338 KINGSCLERE 



Little Agnes were purchased by Sir Tatton Sykes in 1863. 

 In 1864 Sir Tatton sent the former mare back to The 

 Cure, and the result was Polly Agnes, one of the most 

 famous brood mares of modern times. Polly Agnes was 

 foaled in 1865, and was a small delicate filly. Sir Tatton 

 took a great dislike to her, and at weaning time offered 

 her to the late John Snarry. The latter, who entertained 

 a very different opinion respecting her merits, endeavoured 

 to persuade Sir Tatton to keep her. Finding his persuasion 

 of no avail, and that his commendatory remarks were 

 received with disapproval, he finally accepted her and sent 

 her on to Malton to his son. To the latter gentleman she 

 has proved a veritable gold mine, but at first she did not 

 show much promise. She was never trained herself, and 

 her first foal, Rural Dean, by Cathedral, did nothing to 

 bring her a reputation, for he was unplaced the five times 

 he ran. It was a happy inspiration sending the mare to 

 Macaroni, for from the three sisters got by him are 

 descended some of the finest horses the world has ever 

 seen. The eldest of the three, Lily Agnes, was foaled in 

 1 87 1. She was a game-looking mare, light of flesh like 

 her grandam, but with immense propelling power and 

 famous limbs. She also has the lop- ears which are a 

 peculiarity of the family. When she was put into training 

 she soon made it evident that she was a bread-winner, for 

 she won the four races for which she was started as a two- 

 year-old with the greatest ease. She won seven races out 

 of ten in 1874, the most important of her victories being 

 the Northumberland Plate, which she won cleverly, 

 carrying 6 st. 11 lb., and the Doncaster Cup, in which she 

 beat The Scamp, the winner of the Goodwood Stakes. 

 But her greatest performance was when, in 1875, sne won 

 the Great Ebor Handicap, carrying 8 st. 8 lb. She had 

 a field of good performers behind her, amongst them being 

 such flyers as Aventuriere, the winner of the Cesarewitch 

 the previous year and of the Goodwood Cup ; and 

 Apology, from both of whom she was in receipt of 6 lb. 

 As a brood mare Lily Agnes has made a great reputation, 

 and she is one of the few examples to be found of a first- 

 class racing mare being an exceptional success at the stud. 

 Mr. Snarry sold her to the Duke of Westminster in 1880, 

 when in foal to Doncaster. Rossington, the first foal she 

 bred for his Grace, was a moderate animal, but his own 



