Guineas
Moreover, it is very probable that Paradox won only because Archer hustled Crafton out of it, and that if the owner of the latter had objected he would have got the race. During this year (1885) a rumour which was not uncommon at the time, and has often been repeated since, became current, to the effect that there was something out of the common at Kingsclere; and the rumour subsequently proved to be true. The animal in question was a bay son of Bend Or and Lily Agnes; but it was not until late in the year, at Newmarket in October, that Ormonde, as he was called, appeared to run in a Post Sweepstakes, and BLAIR ATHOL. his excellence was not so generally recognised as to prevent backers from laying a slight shade of odds, 6 to 5, on Modwena, a little filly belonging to the Duke of Portland. Ormonde, however, had warm supporters at 5 to 4, and he won with very great ease; it was then perceived that the stories which had been told about him were EE true, and he was a very strong favourite for the Criterion, which he won, having some speedy animals behind him, notably Oberon and Mephisto. Oberon, it may be interpolated, was the son of Galopin and Wheel of Fortune, and his dam must certainly hold a prominent place in the list of famous horses; for when asked by the present writer which was the best animal he had ever ridden, Fred Archer replied that he could not decide between St. Simon and this mare, though it must be added that this was before the appearance of Ormonde.
Ormonde came out for a third time in the Dewhurst Plate, and with long odds on him again gave proof of his capacity; but he had not much behind him, his best opponent being Miss Jummy, only a moderate animal, who, however, won the Oaks.
The year 1886 was a memorable one, for there were several three-year-olds of altogether exceptional excellence. A handsome little horse, called The Bard, had won the Brocklesby Stakes at Lincoln, and ran sixteen times during the season without ever having been beaten.
A colt named Saraband had come out at Kempton and won his race so easily that there seemed to be no saying how good he was; and Matthew Dawson was training a son of Lord Lyon, named Minting, whom he declared to be the best animal he had ever known. Here, it will be seen, was material for most exciting contests; and, indeed, a race has rarely been more absorbing than the Two Thousand Guineas of 1886. Matthew Dawson's opinion of Minting led to his starting favourite at even money; in many cases odds were laid on him, though the Racing Calendar returns his price at II to IO against. Saraband second favourite at 3 to I, and Ormonde came next at 7 to 2, 33 to 1 bar three being the price of those next in demand, if it can be said that there was any sort of demand for them. Mephisto and St. Mirin figured at these odds. Watts rode Minting, Archer was on Saraband, George Barrett on Ormonde, and the race was never in doubt. At the distance Minting was rolling about hopelessly beaten, and Ormonde won in a canter. So unmistakable was the result that Mr. Vyner, the owner of Minting, perceived he could have no chance for the Derby, and with great discretion determined to reserve his horse for the Grand Prix. Of course, Ormonde was a very strong favourite for the Derby, nothing else being supposed to have the least chance with him except The Bard.
The betting is returned at 85 to 40 on Ormonde, 7 to 2 The Bard, 25 to I bar two, was a [RACING a horse of Lord Zetland's called Grey Friars being the nominal third favourite. The betting, it may be added, extended to " 1,000 to 5 Ariel and Coracle coupled," probably the longest odds ever offered, but a great deal too short to indicate their chances.
The little Bard ran a gallant race, though his jockey, who had been told to keep him well in front, as it was thought he might stay better than his great rival, did not obey instructions or possibly could not do as he was told. Down the hill, however, The Bard for a moment got on terms, and just for half a moment flattered the hopes of his friends; but Ormonde's stride told, and Archer, who rode him, won quite comfortably by a length and a half. Ormonde went to Ascot and played with two indifferent opponents in the St. James's Palace Stakes. In the Hardwicke next day he had a Derby winner against him, Melton, but the result was never in doubt. Going on to Doncaster he ran for the St. Leger, and with odds of 7 to I on him won in a common canter by four lengths. 25 to I was laid on him the next time he appeared for the Great Foal Stakes at the Newmarket First October, where he cantered away from Mephisto; and for the Newmarket St. Leger nothing ventured to oppose him a wise discretion. He came out next for the Champion Stakes, " IOO to I on" being his price, and again for the Free