Chapter C: E. Curtis (2)

_Copenhagen._—The Duke of Wellington’s charger that he rode at Waterloo. Napoleon’s favourite charger was called Marengo, and was represented in the famous picture by Vernet of Napoleon crossing the Alps. His remains are now in the United Service Museum in London.

_Cyllaros._—Named from Cylla in Troas, a celebrated horse of Castor and Pollux.

_Dinos._—The Marvel. Was Diomed’s horse.

_Doomstead._—Was the horse of the Fates.

_Ethon._—Fiery. Was one of the horses of Hestor.

_Fadda._—Was Mahomet’s white mule.

_Fiddleback._—Was Oliver Goldsmith’s unfortunate pony.

_Galathé._—Cream coloured. Was a horse of Hector’s.

_Grané._—Grey coloured. Was Seigfried’s horse of marvellous swiftness.

_Grizzle._—Grey coloured. Was the skin-and-bone animal that carried Dr. Syntax.

_Haizum._—Was the horse of the Archangel Gabriel.

_Harpagos._—A rapid carrier. One of the horses of Castor and Pollux.

_Hippocompés._—A horse of Neptune that had only two legs, his hindquarters being a dragon’s tail.

_Incitatus._—The Roman Emperor Caligula’s horse, which he made a priest and a consul. Its manger was of ivory, and it drank out of a golden pail.

_Jenny Geddes._—Was Robert Burn’s mare.

_Kantaka._—The white horse of Science.

_Ganhama of India._—Mentioned by Budda.

_Kelpie._—The colour of seaweed. The water horse of fairy mythology.

_Lampos._—Shining like a lamp. One of the horses of the Sun.

_Lamri._—The curvetter. King Arthur’s mare.

_Morocco._—Bank’s famous horse. Its shoes were of silver, and one of its exploits was to mount the steeple of St. Paul’s.

_Molly._—Sir Charles Napier’s mare that died at the age of 35 years.

_Orelia._—The charger of Roderick, the last of the Goths. Noted for its speed and symmetry.

_Pale Horse._—On which Death rides.

_Pegasos._—Born near the source of the ocean. The winged horse of Apollo that Perseus rode when he rescued Andromeda.

_Phæton._—The shining one. A steed of Aurora.

_Phlegon._—The blazing one. One of the horses of the mid-day sun.

_Phrenicos._—Intelligent. The horse of Hiero of Syracuse that was the winner of the Olympic prize for single horses in the seventy-third olympiad.

_Rubicon._—With a dark tail and some white hairs. Astolpho’s horse in Orlando Furioso. Its dam was Fire, and its sire Wind, and it fed on unearthly food.

_Ronald._—Was Lord Cardigan’s thoroughbred chestnut horse, with white stockings on the near fore and hind feet, that carried him through the charge at Balaclava.

_Rosabelle._—Mary Queen of Scots’ favourite palfrey.

_Rosignol._—Was the palfrey of Madame Ghatalet, of Crecy, the lady with whom Voltaire resided for ten years.

_Shinfaxe._—Shining mane. The steed which draws the car of day.

_Sleipnor._—Odin’s grey horse, that had eight legs, and could traverse either land or sea. He typifies the wind, which blows over land and water from eight principal points.

_Sorrel._—The horse of William the Third, that used to catch his foot in a mole-trap, and ultimately caused his death. He was blind of one eye and mean of stature. Is ill-fitted to carry a king.

_Strymon._—Named from the River Strymon in Thrace, and immolated by Zerxes before he invaded Greece.

_Vegliantino._—The famous steed of Orlando, meaning “the little vigilant one.”

_Zanthos._—The chestnut coloured. One of the horses of Achilles that announced his approaching death when unjustly chidden by him.

_O’Donoghue’s White Horse._—Denotes the waves, which come on a windy day, crested with foam. The spirit of the hero appears every May-day, and glides to sweet yet unearthly music over the lakes of Killarney on his white horse, preceded by groups of young men and maidens, flinging spring flowers in his path.

We have the phrases: “A dark horse”—one whose merits are unknown. “Flogging a dead horse.” “Riding the wooden horse”—a military punishment, a sort of flogging stool, now abolished. “I will win the horse or lose the saddle”—neck or nothing.

“They cannot set horses together.” That is, they cannot agree.

“The Trojan horse” is a deception, a hidden danger.

“It is a good horse that never stumbles.” Every one has his faults.

“To get upon his high horse.” To give one’s self airs.

“To set the cart before the horse.” To reverse the right order of things.

“When the horse is stolen lock the stable door.”

“Working on a dead horse.” Doing work which has already been paid for.

I could continue to play on this horsey fiddle almost _ad infinitum_, thanks to old Dr. Brewer, who very clearly illustrates how from the most ancient days the horse came to the forefront in mythology, history, poetry, and romance. The one quadruped created for the benefit of man, and honoured with the first place from the earliest ages in man’s affections. Notwithstanding the fact that in these last days man has devised sundry inventions aimed at his dethronement, such as steam and motor power, let us hope that he may long survive those machinations.

In the illustrious days of Roman greatness it is worthy of note that the horse was promoted almost to divine worship, as, indeed, he had been in Grecian mythology. The Emperor Caligula made him a priest and a consul. We have come to regard horses as of some value, when we are not afraid of appraising one of them at nearly £40,000, and selling our casts off at £20,000 and upwards.

