CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I 



THE DAWN OF STEEPLECHASING 



Origin of steeplechasing, 3. Its relation to hunting, 4. Ireland the 

 birthplace of steeplechasing", 4. Early match in Ireland, 4. Early 

 Leicestershire matches, 4, 5. " The first steeplechase on record," 5. 

 Definition of " featherweight," 7. Jumping in Ireland, 7. "Curious 

 horse race," 7, 8. Match between Mr. Bullivant, Mr. Day, and Mr. 

 Frisby, 8. Bedford made course steeplechase, 9. Derby match, 11. 

 Irish steeplechasing, 11. Match between Mr. Melprop and Mr. Arnold, 

 12. "Tumble-down" races, 12, 13. 



CHAPTER n 



ORGANISED STEEPLECHASING : ST. ALBANS 



Inauguration of the St. Albans steeplechases by Coleman, 17. His early 

 training at Ascot, 18. Sets up on his own account, 18. His sharp 

 practice, 18. Moves to St. Albans, 19. Builds the Turf Hotel, 19. 

 His patrons, 20. Lord George Bentinck and the Running Rein fraud, 

 20. Coleman's ventures, 21. He arranges the first St. Albans steeple- 

 chase, 22. Lord Clanricarde, 22, 23. Blind horse ridden in a steeple- 

 chase, 24. First Hertfordshire steeplechase, 25. Captain Becher, 26. 

 The 1832 steeplechase, 29. Squire Osbaldeston and Grimaldi, 31. 

 Coleman's joke against Mr. Osbaldeston, 32, ^;^. And against Anderson 

 the singer, 34. Mr. Joseph Anderson the dealer, 35. The 1833 

 steeplechase, 38. And the 1834, 38. Lord Frederick Beauclerc, 39, 

 40. Jem Mason, 40. Sketch of his life, 40-46. Colonel Charretie, 46. 

 Anecdotes of him, 48. The 1835 steeplechase, 49. And the 1836, 51. 

 Dropping of the steeplechases contemplated by Coleman, 52. Cup 

 given by Prince Esterhazy, 53. The race for it, 54. Second 1837 

 race, 56. The steeplechaser Lottery, 59. Elmore's connection with 

 him, 59. History of the horse, 60-64. The 1839 steeplechase, 65. 

 Last St. Albans race, 66. Criticism of Coleman's methods, 68, Ben 

 Land, 69. 



