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WINNER OF TWO GRAND NATIONALS. C. A. Rea, a resident of Brandon, Man., supplies the following interesting particular to the Winnipeg Telegram, respecting a double winner of the Grand National Steeplechase: Sir: Referring to letters which have recently appeared in the columns of some English sporting papers on the subject of two race horses, both named Peter Simple, I can, perhaps, supply a few particulars which may be of interest to your readers regarding the bay steeplechaser Peter Simple. This horse was by Patron, dam by Archer, and was bred by my grandfather near AAooler in Northumberland, by whom he was sold as a three-year-old in 1S45. AAhile being led home from the sale in question, he broke loose and bolted and, getting entangled in the rope of his halter, fell and injured himself so severely that he was condemned to be shot. He was, however, reprieved at the last moment and recovered, though he bore the marks of tills accident all his life in the shape of broken knees. He was next sold for a very small price to run in a stage coach, but not proving a success at tills work, again changed hands for a good deal under one hundred dollars and became the property of Joseph Atkinson, a fanner in the neighborhood, who discovered his merits, and for whom he won a few minor races, and eventually passed into other hands and accomplished the performances of twice winning the Grand National Steeplechase in the years 1849 and 1S53. Peter Simple has been described to me by my father as a horse with powerful loins and quarters and great propelling power, but with very indifferent . , shoulders, and as one of the worst hacks imaginable. My cousin lias a painting of Peter Simple as a 1 foal running with his dam. He is shown as a 1 big, strong colt, while the mother is what we should now . describe as a good looking broodmare of hunter type and scarcely shows the quality one ; would expect in the dam of a Grand National 1 winner in these days.
