AND TIMES OF JOHN OSBORNE 295 



however, was not the only one of Queen Mary's produce 

 which gained renown, Blink Bonny proving more 

 famous than her elder sister. She won the Derby and 

 Oaks in 1857. Her skeleton was preserved, and old 

 " Belted Will," as Mr. I'Anson was named, presented 

 it to the York Museum, where it remains to this day. 

 Seven years later, viz., in 1864, another descendant of 

 Queen Mary added to the fame of Mr. I'Anson, Blair 

 Athol winning for him the Derby and the St. Leger 

 that year, the " mighty chestnut " afterwards being sold 

 to Mr. John Jackson of Fairfield for 7500. A good 

 many of the little prizes as well as each of the " classics " 

 had fallen to Mr. I'Anson's share, and, like a prudent 

 man, he invested his money, in 1865, in the purchase 

 of the Highfield estate, which adjoins Spring Cottage, 

 from Messrs. J. C. and J. H. Wise of Norton. Here he 

 established the now famous Blink Bonny stud, a model 

 breeding establishment in its way. On his death the 

 estate fell to the present Mr. Wm. I'Anson, who upholds 

 the fame of his father as a trainer, while Mr. Miles 

 I'Anson directs the stud farm. " Old William's " 

 success as a breeder testified to his great judgment and 

 skill. In every genuine British sport he took a warm 

 interest, cricket enjoying his patronage, as did the 

 ancient game of curling, at which he was an expert, 

 and, like his colossal son William in the present day, 

 was " skip " of his rink in all the great matches. 



There are many noteworthy instances, like that of 

 Queen Mary, which go to prove that inferiority as a 

 racer does not mean failure at the stud. The dam of 

 Bee's-wing never ran at all. Old John Osborne's first 

 racer, Miss Bowe (dam of Longbow, Iris, winner of the 

 Oaks, Boiardo, De Clare, Tom Bowling, etc.) was little 

 better than a jade, and her running was far from high- 



