GEORGE FREDERICK 



the case ; however, Mr. Cartwright would not run 

 him at Ascot, and he shortly afterwards began a 

 steady preparation for the St. Leger. In this he 

 progressed remarkably well, so well that he became 

 a very strong favourite, but in the York week, his 

 trainer, who had remained at home to look after 

 him, instead of accompanying the horses he sent to 

 that meeting, first detected that there was some- 

 thing wrong with his near fore-leg. The mischief 

 rapidly developed, and, when he reached Don- 

 caster, Leader felt certain that one more good 

 gallop would settle him. He very naturally 

 wished to keep this gallop for the race, but 

 Mr. Cartwright insisted on the colt doing the 

 ordinary work of a sound horse on the Tuesday, 

 the result being that it was necessary to summon 

 a veterinary surgeon very early on the Wednesday 

 morning. After a careful and prolonged examina- 

 tion the verdict was : " If you run your horse 

 to-day, you'll have the mortification of seeing him 

 walk in with the crowd," the result being that he 

 was struck out about six hours prior to the time 

 appointed for the race. There was no other course 

 possible, and INIr. Cartwright's action doubtless 

 saved backers a great deal of money, but I can 

 well remember the sensation created at the time 

 by the news of the scratching of the favourite, for 

 in those days it was possible to keep a Turf secret, 

 and I do not suppose that a soul outside the stable 

 had the remotest idea that anything had been 

 amiss. Thus George Frederick's career practically 

 ended v/ith the Derby, as he was never able to 

 stand another preparation. He certainly ran for 

 the Claret Stakes as a four - year - old, but he 

 was simply pig-fat, and JMiss Toto beat him very 

 easily, as indeed she did upon every occasion that 

 they met. He was not a success at the stud, his 



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