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ENGLANDS -GREATEST MATCH RACE. - -. The fact that Colonel Hall "Walker - refused to match his crack two-year-old, Polar Star, against W. Raphaels Sagamore, at a difference of 7 pounds, on the ground that the fornier had finished the season, lias led an English paper to refer to great matches of the past. The greatest match ever run in England was that between The Flying Dutchman and Voltigeur at York in 1851. Both were Derby and St. Leger winners in successive years, and the match was the outcome of the Dutchmans" defeat in the Doncaster Cup. This was really a match, and it was the only defeat sustained by The Flying Dutchman throughout his ciiieer. The latter belonged to Lord Eglinton and Voltigeur to Lord Zetland. The pair immedately matched their horses for 1,000 guineas a side over iwo miles. It was a terrific race, with Voltigeur making the pace as hot as he could. He was beaten a length, however, after one of the greatest contests in the history of the sport. It was at York, too, that a most peculiar match was brought off. Mr. Flints Thornevill.; was matched against Colonel Thorntons Vingarillo, the former being ridden by his own owner and the soldiers horse by his wife. They rode at catch weights over four miles, certainly a longish journey tor a member of the weaker sex. Mrs. Thornton had no chance of showing her prowess, as her saddle slipped shortly after starting, and the other cantered home in his glory. Betting was heavy iu those days, and it is said that nearly a quarter of a million of money changed hands over the race. The match had an unfortunate sequel, as Colonel Thornton forgot to pay the stakes and was horsewhipped, a luxury which cost his opponent 500 in a court of law. On the day of the assault Mrs. Thornton wou a match on her husbands Louisa.
