57 



At that time I probably had the best racing stable in the 

 world. While in point of numbers it did not exceed some 

 others, the caliber of the horses was better. The fame of 

 the string was widespread and the Missourians were anxious 

 to meet me on my return. Several owners went to Ken- 

 tucky and bought the best horses that were obtainable there. 

 We met again in the fall, but the result was the same. Once 

 more they fell victims to the superior speed and handling of 

 the Davis-O'Fallon string. 



Gen. Woodford was a noted horse in Kentucky, and 

 Charles L. Hunt and James Loop paid $7,000 for him, be- 

 lieving he could take the measure of the mighty Plantaganet. 

 He was the chief contender against our horse in the two big 

 stakes, but we had no trouble in disposing of him in easy 

 style. The Banshee swept the three-year-old platter and 

 Altavela attended to all the business in the two-year-old line 

 with scarcely an effort. By this time it was considered that 

 our string was almost invincible. There was no one who 

 could beat us and we seldom lost anything after which we 

 went. 



At New Orleans the same fall The Banshee represented 

 us in the three-year-old stakes over the old Metaire Course, 

 which, by the way, is now a cemetery, having been donated 

 for that purpose by Colonel Howard, a lottery king, who 

 had been blackballed when he applied for membership to the 

 jockey club. To avenge himself for the slight placed upon 

 him he purchased the course and gave it to the city for a 

 cemetery. Milk-white tombstones now have taken the place 

 of the feet of flying horses, and the touts who are seen there 

 are poor fellows who have come to visit the graves of de- 

 parted relatives. 



There The Banshee brought sorrow to the stable. She 

 was defeated by Locust Post in a dash of a mile, but at that 

 she only lost by a head. Two days later she redeemed her- 

 self by beating the same horse, Gen. Ewell and Bayonet in a 

 two-mile-heat race. Both heats fell to her, and at no time 

 during the race did any horse reach her side. The rider was 

 determined to win. 



On the fourth day of the same week Plantaganet de- 

 feated Bayonet, Gilroy and others in a three-mile-heat event, 

 winning two heats and stamping him as a wonderful per- 



