36 SAM DARLING'S REMINISCENCES 



had terrific speed. Slieve Gallion's neck was set 

 on wrong. I well remember telling Captain Greer, 

 before putting the tackle on him, he would be 

 difficult to mouth, and sure to be awkward to ride. 

 I did not put a jockey on him for a month after 

 all the others were broken. His awkward mouth 

 prevented him winning the Derby. 



KiLCOCK was a most charming horse, and very 

 good looking. His Jubilee was one of the most 

 discussed races ever known. I put Wall, an old 

 seasoned jockey, on Kilcock, and he came up the 

 course with his ears pricking as though he was 

 going to win in a canter. For some unaccountable 

 reason he went past the post in the same way, with- 

 out making any efTort. Neither horse nor jockey 

 made any effort. At the time the horse could have 

 won with about 8 st. 7 lb., and he only carried 

 6 st. 12 lb. He seemed as if there were no jockey 

 on his back. Wall was absolutely useless on him. 

 Wall had the good sense to admit this after the 

 race, and to recommend that Kilcock, with a 

 stronger jockey, should be backed next time. Kil- 

 cock won the Doncaster Handicap soon after in 

 very easy style. Afterwards the Wokingham and 

 the Queen Stand Plate at Ascot (1899). He was 

 afterwards sold to Hungary for the stud. 



My dealings with Captain Greer have been most 

 cordial and agreeable in every possible way, 



