ISINGLASS AND LADAS 207 



spicuously fine colt, of great power and substance, 

 though rather faulty in his hocks. He was noted on 

 the Two Thousand Guineas day as a possible Derby 

 winner, and he won, but he should never have beaten 

 La Fleche, as she proved conclusively in the St Leger, 

 when Orme should have beaten her ; but it is needless 

 to go into that story. Sir Hugo has good descendants 

 in Australia. 



In 1893 came Isinglass, an undeniably great horse, 

 judged by any standard, but I am unable to clear 

 myself of a prejudice against him, because in all his 

 races there used to be a cry of " The favourite's beat ! " 

 and then he was flogged home by Tommy Loates to 

 win. I recognise that such prejudice was unreasonable, 

 and due to a sluggish temperament of the horse and 

 the short legs of the jockey, but it is well-nigh im- 

 possible to rid yourself of these first impressions. Be 

 that as it may, Isinglass ranks with the very best of 

 all time, and through his son, John o' Gaunt (sire of 

 Swynford), he established a line that is going from 

 strength to strength. 



Ladas, the 1894 winner, was much more after my 

 own heart one who would run it out to the uttermost 

 without being asked ; all blood, nerve and quality. He 

 was a quite delightful horse, and how it happened that 

 be became savage in his later years is to me, at any 

 rate, beyond comprehension. Mathew Dawson would 

 have dearly liked to match him against Isinglass 

 across the flat, and, each being fit and well, I feel 

 sure that Ladas would have won. 



Sir Visto, the following year, was pretty good, or he 

 could not have won Derby and Leger, but he was not 

 within 14 Ib. of what Ladas (trained in the same stable) 



