England has proved to be so degenerate that, in
face of a tremendous emergency, she has produced
no new leader to take my place. Nothing but
pinching adversity will bring such men to a proper
sense of their duty. As regards the gentlemen,

HIS CONFIDENCE. 331

the entire fund subscribed for the election did not
exceed £8000, and of this King Hudson subscribed
£6000."

When it is remembered that Lord George's
own expenditure upon political and parliamentary
objects was as unstinted as it had formerly been
upon horse-racing, I can well understand his dis-
appointment upon finding that others were not so
ready as he was to pay in purse and person. Mr
Disraeli, who speaks of Lord George Bentinck as
" the most generous of men," was well aware how
much money he spent upon politics, although he
never permitted Mr Disraeli nor anybody else to
allude to it. This trait it was, I imagine, which
made Mr Disraeli term him " the proudest of men."
So far as I was myself concerned, Lord George
never showed any pride or hauteur in dealing with
my father or me. Where he gave his confidence,
he was not only condescending but confiding ; and
I was often astonished at the unreserved freedom
with which he used to speak to me about matters
with which I had no concern. Lord George
was a Mason, and in one essential qualification,
reticence, was well fitted to belong to a secret
society. I never heard, however, that he took
any step to make himself a distinguished member
of the craft.

332

CHAPTER XVI.

THE FIFTH DUKE OF RICHMOND, K.G.

FIFTEEN chapters of this work have thus far been
mainly devoted to the racing career of Lord George
Bentinck, and to its bearings upon his social, polit-
ical, and sporting character. It will now be my
duty to offer to readers who have had the patience
to follow me thus far, a few reminiscences of Lord
George's racing confederate, the fifth Duke of
Richmond.

My father and I had the honour to serve his
Grace — and never was there a better or a kinder
master — before Lord George ever entered the
Goodwood stable as an owner of race-horses trained
therein, and long after he had left it. I have no
hesitation in asserting that some of the Duke's
most valuable qualities were not without their
influence upon Lord George, who never showed
himself greater than in 1848, when Surplice,
whom he had bred, won the Derby for Lord
Clifden. From many things that I have seen

THE DUKE OF RICHMOND. 333

and heard, I feel persuaded that the Duke of
Richmond was not only Lord George's safest
guide and most judicious friend, but also that
insensibly he was to no slight degree a pattern for
his Lordship between 1841 and 1848.

In one of his numerous letters to the ' Times/
Admiral Rous states that during the whole of his
long experience of the Turf, he had come across
only two owners of horses — the fourth Duke of
Portland, and the fifth Earl of Glasgow — who
raced solely for honour, without one mercenary
thought in their minds. I cannot understand
why Admiral Rous excluded the fifth Duke of
Richmond from the above-named category. How-
ever honourably and unselfishly the Duke of
Portland and Lord Glasgow may have conducted
their racing operations, it is impossible that in
this respect they should have surpassed my old
master, the Duke of Richmond. It is because I
believe such noblemen as the three just men-
tioned ought to be held up to the admiration
and the possible imitation of their successors in
all future ages, that I now take delight in supply-
ing the following details respecting his Grace's
racing career and high-souled disposition.

He was born on the 3d August 1791, and suc-
ceeded to the title and estates of his ancestors
upon the death, in Canada, of his father, the
fourth Duke, in August 1819. At an early age
his Grace was sent to Mr Howe's school at Chis-

334 THE FIFTH DUKE OF RICHMOND, K.G.

wick, where he remained until, a few months
later, he was moved to Westminster School. I
have it on the authority of some of his contem-
poraries at Westminster, especially the late Lord
Stradbroke, that he was most attentive to his
studies. In addition, he had all the inherent
courage of his race, and it cannot be doubted
that had he been sent to either of the Univer-
sities, he would have become a fairly good scholar.
Quick of perception, and gifted with a retentive
memory, he was one of the most assiduous and
persevering of men.

Even in boyhood the love of discipline, for
which he was celebrated in the Peninsula, was
very marked. But his most noticeable and lov-
able quality was his hatred of oppression, which
led him to interpose on behalf of the weak when-
ever threatened or attacked by a bully or tyrant.
At school, for instance, it signified nothing that
the aggressor was several inches taller and a stone
heavier than himself; for in more than one of the
fights in which his Grace, then Mr Lennox, was
engaged, he held his own successfully against
older and bigger boys than himself. It was a
fighting era, as may be seen from Sir Denis Le
Marchant's ' Life of Viscount Althorp,' and Mrs
Henry Baring's ' Autobiography of the Hight
Honourable William Windham.' In fact every
record of our great public schools between 1780
and 1840 shows that fights between boys were

HIS SERVICES IN THE PENINSULA. 335

much more frequent and determined than they
have been since the latter date. Few men through-

o

out life had more disputes referred to them for
arbitration than his Grace, and the spirit of fair-
ness which he brought to his task was so well
known that his decisions were never appealed
against even by those who were losers thereby.
The Duke, or rather Mr Lennox, entered the
army at a very early age, and was at once gazetted
to the 13th Light Dragoons, then in the Penin-
sula. In the summer of 1810, being then in his
nineteenth year, he embarked from Portsmouth for
Lisbon, where he met upon his arrival with a most
cordial reception from Vice- Admiral Berkeley, whose
wife was his aunt, and who invited him to share
his quarters until his guest had recovered from
the fatigues of his voyage. Neither the Admiral's
pressing invitation, however, to regard his house
as a home, nor the gaieties of Lisbon, could induce
Mr Lennox, who had now become Lord March,
to absent himself from his regimental duties for
a single day. Without losing a moment he made
his way on horseback to the headquarters of the
army, and reported himself to Sir Arthur Welles-
ley, Commander - in - Chief, who immediately ap-
pointed him to his personal staff, which consisted
of the first Lord Raglan, then Lord Fitzroy
Somerset ; of the latter's nephew, the seventh Duke
of Beaufort, then Marquis of Worcester ; of Lord
George Lennox, Lord William Russell. Lord

336 THE FIFTH DUKE OF RICHMOND, K.G.

Charles Manners, and Lord Clinton ; of the
Honourable Fitzroy Stanhope, the Honourable
Henry Percy, Major the Honourable Sir Alex-
ander Gordon ; Captain Colin Campbell, Major
Canning, " Jack " Fremantle, and the Prince of
Orange. We learn from ' A Memoir of Charles
Gordon Lennox, fifth Duke of Richmond,' pub-
lished anonymously in 1862, that "the hunting-
field in England had made many of the above-
named officers competent for an important branch
of their duty — that of conveying orders to distant
posts — a duty which, in a savage, mountainous
country, with an ever - vigilant enemy in front,
required no slight energy, courage, and quickness
of eye."

Scarcely had Lord March attained this proud
position before his regiment, the 13th Light
Dragoons, was detailed to reconnoitre the enemy's
movements. Lord March heard of this order with
unfeigned regret, as his position on the head-
quarters staff forbade his going to the front with
his regiment. He soon recovered from his disap-
pointment on learning that a general engagement
was imminent, — an anticipation which was speedily
verified. On the morning of July 27, 1810, the
French, under Massena, made two desperate attacks
on the English position (a very strong one) at
Busaco. The action lasted the whole day before
the enemy was finally repulsed, leaving nearly
3000 killed and wounded on the field. Lord

IN THE PENINSULA. 337

March had taken out with him to the Peninsula
three clever chargers ; one of them — a chestnut
thoroughbred — which carried him at Busaco, was
named after the battle. When Lord March retired
from active service at the close of the war, he
brought Busaco home with him. I have often
seen the horse, and he bore about him the marks
of many gunshot wounds. In addition, his head
and neck were scarred by heavy sabre-cuts, which
the noble animal probably diverted from his rider
by accidentally raising his head. Upon his return
to England Busaco was turned out for life in Hal-
naker Park, where he lived some years, until, be-
coming very old, he was killed, and buried in
the home park close to the ice-house, and a tree
was planted over his remains, which has now
grown into a noble specimen. Between the battles
of Busaco and Orthez, at the latter of which he
was severely wounded, Lord March suffered greatly
from ill health, being unable to stand the excessive
exertion and exposure to bad weather which his
staff duties necessitated. It is not generally
known that all through the Peninsular War the
English troops, including officers as well as pri-
vates, served without tents, sleeping out by night
in the open air. The French had, as usual, their
tentes d'abri.

Under these circumstances Lord March was sent
down by Wellington, in October 1811, to Lisbon,
where he fell in with his first cousin, Charles James

Y

338 THE FIFTH DUKE OF RICHMOND, K.G.

Napier, through whose jaw a bullet had passed.
After inquiring into the circumstances of Lord
March's ill health, Captain Charles Napier wrote
to his mother, Lady Sarah Napier (with whom,
when Lady Sarah Lennox, George III. was
notoriously in love), in the following terms : —

LISBON, Nov. 1, 1811.

Lord March has just been here, and tells me that you
have had your eyes done, and can see a little. Oh! my
beloved mother, is this blessed news true ? Heaven grant
that it may be ! March has been very ill, and will require
at least two months' rest and care before he can hope to
resume his headquarter duties. CHARLES NAPIER.

Soon rejoining the Commander -in -Chief, Lord
March was present at the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo.
" He entered the breach," writes his biographer,
" with the storming -party of the 52d, his com-
panions being the Prince of Orange and Lord
Fitzroy Somerset. The Commander -in -Chief re-
buked them for exposing their lives in a service
which, as officers of the staff, they were not called
upon to undertake." In this connection Colonel
Gurwood tells a good story of Lord March. When
the former was about to return the sword of the
French governor of Ciudad Rodrigo, Lord March
plucked his superior officer by the sleeve, whisper-
ing in his ear, " Don't be such a fool as to give
him back his weapon " ! In the attack on this
fortress Captain George Napier (brother to Charles
Napier) was severely wounded, upon which occa-

RETURN FROM SPAIN. 339

sion Lord March addressed the following letter to
Lady Sarah, the mother of these two young heroes :

GALLEGOS, Jan. 21, 1812.

I am sorry to tell you that George has had his arm am-
putated, in consequence of a musket-shot he received at the
top of the breach. It has been cut off just above the elbow
of the right arm. He suffers very little pain, and is in
high spirits. He volunteered to lead 300 as fine fellows
as ever marched, from the Light Division, and with them
stormed the small breach. Everybody in the army admires
his gallantry, and they cannot refuse, I trust, to make him
a Lieut.-Colonel. I will let you know how he is by the next
mail, and I am convinced it will be a favourable account.
He wanted to write to you, but I told him I would. He is
coming to my quarters, and I will take every care of him,
— Believe me, dear Lady Sarah, ever yours affectionately,

MARCH.

After the battle of Salamanca, Lord March was
sent to England with despatches, and started for
Corunna, where he embarked for Portsmouth. He
had been present at three battles and two sieges, at
skirmishes and brushes innumerable ; but in those
days special war - correspondents were unknown,
and few details, except those conveyed in head-
quarter despatches and in private letters, were
sent home.

Lord March returned to Spain just before the
Christmas of 1812. At that time his father was
Viceroy of Ireland, and Wellington wrote to him
that Lord March and his brother George, both of
them A.D.C.'s on the headquarter staff, were in

340 THE FIFTH DUKE OF RICHMOND, K.G.

excellent health. Both were present at all the
engagements of 1813, including Vittoria. Lord
March had been anxious to witness the conduct
in battle of the 52d Light Infantry, and to obtain
a practical knowledge of regimental duty in the
field. He sought permission, therefore, to leave
the headquarter staff for a while, and to join the
1st battalion of that gallant regiment as Captain
in the 52d. Lord March led his company to
attack the enemy's right at the battle of Orthez.
On the crest of the hill he was struck in the chest
by a musket-ball, which was never extracted, and
which, forty -eight years later, he carried with
him to the grave. The wound was at first pro-
nounced to be mortal ; but Surgeon Hair of the
52d attended him with such fidelity and skill,
that Lord Wellington, on coming to see him,
found him sleeping tranquilly. In his surgeon's
opinion he had already surmounted the dangerous
crisis. Youth and a good constitution soon
enabled him to recover and to rejoin the Duke
of Wellington at the battle of Toulouse. Speak-
ing of Orthez, Sir William Napier, in his ' History
of the Peninsular War,' remarks that " the loss of
the allied army was 2300 ; among the wounded
being the Duke of Wellington, slightly, and the
Duke of Richmond (then Lord March), very
severely. The latter had served on Wellington's
personal staff throughout the war without a hurt ;
but being made a captain in the 52d, he joined

ACCIDENT IN THE HUNTING-FIELD. 341

his regiment like a good soldier before the battle.
He was shot through the lungs during the battle ;
thus learning by experience the difference between
the dangers to which staff and regimental officers
are exposed, which are generally in an inverse
ratio to their promotion."

I have entered into the details of his Grace's
military life at a length which to some may seem
inconsistent with what I must necessarily say
about his racing career, because it was from his
Peninsular experiences that he acquired his great
love for horses, and especially for thorough-
breds, which, as he had practically ascertained,
make the bravest and most enduring chargers in
the world. Upon the restoration of peace Lord
March returned to Goodwood House, and devoted
himself with great ardour to hunting. It is prob-
able indeed that he would have re-established
the far-famed " Goodwood Hunt " but for an acci-
dent which befell him when out with the Earl of
Egremont's hounds. As he was galloping down
one of the steep hills near Goodwood, his horse
fell and trod upon his chest, injuring him severely.
For some days his life was in imminent danger,
and the surgeon in charge believed that the bullet
which Lord March had received at Orthez was
displaced by the fall. Be this as it may, he was
advised to give up hunting, and most reluctantly
but with sound judgment he accepted the fiat of the
doctors.

342 THE FIFTH DUKE OF RICHMOND, K.G.

It is possible that, but for his banishment
from the hunting-field, Lord March would never
have taken to horse-racing. In 1817, however, we
find him running two horses at Goodwood — to wit,
Hermes, aged four years, and Princess, aged three
years, by Gohanna, the Earl of Egremont's cele-
brated stallion. With the former Lord March won
his first race — a match for fifty sovereigns a side,
half a mile, against Lord Apsley's nameless bay
gelding (catch weights). In 1818, Lord March
ran two horses at Goodwood, Roncesvalles and Gas,
winning with the former a sweepstakes of ten
guineas each. In 1819, Roncesvalles won a match
for fifty guineas at Brighton against Mr Ball's
Lustre. Again, on August 17, 1819, Roncesvalles
won a sweepstakes at Brighton, which was the last
race won by Lord March in that name. Eleven
days later his Lordship succeeded to the title as
fifth Duke of Richmond, and shortly afterwards
his racing career — that is to say, the portion of it
conducted on a large scale — may be said to have
commenced.

In 1823 his Grace resolved greatly to extend his
stud, and engaged my father to assume the duties
of his private trainer. My father was recommended
to his Grace by the then Lord Dunwich, who sub-
sequently became second Earl of Stradbroke, and
was, more or less, a racing confederate of the Duke.
Lord Dunwich, like his brother Henry, who after-
wards became Admiral Rous, was an excellent

THE GOODWOOD STABLE. 343

judge of racing, and advised his Grace to purchase
Hampden from the Duke of Grafton, and Dandi-
zette from Mr Walker. Hampden proved to be a
bad-tempered horse, and had evidently lost his
form prior to the Duke of Grafton's selling him.
He turned out a very bad purchase, and Lord
Dunwich was greatly annoyed, as he imagined that
some misrepresentations had been made to him
about the horse, who was five years old when he
purchased him for the Duke of Richmond. Hamp-
den was taken out of training, and being a son of
Rubens, was put to the stud, where, again, he was
very unsuccessful, as he generally imparted his own
vicious temper to his progeny. With Dandizette,
on the other hand, the Duke was very successful.

In 1825 his Grace purchased a yearling filly, by
Smolensko out of Medora, whom he named Gul-
nare, and with whom he won the Oaks at Epsom in
1827, together with some other good races. In
fact, she won eight times as a three-year-old with-
out* ever sustaining defeat. His Grace was greatly
encouraged by Gulnare's success, and thencefor-
ward he entered more fully into racing engage-
ments. The Goodwood stable was also reinforced,
after 1828, by horses belonging to the Earl of
Stradbroke, the Earl of Uxbridge, Colonel Peel,
Captain Byng (afterwards Lord Enfield, and finally
second Earl of Straiford), Sir James Graham, and
others. Among the new supporters of the stable
were included Mr Charles Greville, Mr Houlds-

344 THE FIFTH DUKE OF RICHMOND, K.G.

worth, and Lord George Bentinck. My father
has often told me that he never knew a lot of
noblemen and gentlemen, all of them owners of
horses, who acted together more harmoniously
for a considerable time than the above - named
group. Their concord and good-fellowship were
not a little promoted by the delightful surround-
ings which they found at Goodwood. Many of
them spent a large portion of their time at Good-
wood House, and found in his Grace the most
cordial and hospitable of hosts. After breakfast
the whole party, often accompanied by the ladies,
came en masse to the stables, round which they
were escorted by my father. His Grace had spent
a good deal of money in making new paddocks,
supplied with excellent hovels, and with every-
thing necessary for a select breeding stud. Among
the horses inspected was Moses, winner of the
Derby in 1822, whom the Duke of Richmond pur-
chased on the dispersal of the Duke of York's stud,
after the death of his Royal Highness in 1827. In
the previous year, the Duke of Richmond also pur-
chased three very valuable mares from Mr Lambton
—viz., Leopoldine, Loo, and the Duchess, the latter
having won the Doncaster St Leger for Sir Belling-
ham Graham in 1816.

Upon the return of each successive race meeting
at Goodwood, the noble owner of that enchanting
domain greeted the advent of "The Races" with
the greatest zest and delight. Nothing afforded

THE GOODWOOD MEETING. 345

him greater pleasure than to invite the most dis-
tinguished patrons of the Turf to his beautiful home,
where they were entertained for many days in
princely fashion. The carriages pulling up at the
front door for three or four days previous to the
races generally numbered forty or more. Many
had four horses attached to them, and the amount
of luggage that they carried was simply enormous.
The landlords of the two great hotels at Godalming
and Kingston were brothers named Moon. The
landlord of " The King's Arms," Godalming, who
was a very keen sportsman, was called " Full
Moon," to distinguish him from his brother at
Kingston, who was called " Half Moon." Each
of these posting-houses habitually kept from ninety
to one hundred pair of post-horses for the use of
their customers. Despite the vastness of these
numbers, the demand for post-horses" before the
Goodwood Meeting often exceeded the supply.
During the meeting the big stable-yard at Good-
wood, which was of immense size, was completely
blocked up with carriages. To every detail con-
nected with the accommodation of his guests, their
servants, and their carriages, the Duke himself
paid the minutest attention when the recurrence
of each meeting drew near.

In those comparatively primitive times there
was, in my opinion, much more genuine enjoy-
ment of pleasures and amusements than exists in
these more luxurious and civilised days. I feel

346 THE FIFTH DUKE OF RICHMOND, K.G.

certain that his Grace would not have enjoyed
the Goodwood Meeting of to-day half so much as
he did those which came to pass between .1830
and 1860. I have already stated that, through
the joint exertions of the Duke of Richmond and
Lord George Bentinck, Goodwood soon rose to be
the best and most fashionable meeting in the
world. The training-grounds on which the race-
horses of the two noble confederates were pre-
pared for their engagements were as perfect as
money and ingenuity could make them. I re-
member the time when Goodwood Park, in front
of the house, and in other parts, was studded with
innumerable ant-hills, which were pared down and
burnt, producing many hundreds of cart-loads of
ashes. The Duke soon became so enthusiastically
attached to the Turf that he determined to get
hold of a domicile at Newmarket. With this ob-
ject in view, he purchased, in 1828, a house and
stables on " The Terrace " at Newmarket, which had
been the property of the Hon. Charles Wyndham,
whose death took place in that year. This house
his Grace put under the charge of his old and
faithful servant, Peter Soar,1 who had been coach-
man, while his wife had been cook, to the fourth
Duke, who was father to the subject of the pres-
ent memoir. It was the fourth Duke who was
residing at Brussels when the battle of Waterloo

1 Peter Soar drove his master, the fourth Duke of Richmond, over
the field of Waterloo the morning after the battle.

HIS LETTERS. 347

took place, and his name, together with that of
his wife, will live for ever in connection with the
famous ball given by them on the night preced-
ing the battle of Quatre Bras — an event which
afforded Lord Byron a theme for one of his most
magnificent passages in verse, and which was also
selected by Thackeray as a key to his interesting
novel, ' Vanity Fair/ No one had more anecdotes
to tell about that " king -making victory " than
the fourth Duke and his accomplished wife, the
daughter of Alexander, fourth Duke of Gordon.
The fourth Duchess of Richmond brought that
noble Scottish property, Gordon Castle, together
with the deer-forest of Glenfiddich, and many
miles of the Spey, a magnificent salmon river,
into the possession of the Lennox family. Gor-
don Castle has for many years been the autumn
retreat of the late and the present Dukes of
Richmond, who resorted to it every year with
increasing delight. It was not until the death
in 1836 of his maternal uncle, George, fifth Duke
of Gordon, that the fifth Duke of Richmond as-
sumed the additional name of Gordon. From the
same uncle he also succeeded to the hereditary
constableship of Inverness Castle.

As a racing man, the Duke of Richmond dif-
ered in many respects from Lord George Ben-
tinck. The former was as concise as the latter
was voluminous in his private letters. His Grace
regarded five or six lines as a long letter for him

348 THE FIFTH DUKE OF RICHMOND, K.O.

to write : I have often received as many closely
written sheets of note-paper from Lord George.
My father once showed me a letter from the Duke
containing the single word " Yes." This letter
became the subject of a bet between my father
and Mr Rusbridger, the land-agent at Goodwood.
The latter received a communication from his
Grace which contained two words. On the strength
of this he betted my father that he could produce
the shortest letter in existence from him. His
chagrin may be imagined when, on investigation,
he was beaten as it were by a head.

Although the Duke never possessed a very
superior animal, — probably Ghillie Callum was his
best in point of merit, and Red Hart in point of
success, — yet his Grace won the Oaks twice — viz.,
with Gulnare and Refraction. The One Thousand
Guineas Stakes at Newmarket he won with Picnic ;
the Goodwood Cup twice — viz., with Linkboy and
Miss Craven ; the Goodwood Stakes thrice ; the
Chester Cup once ; the Ascot Stakes thrice ; and
some valuable stakes with the following, — viz.,
Red Hart, Officious, Cuckoo, Red Hind, Harbinger,
Pharos, Homebrewed, Dagobert, and others. Dur-
ing the time his Grace kept race- horses he won in
stakes about £112,000.

It is not generally known that William IV.
had little taste for the Turf, in connection with
which his brother, George IV., had sustained
great pecuniary losses. Such, however, was the

KING WILLIAM IV. AND THE DUKE. 349

attachment felt by the " Sail or -King " for the
fifth Duke of Richmond, that his Majesty was
induced to bestow his patronage upon horse-rac-
ing, and to retain the Royal stud at Hampton
Court, which is now one of the most successful
and best conducted establishments of its kind in
the world. King William IV. was often heard
to declare that his friend, to whose meritorious
career this chapter is dedicated, was, as a noble-
man, sans peur et sans reproche; that is to say,
with no other object in view than the good of his
country, the maintenance of his own fair fame,
and the education of his family, so that they
might grow up good men and good women. It
was at the instance of the fifth Duke that William
IV. gave a grand dinner to the Jockey Club on
May 28, 1833, of which a full account will be found
in Mr Greville's * Diaries.'

In a book entitled ' Horse-Racing : its History ;
with Early Records of Principal and other Race
Meetings,' published anonymously by Messrs
Saunders & Otley, of Brook Street, London, in
1863, I find the following passage: "There were
but two noteworthy events connected with the
Turf in the year 1836. The first was the speech
of King William IV. at Egham races, to which
further allusion will presently be made ; the
second has reference to a dinner given by the
same monarch to the Jockey Club at St James's
Palace on June 9. It would appear that at this

350 THE FIFTH DUKE OF RICHMOND, K.G.

dinner a good deal of sport was embarked upon in
connection with the ensuing Ascot Meeting, and
that in the course of conversation the Marquis of
Westminster was boasting of his celebrated horse
Touchstone, and offering to back him for a large
sum against anything that could be named in the
Ascot Cup field. The King immediately caught
at the offer, and exclaimed, ' I accept the chal-
lenge, and will name one to beat him by a neck.'
The wager was at once concluded, and his
Majesty, amidst a roar of laughter, named ' The
Giraffe'!"

The speech adverted to above, which William
IV. delivered at Egham races in August 1836, was
in response to an address of thanks presented to
him for giving " A Royal Purse of One hundred
guineas" — or, in other words, a King's Plate — to
be run there annually in future. His Majesty
observed in reply, " That he most deeply felt the
dutiful attention which led to this acknowledg-
ment of an act, prompted on his part by desire
to show that he was sensible of the munificence
of a people which had not only enabled him to
reside in the ancient and splendid castle at Wind-
sor,— the pride of Englishmen and the envy of
foreigners, — but also to follow the dictates of his
heart in furthering the happiness of every class
of his subjects. He considered horse-racing to be
a national sport, becoming to a free and noble
people. It was with no slight pride that he found

HIS MARRIAGE. 351

himself in a position to encourage sports and pas-
times of a nature to suit the habits and feelings
of a free country."

But for the encouragement to patronise horse-
racing instilled into his Majesty by my honoured
master, the fifth Duke of Richmond, this very
seemly speech, which was received with storms
of applause, would never have been uttered.

