Racing Career 



Beyond a visit each year to the Derby and Ascot and the 

 Leger, and perhaps Newmarket in the autumn, in company with 

 the Countess of Yarborough, when he made one of a house- 

 party to witness the two last great handicaps of the year and 

 foregather with his old friends, Mr. Richardson only took a 

 passing interest in the Turf, the Grand National, which he 

 generally attended if not hunting or otherwise engaged, as 

 might be expected, being more to his liking than all the rest 

 put together. 



On arrival on the course at Epsom on the Derby Day, he 

 would make straight for the Paddock, and in that hallowed 

 spot he would remain until he had carefully inspected and 

 criticized all the horses engaged in the big race. Needless to 

 say, his opinion on these occasions was eagerly sought after 

 by his friends, who, it almost goes without saying, if they took 

 his advice, as was generally the case, could hardly fail to profit 

 by what they heard. Not a thing seemed to escape his notice, 

 and if there was a weak spot to be found in any of the favourites, 

 his practised eye would detect it in a moment. 



I remember a few years ago asking him his opinion of a 

 red-hot favourite for the Oaks, who had just passed him in 

 review. He shook his head ominously. "A nice mare 

 enough," was his reply, " and may do well later on when she 

 has grown and filled out a bit, but in my humble opinion she 

 won't do for to-day's race at all. As she passed me just now," 

 he added, " I could hear her joints crack as she walked along." 

 How right he was there was ample proof later on, the mare 

 in question being hopelessly out of it long before the finish. 



Another instance of Maunsell Richardson's sound judgment 

 was on that memorable afternoon in 1908, when Signorinetta 

 won the Derby so unexpectedly for the Chevalier Ginistrelli. 

 He had just finished his inspection of the Derby horses, and 



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