THE DERBY HORSES, 1831. / 



On the Heath, when the ring was formed, the favourite even 

 improved to 7 to 4 and 2 to 1 on him. And this state of 

 things continued up to the time of starting. But we must 

 quit the ring, and take a peep at the Warren. 



The first horse we saw was His Majesty's Colt, by Mus- 

 tachio, out of Electress's dam — a lengthy — leggy — lame 

 animal, with the awkwardest action in his walk that we ever 

 witnessed. Riddlesworth and Blunder looked commanding 

 and well, and if Blunder's heart had been as good as his coat, 

 he would have been dangerous indeed. But he had the re- 

 putation of disliking contested elections, and of declining 

 the going to the pole, if any other candidate evince a deter- 

 mination to persevere beyond a mile. Riddlesworth looked 

 very blood-like — but leggy, rather straight in the posteriors, 

 and, when stripped, light for his size. 



The iron state of the course was against him; and there 

 is no doubt in our minds, that the want of rain materially 

 aided his defeat. Vestris was blooming and well, and by 

 his personal appearance gained many friends, rising to the 

 decided place of second favourite, at 12 to 1. Hsemus and 

 iEneas were big enough for anything but winners ; and Bras 

 de Fer looked fit to run, which is the great secret of the 

 Derby. But the bright, light, airy little Spaniel, had ar- 

 rived at the exact pitch at which a horse, to win a Derby, 

 ought to be. His coat was silk itself, and he trod the turf 

 as though he disdained the earth and trod on air. The other 

 nags need merely have official mention here, as follows. 



Thursday, May 19. — The first year of a renewal of the 

 Derby Stakes of 50 so vs. each, h. ft., for three yr olds ; colts, 

 8st. 71b.; and fillies, 8st. 21b. — Last mile and a half; the 

 owner of the second horse to save his stake, and the winner 

 to pay 100 sovs. towards the expenses of the police. — One 

 hundred and five subs. 



Lord Lowther's b. c Spaniel 1 



Lord Jersey's ch. c. Riddlesworth 2 



