Gentlemen Riders 



seventies of the past century, was so much en evidence 

 at all the principal race-meetings. The subject of our 

 memoir, known to his friends over here as "Johnny," and 

 to those whose knowledge of French was indifferent, as 

 "Mons" Roy, commenced his riding career in 1864, and in 

 that year bought a horse called Bonfi, with which he won a 

 good many races. He also rode with great success, on 

 several occasions, a celebrated grey belonging to General 

 Fleury, master of the horse to the Emperor Napoleon III. 

 In 1865 he won the Grand Steeplechase at Nice on Beauregard, 

 for Sir A. Peel, and the same race on Duquesne, in 1877, 

 beating Alice by a head ; besides several others on an English 

 horse called The Rogue. 



Later on he rode many winners in France for the late 

 Duke of Hamilton, Count F. de Legrange, and M. Lupin, and 

 won the first steeplechase which ever took place at Auteuil for 

 Mr. Hennessy of Three Star Brandy fame. 



In 1866 he won the big steeplechase at Baden-Baden for 

 Vicomte A. Talon, and later on, the French Military Steeple- 

 chase at Auteuil ; whilst in England, amongst other events, he 

 rode the winner of the Billesden Coplow Stakes at Croxton 

 Park. 



For some seasons he hunted regularly in Leicestershire, 

 during which period he never once failed to run over to Paris 

 for the week-end. (They cut your hair very well in the Gay 

 City.) 



In 1906 M. Roy was appointed starter at Auteuil, the 

 scene of many a triumph in former days, which arduous post 

 he fills at the present time. 



What his countrymen think of him is best told in the 

 following extract from Le Gaulois^ written in January, 1907, 

 shortly after he had taken the flag at Auteuil : — 



200 



