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could name some very promising young uns coming on, clii2>s 

 of the old block. In 1856 that genuine sportsman, Mr. James 

 Hunter of Newmains and Glenapp, suggested that we should 

 have a hunt steeple-chase, gentlemen riders, only horses regu- 

 larly hunted with the L. and R hounds to be allowed to run, and 

 riders to wear red coats. The first race came off at Newmains, 

 for a cup given by Mr. Hunter. Mr, Couper's brown gelding, 

 " Wellington," was made favourite, but he came to grief at' 

 the second fence, and " Coltness," belonging to Mr. Hunter, 

 which he bought from Mr. W. Houldsworth, won easy, piloted by 

 " Willie Redfern." Mr. H. afterwards sold this horse to 

 Mr. Little Gilmour, of Leicestershire renown, where he after- 

 wards broke his back. I recollect getting a tremendous 

 cropper in this race, riding a bay of Mr. H.'s. Next year the 

 race was run at Carnwath, when Mr. J. Houldsworth, on his 

 mare "Brunette," won, myself second, on "Lanark." During 

 the race Mr, Couper was again unfortunate. Cannoning with 

 another gentleman at a bank, he got very badly cut in the 

 face. Mr. C. Higginbotham, on his grey, came out at the 

 finish, and looked very like winning, but rolled over in the 

 last field, and was out of it. Next time it was resolved to 

 change the venue to the old ground at Houston, where, for 

 the first time, we had 12 and 13 stone steeple-chases for love, 

 with a scurry for outside horses added. 



These steeple -chases became very popular afterwards 

 amongst all classes of men, and were generally called the 

 " Glasgow Derby," and it was quite a sight to see the road 

 on the way, every sort of vehicle being put into requisition, 

 Mr, J, Houldsworth, Mr. Couper, and Mr. Hinshaw, were the 

 chief winners. The races, which were a first-rate day's 

 outing for all Glasgow, might have been carried on yet if it 

 had not been for the infiuence of a certain clergyman, 

 persuading the farmers that racing was immoral. Under this 

 uncalled-for interference, the best part of our country was 

 refused us, and a very bad line had to be laid out, the 

 consequence being that at a nasty fence poor Mr. Taylor 

 from Ayrshire was killed. There have been no steeple-chases 



