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FAMOUS ENGLISH RIDERS Fordham, Archer and distance as George Hodgman Knew Them — Former Was Sensitive. Oeortre Tlodffman in his memoirs, "Sixty Years on the Turf." relates many fascinating stories concerning the famous British jockeys. Fred Archer and George Fordham. The following passages are taken from his bcok : Ample and entertaining as are the "Reminiscences" of my old friend, Harry Custance, he has, I venture to gently remind him. neglected to mention an amusing incident that occurred at Oarshalton when I lived there forty years ago. Custance and Fordham came down one day. They were to ride in a trial the next morning at Epsom Downs. In the evening we went to a little hostelry known as "The Greyhound," which was kept by and old gentleman named Denny. While we were seated in the cosy smoking room. Dr. Shorthouse entered, and here I must mention that I had instructed Mr. Denby and his family not to address Fordham and Custance by their own names — one was to be "Wilson" and the other "Simpson." After a few moments of general conversation I. knowing the Doctors prejudice against both Custance and Fordham. and noticing that he had not recognized either, said with the purpose of having some fun, "Doctor, what do you think of Custances riding now?" "Custance," retorted the peppery old gentleman, "He be damned ! He cant ride a bit. He hangs on. Thats all he does." Custance was at first inclined to take the affair seriously until I winked at him. "Well," I said, "perhaps there is some truth in what you say. But surely you will allow that Fordham is better." "Oh. yes ; hes a bit better. But mind you. not much. Tom Chaloner can beat his head off." The fun was a little bit too real for Fordham. so I suggested that the three of them should take a hand at cards while I looked on. They set to playing some simple game called. I believe, "Driving Jack Out of Town." The stakes were nominal, but Fordham and Custance won five shillings from the good Doctor. Both were as pleased as if they had netted a large sum. They might not be able to ride, but they were too clever for him at cards. ACCEPTS INVITATION. When we left the inn I said. "Doctor, in the morning I am going with these two gentlemen up to the Warren to have some shooting and a look at the house. Will you come and have a bit of lunch with us?" "Certainly." The hours shooting was a trial and we returned to "The Greyhound" expecting the Doctor. We stood outside the house and soon saw him walking briskly up. He carried a heavy ashplant with a top on it about the size of a decent cauliflower. Just before he reached us he raised his stick, and shaking it at Fordham and Custance called out : "Oh, Mr. Simpson and Mr. Wilson, Ive found you out. I know who you are. But I havent altered my opinion. Neither of you can ride." The only answer was a hearty laugh. Even the "Terrible Archer" acknowledged Fordhams unapproachable artistry, while he had a "holy horror" of his "kidding." "You look a trifle put out, Archer," I said one day. "Yes, and I feel what I look. And perhaps youd be put out if you were riding against Fordham in that race. He was cluck, clucking" at his mount the whole way. I thought I bad him beaten two or three times in th two miles. But with his infernal cluck, cluck" he was always coming again. Still, two hundred yards from home I supposed I had him dead settled. Ill cluck, cluck you, I thought, and at that instant he scoops on me and beats me easily. Yes. I do feel put out."