The fables which I have ventured to string together here may have their transient interest, and help owners of racehorses with a few appropriate names for their best. This will aid to prove the truth of their worth, and show that although the world has grown older, and the age of romance and love of mythology has passed away, the horse in all his beauty and perfection is with us still, and we trust that he ever will be so.

BORDERER.

HOT ON THE TRAIL.
]

THE WORRY.

_Photos by T. C. Bristow Noble._]
]

The Advent of the Otter-hunting Season.

Never, perhaps, was otter-hunting more popular than it is to-day, though it is one of the oldest sports in existence. Even as far back as the reign of King John otters were hunted with hounds throughout the summer months. But until comparatively late years the sport seems to have always been that of the few rather than, as now, that of the many. In a great measure it owes its increasing popularity to the more generous spirit that happily now prevails among sportsmen.

The member of the angling society and the owner of the private fishery are no longer at war with the interesting little quarry, that is, on those rivers which are visited by otterhounds, and on many that are not. Indeed, it is more than probable that in a few years’ time it will be considered as discreditable an action for a private person to shoot or otherwise destroy an otter, as it is to secretly kill a fox in the Midlands. During the season that is slowly commencing there will be twenty-four packs of otterhounds hunting in the United Kingdom, as was the case last year. The first meet took place on April 6th, when the Essex Otterhounds, which Mr. L. Rose still continues to hunt, met at Witham Station.

This was an early start indeed. The water must have been very cold, and the hounds in consequence could have shown no great keenness. The truth is, April is too early a month in which to make a commencement. It is wiser by far to wait till about the middle of May before bringing the hounds from their kennels. By this time the countryside is putting on her most resplendent mantle, the water is growing warm at last, and followers and hounds alike can thoroughly enjoy the sport.

It is not a sport that only the rich can indulge in. Almost any and everybody can afford to follow it, whilst rarely has the agriculturist occasion to complain of damage being done to either his crops or fences by the followers. It is gratifying to notice that masters are determined to put a stop to the increasing practice of riding to otterhounds. Apart from it being quite unnecessary to be mounted, horse people are often a danger and always a nuisance among the legitimate following.

There is, moreover, a growing inclination to utilise the rough-coated hound to a greater extent than hitherto. But one of the most pleasant features of modern otter-hunting is the large number of ladies that follow and subscribe to the various packs, coupled with which must be the fact that there are now two lady “masters”—Mrs. Walter Cheesman, the Master of Crowhurst Otterhounds, and Lady Mary Hamilton, who owns the Hamilton pack, which, as we write, was given to her a few days ago by Mr. R. Carnaby Forster.

The two photographs that we reproduce herewith were taken during a recent run and kill with Mrs. Cheesman’s hounds.

A Hundred Years Ago.

(FROM THE _SPORTING MAGAZINE_ OF 1806.)

COCKINGS. ROYAL PIT, WESTMINSTER. Monday, April 15th.—The grand main of cocks, between the Hon. George Germaine (Potter, feeder) and Mr. Wilson (Lester, feeder), consisting of twenty-seven main and twenty byes, commenced fighting. The following is a statement:—

LESTER M. B. POTTER M. B.
Monday 3 3 1 0
Tuesday 2 4 2 0
Wednesday 1 0 3 4
Thursday 3 0 2 3
Friday 2 1 3 1
Saturday 4 1 1 1
—— — —— —
15 9 12 9

SETTERS.—Walters for Mr. Wilson and young Potter for Mr. Germaine.

Before fighting, 11 to 8 on Potter; after Monday’s fight, 6 to 4 on Lester; after Tuesday’s fight 7 to 4 on Lester; after Wednesday’s fight, 11 to 8 on Potter; after Thursday’s fight, 12 to 10 on Lester; after Friday’s fight, even betting.

The whole of the fighting was remarkably good, and did much credit to both the feeders and setters.

* * * * *

In the short space of two hours in the afternoon of the 19th ult. [March] Mr. Isaac Pearson, of Poolbank, near Kendal, killed ten woodcocks at eleven shots on the woody grounds at Whitbarrow.

* * * * *

The following curious circumstance happened on Monday, the 17th ult. The Allendale Foxhounds pursued a fox for some time on Staward banks and the grounds adjacent, until at last poor reynard was under the necessity of taking shelter in the crags; and the sportsmen, with greatest difficulty, opened the hole and secured their prey, which, upon examination, was found to be a large bitch-fox. She was taken to Bishopfield, where, to the great surprise of the keeper, on the Thursday following, she brought forth six fine young cubs, which are at this time with the mother, and are all likely to live.

* * * * *

HOME CIRCUIT.—Brown _v._ Boxall. At Kingston, March 27th, this action was brought against the defendant for having in his possession a tunnel net for catching partridges, contrary to the statute of Queen Anne. The fact of finding the net at the defendant’s house was proved by one of the Duke of York’s gamekeepers. The net was produced, and it appeared to have been recently used, as a great many partridges’ feathers were sticking to it. No defence was made, and the plaintiff had a verdict for the penalty of five pounds.

* * * * *

OTTER-HUNTING.—On Thursday, April 24th, the hounds of Andrew Corbet, Esq., of Acton Reynald, in the county of Salop, threw off at Ternhill, and, opposite Fordall, hit on a drag which led them to a covered drain between the two pools at Buntings-dale, from which an otter was immediately bolted into the lower pool, where he showed excellent sport for forty minutes, and was killed in high style. On Friday, the same hounds resumed the sport, throwing off at Brook’s Mill, near Combermere, in Cheshire, where they were again successful in finding and killing a large dog otter. On Saturday, this famous pack threw off at Norton, above Drayton, and came down water to Peetswood pools, where they found a remarkable large otter, weighing 23 lbs., which was speared by Mr. Davies, after a chase of two hours.

