64 IRiMng IRccollcctions anD Xlurf Stories 



Astley, who bought him from Mr. G. Bryan, who had 

 bred him. He was by ' Stockwell ' out of 'Wood- 

 craft' (' Kingcraft's ' dam), and was a real fine good- 

 looking horse. Unfortunately, Sir John sold him 

 before the race for ;^2,ooo to go to Austria, where, 

 I believe, he was a o-reat success at the stud. After 

 he had won, Sir John Astley was very much cut up 

 at having parted with him (although he was to have 

 the stakes), and tried all he knew to get him back, 

 offering them a good profit, but they would not 

 agree. I was particularly lucky in the Chesterfield 

 Cup, as I won it again in 1869 on 'Vespasian,' 

 making three wins in four years. 



At various times I have often been asked why I 

 didn't ride ' Hermit' in the Derby. As the reason 

 is not publicly known, I will try to explain it. I 

 went to Ely by mail train on Sunday night ten days 

 before the Derby of 1867, and drove straight to 

 Bedford Cottage. I had a talk with Captain 

 Machell on my arrival about what weight ' Hermit ' 

 ought to beat his trial nag ' Rama ' at to be certain 

 to win the Derby. I said I thought if he could 

 defeat ' Rama ' cleverly at a stone it would be good 

 enough, so we agreed to give the horse what is called 

 " a Yorkshire gallop " on the Monday morning to 

 know what weights to try them at on the Wednesday. 