It remains for me to add that, on the signature
of the general peace which followed Waterloo,
Lord March contracted a marriage, in April 1816,
with Lady Caroline Paget, eldest daughter of the
famous Marquis of Anglesey. The ' Memoir of
the Fifth Duke of Richmond/ from which I have
already quoted, comments upon this marriage in
the following words : "In every respect the
union was a most fortunate one, for the Countess
of March possessed every quality that could grace
the female character, added to a beauty that
could find no compeer. As a tender and devoted
mother, as an affectionate wife, and as a kind-
hearted and generous friend, her Grace ever shone
forth pre-eminently great. It was said by one
who enjoyed the privilege of her acquaintance
after the death of her husband, that ' the vanities
of worldly pleasures nestled not in her heart, as
the remembrance of her departed husband, and
the care of her home, her children, and her grand-
children, engrossed her whole attention.' '

During his father's lifetime, Lord and Lady

352 THE FIFTH DUKE OF RICHMOND, K.G.

March occupied Molecomb — a very beautiful villa
situated at the head of a delightful valley, and
within a few minutes' walk of Goodwood House.
Backed by the Southdowns, with a gentle acclivity
sloping down on either side, and the woods above
it richly clothed with luxuriant evergreens and
stately oaks, Molecomb and its pretty garden,
from which a distant view of the glistening sea
can be obtained, is one of the most attractive
spots in the beautiful county of Sussex. Their
Serene Highnesses Prince and Princess Edward of
Saxe- Weimar, — the latter being well remembered
by me, and by many others who now offer her
through me the respectful tribute of their grati-
tude and love for the countless kindnesses they
have received at her hands, — were the occupants
of Molecomb for many years. It is now the abode
of the present Lord March, who is Master of the
Goodwood Hunt, and also one of the most popular
and respected members of the Jockey Club.

I have said that Ghillie Callum was probably the
best horse ever owned by the fifth Duke of Rich-
mond, and he was one of the speediest animals
that I ever tried. Being, moreover, a son of that
stout sire, Gladiator, I have no doubt that he
would greatly have troubled Voltigeur — indeed I
think he would have beaten him — in the Derby of
1850, if he had come to the post in as good con-
dition as the winner. What makes me think so
highly of Ghillie Callum is, that he was of the same

GHTLLIE CALLUM. 353

age as Officious, a flying filly belonging to his
Grace, who won eight times as a two-year-old
without sustaining defeat. In more than one trial
in 1849 Ghillie Callum gave Officious 10 Ib. and an
easy beating. He ran twice as a two-year-old, —
once at Goodwood, and once for the Rutland Stakes
at Newmarket, — and won each time without being
extended. Next year, when they were both three-
year-olds, and when Officious had won twice at
Newmarket, I tried them again, making the horse
give the mare 12 Ib., and again he won in a canter.
A commission was then given to back him for the
Derby, but unfortunately his near fore-leg gave
way about three weeks before the race. I was
compelled to restrict him to walking and cantering
exercise. Even in this condition he ran very well
in the Derby, and the place occupied in that race
by Mr Gratwicke's Nigger, to whom Ghillie could
give a lot of weight, makes me think that Voltigeur
would have had his work cut out for him had he
met the Duke's horse when at his best. Certainly
the Nigger got closer to Voltigeur than he ever
could get to Ghillie Callum when the last two were
fit. It was a great disappointment to us all, but
as usual the Duke bore it with the greatest equan-
imity, and did his utmost to console those who had
done their best to bring his representative well to
the post. In fact, whenever a horse belonging to
his Grace was expected to win and got beaten, he
would invariably say — without attempting to make

354 THE FIFTH DUKE OF RICHMOND, K.G.

out, as so many do, that the race had been lost
by the jockey, or by wrong orders, or because of
something wrong in the state of the ground — " I
suppose we met a better horse."

Red Hart, who was his Grace's most successful
race -horse, was a big overgrown yearling, and
evidently needed time to develop him, which, by
turning him out and letting him run about as a
two-year-old until the month of October, his noble
owner took care that he should not want. The
result was that, in 1847, he won eight races as a
three-year-old, including the Welcome Stakes at
Ascot, in which he beat Sir Joseph Hawley's
Miami, who had won the Oaks ; the Gratwicke
Stakes at Goodwood ; the Grand Duke Michael
Stakes at Newmarket, in which he beat Sir
Robert Pigot's Conyngham, who had won the Two
Thousand ; and the Royal Stakes at Newmarket.
Altogether Red Hart won £6405 in stakes in 1847.
The Duke greatly preferred to breed his own race-
horses, having a great objection to purchasing (as
happened to him more than once) " an orange
which," as he phrased it, " some one else had
already squeezed." Among the animals that he
bred, and took the greatest delight in, were Refrac-
tion, Picnic, Red Hart, Red Deer, Officious, Cuckoo,
Red Hind, Ghillie Gallum, Harbinger, Pharos, and
Homebrewed. Most of the above-named horses
won races at Goodwood, which meeting his Grace
always moved heaven and earth to make more

HIS HEART IN GOODWOOD. 355

attractive. From other race-meetings he was often
absent, and it was never much of a disappointment
to him if he was prevented from going to Epsom,
Newmarket, or Ascot. But his whole heart was
enlisted in the support and enjoyment of Goodwood,
and I never saw any one more delighted than he
was when his favourite old horse, Mus, won the
Orleans Cup at Goodwood in 1841, giving 13 Ib.
and a beating to Mr Lichtwald's Hyllus, 5 years
old, who on the previous day had run second for
the Goodwood Cup to Mr A. Johnstone's Charles
XII. Before the Orleans Cup they laid 3 to 1 on
Hyllus, and his Grace's exultation (which he was
too guileless and transparent a character to attempt
to conceal) was proportionately great.

When I think on the great and palmy days of
the Goodwood Cup, and what it was when such
superb animals as Fleur-de-Lis, Priam, Glencoe,
Hornsea, Harkaway, Charles XII. , Alice Haw-
thorne, The Hero, Van Tromp, and Canezou car-
ried it off, I cannot resist the impression that there
are no such champion thoroughbreds now to be
found on the British Turf, or conceal my appre-
hension that the modern system of ceaseless short
races, most of them for two-year-olds, will inevit-
ably produce the most pernicious results before
many years have passed away. When, in 1838,
Mr Ferguson's magnificent chestnut colt, Hark-
away, won the Goodwood Cup, there were forty
subscribers and eight starters for it. Scarcely had

356 THE FIFTH DUKE OF KICHMOND, K.G.

that grand representative of Erin's Isle passed the
winning-post before his gallant owner, with the
warmth and generosity of heart for which his
compatriots are renowned, approached the Duke
of Richmond, and begged his Grace to permit him
to lay the valuable trophy which Harkaway had
just won as an oblation at the feet of the Duchess.
The latter was much gratified at Mr Ferguson's
princely offer, but, after consultation with the
Duke, came to the wise conclusion that it behoved
her to decline it, from fear of establishing a pre-
cedent which might be found productive of incon-
venient consequences.

If, however, the Duke of Richmond was, as a
thousand acts well known to me proved, the
kindliest and most considerate of men, there were
occasions when the manliness and independence of
his character stood out in bold relief. It will be
remembered by many that for a long time Mr
Gratwicke — who was a Sussex neighbour of the
Duke's family — had his horses trained by per-
mission in the Goodwood stable. Mr Gratwicke
was rather apt to be suspicious, and too ready to
imagine that his horses were managed in the in-
terest of other parties in the stable — than which
nothing could be further from the truth. His com-
plaints, made, not to the Duke of Richmond, but
privately to friends of his own, reached his Grace's
ears, and drew from him the remark, spoken in the
hearing of many independent listeners, " If Mr

MR GRATWICKE. 357

Gratwicke is dissatisfied with the management of
the Goodwood stable, and thinks his horses can be
better trained and better managed elsewhere, by
all means let him make the experiment at once,
and take them away. We can do very well
without them." It was once remarked to me by
a great friend of his Grace, " The Duke of Rich-
mond is always the Duke and never the Duke."
The slightest intentional liberty or indignity offered
to him was resented at once ; but, on the other
hand, it was his natural impulse to wound no one,
and to abound in considerate and thoughtful kind-
ness to all, and especially to the humblest.

The result of what I have just stated was that
Mr Gratwicke soon removed his stud from Good-
wood to Newmarket, leasing his horses to the
Duke of Bedford, upon terms suggested by Admiral
Rous, who managed the Duke of Bedford's stable,
and exercised great influence upon Mr Gratwicke's
rather weak nature. Next year the Duke of
Richmond's Pharos and Mr Gratwicke's Sitting-
bourne met as two -year-olds at Goodwood in the
Bentinck Memorial Stakes. Admiral Rous backed
Sittingbourne for £100 — the largest sum that he
ever staked upon a horse — and to his great amaze-
ment, and also to that of William Butler the
trainer, and of his brother Frank Butler, the famous
jockey, Pharos won very cleverly. A few weeks
later Sittingbourne won the Convivial Stakes at
York, beating fourteen others, and wound up at

358 THE FIFTH DUKE OF RICHMOND, K.G.

the end of the year by carrying off the Prendergast
Stakes at Newmarket. Next year Sittingbourne
ran second in the Two Thousand, and second in
the Derby, both to West Australian, and was one
of the best three-year-olds in England. In fact, if
he had not met such a paragon as West Australian,
he would have been inscribed on the roll of fame
as winner of the Two Thousand, Derby, and St
Leger. What happened to him in the latter race
formed the subject of one of the late Mr F.
Swindell's most amusing stories ; but I cannot
venture to describe what that famous raconteur
used to unfold, or his admirable mimicry of Mr
Gratwicke's look, gestures, and ejaculations when
the race ended without Sittingbourne getting a
place. It often happens that a couple of two-
year-olds meet on a T.Y.C. course, and that the
smaller is the better of the two. Twelve addi-
tional months reverse their relations of form, and
the big colt, having had time to grow and furnish,
becomes the superior when both are three years
old. This was what happened in the case of
Pharos and Sittingbourne.

I have often made mention in this volume and
elsewhere of the wisdom, nay the necessity, of
making use of a good horse when he is well and fit
to run. Never was this truth more forcibly exem-
plified than when Mr Gratwicke had Landgrave
engaged in 1850 in the Four-year-old Triennial
(First October Meeting at Newmarket), the Cesare-

LANDGRAVE. 359

witch, and Cambridgeshire. This fine horse, a
gelding got by Sir Hercules out of the Landgravine,
was handicapped for the Cesare witch at 6 st. 13
lb., and was rather freely backed by the stable, in
whose interest £15,000 to £100 was taken that he
won the three events — despite the fact that in the
first he had to meet two good horses, Lord Eglin-
ton's Elthiron and Sir Joseph Hawley's Vatican.
When I saddled Landgrave for the Triennial, run
from the Ditchin, Flatman asked how he should
ride him. I said, " Take hold of his head, and
come truly through till you reach the Turn of the
Lands. Then steady him against the hill, and, take
my word for it, your two opponents will have had
enough of it before you get to the Duke's stand."
My words were literally fulfilled, for Landgrave's
tremendous stride (he stood 16 hands 1^ inch
high) told so effectually that in the end he won
hands down, and became instantly a great favourite
for the Cesarewitch, for which Fobert, the trainer
of Elthiron, asserted that he was as well in as the
Flying Dutchman would be at 7 st. 7 lb.

The next difficulty was to find a trustworthy
jockey able to ride him at 6 st. 13 lb. At last Lord
Enfield secured old Sam Mann, who, by reducing
himself to the utmost, promised to get down to the
weight. Unfortunately in the process he made
himself so weak that before half the distance was
run he could hardly keep his seat, and Landgrave,
who required holding together, was sprawling all

360 THE FIFTH DUKE OF RICHMOND, K.G.

over the course. In the end he was beaten half a
length by Chappie upon Mr Payne's Glauca, a mare
to whom he could have given a stone, and who gave
him five pounds and a beating. Everybody saw
that it was Sam Mann, not Landgrave, who lost the
race, and the latter was installed first favourite for
the Cambridgeshire at 6 st. 11 Ib. Jemmy Chappie
was engaged to ride him, and was told to come
through ; but instead of obeying orders he never
got near the front until the last few yards, when
he came and won by a head. My firm conviction
is that if Flatman had ridden Landgrave in the
Cesarewitch and Cambridgeshire at 7 st. 8 Ib. (his
lowest weight), he would have won both as easily
as he did the Four-year-old Triennial. It was
perhaps the best thing that, in my long experience,
I ever sent forth from the Goodwood stables, and
the result proved how often horse and trainer are
undeservedly baffled by the weakness or incom-
petency of a jockey.

I cannot conclude this brief memoir without
mentioning that the fifth Duke of Richmond was,
throughout life, a devoted and enthusiastic patron
of agriculture, and took the greatest interest in
his farms, cattle, and sheep. Never within my
memory has there been a moment at which Good-
wood Park and Downs were without a superb
flock of Southdown sheep which called the reign-
ing Duke their master. No expense or trouble
have been spared in obtaining the best sheep that

HIS CHARACTER. 361

money could buy, and countless were the gold and
silver medals at the Smithfield Cattle Shows
gained by Goodwood sheep. In the midst of a
host of sheep - breeders, including the late Mr
Ellman of Glynde, Mr Grantham, and Mr Jonas
Webbe, his Grace was always prominent, and his
flock was in request, not only among English, but
also among French, Prussian, Austrian, Russian,
and American connoisseurs.

With a quotation from the same source which
has already furnished me with more than one
passage, I draw near to the close of this humble
tribute of grateful and respectful duty and affec-
tion, laid on the tomb of my beloved master :
" The Duke of Richmond in domestic life realised
truly the character of a Christian parent. He
possessed a singleness of purpose which made his
home the perfection of happiness ; his children
looked upon their father as their most sincere and
loving friend. Their childish sports were never
interrupted, and if they paused in their innocent
games when their father entered the room, it was
to welcome him with that outpouring of the heart
which loving children can alone offer."

The only additional remark which I have to
offer is, that his Grace's political career was on
a par with his social life at Goodwood and at
Gordon Castle, and with the courage, loyalty, and
fidelity with which he discharged a soldier's duties
in the Peninsular war. It is notorious that the

362 THE FIFTH DUKE OF RICHMOND, K.G.

great Duke of Wellington entertained the great-
est objection to military medals and decorations,
which, in common with many other great captains
of the past, he regarded as likely to induce
ambitious young officers to indulge in ostentatious
exhibitions of daring, which were of little or no
benefit to the cause for which they fought, but, as
the Iron Duke believed, were often undertaken in
order to attract special notice to their perpetrators.
Under these circumstances the medals for the Pen-
insula and Waterloo were not presented to the
gallant soldiers who had so richly merited them,
for more than thirty years after Waterloo wTas
fought. At last the Duke of Richmond deter-
mined to strike in on behalf of those of his
humble comrades whom in 1847 time had still
spared. Rising in his place in the House of
Lords in May 1847, the Duke indignantly re-
plied to a sneering remark made by the Marquis
of Londonderry, who deprecated " the prostitu-
tion of rewards which had recently been squeezed
out of the Government." Nothing could have
been more dignified and characteristic than the
Duke of Richmond's reply. " After the attack,"
he commenced, " which has been made by the
noble and gallant Marquis, who has the audacity
to speak of these medals and rewards as being
prostituted, I claim your Lordships' kind indul-
gence while I attempt to reply to those insulting
words. He says that these rewards are prosti-

THE DUKE AND THE PENINSULAR MEDALS. 363

tuted when given to soldiers who fought and won
those numerous battles in the Peninsula which
are the pride of our country ; the men who took
part in the forlorn-hopes of Badajoz, Ciudad Rod-
rigo, and San Sebastian, and who gained for the
noble Marquis the Peninsula medals with which he
is now decorated."

Continuing in the same vein, the noble Duke
produced such an effect upon both Houses of Par-
liament, and upon the country at large, that the
tardy act of justice to some of the noblest soldiers
that ever faced wounds and death with indomitable
fortitude could no longer be withheld. At last the
Peninsula warriors were crowned with their well-
earned laurels, and every soldier in the British
army knew that but for the Duke of Richmond
this debt of gratitude would never have been paid.
The much- coveted trophies were served out to the
survivors in 1849, and after the Duke's victory
in the House of Lords came his own well-merited
reward. It was proposed " that his Grace the
Duke of Richmond, K.G., be presented with a
testimonial for his exertions on behalf of the
Peninsular heroes." A committee was instantly
formed, with the gallant Lord Saltoun for chair-
man. It was composed of officers of every grade,
and in each of the English, Scotch, and Irish
counties, sub-committees were appointed to carry
out the desired object. Subscriptions were con-
fined to those who had received the medals,

364 THE FIFTH DUKE OF RICHMOND, K.G.

ranging from 5s. to £1 for officers, while Id. was
all the privates were called on to pay. The testi-
monial was presented to the Duke of Richmond
at a banquet in Willis's Rooms, with Lord Saltoun
in the chair. It was of the following description :
"On the summit of a quadrangular pedestal stood
an allegorical group, representing the Duke of
Richmond directing the attention of Britannia to
the merits of her military and naval forces. In
the centre stands his Grace, robed in the costume
of a Peer, holding in his left hand a memorial to
her Majesty, while with his right he points to the
figures of Mars and Neptune. In the hand of
Britannia is the war medal she is about to distri-
bute." A panel at the base contained the follow-
ing inscription : " Presented on the thirty-eighth
anniversary of the battle of Vittoria, to his Grace
the Duke of Richmond, K.G., by the recipients
of the war medal, in grateful remembrance of his
long and unwearied exertions on their behalf."

With this crowning and complimentary tribute
to a gallant and most estimable nobleman, I now
bring this chapter to a close, briefly adding that,
for many years before his death, his Grace was
subject to frequent attacks of gout and other
maladies, which in time undermined a not very
robust constitution, somewhat impaired by priva-
tions and hardships endured in the Peninsula, in
France, and in Belgium, and most of all by reason
of the severe wound received at Orthez. At the

HIS DEATH. 365

Goodwood Meeting in 1860 he was far from well,
and unable to attend the races or to welcome his
numerous guests with his customary hospitality.
On the afternoon of the Cup day he was wheeled
in his garden -chair to the lawn in front of the
conservatory, and received his friends on their
return from the course.

From Goodwood he proceeded to Gordon Castle
by easy stages, where for a short time the High-
land air produced such a favourable effect upon
his debilitated frame that the anxiety of his
devoted wife was greatly diminished. Soon, how-
ever, a change for the worse ensued, and Sir
James Clarke advised an immediate return to
London. In a state of deplorable weakness his
Grace, attended by Dr Hair, arrived at his town
house in Portland Place, where, at a quarter
before two P.M. on Sunday, 21st October 1860,
he breathed his last, in his seventieth year.

" Only the actions of the just
Smell sweet, and blossom in the dust."

366

CHAPTER XVII.

RACING CAREER OF THE LATE RIGHT HON.
SIR WILLIAM H. GREGORY.

By the Editor.

THIS work was about to assume its final " form
and pressure," previous to publication, when the
death of Sir William H. Gregory, K.C.M.G., on
Sunday, March 6, 1892, led me to address myself
forthwith to the task — in this instance it is a
labour of love — of writing down what I know of
my old friend's racing career. Sir William was
born at Coole Park, County Galway, in 1817,
and in 1839 was present at the Epsom Derby for
the first time. Although no more than twenty-
two years old when he saw his first Derby and
bought his first race-horse, he was at once ad-
mitted to the best society in the United King-
dom, and soon became a prominent pillar of the
English Turf. From about the year 1840 until
the autumn of 1846, when Lord George Ben-
tinck sold the whole of his racing stud to Mr

SIR W. H. GREGORY. 367

Mostyn, Sir William Gregory was on the most
intimate terms of friendship with the noble owner
of Crucifix, Miss Elis, and Gaper. It seems, there-
fore, in the highest degree desirable and opportune
that I should avail myself of the permission which
on many occasions he accorded to me, authorising
me, if I outlived him, to make what use I liked
(when he had passed away) of the numerous letters
which I had received from him, and of our still
more numerous conversations on racing and polit-
ical subjects. During his lifetime Sir William
was averse from printed allusion to the Turf career
which he had pursued with so much zeal and
energy in his stirring youth. He had followed
racing — and to a man who carries it on as he did,
it seldom fails to become an all-absorbing and
engrossing profession — with more courage than dis-
.cretion. About that time Irish property had begun
to decline so rapidly in value, that Sir William
Gregory's Gal way estates brought him in next to
nothing. Nevertheless he remained on the Turf,
always sticking to the same trainer - - William
Treen of Beckhampton, in Wiltshire — in the hope
that another Clermont or another Loupgarou
might arise to retrieve his shattered fortunes.
It was not destined, however, that such a horse
should again be vouchsafed to him, and his subse-
quent career, first as a member of Parliament from
1857 to 1872, and secondly, as Governor of Ceylon
from 1872 to 1877, proved beyond all doubt

368 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

that when, in 1855, he broke down financially,
and quitted the Turf for ever, it was the most
fortunate circumstance that ever happened to him
in a long and distinguished life.

A few words are all that I need devote to Sir
William's parentage and station in life. Those
who desire to read his early political experiences,
as revealed by his own hand, have but to turn to the
April, 1889, number of ' The Nineteenth Century,'
where they will find an article from his pen,
headed, " A Few more Words on Daniel O'Connell."
In the autumn of the previous year there had ap-
peared a work in two volumes entitled ' The Cor-
respondence of Daniel O'Connell, the Liberator :
edited, with Notices of his Life and Times, by W. J.
Fitzpatrick, F.S. A.' There can be little doubt that
the two volumes in question constitute the most
remarkable work on Irish politics and history that
has seen the light since the publication in 1859 of
1 The Correspondence of Charles, First Marquis
Cornwallis,' edited by Mr Charles Ross. These
two books seem to have had a greater effect than
any others upon the sensitive mind of Mr Glad-
stone, in inducing him to attempt to bestow Home
Rule upon Ireland. What Mr Gladstone thought
of ' The Correspondence of Daniel O'Connell ' may
be gathered from his striking article in the January,
1889, number of 'The Nineteenth Century.' One
passage from it I will permit myself to quote :
" There cannot but be many," writes Mr Glad-

HIS GRANDFATHER. 369

stone, " in whose eyes O'Connell seems the greatest
Irishman that ever lived. Neither Swift nor
Grattan can be placed in the scale against him.
If there were competition among the dead heroes
of Irish history, I suppose Burke and the Duke
of Wellington would be the two most formidable
competitors. But the great Duke is, in mathemati-
cal phrase, incommensurable with O'Connell. There
are no known terms which will enable us to pit
the military faculty against the genius of civil
affairs. If we take that genius alone into view, it
can hardly be doubted that O'Connell is the greater
man. With respect to Burke, it seems safe to say
that, if far greater than O'Connell in the world
of thought, he was far inferior to him in the world
of action."

It is time, however, that I should turn to the
article in the same magazine from Sir William*
Gregory's pen, which appeared three months later
than that of Mr Gladstone from which I have just
quoted. Sir William begins by telling us that he
was brought up from a child in the society of
Dublin Castle, in which his grandfather, also
named Sir William Gregory, was one of the most
prominent and quite the most durable of officials.
" He was Under Secretary for Ireland," writes his
grandson, "from 1813 to 1831, when he retired
with a pension and with the distinction of Privy
Councillor." During that long period he enjoyed
the confidence of all the Chief Secretaries and Lord

2 A

370 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

Lieutenants who ruled Ireland in succession ; and
his great experience of the country gave him
unusual influence. " It was said of him, and with
truth, that ' Gregory was the dry-nurse of young-
English statesmen.' Although I was but a small
boy at the time to which I now refer, I well re-
member many of the guests who frequented my
grandfather's dinner - table, for his house was
hospitable and his Sneyd's claret of the best. I
have the liveliest recollection of the style of con-
versation, of the profound distrust and hatred of
the Roman Catholic religion, and of the chorus of
invective against O'Connell, whom I was taught
to regard as an incarnation of the principle of
evil/'

In 1842 Mr West, the Conservative member for
Dublin, died suddenly, and young Mr William
'Gregory, whose father, Mr Robert Gregory, was
then dead, was invited to stand in opposition to
Lord Morpeth, who was vigorously supported by
O'Connell. It would have been difficult for a
young man not yet twenty-five to encounter a
more formidable opponent. Lord Morpeth had
recently been Chief Secretary for Ireland, and a
more amiable*, blameless, and respected statesman
it would have been impossible to name. He was
travelling in America when Mr West died, and
had lost his seat for the West Hiding not long
before. His absence from the House of Commons
was universally regarded as a national loss. More-

HIS CONTEST FOB, DUBLIN. 371

over, the seat for Dublin was of no slight im-
portance, and the Whigs were extremely eager to
wrest it from the Tories.

The description of the contest is given in Sir
William Gregory's best manner. " At last," he
writes, " came the nomination day — one of deep ap-
prehension to me ; for I had to meet the greatest
orator of his time. O'Connell was then Lord
Mayor of Dublin, and by him Lord Morpeth was
seconded. The Liberator's speech, though severe
on me as a Protestant, was by no means abusive."
Sir William replied in what he calls " the best
speech of his life." He indignantly denied that
his voice had ever mingled in the cry, "To hell
with the Pope ! " or that he had any sympathy
with that sentiment. When he sat down, O'Con-
nell was so pleased with the plucky way in which
his youthful antagonist had stood up to him that
he exclaimed, " Young man, may I shake you by
the hand ? Your speech has so gratified me that
if you will but whisper ' Repeal ' — only whisper it,
mind you — Daniel O'Connell will be the first man
at the polling booth to vote for you to-morrow."
The mystic word was not whispered or uttered, but
from that time forward O'Connell and Sir William
were always the best of friends, though divided in
age by forty-two years, as O'Connell was born in
1775 and Sir William in 1817. Sir William was
returned by a triumphant majority, and after the
close of the first day's poll he received the follow-

372 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

ing letter, addressed to him at Dublin, from Lord
George Bentinck, who, even at that early stage,
did not hesitate to add "M.P." to his friend's
name :—

" To W. H. GREGORY, Esq., M.P.

" WELBECK, nr. WORKSOP, NOTTS,
Jan. 29, 1842.

" MY DEAR SIR, — The news of your majority on
the first day's poll gave every English Conserva-
tive, and me especially, the greatest pleasure. I
sincerely congratulate you upon it, but still more
upon the distinguished fight you made upon the
hustings against the great O'Connell. Even the
Whigs here have had to acknowledge their ad-
miration of your speech.

