CHAPTER VII 



LORD DERBY, GEORGE IV., AXD RACING OF VARIOUS KINDS 



Edward Smith Stanley, twelfth Earl of Derby, whose 

 career on the Turf lasted nearly sixty years, was the 

 founder of the 'Oaks,' named after his seat in Surrey; of 

 the ' Derby,' named in his honour ; and of the meeting at 

 Aintree, near Liverpool, famous as the arena over which 

 the Grand National is decided. He made his debut on 

 the Turf in 1776, and was the breeder and owner of a 

 long list of winners. His filly Bridget, by King Herod, 

 headed the long list of Oaks winners, but luck did 

 not favour him in the Derby, as he was only once 

 victorious there — when Sir Peter Teazle, by Highflyer, 

 won the blue riband. 



Lord Derby was titled the ' Father of the Jockey Club,' 

 and no man lived more esteemed, or died more universally 

 regretted. His first wife was Lady Elizabeth Hamilton, 

 and the second was the celebrated beauty and actress. 

 Miss Farren. 



The Earl of Egremont won the Derby of 1782 with 

 Assassin, by Sweet Briar; in 1804 ^^'ith Hannibal; 

 in 1805 with Cardinal Beaufort; in 1807 with Election; 

 and in 1826 with Lapdog. He carried off the Oaks 

 prize also five times, and won the Oaks a second time 

 in 1794 with Heroine. 



George the Fourth was a ' Horse-delighting Prince,' the 

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