194 ASHGILL; OR, THE LIFE 



Ethus had many friends. Sir Joseph Hawley's pair also 

 claimed notice, The " King " preceding the crack, 

 and Pero Gomez, about whom John Porter was 

 satisfied. Then there was Ladas, not improved 

 much in appearance from the previous year, and 

 justly esteemed a very dear purchase at 3500 guineas 

 for the then youthful Lord Rosebery, destined in 

 after years to win the Derby with a horse of 

 the same name when he was the Premier of Great 

 Britain, and to be the recipient that day of an ovation 

 from the Epsom multitude, only surpassed when 

 the Prince of Wales led Persimmon back a victor. 

 Belladrum, too, was in the party a handsome horse, 

 lacking power, and his wind affected, so said Mr. Merry 

 before the race. Belladrum, nevertheless, was the idol 

 of the multitude, though Porter and Wells, the one 

 leading and the other riding Pero Gomez, came in for 

 much notice. Belladrum, when he cantered past the 

 stand, was greeted with enthusiastic cheering. One 

 break away and the flag was dropped, the field being at 

 least a hundred yards behind the starting post. Up 

 the ascent and through the Furzes it was a " jiggety- 

 jog " pace, but once round Tattenham Corner into the 

 straight it became terrific contrasting with the snail's 

 gallop in Lord Lyon's year. " This year," said the 

 chronicler of the time, " considering the weights the 

 horses carried, we much question whether a third of a 

 mile of ground (the last) was ever covered in quicker 

 time for any race whatever, whilst the horsemanship of 

 Wells and Osborne was a treat to witness." Before 

 reaching the distance the issue was confined to The 

 Drummer, Pretender, and Pero Gomez, the trio 

 struggling neck and neck at that juncture. " Johnnie " 



