31 8 HORSE-RACING IN ENGLAND 



been such a throng of visitors at Newmarket, 

 that not a bed was to be had within 20 miles 

 of the place, that grooms and jockeys and 

 hangers-on had to camp out, and that no stabling 

 was to be had for love or money ; and it was 

 run — at any rate, during the journey 'across the 

 flat ' — at ' an amazing speed.' But, to show how 

 little reliance is to be placed upon the 'clocking ' 

 of the period, the time is variously given from 



7 minutes 15 seconds (which places the 'mile in 

 a minute ' of Flying Childers, and the * mile in 

 I minute 4^5 seconds of Firetail and Pumpkin 

 within the bounds of credibility) to 8 minutes 

 25 seconds, and even 8 minutes 30 seconds (which 

 does not compare favourably with Tranby's 



8 minutes for 4 miles in * Squire ' Osbaldeston's 

 match, when, as the race was against time, and 

 not against an opponent, the ' clocking ' would 

 probably be more accurate). Sir H, Vane- 

 Tempest is said to have ridden Hambletonian in 

 Hyde Park afterwards. Fancy the Duke of 

 Westminster riding Ormonde or Orme nowadays 

 in the Row ! More policemen would be required 

 than at a meeting of the Four-in-hand Club. 



A.D. 1800: Early in June *a naval officer 



