274 THE HORSE. 



of cocktails is somewhat of a novelty, and that of 

 hunters has multiplied greatly. In the old ftme, 

 however, we had (at least during several years) half 

 and quarter mile races at Newmarket, at which a 

 great three part bred gelding, Rocket by Rocket, the 

 property of Lord March (late Duke of Queensbury), 

 was the winner, whatever weight he gave, in every 

 quarter mile race but one, in which he was beaten by 

 old Peggy (Masquerade). I believe he was once 

 beat half a mile. The Duke tried him from the 

 Ditch in and two miles, but he had not blood enough 

 by a single dip, to carry him through successfully, 

 though he saved his distance. The Duke and his 

 prime minister and jockey, Mr. Goodisson, must 

 have been aware of this, and, if there was any money 

 betted upon him, it must have turned to account, as 

 backing the field against him was a certainty. We 

 used to enjoy seeing Hell Fire Dick (Goodisson) 

 start this gelding for a short race. The horse held 

 sidewise, curvetting and rearing, Dick with his eagle 

 and hawk's eyes, holding him fast in that position, 

 watching the word — at the start, off flew Rocket, with 

 a velocity which demonstrated that he had not his 

 name for nothing. Never was jockey better calcu- 

 lated than Goodisson, to ride a horse of this descrip- 

 tion. About this period he rode a Juniper filly of 

 mine for the Queen's hundred, at Chelmsford ; she 

 ran a stout and good mare, and Goodisson, according 

 to the usual advice of jockeys and trainers, recom- 

 mended keeping her on, assuring me she would train 

 on, having had only three months' work. But, from 

 a previous trial of her, she appeared to me one of old 



