HISTORY OF A FAMOUS DUEL. 403 



The Heaton Park Meeting of September 1835, 

 took place, as usual, immediately after the Doncas- 

 ter St Leger. The riders were mostly gentlemen 

 jockeys, who, however, were divided into two classes, 

 of which the first and most aristocratic were Lord 

 Wilton's guests, and the second found quarters at 

 Manchester, within four miles of Lord Wilton's seat. 

 To the latter section Mr Osbaldeston belonged. In 

 common with many others, he had long harboured 

 a shrewd suspicion that the handicaps were gener- 

 ally framed upon terms exceptionally favourable 

 to Lord Wilton and his friends. Resolved to be 

 revenged, and to strike a blow at the aristocratic 

 monopolists, the Squire looked about for a horse 

 likely to suit his purpose. He found one in a four- 

 year-old Irish colt named Rush, by Humphrey 

 Clinker, whom he purchased at Doncaster from his 

 breeder, Mr Watts, for 400 guineas. The Squire 

 tried his new purchase with a mare belonging to 

 old Job Marson over the St Leger course at Don- 

 caster, riding Rush himself. As they rounded the 

 Red House Turn the Squire found that he could do 

 what he liked with his antagonist, and promptly 

 checking Rush, allowed the mare to gallop in first 

 by many lengths. The result of the trial got 

 noised abroad, and, in consequence of his sup- 

 posed defeat, Rush was very favourably handi- 

 capped for the Trial Stakes and Cup at Heaton 

 Park. In the first of these two races he started, 

 ridden by his owner, and finished nowhere. Next 



