Racing Career 



only two in number, I fancy, himself and an officer in the nth 

 Hussars — who ever succeeded in taking the big " Double " at 

 Punchestown — then twice as formidable an obstacle as that now 

 in existence — in a fly. 



The late Mr. Leopold de Rothschild, as we all know, 

 eventually blossomed forth into one of the most influential 

 owners of racehorses in the kingdom ; whilst as to his popularity 

 it is no exaggeration to assert that, with the exception of the 

 purple and scarlet livery of His Majesty, there were no racing 

 colours in existence which met with such a spontaneous 

 welcome from the crowd when they were seen in the van as the 

 "dark blue and yellow " of popular " Mr. Leo." 



Again, where is the visitor to any of the principal Hare and 

 Hound shows held in different parts of the country, during the 

 last forty years or so, who is not familiar with the striking 

 personality of the Rev. Cecil Legard, who in the capacity of 

 judge — and a good judge too, as the song says — was always 

 much " in evidence " in the show ring on these occasions ? 



French's, which was the recognized headquarters of the 

 creme de la creme y so to speak, of the sporting set at Cambridge, 

 was a most exclusive establishment and exceedingly difficult to 

 get into, every one desirous of becoming a member having to 

 be proposed and seconded just the same as at a club. What- 

 ever his intentions in the future, there can be no question but 

 that the young freshman's first thoughts on commencing his 

 university career ran entirely to Horse and nothing else, it 

 being significant that on a near relative of his own, on a visit to 

 Cambridge, calling on him at his lodgings one day in his 

 absence, was highly amused on casting an eye round the sitting- 

 room to note that its chief furniture apparently consisted of a 

 chair and a riding-whip. 



In November, 1865, we find him sporting silk for the first 



95 



