CHAPTEE III 



Davies " the Leviathan " — His humble start — His letter in 

 retirement — Derby and Oaks losses — A wonderful Ascot — 

 An equine battle — Davies's character — The man who could 

 not whistle — Accident and assault — A sad end. 



The name of William Davies has been of necessity, 

 and frequently will be, mentioned in these pages. 

 Other pens have more or less faithfully depicted 

 the man who by the gigantic nature of his 

 transactions became known as the " Leviathan of 

 the Turf " There had been, possibly, "leviathans" 

 before him ; and there are, in a quieter way, 

 "leviathans" now. But no big layer of my ac- 

 quaintance ever betted with the fearlessness of 

 Davies, and a man with a keener sense of honour 

 never trod earth. In tracing the genealogy of most 

 successful layers, whether of to-day or of the years 

 that have sped, there is usually no need to consult 

 Debrett ; and Davies was not an exception to the 

 common run. The initial business of his life was 

 that of carpentering, and in the exercise of his craft 

 he found himself one day repairing the skirting 



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