" I need not say that I anticipate no reverse on
the poll. I doubt not that you will maintain,
and even improve, the strong lead you have taken ;
but should it be otherwise, I cannot but con-
gratulate you on the compleat [sic] triumph of
tallents [sic] evinced in your first day's battle on
the hustings. Verily if the horse Auckland can
do as much with the old ones in private as ' the
tipsy boy from the Curragh ' has done with the
great Agitator in publick, he will win the Derby
in a canter.

" With sincerest wishes for your continued suc-
cess, believe me, always yours very truly,

" G. BENTINCK."

FRIENDSHIP WITH LORD GEORGE BENTINCK. 373

Commenting upon this letter, which Sir Wil-
liam sent to me on January 12, 1892, he writes
thus : —

"3 ST GEORGE'S PLACE,

HYDE PARK CORNER, S.W.

" I was looking over some stray papers here
lately, and found the enclosed from Lord George
Bentinck. It is one of the earliest of his letters
to me. and refers to the Dublin election of 1842.
Before long we became intimate and attached
friends. In those days I was constantly at Har-
court House, and, I may say, enjoyed Lord
George's entire confidence, which was of course
broken up by the repeal of the Corn Laws, when
I followed Sir Robert Peel. Mark the old-fash-
ioned spelling of Lord George's letter — just like
that of Dr Johnson and Mr Pitt — e.g., 'publick,'
' compleat/ ' tallents,' &c. He used always to
speak of ' a dish of tea,' and pronounced Home
' Room/ wonder 'woonder,' and golden 'goulden.'

" The allusion to f the tipsy boy from the
Curragh' was quoted from a Dublin paper, and
referred to a great dinner at which I and my
supporters had as much on board as- we could
carry, but did nothing untoward. At that time
I had never seen the Curragh in my life."

It will readily be understood that the political
harmony between Lord George and Sir William
Gregory was cemented and intensified by their

374 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

common passion for the Turf. Lord George was
fifteen years older than his Irish friend, and both
had commenced their racing careers at the earliest
possible moment. Sir William was not yet twenty-
two, as I have already said, when, accompanied
by the late Earl of Winchilsea and other under-
graduates, he rode, in 1839, on a series of hacks,
strewn along the road, from Christ Church to
Epsom and back, to see the Derby won by Mr
William Ridsdale's Bloomsbury, an outsider who
started at 30 to 1. Sir William's own fancy for
the race was in favour of Mr Fulwer Craven's
Deception, by Defence — a beautiful mare, who
started at 12 to 1, and was brought to the post
in first-rate condition by William Treen, who rode
and trained her. The " tip " to back Deception
was given to Sir William by his old friend, the
late Mr Jeremiah Robert Ives, whom all who
were well acquainted with him agreed in regarding
as the cleverest judge of racing and of its human
supporters that they had known in their time.
For many years Mr Ives wrote the sporting letters
which appeared above the name of "Judex" in
6 The Morning Post ' ; and the late Earl of Straf-
ford, who knew him intimately, used to aver that,
had Mr Ives entered Parliament as a young man,
he would inevitably have been selected to fill the
post of Chancellor of the Exchequer before he was
fifty years old.

The result of Sir William's hurried visit to

HIS FIRST PURCHASES. 375

Epsom in 1839 was that he forthwith gave in-
structions to Treen to purchase for him some
yearlings, one of which — Barricade, by Defence-
started a good favourite for the Oaks, and ran
third. It may not be an inappropriate moment
to quote the following letter, which I received
from Sir William on the death of his old trainer,
William Treen, which took place in January
1879 :-

" COOLE PARK, GORT,
Co. GALWAY, Jan. 13, 1879.

" I shall be in London on Thursday next, and
will then tell you more about old Treen. He
hailed from Devonshire, and was brought up at
Danebury. At first he trained a few horses for
local races in Devonshire, and then took the Beck-
hampton Inn on the road between Marlborough
and Devizes, where he trained Fulwer Craven's
celebrated mare Deception, who soon brought him
into notice. Lord George Bentinck thought that
Treen's bad riding on Deception lost her the Derby ;
but good as she was, public opinion at the time
favoured the belief that Bloomsbury had a year
in hand.

" This was the first race I ever saw, having
ridden from Oxford by relays of hacks to see it,
and I was back long before the closing of ' Tom
Gate ' at Christ Church. So pleased was I with
Treen that I bought the following horses and sent
them to him to train — viz., FitzRoy and Fitz-

376 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

ambo ; Barricade, the best two - year - old that I
ever saw tried, and about the worst three-year-
old ; Yitellius, a first - class horse, who won the
Northamptonshire Stakes in a canter, and beat
St Lawrence next day for the Queen's Plate with
equal ease. Soon after came Rhesus, a most un-
fortunate horse, who resembled General Chasse',
seeing that neither of them could be ridden or
done justice to by a boy. Rhesus, however, was
the best three-year-old ever trained by Treen, and
twelve pounds better than Loupgarou. Clermont
was pretty good, and, as you know, a lucky horse
to me. In 1855 I sold all my horses, and Treen's
luck left him. At a later date he won the Cesare-
witch with Hartington, and, I think, the Chester
Cup for Fred Swindell with that very good horse
Leamington, who has done so much good to the
American Turf. Being owed a great deal of money
by some of his recent masters, poor Treen was
ruined, and went out to Bangalore on my recom-
mendation to take charge of the stud of thorough-
breds belonging to Mr Downall, a Devonshire
gentleman, who had made a large fortune as a
coffee-planter in Ceylon.

" It was a fortunate connection for Treen, al-
though his health suffered not a little from the
climate of India, whence he returned to England
before his new master, who, however, did not
forget him. Upon arriving in England, Treen
again took to training, but accomplished nothing

TREEN THE TRAINER. 377

worthy of special notice. When Mr Downall
came back from Ceylon, and made his home per-
manently in England, he kindly provided a
harbour of. refuge for Treen, where the old man,
whose experience had been longer and more
diversified than that of most of his training
brethren, settled down quietly with sufficient
employment to amuse him in looking after Mr
Downall's hunting stud. To the last, not un-
mindful of Vitellius, Clermont, Loupgarou, and
Windischgratz, he did not despair of bringing off
another coup. Fate, however, decreed otherwise,
as he died last week after a few hours' illness.
He was a remarkably well - conducted and civil
man, who never got drunk, never swore, and
never took liberties with his employers. Few of
his craft have gone before him to the silent land
with a more satisfactory record."

I have often regretted that Sir William Gregory,
who knew the Turf and all its intricacies as well
as Sir Walter Scott's "William of Deloraine"
knew the passes and fords of the Scottish Border,
could never be prevailed upon to write a history
of the " Sport of Kings," to which he was as
attached in theory during his declining years as
he had been in practice during his vigorous youth.
He was the only man of my acquaintance possessed
of the literary ability, and also of the keen insight
into character, requisite to enable him to draw cor-

378 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

rect pen-portraits of heroes of the Turf who to the
present generation are mere nominis umbrce. Such
patrons of horse-racing as Lord George Bentinck,
John Bowes, Fulwer Craven, Squire Osbaldeston,
Sir William Massey-Stanley, the fourth Duke of
Grafton, the old Duke of Rutland, Mr Sloane
Stanley, and others, who were prominent at New-
market shortly after her Majesty's accession to the
throne, would now be alive and " palpitating with
actuality " if Sir William Gregory could have been
induced to trace their histories. During the last
thirty years of his life, however, politics, literature,
and art, engaged his attention to such a degree
that, beyond writing a private autobiography for
the amusement and instruction of his own family,
he had no time or inclination for composing a work
de longue haleine on the pursuits of his youth.
Sir William had also remarked that. writers who
undertake to recall the past are often accused,
and nearly always falsely, of a secret desire to
blacken contemporaries and friends who have
passed away. Be this, however, as it may, he
died and left no sign. All that remains, there-
fore, is to " put together a thing of shreds and
patches " from the letters which he has left behind,
and from memories of conversations to which he
contributed the larger share. Few men ever lived
whose experience was more diversified. Like
his Irish compatriots, he was a man of quick
and ready sympathies, to whom quicquid agunt

HIS REMINISCENCES. 379

homines was full of interest. He had known
everybody, both male and female, who was any-
body for the last fifty-five or sixty years ; for even
as a Harrow boy he was intimate with illustrious
Harrovians like Sir Robert Peel, Lord?- Palmers ton,
Lord Aberdeen, and Sir James Graham. In the
belief that a few extracts from his letters, and
from notes of his conversations made at the time
of their occurrence, will place him before his
contemporaries in a truer position than, from his
tendency to shrink modestly into private life, he
now occupies, I am tempted, with Sir William's
own concurrence, to add these two chapters to a
work of which Lord George Bentinck is the hero
—a work of which Sir William was cognisant,
and upon which, so far as he was acquainted
with it, he was so good as to bestow his approval.
Let me begin by quoting the following descrip-
tion from his pen of the universally popular Earl
of Eglinton (the owner of Van Tromp and the
Flying Dutchman), whom Sir William and his
still living friend and contemporary, Chief-Justice
Morris, regarded as the best Irish Viceroy that
they had ever known.

THE THIRTEENTH EARL OF EGLINTON.

" When first I visited Eglinton Castle, not long
after the celebrated tournament, which was com-
pletely marred by incessant torrents of rain, the

380 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

parties assembled there were more renowned for
freedom of manners than for feast of reason and
flow of soul. Lord Eglinton never drank any wine
except champagne, which he consumed in abund-
ance ab ovo usque ad mala — that is to say, from
the beginning of the first course at dinner until
the end of dessert. I remember to have been
present at dinner one evening at the Jockey Club
Rooms at Newmarket, and to have heard Lord
Eglinton declare that he could drink more cham-
pagne without inconvenience than any other man
in the United Kingdom. General Peel, always
full of fun and ready for every kind of frolic,
avowed that he knew a novice whom he would
produce next day at dinner, and would back for a
pony to drink more champagne than the Scotch
Earl, if the latter would accept the challenge.
Nothing loath, Lord Eglinton took up the glove,
and next day at 7.30 P.M. in walked General Peel,
accompanied by a tall, thin, wiry, long-legged
customer, who looked for all the world like a
pair of elongated tongs. ' Let me introduce you
to my brother-in-law, Sir David Baird,' exclaimed
the General. Most of the guests, who were about
to dine, did not know Sir David by sight ; others
had heard of his feats across country, and some
two or three were aware of his prowess at the
dinner-table. Few, however, anticipated that the
owner of the invincible Dutchman would have to
lower his colours that night to his brother Scot.

BOTTLE FOR BOTTLE. 381

The match was to be bottle against bottle — that
is to say, when one man's bottle was empty, the
other was required to finish his, and then each
had to begin a new one. Lord Eglinton took the
lead at a tremendous pace, hoping to choke his
antagonist before the first three bottles were con-
sumed. Simultaneously he kept on chatting mer-
rily, and laughing, as was his wont, while the
novice held his peace, but stuck steadfastly to his
task. Soon the ominous silence preserved by the
latter, and the perfect ease with which he held his
own, l without turning a hair,' began to tell upon
his more loquacious antagonist, who was evidently
going in difficulty.

" At last Lord Eglinton turned as pale as death,
and rose slowly from his chair, exclaiming, ' I can
do no more.' The struggle was at an end, and the
defeated champion retired to bed, while the novice
played billiards with Osbaldeston, winning two
games out of three against that accomplished
player. Next morning I had occasion to be out
early on horseback in order to see one of my two-
year - olds gallop. The first sight that met my
eyes on the Heath was Sir David Baird, with a
short black pipe full of cavendish between his
lips, cantering about the course on a hard-pull-
ing hack, with his face as stolid as usual, and
with obviously unclouded brow. Meantime, the
unhappy Eglinton was walking about in front
of The Rooms without his hat, which he con-

382 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

fessed was too heavy for his poor head. Let
no one suppose, however, that Lord Eglmton
was merely a guzzler of champagne, and an idle
man of pleasure. In general, he was a man
who gave way to no excesses. Not endowed
with brilliant talents, he was gifted with strong
natural good sense and good- humour, and was a
first-rate man of business ; as true as steel to his
friends and dependants, and of unimpeachable
honour. When he became Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland, endless were the sneers of his political
opponents that the business of the Emerald Isle
would be conducted mainly on the Curragh of
Kildare, and that his privy councillors would be
horse-trainers. Never was there a greater mistake.
Lord Eglinton came to Ireland with heavy odds
against him. To begin with, he was a Scotsman ;
secondly, he was a Tory, and supposed to entertain
the most hostile and uncongenial views about the
Roman Catholic religion. In an incredibly short
time these erroneous impressions were dispelled.
Turning his eyes away from abstract politics, he
devoted his attention earnestly to the material
improvement of Ireland. Moreover, it soon became
known that he was animated by the most generous
and kindly feelings towards the distressful country
which he had been sent to govern, and towards
its warm-hearted inhabitants ; and that he would
never rest until he could make his views prevail
with the masters of the English Treasury. He

RECOLLECTIONS OF NEWMARKET. 383

took up the postal contract between Galway and
America, and used all his influence to make that
ill-omened undertaking a success. Unfortunately,
it never had a chance, having always been under
the control of needy adventurers. Still, Lord
Eglinton's action in this and in other matters was
never forgotten in Ireland, and he undoubtedly
left that country the most popular Lord Lieu-
tenant that any Irishman could remember, while
in Galway he was simply worshipped. Had he
lived, he would, in my opinion, have risen to no
ordinary eminence in the Conservative party."

My next extract is from a letter dated " Athe-
naeum Club, Pall Mall," bearing the date June 7th
1885. I had asked Sir William for some details
of Newmarket in his early days, and he replied in
the following terms : —

" If ever you have occasion to deal with Nat,
or Captain Tommy Gardnor, pray remember that
they, General Peel, and I formed a band of devoted
rat-hunters, who betook themselves, after the races,
to their favourite pastime on a fine evening during
the July or First October meetings. Our champ
de bataille was generally some oat-stacks scattered
here and there just outside the little town, on the
Cheveley estate, which belonged to the Duke of
Rutland. As evening began to fall, Nat, the
famous jockey, would ride up to Peel, and touch-

384 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

ing his cap, would remark, ' We shall have a sure
find to-night, Colonel, if convenient to you to
come.' Not much difficulty was generally expe-
rienced about getting ' the Colonel ' and all of us
to acquiesce. Accompanied by a professional rat-
catcher, plentifully supplied with ferrets, and with
several terriers at his heels, Nat led the way.
Scarcely were the ferrets turned into the ricks
before the rats came tumbling out, and men and
dogs were soon engaged in hot pursuit. One
afternoon Tommy Gardnor was standing under-
neath the rick with his mouth wide open, when
a huge rat jumped down, and fell upon the gaping
orifice. ' Bless my soul, Captain,' exclaimed Nat,
' I thought it was old Squire Thornhill jumping
down your throat ! ' After dinner we used to
recount our exploits to the old Duke of Rutland,
whom Colonel Peel treated with a mock gravity
which it was impossible to witness without a
painful effort to repress one's own laughter. His
Grace took much interest in our sport, exclaiming,
1 1 am deeply indebted to you, gentlemen, and to
Flatman, your fugleman, for extirpating the rats,
which were destroying my ricks/ He would not,
probably, have been so grateful had he been aware
that one day I asked Nat how he found out the
stacks which were most infested with vermin.
' Between you and me, sir/ he replied, ' there is
not much difficulty about it. After the Second
Spring Meeting I turn down a few rats to stock

LORD HOWTH'S HORSES. 385

a rick with, and by the First October, if not by
the July Meeting, they are quite ready to be
drawn/ '

When Sir William Gregory was in his prime,
one of the most successful racing men of the day,
and certainly one of the finest judges of the noble
animal, was his compatriot the late Earl of Howth.
The latter trained with the Days at Danebury,
and was always on the look-out for Irish horses,
which he bought for, or shared with, his trusted
advisers in racing matters, Messrs Gully and
Harry Hill. In this way Danebury became pos-
sessed of St Lawrence, Peep -o'- Day Boy, and
Mincepie, who won the Oaks. Speaking of Lord
Howth's race-horses, Sir William remarks : —

" I cannot remember anything of much import-
ance except the stupor and surprise of Danebury
when my horse, Vitellius bought by me as a three-
year-old for £250, ran away as a four-year-old from
St Lawrence, then one of the best horses in Eng-
land, for the Queen's Plate at Northampton. The
betting opened at 4 to 1 on St Lawrence, and
ended by my taking 2 to 1 to all the money that I
could get on. This was the great performance of
'Treen's ugly customer/ as Vitellius was called,
because of his fiddle-head, lop ears, and ewe-neck.
Well do I remember the caricature of old Drinkald
riding St Lawrence for the Chester Cup against

2 B

386 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

Gully on the back of Mendicant. The latter ex-
claims, with his arms and legs hard at work — ' It's
all over, mend I can't ! ' As he speaks, Drinky's
horse forges ahead, and keeps sturdily in front.
In connection with Howth, and his beautiful home,
Howth Castle, I shall never forget the delightful
dinners there, at which I met the pleasantest men
in Ireland : Sir Philip Crampton, Chief-Justice
Doherty, Corry Connellan, Lord Clanricarde, and
his son, Lord Dunkellin. The dining-room was
quite unique, and I do not hesitate to say, the most
charming in the world. It was lined with polished
oak, quite black with age, while the vast fireplace
yawned like Virgil's gateway of Erebus ; and the
brazen dogs, across which logs of Irish bog-wood
were stretched, would have wrung tears of joy
from Sir Walter Scott. The claret, for which, ever
since the days of Mary Queen of Scots, Ireland and
her sister realm of Scotland have been famous, was
unparalleled in smoothness and flavour. You have
doubtless heard the legend which connects the
celebrated Graria Uile, or Grannwail, better known
as ' Grace O'Malley,' with Howth Castle. This
Irish queen lived at a castle near Renvyle, in
Co. Galway, the ruins of which are still tolerably
well preserved. She invited her sister queen,
Elizabeth of England, to pay her a • visit at
her Irish home. The proud daughter of Henry
VIII. and Anne Boleyn was, however, an ex-
tremely bad sailor, and had the greatest dread

TURF ROBBERIES. 387

of physical pain. She declined to cross the ocean,
and Grana Uile was constrained to visit England,
and repair to Windsor. On her return to Ireland,
she landed at the base of Howth Castle, and pro-
ceeded to the gates thereof, which she found closed,
as was the family custom at dinner-time. In-
dignant at the want of hospitality, she seized the
young heir of the St Lawrence family, who was
playing outside the castle gates, and embarking on
board her ship, carried him prisoner to her castle
in Galway. He was not released until after long
negotiation, and only on condition that, for all
future time, the castle gates at Howth should
be kept open when the family went to dinner, and
that a cover should be laid for any stranger who
might chance to arrive. The custom was still
observed when I was last at Howth."

Sir William Gregory's early recollections of the
Turf ran back to the days when most of the heavy
betting races were settled beforehand, as it was
called, " by arrangement." Never, except per-
haps in the case of General Peel, was there an
owner of horses who could recount more stories
of Turf robberies, by some of which he had him-
self suffered, than Sir William Gregory. One of
the most famous he had received from Mr George
Payne. It is well known that, at the instance of
Mr John Gully, Mr Payne laid heavily against
Mr Gascoigne's Jerry, who won the Doncaster St

388 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

Leger in 1824. The horse was trained at Middle-
ham by Croft, the most famous trainer of that
day, from whom John and Bill Scott learnt the
rudiments of what they knew (and no men knew
more) about the management of thoroughbreds.
Jerry had been tried so highly that Croft thought
it impossible for him to be defeated for the St
Leger. Nevertheless, the market showed clearly
that there was a screw loose somewhere. Despite
the thousands upon thousands of pounds for which
he was backed, he kept continually receding in
the betting. In those days the St Leger fa-
vourites arrived at Doncaster three or four weeks
before the greatest of Yorkshire races came off',
and Croft was distracted with anxiety to account
for the hostility to his horse which prevailed
universally. As the race drew near his anxiety
increased, and one night he found himself unable
to sleep, and walked out shortly before midnight
along the Great North Road in the direction of
York. As he approached the turnpike-gate which
lies a short distance to the north of Doncaster, a
post-chaise drawn by four horses drew near from
the other side. Ensconcing himself within the
shadow of a stable doorway, Croft awaited the
chaise, taking stock eagerly of its occupants. Two
men were seated inside, the first being Bob Rids-
dale, then the confederate of John Gully, and
the second Harry Edwards, the jockey who was
engaged to ride Jerry. " I have it now," ejacu-

JERRY'S ST LEGER. 389

lated Croft with intense satisfaction, as he re-
turned home, and slept the sleep of the just. In
the morning he communicated his discovery to Mr
Gascoigne, bidding him keep the secret to himself.
The result is well known. At the last moment a
fresh jockey, Ben Smith, was substituted for Harry
Edwards, and in his new pilot's hands Jerry won
in a canter.

The second heat of the above story must now be
told in Sir William Gregory's own words : —

" After Jerry had won the St Leger, Gully took
George Payne behind the stand next day, and
said, ' I am very sorry, Mr Payne, for what has
occurred ; but we were entirely deceived. I heard
from what I thought the best authority that Jerry
was infirm, and doing no work whatever.' l But,'
rejoined Mr Payne, ' Jerry's owner, and his owner's
friends, never ceased backing him, and his trainer
gave them the most encouraging reports.' ' That
is true,' replied Gully ; ' but I had the fullest
reason to believe that Croft was having a race
for himself. It was a trap laid for me, into which
I fell, and unfortunately led you to follow me.
But now mark my words ; if you will be guided by
my advice, you will get all your money back this
time next year. You saw Mr Watt's Memnon win
The Champagne the day before yesterday. He is
quite certain to win the next St Leger, if well
on the day.' ' That was nice consolation,' added

390 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

Payne, ' for a young fellow who had to pay £24,000
next day ; but I took his advice all the same, and
got back £12,000 when Memnonwon the St Leger
in 1825.' ' But how did you get the money for the
settling day after Jerry's easy victory ? ' ' Oh !
that was all right,' he exclaimed. ' In those days
I always posted down to Doncaster with a money-
lending fellow of the name of Hitchcock. Until
the St Leger was over nothing was good enough
for him. ' Hitchcock, let me give you some more
venison - fat ; ' ' Waiter, bring a bottle of that
champagne which Mr Hitchcock liked last year ; '
' Hitchcock, I have kept a fine fat partridge
specially for you ; let me give you the breast ! '
It was lovely to watch him writing cheques, like
a lamb, when things went wrong. But if the
St Leger came off all right, and no money was
wanted, the devil a bit of venison-fat did he get,
or anything else, except the partridge drum-
sticks.'

" I could tell you dozens of stories of which
Payne was the hero. Nothing was more droll
than his management of Charles Greville, his
life - long confederate. Do you remember our
old friend Drumlanrig executing a heavy com-
mission for Greville on Adine for the Goodwood
Stakes, which she won very easily ? Next day
Greville had a great pot, in Muscovite, for the
Goodwood Cup, and thought, after Adine's victory
on Wednesday, that Muscovite could not be beaten

LORD DRUMLANRIG AND CHARLES GREVILLE. 391

on Thursday. The Muscovite commission, how-
ever, he kept secret from Drumlanrig, denying to
him, when questioned, that he himself was backing
that horse. Upon discovering the truth, Drum-
lanrig went up to Greville in great dudgeon, and
told him his mind. He ended by throwing down
the list of bets which he had taken for Greville
about Adine, and told him to collect them for
himself. Greville was in great perturbation about
the affair, partly from consciousness that he had
acted shabbily, and partly because he knew Drum-
lanrig to be one of the most courageous and im-
petuous of men. Several messengers were sent by
Greville to Drumlanrig, but nothing would soften
him ; and so Payne took him in hand.1 Approach-
ing him with a bonhomie peculiarly his own, he
said, ' Well, Drum, I hear that old Charles Greville
has been doing by you what he sometimes does
even by me, who am his confederate. At times I
feel inclined to kick him round the course ; espe-
cially so at this moment, when I have a bone to
pick with him about a matter with which I need
not trouble you.' Having thus spoken, away he
went, and returned to the charge after a couple

1 Sir W. Gregory was not aware that Lord Drumlanrig's resolve
to horsewhip Mr Greville was abandoned, not in consequence of
anything done or said by Mr George Payne, but at the earnest
entreaty of two of Lord Drumlanrig's younger friends, who repre-
sented to him that it would be regarded as a cowardly act on his
part were he, an accomplished "bruiser," to strike a man of Mr
Greville's age, crippled by gout, and not of a very masculine type.

392 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

of races had been run, exclaiming, ' Well, after all,
Greville is very contrite for his misconduct to us
both, and I have consented to forgive him. It all
comes of illness : he has a terrible fit of gout
coming on, which makes him miserable. Indeed
I think it is through grizzling about you that the
gout is sent to punish him. There he stands, dying
to speak to you, but afraid to do so, knowing what
kind of man you are. After all, there is not a
warmer-hearted fellow in existence, but when his
gout is coming on, he is not accountable for what
he does.' At this explanation Drumlanrig was
mollified ; and Greville, having been beckoned to
by Payne, hobbled up, shook hands, and was duly
forgiven. How it would have ended had Mus-
covite won the Cup, instead of being almost last
for it, I will not undertake to say."

