154 



RACING. 



have thought that the winner of the Derby should be 7 lbs. 

 better than the winner of the Oaks even in a year which in- 

 cluded Achievement amongst the entries for the latter race. 

 Sir Joseph maintained his confidence in The Palmer to the last 

 moment, and he started second favourite and finished eighth 

 in the enormous field of thirty runners. He was, however, a 

 useful animal, and in the autumn of 1868 carried off the Liver- 

 pool Cup from sixteen opponents with the respectable weight 

 of 8 St. 2 lbs. in the saddle. 



Note that the trial above narrated took place on the 

 Monday in the Epsom summer week ! 



How many owners or trainers would now-a-days venture 



to try within two days of the Derby ? It is needless to say that 



in the spring of the following year The Palmer's capabilities as 



a trial horse w^re not overlooked, and accordingly on May 12, 



1868, he was thus put through the mill with Rosicrucian and 



Blue Gown. 



One mile and a quarter. 



Won by a neck ; two lengths between second and third. 



Here we have a trial at exact weight for age between threes 

 and fours at one mile, with a quarter of a mile thrown in as a 

 iuck-penny to the old one. 



Sir Joseph always entertained the highest opinion of Rosi- 

 crucian, swearing (he could swear as emphatically as any man) 

 that Rosy was the best horse in his stable, as indeed this trial 

 would warrant him in believing ; but unhappily the public proof 

 of this superiority was never forthcoming, for the gallop of 

 May 12 settled the black, who went all to pieces afterwards. 

 He had been suffering from influenza for three months, with 



1 The trainer. 



