TiiK ]tAci.\{i t;i;Afe;t).\, 1813. 279 



THE RACING SEASON, 1843. 



The . curtain of the Racing Season of the year 1 843 

 never fell on a more delightful or productive season as to 

 sport than that of the year of grace, 1843. The weather, 

 with scarcely an exception, was most gladsome ; the betting 

 more confined to those who had the wherewithal to meet 

 their engagements, and the cream of the racing excellent. 

 Passing over the Warwick Spring and Pytchley Hunt 

 Meetings, because we have nothing to say in their praise ; 

 at the same time finding nothing to censure — we come to 

 the Spring Meeting at Epsom, which, though backed by 

 that '' fine old English gentleman," and true supporter of 

 the integrity of Turf affairs. Sir Gilbert Heathcote, was all 

 but a failure. The greatest regret to us was the defeat of 

 the popular baronet's Sirikol, whose superiority over the 

 field was subsequently fully proved. Somehow or another, 

 Sir Gilbert's horses always bolt in the Spring Epsom Meet- 

 ings ! Mr Goodman's Maccabeus, the favourite, then thought 

 highly of for the Derby, and since so notorious by reason of 

 his intimate connexion with the " Running Rein case," ran 

 a moderate second, and subsequently died. There was a 

 good deal of talk respecting the said Maccabeus' age, at the 

 time, and some people were thought very lucky in having 

 their three year olds looking as furnished as many of their 

 friends' four year olds ! • O tempora ! ! O mores ! ! ! 



The Newmarket Craven Meeting passed over quite as 

 well as could be expected. Cotherstone came out im- 

 mensely improved, and won the Riddles worth and Column 

 Stakes quite in a canter, beating in the one Dawson's " pot" 



