230 MEMORIES OF MEN AND HORSES 



led past and I could not stand his coat. Yet what 

 was one to do ? None of the others was half such a 

 dog, so somewhat grudgingly I gave him the prize 

 and two other prizes, nor knew until afterward that 

 it was the famous Newmarket Cackler. I should have 

 looked well had I cast him ! 



Felix Leach has been not disinterested in game 

 fowl and in greyhounds, and I should say the boys 

 in his stable learn the best elements of pugilism. As 

 a trainer he is one of the very best, now that earlier 

 recollections of the work which Persimmon needed have 

 been got over. No one could possibly have done 

 better than he did with Orpheus and Spearwort, and 

 there are many others coming along. 



George Blackwell is one of the old brigade, though 

 he has practically retired and has only the old jumper, 

 Sergeant Murphy, to deal with. He too is full of all 

 knowledge in regard to horses, and saw the dotty 

 jointed Rock Sand safely through the three classics 

 and on through his next season. Rock Sand's year 

 was a trying one for Blackwell as he had Flotsam 

 (Sir Daniel Cooper's) also in his stable, and there was 

 not much to choose between them. The position was 

 like that of John Porter when he had Orme, La Fleche 

 and Watercress. 



Blackwell graduated with Mathew Dawson like many 

 others of the most capable, and he is one of those who, 

 if he wants a thing done, can do it himself. Thus when, 

 in the year 1898, the present Sir William Cooper came 

 into my office and asked if we could find him a horse 

 to lead Newhaven in work for the Ascot Cup, I happened 

 to be able to offer what I thought an ideal animal for 

 the purpose. This was Chaleureux, for 1000 guineas. 



