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REMINISCENCES OF THE CHESTER CITP. In view of the fart that on several occasions during recent years the Chester Cup failed to fill at the first attempt, it is difficult to realize that there was a time when the nominations for it ran into hundreds. Several instances occurred in the fifties as, for instance, in 1852 the entries numbered 210; in 1853, 210; in 1854. 214; and in 1853, 200. while In other years in that era of the race they were usually round about those totals. At that period, and for some time afterwards, the Cup was known as the Tradesmens Flate and gave rise to a volume of speculation to which the present day is quite a stranger. From a speculative standpoint it took precedence of the Derby, and books were open on it before Christmas, though the race was not decided . until May. Horses were backed before the entries, after the entries, Ik-fore the weights, after the weights, and after the acceptances right up to the day. and it will be seen that the great number of nominations gave opiiortunity for the laying of long prices, of which the public took every advantage. This extensive speculation led to certain abuses, and it was largely owing to scandals connected with the "list houses" that restrictive legislation was introduced. But though it was then brought within reduced limits, so far as the general public was concerned, the event remained for a long period a favorite betting medium and many fortunes were won in connection witli horses "laid out" for the favorite handicap, despite the risk from the nature and configuration of the course, of their chances being seriously interfered with. Thus the records show that many horses with light imposts were returned as winners, but the race is nevertheless associated with some notable performances under heavy weights, of which an early example was afforded when the six-year-old General Cliasse was successful in 1837 with 133 pounds up. and Cardinal Puff won as a five-year-old carrying 129 pounds two seasons later. Many three-year-olds that afterwards distinguished themselves in more important fields stand among the winners of the race, notably Nancy 1851. which was equal to taking the Goodwood Cup. Great Ebor Handicap. Great Yorkshire Plate and other races the same year; St. Albans, which in IStiO also won the Don-caster St. Legcr: and Tim Whiffler. successful in 1862. .loe Miller, another three-year-old, in 1852 won in the largest field 43 that ever went to the lH st for the event, though lie did nothing great afterwards. Several horses have won the Cup twice, the first to do so being I.ieaniington 1857 and 1859. which was subsequently sent to the "States" and passed his excellence along at the stud, and the next was Dalby, in IMi and 180tt. In connection with that horse, which won the first time as the Highflyers Dam colt then a four-year-old carrying 92 pounds, a large sum of money was won and as a previous winner lie was not overdone with 105 pounds the following year, when a second coup was brought off. The year prior to the first victory of Dalby the race was won by Flash in the Pan, an aged horse with only 88 pounds in the saddle, and he was one of the so-called "yearlings" belonging to Mr. Hughes, who was in the habit of running iiorses long after they had passed the "aged" stage and frequently did so with success. A unique record attaches to Flash in the Pan. He took part in all in sixty -one races, winning several of a more or less minor character, as follows: at two years he ran three times, at three years, 10; at four, 9; at five, 10; at six, 7; at seven, 14; at eight, 1; and at eleven. 1. He was eight years old when he won the Cup, that being the only race in which he took part that year, and did not run again after his solitary appearance at eleven years of age. For the Cup he started at 30 to 1 and won by ten lengths. Further instances of "doubles" were those of Pageant in 1877 and 1878, and of Dare Devil in 1892 and 1893. The first -named was a good class horse, belonging to the late F. Gretton and trained at Kiugsclere by John Porter that had a very creditable record during his career, and Dare Devil was the property of C. Perkins, a well-known patron of racing, especially in the north of England, in his day. and a patron of IAnsons stable. There was nothing particularly striking about the performances of either of those horses in tlie Cup, as they only «arried fair racing weights, but they were well barked each time they won, though the days of "coups" in connection with the race had almost gone by. One of the most jiopular Cup victories was that of Mr. Hodgmans three-year-old, Paul Jones, in 1868. He was highly thought of by his owner, and backed down to 6 to 4, the confidence placed in him being rewarded by a length victory from the 50 to 1 chance. Goodwood. Following Chester "the Buccaneer" was supported strongly for the Derby and there would have been great rejoicing in the camp of Ills partisans had he been successful for the Blue Uiband. He was supported down to 8 to 1, but found the company different from that on the Koodee, and made an indifferent show. That race saw the upset of Lady Elizabeth and the victory of Blue Gown, an immense favorite with the public despite the partiality of Sir Joseph Hawley for Green Sleeve and Itosicrucian, with which he declared to win in preference. One of the best jierformances in the Cup was that of Knight of the Garter in 1869. Carrying 127 pounds as a five-year-old. he won in a canter from a good class handicap field, in which Dalby and Paul Jones were endeavoring to repeat their previous successes, and there was also St. Mungo. a useful three-year-old of Mr. Merrys about which the most confident expectations were entertained. The latter managed to get second and Dalby was third, but neither had any chance with Knight of the Garter, which was ridden by Fordham. That great jockey had in his early days earned brackets in the race, for lie was on the back of Epaminondas when, a midget of sixty -six pounds, he rode that colt in 1854. Another creditable show was that of Asteroid, which won under 130 |K unds in 1803. having previously on several occasions shown that gift of staying which stood him in good stead on the Koodee. But, taking the event generally, it cannot claim in its roll of honor the names of so many great horses as can several other popular handicaps, lightly -weighted ones figuring largely in its annals. It is, however, one of the oldest established, having l een first run in 1824. and few have in their time stood higher in public favor. For a long period the Cup has been fortunate in the support of many turf patrons who fostered its fortunes when they were rather down at heel and the meeting had fallen on something like evil times. It may lie taken for granted that their names were not missing even when the Cup failed to fill and a second attempt became necessary. One of those friends is Mr. I., de Rothschild, and it would have been scurvy treatment on the part of Dame Fortune had she not given some recognition of such faithfulness. The reward has taken the shape of three Cup winners — Fashion in 1KM. Biscrta in 1883, and Santo Strato in 1909. and, while it goes without saying that those successes gave the public the greatest satisfaction, it is to be hoped there are many more in store for tie popular "blue and yellow." The Chester meeting, though the glory of the Cup has in a sense departed, was some years ago placed on a firm financial basis, and the strengthening of the program and the up-to-date methods adopted in its management are calculated to give it a still firmer footing. The meeting in peaceful times is held at a tinfe of year that affords httr.ictk.ns apart from those of the sport, and there happily seems no danger of a gathering that boasts so many stirring and historic associations dropping out of the fixture list. — London Sportsman. ! | , | j J ■ t , i i I i I I i :
