Sidebilder
PDF
ePub

Metropolitan Steeple Chase, published in our December number. After a note of admiration for Mr. Mason, he thus proceeds:

"Of his horse, The British Yeoman,' I am perhaps better qualified to speak than of his accomplished jockey, this across-country crack having been bred by a much respected friend, and affording a striking example of the success that perseverance will sometimes attain to in breeding. Pintail, the dam of the Yeoman, was put to the stud at three years old; and throwing a foal almost every spring for thirteen or fourteen years, never up to that time produced one that was worth breaking. Many of them were fine good-looking colts; that in no way, however, fulfilled the promise of their appearance; as race-horses, and they were tried often enough, not one could win a ten-pound note. As hunters they were famous for bad hocks, and not being able to go a yard through dirt. Many a day have I sickened on one, whose only fit duty, with his fine mouth and good action, was to canter up Rotten Row. So disheartening, in fact, did the case become, that the celebrated Nimrod, when on a visit at the house, walked into the drawing-room one morning, after a round of inspection, with these words in his mouth :

66 6

'My dear madam, I can tell you how to save my old friend a good income.'

"How, pray?' of course inquired the lady.

"By cutting that brute Pintail's throat.'

"And yet, after that, this brute Pintail lived to produce the very best steeple-chase horse of his day.

"The British Yeoman is altogether a better horse than he looks. From his appearance you would hardly give him credit for carrying that weight through dirt he has so sufficiently proved he can do. He is light everywhere, all wie in fact, with far more the cut and carriage of a race-horse than a hunter. From what I could gather of him, I should say two of his best points were a fine, mild temper and excellent action for the kind of country I saw him go over. I have little doubt, indeed, that with some material to work on, much of his success is due to the clever hands into which he has fallen."

To this we have only to add, that Pintail died in foal in 1843, and that for "thirteen or fourteen" the "Stud Book" limits her produce

to ten.

The British Yeoman's performances are also, like himself, "better than they look." His career has been anything but one of uninterrupted success; but he nearly always, it will be observed, has run well up to the finish; and many of his losing races, for gameness and extraordinary power with weight through dirt, have few equals in the Calendar. Of these we may especially instance his running second to Vain Hope, this season, over the Vale of Aylesbury, and the third place he claimed after the great use made of him two years since in the Liverpool Grand National.

The Yeoman, as was also stated in our last number, has this year been prepared with Mr. Hall's clever little pack of harriers, in preference to submitting him to the race-horse course of study, which, we believe, the majority of steeple-chase horses also are now brought under. He is, as he has been from his first appearance in public, the property of Mr. Elmore, the well-known dealer, and may rank very justly with the Lottery and Gaylad of the same stable.

PERFORMANCES.

In November, 1847, at Newport Pagnell, The British Yeoman, ridden by Mr. Elmore, jun., and carrying 12st., won a chase of 5 sov. each, with 25

added, four miles, beating Mr. Markham's Governor, 11st. (2), Mr. Donaldson's Variety, 11st. (3), and Mr. F. Wilson's Walter Gay, 11st.; Mr. Johnson's Bribery, 11st., Mr. Davenport's Moonlight, 10st. 3lb., Lord Strathmore's Mameluke, 11st. 4lb., Mr. Ekins' Christopher North, 11st., Mr. Clifton's Miss Fop, 11st., and Mr. Douglas's Sam Slick, 11st., not placed. 4 to 1 agst. The British Yeoman, who won easily by four lengths.

In December, at Leamington, ridden by Rackley, and carrying 10st. 2lb. He was not placed for the Free Handicap Hurdle Race of 5 sovs. each, with 40 added, two miles, won by Mr. J. Pearce's Jack, 11st. 2lb., Mr. Lumden's Chance, 10st. 12lb., second, and Mr. Oliver's Valeria, 10st. 12lb., third. Eight others also started.

At Wolverhampton, carrying 10st. 10lb., and ridden by Butler, he was not placed for the Handicap Chase of 20 sovs. each, with 100 added, four miles, won by Mr. Jones's Wolverhampton, 11st. 21b., Mr. Moseley's Richard the First, 11st. 3lb., second, and Captain Barnett's Marengo, 10st. 10lb., third. Twelve others also started.

