Mr. J. M. Richardson's Writings Collated 



most sensational Derby of our generation was that of Hermit. 

 When the horse burst a blood-vessel some time before the race 

 Mr. Chaplin would have scratched him there and then, but for 

 the persuasion of Captain Machell, who insisted that he would 

 win. It was then that the late Duke of Hamilton, meeting 

 Machell one night, and the Derby being under discussion, 

 thoroughly roused the Captain by saying, " Hermit's a dead'un, 

 and you know it," the result of which speech was that the 

 Duke laid Captain Machell the big bet of ,£180,000 to ^3000 

 against the colt. This was a strongish order, and so thought 

 the Duke on reflection, and it was only after pressure, backed 

 by the most influential people, had been brought to bear on 

 Captain Machell, that the latter consented to cancel the bet, 

 or, at all events, to modify it to more slender dimensions. 

 After Hermit's victory, this concession on his part no doubt 

 rankled in the Captain's bosom, for he never ceased harping 

 on the subject for years afterwards. The cold day and snow- 

 storm combined were no doubt in Hermit's favour, as, had it 

 been the other extreme, the chances are he would have broken 

 another blood-vessel. 



Reforms needed. 



The paddock has lost nothing of its charm in all these 

 years, and still wears its same animated appearance before 

 the big race. The only marvel is that, considering the large 

 number of the fair sex who patronize it, the executive, who 

 could so well afford to bear the expense, do not make a 

 covered road from the grand stand, instead of compelling the 

 ladies to thread their way through the unsavoury crowd which 

 is always collected there. It would also be a boon to the 

 jockeys and trainers, hurrying to get to their horses after the 



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