AND TIMES OF JOHN OSBORNE 159 



* The London and North- Western Boiling Stakes ' were 

 the best he ever won. The millionaire Marquis fondly 

 hoped on for the Derby, but although the illustrious 

 patient did not win that race, in the process of years it 

 fell with Caractacus to the young Rugby V.S. (Mr. 

 Snewing) who attended him. 



" Such was poor John's Eaton episode with the 

 Derby, and he did not care for another season as 

 guardian of the yellow jacket, which was enough to 

 give him the jaundice. Maria Day, a very sweet little 

 -animal, and Job Marson very nearly put things right at 

 Doncaster, but ' The Yeoman ' was in the way, and John 

 was not sorry to have his crust of bread and liberty 

 -and begin at the bottom rung of the ladder of fame once 

 more. The Heir, by Inheritor, was one of his horses, 

 but his was a sad, weary time ; although with George 

 Abdale, his future son-in-law, to ride, he did a little 

 for his employers and on his own account, till his son 

 and heir, the redoubtable 'Johnnie/ appeared in the 

 saddle. We remember the old man quite opening out 

 (for him) in the train one day about his lad, and his 

 -delight that Sir Joseph had engaged him to ride at 

 5 st. 6 Ibs. on Van Dieman in the Goodwood Stakes. 

 The next year (1850) brought the great turn in his family 

 fortunes with Black Doctor. The little horse ran four 

 times and did nothing, and then he began to ' come,' 

 and lost his maidenhood in that great Eglinton finish, 

 which he won by a neck from Beehunter and Nancy, 

 and had Neashan, Payment, Pitsford, and Mildew 

 behind him as well. The black went in the course of 

 the week to Mr. Saxon for 800 guineas, and henceforth 

 the star of Osborne and Ashgill steadily rose. John 

 was marked dangerous for his two-year-olds, and his 

 .great axiom, ' if they are to be sweated, let them sweat ' 



