460 MAIS'UAL OF MODERI( FARRIERY. 



out of Spiletta, by Kegulus, son of tlie Godolpliiii Bard, out 

 of Mother Western, by a son of Snake, full brother to Wil- 

 liams's Squirrel ; lier dam Old Montague, grandson by Haut- 

 boy, out of the daughter of Brimmer, whose pedigree was 

 not preserved. Eclipse was bred by the Duke of Cumber- 

 land, and foaled during the great eclipse of 1764, whence 

 the name given him by the royal duke, at the sale of whose 

 stud he was purchased a colt, for seventy-five guineas, by 

 Mr. Wildman. 



For what reason, we have never been able to learn, this 

 celebrated horse was never raced until he was five years of 

 age, at which time he was entered at Epsom for the maiden 

 plate of fifty pounds. At first trial, such were the expec- 

 tations of the knowing ones, that four to one was betted in 

 his favour. At the second and winning heat of this race, 

 all the five horses were close together at the three mile- 

 post, when some of the jockeys used their whips. At this 

 time Eclipse was going at an easy gallop, Avhen he took 

 alarm at the crack of the whip, and bounded ofi" at his full 

 speed ; and although Oakley, his rider, was a man of power- 

 ful arm, he was not to be restrained, and in consequence 

 distanced the whole of his competitors. 



Before Eclipse ran for the king's plate at Winchester, in 

 1769, Mr. 0' Kelly purchased the half-share of him for six 

 hundred and fifty guineas. He afterwards became his sole 

 proprietor, for an additional sum of one thousand guineas. 

 It is said that one of the Bedford family asked 0' Kelly how 

 much he would take for Eclipse, when he replied, " By the 

 mass, my lord, it is not all Bedford level that would pur- 

 chase him." It is .said, that about this period he asked 

 from another person the modest sum of twenty-five thou- 

 sand pounds down, and an annuity of five hundred pounds 

 on his own life ; and the privilege of sending to him annu- 



