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WHEN ROYATLY LOST RACE Scheming Trainer Outwitted by Another and Is Disgraced Being Account of Ancient 3Iatch Bace In InVhich Vhich Merlin Triumphs Orcr Framptons FramptonsHorse Horse with Disastrous Consequences Showing that a smart horseman may some ¬ times be outwitted by another just as smart the American Turf Register of 1833 printa the following rather amusing incident incidentThe The celebrated Merlin a north country horse was matched to run against a favor ¬ ite horse of Framptons who was keeper of the race horses of William III Queen Anne George I and George H HMerlin Merlin was sent to Newmarket to be trained by one Histeline who meeting acci ¬ dentally with Framptons groom the latter proposed to run the horses a secret trial with the weights etc according to the match with a view to benefiting their friends when the race should take place The offer was declined by Histeline but in such a manner as to induce the belief that it might yet be acceded to toCHEATING CHEATING A CHEATER CHEATERHisteline Histeline made the communication to Sir William Strickland the principal backer of Merlin who directed him to run the trial and to carry seven pounds more than was agreed upon in the match but unknown to his opponent opponentWhen When the grooms met again Framptona groom pressed the matter using the most persuasive agruments to induce Histeline to accede Now Frampton had given orders that his horse should carry seven pounds extra likewise likewiseThe The horses were prepared and privately ran the trial the same distance agreed upon in the match each carrying seven pounds extra the jockeys believing they had deceived each other Merlin won by little more than a length Respective communica ¬ tions were made to the owners who were equally confident of success successTERIFIES TERIFIES THE TRIAL TRIALConsequently Consequently proposals were made and taken to run the match for a much larger sum than was at first agreed upon Mer ¬ lins friends who were in the secret argu ¬ ing that as he had beaten his antagonist carrying seven pounds more he must win easily with equal weights On the other hand Frampton said As my horse ran him so close with seven pounds more on his back he must win with equal weight weightMerlin Merlin was backed to an incredible amount and it was generally thought that more money was wagered on the race than was ever known on a similar occasion occasionAt At length the important hour arrived when a race so important to hundreds was to be decided Each side was flushed with con ¬ fident hopes of success The horses started The race was won by Merlin by nearly the same distance as in the secret trial Hun ¬ dreds who had wagered their all were ruined Some little time after the artifice intended to be practiced by Frampton was discovered to his disgrace The legislature in order to put a stop to such ruinous conser quences passed an act to prevent the recov ¬ ery of any sum over ten pounds wegcred on a horse race
