The Earl of Minto 



The winner was in the Liverpool with lo st. 8 lbs., and his 

 schoolmaster was looking forward to the ride. However, just 

 before the race, the horse was sold to Lord Aylesford for 

 ;^25oo, and Joe Cannon had the mount instead, with no good 

 effect, however, for Franc Luron broke down. 



•' Mr. Roily " once had what turned out a most unlucky 

 ride in the big steeplechase at Croydon. His mount, Hautboy, 

 though a very uncertain customer, was greatly fancied by the 

 stable, and backed accordingly; and, in addition, it was 

 arranged that when jumping the brook opposite the stand the 

 second time round, if he was going strong, his jockey was to 

 make a signal, and more money would immediately go on. 



Approaching the water, he was going so well that the 

 signal was made, and on went the money, with the result that 

 the disappointing brute at once shut up, and never tried another 

 yard. ** Mr. Roily," we take it, was not popular with the stable 

 that night. 



He once had rather an odd experience in a flat race at 

 Durham. His mount, a horse called Willoughby, somehow 

 did not feel like winning ; but another one in the race was 

 making such strong running, that his jockey kept kicking him 

 along on the off chance of the other coming back. This he 

 did to the letter, but, notwithstanding, just managed to win by 

 a head, only to drop down dead the moment he passed the post. 

 Of course, as the horse had carried the proper weight, the 

 owner got the race. 



An amusing incident once occurred at Liverpool, of which 

 " Mr. Roily " was the hero. He was riding as light as he could 

 in a race on the flat for Mr. George Payne, on a mare he had 

 won on before at Shrewsbury, and, on repeating the perform- 

 ance here, found, on sitting down in the scale, he could not 

 draw the weight. 



363 



