26o IRISH SPORT AND SPORTSMEN. 



*'0h, yes; and have often seen Mr. J. D. Whyte 

 win races on the ' lovely little black.' " 



" Greatheart was the best horse Briscoe imported, 

 and got the best cattle we ever had in this part of the 

 country. He was the sire of Ace of Hearts, winner of 

 the Corinthian Cup in Punchestown in 1858. You 

 must remember that race, as your father's horse, 

 Phoenix (late Patrick), was second to him." 



** I remember ; and, I believe, Ace of Hearts ran a 

 great race at Carmarthen in 1862?" 



" Yes ; he was then the property of Mr. Powell ; it 

 was for the Carmarthenshire Steeplechase, four miles 

 over a big country, and The Rug, a horse belong- 

 ing to Captain Tom M'Craith of Loughloher ran two 

 dead heats with the ' Ace.' " 



"Well, what was the result? Surely they did not 

 start them again after running eight miles?" 



" No. Night coming on, they agreed to divide, and 

 Ace of Hearts walked over next day. Mr. James rode 

 him in the first heat, and poor George Stevens in the 

 second. Jem Monahan, the whip, of whom we have 

 just been speaking, rode The Rug." 



" I am glad to hear that Mr. Briscoe is to be pre- 

 sented with a testimonial by the sportsmen in your 

 neighbourhood here ; no man is more deserving 

 of it; and, lam sure, it will be a very magnificent 

 one." 



" It will indeed ; every foxhunter in the county will 

 subscribe." 



"Who are the most liberal subscribers to the hunt 

 fund?" 



" The Marquis of Ormond is a princely subscriber ; 

 and Lord Bessborough, Lord Clifden, Captain Pon- 



