THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



and some of thoiu in as constant practice as any of the regular 

 jockeys. And a curious fact may here be mentioned, and of 

 which Frank Raby was a witness. The Prince of Wales had 

 a horse called Ploughater, by Trumpeter, out of an Everoreen 

 mare, and bred by Lord Clermont, which was extremely diffi- 

 cult to ride, from his hard pulling, and awkward position of 

 his head in his gallop. The Duke of Dorset, however, rode 

 him in several successful races, but at length broke a blood- 

 vessel by the exertion. Having lost a great quantity of blood, 

 His Grace did not appear on the course the next day, but on 

 the following one, to the surprise of all persons who saw him, 

 he not only appeared, but insisted upon mounting Ploughater 

 again, who had to walk over the course for a Stakes. 



There was something especially jockey-like in the appearance 

 of the Duke of Dorset, his brother Germain, and Delme Rad- 

 cliffe, not only when mounted on race-horses, but when seen 

 riding on the course, on their hacks, often with their saddles 

 buckled to their sides, after the manner of the professional 

 men. Indeed, it is much to be doubted whether there was so 

 much as two pounds in weight difference between the perform- 

 ance of that trio, as well as of Mr. Hawkes, and the best of the 

 jockeys in those days. Hawkes's forte was as much making 

 play in running, as in what is called a waiting race, by his 

 excellent judgment of pace. In fact, he was a perfect horse- 

 man, either over a course or a countiy. George Pigot was 

 likewise very good in his saddle, but had not the head of 

 Hawkes in a near race. Sir Tatton Sykes was a second 

 Hawkes, cool, and with a beautiful hand. Of his coolness, 

 perhaps, nothing can beat what I am now about to relate. 

 When riding a match, at York, his horse bolted, and, falling- 

 over some rails, he, of course, fell to the ground. His anta- 

 gonist, having observed the accident, was cantering gently 

 along towards the winning-post, supposing the race to be his 

 own ; when, within a few yards of home, he was passed by a 

 horseman, in a coat and hat, who wished him a pleasant ride. 

 This was Sir Tatton, who had borrowed the coat and hat from 

 a bystander, wlicn he fell, and thus deceived his competitor, 

 who mistook him for one of the crowd. So fond was Sir Tatton 

 of riding races, that lie has been known to ride a hundred 

 miles for that sole purpose, and return to Yorkshire on his 

 hack immediately on the event being decided. Of Mr. Bullock 



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