VARIOUS RACES 283 



1826 



Passing over a number of unimportant chases, in 

 many of which members of the Farley Hunt figured, 

 we come, in 1826, to a challenge, for nothing ever came 

 of it, by Mr. Richard Bulkeley Williams, who, being a 

 very young man, one evening after dinner offered to ride 

 four miles across Leicestershire against any man, or 

 any horse, for the sum of 1500 guineas. Such an offer 

 was not likely to go long begging, and Mr. Ducie (after- 

 wards Lord Morton), on behalf of himself, Lord Kennedy, 

 and Captain Ross, accepted the challenge, the three 

 standing 500 guineas apiece, and as soon as ever terms 

 were arranged, Captain Ross sent a letter to Dick 

 Christian to secure his services as jockey ; but, as above 

 mentioned, they were not required. 



1830 



Among the curiosities of steeplechasing may be 

 mentioned a match in which the owners were two 

 brothers, Messrs. T. and H. Bainbridge, whose horses, 

 a black and Little John, were ridden by Captain Becher 

 and Mr. Crommelin respectively. The stakes were 

 ^100 a side ; the weights 13 stone each ; and the course 

 was from near Hayes to Harrow, taking the river Brent 

 671 rotite. Little John took the lead, but swerving at 

 one of the early fences. Captain Becher took the black 

 horse, who jumped freely, to the front, but he was after- 

 wards pulled back so that Mr. Crommelin should give 

 the Captain a lead over the Brent, which he did. The 

 black horse refused the first time, but ultimately jumped 

 the water and was not long in catching up Little John, 

 after which the two went on side by side at a good pace 



