SIXTY YEARS ON THE TURF 



Blink Bonny next won the Oaks, and, of course, 

 developed into a strong favourite for the St. Leger. 

 Various tales have been penned and spoken of as the 

 cause of her defeat. Those, however, " behind the 

 scenes " — who were thick in the " inner business " — 

 never doubted but she was " stopped " at the 

 instigation of Jackson and his friends. Old Mr. 

 I' Anson, I know, was warned by Mr. Fred Swindell 

 that all was not as all should be with the " coach- 

 man." But Mr. I Anson would not listen to such 

 an aspersion. " The same thing," he added, " was 

 told me before the Derby. The rumours prevailed 

 again before the Oaks. Well, he won both. And I 

 shall not listen to slander now." 



I had, because of the shortness of the price, laid 

 extra against Blink Bonny for the Leger ; and told 

 Swindell of the matter. His reply was, " Lad, 

 keep heavy against her. I Anson won't listen to 

 me. But I know I'm right." 



Right or wrong, Blink Bonny was never in the 

 race, and the truth was that the Jackson con- 

 federacy had laid Blink Bonny and gone for the 

 winner, Imperieuse. That St. Leger day was a sad 

 one for Highfield House, and yet one cannot but 

 admire the staunch loyalty of Mr. I' Anson. It is a 

 serious business to take a jockey off at the last 

 moment, and much the more distasteful when he 



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