Mr. Digby Collins 



Perhaps one of the best animals that I ever owned over a 

 three miles' course was the mare Medora — which I renamed 

 Nil Desperandum — by the notorious Cruiser (on whose evil 

 temper Rarey worked some good), out of Speedwell. During 

 her flat-racing career she belonged to Captain Christie, and, as 

 a two-year-old, was fancied for the Oaks, but, hitting her leg, 

 she became difficult to train. 



As a three-year-old, she ran for minor races, winning a mile 

 race at Nottingham, and another over a mile and a quarter at 

 Newton. 



In addition to these races she ran in a dozen, being placed 

 second in five and third in one. 



These ended her career on the turf, and she was sold to a 

 farmer, who threw her up and tried to breed from her, without 

 success. 



When six years old, she came into my possession, and, as 

 she was loaded with flesh and I had information of her leg: 

 trouble, I began hunting her, and gradually made her very 

 clever and temperate across country. 



In the following autumn she won the Longner Hall Handi- 

 cap Steeplechase, Hall Court, for whom the distance was not 

 far enough, being second. 



She met Hall Court again at Birmingham, over three 

 miles ; and I thought I had him safe enough, until she was 

 coming out of the park, about a quarter of a mile from home. 

 There I felt her falter ; and, though she ran home fourth, 

 she pulled up very lame — the old leg trouble causing her 

 downfall. 



After this, I did not attempt to train her; but I got the 

 sheath of her back tendon fairly straight, and sold her to a 

 man in the service, for whom she won a race or two in India. 

 Smart as this mare undoubtedly was, over three miles, I 



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