The Sportsman’s Library.

The latest addition to the popular “Fur, Feather and Fin Series” of monographs is Mr. T. F. Dale’s contribution on the fox.[14] A most entertaining volume he has put together, for he combines practical knowledge with much reading; and the preparation of the work has evidently been a labour of love. There is not a phase of interest relating to the fox upon which the author has not touched, from the secrets of the animal’s normal life to the part he plays in fable and legend. He opens his first chapter with the apt remark that “the survival of the fox is the most notable fact in his natural history”; and of the British fox this is especially true: it was Ralph Holinshed, if we mistake not, who in Queen Elizabeth’s time offered the explanation of the fox’s survival in the suggestion that he must long ere then have been exterminated but for the indulgence shown him by the farming classes out of goodwill to the sporting tastes of their landlords. In course of his remarks on the species and varieties of foxes the author touches upon the disputed question of fox-dog hybrids, and clearly leans to the belief that such crosses do occur under favourable circumstances. He will have the weight of expert opinion with him in his observations on scent. It is, we think, generally accepted as a fact that the scent of individual foxes differs, at least in degree; but is it certain that Asiatic foxes leave no scent? We may grant that absence of this quality would be of distinct advantage to a weak animal in countries where beasts of prey occur; but does not scent confer an advantage on the owner as well as a disadvantage? We should be inclined to think that the heat of the sun was largely accountable for the lack of scent noticeable in Indian foxes.

Mr. Dale puts forward a theory to account for the preference often shown by the breeding vixen for a badger’s cete which commends itself; he suggests that the presence of the badger offers a measure of protection against the invasion of terriers—an advantage which perhaps would be fully appreciated by an animal so intelligent as the fox. True, not every badger has a welcome for the fox which takes up its quarters in the cete, as witness the cubs killed by badgers, after the method which makes the cause of death unmistakable; but we must allow for the varying temperament and disposition of individual members of any given species.

“WHEN ALL IS QUIET.”

From “The Fox”: “Fur, Feather and Fin” Series. (By permission of the
Publishers.)
]

An excellent and suggestive chapter is that on the “Education of the Fox,” and one that greatly tempts us to quotation; one remark only we reproduce, however, for the benefit of the soft-hearted people who see nothing but “cruelty” in foxhunting: “Hunting is his life: being hunted, but an episode.” There is the whole history of fox-life in a sentence. Early in the next chapter, on “The Mind of the Fox,” however, Mr. Dale hazards the conjecture that “it is not certain that he (the fox) is in reality more intelligent than other wild animals.” Flat treason this, Mr. Dale! Does not nearly every page of this most readable and thoughtful book of yours plead for a verdict in the contrary sense? We grant the cunning of hunted deer and hare, we accept their wiles as proof of high intelligence; but we cannot have it that the fox, the most assiduous of hunters and the most assiduously hunted, does not excel these in sagacity and resource. We would base our contention on the principle that a beast of prey which owes his existence to his skill and talent for circumventing other wild creatures, must of necessity develop higher mental faculties, more acute reasoning powers, if you will, than one which finds food ever ready to his mouth; and we would urge that your own wide knowledge of fox habit and wile fully justify your subsequent observation that the “intelligence which is necessary for the survival of the race is very marked.”

When he comes to such matters as fox preservation and the home and haunts of the fox, the author of necessity is on much trodden ground, but nevertheless he has the art of putting familiar facts in a new and entertaining form. Incidentally it may be noted that the old-time method of dragging up to the fox’s kennel is still followed by the Fell packs as well as on Exmoor. Those who know not the coastline of Somerset and Devon will find much to interest them in the author’s remarks on the cliff-haunting foxes and the difficulties of killing them; but Mr. Dale does not believe that foxes which settle in a covert inland ever, of their own will, return to the cliffs. This, we imagine, is highly probable; the advantages of covert life appear to compare more than favourably with those of a cliff existence.

In the chapter on “The Hunted Fox” we again naturally encounter the question of fox intelligence, and here we find ourselves in complete accord with our author. “If there were none but clever foxes we should soon give up hunting; if there were none but simple ones we should soon have no more foxes to hunt. The variability of the fox (as regards his intelligence) is an advantage to the race and to the sport.”

The suggestion that one cause of the degeneracy of foxes is that more of the straight-running (_i.e._, simple-minded) are killed than of the cunning foxes which use their wits to beat hounds, deserves notice. The dodging fox lives longer to reproduce his kind, endued with his qualities of cunning and wile.

When considering the “Fox as Outlaw,” Mr. Dale gives some very interesting figures relating to expenditure on hunting. He calculates that in a certain country the money spent by the master and members of the hunt on horses, hounds, food, and wages, represents £36 per head spent on each fox killed. It would not be difficult to prove the expenditure much larger, but the argument will serve as it stands. Passing over the “Fox in Fable”—proof, surely, of the superiority of wisdom attributed to the fox from very early times—and a very interesting chapter on jackal-hunting in India, we have a few pages on what we may call the economic aspects of the fox, as represented by the pelts of his foreign relatives. The work concludes with a chapter on the congenial topic of hunting. The ethical view of the matter is boldly faced, and the gist of the case is simply that foxes must be killed, and if not fairly killed by hounds, would meet their fate in some other way, probably more painful. The fox fulfils his mission in this country as a medium for the distribution of cash where it is most wanted, and as a source of pleasure; and all hunting men will heartily agree with the writer of this charming book when he says that “hardly any animal has, in the long history of its race, been of more importance in the literature and life of man, or is more interesting as a study of animal life and mind.” Mr. Archibald Thorburn’s drawings are most admirable.

