268 



ASHGILL; OR, THE LIFE 



only defeated by a length anjd a half, Spinaway having 

 settled the Ebor winner a distance from home. It 

 may be further imagined how poor Thunder's chance 

 was impaired in this York Cup when it is stated that, 

 in addition to losing the distance mentioned at the 

 start, Mr. Thompson got his feet out of the stirrup 

 irons. Spinaway, who had won the Yorkshire Oaks 

 on the previous Tuesday, was one of the most " useful " 

 animals Lord Falmouth owned at this period, but it 

 must be admitted she was fortunate to beat Thunder, 

 her stable companion, in this York Cup. 



The autumn of 1875 saw Mr. King's stud brought 

 under the hammer. Mrs. King retained Apology, 

 unfortunately one would say, as the mare lost her form 

 and never really returned to it. There was brisk 

 bidding for the brood mares. When Mandragora was 

 brought into the ring Mr. Chaplin at once put her in 

 at 1000 guineas, but was soon opposed by Mr. Vyner, 

 Mr. Carew Gibson, and M. de Montgomery, who was 

 acting for Baron Rothschild. Mr. Vyner bid up to 

 2600 guineas and retired, and as M. de Montgomery 

 bid 2900 guineas it seemed almost certain the mare 

 would go to France. Tom Blackman now chimed in 

 and opened his mouth to the extent of 3000 guineas. 

 Mr. Gibson then took up the running again, but was 

 beaten off, and the hammer fell to Mr. Blackman's bid 

 of 3250 guineas, and she went into Mr. Gee's stud. 

 By no means a bad price was this for a fifteen-year-old 

 mare. For her daughter the varminty Agility, and 

 own sister to Apology, the bidding was equally 

 spirited, Mr. Gee at last getting her for 2500 guineas 

 for the Dewhurst stud. Preventative, by Adventurer 

 out of Manganese, half-sister to Mandragora, was 