The letter upon which my eye happens next to
fall bears the date of "Milan, October 15, 1885,"
and has reference to one of the most successful
and least generally known patrons of the Turf that
has existed in my time. I allude to Mr John
Bowes, of Streatlam Castle, near Barnard Castle,
in Durham, who won the Derby four times, and
owned, in West Australian — the last of his four
Derby winners — perhaps the best three-year-old
ever known upon the English Turf. Such, at
least, was the opinion of John Scott who trained,
and of Frank Butler who rode, that wonderful son

JOHN BOWES. 393

of Melbourne and Mowerina, who was herself the
daughter of Emma, the dam of Cotherstone. Sir
William's letter was couched in the following
terms :—

" I have just seen in the English and French
papers an account of the death of my old friend
John Bowes, with whom I was very intimate forty
years ago. He was tall, slight, dark-haired, very
refined, but very shy and very reserved. Most of
his life was spent in Paris, where he devoted him-
self to a second - rate actress whom he married,
and for whom he hired the Varietes Theatre,
whereby he lost a lot of money. When Mundig
won the Derby in 1835, Bowes, who won nearly
£20,000 on the race, returned from Epsom quite
unmoved. A friend of mine, long ago dead,
happened to dine that same evening at Crock-
ford's, and asked the waiter who that dark
pale young man might be who was dining very
quietly by himself in a corner of Crockford's su-
perb salle-a-manger. ' Oh, sir,' replied the waiter,
6 that is Mr Bowes who won the Derby this
afternoon.' The same imperturbability was dis-
played by him at Doncaster, where, from the top
of the Jockey Club Stand, he saw his fine colt,
Epirus, driven on to the top of the bank on the
other side of the course, where he fell, extinguish-
ing his chance of winning a race which, with
his fine speed and in very moderate company,

394 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

it would have been impossible for him to lose.
Bowes had a long telescope through which he
watched the race, and was surrounded by people
eager to know all that was going on. When the
catastrophe occurred he shut up his telescope,
merely remarking, ' My horse has fallen, arid I
think Bill Scott is killed/ As matters fell out, the
famous Whitewall jockey got off with a broken
collar-bone. I well remember Bowes calling to ask
me to do a big commission for him about Cother-
stone, another of his Derby winners. One morning,
when I was still in my bedroom, my servant came
in, announcing that Mr Bowes was below, and
wanted to see me. The occurrence was so unusual
that I made all haste to join him. As I entered
the room, he apologised for troubling me at that
unreasonably early hour, adding that he had come
upon business, and that his colt, Cotherstone, had
been highly tried, and would win the Derby, for
which he was then at long odds — to wit, 40 to 1.
He asked me to back the horse for £1000, and to
put on something for myself. I made one stipula-
tion— that there should be no other commission
in the market — to which he promised faithfully to
adhere. I returned him next day the odds of
£23,000 to £1000. Some of the money was shaky
in consequence of the liberties taken with the
horse by a gang of nobblers, who thought they
had the means of making him safe. When they
failed in their nefarious efforts, through the pre-

COTHERSTONE'S DERBY. 395

cautions taken by John and Bill Scott under
Colonel Anson's advice, there was a rush to hedge,
and I obtained permission from Bowes to lay them
back liberal odds ; and, by taking good money in-
stead at a lower price, I was enabled to hand
Bowes £21,600 on the evening of the day of
settlement. I shall not readily forget the tremen-
dous excitement I experienced when Tom Dawson
brought Lord Eglinton's fine colt, Pompey, to run
for the Riddlesworth Stakes at Newmarket, full
of confidence that he would beat Cotherstone.
Many Yorkshiremen, and all the racing Scots-
men, piled their money upon Pompey. The race,
however, never was in doubt, as Cotherstone pulled
his way to the front, and won as he pleased. From
that moment forward the Derby was a foregone
conclusion, unless ill-health, accident, or foul play,
got rid of Cotherstone. Nevertheless, there were
many who could not get over his round hunting
action, and vowed that unless the Derby were run
up a staircase he would have no chance. George
Bentinck was thoroughly convinced that Gaper,
who had beaten Cotherstone for the Criterion
Stakes at Newmarket when both were two-year-
olds, would show his heels to the north-country
crack in the Derby. Maidstone was also of the
same opinion, and paid dearly for his mistake.
I never saw a finer sight than Cotherstone pre-
sented as he mounted the hill, which exactly
suited his high round action. Upon reaching

396 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

Tattenham Corner, round which Gaper led, Cother-
stone seemed equally able to come down hill, and
ended by winning without an effort."

Upon February 1, 1884, Sir William set forth
in happy phrase his views as to Mr Charles
Greville's capabilities to fill the rdle of a leading
statesman, to which he always aspired. The
opinion given below by Sir William Gregory was
shared in a still higher degree by the late Sir
Francis Doyle, who was in the habit of meeting
Mr Greville annually for many years at Nun-
appleton, the seat of Sir William Milner, from
which they all repaired to York August Races.
Here are Sir William's words :—

" Charles Greville could never have taken a
prominent part as a political warrior. He had
good sense, and sound views upon many subjects —
witness his book on Ireland, which is very remark-
able, considering how far advanced his opinions
were beyond those in fashion at the time. I do
not think he would ever have been a good speaker;
certainly never a leader of men, even if he had
enjoyed many years of parliamentary training.
He was the worst adjuster of quarrels and what
the Americans call "difficulties" that I ever came
in contact with. In fact, paradoxical as it may
seem, I never could regard him as what he most
desired to be thought — a man of the world. This

FRED SWINDELL. 397

was also George Anson's opinion. The messes and
mistakes in which he got himself entangled when
trying his own horses were too comical, and used
to elicit roars of laughter from Nat, his favourite
jockey. I do not know which was the worse
judge of racing — he or his confederate, George
Payne."

The next two letters have reference to personal
matters in which " The Pope," as he was univer-
sally called by his friends and contemporaries, took
deep interest. Writing from Coole Park, Gort,
on May 30, 1885, Sir William says:—

" The first that I heard as to the death of my
old friend Fred Swindell, was from your article.
A young lady whose father lives close to this place,
and takes in the , told me there was some-
thing in that paper about myself and a very rich
betting-man who had just died. Fred Swindell
was the most remarkable man of his class that
I ever met. He was, of course, remarkable for
ability, but still more so for kindness of heart.
Speaking from much experience, I can say un-
hesitatingly that he was as true as steel to those
who trusted him in their racing transactions. As
for his drollery, wit, and power of graphic descrip-
tion, they rendered an evening passed in his com-
pany something never to be forgotten. His stories
of Palmer the poisoner were droll to a degree, but
occasionally terrifying ; nor shall I forget his look

398 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

when he asked me at Egham Races whether that
was not the place where the field beat King John.
You dwell rightly upon one remarkable trait in
his character — to wit, that all his sympathies were
with the gentlemen. Nothing pleased him more
than when they had a good race. His reflections
on the use of the Turf to British society, as a
safety-valve for the lower orders, were excellent,
and full of wisdom."

The second letter to which I have alluded above
has reference to the authorship of ' The Chaunt
of Achilles,' which was published anonymously in
'The Sporting Magazine' in 1838, shortly after
her Majesty's Coronation.

" I have in my possession," writes Sir William,
"a copy of 'The Chaunt of Achilles,' with the
inscription, ' By Bernal Osborne, Jun.,' written
on its back. Below are the words, ( Got fifteen
guineas from Editor for this.' I am convinced from
internal evidence that no one but a member of
West-End society could have written it. It is
impossible that Surtees, a north-country attorney,
could have known all the gossip to which it refers.
The style, moreover, in which it is written affords
another proof of its authorship, for the versifica-
tion is exactly similar to that of ' The Voice from
Palace Yard/ which is admittedly Bernal Osborne's
composition/'

GENERAL PEEL. 399

With one final extract from a letter bearing the
date of "3 St George's Place, Hyde Park Corner,
S.W., November 25, 1889," I will conclude a
chapter which is, I fear, already too long. Speak-
ing of General Peel's boundless store of amusing
anecdotes, Sir William remarks : —

" Well do I remember the dear old General's
stories ; and I ought to remember them, for I
heard them often, and they were as good the
twentieth time of hearing as the first, because of
the undisguised enjoyment with which he brought
them out. I shall never forget driving down with
him and Lord Eglinton to Gorhambury Races, and
to what extent the Colonel's programme (he was
then Colonel Peel) was flavoured by Eglinton's
facetice, and by the irrepressible peals of laughter
with which we made the lanes of Hertfordshire
echo again and again."

400

CHAPTER XVIII.

RACING CAREER OF THE LATE RIGHT HON.

SIR w. H. GREGORY — continued.

I NOW approach that portion of my task which
brings Sir William Gregory into closer communi-
cation than ever with Lord George Bentinck.
The two famous passages of Lord George's history
which it becomes my duty to treat are, in the
first place, his duel with Squire Osbaldeston ; and
secondly, his hurried journey to the Curragh of
Kildare to ascertain from Mr Thomas Ferguson,
the owner of the celebrated horse Harkaway, some
details about the animal purchased in Ireland by
Goodman Levy, and substituted for Running Rein.
Other letters of Lord George to Sir William will
find a place in this chapter, some of which go far
to confirm Mr John Kent's view of his noble
master's character. The light thus shed upon
Lord George's life will be welcomed by all who
recognise in him the strongest and most con-
spicuous Patron of the Turf that these islands have
produced during the present century.

LOUD GEORGE BENTINCK AND COLONEL ANSON. 401

I shall begin with Sir William Gregory's narra-
tive, partly taken down from his own lips, and
partly confirmed by letters now in my possession
touching the famous duel between Lord George
and Squire Osbaldeston in 1836. It should be
premised that the account usually given of the
encounter in question differs in many particulars
from the more veracious record supplied by Sir
William Gregory. It was well known to their
contemporaries and friends that the greatest
possible intimacy subsisted between Lord George
Bentinck and Colonel Anson. Their friendship
was doubtless increased by the fact that, in Lord
George's opinion, Colonel Anson had saved his life
when subjected to the fire of one of the finest pistol-
shots in the world. Some years later, Colonel Anson
did his utmost to heal the differences which had
long existed between those two masterful first
cousins, Lord George and Mr Charles Greville, who,
after being racing confederates in youth, became
bitterly estranged when they quarrelled about
Preserve, whose running has been described in a
previous chapter. Colonel Anson obtained from
Lord George Bentinck a promise that he would
meet and shake hands with Mr Greville after a
certain race at Goodwood in 1843. Mr Greville
had long been eager for a reconciliation, and when
the race in question was over, he lost not a moment
in repairing to the tryst named by Colonel Anson,
who had addressed himself to the far more difficult

2 c

402 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

task of bringing Lord George to the same spot.
Unfortunately, all his well-meant efforts proved to
be futile. Accompanied by Colonel Anson, Lord
George drew near, when, catching sight of Mr
Greville, his old antipathy to his cousin burst out
with renewed vigour. He declined to advance an-
other step, exclaiming to his companion, "After all,
I would rather have nothing to do with the fellow ! "
Against this decision all Colonel Anson's entreaties
and arguments were powerless to prevail.

The remarkable duel between Lord George and
" the Squire " created the greatest sensation at
the time of its occurrence. The popular account
is that Lord George fired first and missed. Upon
that he is represented to have called out to Mr
Osbaldeston in a loud voice, " Now, Squire, the
odds are ten to one upon you." No one acquainted
with Lord George's aristocratic pride, of which he
speaks in a letter to Sir W. Gregory,1 will be
likely to believe it possible that under such
circumstances he would use language of this kind
to an adversary whom he profoundly despised.
I am indebted to Sir William for the version
which now follows, and its authenticity is con-
firmed in other quarters. It agrees substantially
with an account of the duel which I contributed
seven years ago to l The Sporting Times/ and
which was read by Sir William Gregory with
much satisfaction.

1 See p. 412.

HISTORY OF A FAMOUS DUEL. 403

The Heaton Park Meeting of September 1835,
took place, as usual, immediately after the Doncas-
ter St Leger. The riders were mostly gentlemen
jockeys, who, however, were divided into two classes,
of which the first and most aristocratic were Lord
Wilton's guests, and the second found quarters at
Manchester, within four miles of Lord Wilton's seat.
To the latter section Mr Osbaldeston belonged. In
common with many others, he had long harboured
a shrewd suspicion that the handicaps were gener-
ally framed upon terms exceptionally favourable
to Lord Wilton and his friends. Resolved to be
revenged, and to strike a blow at the aristocratic
monopolists, the Squire looked about for a horse
likely to suit his purpose. He found one in a four-
year-old Irish colt named Rush, by Humphrey
Clinker, whom he purchased at Doncaster from his
breeder, Mr Watts, for 400 guineas. The Squire
tried his new purchase with a mare belonging to
old Job Marson over the St Leger course at Don-
caster, riding Rush himself. As they rounded the
Red House Turn the Squire found that he could do
what he liked with his antagonist, and promptly
checking Rush, allowed the mare to gallop in first
by many lengths. The result of the trial got
noised abroad, and, in consequence of his sup-
posed defeat, Rush was very favourably handi-
capped for the Trial Stakes and Cup at Heaton
Park. In the first of these two races he started,
ridden by his owner, and finished nowhere. Next

404 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

day he was again pulled out for the Cup, and a
heavy commission to back him was issued by Mr
Osbaldeston. All the money betted against Rush
at Lord Wilton's dinner-table upon the previous
evening was secured by an agent of the Squire,
and when the horses came to the post for the Cup,
Rush, who had been backed for large sums, from
10 down to 2 to 1, started at the latter price. As
Mr Osbaldeston, seated upon his horse's back,
walked by the stand to go down to the starting-
post, Lord George Bentinck cried out in a loud
voice, "Two hundred to one against Rush." "Done,"
exclaimed Mr Osbaldeston ; " put it down to me."
Waiting upon Lord Wilton, who rode Bill Scott's
mare, Lady le Gros (also a great pot), the Squire
overhauled her at the distance, and coming away,
won in a canter. Great was the hubbub that
ensued, and Rush's sudden change of form was
commented upon in very outspoken language,
which was not a little increased and aggravated by
his winning again upon the following day. Im-
mediately after the latter race the Squire set off
to go cub-hunting, and had no opportunity of asking
Lord George for two hundred pounds until they
both met at the Craven Meeting next year. The
fact that his Lordship, who was usually the most
punctual of settlers, had not discharged his debt
for many months, gave some presage of the scene
which was to follow.

Lord George was standing in front of the Jockey

HISTORY OF A FAMOUS DUEL. 405

Club rooms (arrayed in the green cutaway coat,
doeskin breeches, and top-boots which he habitually
wore at Newmarket), when Mr Osbaldeston saw
and approached him. " My Lord," he exclaimed,
somewhat curtly, " you have had plenty of time to
digest your loss. May I ask you for the £200
which I won from you at Heaton Park ? " Draw-
ing himself up to his full height, and towering over
his puny interpellator, Lord George retorted " that
he was astonished to be asked for the money, as
the whole affair was a robbery, and so the Jockey
Club considered it." Nothing daunted, Mr Osbal-
deston answered firmly, " I won the money fairly,
and I insist upon its payment." " Can you count ?"
sneeringly asked Lord George, as he dived into the
inside pocket of his coat, and pulled out a long
black-leather case, which he always carried stuffed
with bank-notes. " I could at Eton," sharply re-
plied the Squire ; and the specified sum was slowly
told out into his hand in small notes. " The matter
will not end here, my Lord," exclaimed the Squire,
as he marched off with his bristles set. Within
a few minutes Mr Humphrey approached Lord
George, and, lifting his hat, demanded, on the
Squire's behalf, an ample apology, or that Lord
George should at once give satisfaction to the
man whom he had so grossly insulted. Lord
George loftily declined to meet Mr Osbaldeston
in the field ; and upon receiving this disdainful
answer, the latter said, " Tell Lord George that

406 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

I will pull his nose the first time we meet.'7
Acting on the advice of Colonel Anson, who offi-
ciated as his second, the haughty patrician then
resolved to swallow his pride, and to go out
with his aggrieved foe. Wormwood Scrubbs was
named as the tryst ; and at six o'clock, upon a
lovely spring morning, the two combatants were
drawn up, pistol in hand, at twelve paces from
each other. It was a serious moment. Lord
George had never had a pistol in his hand before,
while his small and wiry antagonist had often
killed birds on the wing with a pistol-ball. When
shooting with Sir Richard Sutton, the Squire,
moreover, had, not long before, killed ninety-
eight pheasants out of one hundred shots, and
at pigeons he had few superiors. Lord George
was arrayed from top to toe in black, and not a
speck of white was visible about him for his
formidable enemy to aim at. The Squire had
openly declared that he would kill him ; and but
for Colonel Alison's adroit management of the
duel, it is but too probable that Lord George's
mortal career would have ended that day upon
Wormwood Scrubbs.

Approaching the two belligerents, Colonel
Anson addressed them in a few emphatic words.
" He told them that if the affair drifted into a law
court, the verdict of the jury would turn chiefly
upon his evidence, and that if either combatant
disobeyed instructions, and chanced to kill his ad-

HISTORY OF A FAMOUS DUEL. 407

versary, the law would regard him as a murderer."
The Colonel added, that he should give the word
to fire by exclaiming, " One, two, three ! " that
each man was to fire directly " Three ! " was pro-
nounced ; that until then they were to keep their
eyes fixed upon him. If either man failed to fire
instantly when " Three ! " was said, the Colonel
warned him solemnly to beware of the conse-
quences.

Withdrawing for a few paces, Colonel Anson
called out in a loud voice, " Gentlemen, are you
ready ? " A couple of nods of the head indicated
assent, and the word " One ! " rang out with
startling clearness. A long pause followed, and
then, almost in the same breath, the Colonel
vociferated, " Two, three ! " At the sound of the
last word Lord George fired in the air, and Mr
Osbaldeston was so hurried in his aim that his
bullet went through his noble adversary's hat
within a couple of inches of its wearer's hair.
" I did not think you were so bad a shot, Squire,"
laughingly remarked the Colonel, overjoyed at
the bloodless conclusion of an affair which had
augured so ill for his principal. " It might have
come off differently next time," growled out the
Squire, who was well aware that Colonel Anson
had saved his friend's life. For some years Lord
George and Mr Osbaldeston never spoke. Then
there came a time when Lord George, whose
horses were trained at Danebury, wished to be-

408 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

come a member of the Bibury Club, and old John
Day tried his diplomacy upon the Squire to ascer-
tain whether he would interfere with his former
antagonist's election. All animosity, however, had
long died away in the Squire's breast ; and after
Lord George's admission to the club, he invited
the Squire to come and see the Danebury horses,
and treated him with marked politeness.

The next episode in Lord George's career has
reference to the most sensational trial ever yet
embarked upon in connection with an English
race. There has never been any dearth of floating
rumours among old habitues of the Turf as regards
the frequent occurrence of three-year-old races
which have been fraudulently won without detec-
tion, though certainly not without suspicion, by
four - year - olds and upwards. It is more than
probable that in two or three instances, besides
that of Running Rein, there is truth in these allega-
tions or surmises. Into them, however, I have no
intention to enter, as there is nothing to be gained
by chronicling suspicions which cannot be sub-
stantiated. The "memorable Derby of 1844"
possesses this rare peculiarity — that two horses
started for it, each trained in a different stable,
which were admittedly four-year-olds, and that
one of them broke the other's leg in rounding
Tattenham Corner, and ended by catching
the Judge's eye as seeming winner of the race.

THE DERBY OF 1844. 409

Scarcely had he done so before Lord George
Bentinck advised Colonel Peel, the owner of
Orlando, the second horse, to make an objection
against the winner. In order to gain the evidence
necessary to prove the fraud, of which Lord
George felt sure that Mr A. Wood and his
accomplice were guilty, he set out from London
to interview Mr Thomas Ferguson at Rossmore
Lodge, Curragh of Kildare. The following letter,
written by a friend of Mr Ferguson, will speak for
itself: —

" At the time when the Derby of 1844 was run,
I was on terms of the warmest friendship with
' Tom Ferguson,' of Rossmore Lodge, Curragh,
who had no secrets from me. This fact was well
known to one of Lord George Bentinck's most
trusted commissioners, who upon the evening of
the day on which Running Rein ran first for the
Derby, came post-haste from Epsom to my house
in London, and induced me to write to Ferguson,
so as to obtain from him information with which
he was acquainted as to the substitution for the
Maccabeus colt of an Irish horse who, under the
name of Running Rein, won the Derby in 1844.
The commissioner in question stood to win a very
large stake on Colonel Peel's Orlando, and pro-
mised me faithfully that he would put me on a
large sum to nothing if I assisted in unveiling the
fraud. In addition, he pledged me his most solemn

410 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

word that Tom Ferguson's reply to my letter-
should be kept secret, and shown to no one.

" When Ferguson's letter reached me three or
four days later, Lord George's commissioner was at
my house expecting it. I, little knowing what sort
of a man I was dealing with, was persuaded by
him to let him have the letter, which he solemnly
pledged himself to return to me the same evening.
From that day forward I never again was in the
same room with him, and never spoke to him again.
His promises proved to be as faithless as he was
himself, and whenever we were near each other on
a race-course after the occurrence I am now recit-
ing, he took very good care to get out of my way.
Immediately upon leaving my house, the individual
of whom I am now writing carried Ferguson's
letter to Lord George Bentinck, who saw that the
information contained in it would inevitably give
the Derby stakes to Orlando. With characteristic
energy Lord George started off without a moment's
delay to Ireland, and on arriving at the Curragh
found Tom Ferguson ill in bed with the gout. At
first he refused to see his Lordship, but the latter
sent up word that he had in his possession a letter
written by Ferguson to myself. Seeing what a
fix he was in, Ferguson determined to receive Lord
George in his bedroom, and gave him all the infor-
mation of which he was himself possessed."

The following letter from Lord George Bentinck

TE AHA WAY. 411

to Sir William Gregory shows that his Lordship
had made other visits to Ireland previous to that
of 1844. The letter is dated " WATERLOO HOTEL,
LIVERPOOL, August 6, 1841," and runs as fol-
lows : —

" In my vain and futile hurry last night to save
a packet, whose inert captain had not vigour or
energy enough to save the London train, which
we lost by five minutes, I had not time to
thank you sufficiently for the trouble you took
for me, or the kindness you showed me. Nor had
I time to give you more than half a report of what
I saw and did at Rossmore Lodge. I found in
Tearaway a fine, lengthy, racing-like animal, about
fifteen three high — fine shoulders, fine length of
body, good loins, good girth, and as fine hind-legs
and hocks as could be put upon a horse ; but also
a regular Blacklock head, Roman nose, and a small
and soft rather than cowardly eye. His fore-legs
are badly put on, with small and somewhat twisted
fetlock-joints, and small narrow feet. I should
add that he is wanting in bone and power as
regards his legs, knees, and arms. Altogether I
was disappointed with the horse ; but Ferguson
assures me that he can give the year and seven
pounds to Johnny, which, if true, makes him a
race-horse, in spite of his fore-legs. I went to the
Curragh prepared to offer Ferguson a handsome
moneyed rent for the horse, in addition to the

412 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

whole stake if he won the St Leger ; but I was
so far disappointed in the animal that I restricted
myself to a single offer to take and train him,
paying his stakes and forfeits, and giving Ferguson
the St Leger if he won it, and twenty per cent of
any other stakes he won.

" I left my terms in writing, and my impression
is they will be accepted ; but I could clearly see
that Messrs Ferguson and Lea's object in wishing
me to have the horse is to get him up to an eight
to one favourite, so that they might make a good
thing of their fifty to one bets ; which made me
less keen to have him.

" With regard to the two-year-olds, both are
fine animals — Fireaway bearing no resemblance to
his half-brother Tearaway, but, on the contrary,
with a beautiful head and fore-hand, and capital
fore-legs. Goneaway is bigger than Fireaway, but
looks heavy and slow.

" Harkaway is in training, and appears sound,
but has the most frightful leg to look at you ever
saw. After seeing the horses, Mr Ferguson showed
me into his dining-room, where I beheld one of
the finest Liffey salmon ever seen smoking on the
table, besides various other good things, composing
a dinner for three. But my aristocratick [sic] pride
prevailed over the cravings of my belly, and I went
hungry away, and sought refuge in the humbler
and meaner fare at Harrington's of Naas. — Always
very sincerely yours, G. BENTINCK."

THE Rr. HONBLE. SIR WILLIAM H. GREGORY, K.C.M.G.

"A MANLY SPORTS BILL." 413

The above letter, of which I have quoted less
than two-thirds, is so characteristic of Lord George
that it will be read with interest by the few sur-
vivors who knew him in the flesh. Unfortunately
the letter to Sir William about Running Rein's
Derby, which the latter has often described to me
as the most humorous that he ever received from
Lord George, cannot be found. It recorded, how-
ever, that after some little difficulty Lord George
obtained from Mr Ferguson all the information
that he needed to disqualify Running Rein for
the Derby. The other details of the famous trial
and of its result are too well known for repetition
here.

Lord George's correspondence with Sir William
throws a flood of light on the "Qui,tam" actions
of 1843, and upon the extraordinary vigour with
which the former combated the " common in-
formers" by whom w^rits were served upon the
Earl of Eglinton, Lord George Bentinck, John
Bowes, George Anson, Jonathan Peel, Charles
Greville, W. H. Gregory, John Gully, and others,
under an old statute of Queen Anne, which was
construed into a legal prohibition of betting.
These writs were met by " A Manly Sports Bill,"
introduced into the House of Lords on February
1, 1844, by the Duke of Richmond, and passed
that session by both Houses. At a numerous
meeting of the Jockey Club, held at Newmarket,
on Tuesday, in the Second October Meeting 1845,

414 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

it was resolved — " That the unanimous thanks
of the Jockey Club be rendered to his Grace the
Duke of Richmond, K.G., for his Grace's inde-
fatigable exertions and eminent services in the
House of Lords, whereby many obsolete statutes
which threatened destruction to the best interests
of the Turf have been repealed, and the remaining
laws in regard to horse-racing put upon a safe and
satisfactory footing." Of this salutary Bill Lord
George was the principal instigator, and his let-
ters to Sir William Gregory, from which I shall
make two extracts, are full of interesting in-
formation. They show in the clearest light
Lord George's masculine and fearless character,
and also his profound sympathy with the sports
of the people.

The first ran as follows : —

"HARCOURT HOUSE,
CAVENDISH SQUARE, JVov. 17, 1843.