Polo in 1906.

The polo season of 1906 commenced at Rugby and Leamington early in April, and has been continued up to the time of writing in the most glorious weather, which reminds one more of the middle of June than the beginning of April; it is only to be hoped that we shall not have to pay for it later on. Warwickshire seems to start polo before the other clubs, and in greater numbers than any other county; on April 9, there were 17 players at Rugby and 16 at Leamington.

The prospects of the London season never were brighter, and the only difficulty for polo managers will be to satisfy their clients with the number of matches that they are able to allot them, provided only the weather is favourable.

The great difficulty for polo players, who have not already mounted themselves for the season, will be to supply themselves with handy, easy ponies that they can play on; for I think it will be found more than ever this year that the supply is not equal to the demand.

The great increase in the all-round demand for good ponies and the improvement of polo in England is, I think, due in a large measure to the number of civilian teams that have been started in London during the last few years; it is not only due to the fact that the players in these teams improve their own play through playing constantly with the same men against other good teams, but after playing in a team they are never again satisfied with members’ game polo, and they go away to their county clubs and teach these what they have themselves learnt in London, to the all-round betterment and benefit of the game.

I append a list of the probable civilian combinations this season, in addition to which there will be teams representing Worcester Park, the Crystal Palace, and Kingsbury, and probably Hatfield and Essex.

AMERICAN FREEBOOTERS.

I. Bell, J. I. Blair, R. J. Collier, F. J. Mackey.

BEAVERS.

W. Roylance Court, Capt. Phipps Hornby, A. M. Tree, F. Barbour.

EDEN PARK.

H. Bucknall, F. Rich, P. Bucknall, P. Bullivant (F. C. Nash,
Secretary).

IRELAND.

A. Rotherham, S. Watt, P. O’Reilly, C. O’Hara.

MAGPIES.

C. Grenfell, R. Grenfell, Capt. Gosling, Duke of Roxburgbe, Duke of
Westminster, Capt. Long, F. Bellville.

MOONLIGHTERS.

J. Pearce, N. Baring, J. B. Dale, J. Lawson.

MORETON MORRELL.

C. Garland, Lord Wodehouse, I. Bell, W. S. Buckmaster, C. P.
Nickalls.

PARTHIANS.

Capt. F. W. Barrett, Lord Kensington, Capt. Mathew Lassowe, Capt. C.
Hunter, W. B. Burdon, G. R. Powell.

ROEHAMPTON.

M. Nickalls, C. P. Nickalls, Capt. H. Wilson, Capt. H. Lloyd, P. W.
Nickalls.

RUGBY.

Lord Shrewsbury, Walter Jones, G. A. Miller, C. D. Miller, Capt. E.
D. Miller.

TIVERTON.

M. de Las Casas, J. C. de Las Casas, L. de Las Casas, A. de Las
Casas.

RANELAGH.

Capt. H. Jenner, Hon. A. Hastings, Capt. de Crespigny, Capt. Hon. F.
Guest, F. A. Gill.

ROKEBY.

Capt. Dunbar, Capt. A. Harman, Capt. Lee, Comte J. de Madre.

Three of the best of the London players will be much missed this season. Mr. F. M. Freake has temporarily retired from the game, and Captain Heseltine has joined his regiment in India, which has caused Mr. Buckmaster to abandon the attempt to produce an old Cantab team. They will be much missed in London, as they were a very fine team, and for the last eight years have always been either runners up or winners of the Champion Cup.

Another great loss to London polo will be Mr. U. O. Thynne, who has decided to give up the game for a time. He has run the Magpie team for a number of years, and his place will be hard to fill.

The great attraction of the London season will be the visit of the Irish team, who distinguished themselves so much last autumn by winning the Irish Open Cup and the International match in Dublin. They are engaged to play exhibition matches at Roehampton, on June 9th and 13th, against Rugby and Roehampton, and on June 6th at Hurlingham. The International match, England _v._ Ireland, will take place at Hurlington on June 16th, and the team is also expected to play in the Champion Cup.

As regards regimental polo prospects are fairly bright, but some of the regiments labour under great disadvantages.

The 7th Hussars are at Ipswich, and find themselves without a ground to play on; they have, however, one squadron at Weedon, where they can get plenty of play, and though they have only just come home they have every intention of producing a useful team at the Tournament. The 7th Hussars, like the 9th Lancers, no matter how the regiment changes, are always formidable. The 9th has just proved the truth of this in India, by defeating the hitherto (for four years) invincible 15th. Indeed, their most formidable opponents turned out to be the 17th, of whom the same may be said as of the 7th and 9th.

The Inniskillings will probably be without the invaluable services of Major Haig, who has had a serious illness, but is, I am glad to say, on the high road to recovery.

The 20th Hussars will probably lose Captain Lee, whose broken leg has taken a very long time to mend, and he is not in the saddle yet.

The 8th Hussars had some very good players last year, and the transfer of Major Wormald from the 7th should strengthen them and enable them to produce a really good team.

The 11th Hussars were so near the Inniskillings last year that with very slight improvement they should prove themselves dangerous competitors for any regiment.

