204 



ASHGILL; OR, THE LIFE 



Gomez had been disappointed in the struggle round 

 Tattenham Corner, and it would appear, even at this 

 distant date, that Pretender was somewhat lucky 

 to triumph at Epsom. On the flat, long, tiring course 

 at Doncaster, Pero Gomez completely reversed the 

 Derby running as between the pair, depriving the 

 Tupgill candidate of the coveted triple crown in most 

 decisive fashion. Osborne attributes the reversal of form 

 to the difference in the state of the going, for, whereas 

 the galloping was on the top of the ground at Epsom, it 

 was heavy at Doncaster. At all events, Pero Gomez 

 beat Pretender out of place, and established himself 

 in the severer ordeal over the Town Moor as a better 

 stayer than Adventurer's son. 



The disgrace of Pretender, the success of Pero 

 Gomez, and the defeat of Martyrdom were the staple 

 topics of conversation after the Leger. The Tupgill 

 people to a man appeared to be utterly confounded and 

 totally unable to explain in any way the wretched 

 running of their idol. 



John Fobert, with whose name that of The Flying 

 Dutchman and many good horses is identified, died 29th 

 May, 1869, being succeeded at Spigot Lodge by Arthur 

 Briggs. It was reported at the time that Fobert died 

 worth 35,000 and left no will, hence the whole of his 

 property went to his brother, with whom he had 

 not been on speaking terms for years. There is grave 

 reason to doubt that Fobert died a wealthy man. 



The opening of the year '69 was also marked by the 

 death at Nenagh, Ireland, of Johnny O'Brien, one of 

 the most extraordinary adventurers that ever figured on 

 the Turf. The son of a laundress at Leeds, his effrontery 

 and speculation on the Turf were so successful that he 



