138 Till-: liAClNG SEASON, 183G. 



affair. The 2,000 guineas was speculated upon to an im- 

 mense extent ; both horses being supported with something 

 like old fashioned spirit. Bay Middleton won by barely a 

 neck, and rose a point for the Derby, and, to prove the 

 good judgment of the Newmarket knowing ones, they made 

 Elis first favourite for the Doncaster St Leger. The Port- 

 land Handicap brought out Sheet Anchor in improved form 

 by his defeating Hornsea, Birdlime, &c., in a canter. There 

 were many, and good judges too, who thought this race " a 

 mistake." 



The 1,000 Guineas Stakes went into the pocket of that 

 good and quiet sportsman, Mr Houldsworth, without af- 

 fording (as the race usually does) any criterion for the Oaks 

 betting. 



The Newmarket Stakes were won by a head by Muezzin, 

 beating Taishteer and three others. The winner and second 

 horse were so near together at the finish, that the spectators 

 cried out " a dead heat ! " Immediately after this race 20 

 to 1 agst the two was offered for the Derby. 



The weather in the Epsom week, to the great delight of 

 the Londoners, was beautifully fine. Recruit's winning the 

 Craven against a decent field of all-aged horses, brought 

 John Day's lot strong into the market, and as the day ad- 

 vanced. Venison, who had tailed off his companions in a 

 trial in a superior style, gradually got up in the odds, until 

 no one could be found to lay 5 to 1 against him. That the 

 Derby was won as easily as ever that race was won before, 

 no one will deny ; and that the start, as regards Gladiator, 

 Slane, and one or two others, was anything but satisfactory, 

 is equally clear to the disinterested. 



Every body, however, was glad that Lord Jersey won, 

 for he is unquestionably one of our finest specimens of a 

 noble British sportsman combined with a high-bred gentle- 

 man. Nimrod in his Crack Riders of England says, he 