The Household regiments will be represented probably by much the same teams, except that the Blues may find themselves stronger by the inclusion of Lord A. Innes Kerr, who has joined them from the Royals. In fact, the prospects of a most interesting Regimental Tournament are of the best.

The Champion Cup is sure to produce a good contest with such teams as Roehampton, Ireland, Rugby, Ranelagh, and Moreton Morrell competing for it, and the County Cup should be very even between Rugby (last year’s winners), Cirencester, Eden Park, and the best of the Yorkshire clubs.

I append a list of the tournaments that will probably take place, with the dates.

TOURNAMENTS, 1906.

April 16–21 Warwickshire (Leamington) Spring Tournament.

April 23–28 Eden Park Members’ Tournament.

May 2–5 Ranelagh Handicap Tournament.

May 7–11 Roehampton Handicap Tournament.

May 7-11 Eden Park Open Tournament (Tues. to Sat.).

May 14–19 Ranelagh Hunt Cup.

May 21–26 Roehampton Public Schools’ Cup.

May 28–June 2 Hurlingham Social Clubs’ Tournament.

May 28–June 2 Middlewood County Cup Northern Ties (Tues. to
Sat.), and Handicap Tournament.

June 4–9 Ranelagh Army Cup.

June 4–9 Paris International Tournament.

June 18–23 Hurlingham Champion Cup.

June 18–23 Ranelagh Novices’ Cup.

June 25–30 Ranelagh Open Cup.

June 25–30 Roehampton Junior Championship.

June 25–30 Hurlingham University Match (Mon.).

July 2–7 Hurlingham Inter-Regimental Tournament
(semi-finals, Wed. and Thurs.;
Final, Sat.).

July 2–7 Roehampton Cup.

July 9–14 Hurlingham County Cup (semi-finals, Wed. and
Thurs.; final, Sat.).

July 9–14 Ranelagh Subalterns’ Cup.

July 9–14 Roehampton Ladies’ Nomination Tournament.

July 9–14 Otter Vale North Devon Tournament.

July 9–14 Ostend Tournaments commence.

July 16–21 Hurlingham Handicap Tournament.

July 16–21 Ranelagh Hunt Tournament.

July 16–21 Blackmore Vale Junior Championship.

July 16–21 Ostend Tournaments continued.

July 24–29 Stratford-on-Avon Tournament.

July 24–29 Blackmore Vale Country Clubs’ Junior Championship.

July 24–29 Co. Westmeath Tournament.

July 24–29 Ostend Prix des Dames.

July 30–Aug. 4 Warwickshire Tournament.

July 30–Aug. 4 Eden Park Invitation Tournament.

Aug. 6–11 Rugby Tournament.

Aug. 6–11 York Hunt Tournament.

Aug. 6–11 Co. Wexford American Tournament (probably Thurs.
to Sat.).

Aug. 13–18 Cirencester Tournament.

Aug. 13–18 Eaton, Chester Tournament.

Aug. 13–18 All Ireland County Cup.

Aug. 13–18 Deauville International Tournament (probably).

Aug. 20–25 Blackmore Vale Tournament.

Aug. 20–25 Catterick Bridge Open Handicap Tournament.

Aug. 20–25 All Ireland County Cup.

Aug. 27–Sept. 1 North Wilts Tournament

Aug. 27–Sept. 1 All Ireland Open Tournament.

Sept. 4–9 All Ireland Regimental Tournament.

Sept. 17–22 Rugby Autumn Tournament.

Oct. 1–6 Rugby October Handicap Tournament.

E. D. MILLER.

“Our Van.”

RACING.

With quite a flourish of trumpets the flat-racing season began simultaneously with the going out of steeplechasing. I do not hesitate to attribute this to the weather, which was exceptionally fine for the first week of flat racing. It can be, and usually is, exceedingly bitter at Lincoln; and those who grumbled at the wind either had no previous experiences to fall back upon, or were troubled with poor memories. The Carholme has so bleak a situation that we are bound to catch any wind there is, and, unfortunately, at this season of the year it blows either into or along the enclosures. There is a meeting between North and South owners and trainers, and the special train from London on the first day bore with it quite as many well-known figures on the Turf as one expects. Amongst them was our amateur owner-jockey—a description which differentiates decidedly from jockey-owner—Mr. George Thursby, not long returned from a winter sojourn in Jamaica. The climate there is so conducive to indolence that Mr. Thursby found himself 19 lb. over weight, 10 lb. of which was got rid of on the way home by the drastic method of assisting the stokers. The keen racing brigade was well represented, and it is as well that the persevering army of backers should be so, for we cannot too soon begin taking notes for future use against the bookmakers. The greatest enthusiasm was aroused by the Batthyany Stakes, in which Rising Falcon, last year’s winner under 9 st., was trying again with 9 lb. more. Even under this burden he started joint favourite with Canty Bay, the fact that he was ridden as usual by Madden, thus making a pair that well understood one another, not being without influence. As matters turned out Madden was wanted. He did not hesitate to push Rising Falcon for all he was worth, and his winning was not in doubt until he was within a hundred yards of the post. There Golden Gleam and Early Bird drew upon him so rapidly that he was all but caught, for he had a short head only to spare from Golden Gleam when he passed the post. The next two, Early Bird and Golden Coin, were also separated by short heads, so the finish may be imagined. Madden came in for quite an ovation, and was actually seen to smile.

ASCETIC’S SILVER.

