154 HORSE-EACING IN FRANCE 



Breadalbane 6,000 guineas (paid by Count Lehndorf 

 for the German Government). Gladiateur died in 1876 

 (of ' old age,' said the unconverted cynics, but ' of in- 

 flammation, at fourteen years of age,' say the more 

 sober chronicles), having been a dead failure at the 

 stud, if the progeny he begot be compared with himself 

 and his achievements. 



In appearance Gladiateur was, as nearly as one 

 can remember, what his ' compatriots ' term a ' bai zain,' 

 or ' perfect bay ' with black points. He is described as 

 standing (at three years of age) 16 hands 1 inch ; 

 with a large and plain liead, a ' beautifully arched neck,' 

 powerful, sloping shoulders, very muscular arms and 

 thighs, and deep girth. However that may be, it is a 

 fact that, as so often happens, the learned judges of 

 horseflesh ' did not like him ' until after he had done 

 wonders. But is it not a fact that the great pliysical 

 phenomenon is very often — if not generally — anything 

 but a ' model ' as the authorities would draw it ? Your 

 ' Tipton Slasher' has legs like a 'K;' your Blacklock 

 ' of the mighty stride ' is a ' beauty ' in the ironical 

 sense. And how frequently is the ' strong man ' square- 

 shouldered ? If he be not as frequently or more fre- 

 quently round-shouldered, or sloping-shouldered, then 

 let no man trust his eyesight. Heenan was more of a 

 ' model ' than either Tom Sayers or Tom King ; but he 

 did not beat them, not either of them decisively, and 

 King did beat him decisively — very — if memory may 

 be trusted. 



What a marvel Gladiateur was may be inferred 

 from some ' trials ' recorded by Lord Suffolk and Berk- 

 shire in his half-volume of the ' Badminton Library.' 

 Here is the account of tliem. 



On April 19, 1865 (when the ' Frencli wonder' was 



