200 REMINISCENCES OF SONEPORE. 



Minette, Jimmy's Wagunyah securing second money. Them 

 came the turn up of the meeting the " P.I.G." Purse Torch- 

 light was in it (and very well in it apparently), giving seven 

 pounds to the very moderate Jubilee, and fourteen pounds 

 over weight for class to Young Manchester, who was some 

 three stone worse than Harlequin ; so the black waler was 

 made a strong favorite, and supported by her owner with the 

 bookies at 2 to i on. The countrybred looking as handsome 

 as paint and ridden by old Abdul, led out at such a pace, 

 that Ryder had to commence riding Torchlight at the half 

 mile post, Jubilee never being in it; the game old mare answered 

 to every call and crept up inch by inch, and opposite the stand 

 was as nearly as possible level ; the white-headed old native, 

 however, did not lose his head, and riding capitally just 

 managed to land first past the post by a short head. The last 

 race on the card brought out three ponies, the countrybred 

 mare, Breach of Promise, being handicapped to give her two 

 waler adversaries seven pounds. This seemed to be- distinctly 

 rough on her, but her owner, Jack Lowis, being a real good 

 sportsman, determined to let her run ; game mare as she was 

 she h'i:l no chance with Catseye, who won with a stone in 

 hand. So finished 1888. Captain Horace Hayes was at the 

 meeting, a guest of Jimmy's. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 



YEAR 1889. 



Early in 1889 racing, as far as countrybreds were con- 

 cerned, received a heavy blow by the resolve of General 

 Parrott to close his breeding stud at Karnaul, but the fine old 

 man had more than proved the ability of Northern India to; 

 produce clean bred horses with stamina; bone and size. In 

 February poor old Mr. Abercrombie, who had for so many 

 years been associated with Sonepore, died at Somastipore, 

 aged sixty- nine. He had retired from the service and was 



