232 ASHGILL; OR, THE LIFE 



Osbomes. Holy Friar, on the second day, gave John a 

 comfortable ride home for the Prince of Wales Stakes, 

 in which Mr. " Launde's " hitherto unbeaten son of 

 Hermit and Thorsday had Maud Victoria, the Viridis 

 hlly, Kadmos, and Thirkleby behind him. On the third 

 day he also steered Holy Friar to victory in the 

 Gimcrack Stakes, beating Activity and Veranger, the 

 latter one of Mr. Vyner's. The very next event he won 

 — a match of 50 sovs., T.Y.C., on Mr. Herbert's Lady 

 Knowsley against Mr. Ranki's Sans Souci, the betting 

 being 4 to 1 on the former, and the latter ridden by 

 Mr. G. S. Thompson, then a prominent gentleman 

 jockey. In a desperate finish, John squeezed Lady 

 Knowsley home by a short head. 



The succeeding race was the Great Yorkshire Stakes, 

 which kept up its reputation of being one of surprises. 

 The appearance of Apology naturally invested the 

 contest with importance after her triumphs in the One 

 Thousand and the Oaks. Most danger was apprehended 

 from Mr. Marshall's Trent, who had disposed of 

 Rostrevor the previous week at Stockton, that being 

 considered a rather smart perfomance. Built on a small 

 scale, Trent was almost a pony as compared with Mr. 

 " Launde's " slashing mare. Odds of 9 to 4 were laid on 

 Apology, who made the running at a very bad pace, 

 foUovv^ed by Trent, Daniel, and Volturno, until haK a 

 mile from home where Trent and Daniel joined Apology, 

 who, though she very soon disposed of Daniel, was still 

 being taclded by Mr. Marshall's colt, the result being 

 that Apology was dethroned, a.mid a furore of excite- 

 ment, by a head. The defeat materially affected her 

 St. Leger market status, for after 900 to 200 had been 

 laid twice, 1000 to 200 was noted against her, George 

 Frederick, the hero of the Derby, as a consequence of 



