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j 1 1 : : 1 OLD-TIME TURF PLUNGERS. "The strongest motive with all mankind." says Ralph Nevill in his interesting book "Light Come, Light Go." nliout famous gamblers and old-time sportsmen, "after tho more sordid necessities are provided for, is excitement." That, I think, is true. In some of us it takes the form of a passion for travel, in others for active sport, in others for passive sport for gaming or betting in others for music or art, or the reading of books of lictiOn or adventure, in others for drugs or drink, or politics, or love, or even the more vivid sorts of religion. The spirit of man and woman clamors for some means of escape from the daily round, whether of domestic or social duties, industrial, commercial or professional pursuits. "It is Impossible to dragoon human nature into virtue," says Mr. Nevill. "Gambling will continue, even should all card playing be declared Illegal, and all the race courses ploughed up." I do not think this proposition will be disputed by any man of the world who knows anything of history and his foKow-creatuies. Lord Roseberry once said that he did "not think anyone need pursue the turf with the idea of gain;" and presumably ho meant this view to cover both the punter and the owner. Undoubtedly it does cover nine hundred and ninety-nine out of every thousand in both classes. Yet there have been own-ore who for a time at least made large sums out of their horses. Henry Chaplin, for instance, netted .OO0 when Hermit won the Derby, and John Hammond cleared between 50,000 and .00,000 by the victory of Herminius which he bought for ,200 in the Ascot Stakes of 1SSS. Thormanbys Derby win brought James Merry 00,000. and Mr. Naylor picked up nearlv 00,000 over Macaroni in 1S03. Lord George Bentinck stood to win 1913.sh75,000 with Gaper in tho Derby. He actually won 1913.sh0,000 by the victory of Cotherstone, and in 1S45 his letting book showed a favorable balance of 00,000. These profits, however, diil not come from his own horses altogether, and he never captured the Derby, although the winner of 1S4S came from ills stud after be had sold out. On the other hand, he was first with Crucifix in the Two Thousand, the One Thousand and the Oaks in 1S40. In his later years Sir Joseph Hawley ran a crusade against "plunging," but shortly before tills he had taken 00,000 to ,000 about each of the fillies entered in his name for the classic races. The Marquis of Hastings, who iost 00,000 over Hermits Derby win and would have Iost 1913.sh00,000 had the horse that was second been first, made 75,000 on Lecturer for the Cesarewitch. Some of the bookmakers carried heavy liabilities on the big races in mid-Victorian days. One of thw most famous, Davies by name, more than once had a Derby book running into six figures. He generally lost money on the Derby and Oaks, and won it on the St. Leger. He dropped anything between 50.-000 and 00,000 when Daniel ORourke pulled off the Derby, having laid a great deal of money at 100 to 1. When West Australian won, Davies lost 40,000, of which 50,000 went to the owner; and the victory of Teddington in 1S51 cost him 50,000, one check alone being for 5,000. Over a million guineas was lost and won on the St. Leger of 1S00; it ruined several wealthy men. The licst win for tho small men in the history of the turf is said to have been Voltigeurs victory in the St. Leger of 1S50. Voltigeur also won the Don-caster Cup in the same year. "Many of the York-shirenien," wo are told, "caroused all night." One of them is reported as saying: "Whod go to bed when Voltigeurs won the St. Leger and tho Cup?" Some of my elderly readers may remember that great year. Of course, Mr. Nevill has much to say about that rare old sportsman, the Duke of Cumberland, who founded the Ascot meeting, and who, when out hunting, used to play at hazard "on every green hill and under every green tree" witli Lord Sandwich, as often as the hounds were checked. The Duke owned a famous horse called King Herod, which beat the Duke of Graftons Antlnous in a private mutch over the Beacon Course at Newmarket, when more than 00,000 changed hands. The Dukii also bred what the authorities regard as, I believe, "the greatest horse of all time" Eclipse, so named because it was foaled during the eclipse of 1704. Eclipse, which died in 17S9, had a strange history, and a horrible temper. When, at the death of the Duke, his Royal Highnesss stud was brought to the hammer. Eclipse was purchased as a colt by Mr. Wildman who appears to have had some insight into his value under curious circumstances. Mr. "Wildman, who had, it was reported, been put into possession of the extraordinary promise evinced by a particular chestnut colt when a yearling, adopted the following questionable measures inorder to make sure of him. When he arrived at the place of sale, Mr. Wildman produced his watch, and insisted that the auction had commenced before the hour which had been announced in the advertisements, and that the lots should be put up again. In order, however,-to prevent a dispute, it was agreed by the Uuc-tioneer and company that Mr. Wildman should have his choice of any particular lot. By this means it is generally believed he became possessed of Eclipse at the moderate price of 70 or 75 guineas. Eclipse did not appear upon the turf till he was five years old, and so Invincibly bad was Ills temper that it was for some time uncertain -whether he would not he raced as a gelding. It is by mere" accident, indeed, that the most celebrated of lish stallions was preserved to adorn the calendar with the glories of his descendants. Sydney Referee. 1 1 ; ; i :