In February, 1848, at Leamington and Southam, ridden by Mason, and carrying 11st., The British Yeoman ran third for the Free Handicap of 5 sovs. each, with 40 added, four miles, Mr. Clifton's Edward the First, 10st. 13lb., winning it, and Mr. Brown's Hipbriar, 10st., second; nine others also started, but were not placed. Won by a length, and The British Yeoman beaten six lengths from the second.

At Newmarket, ridden by Mr. Beville, and carrying 10st. 5lb., he won the Handicap Chase of 10 sovs. each, with 70 added, four miles, beating Captain Barnett's Boxkeeper, 10st. 10lb. (2), Mr. C. C. Brooke's Eagle, 10st. 1lb. (3), and the following not placed: Mr. Sait's The Doctor, 10st. 6lb., Mr. F. Wilson's Khondooz, 10st. 5lb., Mr. Anderson's Profligate, 10st. 10lb., Mr. Young's The Witch, 10st. 9lb., Mr. Wesley's Gayhurst, 10st. 12lb., Mr. Abel's Jerry, 10st., Mr. Walker's Mushroom, 9st. 13lb., Mr. Carey's Blue Bell, 9st. 11lb., Mr. P. Rolt's Railroad, 9st. 10lb., Mr. Death's Lady Helen, 9st. 8lb., and Mr. Elmore's Gazeley, 10st. 12lb. The British Yeoman not mentioned in the betting; won by half a length, and nothing near the three placed.

At Bath, ridden by Mr. Beville, and carrying 10st. 10lb., he won the Grand Open Handicap of 15 sovs. each, with 70 added, four miles, beating Mr. Oliver's Vanguard, 10st. 5lb. (2), Mr. Clifton's Edward the First, 10st. 3lb. (3), Mr. Frederick's Gaylad, 10st. 4lb. (4), and the following not placed: Mr. Davis's Egremont, 9st. 12lb., Captain Little's Carlow, 10st. 5lb., and Mr. Baker na. Rob Roy, 11st. 2lb. The British Yeoman not mentioned in the betting; won by two lengths; the winner had a fall.

In March, at Liverpool, carrying 11st. 4lb., and ridden by Mr. Bevill, he ran third, though not placed, for the Grand National Chase of 20 sovs. each, with 100 added; four miles; won by Captain Little's Chandler, 11st. 12lb., Mr. G. Brettle's The Curate, 11st. 121b., second; twenty-six others also started; won by half-a-length, and The British Yeoman beaten rather more than a length for second; The Yeoman made most of the running at a great pace, and at one time had a strong lead.

At Hooton Park, carrying 10st. 13lb., and ridden by Mr. Bevill, he ran third for the Handicap Chase of 20 sovs. each, with 100 added, four miles, won by Mr. Crawford's The Shaver, 11st. 6lb., Mr. Tilbury's Chronometer, 10st. 12lb., second; five others also started; 3 to 1 agst. The British Yeoman; won by three lengths, and the British Yeoman, who had a fall, beaten two for second.

At Leamington, ridden by Mr. Bevill, and carrying 10st. 9lb., he was not placed for the Grand Annual Chase of 25 sovs. each, with 100 added, four miles, won by Mr. Madock's Proceed, 10st. 13lb., Lord Strathmore's Switcher, 10st. 9lb., second; 5 to 1 agst. The British Yeoman, who fell.

At Windsor, ridden by Mason, and carrying 11st. 6lb., he won the Handicap Chase of 25 sovs. each, with 100 added, four miles, beating Lord

Strathmore's St. Leger, 11st. 81b. (2), Captain Hervey's Mushroom, 10st. 12lb. (3), and the following not placed: Mr. Peel's Chandler, 12st. 3lb., Mr. Hunter's Anna, 10st. 6lb., Mr. J. R. Walker's Mushroom, 10st. 6lb., Mr. Clifton ns. Young Lottery, 10st, 4lb., Mr. Anderson's Profligate, 10st., and Mr. Whitfield's Gipsy Queen, 9st. 9lb.; 4 to 1 agst. The British Yeoman; won easily; the winner refused, and fell.