" Though I have no apprehension that these
rascally informers will succeed in their suits, I
cannot consider them otherwise than as serious.
Construed as the Judges have heretofore construed
the 9th of Queen Anne, there is no doubt but
that betting on horse - races comes within the
meaning of the Act. It is vain, therefore, to dis-
guise from ourselves that these vagabonds have
primd facie the law on their side. On ours we
have the difficulty of proof, and the indisposition

TRIALS FOB BETTING. 415

of juries to give them a verdict. Even if the ver-
dict went against us, such a decision would, I feel
sure, be reversed on appeal to the House of Lords ;
for I defy any man, whose judgment has not been
mystified by studying musty law, to rise from a
perusal of the 9th of Queen Anne without being
satisfied that betting on horse-races was not con-
templated by the framers of that Act. . . . For
all practical purposes you are as safe in coming
over from Ireland now as you would be if you
postponed their serving you with a writ until
Parliament meets. The suit for the money you
won on Cotherstone must be tried in Surrey, and
cannot, therefore, come on till the end of March.
The only thing I recommend you to do is to give
Sir William Follett a general retainer, so as to
keep him out of their hands. Thesiger, being
leading counsel on the Surrey Circuit, should
have a general retainer too. I have given re-
tainers to the leading counsel on all the Circuits
where the trials may come on. Eglinton, Bowes,
and Jonathan Peel have done the same. From
the heavy commission you executed for Bowes you
stand in greater hazard than anybody, unless it
be Eglinton, for his winnings on Blue Bonnet.

" Peel and Charles Greville are in no slight
jeopardy from their notable trial about Canadian
at Guildford, where Peel proved half the informer's
case against himself and Charles Greville. — Yours
very sincerely, G. BENTINCK."

416 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

The second extract is from a letter dated—

"HARCOURT HOUSE, Jan. 8, 1844.

" Our Bill is to be bold, manly, and straightfor-
ward, staying proceedings under the Queen Anne
statute without costs, and legalising betting on
horse - races, foot - races, sailing matches, cricket
matches, coursing, and all other manly and whole-
some sports. I cannot, therefore, see the neces-
sity of you and Bowes skulking, you in Ireland
and Bowes in Paris. You would both be of much
more use here canvassing for support to our Bill,
which, thus far, but for me, would have been left
to its fate. As yet no satisfactory arrangement
has been made as to the great expense already
incurred, and as to how it is to be met. — Yours
very sincerely, G. BENTINCK."

In these letters Lord George confirms the re-
peated views of his ardent and intense character
given by Mr John Kent in the earlier chapters of
this work. It remains for me to add a few further
words about Sir William Gregory himself, and I
will begin with the following brief account of the
way in which he got possession of Clermont, per-
haps his luckiest purchase. His version is as
follows : —

" On the day following the Cesare witch of 1845
I chanced to walk from my lodgings at Newmarket

CLERMONT. 4l'7

to the Jockey Club Rooms, to breakfast there,
as was my invariable habit. It was a wretched
morning, and as I approached the Rooms I ob-
served that old Richard Tattersall looked unusually
'downcast and damp,' as he stood in a sort of open
box in the High Street, Newmarket, endeavour-
ing to sell some blood stock. My eye caught
sight of a scraggy-looking chestnut yearling, by
Euclid, a horse of whom I was always fond.
Turning to Tattersall as I passed, I exclaimed,
pointing at the Euclid colt, ' If that lot goes
cheap, buy him for me.' When I came out from
breakfast I found that he had bought me the
colt in question for the moderate sum of fifteen
guineas. You know the rest of Clermont's his-
tory. He was a slow, moderate two -year -old,
and the only man that ever tried to buy him at
that age was your friend John Kent, who would
have given a smart sum for him at Goodwood in
1846, had Treen, my trainer, been willing to accept
his terms. In the winter I tried the horse to be
a good fair stayer, and if the spring had been
dry I fully believe that Clermont, as I sub-
sequently called him, would have won four out
of the five great handicaps in which I entered
him. But he was a ten -pound worse horse in
dirt than on the top of the ground, his weak
twisted ankles disqualifying him from getting
through mud. Fred Swindell won me a good
stake on the Newmarket Handicap, and still more

2 D

418 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

on the Great Metropolitan ; but I knocked down
some of my winnings on the Somersetshire Stakes,
at Bath, where the mud beat me. Moreover,
Frank Butler's fine riding on Wolf Dog for the
Northamptonshire Stakes was more than my little
boy Treen could tackle, although with a little
more experience he got the best of the great
jockey at Epsom."

Fortunately for himself, as it has often been to
many another ruined gambler, Sir William Greg-
ory's active connection with the Turf as an owner
of race-horses ceased for ever in the spring of 1855.
His first step was to take a long cruise in the Medi-
terranean, with Sir Sandford Graham for his com-
panion. At that time it appeared little probable
that the most useful and blameless part of his
life lay still before him. Financial disaster had,
however, overtaken him when he was still young
and full of energy. Under all circumstances and
all conditions he never ceased to be an indus-
trious worker ; and his catholic taste for the
classics, for literature of all kinds, and for art »in
particular, was well known to his many friends.
None of them anticipated, however, that in the
face of recent disasters his rehabilitation was so
near at hand. The disruption of the Conserva-
tive party, consequent upon Sir Robert Peel's
introduction of free trade in 1846, had emanci-
pated Sir William Gregory from the ties of party;

0\v {.•:>• ,{,(> Ml' t>i

"

LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

APPOINTED GOVERNOR OF CEYLON. 419

but the dissolution of 1857, when Lord Palmerston
went to the country about the Chinese lorcha, The
Arrow, gave him an opportunity of returning to
Parliament as Liberal member for his native county
of Galway. His parliamentary career (or, at least,
its second heat) continued until 1872, when, chiefly
at the instance of Frances, Countess Waldegrave,
then the wife of the still living Lord Carlingford,
he was appointed Governor of the Crown Colony of
Ceylon. Before dismissing his House of Commons
" record," I should mention that during the Civil
War between the Northern and Southern States
of the American Union, Sir William Gregory, who
had travelled in the winter of 1859-60 through
the slave States, and had passed some weeks at
Washington on his return from " Dixie," became
a strong and able supporter of the Southern cause
in Parliament.

Upon domestic subjects, especially upon those
connected with Ireland, with the British Museum,
the National Gallery, and matters of art and taste,
he was a frequent speaker, and with such success
that he was appointed a Trustee of the National
Gallery by Mr Disraeli, and sworn as a member of
the Privy Council for Ireland in 1871 under Mr
Gladstone's First Administration. The culminating
point of his career was, however, attained when, in
1872, Lord Kimberley, then Secretary of State for
the Colonies, appointed him Governor of Ceylon.
At last " the hour and the man had both come."

420 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

It has often been remarked that the best Colonial
Governors come from the Emerald Isle ; and of
those who have served her Majesty within my
recollection, none was ever more successful than Sir
William Gregory. A Crown Colony like Ceylon
gives many chances to its Governor, if he has tact,
capacity, and originality enough to seize and work
them aright. It would be easy to write a volume
on Sir William's five years in Ceylon. At this
moment I have before me printed materials from
which pages upon pages in approbation of his
energy, foresight, breadth of view, and sagacity
as an imperial administrator might be compiled.
Upon one point I wish for a moment to dwell.
No one who studies Sir William's policy in Ceylon
can doubt that his nice discrimination of character,
displayed both in England and in the East, was
due to his long, critical, and painful experience
upon the British Turf. Perhaps the most instruc-
tive book on Sir William's administration between
1872 and 1877, is Mr John Ferguson's 'Ceylon in
the Jubilee Year/ published in 1887. From it I
extract the following passages : —

" To Sir William Gregory belongs the distinction
of having spent more revenue on reproductive pub-
lic works than any other Governor of Ceylon. The
roads in the north and east of the island, which
were chiefly sand-tracks, were completed by him
in a permanent form, and nearly every river was

HIS JUDICIOUS ADMINISTRATION. 421

bridged. The North - Central Province, a purely
Sinhalese rice-growing division, was called into
existence, and large amounts were invested in
tanks and roads. About fifty miles were added to
the railway system, and arrangements made for a
further extension. When Governor Gregory left
in 1877, a large extent of previously unoccupied
country had been opened up, and an impetus given
to natives and European colonists in the cultiva-
tion of new products, which alone saved the island
from a serious collapse in the years of commercial
depression and of coffee blight which followed.
Measures were adopted for the conservation of
forests, and for preventing the extinction of elk,
deer, and elephants ; the registration of titles was
provided for ; Colombo, Kandy, and Galle were
much improved ; arrangements were made for a
good water-supply to each town.

" Very early in his administration, Sir William
Gregory, to his special credit be it said, saw the
necessity for new products, and he used all his
personal and official influence to secure their de-
velopment, introducing a new feature into the
Governor's annual speech to the Legislative Council
in special notices of the progress of tea, cinchona,
cacao, Liberian coffee, and rubber cultivation."

With one more passage from Mr Ferguson's book
I will conclude these remarks.

" Ceylon wants a Governor like Sir H. Ward or

422 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

Sir William Gregory, who has his whole heart in
his work ; is ready to sympathise with all classes
and races, to see provinces, districts, and public
works for himself — by journeys on horseback, if
necessary ; is open to receive counsel as to pro-
posed legislation from the most diverse quarters,
while deciding for himself after giving due con-
sideration to such advice."

The result of all these beneficent operations was,
that when the Prince of Wales visited Ceylon, Sir
William Gregory received the honour of knight-
hood from his Royal Highness's hands ; and finally,
a statue of the right honourable gentleman, from
which the photograph opposite this page has been
taken, testifies, as it stands in the market-place of
Colombo, to the high regard and esteem of the
population which he governed so well. Upon the
pedestal the following inscription is carved :—

THE RIGHT HONBLE.

SIR WILLIAM GREGORY, K.C.M.G.,
GOVERNOR OF CEYLON.

Erected by the inhabitants of this Island to commemorate the
benefits conferred by him upon the Colony during his administration
of the Government from 1872 to 1877.

After his return to England, Sir William married
in 1880 Miss Augusta Persse, a young and much-
esteemed lady who lived in the neighbourhood of
Coole Park, Sir William's ancestral seat in Gal-
way. Never was there a happier marriage. Lady

HIS DECLINING YEARS. 423

Gregory, who was Sir William's second wife, be-
came at once a great favourite in London society,
and her little salon at 3 St George's Place, Hyde
Park Corner, soon became one of the most agreeable
in London. During the concluding years of his
life, offers from diverse constituencies, both Eng-
lish and Irish, poured in upon Sir William, but in
vain. He was equally deaf to overtures made to
him by Secretaries for the Colonies that he would
accept another Governorship. Fond of society, an
admirable diner-out, and blessed with an Irish-
man's high spirits, Sir William's declining years
were undoubtedly the happiest that he ever passed.
In 1884 he revisited Ceylon, accompanied by Lady
Gregory, and the crowning honour of his life was
the erection of the statue, from Sir Edgar Boehm's
hand, to which I have above alluded. " Life to
the last enjoyed," with memory, hearing, and eye-
sight unimpaired, full of years and honours, Sir
William went to his well - earned rest without
leaving an enemy behind him. During his last
two winters, the cold of London tried him se-
verely, and it was his intention to escape to a
warmer climate, when death overtook him. The
last letter that I ever received from him was
couched in the following pathetic terms : —

" 3 ST GEORGE'S PLACE,
HYDE PARK CORNER, S.W., 14th Feb. 1892.

" I have to thank you for your review of Lord
Eosebery's ' Pitt/ which is a fine biography, and

424 RACING CAREER OF SIR W. H. GREGORY.

the style admirable. There are phrases and touches
in it which are quite sui generis, and which send
you on your way rejoicing. Among others, there
is one which you notice and which struck me
much: 'The instinct of self-preservation guides
the European Powers with the same certainty as
weather moves sheep on the hill.' Another re-
markable expression is, ' Buckingham was his
brother Grenville's hair-shirt/

" On the whole, despite the delightful style,
it is one of the saddest books I ever read. It is
the struggle of the most noble-minded patriotic
Englishman that ever lived to establish a wise
fiscal policy, to abandon the old insane foreign
entanglements, to pacify Ireland by wise and
feasible measures, which would have rendered
her a glory to England and no longer .a shame to
humanity. In all these aims he was arrested,
thwarted, and beaten back by the powers of evil.
You should not have concluded your critique
without quoting Rosebery's noble final sentence :
' From the dead eighteenth century Pitt's figure
still faces us with a majesty of loneliness and
courage. There may have been men abler and
greater than he — though it is not easy to cite
them. But in all history there is no more patriotic
spirit, none more intrepid, none more pure/

" I am as ill as a man can well be. I went to
Bournemouth for ten days, but came back much
as I went. The doctors are quite ' au bout de

HIS DEATH. 425

leur latin ' ; but one of them says there is a chance
of heat bringing me round. We start, therefore,
on Thursday next at 3 P.M., and arrive at Marseilles
next day at 2.30. Is not that wonderful? I
remember travelling five days and nights from
Marseilles to Paris, to be present at Coronation's
Derby. — Yours ever sincerely,

" W. H. GREGORY."

That journey to Marseilles he was not permitted
to make. At the close of February and during
the opening days of March the cold became daily
more intense, and told with fatal severity upon his
enfeebled frame. For many days before his death
he lay unconscious of the tender solicitude lavished
upon him by his devoted wife, who never left his
bedside by night or day. Upon Sunday, March 6,
1892, the end came. No man ever retrieved more
honourably the errors of his youth ; and to him
more than to any other man of my acquaintance
might be applied the well-known French proverb,
" On ne revient pas de si loin pour peu de chose."

426

CHAPTER XIX.

POLITICAL CAREER OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

ALTHOUGH it was my original intention to confine
myself in these pages solely to the " Racing Life
of Lord George Bentinck," I cannot, with justice to
him or to myself, omit to point out that his politi-
cal career was very closely associated with, and in
some sense sprang out of, his love for the Turf.
There can be little doubt that he was warmly
encouraged by his intimate friend, the Right
Honourable Benjamin Disraeli, to take a more
active part in politics than he had ever attempted
between 1826, when he first entered the House of
Commons, and 1846, when Sir Robert Peel, then
the acknowledged head of the Conservative party,
rent it in twain by abolishing the import duty upon
foreign corn. It is evident, from Lord George's
letter to Mr Croker, from which I have already
quoted, that he would never have given himself up
body and soul to politics if it had not been his rooted
and conscientious conviction that the Conservative

LOED GEORGE AND MR DISRAELI. 427

party, of which he had long been a silent member,
was being misguided and wrecked by the " man at
the helm," — the great statesman who had until
then been its most trusted pilot. To this conviction
he was mainly brought by the influence and argu-
ments of Mr Disraeli, who well knew Lord George's
character, and appraised his abilities more accurately
than any other member of Parliament did. I shall
always think that Mr Disraeli allowed himself, as
early as the year 1842, to appear to be drawn
by Lord George into the vortex of racing, with
a view to drawing Lord George, when the right
moment came, into the vortex of politics.

In 1842 Lord George owned a very highly bred
filly called Kitten, who was the daughter of Bay
Middleton, winner of the Derby, and of Pussy,
winner of the Oaks. Lord George insisted that in
this filly Mr Disraeli should take an interest, by
accepting a half share in her, of which I have no
doubt that his Lordship made him a present.
Kitten was engaged in several two-year-old and
three-year-old stakes, but unfortunately she was,
like many of the Bay Middletons, very light in the
fore-legs, and was therefore unable to stand training
even to the extent of being prepared for a two-
year-old stake over a half-mile course. Worthless
as she was, she afforded Mr Disraeli an opportunity
to call more frequently upon Lord George, although
I do not believe that the former ever took any
genuine interest in horses or in racing. About

428 POLITICAL CAREER,

that time, however, no one was so constantly found
by me in Lord George's room at Harcourt House
as Mr Disraeli, and he listened with the greatest
semblance of attention to all I had to say about
Lord George's horses, and would often accompany
Lord George to the stables behind Harcourt House
in order to inspect them. In other respects Mr
Disraeli seemed to me at this epoch to be greatly
inferior to Lord George Bentinck in tact, ability,
and address. The subjects of conversation between
us were, of course, perfectly familiar to Lord George,
and quite the reverse to Mr Disraeli ; but I cannot
help adding that to me the contrast between them
was very striking. In fact, from what I saw of
Mr Disraeli between 1842 and 1848, 1 should never
have thought it possible that he was possessed of
the remarkable sagacity and ability which he sub-
sequently displayed, and with which he was from
the first credited by Lord George, as the following
letter shows : —

"HARCOURT HOUSE, Zd March 1848.

" MY DEAR MR CROKER, — I have been so busy,
sitting long days and six days a week on two
committees, that I forgot to write to you.

" You ask me of Disraeli's manner of speaking
and effectiveness in debate. I will answer you by
giving my brother Henry's observation on the
various speakers in the House. Henry is rather
a cynical critic. He expressed himself as greatly

HIS OPINION OF MR DISRAELl's ABILITIES. 429

disappointed with Sir Robert Peel and Lord John
Russell, and concluded by saying that Disraeli is
the only man he had heard who at all came up to
his ideas of an orator.

" Disraeli's speeches this session have been first-
rate. His last speech, altogether burked in the
' Times,' but pretty well given in the ( Post,' was
admirable. He cuts Cobden to ribbons ; and Cob-
den writhes and quails under him just as Peel did
in 1846. And mark my words — spite of Lord
Stanley, Major Beresford, Mr Phillips, and the
1 Herald,' it will end before two sessions are out in
Disraeli being the chosen leader of the party, but
not, I think, under Lord Stanley's banner, whether
the latter turns his coat on the Jew Bill or not. —
Always most sincerely yours, G. BENTINCK."

This was the last letter, so far as I know, that
Lord George ever wrote to Mr Croker, and to the
latter it must have been gall and wormwood, as
Mr Croker's detestation of Mr Disraeli, who had
ridiculed him in conversation and caricatured him
in his novel of ' Coningsby ' under the name of
"Mr Rigby," was well known. Referring to this
letter, the editor of Mr Croker's ' Correspondence
and Diaries' remarks that it was written in the
midst of a great pressure of business, as, in addition
to his usual parliamentary duties, Lord George
Bentinck was serving on two important committees
— first, on .that to inquire into the state of the

430 . POLITICAL CAREER.

sugar and coffee interests ; and secondly, on that
which was seeking to ascertain the causes of the
prevailing commercial distress. We learn from
the same source that the energy, application, and
zeal which he brought to his new avocations were
never exceeded by any man in Parliament. " This
was the period of his life," says Mr Disraeli,
" when he was frequently in the habit of working
eighteen hours in the day, and when he made
great progress towards acquiring the habit of liv-
ing without food, for he breakfasted on dry toast,
and took no sustenance all day or all night, until
Parliament was up, when he dined at White's
Club at half-past two o'clock in the morning."

I have read all the books within my reach which
deal with my dear and honoured master's political
career ; but neither Mr Disraeli's * Political Bio-
graphy ' nor Mr Greville's ' Diaries,' nor any of
the many Lives of the Fourteenth Earl of
Derby, give such insight into Lord George Ben-
tinck's character as the last volume of ' The Croker
Papers,' published in 1884. The letters from Lord
George to Mr Croker are seventeen in number, the
first being dated on June 30, 1847, and the last on
March 2, 1848, so that they cover a space of little
more than eight months. Within them, however,
may be found the germs of what Lord George was,
and I venture to think that they explain the ex-
traordinary ascendancy gained in less than two
years by a statesman — for as such I sjiall always

CHARACTER-SKETCH OF LORD GEORGE. 431

regard him — of the purest and most disinterested
character, of dauntless courage, and with an entire
absence of personal vanity and conceit. Before
quoting from two or three of these letters, I must
permit myself the pleasure of citing the following
passage from the pen of the editor of the ' Croker
Papers ' : —

" Lord George Bentinck is a unique figure in our
history. No one before or since has ever entered
political life under circumstances so remarkable, or
made such rapid strides towards distinction in an
equal period of time. All his parliamentary repu-
tation was achieved in about two years. It is true
that he had been a long time in the House, but
most people supposed that he cared for nothing
in the world except horses ; and for some years
undoubtedly he did not. That a power of master-
ing facts and accumulating information was among
his natural gifts, his letters amply testify. But
the Turf engrossed his whole being, and he pur-
sued it, in Mr Disraeli's words, ' on a scale that
has never been equalled.' When he went to the
House he seldom remained long, and appeared to
take very little interest in the debates. He spoke
unwillingly and with difficulty. Such was the
man to whom the Protectionists looked for guid-
ance when they found themselves cast off by Sir
Robert Peel.

"In 1847 Lord George Bentinck was prevailed

432 POLITICAL CAREER.

upon to take his seat on the front Opposition bench.
It required some management to get him into that
position. Repeatedly he had told his followers that
they must not look to him as their head — that he
would do what he could for a time, but it would
only be for a time. Apparently, however, Mr
Disraeli persuaded him to take the usual place
assigned to the Opposition leader. Throughout
that session he worked on with great steadfastness
and courage. As an orator he might never have
made a brilliant reputation ; but if no dazzling
flights of eloquence marked his brief career, he
greatly stirred curiosity, delivered many effective
speeches, and sometimes roused his supporters to
genuine enthusiasm."

Perhaps the most remarkable letters of those
written by Lord George Bentinck to Mr Croker
are, first, the one bearing the date of " Welbeck,
27th September 1847," on the export and import
trade of this country ; secondly, that written two
days later, on the question of Jewish disabilities,
for the removal of which Lord George had always
voted ; thirdly, that from Welbeck on October 5,
1847, in which he dilated upon his own disquali-
fications for the post of leader of the Opposi-
tion ; and, fourthly, that from Harcourt House,
London, November 3, 1847, on the Bank Charter
Act of 1844.

These four letters, showing, I venture to think,

LORD GEORGE AND THE FARMING INTEREST. 433

the modesty and also the indomitable perseverance
of my noble master, justify me in believing that if
his invaluable life had been spared, and he had
continued to give his strenuous attention to politics,
he would have played a very prominent and dis-
tinguished part in public life. Such was, however,
his inflexibility, that I question whether he would
have remained in Parliament after the complete
triumph of Free Trade. The one individual who
gained most by Lord George's death was undoubt-
edly Mr Disraeli, in whom there was a pliancy and a
disposition to make the best of the inevitable which
were wholly absent from Lord George's composition.
The latter would never have given up his advocacy
of Protection ; and, moreover, he never would have
forgiven Mr Disraeli and others who had stood by
his side as Protectionists for abandoning the con-
test and making terms with the enemy.

It was Lord George's conviction, often expressed
by him in my hearing, that 45s. a quarter for Eng-
lish wheat spelt ruin to the farmer. His predic-
tions as to the decay of the agricultural interest
in these islands, consequent upon the repeal of the
Corn Laws in 1846, were truly prophetic, and have
been verified to the letter. Whether it is to the
advantage of the British race that the great urban
populations should get a so-called cheap loaf at the
cost of ruining the landlords, farmers, and farm
labourers, it is for the future, and for wiser heads
than mine, to determine.

2 E

434 POLITICAL CAREER.

In the July of 1847 came the long-expected dis-
solution, Parliament having all but lived out its
full period. When the contest was over, it was
found that the relative strength of both parties
remained pretty much what it had been before.
Among the members elected to the new Parliament
was included Baron Lionel Rothschild, who was
returned for the City of London. This circumstance
revived the question of the removal of Jewish dis-
abilities, which had been long and frequently dis-
cussed. From 1830 to 1840 a Jew was a sort of
pariah in the body politic. He was not allowed to
vote if he refused to take the elector's oath ; he
could not practise at the bar, or be an attorney, or
keep a school, or be employed as an usher or tutor
in public. Gradually concessions were made until,
in 1847, the only civic privilege from which a Jew
was excluded was the right to sit in Parliament.
When Baron Rothschild was returned in that year,
Lord John Russell, then Prime Minister, brought
in a Bill to enable the Baron to take his seat. It
was opposed by the Conservative party generally,
but, as on previous occasions, Lord George Ben-
tinck voted for it, giving great dissatisfaction to
many of his followers. They conveyed to him
" their keen sense of disapprobation," and his
haughty spirit immediately took fire at the re-
buke. Towards the close of the year he resigned
the leadership of the Opposition — a post which
he had never sought, and was beginning to find

LETTER TO MR CROKER. 435

very distasteful. At the opening of the session
of 1848 he walked up to the head of the second
bench below the gangway on the Opposition side,
and thus significantly announced that he was no
longer the head of the Protectionist party. His
place was taken with apparent reluctance by Mr
Disraeli, who from that moment forward, until
he went to the Upper House, never ceased to
be the leader of the Conservative party in the
Commons.

It was under these circumstances that Lord
George wrote from Welbeck, on October 5, 1847,
the following letter : —

" MY DEAR MR CROKER, — My services, such as
they are, shall always be at the command of any
one who, like yourself, can put the facts which I
am able to collect with more force and in a more
striking light before the world.

" Virtually an uneducated man, never intended
or attracted by taste for a political life, in the
House of Commons only by a pure accident — in-
deed by an undesired and inevitable chance — I am
well aware of my own incapacity properly to fill
the station I have been thrust into. My sole ambi-
tion was to rally the broken and dispirited forces of
a betrayed and insulted party, and to avenge the
country gentlemen and landed aristocracy of Eng-
land upon the minister who, presuming upon their
weakness, falsely flattered himself that they could

436 POLITICAL CAREER.

be trampled upon with impunity. — Always yours
most sincerely, G. BENTINCK."

In this letter the spirit and character of my
noble master are conspicuously portrayed. I have
reason to know that he felt his fall from the
prominent place of leader of the Protectionist
party, in which he had achieved such wonders,
more keenly than he allowed outsiders to perceive.
One effect of the slight suspension of the pressure
of his parliamentary duties resulting from his
resignation of the leadership of the Opposition
was that he occasionally attended a race meeting,
and was present at Newmarket in 1848 to see the
Two Thousand Guineas run for, which race was
won by Mr B. Green's Flatcatcher, in the absence,
as I have stated in a previous chapter, of Lord
Clifden's Surplice and Loadstone, both of them
bred by Lord George Bentinck, and both engaged
in the Two Thousand, which either could have won.
Upon the day of the race Lord George was, as
usual, upon horseback, and in the afternoon he
rode up to the carriage in which those two beautiful
sisters, the Countess of Chesterfield and the Hon-
ourable Mrs Anson (the latter being the wife of
Lord George's intimate friend, Colonel Anson) were
seated. Mrs Anson looked at Lord George long
and wistfully, and rising in her seat, and throwing
her whole heart into her voice, exclaimed, " George,
come back to us, and leave those dreadful politics

SIGNS OF ILL HEALTH. 437

alone, or, take my word for it, they will kill you
before another year has passed away."1

Her words were, indeed, prophetic, and they
have often reminded me of the last interview I
ever had with his Lordship at Harcourt House,
on which occasion Mr Disraeli was present. I
had been much distressed on perceiving the de-
teriorating effect upon Lord George's health pro-
duced by his long-sustained and close application,
by his confinement to his own room, hour after
hour, without getting a breath of fresh air, and
by his neglecting to take necessary nourishment.
His countenance was no longer animated, cheerful,
and suffused with the glow of health, as when he
spent long hours in exercise on the invigorating
Goodwood Downs. Furthermore, his piercing, in-
terrogating eye, which looked you through and
through, had lost its lustre. On the occasion
above referred to I entered the room at Harcourt
House, and found his Lordship seated on one side
of the fireplace and Mr Disraeli on the other.
The floor was literally covered with papers, letters,
and documents, and a kind of rampart built up
with blue books ran between me and his Lordship.
As I hesitated to approach for fear of displacing
some of these barriers, he said to me in a re-
assuring tone, " Come up nearer, John ; don't be
afraid of stepping over the piles of books or

1 For information as to this incident I owe my best thanks to
Mr Edmund Tattersall, who witnessed it, and repeated it to me.

