THE TURF. 
the largest and the noblest thorough-bred horses ever 
seen in England, and the sires of many good ones ; 
but his two best racers were Meteora, not fifteen hands 
high, and Violante ; the latter the best four-miler of 
her day.* The earl was the first patron of Stubbs, the 
horse-painter, whose pencil may be said to have 
founded a new branch of the art in this country, on 
which the painters of the present day have improved, 
adhering more closely to nature than their exemplar. 
The late Duke of Bedford was likewise a great patron 
of the turf previously to his taking to farming, and had 
more than thirty horses in training at one time. 
Among these was Grey Diomed, remarkable for his 
races with Escape and Traveller at Newmarket ; also 
Skyscraper, Fidget, and Dragon, f His grace was a 
great loser, and probably retired in disgust. Charles 
Fox was also deep in the mysteries of the turf, and a 
very heavy bettor. The father of the present Prince 
(the trainer) trained for him, and South and Chifney 
were his jockeys ; but the distemper in his stables 
ruined his stud. These were also the days of the then 
Dukes of Kingston, Cleveland, Ancaster, Bridgewater, 
and Northumberland ; Lords Rockingham, Bolingbroke, 
Chedworth, Barrymore, Ossory, Abingdon, and Foley ; 
* Francis Buckle always insisted on John Bull having been the best 
horse, and Violante the best mare he ever rode over a course. 
+ The grandfather of Mr. Stevens, the trainer, late of Bourton-on-the- 
Hill, but now of Ilsley, Berkshire, where, perhaps, is the best ground in 
England for his purpose, trained those celebrated horses. 
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