SOME MEMORABLE MATCHES 303 



A.D. 1759 : On August 20, at York, took place 

 the closely-contested match for 2,000 guineas 

 between Lord Rockingham's Whistlejacket (John 

 Singleton), the winner, and Mr. (afterwards Sir 

 Charles) Turner's Brutus (Thomas Jackson), the 

 loser, remarkable on account of the loser beino- 

 favourite at 5 to 4, and of the comments, which 

 illustrate the mode of starting in those days ; 

 for we read that ' this was an exceedingly fine 

 race, being strongly contested the whole four 

 miles, and won by a length only. Both riders 

 showed great skill in jockeyship, and so jealous 

 were they of an advantage being gained at starting 

 that tkey called one another back several times^ 

 Which reminds one of watermen's boat-races in 

 later times, when the start took place by consent, 

 and the race was liable to be delayed by tricks 

 until the spectators grew weary. 



A.D. 1 760 : On August 22, at York, ' the famous 

 Mr. Johnson ' (who was probably a circus-rider, 

 now clean forgotten, sic transit gloria mundi) 

 ' rode one mile standing upright on horseback 

 for 100 guineas,' and did the feat, for which 

 3 minutes had been allowed, with 18 seconds 

 to spare (2 minutes 42 seconds). 



