Gentlemen Riders 



to select than the veteran named above, who, in his day, 

 whether as a rider to hounds, between the flags, or across the 

 flat, had a reputation second to none. 



In 1865, ^t which period his riding career commenced, 

 there was no better-known sportsman in Lincolnshire than 

 Mr. Sam Welfitt of Tathwell, owner of a good many high- 

 class steeplechase horses ; and it was on the back of one of 

 these, named after his own place, that Mr. Brockton won his 

 first important race over a country, namely, the National Hunt 

 Steeplechase of 1868. 



On this occasion it was run, for the second year in suc- 

 cession, at Clapham Park, Bedford, over the same course 

 on which the Oakley Hunt Steeplechases were always held. 

 The country was entirely grass, with fences made not to be 

 galloped over by half-schooled horses, but to be jumped by 

 hunters, the first obstacle especially being a more than usually 

 formidable one. 



On this occasion there were only seven runners, Tathwell 

 (6 yrs., 12 St. 6 lbs.), the mount of Mr. Brockton, starting 

 favourite at 4 to i, a position he justified by winning easily 

 by six lengths, after making nearly the whole of the running • 

 Lord Powlett's Father O'Leary (aged, 12 st. 10 lbs.), ridden 

 by Mr. George Ede (Mr. Edwards), being second, and Mr. F. 

 Toynbee's Daniel O'Rourke (aged, 12 st. 10 lbs.), with Captain 

 Arthur Smith in the saddle, four lengths away, third. 



In 1870, Primrose, who will be remembered as a beautiful, 

 though very headstrong and excitable mare, belonging to 

 Mr. Brockton, on the strength of a runaway victory a short 

 time previously in the Croydon Hurdle Race in the hands 

 of her owner, was heavily backed for the Grand National of 

 that year, which, but for her excitable temperament, she 

 might have won. As it was, though looking as dangerous as 



no 



