98 Sporting and Rural Records of the Cheveley Estate. 



Saxton Hall, writers in books, magazines, and newspapers, that he did not go to 



„. ' ~, , . the stud nor served any blood-mares until he was eighteen years 

 TheGodoIphin ' '^ ■' 



Arabian. old. However, as there is a contemporary statement for that 



assertion, we give the subjoined extract for what it is worth : 



The Earl of Godolphin, the patron and encourager of racing in his 

 time, had an Arabian which was so slow, in the estimation of the wise men 

 of the turf, that he had been for many years used only as a teaser. His 

 Lordship, with some of his friends, happening to pass by as the teazer, after 

 having done his office, was returning into the stable, and the favourite 

 horse brought out to cover the mare. A clergyman of the company, being 

 struck with the appearance and disappointment of the Arab, desired His 

 Lordship that he might cover his mare, which being granted, the mare was 

 directly led out, and covered by the teazer. The parson having no occasion 

 for a numerous cavalry, and the produce of this adventure becoming a 

 plague to him, he sold it to Lord Godolphin's stud groom for a hack, who, 

 one day at exercise, as the horses were taking their gallop, had occasion to 

 Leaps correct a boy on one of the best racers. The boy archly bid him defiance, 



from Obscurity and set off ; the groom clapped to, and in spite of the racer, ran up to him, 

 to Fame. and made use of his switch on the shoulders of the spark. When cooled 



from the exploit, he was astonished at such an influence of speed, and 

 began to consider his Rosinante very attentively ; he cloathed and sweated 

 him, informed his Lordship, examined and re-examined the make, the 

 action ; the more they looked, the more they liked. In short, thus 

 accidentally, it is said, was the discovery of the wonderful superiority of 

 the progeny of the Godolphin Arabian ; who, from this time, became a 

 favourite stallion. It is, however, greatly to be regretted that the prime of 

 this horse was passed before he was known, he being about eighteen years 

 old before this fortunate accident. Had he been made the most of from 

 five years old, he would, like Sir Callaghan O'Brallaghan's ancestors in the 

 farce, have "peopled the whole kingdom with his own hands." But, late 

 as he was discovered, we are indebted to him for the very best horses the 

 kingdom ever knew ; equally superior as racers, hunters, or hacks ; and 

 many of them strong enough for carriages and dragoon service ; with the 

 finest action, they had not that evaporative spirit which often misleads the 

 judgment ; but that well tempered courage, which is always ready and 

 discovered on trying occasions.* 



* " Considerations on the Breed and Management of Horses . . . addressed to 

 the King." London: Printed for W. Davis, in Piccadilly; and J. Wilkie, in 

 St. Paul's Church-yard. 



