THE DUKE OF PORTLAND 



her powers to give 20 lb. to Throstle, who beat 

 her at even weights in the St. Leger, which was 

 the next engagement she fulfilled. The Park Hill 

 Stakes, a couple of days later, was quite at her 

 mercy, and she finished by running unplaced in 

 the Cesarewitch won by Childwick. I do not 

 fancy that Amiable was ever quite in the first 

 class, and she had the worst string halt I ever 

 saw in a thoroughbred. 



I hope that the following account of a visit to 

 the Welbeck Stud, which I contributed to the 

 Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News in August 

 1895, will bear reproduction : — 



When Carbine — whom every good Australian swears by 

 as " the horse of the century," not admitting for a moment 

 the claims of St. Simon, Ormonde, or Isinglass to that proud 

 distinction — was purchased by the Duke of Portland for 

 <i£'13,000, and arrived in England two months ago, the greatest 

 curiosity was naturally felt to get a sight of him. A horse, 

 however, can scarcely be expected to show to much advantage 

 when just oifa long voyage, and though Carbine, as was only to 

 be expected from his singularly placid, not to say sleepy, dis- 

 position, proved himself a splendid traveller, he had been so ill 

 at Colombo that his life was in serious danger for a few hours, 

 and he was not allowed to receive any of the intending visitors 

 who had gone to Tilbury Docks to meet him. Ample amends 

 were made for this disappointment, however, on Saturday last, 

 when, by special invitation of the Duke, between forty and 

 fifty representatives of the sporting Press spent a long day 

 at Welbeck, and made a thorough inspection of the most 

 valuable stud in the world, and of the countless objects of 

 interest contained in the historic Abbey. 



Worksop does not impress a visitor very favourably ; but 

 the Duke's carriages soon took us clear of the town, and the 

 surrounding country is pretty, the last rise before reaching 

 the lodge gates being charmingly picturesque. Let no 

 unsuspecting person visiting Welbeck Abbey for the first 

 time accept a treacherous offer to "drop you at the lodge, 

 and you can stroll up to the house," for this would mean a 

 walk of as near as possible three miles. Still, if time were no 



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