264 HISTOR V OF THE YORK AND AINSTY HUNT. 



amongst his old associates, and barely recognising them when 

 they chanced to come across him. But curiously enough fate 

 had one chance more for him. At the Merton sale there 

 was a colt foal by Mulatto — Arcot Lass by Ardrossan which 

 did not attract a bid, and he was left over for the unfortunate 

 owner to do what he liked with. And he sent him to 

 Newmarket and won the Derby with him, his name being 

 Bloomsbury. Even when he had won the Derby he was 

 subjected to annoyances and troubles, for Mr. Fulwar Craven, 

 who was second with Deception, objected on the score of 

 wrong description, and when the Stewards decided in favour 

 of the winner, he commenced an action at law. It was, 

 however, generally believed that Lord George Bentinck was 

 the moving spirit in both objection and action, and his 

 interference in the matter has been the subject of much 

 comment. The defeat of Bloomsbury in the St. Leger was 

 another blow to Ridsdale's fortunes, and thouoh he managed to 

 keep his head above water for a time, he was ever afterwards 

 getting gradually behind with the world. There might have 

 been a chance had Bloomsbury won the Cesarewitch, in 

 which Sam Chifney rode one of the finest races in his life, 

 and always insisted that he did win But the judge said 

 otherwise, and Ridsdale gradually sank till he died in a 

 stable in Newmarket with a halfpenny in his pocket. 



As a hunting man Ridsdale had a deservedly high repu- 

 tation. He was a fine horseman and a light weight, and 

 always rode the best of horses, thoroughbred ones of course. 

 It was his luck to pound the York and Ainsty field on one 

 occasion, a feat not very easy of attainment then any more 

 than it is now. The only way out of a strongly-fenced 

 paddock was over a wide drain and a high stake and bound 

 fence into a deep weed-covered watering pool on the landing 

 side. Ridsdale, who was riding Sedan, never hesitated, but 

 to use the words of Sylvanus, he 'amphibiated to his work 



