Sir John Dugdale Astley, Bart. 



of the Grand National, and many another race besides, during 

 his lengthy career on the Turf. 



Of the two solitary instances in which he sported in his own 

 person the familiar canary jacket and green velvet cap, his 

 mount on each occasion being the venerable Drumhead, the 

 race he rode against his lifelong friend, Mr. Caledon Alexander, 

 on Briglia, at the Newmarket July meeting of 1879, was most 

 talked about, and, indeed, will not be readily forgotten by those 

 fortunate enough to witness it. The match, which was for 

 ;!^ioo a side, embraced three trials of skill, namely, the race in 

 question, a match at pigeons, and a ploughing match. Sir 

 John won the first two events, but Mr. Alexander paid 

 forfeit for the third, in doing which, perhaps, he showed a wise 

 discretion. 



The first match at Newmarket Sir John won with great ease, 

 kissing his hand to the ladies in the stand as he galloped past 

 in triumph, amidst uproarious applause from the spectators. 



In the second match, which, as before, took place at his 

 favourite Newmarket during the second October meeting in 

 1879, Sir John was not so successful. This time Drumhead's 

 opponent was Soloman, belonging to the late Mr. Fred 

 Gretton, and ridden by the best amateur horseman on the 

 flat of his time, the still living Mr. William Bevill, the race 

 being for ^100 a side, each to carry the substantial burden of 

 16 St. 9 lbs. 



Just before reaching the Bushes Drumhead broke down, 

 his rider announcing the fact, in his usual characteristic fashion, 

 by shouting out to Mr. Bevill, ** By G-d, Billy, you've done 



me!" 



It was our luck once, when at Newmarket for the first 

 October meeting in 1878, to witness a funny incident, of which 

 Drumhead was the hero. The first race on the card finished 



209 p 