In April, at the Metropolitan, carrying 11st. 8lb., and ridden by Land, he ran third for the Handicap Chase of 25 sovs. each, with 200 added, four miles, won by Mr. Crawford's The Shaver, 11st. 61b., Mr. Elmore's Gazely, 10st. 2lb., second; five others also started. 6 to 1 agst. The British Yeoman, who fell twice.

At Newport Pagnel, ridden by Mason, and carrying 11st. 8lb., he ran third for the Free Handicap Chase of 10 sovs. each, with 100 added, four miles, won by Mr. Clifton's Mahomed, 10st., Mr. Elmore's Gazely, 10st. slb., second; fifteen others also started. 3 to 1 agst. The British Yeoman.

In November, at Worcester, ridden by Mason, and carrying 11st. 10lb., he was not placed for the Handicap Chase of 20 sovs. each, with 100 added, four miles, won by Captain Madock's Proceed, 12st., Lord Strathmore's Red Lancer, 10st. 4lb., second; sixteen others also started.

British Yeoman.

7 to 1 agst. The

At Newport Pagnell, ridden by Butler, and carrying 11st. 8lb., he was not placed for the Handicap Chase of 25 sovs, each, with 100 added, four miles, won by Mr. Symond's Charity, 9st. 13lb., Mr. Oliver's Pullaway, 10st., second; four others also started. The British Yeoman fell.

In February, 1849, at Liverpool, ridden by Mr. Bevill, and carrying 11st. 4lb., he was not placed for the Grand National Chase, of 20 sovs. each, with 100 added, four miles, won by Mr. Mason's Peter Simple, 11st., Captain D'Arcy's The Knight of Gwynne, 10st. 7lb., second; twenty-one others also started. 12 to 1 agst. The British Yeoman, who ran well up.

In March, at Lincoln, ridden by Mr. Bevill, and carrying 11st. 8lb., he ran second to Mr. Sheffield's Rachel, 10st., for the Handicap Chase of 20 sovs. each, with 100 added, four miles; seven others also started, but were not placed. Won cleverly; The British Yeoman refused.

At Leamington, ridden by Mr. Bevill, and carrying 10st. 12lb., he was not placed for the Grand Annual Chase of 25 sovs, each, with 100 added, four miles, won by Mr. Taylor's The Victim, 11st. 2lb., Captain Peel's Proceed, 11st. 9lb., second; ten others also started. 12 to 1 agst. The British Yeoman, who was knocked down by another horse at a fence.

In April, ridden by Archer, and carrying 11st. 2lb., he won the Grand Metropolitan Chase, of 25 sovs. each, with 250 added, four miles, beating Captain Little's Commoner, 10st. 6lb, (2), Mr. Vevers' Vengeance, 10st. 3lb. (3), and the following not placed: Mr. Taylor's The Victim, 11st. 91b., Captain Peel's Proceed, 11st. 10lb,, Lord Gilbert Kennedy's Spring Buck, 11st. 2lb., Captain D'Arcy's Knight of Gwynne, 11st, 1lb., Mr. Johnson's Chaldean, 10st. 12lb., Mr. Mason's Falcon, 10st. 12lb., Mr. Wright's Donnybrook, 10st. 12lb., Marquis of Ailsa's Liberty, 10st. 10lb., Mr. Webb's Maurice Daly, 10st. 31b., Mr. Symonds' Charity, 10st. 2lb., Mr. Britton's Bold Davy, 9st. 13lb., Lord Strathmore's Chatham, 9st. 13lb., Mr. Butler's Oily Gammon, 9st. 12lb., Mr. I. Day's Sparta, 9st., and Mr. Tollett's Valiant, 10st, 9lb. 5 to 1 agst. The British Yeoman, who made nearly all the running, and Ban in alone.

In November, ridden by Mason, and carrying 11st. 121b., he again won the Metropolitan Chase of 20 sovs. each, with 100 added, four miles, beating Mr. Carew's Lansquinet, 10st. (2), Mr. Sait's Alexander, 9st. 11lb. (3), Mr. Anson's Liberty, 9st. 111b. (4), and the following not placed: Mr. Mason's Commoner, 10st. 8lb., Mr. Oliver's Outcast, 10st. 71b., Mr. Hunter's Hope, 10st. 6lb., and Mr. Butler's Young Lottery, 10st, 5lb. 3 to 1 agst, The British Yeoman, who won easily by four lengths; he went on the wrong side of a flag early in the Chase, and had to be turned.

