92 HORSE -RACING IN FRANCE 



more, though not less, successful ; but at Birmingham he 

 won the Grand Steeple-chase with the top weight. Then 

 began French chanticleer to crow very naturally to the 

 following tune : ' So a French horse, trained at Chan- 

 tilly too, can win over the Channel. Such a triumph is 

 satisfactory in all respects ; for it is a French horse, 

 trained in France, and belonging to a French owner. 

 Eegarded from this triple point of view it is the race — 

 of all others in the annals of the Turf — most gratifying 

 to the pride of hippie France.' On returning home the 

 ' Despised One,' the former Babouino that went a-begging 

 for a purchaser, gained more victories, including of 

 course the Grand Steeple chase at Dieppe. 



In 1857 he was almost equally victorious at Spa, at 

 Valenciennes, and, needless to add, at Dieppe. 



In 1858 he underwent a temporary eclipse. Clever 

 as he was, he actually fell at La Marche and again at 

 Spa ; he did not go — for a wonder — to Dieppe ; and his 

 winnings took the reduced form of two prizes, worth 

 only about 5,800 francs, or 232/., between them. 



Nor was 1859 a mucli better year, for he was beaten 

 at La Marche, at Warwick '^whither he went on a 

 goose's rather than a horse's errand across the Channel), 

 and at Valenciennes (where he was crushed by the 

 weight) ; but he made his usual trip to Dieppe, and, as 

 usual, won the Grand Steeple-chase, beating six com- 

 petitors (one English). 



In 1860, to his compatriots' astonishment, grief, and 

 even indignation, he really lost 'his own' Grand Steeple- 

 chase at Dieppe ; but then he carried 77 kilos, (about 

 12 St. 3 lbs.) and gave away 38 lbs. to the winner. Surprise. 

 However he won three races or chases, notably the 

 Grand Steeple-chase at Spa. 



In the Spring of 1861 he again crossed the Channel, 



