GALOPIN AND PETRARCH 



Whenever I see a particularly blood - like 

 thoroughbred, I instinctively compare him with 

 Petrarch, who possessed more elegance and quality 

 than almost any racehorse that I can call to mind. 

 He was by Lord Clifden out of the famous Laura, 

 the dam of Lemnos, Friiulein, and other good per- 

 formers. His only appearance as a two-year-old 

 was made in the Middle Park Plate of 1875, for 

 which there were no fewer than thirty runners, by 

 far the largest number that have ever taken part 

 in the race. The confidence that was felt in the 

 Duke of Hamilton's Lollypop must have been 

 really extraordinary, when he was actually backed 

 down to 2 to 1 in the face of such a field, and 

 despite the fact that he had never run before. The 

 other most notable performers that took part in 

 the race were the Mineral colt, afterwards named 

 Kisber, Advance, and Kaleidoscope. As there was 

 such a red-hot favourite, it was naturally a case of 

 "10 to 1, bar one," and 100 to 8 was obtainable 

 about Petrarch, who was ridden by Jem Goater, 

 and won in very easy fashion by four lengths from 

 the two fillies, Madeira and Heurtebise. Lord 

 Dupplin ran Kaleidoscope in this race, but the 

 colt, who had incurred a 4 lb. penalty, made no 

 show, and this doubtless opened his owner's eyes 

 to the merit possessed by the winner. At any rate 

 he was very anxious to purchase him from Mr. 

 Spencer, and went to Findon, accompanied by 

 John Dawson, to try to bring off a deal. Petrarch 

 won a very satisfactory trial in their presence, and 

 the price asked was £10,000. " Shall I have him, 

 John ?" asked Lord Dupplin. " Yes, buy him, my 

 lord," was the reply; and " Take him in, the thing's 

 done," promptly completed the transaction. 



The start with him in the following season was 

 a very unfortunate one. Lord Dupplin was set 



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