70 THE TURF 



there was something out of the common at Kingsclere ; 

 and the rumour subsequently proved to be true. The 

 animal in question was a bay son of Bend Or and 

 Lily Agnes ; but it was not until late in the year, at 

 Newmarket in October, that he appeared to run in a 

 Post Sweepstakes, and his excellence was not so 

 generally recognised as to prevent backers from laying 

 a slight shade of odds, 6 to 5, on Modwena, a little 

 filly belonging to the Duke of Pordand. Ormonde, 

 however, had warm supporters at 5 to 4, and he won 

 with the utmost ease ; it was then perceived that the 

 stories which had been told about him were true, and 

 he was a very strong favourite for the Criterion, 

 which he won, having some speedy animals behind 

 him, notably Oberon and Mephisto. Oberon, it may 

 be interpolated, was the son of Galopin and Wheel of 

 Fortune, and his dam must certainly hold a prominent 

 place in the list of famous horses ; for when asked by 

 the present writer which was the best animal he had 

 ever ridden, Fred Archer replied that he could not 

 decide between St. Simon and this mare ; though 

 it must be added that this was before the appearance 

 of Ormonde. Ormonde came out for a third time in 

 the Dewhurst Plate, and with long odds on him again 

 gave proof of his capacity, not, however, having much 

 behind him, his best opponent being Miss Jummy, 

 only a moderate animal though she won the Oaks. 



1886 was a great year, for there were several three- 

 year-olds of altogether exceptional excellence. A 



