AND TIMES OF JOHN OSBORNE 47 



he sold her to the Duke of Westminster. When 

 the Duke got her she was first mated with 

 Specuhmi, and I don't know what beside, before 

 she threw Ormonde." 

 Lily Agnes's six-lengths' victory in the Tyro Stake 

 at Newcastle-on-Tyne was her first indication of the 

 excellence she afterwards develoi^ed on a racecourse. 

 A lop-eared, ragged-hipped filly, she altogether upset 

 Sir Tatton Sykes' poor estimate of her worth, which 

 was to be confirmed in late years at the stud with the 

 happy issue of the Macaroni cross. In her lightness she 

 bore the earlier traits of the Agnes family. As time wore 

 on she developed grand muscular and propelling power, 

 with beautiful skimming action over the ground 

 that served to consolidate the fortune of " Sir 

 Tatton's " stud groom. Her two-year-old career 

 closed with an unbroken record of success. As a 

 three-year-old she ran ten times, winning on seven 

 occasions, defeating, amongst others, high-class animals, 

 hke Controversy, Lilian, and The Scamp. Notable 

 amongst her triumphs were a Northumberland 

 Plate, a Doncaster Cup, and the Ebor Handicap, 

 carrying 8 stone 8 lbs., in which she defeated 

 Aventuri(^Te, thereby upsetting one of Fred Swindell's 

 deeply laid plans in the Cesarewitch of the preceding 

 year, Aventuridre afterwards winning a Goodwood Cup. 

 Placing Alice Hawthorn, as John Osborne does, on 

 an equine pedestal of the highest eminence, an excuse 

 is offered to dwell on her wonderful career ahke as a 

 racer and a matron. Fortunately for the modern breed 

 of thoroughbreds, mares like " Old Alice," Bee's-wing, 

 Blink Bonny, and Caller Ou have transmitted some, 

 if not all, their good attributes which served to gain 

 them renown in the Turf annals of their days. John, 



