336 HISTORY OF THE 



In 1779, the Earl of Derby instituted the Oaks' 

 stakes, which he won with his mare, Bridget by 

 King Herod. But although he generally started 

 horses for this stake and the Derby, he met with 

 no great success, having only won the former once 

 more in addition to the above, viz : with Hermione 

 by Sir Peter in 1794, and the latter once with his 

 celebrated horse, Sir Peter Teazle.* 



After the year 1797, his Lordship almost en- 

 tirely left off running horses at Newmarket, con- 

 fining his support chiefly to races in his own 

 provincial district, which did not fail to experience 

 that increase of trade, the invariable effect of 

 respectably and numerously attended turf meetings. 



Lord Derby's first trainer, we believe, was old 

 Saunders, who was succeeded by his son, and 

 upon his dismissal, (about the year 1825), 

 Bloss, a relative of Bloss of Newmarket, took 

 office, which he held until his noble master's 

 death. 



Among his Lordship's jockies, we find the names 

 ofPierse, Dunn, (who was killed at Chester), R. 

 Spencer, Benjamin Smith, Johnson Lye and Tem- 

 pleman. 



The Earl was also most enthusiastically attached 

 to hunting and cocking, in which latter pursuit he 

 was, we believe, generally considered unrivalled. His 

 Lordship married twice, his second wife being the 

 exemplary and accomplished actress. Miss Farren. 



* See page 6, voL ii. 



