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A HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH TURF. 



light hand. Archer, on the contrary, was one of the most industrious jockeys that 

 ever rode, for he knew no fear, and therefore ventured on all kinds of liberties, being 

 always able to start at a great pace. He could win a race with lolbs. in hand, and 

 make it look as if he had 2i!bs. in hand. Fordham could win on the same terms, 

 and make every one believe that he had only just got home by the skin of his teeth. 

 In fact, as Osborne used to say, "you never quite knew where you had him ;" and 

 this ignorance on the part of his rivals gave him a superiority over the more 

 dashing Archer. A fine example of Fordham's skill, patience, and determination 



was shown in the Goodwood Cup of 

 1 86 1, when Osborne was on John 

 Scott's favourite, The Wizard. 

 Among the field were a French mare, 

 Custance on Thonnanby the Derby 

 winner, and Mr. Ten Broeck's Starke. 

 After Wallace had made the running, 

 The Wizard was well ahead at the 

 distance, and Johnnie raised his hands 

 to ease him a few strides from home. 

 Up went his head, and like a flash 

 Fordham and Starke were on to him, 

 and won by a head. Custance got 

 the fur rug which one of Air. Ten 

 Broeck's admirers meant to give 

 Starkes jockey after the victory. 

 George did not look pretty in the 

 saddle, for he was careless on his 

 way to the start, and shrugged his 

 shoulders a good deal afterwards. But his good hands were made even more 

 valuable by a talent for gammoning the rest of the riders, which amounted to 

 genius, and earned him the nickname of "The Kid" in addition to that of "The 

 Demon." His victory on Starke was only due to his invariable habit of riding his 

 horse right out to the last ounce. His first race (when he was under 5st.) was at 

 Brighton in 1850, and his reputation began with winning the Cambridgeshire on 

 Little David in 1853 for Mr. W. Smith, whose only literature consisted of "The 

 Racing Calendar, the Duke of Wellington's Despatches, and the Holy Bible," no 



George Fordliam. 



