120 A MIRROR OF THE TURF. 



the competing fields had risen to an average 

 of 13. 



The Duke of Bedford, who during the active 

 period of his life was a well-known habitue of the 

 turf, won the Oaks in the consecutive years of 

 1 790-1 by the aid of Hyppolita and Portia, 

 while in 1793 his filly Coelia proved successful in 

 beating the nine competitors which started against 

 her. The next duke who comes upon the scene 

 is " the Oaks Duke," par excellence, the Duke of 

 Grafton, With Remnant in 1801, and with 

 Parasol in 1803, his grace had proved unsuccess- 

 ful ; but in 1804 t^is fil^y Pelisse, beating seven 

 opponents, won the Duke his first Oaks ; in 1808, 

 Morel brought him another victory. Music, 

 Minuet, Pastille, Zinc, Turquoise, and Oxygen 

 followed in the footsteps of Morel in the years 

 1813, 1815, 1822, 1823, 1828, and 1831, respec- 

 tively, giving his grace eight winners in all. 



On two occasions the Garter of the Turf was 

 awarded to the Duke of Rutland, who won in 

 181 1 by the aid of Sorcery, and in 18 14 his 

 grace's filly Medora took the prize. The Duke 

 of Richmond comes next in the list of ducal 

 winners; in 1827 his filly Gulnare won the Oaks, 

 and again in 1845 his grace's filly Refraction 

 credited him with the stakes. In what may be 

 called modern times (1886-7) the Dukes of 

 Hamilton and Beaufort have each scored a victory. 



Coming now to " the lords," it has first of all 

 to be chronicled that the founder of the race was 

 twice successful in his attempts to win ; first with 

 Bridget in 1779 — the year of its institution — and 

 again in 1794, when Hermione won. Lord Gros- 

 venor's Faith, Ceres, and Maid of the Oaks gave 