_Photo by W. A. Kouch and Co._]
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The Lincolnshire Handicap day, upon which the pecuniary success of the meeting mainly depends, was very disappointing to the executive, the attendance being quite poor for the occasion. The field, which consisted of twenty-four, has been described as a poor one for quality, but it seemed to me to strike the average. We cannot have a Bendigo or a Clorane every year; as a matter of detail, a horse of this class appears about once every ten years. According to the papers, certain horses were at the top of the betting quotations, but as a visit to the leading club five days previous to the race revealed precisely three bookmakers, representing only two firms, seated at the fire, it is probable that the volume of betting was not great. There was some on the day of the race, however; and in these days of degenerate wagering it was interesting to learn that one layer stood £30,000 against M. Ephrussi’s Ob. It was not difficult to lay that amount, for the lowest price at which the French horse was quoted was 20 to 1, plenty of smaller money being got on at 25 to 1. Ob had won three races in France under good weights as a four-year-old; but probably his failure to make any show in last year’s City and Suburban made the greater impression. The English money was chiefly for Roseate Dawn, upon whom Newmarket pinned its faith, and Dean Swift, the last-named coming with such a rush in the betting as to oust Roseate Dawn from favouritism. The public were not far out, for if the race had been run over again Dean Swift would probably, and Roseate Dawn possibly, have been returned the winner. The delay at the start was something terrible, but a very good one took place. Dean Swift and Roseate Dawn, however, began so badly as to look quite out of it in the earlier stages of the race, whereas Ob was amongst the leading lot; the actual first being the last Cambridgeshire winner, Velocity, and Catty Crag. Each in turn fell away, and Ob was left in command. Dean Swift bore down upon him, with great effect, a very exciting finish resulting. Dean Swift actually got his head in front, but Ob finished the straighter and won by a head, Roseate Dawn making up some lengths from the distance, and finishing a length behind Dean Swift.

For the Brocklesby it was elected to plump for the St. Simon—Satirical filly, chiefly on the strength of a trial at home with a stable companion that won the day before. In appearance she justified the comparisons that were made to a hare and a whippet respectively, but she was all the more thought likely to win over the four-furlong scramble so early in the year, better furnished ones in Luisis, a bay filly by Orvieto—Filipena, and a colt by Galashiels—Brenda, being looked upon as likely to be seen to advantage later on. No doubt they will be, but as they were they were more than equal to the Satirical filly, who had every chance to win, for she was once in front, but was beaten fair and square.

Lincoln itself has not gone with the times in keeping the town clear of thieves and similar undesirables. One of the hotels greatly frequented by racing people was “gone over” to some purpose. Until recently “till frisking” was a favourite pastime of these gentry at Lincoln, but hotel-keepers have learned to protect themselves by means of pugilistic looking barmen more at home at the East End of London, probably. In the meantime the need of the town is a chief constable such as we have at Chester and Brighton. Brighton, at race times, is a place completely changed from what it was a few years since, when it was not safe to walk the streets in the evening.

“Of course there will not be so many present this year, because the King is not coming.” This, with variants, was a frequent remark made anticipatory of the Liverpool Spring Meeting. But the prophets were wrong, for the crowd on the Grand National day was greater than ever. On each of the three days the paddock was a sight, and it is palpable that with the better classes of Liverpool the races have become more popular than ever. The weather that prevailed on all three days left no excuse for non-attendance, there being plenty of sunshine and a splendid light for seeing the racing, this being no small matter on a course measuring two miles and a quarter in circuit. On the first day the Union Jack Stakes for three-year-olds and the Liverpool Spring Cup were the chief events of a card containing eight races, the unusual number being necessitated in order to bring the programme within the conditions. The Union Jack Stakes might, on occasion, serve as an early public trial for the Derby, and, as a matter of fact, Mr. L. de Rothschild’s Radium had actually been nibbled at for the Epsom race, although his connections were under no illusions as to his lack of quality. But the public thought they knew better and took even money about Radium, whereas another de Rothschild, Mr. J. A., from the Continent, really owned the pea in Beppo, who won in nice style from Bridge of Canny, Radium third, well beaten. In the Spring Cup, Ypsilanti was expected to carry his 9 st 2 lb. first past the post. But there were others too much for him; Flax Park, who is one of those that dislike the look of the starting-gate, leading from end to end. A bay colt by Isinglass—Queen Fairy, named Gnome, showed good form in the Molyneux Stakes, getting away so badly as to appear out of it, but mowing down the others in fine style in the end.

It has been the fate of thousands to attend Aintree for the purpose of witnessing the Grand National and see little or nothing of it, but snow has been the cause. This year, however, in the finest weather there were several who saw nothing of the race, the reason being the simple one that the stands were overcrowded with those that came. An hour before the race was due prudent spectators took their seats on the roof, and those who dallied over the horses in the paddock arrived aloft to find the passage to the top choked with waiting people. For some time previously the racing world had been divided into two sections, one section declaring that John M.P. would not get the course—not half of it, said a subdivision of this section—the other section believing that he would make light of the jumps and win with ease. But the unexpected is always lying in wait upon competitors in the Grand National.

That those who believed in John M.P. were largely in the majority was shown by his being made a strong favourite at 7 to 2, the second favourites being at 10 to 1. A judge of a steeplechaser could scarcely do otherwise than declare for John M.P., for he is about the ideal of what a chaser could be, and nothing better has been seen at Aintree. Then it was difficult to see which of his twenty-two opponents possessed sufficient class to be entitled to win in his place, for they all had flaws in their credentials for winning over such a country. Given that John M.P. was to fall, which of the others was to stand up all the way?

