128 Mr. Sawrey-Cooksoii's Stud. 



" Mr. Cookson is a Graduate of Trinity, Cambridge (1839), 

 and has been a hunting man from his earhest days. He was 

 master of the Hurworth first in 1862 until 1865, when Major 

 Elwon took them for two years. Mr. Cookson then resuming 

 the mastership, which he held to 1872, when Lord Castlereagh 

 came to the head of affairs ; he, in his turn, to be succeeded 

 by Major Godman, who finally, in 1879, resigned the office 

 in favour of the old master. 



*' Some forty years ago, there was no better man across a 

 country in the North of England than the master of the 

 Hurworth, and he still, on a horse that knows his work, is to 

 be found in the same field with the hounds. Not alone with 

 his own pack either, but men who hunt with Lord Zetland, 

 the Bedale, and the South Durham, know well his good seat 

 and fine hands. In his younger days, too, he sported his 

 colours on the flat, and could hold his own against some of the 

 great men who wore silk, both north and south of the Trent. 



" There is no better-known man in the North of England 

 than Mr. Sawrey-Cookson, and very few so popular. He is 

 fond of the racecourse, as he is bound to be ; but his chief 

 enjoyment is among his mares and yearlings of Neasham. He 

 is the most genial of companions, with a Turf lore that makes 

 us envious as we listen to him. Long may his years be at 

 Neasham, and often may we meet him in the paddock at 

 Doncaster, or on his hospital coach at Stockton or Redcar, 

 and then, if a home-bred one has won the Champagne or the 

 Hardwicke, or taken the Great Foal Stakes, we know the 

 grasp of his hand will be warmer, and there will be in his voice 

 a cheerier ring. So may it be." 



Mr. Cookson's Stud.* 



" ' Kettledrum ' (1861), good horse though he no doubt 



* From The History and Romance of the Derby. 



