AND TIMES OF JOHN OSBORNE 23 



Stockbridge, when he was magnificently ridden by Sam 

 Rogers, and at Goodwood, where he was only beaten 

 a head for the Cup by our John Osborne on the 

 American horse Starke, after a terrific struggle. The 

 Wizard always had a weak spot, however, and this 

 would not admit of him keeping advantage of a race 

 when he had gained it. He was sold at the end of 

 his career to the Prussians for 4000 guineas. 



No better school than Mr. Lambton's for ripening 

 horse knowledge and experience could have been found 

 by the then young Osborne, and it served to lay a solid 

 foundation for his subsequent career as a breeder, 

 owner, and racer of thoroughbreds. In the year 1825 

 he left Mr. Lambton's service to become head man for 

 the Duke of Leeds, in whose employment he remained 

 until 1831. The Duke of Leeds died on 10th July, 

 1838. His name will ever be associated with Octavian's 

 St. Leger of 1810. Princely in his support of the Turf, 

 he bore a character for uprightness that differed from 

 many of his contemporaries : " he could bear to be 

 beaten, and invariably sent his horses to the post, win 

 or lose, with a most generous and noble spirit." 



While under the ducal banner at Hornby Castle, 

 Mr. Scaife then being the presiding genius of the 

 establishment, John Osborne enriched his experience 

 to so great a degree that he attracted the notice of 

 Lord Chesterfield, surnamed " The Magnificent " for the 

 costly and princely manner in which he upheld his 

 stud and regulated his movements in the highest walks 

 of society. Bretby was then Lord Chesterfield's head- 

 quarters, and here John Osborne acted in the double 

 capacity of stud groom and trainer to a few of his 

 lordship's horses, the principal lot of them being 

 schooled by John Scott at Whitewall and Pigburn. 



