Northallerlon Races. 

 The Town Plate of ;^5o, for maiden horses ; heats, two miles. 



97 



" 2nd Day — The Gold Cup, value lOO guineas, b}' a subscription of lo 

 sovs. each, for all ages ; two miles. 



"Silver Cup, value ^50, by a subscription of 5 sovs. each, for maiden 

 horses, etc.; heats, two miles. 



" 3rd Day — Plate of ^50 for all ages; two mile heats. 



" These races, like many others, are most unnecessarily protracted to 

 three days — the list of sport being barely sufficient for two." 



" The Druid," in Silk and Scarlet, writes : 



"About 1807, Shepherd, Jackson, Billy Peirse and Ben Smith had all 



the best of the Northern Riding Jackson, who only yielded to Bill 



Scott in the number of Leger victories, had a rare start with Mr. Hutchin- 

 son's stable, which he knew right well how to use. He had the prettiest 

 seat of the four, .... No man was ever more honest and respectable ; 

 but, although he had been able to ride 7 st. 7 lb. almost to the last, he had 

 t>ut little left when he died. Before he took to his inn at Northallerton, he 

 held the race-course farm, and the horses made the turn just below his 

 front door. On both afternoons he was wont to keep open house for his 

 friends ; but his kindness was sadly abused, and scores who scarcely knew 

 him by sight used to be found deep in his beef and beer." 



The racecourse was situated near the railway station, the 

 new County Hall being built near where the old grandstand 

 stood. The final fixture was held early in the eighties, and if 

 my memory serves me aright, the winner of the last great North 

 Riding Handicap, value £^0 (the " big race "), was Mr. John 

 Osborne's " Evening Chimes," distinguished as the dam of 

 " Matin Bell " (the Northumberland Plate winner of 1888), 

 owned by the late Mr. C. Perkins, trained by Harry Hall, and 

 ridden by Seth Chandley. — Ed.] 



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