At Aylesbury, ridden by Mason, and carrying 12st. 61b., he ran second to Mr. Vevers' Vain Hope, 9st. 10lb., for the Great Handicap Chase of 20 sovs. each, with 100 added; Mr. Tredgold's Maria Day, 10st. 5lb., and four others, also started. 5 to 2 agst. The British Yeoman, who was beaten by half a length after a very severe race. The line, though only called four, was nearly if not quite five miles, and The British Yeoman carried 2st. more than anything else that ran.

In December, at Leamington, ridden by Mason, and carrying 11st. 121b., he ran fourth for the Grand Open Chase of 20 sovs. each, with 100 added, four miles, won by Mr. Fort's The Knight of Gwynne, 11st. 1lb., Captain Thompson's Abd-el-Kader, 9st. 10lb., second, and Mr. Fowler's Little Fanny, 9st. 4lb., third; eight others also started, but were not placed. 5 to 2 agst. The British Yeoman.

At the Metropolitan, ridden by Mason, and carrying 12st., he ran fourth for a Handicap Chase of 20 sovs. each, with 100 added, four miles, won by Mr. Tredgold's Maria Day, 10st., Mr. Vevers' Vain Hope, 10st. 9lb., second, and Lord Strathmore's The Doctor, 11st. 1lb., third; five others also started. 6 to 1 agst. The British Yeoman.

SUMMARY OF THE BRITISH YEOMAN'S PERFORMANCES:

In 1847 he started three times, and one once:

A Chase at Newport Pagnell, value clear .......

£75

In 1848 he started eleven times, and won three, and ran third five times:

[blocks in formation]

In 1849 he started eight times, and won twice, running second twice and fourth twice :

The Spring Handicap Chase at the Metropolitan..
The Autumn Handicap Chase at the Metropolitan

690

295

A LAY OF OLD 'FORTY-NINE.

BY COLONEL CHASSE.

"Nec fortuitum spernere cespitem leges sinebant."

£1,905

Old '49 sat in his high-backed chair,

With his withered shanks on the fender;
Like a lover exposed to the frosty air,

His toes and his heart were tender;

"Twas 20 to 12 by Shrewsbury clock,

When he thus replied to Old Time's door-knock:

"Lift the latch gently and hasten thee in,

Thy rough handiwork witness in me ;

Ah! the once buxom year is now aged and thin,
As he didn't ought' to be.

Why should my tenure of life thus cease

At the end of a paltry twelve-moons-lease?"

"Take comfort, take comfort!" Old Time growled out, Thou hast been right zealous for fun,

66

In each style of sporting true running throughout
Thou hast made 'neath shower and sun :

Archer and Oliver, Marlow and Nat,

In thy short life have prospered o'er brooks and the flat."

Quoth '49," Many an old boy loves

To prose over sports gone by,

Each passage of arms with the foils and the gloves,
Each triumph with ground-bait or fly,

His pointers or long-tails, and haply, forsooth,

Each success of his flirts with the elephant's tooth.'"

"Yon stop-watch, with which I was wont to mark
The thorough-breds as they flew past

From the Hibburd flag to the chair of Clark,
Shows I've scarcely a quarter to last;
Remorse does no good-reflections are tough-
So just bear a hand with my Sportsman and Ruff."
"Well said," quoth his senior blythe,
Leaning on his tempered scythe.
"Thousand turf-feats fill my pate,
Since the merrie king' in state-
When ladies and a minstrel crew
Were the only special train he knew—
Travelled in his sporting suit
By the Eastern Counties route
(Long before surveyors lingered
On trim lawns, and pertly fingered-
Careless of all vested rights
And trespass their theodolites),
Skirting, fearless of each bog,
The ancient hills of Gogmagog, (1)
Where began for weal and woe
The strange career of Plenipo;
Viewing on his left the town

Where sucking bishops in the gown

Were trained for Oxford's fire and pitch, (2)

He came in sight of the Devil's-ditch,

And hugged himself with the thoughts of each lark,
At the Heath by day and the feast by dark."

"Take a pull, I beseech you, my honoured sire,
And let me go on with the lead;

And I'll take a final poke at the fire,
And a final puff at my weed;

« ForrigeFortsett »