438 POLITICAL CAREER.

treading on the papers, although I have forbidden
Mrs Jones, the housekeeper, ever to touch them,
for in putting them to rights, as she sometimes
presumes to do, I find that she puts them very
much to wrongs."

Presently Lord George left the room, and Mr
Disraeli took the opportunity of accosting me :
" What do you think, Kent," he asked, " of all
these papers ? " My reply was, " I should much
prefer, sir, to see c Racing Calendars ' substituted
for them ; and this I say, not for my own interest,
but for the sake of his Lordship's health, which is
being undermined by long confinement in London,
and by the total stoppage of that open-air exercise
to which he has been all his life accustomed."
" You are quite right," rejoined Mr Disraeli, " but
you know his Lordship as well as I do. When he
takes anything up in earnest, it is useless to at-
tempt to dissuade him from persisting in it." I
could but shake my head mournfully ; and when
I took my departure that day, a sad presentiment
flashed across my mind that never again should
I meet and converse with Lord George Bentinck
in Harcourt House.

I well remember the surprise and astonishment
with which Lord George's unsurpassed power of
mastering details and laying his conclusions before
the House was received by many of his friends,
who had known him for years, as well as by the
general public. His fundamental policy was to

HIS SYMPATHETIC DISPOSITION. 439

encourage domestic trade, and stimulate home la-
bour. One of his favourite illustrations was that
a £5 note spent at home was turned over a dozen
times or more in a year, whereas if sent abroad
it did not return in twelve months, if at all.
That British labour should find constant, well-
paid employment from British capital, was the
main aspiration of Lord George's life. An earnest
desire to amend the unsatisfactory condition of the
labourers in 1846 had much to do with inducing
him to take an active part in politics. The mis-
ery to which Ireland was reduced by the failure
of the potato crop was felt also in England and
Scotland ; and, if Lord George could have had
his way, he would have sent all the available
ships of her Majesty's navy to New York, to
bring back bread -stuffs for the starving masses
at home. His idea of Protection was as generous
as his own disposition. He had no desire rigidly
to exclude foreign corn by building up a Chinese
wall forbidding its introduction until British wheat
was fetching prohibitive prices — say, 100s. a quar-
ter, at which it had often been quoted at the
beginning of the present century. Be it recorded
to his credit that, in view of famine in Ireland,
he offered no obstruction to the free importation
of corn ; on the contrary, what he did object to
was that, in September, October, and November
1846, seventeen of her Majesty's war-ships were
lying in the Tagus " taking care," as he expressed

440 POLITICAL CAREER.

it in a letter to Mr Croker, " of the Queen's cousin,"
which, if sent at once to New York, might have
brought back 100,000 quarters of grain, and saved
a large proportion of a million Irish lives, sacrificed
through the ladies of the Government.

Undoubtedly Lord George, if he had ever held
high office, would have been a favourite with the
Irish. It was his earnest desire, following the lead
of Mr Pitt and Mr Canning, to provide stipends
for the Roman Catholic clergy in Ireland ; and, as
I have already stated, he proposed to advance
£16,000,000 to be expended in Ireland on railways
and other public works.

In 1848 the parliamentary session opened with
a motion, brought forward by Lord George, asking
for a Select Committee to " inquire into the present
condition and prospects of the interests connected
with and dependent on sugar and coffee planting
in her Majesty's East and West Indian possessions,
and in Mauritius ; and to consider whether any,
and what, measures can be adopted by Parliament
for their relief." The Committee was granted, and
witnesses of every class connected with the subject
— merchants, planters, distillers, brokers, members
of Parliament, Secretaries of State, and East India
directors — gave evidence before it, with the result
that Lord George, who was Chairman, carried his
report, and greatly enhanced his reputation as a
laborious and able leader.

" He did so," writes the anonymous author of

" THE KNELL OF FREE TRADE." 441

' Memoirs of Charles Gordon Lennox, Fifth Duke
of Richmond/ " at a heavy sacrifice. For years
his ambition had been to win the Derby ; but in
order to devote the whole of his energies to the
political career which he embraced so suddenly, he
had parted with his racing stud, and a few months
later his home-bred horse Surplice won the Derby.
He recovered, however, from his disappointment
next day, when his casting vote carried Sir Thomas
Birch's resolution for a ten - shilling differential
duty, and he exclaimed enthusiastically, "We
have saved the colonies ; it is the knell of free
trade ! "

We all know now that, instead of repealing free
trade, the parliamentary session of 1848 (which,
thanks chiefly to the extraordinary energy and
zeal brought to bear upon it by Lord George,
lasted for ten months, and was not prorogued until
the 5th of September) confirmed and established
free trade on so firm a basis, that to-day, nearly
half a century later, it seems altogether unassail-
able. Meanwhile, there still remain some few
admirers of Lord George Bentinck who remember
the earnestness with which he exclaimed, " Wait
until North and South America are cultivated, and
see what free trade without reciprocity will make
of this country ! " and who are sometimes tempted
to ask themselves whether, after all, he was not
right. When I read that, according to the late
Sir James Caird, the landed interest in the United

442 POLITICAL CAREER.

Kingdom is poorer by four hundred millions of
pounds than it was twenty years ago, and that
thousands upon thousands of acres upon the
wheat-growing farms in these islands cannot he
tilled so long as wheat remains at 30s. a quarter,
I cannot but reflect what my two honoured
masters, the fifth Duke of Richmond and Lord
George Bentinck, foretold, and what they would
have thought of the present condition of affairs.
These illustrious and enlightened men advocated
protection, not for British agriculturists alone,
but also for British manufacturers. I am as-
sured by those better informed than myself that
if ever free trade is overthrown in this country,
the change will be effected, not by the agricul-
turists, but by the commercial classes.

It was during this memorable session, and less
than a month before his death, that Lord George
addressed the following letter to Mr Disraeli : —

"HARCOURT HOUSE,
Wednesday, Aug. 30, 1848, 4.30 A.M.

" I have just come home from the House of
Commons, after a sitting of fifteen hours and a
half — the longest but one, I believe, on record.
Late as it is, I send you the report of the self-
constituted Committee on Savings Banks in Ire-
land. The Bill was only printed yesterday, and
the Chancellor of the Exchequer forces us into
a consideration of it at eleven o'clock at night,

A VOLUMINOUS CORRESPONDENT. 443

after Lord John Russell has gone to bed, and we
are kept at it after all the reporters have gone to
bed too. I think it a most scandalous proceeding
on the part of Government."

It will be observed that at the head of nearly
all the letters from Lord George to Mr Croker
which are included in the ' Croker Papers/ the
word " Extract " is printed. This leads me to
observe that a more voluminous correspondent
than Lord George was probably never known.
As I have already mentioned, I have frequently
received letters from him on racing subjects which
covered seven or eight sheets of note-paper, and
some of those sent to Mr Croker must have been
still longer. Not less remarkable is the wide
range of subjects treated in his letters to the
latter, and the fulness and accuracy of the in-
formation which he contrived to accumulate. I
had long been aware that his Lordship's financial
ability was of a very high order, but I was not
prepared for the research and knowledge dis-
played in his letters and speeches on such sub-
jects as the Bank Charter Act.

I have heard it stated by some of those who
were among Lord George's audience that his
speeches, though enhanced by no rhetorical arts,
commanded as much attention as those of any of
the great orators of the day. Even Mr Charles
Greville admits that, although Lord George's Irish

444 POLITICAL CAREER.

speech was " very tiresome," and lasted nearly
three hours, " it was listened to with profound and
respectful interest from first to last." The 'Annual
Register ' for 1847 devotes ten columns to summar-
ising it, and its report concludes as follows : —

" The noble Lord then returned to his panegyric
on the character of the Irish people, eulogising
their patience under the most direful sufferings,
and saying that if by his measure he could fill
them with good beef and mutton, and their cottages
with fine wheat-flour and sound beer, and their
pockets with English gold to purchase the blankets
of Wiltshire, the fustians of Bradford, and the
cotton prints of Manchester, he, though a Saxon,
would answer with his head for their loyalty, and
would lead them, through their warm hearts and
sympathies, not to sever but to cement the union
of Ireland with England. The noble Lord con-
cluded a speech which had lasted more than two
and a half hours amid cheers from all sides of the
House."1

It must also be remembered that all the questions
with which Lord George dealt were of colossal mag-
nitude, and that he handled them with the grasp

1 The speech referred to in this extract from the ' Annual Regis-
ter ' was heard from the gallery of the House of Commons by that
universal favourite, Dr William H. Russell, who was then a parlia-
mentary reporter. After listening to it with rapt attention, Dr
Russell repaired to the 'Times' office, and told Mr Delane, his
editor, that if ever Lord George Bentinck became Prime Minister,
the woes of Ireland (Dr Russell's native country) would soon be
redressed. — ED.

LABORIOUS LIFE WHILE IN PARLIAMENT. 445

of a master, and on the same scale as his operations
on the Turf.

I do not believe that any member of Parliament
ever went for so long a period through such la-
borious days and nights as Lord George Bentinck
did. At whatever hour he went to bed — and it
was usually 4 A.M. before he laid his head upon the
pillow — his breakfast, consisting of one boiled egg
and a couple of slices of dry toast, was on the table
at 8 A.M. precisely. After reading his enormous
correspondence, he began to receive visitors at 9.30
A.M. They called to give him information on all
kinds of subjects, and his purse was always open
to them. When they left, he plunged into the
elaborate correspondence which each day brought,
conducting it entirely with his own hand, in a
writing so clear and legible as to put to shame
the scrawl which nowadays is affected by so many
public men. At twelve o'clock (noon) he went
down to sit on some Committee, and he only left the
Committee-room to take his seat, without touch-
ing food, in the House of Commons, which he
never quitted until it was adjourned. In the
House he never missed an opportunity of enforc-
ing or vindicating his own opinions, and of watch-
ing with lynx-like vigilance the conduct by Gov-
ernment of public business. Nothing daunted
him — nothing exhausted his resources ; once con-
vinced that he was in the right, no show of
authority, no parade of official experience, no

446 POLITICAL CAREER.

dread of superior ability, knowledge, or eloquence
possessed by an opponent, could make him afraid.
In common with some old friends who think with
me and are of the same opinion — to one of whom I
am indebted for much valuable information in writ-
ing this chapter — I have formed my estimate of
the nobility and magnanimity of Lord George's
character in consonance with what I have here
stated. Personal ambition, conceit, and vanity
he had none ; but, as he often showed in the
racing world, his self-reliance and fearlessness
were unbounded, and he would never trust any
other man to do what he could do himself. He
brought the same self - sacrificing spirit to bear
upon politics, and his life was the forfeit. In
his opinions he may, or may not, have been mis-
taken ; but that he held them with perfect disin-
terestedness, and without a thought of self, will be
denied by none who knew him as I was privileged
to do.

447

CHAPTER XX.

DEATH OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

IT is with a lively sense of pain and grief, which
the lapse of more than forty years has not yet
extinguished, that I approach the closing scene
of a life so prematurely ended at a moment when
it was fullest of promise. Mr Disraeli remarks that
the labours of Lord George Bentinck had been
so superhuman from the day when, in 1845, he
had been trying to find a lawyer to compose a
speech for him to deliver in Parliament, until
the end of the session of 1848, that every one
ought to have prognosticated at the latter period
that it was impossible for them to be continued
much longer upon such an exhausting scale. " No
friend," adds the future Prime Minister, "could,
however, control his eager spirit. He obeyed the
law of his fiery and vehement nature, being one
of those men who, in whatever they undertake,
know no medium, but will succeed or die, come
what may." The two friends parted for the last
time on the steps of Harcourt House — the last of

448 DEATH OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

the great hotels of an age of stately manners, with
its wings, courtyard, carriage-portal, and huge out-
ward walls. " Lord George," adds Mr Disraeli,
" put forth his hand to bid me farewell, and his
last words were characteristic of the man, of his
warm feelings and ruling passion : ' God bless you !
we must work, and the country will come round to
us yet/"

It is evident that some foreboding of the coming
tragedy must have crossed Mr Disraeli's mind at
that final interview, for he immediately proceeds
to say : " But why talk or think of death ? He goes
to his native county and his father's proud domain
to breathe the air of his boyhood, and move amid
the parks and scenes of his youth. Every breeze
will bear health on its wings, and the sight of
every hallowed haunt will stimulate his pulse.
He is scarcely older than Julius Caesar when he
commenced his public career ; he looks as high and
as brave, and he springs from a long-lived race."
Yet if any gloomy presentiment suggested itself on
this occasion to Mr Disraeli's thoughts, it can be
shown beyond doubt by many irrefutable evidences
that Lord George went down to Welbeck full of
energy and hope. On arriving at the home of
his childhood, he was thought by some of his
attached relatives — and never was son or brother
more beloved — to be looking worn and pale. Noth-
ing, however, appears to have been said to him on
the subject in a family always noted for reticence and

DONC ASTER RACES. 449

undemonstrativeness. Lord George seemed to all
who came in contact with him, between his arrival
at Welbeck on Monday, the llth of September
1848, and the day of his death, September 21, to
regard himself as in the best of health. It is cer-
tain that he was in excellent spirits, and also that
he greatly enjoyed the change of scene and the
freshness of the country air after his long incar-
ceration in London.

On Tuesday, September 12, 1848, the first day
of Doncaster Races came round. Lord George at-
tended the meeting as usual from Welbeck Abbey,
which is twenty-five miles distant from Doncaster,
and was greatly interested in the success of Lord
Eglinton's magnificent colt, the Flying Dutchman,
for the Champagne Stakes, which he won in a
canter against four competitors. Lord George
watched the Flying Dutchman's grand action with
the closest attention, because he was the son of
his old stallion Bay Middleton (then the property
of Lord Clifden), and the best animal that ever
sprang from Bay Middleton's loins. In the
Municipal Stakes, of 300 sovereigns each, he wit-
nessed the triumph of another son of Bay Middle-
ton, Tiresome by name, whom he had himself bred
and sold as a foal to Mr Mostyn in 1846. The
Doncaster meeting was, indeed, full of attractive-
ness to Lord George, who had not gone down to
Epsom on the Derby day to see Surplice, the son
of his old favourite Crucifix, win the " blue ribbon

2 F

450 DEATH OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

of the Turf." It had always been Lord George's
custom to back any good horse that called him
master for a very large sum, and it is difficult to
say what he would not have won in 1848 upon
Surplice, who in his hands would have carried off
the Two Thousand, the Derby, and the St Leger.
In those days it was easy to back horses for treble
events, and the odds laid against Surplice winning
the three great classic races would doubtless have
been enormous. The feat of winning the Two
Thousand, Derby, and St Leger had, in 1848,
never been accomplished by the same horse. The
only winner of the Derby and St Leger down to
that year was Mr Christopher Wilson's Champion,
who, in 1800, won the Derby in a field of thirteen
starters, and the St Leger in a field of ten. But,
in 1800, the Two Thousand Guineas did not exist,
as the race was not established until 1809, and
was won, oddly enough, by Mr Wilson's Wizard.

That, in 1848, it was deemed to be in the highest
degree improbable that the same horse would win
the Derby and St Leger, is shown by the facility
with which Mr Francis Villiers and his friends
succeeded in getting large bets at 100 to 1 against
Surplice landing the double event, after he had
been tried to be a great horse a few days before
the Derby. I remember that the present Earl of
Bradford, who was not in the habit either then or
now of making heavy bets, was tempted to lay the
late Earl of Winchilsea (then Lord Maidstone)

SURPLICE WINS THE ST LEGER. 451

£10,000 to £100 against Surplice winning the
Derby and St Leger. It is impossible to conceive
what extreme odds Lord George Bentinck would
have obtained against Surplice winning what is
now called " the triple crown,"* had the colt been
his property in 1848. Lord George was often
reported to be extremely anxious to accomplish a
feat in which no one has ever been successful — the
feat of "breaking the ring." Never would he
have had a better chance than if Surplice had
been in his hands and trained at Goodwood, over
the finest and most private downs in the world, at
the time when that great horse was put through
the mill in 1848.

It will readily be understood, therefore, that
Lord George's interest in the St Leger of 1848
was extremely great. He had backed Surplice
for it before the Derby, and although the stake
which he landed at Doncaster — £11,000 — was
small in comparison with what he would doubtless
have netted before he sold his stud, it was enough
to make him watch the race with keen attention.
The political relations between the fourteenth Earl
of Derby (then Lord Stanley) and Lord George
were at that time somewhat strained, and although
Lord George made no remark on the subject, I
think it was a gratification to him to see Sur-
plice beat Lord Stanley's fine mare Canezou, upon
whom, although beaten, Frank Butler rode a
magnificent race.

452 DEATH OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

I remember that, when the St Leger was over,
Lord George's eye and countenance were radiant
with some of the old fire which I had seen re-
flected by them on many previous occasions.
That he must ha've inwardly regretted to have
allowed such a horse as Surplice to pass out of
his hands it is impossible to doubt. I have lately
seen a letter addressed to a friend of his by the late
Sir William Gregory, who, as my readers are al-
ready aware, was intimately acquainted with, and a
great admirer of, Lord George Bentinck. I should
premise that, in 1838, Lord Chesterfield's Don John
won the St Leger in a canter against a small but
good field. As Lord George was walking off the
course he fell in with Sir William Gregory, and
addressed him as follows : —

" I am now on my way home to discharge the
weary task of making out my betting -book, in
which I have not one winning bet. But I de-
clare I would rather be in this position than in
that occupied by my Lord Chesterfield, who has
won a paltry £1500 on such a horse! If Don
John had been mine I would not have left a card-
seller in Doncaster with a shirt to his back."

It is probable that some such thoughts as these
must have passed through Lord George's mind
when he saw Surplice wear Lord Stanley's Canezou
down in the Doncaster St Leger of 1848, and win
by indomitable pluck and stoutness. There can

POLITICS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN RACING. 453

be no doubt that about that time Lord George
was beginning to tire of politics, which thus far
had brought him nothing but disappointment,
while imposing heavy demands upon his pocket.
In this impression I am confirmed by the letter
which he wrote to me from Welbeck on the day
following the St Leger of 1848, bidding me meet
him on the following Saturday at the Turf Tavern,
Doncaster, behind which his Lordship's old pad-
docks were situated, which, on his withdrawal
from the Turf, passed into the Earl of Glasgow's
hands. When I met Lord George on the ap-
pointed day, he immediately remarked to me :
" I found racing expensive when I was mixed
up with it, but nothing like so expensive as poli-
tics, for I never saw such a hungry lot of fellows
as these politicians ; they are never satisfied ! I
want you, therefore, to pick out eight or ten horses
for me, and I will have another try at the Turf.
You and I got on very well together before, and I
have no doubt that we shall do so again."

Of course I was overjoyed to hear that my dear
old master had resolved to return to the arena in
which he had once been so conspicuous, and I can
truly say that my satisfaction was greater on his
account than on my own. I then ventured to ask
him what kind of horses he wished me to purchase
for him, and of what age. He replied at once, and
with unusual cordiality, " I leave it entirely to

454 DEATH OF LOUD GEORGE BENTINCK.

you. You may buy anything that you consider
likely to do us all good." These were almost the
last words I ever heard issue from Lord George
Bentinck's lips, and the emotion with which I
now write them down will be fully appreciated and
understood by those (they are now few in number)
who remember the pride and affection with which
I endeavoured to do my duty towards a beloved
and honoured employer, whose equal, I am per-
suaded, has not been seen among patrons of the
Turf in my time.

On Saturday afternoon the 16th of September
1848, Lord George returned, on the conclusion of
the Doncaster meeting, to Welbeck Abbey, where
the usual family party were assembled. Lord
George's mother had died on April 28, 1844, and
after her much-lamented decease there was little
company entertained at the Abbey. It might
have been imagined that at Welbeck Lord George
would have eaten more food than it was his custom
to partake of in London, where he had to attend
the House of Commons, and possibly to make a
speech, or at any rate to be prepared to make one.
Much as he needed rest, he continued to work as
hard in the country as in town, and it was his
fixed belief that he could never do himself justice
unless he had eaten next to nothing. It was the
opinion of many of his friends, as it certainly was
my own, that if he had taken as much nourishment
as most brain- workers are in the habit of doing,

HIS LAST LETTERS. 455

he would with his splendid constitution, and with
physical powers upon which, until 1846, no severe
draught had been made, have sustained for many
years the stupendous labour which he imposed
upon himself in 1847 and 1848, until the "golden
bowl " yielded to the strain and was prematurely
broken. When I remember that Lord Winmar-
leigh, who has only just died, was born in the
same year as Lord George, it reopens the old
wounds inflicted upon me long ago by the latter's
premature death.

On Thursday, the 21st of September 1848, Lord
George came down to breakfast at Welbeck Abbey
at the usual time. Never did he appear to be in
better health or spirits than on that day. He oc-
cupied himself during the greater part of the morn-
ing in writing three letters in his dressing-room,
and studying several printed papers. Of these
three letters, the first was addressed to the Duke
of Richmond, intimating that it was its writer's
intention to return to the Turf; the second to
Mr Disraeli ; and the third to the then Lord
Enfield, who subsequently became the second
Earl of Strafford. To the last named of the
three it was a matter of no ordinary satis-
faction, and so remained until his death, that
" the ultimate words traced by his old friend
George Bentinck's hand were addressed to him."
Of these letters each was of very considerable
length, and Mr Disraeli mentions that the one

456 DEATH OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

received by him " consisted of seven sheets of
note-paper, full of interesting details of men and
things, and written not only in a cheerful, but
even in a merry mood." When these letters were
concluded and sealed, it is morally certain that
not a thought of the impending calamity had
entered their writer's mind. He had so much to
think of, so much to do, that no time remained
for him to consider his health, or to take heed of
the many warnings which others under similar
circumstances could not have failed to recognise.
" He that saveth his life shall lose it," was often
on his Lordship's lips, when any one in his employ
seemed over -anxious about his own health, and
disposed to shirk work. One member of the family
who sat down to breakfast that memorable morn-
ing at Welbeck told a friend of mine subsequently
that he noticed the unusual pallor of Lord George's
countenance when he entered the breakfast-room.
There can be no doubt, however, as I have already
said, that his Lordship's spirits were more than or-
dinarily bright and gay. I come now to details
which, even after a long lapse of years, are too sad
for me to attempt to clothe in language. The
best and simplest account is that given in the
' Annual Register,' from which I quote the follow-
ing words :—

" The announcement of the sudden death of
Lord George Bentinck on September 21, under

THE INQUEST. 457

the melancholy circumstances detailed in the evi-
dence given at the inquest, caused universal
astonishment and sorrow ; but was nowhere re-
ceived with such sorrow as at Goodwood, except,
of course, in the neighbourhood of Welbeck Abbey.
The inquest was held at Welbeck Abbey on the
day following his Lordship's death, by Mr Falkner,
Coroner of Newark, and a jury of gentlemen far-
mers. The jury inspected the corpse. ' Death/
says the report, ' had left no painful trace on the
features of the departed nobleman ; a cheerful smile
was diffused over the face.'

" William Parks, a footman who waited at the
breakfast - table on Thursday morning, deposed
that Lord George never seemed in better health
or spirits than at breakfast. He took no luncheon,
and for the greater part of the morning was occu-
pied in his dressing-room. He remained at home
till twenty minutes past four P.M., and then set
out for Thoresby Park, where he was going to
spend a couple of days with Lord Manvers. Two
witnesses, Lenthall a stableman, and Evans a
woodman, then deposed to having seen Lord
George on his walk towards Thoresby. Richard
Evans said : ' On Thursday afternoon I was re-
turning home with my father, and with John Mee,
a fellow - labourer, when we saw a gentleman,
whom I did not know, standing against the gate
on the road to the water-meadows. We thought
at the time that it was the Marquis of Titchfield.

458 DEATH OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

My father and Mee continued along the road, and
I stood for a minute or two looking at the gentle-
man. While I was standing he turned round and
looked towards the kennels. I thought he was
reading, as, before he turned round, he held his
head down. He was still standing at the gate when
I walked on. I was about two hundred yards from
the gate ; it was about half-past four o'clock.'

" Lenthall the stable-helper, who drove Gard-
ner, Lord George Bentinck's valet, to Thoresby,
related the finding of the body. ' I was called
out of bed at night and asked if I had seen Lord
George on my way home, as he had not reached
Thoresby. I got up, and along with Gardner
the valet, and George Wilson, went to search for
his Lordship. We took lanterns and followed on
the foot-road I had seen him taking. We found
the body of his Lordship lying close to the gate
which separates the kennel water-meadow. He
was quite dead, and lying on his face. His hat
was a yard or two before him, having evidently
been thrown off in falling. He was lying flat on
his face, and one of his arms was under him. I
left the men with the body, and immediately
started off for Mr Hase, the Worksop surgeon.
A few minutes before we found the body Mr
Hase had passed on horseback, and asked what
we were searching for. We declined telling him,
as we had no idea that any harm had come to his
Lordship, and did not wish to set rumour floating.'

