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DEAD TURFMANS GREAT JUMPING HORSES. Sir Charles Assheton-Smith lirst came into prominence in the raeiug world when, as Mr. Duff, he won the Grand National of 1S93 with Cloister. The gelding became the property of Mr. Duff shortly after he had been beaten by Come Away in the cress-country Blue Riband of 1S91. He did not carry his new owners colors until the following December, when he ran second to The Primate for the Metropolitan Steeplechase at Gatwick. Early in 1892 Cloister won a couple of minor events at Windsor, and in March was for the second time among the Grand National Held. On this occasion he had the substantial burden of 171 pounds to shoulder, but could only finish a respectable second to Capt. "Roddy" Owen on Father OFlynn. After a failure at Linglield. Cloister put up a sequence of victories by taking the Great Staffordshire Steeplechase at Wolverhampton, the Open Steeplechase at Tarporley Hunt, and tho Grand Sefton Steeplechase at the Liverpool Autumn Meeting. After such a successful season it was not surprising to find Cloister allotted 175 pounds in the Grand National of 1S93. Despite his big weight, the gelding was backed down to 9 to 2 in a field of fifteen, and justified the confidence reposed in him by a hollow victory, passing the post fully forty lengths in front of Ksop, his nearest attendant. This was a memorable race, for in addition to setting up a new time record of 9:32"t. Cloister successfully shouldered the highest weight ever carried to victory in the history of the contest. The character of his Aiutree victory caused backers to lay the extravagant odds of G to 1 on his chance for a weight-for-age steeplechase at Sandown the following month, in which he was only opposed by Horizon and Cheroot. Cloister, however, was apparently feeling the effects or his Aiutree exertions, for to the consternation of his suoportcrs Horizon beat him by fifteen lengths. After this Cloister was given a rest for the remainder of tho year, but was again nominated for the Grand National iu 1S94. His chance was quickly recognized by the public, and he developed Into a warm favorite, but was destined not to see the post. The pen was put through his unme a few days prior to the decision of the race, owing to tho gelding having gone lame. After this he was transferred from the Alresford stable to Harry Escotts place at Lewes, and in the following autumn he took the Grand Sefton Steeplechase at Liverpool in gallant style. Cloisters last success was in the Welsh Grand National at Cardiff. Some years elapsed before the colors of Sir Charles were again carried prominently in the Grand National. Early In 190S the deceased baronet acquired Jerry M a steeplechaser of repute in Ireland. One recalls his first appearance In this country. This was made in the New Century Steeplechase at Hurst Park in the March of the year mentioned, in which lie was opposed bv Whins-nade, which stnrted favorite. Master-at-Anns, and three others, "Jerry" winning comfortably. Oth?r victories followed, and the horse came to be regarded as a potential Grand National winner. His first efsay iu the great Aiutree event was made n 1910. when, with 175 ikhuhIs in the saddle, and starting in chief demand at G to 1, he ran np against his superior at the weights in Jenkins-town, which, carrying 145 pounds, beat the top-weight bv throe lengths. In Juno of the same veir Jerry M. cantered away with the Grand Steeplechase de Paris at Autenil. Two years later the horse made his second attempt in the Grand National, and on this occason his effort was attended with success. Again weighted at 175 pounds, and stnrting joint favorite witli Rathnally at 1 to 1. .lorry M. gave Ernest Piggott one of his most comfortable rides, finally y.-inuing easily by sixth lengths from Bloodstone. Apart from Cloister, only Manifesto had previously won the race with 175 pounds in tho saddle, and i,s li?11 ,.c,0,?tcr a1"1 Jm-V -M- f course, belonged to Sir Charles, the gentleman named could thus claim an interesting record. A few particulars concerning Jerrv M. may prove Interesting. Foaled iu 1903. he was sold as a youngster by his breeder. Mr. C. F. Hartigan to Mr. John Widger, who later parsed him on to the subject or this sketch, the purchase price being 1. .!! guineas. Jerry M. never fell in a race, though on two occasions ho parted company with his rider one of those will readily be recalled. "Jerrv" wa one of two runners iu a race at Newlmrv. odds of 20 to 1 being laid on Hit celebrated son of Walms pate. He was winning comfortably when he made a blunder. Driscoll lost his balance and fell off: anil the unconsidered outsider carried off the spoils. Tho other iiccasion was in a race at Hooton Park Wil9 a frWiey broke a stjrrup-leather and fell flo at the first open ditch. Altogether, Jerry M. won nearly ,00o for Sir C. Assheton-Smith. It may here be mentioned that only two owners Capt. Machell and Mr. Elmore had won three "Nationals," but it was hoped that through the agency of the winner of 1912 that record would I o equalled in 19EJ. "Jerry" was, it will be recalled, duly nominated for that race, but was struck out on the appearance of the weights. An cllieieut substitute was, however, found in Covertcoat, which a few weeks prior to "National" day had put up a rformance at Sandown Park suggesting even better things. The race under notice was tho Trial Steeplechase, run over a three-and-a-half miles course, Covertcoat winning by six lengths. At Liverpool Ballyhacklc was preferred to the Findou candidate, but. profiting by a series of accidents, the bearer of Sir Charless colors won by :i distance from Irish Mail later purchased by Covert-coats owner for 2,500 guineas with Carsey third, nothing else completing the course. In the spring of the present year Covertcoat attempted to record a second win. but, as history re-latcs, the race was won by Sunloch, whicli also was bought later by Sir Charles, always on look out for feeplechasers of the highest class. Apart from the celebrities named, the baronet owned such capable performers at National Hunt meetings as Caekler a brilliant horse over three miles or so Holy War. Bernstein, Lady Madcap, and Wild Aster, ne was, indeed, a staunch and lavish supporter of steeplechaslng. though, strangely, he took but little interest in the sport under Jockey Club rules. Owing to Ills heart affliction. Sir Charles was unable to stand the excitement attendant on racing to any extent. Indeed, he was forbidden bv his medical adviser to nartlcipate in the sport to which he was devoted, though he was occasionally seen at certain of the meetings, while he was present on the occasion of Jerry M.s "National success. H also acted as steward. London Sporting Life.