That was the difficult problem to be solved. Drumcree, the winner in 1903, would probably get the course, but he had been on the shelf for two years, and his appearance at Kempton Park did not suggest sufficient go to win again, even with the best of them on the floor. The sequel spelt catastrophe for John M.P. He did not fall, but what he did do amounted to the same thing, so far as his chance of winning was concerned. He travelled exceedingly well for over a mile, and when he went some lengths clear between Becher’s and Valentine’s brooks, it seemed as though his natural speed was carrying him to the front without an effort. At the jump before Valentine’s, the course takes a curve to the left. Just here enormous numbers of spectators are always assembled, and much enthusiasm is displayed, the appearance of John M.P. leading clear being naturally productive of an extra amount. It is reasonably thought that the cheering distracted the horse’s attention. He was certainly not minding his business, and before he was aware of it he was at the fence, under the guard rail of which he slipped, going into the ditch. For the rest, Aunt May, getting the course for once in a way, showed momentarily in front a mile from home, and Ascetic’s Silver, Oatlands, Gladiator, Timothy Titus, Red Lad, and Pierre were all in the hunt. One by one they fell out till only Ascetic’s Silver, Red Lad, and Aunt May were left. Ascetic’s Silver was the only one to jump the remaining fences cleanly, and he did so in a way that was worthy of his jumping blood. He raced away from the other two, who bungled the last fence and gained a most meritorious victory. Whilst one cannot win without the horse, much of the merit must be given to Mr. Aubrey Hastings, trainer and rider of the winner. The time has gone by when the gentleman trainer was an object of commiseration with the profession, for he is now quite a power in the Turf world, and the circumstance is a remarkable one. Too much credit cannot be given to Mr. Hastings in thus consummating a long period of patience, not unaccompanied by some personal inconvenience.

To continue the story of John M.P., the circumstances of his mishap were such that he was started on the following day for the Champion Steeplechase, again being a good favourite. His jumping soon became a subject of remark, for he screwed badly at three fences. The distance is three miles, and more than half a mile from home John M.P. was a beaten horse. He jumped the remainder of the fences, but he passed the post very tired.

The thing was inexplicable, and, in one respect, though certainly not in another, it was a relief to learn later on that John M.P. had strained himself badly on the first day on the occasion of his mishap, and that, on the whole, it was a wonderful thing that he got the course in any shape or form.

The Champion Steeplechase had a painful sequel. Apollino had won the race last year, and by reason of penalties for winning four races over £100 each, should have carried 12 st. 4 lb. The fact was as clear as noonday to any one perusing the conditions, and the correct weight duly appeared on the card. The jockey was weighed out in accordance with this, but eventually started carrying only 12 st. After a meritorious display Appolino repeated his last year’s victory, and, apparently, another 7 lb. would have made no difference. Alas, on returning to scale an objection was lodged on the score of wrong weight, and the stewards had no alternative to disqualification. Plenty of people in the ring, be it remarked, had worked out the matter for themselves and shouted their readiness to back the second, who was Royal Bow II., as soon as he had passed the post.

With Northampton already forgotten, it was a pleasure to take one’s way to Newbury, which reigns in its stead, and appears likely to do so for some time, if appearances go for anything. By means of a chart the Great Western Railway show how very simple it is to reach the course from anywhere else in England. Going from London, last year’s experiences were repeated, trains doing the 53 miles from Paddington under the hour. The meeting was lucky in having lovely weather, and the drying winds had made the going quite firm, dust even flying on the course. Fields were large, one totalling thirty, and there seemed to be plenty of people. Large attendances will be necessary if the system of good stakes is to be persevered in, for simple arithmetic showed that these were far from paying their way. This is a little difficulty from which no racecourse, however popular, can be exempt, and the question of finance will crop up at Newbury, as elsewhere. What strikes one at Newbury is the absence of much of the stress and worry that attend most meetings. In the members’ enclosure are seen many faces that are not familiar on the metropolitan courses, and the feeling of being locally supported is prominent. The lovely surroundings and ample space give the place a freedom that is very welcome. Mr. John Porter, in his position of Managing Director, is always on the spot, rendered quite young again with new duties. He had introduced a novelty from Australian racecourses in the shape of a stewards’ observation stand, a skeleton structure of considerable elevation designed to enable stewards to see for themselves what has transpired during a course of bumping or crossing. The stand was placed forty yards or so above the winning post, and it is thought that it would be more serviceable at about the distance. Whether stewards would care to walk this distance for each race may be doubtful. Stipendiary stewards would, of course, do so as a mere matter of routine duty. We can imagine the berth being an exceedingly cold one during spring and autumn racing.

On the first day we had the Newbury Spring Cup of £1,250, distance a mile. The Thrush looked splendid, and Ob’s Lincoln penalty giving him the same weight of 9 st., he was practically out of it with Thrush, who had won over this very course at the opening meeting in splendid style. Roseate Dawn and Velocity were running; Roseate Dawn doing well, though not well enough to beat Succory, who won rather easily. On the second day the Kingsclere Stakes of £1,000, distance a mile and a quarter, saw Colonia making her essay as a three-year-old. She ran badly, but not more so than many anticipated, from her appearance in the paddock, although she was lively enough in the canter, and was beaten when a mile had been covered. The race was won in sensational fashion, Madden on the Gressoney colt, having made the best of his way home to such purpose as to appear to have the race at his mercy. Bridge of Canny, Maher up, came on the scene at the distance, however, and gained rapidly. Still, his getting up did not seem feasible, but a terrific finish, which took us back to the old times when electric rushes on the post were the rule rather than the exception, gave Bridge of Canny the race by a head. This success gave Maher his five hundredth winning mount in England.

