CHAPTER VI 



THE STRANGE STORY OF ORME 



Orme one of the Best Superior to Fate John Porter says he can 

 stay Was Orme really poisoned? Probably not An Angry 

 Duke "The Duchess of Pimlico's Cat "Alarums and Excur- 

 sions An invited Interview and its Results 



I SHALL always think that Orme was one of the 

 best horses I ever saw, as a son of Ormonde and 

 sister to St Simon had good right to be. His 

 sons, Flying Fox and Orby, perpetuated his merit, and 

 but for abnormally bad luck he would have figured as 

 one of our best classic winners. Even so he rose 

 superior to fate and won the Eclipse Stakes twice, and 

 but for trouble in one of his fore-joints could have been 

 trained for Cup courses. The idea that he lacked 

 stamina was not for a moment entertained while he 

 was completing his St Leger preparation. 



The history of Orme is a deeply interesting one, and 

 in certain respects no one is more intimately acquainted 

 with it than I am. Now firstly, as to John Porter's 

 confidence in his stamina, let me quote from what I 

 wrote : 



H The Sportsman ," 26th September 1891 (Manchester). 



" ' How you must like this work ! ' said an envious 

 friend to me in the sale paddocks at Doncaster. 

 ' Why, certainly ; but would you be so envious, O 

 friend, if constrained to see morning gallops under 

 trying circumstances ? ' 

 73 



