CHAPTER XVII 



BEFORE finishing with horses which I have 

 owned and ridden, I must say a few more 

 words about Dornroschen, as she was un- 

 doubtedly the best class animal that ever 

 passed through my hands or took me on as an 

 outside passenger. 



When she passed into the ownership of the elder 

 Sir John Thursby she was the victim of one of the most 

 untoward accidents that could possibly befall. For 

 the second year in succession, she was entered for the 

 Hurst Park Cup, and the weight allotted was such 

 that, if anything like in her best form, she was " the 

 catch of the season." And so thought George of the 

 House of Thursby. Twelve months previously, in 

 the corresponding event, she had presented the all- 

 conquering Victor Wild with a lump of weight and had 

 run him to a head. The handicapper had now re- 

 versed the position, and Dornroschen was set to receive 

 a similar poundage. What could be nicer, seeing 

 that the twain were of the same age ? 



The public view coincided, so that 4-1 was the 

 best price obtainable. The filly was as fit as the 



proverbial fiddle, and everything pointed to a happy 



195 