FRENCH RACING.

The French racing season always begins on March 15th and closes on November 15th, the four intervening months being occupied with cross-country sport, which is often of the highest interest, as there are so many valuable prizes to be won that it answers the purpose of owners to pay very high prices for horses that have figured to advantage on the flat. Thus, there is a steeplechase of £5,000 representing genuine added money, while, in addition to this one, there is another (the Grand Prix de Nice) of £4,000, and there are several others that range in value from £2,000 to £1,500 each. No wonder, therefore, that cross-country sport in France is very prosperous, and that the class of horse running is much better than it is in England; but, none the less, genuine sportsmen hail the advent of the flat-racing season, which has begun auspiciously enough, so far as actual sport is concerned, though a shadow has been cast across its track by the additional misfortunes which have befallen M. Edmond Blanc. It will be remembered that his formidable stable was visited last year by an epidemic which struck down all his best three-year-olds (Val d’Or, Jardy, Adam, and Genial), and deprived them of their best races, notably of the Derby, which Jardy or Val d’Or could either have won, and of the Grand Prix de Paris, which Val d’Or had “in his pocket.” It is true that Val d’Or recovered his form after the Grand Prix, and beat Cicero, at a difference of 3 lb., in the Eclipse Stakes, but he went amiss again after that, and nothing more was seen of him or of Jardy, the latter of whom nearly died after running when unfit in the Derby. But it was hoped that the mischief had been stamped out of the stable, so that we should see Val d’Or, Adam, Jardy, and Genial coming out as four-year-olds in their best form, and that two of them would be sent over to England to compete for the £10,000 prizes in which they were engaged. But this hope has to be abandoned, at all events so far as Val d’Or and Adam are concerned, for they have both gone amiss, or rather have met with an accident which has made it necessary to remove them from all their engagements. The mishap to Val d’Or is all the more provoking, because it is understood that he was doing remarkably well, and it is, comparatively speaking, a slight compensation to M. Blanc that he should have since sold Val d’Or to an Argentine-Republic breeder for over £20,000, as he would have fetched that and more after his racing career was over. The case of Adam is not less vexing, for this brother to Ajax was always regarded in the stable as being better than either Val d’Or or Jardy, and he, too, had done well since last season, until he met with the accident which has brought his racing career to an abrupt conclusion. Adam has not up to the present found a purchaser, and he has gone to M. Blanc’s famous stud, where he will rejoin his brother Ajax and his sire, Flying Fox.

Whether M. Blanc will do as well this season with his three-year-olds as he did last year and the two preceding ones remains to be seen, but the odds are that he will not, and if he gains a victory in one or other of the French classic races it will probably be with one or other of his two fillies, Blue Fly and Belle Fleur, while the former may possibly come over to England and run for the Oaks at Epsom, though she would have powerful opponents to quash in Flair and Waterflower, both of whom would have the advantage of being on their own ground. It is a great handicap for a horse to have to make the journey across the Channel, as we have so often seen, but there will be no representative of the French stables in the Derby this year. Whether Jardy will come over later for the Gold Cup at Ascot, or the Princess of Wales’ and the Eclipse Stakes, will depend, of course, upon the progress he makes between now and then, but there is another good race in which Jardy can run at home, there being the Prix de President de la Republique of £4,000, with no penalties or allowances, which is run for at Maisons-Laffitte, and in which such English celebrities as Pretty Polly and St. Amant are engaged. It will be remembered that Pretty Polly’s sole defeat was sustained in France, when she was beaten by a French colt that ought never to have finished in front of her, and it will be interesting to see how he fares when he meets her again in July, always provided that the encounter does not take place a month before at Ascot.

The three-year-olds in France this season do not appear, with two or three exceptions, to be more than moderate, the best of them all being Mr. W. K. Vanderbilt’s Prestige, a colt by le Pompon (bred by M. Edouard Blanc) who has won all his engagements, seven as a two-year-old and four this spring, in most decisive fashion, but he is not, unfortunately, engaged in any of the “classic” races at home or abroad; the best of the others being M. Edmond Blanc’s Blue Fly who ran second to him upon one occasion, and who is in the French Derby, the Epsom Oaks, and the Grand Prix de Paris. She would be favourite for the Chantilly Race were there any betting on future events, and she is well bred enough for anything, being by Flying Fox—Bluette, dam of that good horse Omnium II. The best of the colts engaged in the French Derby are Organiste, the property of M. de Brémond, whose colours were carried at Epsom seven years ago by the ill-fated Holocauste, who fell and broke his leg, and Ganelon II., who is owned by Count de Moltke; the latter colt is a grandson of St. Simon, his sire, Lauzun (by St. Simon—Merrie Lassie) having been bred by the King at Sandringham, and having won a good race or two before being sold to a French breeder. Ganelon II., who is one of the first of his get, looks like being a credit to his sire, for he has now won all his three engagements in a canter (beating, in one of them, Organiste), and gives one the impression of being a colt of high class, though Organiste may have made more improvement from two to three, as he was very backward when he finished second to Ganelon II. last autumn.

HUNTING.