ORME'S FIRST 'ECLIPSE' 147 



man ' Gouverneur, Llanthony, and Rouge Dragon. 

 It might be called a picked field. That day Orme 

 was truly ' a sensational horse ' and ' an equine 

 hero.' Notwithstanding the reports which were 

 current about his yet impaired condition, and the 

 trainer's alleged failure to bring the horse to the 

 post fit and well, he was backed with loyal spirit, 

 and started first favourite, 5 to 4 being taken about 

 him. Otherwise there were thousands of persons 

 interested in the race, both spectators and waiters 

 for the verdict of the wire all over the world, who 

 wanted Orme to win. He, ridden by George 

 Barrett, defeated Orvieto handsomely by a neck — 

 the wagering foreshadowed first and second — St. 

 Damien finishing three-quarters of a length off, 

 third, and Certosa (who was placed) a length 

 behind, fourth. The crowd was enormous, and the 

 cheering which greeted the victory of ' Orme the 

 martyr ' something to remember. For exciting 

 circumstances the same Eclipse Stakes * eclipsed ' 

 (as a chronicler of the race was pleased to observe) 

 1 any Derby or St. Leger within the memory of 

 man.' He also won the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood 

 (New Mile). He only missed obtaining the brackets 

 once during the season, but it was a mighty loss, 

 being no less than his defeat in the St. Leger. 

 There was perhaps no horse in the world that could 

 have stood up against Baron de Hirsch's wonder 

 that day ; but, nevertheless, Orme had no business 

 to be where he was, behind the other placed ones, 

 Sir Hugo, Watercress, and May Duke. The fact 



