158 THE J{AC1N(^ SEASON, It 37. 



The mares were a sorry lot, and allLoLigii tiie running 

 of Chapeau d'Espagne proved her at Newmarket to be the 

 queen, yet it is surprising how any one could be found so 

 simple as to take so low as 2 to 1 about such a scratching 

 thing as she was, for such a race as the Oaks, where strength 

 is as needful a quality as speed. 



The running of Achmet for the 2,000 gs. stakes, and his 

 improvement, not only in appearance, but also in his manner 

 of galloping, induced some of the very best judges to select 

 him as their " principal," to stand their greatest stake upon, 

 and his disappearance on the eventful day caused many a 

 long face on the Epsom downs. 



The Chester Meeting afforded the usual quantum of sport, 

 but omitting the Trade Cup (won by General Chasse at a 

 high weight), the races upon the whole were confined to 

 second rate -horses only. 



The Second Spring Newmarket Meeting afforded a 

 solitary interesting race — the Rowley Mile Plate. In 1826 

 this race was won by Lord Egremont's Lapdog, who after- 

 wards won the Derby at about Phosphorus's odds ; and in 

 1828 the Duke of Grafton's Turquoise won it and the Oaks, 

 also at very long odds, being the only two winners of this 

 and either of the great Epsom races during ten years. To 

 keep up its character, however. Phosphorus carried this 

 plate and the Derby off; although for the former he was 

 declared short of work and in physic ; and for the latter, 

 stated to be lame — this makes good the old turf adage " 'tis 

 dangerous to be safe." 



The Derby of 1837 had, alas for the backers of horses ! 

 many untoward events, so many good favourites being sent 

 to the right about. Amongst the principal ones Jereed, 

 Achmet, Benedict, Defender, and Wintonian were backed 

 at 9 to 1 and less ; then come Flare-up, Cartoon, Delusion, 

 Sambo, and Lord Stafford in the second class, all backed 



