Tivo Barigors — a True Story. 108 



Shropshire and North Wales. Where shall we look for 

 his like again ? 



A thorough knowledge of geography is necessary to a 

 wonld-be visitor to Bangor. Not many years back a 

 sporting resident in the Midlands decided to run his 

 horse there. He consulted. Bradshaw, chose his route, 

 telegraphed for a bed, and box for his horse, and in due 

 time arrived before nightfall. Capital quarters^an 

 excellent hotel ! " What other horses have arrived ? " 

 The Ostler : " None, sir." " How lucky ! Mostly trained 

 in the neigbbourhood, I suppose ? " " Don't know, sir." 

 " Humph. How far is the course from the town ? " 

 " Can't exactly say, sir." " Well, the races come of to- 

 morrow, don't they ? " " No, sir ; our races generally 

 take place in the summer." " The deuce — where ? " 

 '"Yonder, sir," pointing to the fading blue waves of the 

 Menai Straits. Away rushed the infuriated owner to 

 consult the landlord, and find out where the mythical 

 sporting Bangor really was. In the result a night 

 journey had to be undertaken back to Chester, and 

 Bangor course was just reached in time for the race in 

 which he had entered. This he nobly won, and grumbled 

 not over the extra cost, which his ignorance of localities 

 had entailed on him. For the future, however, he always 

 tells his pals to go to Bangor in Flintshire, if they want to 

 see a fine steeplechase course, and to eschew Bangor slates 

 and yacht racing ! 



I find I made an omission in my list of hunting sires 

 last week, which I hasten to correct. I forgot that 

 " Quits," by Eestitution out of Worthless, by Gemmi de 

 Yergy, was standing at Shifnal — a premier among hunters 

 in his day, and a rare stamp of a horse. " Traveller," 

 standing at Lea Bridge, close to the kennels, appears 

 without any name tn the Stud Book, but is well-bred 

 enough for anything, and I hoj)e is destined to make a 

 good name for himself in the district. 



A meeting has, I understand, been called for Saturday 

 next, by circular, inviting the aid of the county gentlemen 

 of Shropshire in the resuscitation of Shrewsbury Races. H 

 the county and town join hands over this imjjortant 

 sporting business there can be little donbt that success 

 will crown the edifice. On the other hand, its obliteration 

 from the list of old county fixtures will be a lasting dis- 

 grace, seeing how favourably it is placed for sport in all 



