130 HORSE-RACING IN ENGLAND 



in remembrance of what his brother had done, or 

 is understood to have done) an annual ante-Derby 

 dinner for members of the Jockey Club, and at 

 that of 1832 he presented to the club the Eclipse 

 Foot, set in silver, to be run for annually at Ascot 

 by horses belonging to members of the club only, 

 though the race was soon unfortunately discon- 

 tinued, and the ' foot ' has become a snuff-box at 

 the Jockey Club Rooms. He improved the 

 Royal stud at Hampton Court, and increased the 

 number of Royal Plates. 



William IV., however, though he began so 

 well, and though he was very attentive to the 

 counsels and exhortations of his trusted and 

 honoured friend, the fifth Duke of Richmond (a 

 great patron of horse-racing), did not continue for 

 more than two or three years ' upon the turf,' as 

 a personal participator in the racing ; and his re- 

 tirement was very likely hastened by the death, 

 on February 26, 1832, of his Master of the Horse, 

 Mr. Delme Radcliffe (who had been gentleman 

 jockey. Master of the Horse, and 'alter ego' on 

 the turf to the King's late brother), and by an 

 untoward incident which happened at Ascot and 

 was supposed to have some connection with the 