THE INQUEST. 459

" George Wilson, a groom, who accompanied
Lenthall, deposed : ' A little after ten on Thursday
night, I, along with Richard Evans and William
Gardner, followed the path leading to the corner of
the deer park. We found his Lordship lying near
a gate through which he had passed. He was
lying on his belly and face. His hat was about
a yard and a half before him. His hands were
under his body, and in one of them he grasped
a walking-stick.1 The stick was partly underneath
him. I felt his leg, and it was quite stiff and cold.
A brake was sent for from Welbeck, and in that
he was removed to the Abbey. I had not seen
him that morning. There was a little blood upon
his face. It appeared to have flowed from his Lord-
ship's nose. Besides that on his face, there was some
on the grass. The body was not moved until Dr
Hase came. Gardner and I carried lights with us/

"Gardner, the valet, being absent in London on
the day of the inquest, the Coroner decided that
his presence was not necessary.

"Mr Ward, Lord George's regular medical
attendant, gave evidence as to the post mortem
examination. He said : ' I have this day opened

1 This walking-stick was presented to Lord George by myself one
day when he came to Goodwood without his favourite companion,
which went with him everywhere. After his death, I bought from
Gardner, his Lordship's valet, the same stick which I had given him,
and which he grasped in his hand. It was the stick alluded to in
George Wilson's evidence. It is now at Welbeck Abbey, and is much
valued by the Duke and Duchess of Portland. — J. K.

460 DEATH OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

the body, and am of opinion that he died of spasm
of the heart. There was very little food in his
stomach, but there was no morbid appearance
beyond congestion, which prevailed over the whole
system. There was emphysema of the lungs, and
old adhesions from former diseases. The heart was
large and muscular, and covered with fat. It con-
tained no blood, and bore the appearance of irreg-
ular contraction.'

" A juror inquired as to the state of the brain.

" Mr Ward. ' It was perfectly healthy, with the
exception of a little venous congestion in about the
same ratio as the other organs/

" Another juror asked if Mr Ward supposed the
blood found on his Lordship's face and on the
grass to have been produced by the rupture of a
blood-vessel in the head. Mr Ward said ' No ; '
his opinion being that blood flowed from the
nose in consequence of the deceased falling on
his face.

" The jury immediately returned a verdict of,
' Died by the visitation of God — to wit, by a spasm
of the heart.'"

Such is the cold and simple record of the official
chronicler. Mr Disraeli adds that the attack, sup-
posed to be spasm of the heart, was not instan-
taneous in its effects, and with proper remedies
might have been baffled. He says, " Terrible to
think of him in his death-struggle, and so near a

WIDESPREAD GRIEF AT HIS DEATH. 461

devoted hearth ! " To me, however, it appears
more probable that Lord George died, as he had
preferred to live, a lonely and inaccessible man.
It would have been easy for him, by lifting his
hand, to have summoned to his aid the woodman
Evans, and the latter's companion. He could
hardly have been unconscious of the near ap-
proach of death while leaning against the gate,
close to which his body was found. From my
intimate acquaintance with his Lordship's char-
acter and iron courage, I am convinced that he
preferred to die alone.

It is seldom that the death of a statesman pro-
vokes such general consternation, such widespread
grief. On the morrow of the announcement of
Lord George's death, all the British ships in the
docks and the river, from London Bridge to
Gravesend, hoisted their flags half-mast high.
Every neighbouring port on the Continent, such
as Antwerp, Havre, Cherbourg, Bordeaux, and
Rotterdam, followed the example set on the
Thames. Most of all, however, was his Lord-
ship's death bewailed with their customary warm-
heartedness and sympathy by Irishmen all over
the world. His lofty independence of party ties,
exemplified by his support of Catholic emancipa-
tion, of justice to Ireland, of a reformed Parlia-
ment, and of the removal of Jewish disabilities,
gave him a higher place in the public estimation
than that won by any of his contemporaries.

462 DEATH OF LOUD GEORGE BENTINCK.

Cold, proud, and reserved as he often appeared,
never was there a warmer and more sympathetic
heart than beat in his breast.

The body was moved from Welbeck to Harcourt
House, Cavendish Square, and, a week after Lord
George's death, was laid in the family vault of the
Bentincks, under the communion table of what is
now a Chapel of Ease to the Parish Church of St
Marylebone. The building in question, which looks
like an old brick barn, is situated in High Street,
Marylebone, just behind the house in which Charles
Dickens and his wife parted company for ever.
Scores of pedestrians since that day have passed to
and fro under the east window of that dingy little
chapel in utter unconsciousness that under their feet
there lies all that was mortal of the greatest racing
man that ever lived. For many years no monument
was raised to the memory of Lord George. Seven
years ago, however, his sister, the late Viscountess
Ossington, caused two slabs of marble to be fixed
inside the east wall of the chapel in which the
remains of her ancestors mingle with those of her
favourite brother in one common repose. On a
dark and drizzling day Lord George's two brothers,
the Marquis of Titchfield and Lord Henry Caven-
dish Bentinck, followed their brother's honoured
body to the tomb. Their father, the venerable
Duke of Portland, then in his eighty-first year,
was too feeble to attend the sad ceremony. One,
however, was present who has himself long since

LINES BY 'THE DRUID. 463

passed away — the late Mr Henry Dixon, better
known as " The Druid," who in a few simple but
deeply pathetic lines has left his record of a, by
him, never-to-be-forgotten scene. The following
lines will be found at the end of his ' Post and
Paddock ' (first edition). They are from the
opening stanzas of his " Lay of Doncaster Town
Moor":—

1.

"The bells of ancient Marylebone within their towers

swing,

But 'tis not to hail a victory, or greet an infant king ;
They usher in no festival, they honour not a bride,
But deep death -notes from their iron throats along the

breezes ride.

2.

" Within yon ducal portals, so shadowy and grim,
A gallant heart lies pulseless, a gallant eye is dim ;
Lo ! through those portals issuing, in inky-black array,
Bearing its shrouded passenger, a hearse moves forth to-
day.

3.

"E'en hard men's eyes were glistening as the vault that

coffin hid,
And the dark earth rattled dismally on its gilded velvet

lid:
Methinks the world's cold sophistry some hearts not wholly

sears,
When I viewed the bitter Disraeli in an agony of tears.

464 DEATH OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

4.

" Those tears are worthy of thee ; thou wast with him in

the van,
As his cause became more hopeless and his cheek became

more wan :

When Cobden overcame him, No TRUCE was still his call,
And like another Pericles he denied he'd had a fall.

5.

" Throw wide his chamber window, let the noontide light

rush in ;
'Twill wake not one who erst has slept his wakeful sleep

within :
That chair and desk will recognise their toil-worn lord no

more,
As in winter night or grey twilight he worked till the clock

told four.

" Stern in the path of duty, in his heyday of renown,
'Mid all his proud imaginings the loyal George goes down ;
As England's tars with Kempenfeldt died 'neath their

native surf,
So the death-sweat gathered o'er him as he trod the springy

turf.

7.

"No more shall he at Doncaster each foal and yearling

pat,
Nor ride up Goodwood's leafy slopes to the trial-ground

with Nat;
No more with Kent and Marson shall he scan each pet in

form,
Nor view their place as in the race they sweep past like the

storm.

LINES BY LOUD WINCHILSEA. 465

"Welbeck's fair park is desolate; the rippling waters

moan,
For the grave's dark mystery has claimed their scion for its

own;
No more within St Stephen's shall he ground his flag on

truth ;
No jovial sound of horn and hound shall conjure ,up his

youth."

Finally, I have to add that the following lines
were written by the late Earl of Winchilsea and
Nottingham not long after his illustrious friend,
Lord George, had passed away. I promised Lord
Winchilsea, if ever I wrote a book on my dear
and honoured master's racing career, that I would
not forget to reproduce the following tribute to
the latter' s memory, as Lord Winchilsea, who has
inserted it in the preface to his longest poem,
" Abd el Kader," expressed a strong desire that I
should do so : —

"En

GEORGE BENTINCK.

His form how glorious, his eye how clear,
How cowered a rogue beneath his withering sneer !
Before his stern rebuke bronzed lawyers quailed,
And thieves detected trembled as they railed.
Within, the guileless spirit of a child,
Mailed in the proof of honour undefiled ;
Slow to believe malicious slander's breath,
But to a culprit pitiless as death ;
2 G

466 DEATH OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK.

A friend's misfortune ever prompt to feel,

He passed not unconcerned, but stopped to heal :

A good Samaritan too oft repaid

With injuries and wrong for timely aid.

Others might boast more questionable arts

In twisting facts, more sleight in juggling hearts.

Eough truths he published, in frieze jerkins dight ;

His was no gift of tickling ears polite.

An honest man, with noblest zeal inspired,

No threats appalled him, and no labours tired.

Bent to repress the licence of the times,

He tore their silken draperies from crimes.

Straight to the point he went, abrupt and dry ;

Tricks he called knavery, and a lie a lie.

Within the portals of that gloomy gate

Where Harcourt House maintains Batavian state,

On the right hand the modest chamber lies ;

No scarlet boxes greeting curious eyes.

Yet there he toiled with more results to show

Than well-paid Minister in State bureau.

Health failing, food neglected, rest foregone,

But like the mettled steed, still struggling on,

Oblivious of the paltry bounds assigned

To strongest frame and most capacious mind.

Alas, my friend ! had all been such as thou,
Honest and true, I had not mourned thee now !
The springy turf of Goodwood's wide domain,
The stirring contests of Newmarket's plain,
Thou hadst not left, for scenes where parties rave,
A worn-out spirit and an early grave.

Grey morning saw thee full of kindly cheer ;
Dark evening brooded pall-wise o'er thy bier ;

J. B. O. MUNICH.

MEMORIAL TO LORD GEORGE BENTINCK
AT MANSFIELD, NOTTS.

MEMORIAL AT MANSFIELD. 467

A voice of mourning chilled the autumn blast,
Along mute wires the electric tidings passed ;
Palace and castle, hall and peasant's cot,
In grief agreeing, all but grief forgot.
Friends wept, foes pitied, Envy ceased to chide ;
All felt the loss of merit undenied.
Others may dedicate to soothe their grief
Historic brass in honour of their chief.
I have it not to give, but what is mine
Verse and a tear shall mingle at thy shrine !
Accept the best a sorrowing heart can give,
And with thy virtues may our friendship live ! "

Three years after Lord George Bentinck's
untimely death, a Memorial was erected in his
honour at Mansfield, of which an engraving is
given. The money necessary for its construction
was contributed anonymously by public subscrip-
tion. Upon its base the following words were
inscribed : —

"£o tfje IHemorg of
LOED GEORGE FREDERICK CAVENDISH BENTINCK,

SECOND SURVIVING SON OF

WILLIAM HENRY CAVENDISH SCOTT,

FOURTH DUKE OF POETLAND.

HE DIED THE 21.ST DAY OF SEPTEMBER AN. DOM. MDCCCXLVIII.,
IN THE FORTY-SEVENTH YEAR OF HIS AGE.

His ardent patriotism and uncompromising honesty were only
equalled by the persevering zeal and extraordinary talents which
called forth the grateful homage of those who, in erecting this
Memorial, pay a heartfelt tribute to exertions which prematurely
brought to the grave one who might long have lived the pride of
this, his native country."

468 DEATH OF LOKD GEORGE BENTINCK.

When the present Duke of Portland succeeded
to Welbeck Abbey, he found that the Memorial to
Lord George Bentinck, standing in the market-
place at Mansfield, Notts, had been damaged by
time and damp, and not a little defaced by icono-
clastic hands. His Grace immediately gave orders
that the monument, in which he naturally took
great pride, should be thoroughly restored, and
surrounded by a neat iron railing, to protect it
from future injury.

I cannot conclude this work (the writing of
which has, as I remarked at its commencement,
been to me a veritable labour of love) without
adding a few valedictory words in grateful ac-
knowledgment of the great and unwearied kind-
ness and encouragement extended to me during
its composition by their Graces the present Duke
and Duchess of Portland. His Grace began by
giving instructions to have several pictures at
Welbeck Abbey photographed of which I stood
in need for the illustration of this volume ; and
when, at the last moment, I solicited permission
to include the Duchess's portrait in this attempted
tribute to the memory of one of the most illus-
trious members of the Bentinck family, her Grace
was pleased to send me a photograph of herself,
executed by Miss Alice Hughes, of Gower Street,
W.C., which has been faithfully reproduced in the
accompanying engraving. Not satisfied, however,

HER GRACE THE DUCHESS OF PORTLAND.

HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF PORTLAND,

CONCLUSION. 469

with this considerate act of kindness, her Grace
was likewise good enough to provide me with a
second portrait of the Duke, which is also given
here.

It is often my habit to read at night during the
long hours of sleeplessness which it is occasion-
ally my lot to endure. Among the books which
have lately passed through my hands was in-
cluded Northcote's ' Life of Sir Joshua Reynolds/
in which it is stated that the last lecture to the
students of the Royal Academy ever delivered
by that great painter ended with the words
"Michael Angelo," the name of the most con-
summate artist that, in Sir Joshua's opinion, the
world had ever seen. In my poor judgment, the
noble hero of this imperfect biography wras the
greatest and most epoch-making patron of the
Turf that I have known in my time. Following
at an infinite distance the loving and appreciative
example set by Sir Joshua Reynolds, I will now
conclude by gratefully associating the honoured
name of Lord George Cavendish Bentinck with
those of his equally generous and large-hearted
relatives, the sixth Duke and Duchess of Port-
land.

INDEX.

Abbot Stakes, Kangaroo winner of
the, in 1865, 132.

"Abd el Kader," Lord Winchil-
sea's, lines from, on Lord George
Bentinck, 465.

Abdale, jockey ship of, 146, 171,
180.

^Egis, Chesterfield Cup won by, 183.

Alarm, winner of the Cambridge-
shire, 224.

Althorp Park Stakes, Cherokee
winner of the, in 1845, 165.

Andover, progeny of Bay Middle-
ton, 73.

'Annual Register,' the, quoted, on
Lord George Bentinck's Irish
speech, 444 and n. — on his death,
456.

Anson, Colonel, 207, 258, 401, 406
et passim.

Anson, the Honourable Mrs, 436.

Aphrodite", daughter of Bay Mid-
dleton, 73.

Arnull, William, practical jokes on,
44 et seq. — services of, as a
jockey, 47 — notices of, 91, 304
et passim.

Ashstead stables, the, 79.

Baird, Sir David, anecdote of, 380

et seq.
Baker, Frank, trainer, 32, 41, 42

et passim.
Barber, Mr, landlord of the Ram

Inn, 27.
Bath Meeting, the, of 1842, account

of, 202.

Batthyany, Count, 50.

Bay Middleton, purchase of, by
Lord George Bentinck, 71 — pro-
geny of, 72, 103, 104, 140, 188,
204, 206 et passim— failure of, as
a stallion, 74 — successes of pro-
geny of, 131 — notices of, 60, 73,
92 et passim.

Beaconsfield, Lord. See Disraeli,
Right Hon. B.

< Bell's Life/ descriptions of Derby
of 1848 quoted from, 280, 284—
of StLegerof 1848, 290.

Bentinck Benevolent Fund, forma-
tion of the, 154.

Bentinck, Lady Charlotte. See
Ossington, Viscountess.

Bentinck, Lord William George
Frederick Cavendish, birth and
parentage of, 1 — military career
of, 4 — political career of, 5 et
seq., 426 et seq. — his character as
a statesman, 8, 185, 422 et passim
— early racing days of, 53 et seq.
— beginning of his stud, 55 —
gains and losses on the Turf by,
59 — leaves the Turf, 127 --as
a letter- writer, 185 et seq. — speci-
mens of his letters, 188, 189, 192,
196 et seq. — his gains on the Turf
in 1844 and 1845, 225 et seq. —
sale of his stud, 241 et seq. — as
a Turf reformer, 296 et seq.—
personal habits of, 311 et seq.
— last days and death of, 447
et seq.

Blaze, career of, 262.

472

INDEX.

Blenkhorn, John, trainer to Mr

Mostyn, 142.

Bloomsbury, Derby winner, 374.
Boeotian, successes of, 14.
Bolingbroke, notice of, 169.
Bonehill, Lord George Bentinck's

stud at, 72 — improvements at,

203.

Bourbon, Craven Stakes won by, 82.
Bowe, John, landlord of Turf

Tavern, 56, 57, 230 et passim —

widow of, 230, 232.
Bowes, John, large gains of, on the

Derby, 110, 392— biographical

sketch of, 393 et seq.
Boyce, R. D., notices of, 41, 47, 78,

82 et passim.
Braham, John, punishment of, in

the affair of Ratan and the Ugly

Buck, 159 — sentence of, con-
firmed, 161.
Bramble, running of, for the Chester

Cup, 119.
Braybrooke, Lord, owner of Sir

Joshua, 81.
Bretby Park, Lord Chesterfield's

racing establishment at, 209.
Bryant, Thomas, anecdote of, 44

et seq.

Buckle, Frank, 86, 87— rivalry be-
tween, and John Shepherd, 88

— character of, 91.
Bunbury, Sir Charles, 27 — some

famous horses owned by, ib.
Busaco, war-horse of Lord March

(fifth Duke of Richmond), notice

of, 337.
Butler, Frank, rider of Loadstone

for the 300 Sov. Produce Stakes,

258 — as a judge of racing, 261

— rider of Canezou in the St

Leger, 290, 295, 451.

Cadland, Derby winner, 93 — Jem
Robinson's jockey ship of, ib.

" Cambridgeshire, the famous little
town in," 14, 25. See also New-
market.

Cambridgeshire, the, of 1845, won
by Alarm, 224.

Canezou, Lord Stanley's, notices of,
290, 295, 451 et passim.

Canning, Right Hon. George, 1, 4.

Captain Cook, Lord George Ben-
tinck's running of, 95, 96.

Cavendish, Lord George, betting of,
81 et seq.

Cesarewitch, the, of 1845, won by
the Baron, 224 — Lord George
Bentinck's gains on, 227.

Ceylon, Sir W. H. Gregory ap-
pointed Governor of, 419 et seq.
— Mr John Ferguson's book on,
quoted, 420, 421— Sir W. H.
Gregory's second visit to, 423.

Chapeau d'Espagne filly, description
of, 206.

Chappie, Jemmy, 360.

Chatham, Lord George Bentinck's,
80 — his lordship's gains by, 239.

"Chaunt of Achilles," the, 398—
authorship of, ib.

Cherokee, 165 — successes of, in
1845, 230.

Chester Cup, gaming of the, by Red
Deer, 117.

Chesterfield, Lord, racing estab-
lishment of, at Bretby Park,
209 — Priam owned by, 307—
Don John owned by, 452.

Chichester Old Bank, stoppage of,
317 — John Kent, sen., a creditor
in, ib.

Chifney, Sam, jun., jockey of
Mameluke, 304.

Chifney, Sam, sen., 48, 49, 79 et
passim.

Chifney, William, assault of Colonel
Leigh by, 48 — jockeyship of
Priam in the Derby of 1830 by,
49 — new house built by, ib.

Clark, E. R., purchase of The
Baron by, 215.

Clark, J. F., 26, 211.

Clermont Euclid colt, 376 — pur-
chase of, by Sir W. H. Gregory,
417 — character of, ib.

Clifden, Lord, purchase of the
Goodwood stud by, 287 — trans-
ference of the Goodwood stud to
Newmarket by, 289.

Clipstone, the Duke of Portland's
improvements at, 17.

Clumsy, two-year-old, match won
by, against a five-year-old mare,
116.

INDEX.

473

Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood,
Lord George Bentinck winning
jockey of the, in 1824, 53.

Coelebs, attempted poisoning of, 36.

Colombo, statue to Sir W. H.
Gregory at, 422.

Conservative party, Lord George
Bentinck assumes leadership of
the, 225, 432 — resigns leadership
of the, 236, 330, 434.

Cooper, Abraham, pictures of Miss
Elis painted by, 180 et seq.

Cornopean, running of, 199.

Coronation, notice of, 313.

Cotherstone, winner of the Two
Thousand, 108— of the Derby,
110, 198, 394.

Cowl, winner at Ascot, 233.

Craven Meeting, Newmarket Bien-
nial Stakes, Kangaroo winner of,
in 1865, 132.

Crockford, Mr, owner of Ratan,
155.

'Croker Papers, 'the, 430— quoted,
431 et seq.

Croker, Right Hon. John Wilson,
letters from Lord George Ben-
tinck to, 236, 330, 428, 430 et
passim.

Crozier, Flatmaii's jockeyship of, at
Ascot, 145.

Crucifix, purchase of, by Lord
George Bentinck, 130 — descrip-
tion of, 204— offer for, 253— foul
designs to defeat, 308 — ruin of,
in a false start, 309.

Cyprian, racing feats of, 69.

Dandizette, running of, for Good-
wood Stakes, in 1824, 301—
notice of, 343.

Danebury, formation of Lord George
Bentinck's stud at, 57 et seq. —
removal of Lord George Ben-
tinck's horses from, to Good-
wood, 97 et seq.

Danebury paddocks, the, 187, 314.

Danebury stables, varied fortunes
of the, 59.

Dawson, Dan, race-horses poisoned
by, 34 et seq. — trial and execu-
tion of, 39.

Day, Isaac, 96, 201, 313 et passim.

Day, John Barham, 57, 98, 104,
108, 185 et passim.

Day, John, jun., 193, 201.

"Derby Dilly," the, 5.

"Derby of 1844, the memorable,"
152 et seq., 408 et seq.

Derby of 1848, backing of Surplice
for the, 270 — account of the, 272
et seq. — gains of Lord George
Bentinck on the, 286.

Dieting of race-horses, the, 101 et seq.

Discord, winner of Northampton-
shire Stakes, 166 — of Granby
Handicap and Cup, 169.

Disraeli, Right Hon. B., Political
Biography of Lord George Ben-
tinck by, 2, 9, 154, 329, 430—
estimate of Lord George Bentinck
as a statesman by, 185, 329—
visits of, to Harcourt House, 329,
428, 437, 447 — as a patron of the
Turf, 427 — influence of, on Lord
George Bentinck, ib. — Lord
George Bentinck's estimate of,
as a politician, 428 et seq. — be-
comes leader of Conservative
party, 435 — Lord George Ben-
tinck's last letter to, 455.

Dixon, Henry ("The Druid"), ex-
tract from * Silk and Scarlet ' by,
13 n.— on death of Emilius, 130
— lines on Lord George Bentinck's
funeral by, 463.

Doe, John, trainer to Lord Lich-
field, 56, 58— notices of, 62, 64
et passim — first trial of vans for
race-horses by, 65.

Doncaster, Lord George Bentinck's
stud at, 56, 72 — race-horses con-
veyed to, in vans, 61 et seq. —
accident to Epirus at, 393.

Doncaster St Leger, the, of 1848,
289 et seq.

Dorling, Mr, clerk of Epsom race-
course, 297.

Drawing-Room Stakes, the, won by
Elis, 62.

Drumlanrig, Lord, 390, 391 and n.

Dublin, political contest for, be-
tween Sir W. H. Gregory and
Lord Morpeth, 370 et seq.

Dunwich, Lord. See Stradbroke,
Earl of.

474

INDEX.

Edwards, James, trainer, 32, 71,
79.

Eglinton, the thirteenth Earl of,
notice of, 379 — as Lord Lieuten-
ant of Ireland, 382.

Elis, racing engagements of, 59, 60,
62, 63, 69 et passim — first trial of
vans for race-horses in convey-
ance of, to Doncaster, 61 et seq.
— sale of, 74.

Emilius, progeny of , 129 — purchase
of, 130— death of, ib.

Enclosures, formation of, at race-
courses, 299.

Enfield, Lord, backing of Surplice
for the Derby by, 285— last letter
written by Lord George Bentinck
addressed to, 455.

Ennui, successes of, in 1845, 230.

Epirote, Col. Anson's, at Ascot,
145.

Epirus, accident to, at Doncaster,
393.

Epsom, vanning of Lord George
Bentinck's horses to, 80 — recep-
tion of Surplice at, on winning of
Derby of 1848, 277— Lord George
Bentinck's racing rules at, 297 —
enclosure round Stand at, 299 —
incident at, of cruelty to a horse,
320.

Euphrates, Lord Rous's, 13.

Farintosh, constitutional defects of,
104 — success of, at Newmarket,
105— history of, 140.

Farthing Candle, Innkeeper's Plate
won by, 234.

Ferguson, Thomas, owner of Hark-
away, 355-400 — connection of,
with the Running Rein case, 409
et seq. passim.

Filho da Puta, match between, and
Sir Joshua, 82 et seq.

Firebrand, 80 — winner at New-
market, 100, 102.

Fitzpatrick, W. J., 'The Corres-
pondence of Daniel O'Connell ' by,
noticed, 368 — its effects on Mr
Gladstone as regards Home Rule
for Ireland, ib.

Flag system, starting of race-horses
by the, 297.

Flatcatcher, notices of, 290, 292,
293, 436.

Flatman, Elnathan, biographical
sketch of, 143 et seq. — fortune
left by, 144 — his various masters,
ib. — his characteristics as a
jockey, 145 et seq. — his jockey-
ship of John o' Gaunt for the
Queen's Plate, 167 — winning
jockey in the Cesarewitch, 223 —
in the Cambridgeshire, ib. — Sur-
plice ridden by, in Ham Stakes,
257 — for the Derby, ib. — notices
of, 359, 383 et passim.

Foley, Lord, 33.

Fox, Right Hon. Charles James, 33.

Free Trade, Lord George Bentinck's
ideas of, 433 et seq. passim.

Fremantle, Sir Thomas, 7.

Gains on the Turf, Lord George
Bentinck's, in 1844 and 1845, 225
et seq.

Gaper, success of, at Newmarket,
100, 104, 107, 108— at Epsom,
108 et seq. — character of, 105,
110, 186— notices of, 160, 193,
199 et passim — letters of Lord
George Bentinck to his trainer
regarding, 188, 192, 196 et seq.
— Lord George Bentinck's gains
by, 239.

George, Prince of Wales (afterwards
George IV.), Frank Baker trainer
to, 32 — retirement of, from the
Turf, 50— at Newmarket, 83—
horses started by, in 1789 and
1790, 129.

