CHAPTER VII 



Yirago — The best filly of last century — Unplaced in a selling 

 race ! — Mr, William Day in error— Heavy Chester Cup 

 betting — The handicapper awake — City and Suburban and 

 Great Metropolitan won on one day — Virago's Epsom trial — 

 The real weights — Mr. Lambert's letter — " Something out of 

 Vu-ago " — Lord Glasgow — Insistence on more weight — " Don't 

 hesitate to shoot " — A memorable Saturday on the Heath — 

 Racing for Life. 



Much discussion has arisen, at varying periods, as 

 to which horse is entitled to the character of being 

 the best of the past century. Those famihar with 

 the giants of the last sixty years have no hesitation 

 in awarding the position of pre-eminence to Ormonde. 

 It has been my privilege to see all the mighty ones 

 of the period mentioned, and I unhesitatingly vote 

 in favour of the late Duke of Westminster's great 

 horse, who even when a roarer was able to set con- 

 siderable opjjosition at defiance. I knew all the best 

 horses — West Australian, Voltigeur, and so forth. 

 But I never came across the equal of Ormonde. 

 Whosoever challenges the position of the son of 

 Bend Or will indeed be hard pushed for argument ; 

 and in the main most critics are agreed. But there 



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