350 HISTORY OF THE 



a very excellent trainer, but an original of the first 

 water ; and under his able tuition, he soon 

 showed promise of that skill in training for which 

 he was afterwards distinguished. 



Many are the droll stories told of his master, 

 Sykes, but we will content ourselves with one 

 anecdote, which sufficiently shows the character 

 of the man. Being on a sick bed, he wrote a let- 

 ter to an intimate crony, containing this advice, 

 " I have done many in my time. Tommy, but 

 never did you ; don't be agen Merlin for the 

 Leger." 



Upon Sykes's retirement, Mr. Hichard Watt, of 

 Bishop Burton, then confederate with Mr. G. 

 Crompton, appointed Shepherd to his situation, in 

 which he had the good fortune to bring out, among 

 others, the following well known and successful 

 racers, viz : Abbot, Caesar, Catiline, Lottery, 

 Barefoot, Abron, Brutandorf, Memnon, Belzoni, 

 &c., &c. Upon the dissolution of the confederacy 

 which existed between Mr. Watt and Mr. Cromp- 

 ton, Shepherd commenced with an open stable, 

 and trained, at different periods, the horses of Mr. 

 Vansittart, Mr. Allen, Mr. Barrow, Mr. Gully, 

 &c. 



In the same month, Bartle Atkinson, for some 

 time trainer to the well known Col. Mehish, and af- 

 terwards to the Duke of Leeds and Sir H. Tempest 

 Vane, Bart., closed his mortal career, aged about 

 60. He was first brought into notice by Wm. 



