CHAPTER XXV 



THE FRENCH NEWMARKET 



One and Only Sweeper — Charlie " Cards ■' — Incidents of the Commune 

 — The Late Alf Suffolk — Danny Maher's First Appearance on a 

 French Racecourse— American Riders — Late Tom Lane before a 

 Big Race — William Pratt and George Stern 



There were some good times at Chantilly with capital 

 hospitality from trainers and others. " Bill " Sweeper, 

 who then trained for Prince Murat, is known both in 

 France and England. He was always a good friend to 

 me, putting me wise about all sorts of odd things which 

 made life more welcome and my work easier. I am 

 glad that the cordial friendship has been continued 

 to this day. George Milton, who trained then for 

 M. Marghilowan, was a most hospitable man. He com- 

 bined veterinary surgery with training, and won many 

 races. Milton could be more emphatic about the 

 chance of a horse of his than many others. " Bob " 

 Ruddock — well, everyone knows him. He is the most 

 English of the English, yet has become quite a French- 

 man in his command of argot and flow of oratory 

 when he is excited, especially at pigeon-shooting. 

 I am picking out those men who were among the best 

 known in my days there. 



Lord Alfred Douglas — in a spirit of quixotism — 

 wanted to give a has-been of a jockey a chance — and a 

 mount. " Why do you want to throw the chance of 

 winning away, my lord ? " asked Sweeper. " I saw 

 your man this morning." 



" How did he look ? " asked the owner. 

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