Ghillie Callum, the fifth Duke of
Richmond's, 348, 352.

Gladstone, Mr, Irish Home Rule
ideas of, 368— article by, in ' The
Nineteenth Century,' quoted, ib.

Glasgow, Earl of, as a patron of the
Turf, 12, 115, 137 — matches
made by, with Lord George Ben-
tinck, ib. et seq. — an extraordi-
nary match made by, 139 — be-
comes owner of Doncaster pad-
docks, 453.

Glentilt, description of, 205.

Godolphin, winner of the Craven
Stakes, 47.

INDEX.

475

Goodwood Cup, the, 85 — of 1845,
starters for, 177 — winner of, 178
—of 1838, 355, 400— palmy days
of, 355.

Goodwood exercise -grounds, con-
struction of straw-beds at, 163 —
excellence of, 170.

Goodwood House, festivities at,
344.

Goodwood, Lord George Bentinck's
removal of his race-horses to,
from Danebury, 97 et seq. —
improvements effected on race-
course at, 123, 203— final depart-
ure of Lord George Bentinck's
stud from, 287.

Goodwood races, Lord George Ben-
thick's successes at, 53 et seq. —
his support of, 123 et seq. — com-
parative tables of, 125, 126—
enclosure round Stand at, 299 —
value of stakes at, 300 — cases of
error in decisions at, 301 — the
fifth Duke of Richmond's delight
in, 344 et seq.

Goodwood stable, the, formation of,
97 et seq. — expenses of maintain-
ing, 111, 127 et seq., 235— suc-
cesses of, in 1844, 116 et seq. —
account of, in 1844, 149 et seq. —
account of, in 1845, 163 et seq. —
successes of, in 1845, 170 — in
1842, 202 — rivalry between, and
Danebury stables, 178 et seq. —
labour connected with manage-
ment of, 210 — sale of, by Lord
George Bentinck, 241 et seq. —
reinforcement of, 343.

Goodwood Stakes of 1845, starters
for the, 174 — Miss Elis winner
of the, 175.

Goodwood stud, beginning of the, 55.

Goodwood yearlings, sale of the,
113.

Gordon Castle, acquisition of, by
Lennox family, 347 — last visit of
fifth Duke of Richmond to, 365.

Gratwicke, Mr, notice of, 356.

Great Yorkshire Handicap of 1845,
running of My Mary for the, 219
— winner of the, 221 — Lord
George Bentinck's gains on the,
226.

Gregory, Right Hon. Sir W. H.,
racing career of, 366 et seq. —
early years of, 369 — political
contest of, for Dublin, 370 — first
race of, 374 — reminiscences of,
379 et seq.

Greville, Charles, notices of, 54,
56, 390, 396— 'Diary' of, quoted,
9, 152, 225.

Gully, John, and the Ratan affair,
187— notices of, 385, 387, 388 et

Gulnare, successes of, 343.

Halnaker Park gallop, formation of
the, 105 — advantages of the,
164, 170.

Ham Stakes, Surplice winner of
the, 257.

Hampden, description of the Duke
of Grafton's, 343.

Hampton Court, royal stud at, 349.

Harcourt House, Lord George Ben-
tinck's life at, 313, 315 et seq.—
horses kept at, 318 — letters sent
to, fraudulently opened, 321 —
Mr Disraeli at, 329, 428, 437,
447.

Harkaway, winner of Goodwood
Cup in 1838, 355, 400.

Hastings, Marquis of, purchase of
Kangaroo by, 132.

"Haunch of Venison" inn, the,
79.

Headley, racing headquarters at,
78 — the Chifneys' stables at, 79.

Hermes, notice of, 342.

Herring, Mr, of Long Acre, vans for
race-horses first constructed by,
61, 67.

Holywell Hunt Races, Queen of
Trumps winner at, 142.

Horses, number of, trained by Lord
George Bentinck, 129 — longprices
given for, 135 — singeing of, 319
— shaving of, ib. — Lord George
Bentinck's kindness to, 320, 328.
See also Race-horses.

Houghton October Meeting, suc-
cesses of Goodwood stable at, in
1844, 116.

Howth Castle, notice of, 386.

Howth, Lord, race-horses of, 385.

476

INDEX.

Hunnybun, Mr, of Newmarket, im-
provements on Mr Herring's van
by, 67.

Ilione, Lord Palmerston's, 98.

Innkeepers' Plate, winning of, by
Farthing Candle, 234.

Inverness Castle, the coiistableship
of, 347.

Ireland, Lord George Bentinck's
proposals for the improvement
of, 10, 439, 444 — influences
brought to bear on Mr Gladstone
in his scheme of Home Rule for,
368 — Lord Eglinton as Lord
Lieutenant of, 382.

Ives, Jeremiah Robert, notice of,
374.

Jerry, winner of St Leger in 1824,
388.

Jewish Disabilities Bill, the, 434—
Lord George Bentinck's active
interest in, 461.

Jockey Club, the, and the Bentinck
Benevolent Fund, 154 — verdict
of, in the Ratan affair, 159, 161
— dinner given to, by King
William IV., 349.

Jockeys, asking advice of, 261 —
weighing of, 297 — false starts
practised by, 297, 304, 305, 308
— jealousies between north- coun-
try and south-country, 305.

John o' Gaunt, Queen's Plate won
by, 167 — subsequent career of,
169, 173 et seq.

Kalipyge, notice of, 73.

Kangaroo, successes of, 132 — pur-
chase of, by Marquis of Hastings,
ib. — character and subsequent
career of, 133.

Kent, John, jun., trainer to Lord
George Bentinck, autobiographi-
cal notice of, 25 et seq. — Mr
Payne's offer to, as his private
trainer, 243 — becomes trainer to
Mr Mostyn — letters of Lord
George Bentinck to, 168, 203,
207, 221, 247, 324, 325— visits
to Lord George Bentinck in Lon-
don by, 313 et seq.

Kent, John, sen. , early years of, 30
et seq. — takes command of Good-
wood stables, 41 — painting of
Miss Elis presented to, 180 —
private trainer to fifth Duke of
Richmond, 342 — letters of Lord
George Bentinck to, 117, 180,
188, 192 et seq. passim.

"Kent's charges," 105.

King, Samuel, 56 et seq. passim.

King's Lynn, Lord George Bentinck
member for, 7.

King's Plate Course, construction
of, 94.

King's Plate, the, given by King
William IV., 350.

Kitten, Lord George Bentinck's, 427
— Mr Disraeli's partnership in, ib.

Ladbroke, Mr, as a patron of the

Turf, 78 et seq.

Lady Emmeline, description of, 205.
Lady Wildair, notice of, 267.
Landgrave, running of, at New-
market, in 1850, 359.
Langley, W. H., career of Emilius

given in ' Reminiscences of Eas-

by'by, 131— quoted, 77 n., 139,

155 11., 158 n.
Larry M'Hale, Lord Maidstone's,

95 — match between, and Lord

George Bentinck's Captain Cook,

ib.

Latitude colt, description of, 205.
Lawley, Hon. Francis, sketch of the

racing career of the Right Hon.

Sir W. H. Gregory by, 336 et seq.
"Lay of Doncaster Town Moor,"

lines from Mr Henry Dixoii's, on

Lord George Bentinck, 463.
Leander, racing feat of, 155 n.
Leatherhead stables, the, 78, 79.
"Leg of Mutton and Cauliflower"

inn, the, 79.
Leigh, Colonel, assault of, by Bill

Chifney, 48.
Lennox, Lord Henry Gordon, fears

of, regarding his bets on Surplice,

265 et seq.
Lennox, Mr. See Richmond, fifth

Duke of.
Letters to Lord George Bentinck,

fraudulent opening of, 321.

INDEX.

477

Letter-writer, Lord George Ben-
tinck as a, 185 et seq., 347— fifth
Duke of Richmond as a, 347.

Let-us-stop-a-while - says-Slow, de-
scription of, 206.

Levy, Goodman, anecdote of, 51 —
fraudulent attempt by, to win
the Derby, 155, 400.

Lewes Stakes, the, won by Elis, 63.

"Little Peter, "44.

Liverpool Cup, Lord George Ben-
tinck's gains on winning the, of
1845, 227.

Liverpool race - course, enclosure
round Stand at, 299.

Liverpool St Leger, St Paul's Men-
tor winner of the, 215.

Lloyd, Cynric, and the Goodwood
stud, 246— backing of Surplice
by, 270.

Loadstone, offer for, 253 — subse-
quent career of, 255, 260 — trials
of, for the Derby of 1848, 263—
failure of, 280, 283.

Long-course races, Lord George
Bentinck's promotion of, 85, 94,
95 — the Duke of Portland's en-
couragement of, 86.

Maidstone Course, construction of

the, 94.
Maidstone, Lord, jockeyship of, 95,

96 — purchase of Tom Tulloch by,

114.
Malcolm, Mr Ramsay's, incident of,

213.
Mameluke, flagrant attempts to

defeat, for the St Leger of 1827,

304— race won by, 305.
Manly Sports Bill, the, 413, 416.
Mann, Sam, 359.
Mansfield, memorial to Lord George

Bentinck at, 467 — restoration of

memorial at, by the present Duke

of Portland, 468.
March, Countess of (fifth Duchess

of Richmond), 351.
March, Lord. See Richmond, fifth

Duke of.
March, the present Lord, notice of,

352.
Martin's, Sir Theodore, 'Life of

the Prince Consort' quoted, 10.

Matilda, running of, for St Leger
of 1827, 305.

Melody colt, Mr Etwall's, 98.

Mentor, Mr St Paul's, 215.

Milk and eggs, dieting of horses
with, 102.

Misdeal, winner at Ascot, 100 — at
Goodwood , ib. — at Ne wmarket , ib.

Miss Elis, trials of, 172 — Goodwood
Stakes won by, 175 — Goodwood
Cup won by, 177 — large sums
won on, by Lord George Ben-
tinck, ISO — pictures of, painted
by Mr Abraham Cooper, ib. et seq.
— rejoicings at Goodwood on vic-
tories of, 182 — history and pedi-
gree of, 184 — appearance of, ib.
— running of, at York, 213.

Miss Sarah, winner of Great York-
shire Stakes in 1845, 213— run-
ning of, for Doncaster St Leger,
214.

Molecomb, residence of Lord March
(fifth Duke of Richmond), 352—
description of, ib. — abode of pres-
ent Lord March, ib.

Moon, the brothers, 345.

Mostyn, Hon. Edward Mostyn
Lloyd, purchase of Lord George
Bentinck's stud by, 246 — portion
of stud sold by, 250.

"Mr Rigby," Mr Disraeli's carica-
ture of Mr Croker in ' Coningsby '
as, 429.

Muirkirk, estate of, purchased for
Lord George Bentinck, 55 n.

Mulatto, notices of, 13 n., 54.

Mundig, winner of Derby in 1835,
393 — John Bowes's gains on, ib.

Murray's, John, ' Handbook to Not-
tinghamshire ' quoted on Duke
of Portland's improvements at
Welbeck, 17.

Mus, winner of Orleans Cup in
1841, 355.

Mustapha, winner at Goodwood,
100.

My Dear, description of, 206.

My Mary, trials of, at Goodwood,
165 — pedigree of, 216 — successes
of, 217 — training of, at Good-
wood, ib. — winner of Great York-
shire Handicap, 221.

478

INDEX.

Napier, Lady Sarah, letters to, 338,
339.

Newman, Philip, stud - groom at
Danebury paddocks, 187 et seq.
passim.

Newmarket Biennial, Kangaroo
winner at, in 1865, 132.

Newmarket, improvements made
on race-course at, by the fourth
Duke of Portland, 14 — early his-
tory of, 25 et seq. — successes of
Goodwood stable at, in 1844, 116
— transference of Lord Clifden's
horses to, 289— Sir W. H. Gre-
gory's recollections of 382 et
seq.

'Nineteenth Century,' the, article
in, on Daniel O'Connell, noticed,
368.

Northamptonshire Stakes of 1845,
the, won by Discord, 166.

Oaks, the, Refraction winner of, in
1845, 227.

O'Connell, Daniel, attitude of, to-
wards Sir W. H. Gregory in
political contest for Dublin, 371.

< O'Connell, Daniel, The Correspon-
dence of,' noticed, 368— Mr Glad-
stone's article on, in ' The Nine-
teenth Century,' quoted, ib.

Octaviana, purchase of, by Lord
George Beritinck, 307 — pedigree
of, ib.

October Meeting, First, successes
of Goodwood stable at, in 1844,
116 — successes of Goodwood
stable at Second, ib.

Olive, progeny of Bay Middleton,
description of, 204.

Olive, Mr Poyntz's, Lord George
Bentinck's jockeyship of, 53.

One Thousand Guineas, Picnic
winner of the, in 1845, 227.

Orford, Earl of, incident regarding
the, 26.

Orlando, Colonel Peel's, and the
Running Rein case, 153.

Osbaldeston, Squire, Lord George
Bentinck's duel with, 401 et seq.

Ossington, Viscountess, notices of,
21, 22, 54 — monument erected to
Lord George Bentinck by, 462.

Oulston, successes of, 133 — ruin of,

by over-training, ib.
Our Nell, winner of the Oaks, 80.

Paget, Lady Caroline, marriage of
fifth Duke of Richmond to, 351.

Payne, George, offer for Lord
George Bentinck's stud by, 242
— request for John Kent's ser-
vices as trainer by, 243 — notices
of, 389 et passim.

Peel, General, notices of, 143, 144,
153, 380, 383 et passim— as a
raconteur, 399.

Peel, Sir Robert, Lord George Ben-
tinck as a supporter of, 6.

Peninsular medals, account of the,
362 et seq.

Peninsular war, fifth Duke of Rich-
mond's share in the, 335 et seq.

Persse, Miss Augusta, marriage of,
to Sir W. H. Gregory, 422.

Petre, Hon. Edward, anecdote re-
garding, 44.

Picnic, winner of the One Thousand
Guineas, 227.

" Pink " in the House of Commons,
7.

Pirouette, poisoning of, 36.

1 Pitt,' Lord Rosebery's, notice of,
423.

Planet, large offer for, 253 — subse-
quent career of, ib.

Plenipotentiary, colts by, descrip-
tion of, 205.

' Political Biography of Lord George
Bentinck/ Mr Disraeli's, referred
to, 2, 9, 329, 430.

Politics, money spent on, by Lord
George Bentinck, 331.

Pompey, Lord Eglinton's, 395.

Port Stakes, the, of 1845, at New-
market, Lord George Bentinck's
gains on winning, 227.

Portland, Duchess of (mother of
Lord George Bentinck), 2.

" Portland farm," the, 14 et seq.

Portland, fourth Duke of (father of
Lord George Bentinck), 1 — as a
patron of the Turf, 11 et seq.—
improvements on his estate by,
17 — character of, 19 — pedestrian
powers of, 21 — charities of, 22 —

INDEX.

479

death of, 23— establishment of
Portland Handicap at New-
market by, 86.
Portland Handicap, establishment

of the, 86.
Portland, sixth Duchess of, interest

taken in present work by, 468.
Portland, sixth Duke of, 22 — stud
of, at Welbeck Abbey, 73 — racing
trophies of, at Welbeck Abbey,
182 — restoration of memorial at
Mansfield to Lord George Ben-
tinck by, 468 — interest taken in
present work by, ib.

' Post and Paddock,' lines from Mr
Henry Dixon's, on Lord George
Bentinck, 463.

Potter, Mr, landlord of the Ram
Inn, 28.

Poyntz, Mr, notice of, 53.

Preserve, foul designs to defeat, at
Newmarket, 308.

Priam, winner of Derby in 1830,
49 — Goodwood Cup won by, 129
— progeny of, 130 — attempts to
defeat, in Derby of 1830, 305—
splendid character of, ib. — Lord
George Bentinck's connection
with, ib.

Prince of Wales, Sir W. H. Gregory
knighted by, at Ceylon, 422.

Prince, Richard, 12, 30, 307 et
passim — stable of, 33.

Princess Alice, successes of, in 1845,
230.

Princess, the Earl of Egremont's,
342.

Prizes, list of, won by the Good-
wood stable in 1845, 170.

Protection, Lord George Bentinck's
ideas of, 433 et seq. passim.

Provincial race meetings, former
primitive arrangements at, 301
et seq. — starting of horses at,
303.

Queen of Trumps, winner at Holy-
well Hunt Races, 142 — winner
at Epsom and Doncaster, ib.

Queen's Plate, the, of 1845, running
for, 166 et seq.

"Qui tarn" lawsuits, the, of 1843,
413 et seq.

Race-horses, conveyance of, in vans,
61 et seq. — dieting of, 101 et seq.
— art of training, 13 n., 132 et
seq. — revolution in training of,
135 — long prices paid for, ib.
See also Horses.

Race-meetings, provincial, former
primitive arrangements at, 301
et seq. — starting of horses at, 303.

'Racing Calendar,' the, quoted,
160, 174, 177, 280, 290.

Racing engagements, Lord George
Bentinck's, in 1845, 238.

Racing establishments, Lord George
Bentinck's, sale of, 241 et seq.

Racing events, list of, won by the
fifth Duke of Richmond's race-
horses, 348.

Railways, revolution in training of
race-horses caused by extension
of, 135 — effect of, on racing
events, 317.

Ram Inn, the, incident regarding
name of, 26 — the landlord of, 27.

Ratan and the Ugly Buck, the affair
of, 155 et seq.

Red Deer, gaining of Chester Cup
by, 117 et seq. — enthusiasm
caused by victory of, 121 — Sam
Rogers 's jockeyship of, 160.

Red Hart, the fifth Duke of Rich-
mond's, 348, 354.

Refraction, winner of the Oaks, 227.

' Reminiscences of Easby,' notice
in, of Emilius's career, 131.

Reveller, attempted poisoning of , 37.

Richmond, fourth Duke and Duch-
ess of, famous ball given by, at
Brussels, 347.

Richmond, fifth Duchess of, inter-
view of John Kent with, as to
leaving Goodwood, 244.

Richmond, fifth Duke of, character
of, 3, 332 et seq. — his interest
in Lord George Bentinck's stud,
101, 128, 287 — his early years,
333 — enters the army, 335 — on
staff of Lord Wellington in the
Peninsular war, ib. et seq. — be-
comes a patron of the Turf, 341
— his character as a racing man,

347 — his gains on the Turf,

348 — his marriage , 351 — some

480

INDEX.

race-horses owned by, 352 — as
an agriculturist, ib. — his politi-
cal career, 361 — presented with
a testimonial for exertions on be-
half of Peninsular heroes, 363 —
his death, 365 — 'Memoirs' of,
quoted, 336, 351, 361, 441.

Robinson, Jem, notices of, 261, 263,
275, 291, 305 et passim.

Rotoson, Robert, "the Emperor of
Trainers," 87.

Rogers, Sam, jockey of Gaper for
the Derby, 110, 160, 187 —
jockey of Red Deer at Liverpool
and Goodwood, 160, 161— pun-
ishment of, in the affair of Ratan
and the Ugly Buck, 159 — pardon
of, 161 — jockey ship of the Cur
by, 162.

Roncesvalles, successes of, 342.

Rose, C. D. , racing prizes given by,
85.

Ross, Charles, ' The Correspondence
of Charles, First Marquis Corn-
wallis,' by, noticed, 368.

Rothschild, Baron Lionel, return of,
to Parliament, 434.

Running Rein case, the, 152 et seq.,
408 et seq. — testimonial to Lord
George Bentinck for services ren-
dered in, 154.

Rutland Arms Inn, the, 26.

Scott, John, notices of, 114, 119,

124, 388.
Scott, the Misses, designations of,

1 — marriages of, ib.
Scott, William, jockeyship of, 92,

93, 394.
Semaphore, amateur reading of the,

42.
Sheet-Anchor, winning of Portland

Handicap by, 92.

Shepherd, John, notice of, 88 et seq.
Short-course races, present day, 30,

86, 94.
Shylock, running of, in Derby of

1848, 282, 284.
'Silk and Scarlet.' See Dixon,

Henry.
Singeing of horses, the, Lord

George Bentinck's fancy regard-
ing, 319.

Sir Joshua, notice of, 81 — the match
between, and Filho da Puta, 82
et seq.

Sister to Pug, description of, 206.

Sittingbourne, record of, 357.

Skillygolee, running of, for Gold
Cup, in 1837, 302.

Slander, winner of Prince of
Wales's Stakes, 247— large offer
for, 253 — subsequent career of,
254.

Soar, Peter, notice of, 346 and n.

Sorella, running of, at Northamp-
ton, 167.

South -country horses, failure to
win St Leger with, 77.

Spaniard, poisoning of, 36, 37.

Sponges, a hunt for big, 151.

' Sporting Magazine,' the, on run-
ning of three-year-olds, quoted,
86.

Springy Jack, running of, in Derby
of 1848, 281, 284.

Stable secrets, case of treachery
regarding, 323 et seq.

St Paul's Mentor, winner of the
Liverpool St Leger, 215.

Stradbroke, Earl of, notice of, 342
et seq.

Strafford, second Earl of. See
Enfield, Lord.

Stud -farms, list of some of the
principal, 136.

Surplice, victory of, in Derby and
St Leger of 1848, 80, 130, 450—
influence of success of, on Lord
George Bentinck, 130 — offer for,
253 — subsequent career of, 255,
257 et seq. — trial of, for Two
Thousand, 263— winner of Two
Thousand, 268— backing of, for
the Derby, 269 — transportation
of, from Goodwood to Epsom,
272 et seq. — reception of, at Ep-
som, 277 — nefarious attempts to
injure, 279, 285, 291— 'Bell's
Life ' quoted on running of, 281,
284, 290 — Sim Templeman's
jockeyship of, 282 — gains on,
286 — constitutional defects of,
ib. — subsequent career of, 288 et
seq. — the St Leger won by, 290
et seq. — termination of racing

INDEX.

481

career of, 294 — Lord George
Bentinck's interest in, 449 et seq,

Swindell, Fred, sketch of, 397.

Swindon, notice of, 53.

Tarrare, winner of Doncaster St
Leger of 1826, 54, 57— heavy
losses of Lord George Bentinck
on, 54.

Tattersall's, sale of part of Good-
wood stud at, 113, 250 et seq.

Tedworth, winner at Newmarket,
100.

Templeman, Sim, rider of Surplice
in Derby of 1848, 275, 282.

The Baron, winner of Doncaster St
Leger, 215 — record of, ib. —
backing of, for the Cesarewitch,
223 — winner of the Cesarewitch,
224 — Lord George Bentinck's
gains on winning the Cesarewitch
by, 227.

The Cur, winner of the Cesarewitch,
162.

The Dandy, poisoning of, 36.

The Drummer, notices of, 63, 64,
66.

The Flying Dutchman, notices of,
73, 283 et passim.

Three-year-olds, racing of, 86.

Tilbrook, Mrs, and the horse-poison-
ing case, 38.

Tiresias, winner of Derby in 1819,
13.

Titchfield, Marquis of. See Port-
land, fourth Duke of.

Tom Tulloch, purchase of, by Lord
Maidstone, 114, 232— defeat of,
by Ennui, 230, 233.

Topsail, winner of the City Cup at
Bath, 100, 202.

Training of race-horses, art of, 132
— revolution in, 135.

Treen, William, notice of, 374 et seq.

Trees, transplanting of, by the
fourth Duke of Portland, 18.

Tripoli, winner of Somersetshire
Stakes at Bath, 100, 202.

Turf, reforms of the, by Lord
George Bentinck, 296 et seq. —
tactics of speculators on the, 305
— stories of robberies on the, 387
et seq.

Turf Tavern, a dinner at the, 230

et seq.
Two-year-old stakes, former paucity

of, 142.
Ugly Buck, affair of Ratan and the,

155 et seq. — opinions regarding

the Ugly Buck, 201.

Vacuna colt, description of, 205.

Vans, construction of, for convey-
ance of race-horses, 61 et seq. —
first trial of, 65 — improvements
on first idea of, 67 — advantages
of, 69 — horse-racing previous to,
76 et seq. — transport of horses
from Danebury to Goodwood in,
99 et seq.

Velocipede, progeny of, 72.

Venison, purchase of, by Lord
George Bentinck, 58 — notices of,
60, 63, 70— sale of, 74.

Venus, progeny of, 73.

Villiers, Hon. Francis, Goodwood
yearlings purchased by, 113 —
betting of, on Surplice, 259 —
purchase of Blaze by, 261 — back-
ing of Blaze by, for the Two
Thousand, 262 et seq. — despair
of, at result of Surplice's Derby
trial, 268— gains of, on the St
Leger, 292.

Vitellina, running of, for the Good-
wood Stakes in 1824, 302.

Voltigeur, notices of, 352, 353.

Waterloo Shield, the, 85 — running
for, ib.

Weatherbit, successes of, 178 — de-
feats of, 183.

Weatherby, Mr, midnight visits to,
220, 316.

Wclbeck, fourth Duke of Portland's
stud at, 12 — his improvements
at, 17— sixth Duke of Portland's
breeding establishment at, 73 —
painting of Elis at, 180 — racing
trophies at, ib. — hunters kept at,
319 — last days of Lord George
Bentinck at, 448 et seq. — inquest
oh Lord George Bentinck's death
held at, 457.

West Australian, notices of, 358,
392.

2 H

482

INDEX.

Whalebone, progeny of, 72.

White's Club, Lord George Ben-
tinck's late dinners at, 8, 314.

Wild Dayrell, winner of Derby,
133.

William IV., as a patron of the
Turf, 348 at seq. — dinner given
to Jockey Club by, 349 — speech
made by, at Egham races, 350.

Williams, Captain Percy, jockey-
ship of, 96.

Winchilsea, the Earl of, lines to
the memory of Lord George Ben-
tinck by, quoted, 465.

Wizard, attempt to defeat running
of, 91.

Yearlings, sale of a batch of the
Goodwood, 113 — breaking of
Lord George Bentinck's, 114 —
successes in running of, 115 —
former mode of buying and train-
ing of, 136 — importance of try-
ing, 142.

York race-course, condition of, in
1845 meeting, 213.

Yorkshire Stakes, running of Miss
Elis for the, 213.

PRINTED BY WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS.

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