SHOTOVER 'A JADE' 83 



riding for the stable, would pilot Shotover, 

 the Duke of Westminster possessing a claim on 

 his services. But inasmuch as it was well known 

 that Geheimniss was the better of the pair, Lord 

 Falmouth (also Archer's regular employer), in accor- 

 dance with established practice if not according to 

 what may be roughly termed the unwritten law of 

 the Turf, considered that the jockey ought to be 

 placed at his disposal. Under the circumstances, 

 there was no alternative but to yield, and in the 

 result the popular idol rode Dutch Oven — who won, 

 Geheimniss being second and Shotover unplaced. 

 The latter mare, however, won the Park Hill Stakes 

 the same week in a common canter. She was 

 beaten at Newmarket by Lord Rosebery's Kermesse 

 and Nellie (who ran a dead-heat for first place) ; 

 to the latter mare she was conceding 10 lb. It was 

 a fine race on the part of the three. Shotover, 

 at four years old, was made favourite for the City 

 and Suburban (8 st. 9 lb.), but was nowhere in the 

 race. Constitutionally she was never so well, and in 

 condition she was as perfect as her most exacting 

 backers could have possibly desired ' on the day ' ; 

 but alas ! she had turned out to be a jade and would 

 not try. In bidding adieu to Shotover and 

 Geheimniss there is little or nothing to be added to 

 what has already been said about their respective 

 qualities. They were both gifted with fine speed, 

 but neither was a stayer. In the year 1882 the 

 stable managed to pick up stakes amounting to 

 22,117/. 



G 2 



