256 A MIRROR OF THE TURF. 



was Beadsman, who became the sire of Bluegown, 

 another Derby winner, which also brought a large 

 sum — ^100,000 it is said — to the coffers of Sir 

 Joseph. Pyrrhus I. was a cheap horse compared 

 with the cost of such cattle at the present time ; 

 he was bought by John Day, the well-known 

 trainer, at Doncaster as a yearling, who shared 

 his purchase with Mr. Gully. The Member for 

 Pontefract was lucky in other than turf specu- 

 lations, by which it has been said he cleared a 

 quarter of a million sterling ; he speculated largely 

 in coal-fields, all of which are represented to have 

 proved remunerative. 



As time went on the ex-pugilist acquired good 

 manners, and became somewhat more courtly 

 than when he was lessee of a public - house. 

 Gully was hospitable, and although his style was 

 less refined than that of Ridsdale, who " took on 

 no end of polish," his rooms at Newmarket were 

 frequented by the best men on the turf. His 

 dinners were admirably cooked and served ; his 

 wines could not be excelled ; and he was able to 

 offer all the delicacies of the season to his friends 

 in the same style as if he had been to the manner 

 born. At the ripe age of eighty Gully died, his 

 death taking place at his luxurious seat of Corkin 

 Hall, near Durham. An immense concourse of 

 people attended his funeral, many present being 

 of the rank and fashion of the period. 



Ridsdale, after the trial at York, and the 

 severance of his jDartnership with Gully, began 

 gradually to fall from his high estate. His star 

 had begun to set. His hand, to use a common 

 simile, lost its cunning, and although his journey 

 downhill was once or twice arrested in a pleasant 



