My Racing Adventures 



Why, in future I must be condemned to gallop 

 after old women down a lane." 



(Note by eminent author. — "This story is as true 

 as many that find their way into print — that is, 

 if it were much truer nobody would believe it. 

 Many Nimrods who attempted to follow ' Ilex ' 

 in the hunting-field had a sort of bad headache 

 ere they had gone far. Some came a ' cropper,' 

 and had nothing to boast of even in their post- 

 prandial slumbers.") 



Few thoroughbred horses, after being raced, 

 make really good hunters. They are apt to rush 

 a little too fast at their fences, are hot and excit- 

 able ; but " Ilex " behaved himself with perfect 

 composure and savoir faire under his new cir- 

 cumstances. He wanted riding. His temper 

 was easily upset if he were messed about at all ; 

 good " hands " were essential. Few gentlemen 

 would have enjoyed themselves on " Ilex " in the 

 hunting-field, and I was obliged to tell a friend 

 who desired a mount on him that it would not 

 be prudent on his part to take the risk. " You 

 couldn't ride one side of him " — such was my 

 genial affirmation — "and the other side would 

 give you more trouble than you are worth." 

 His cross - buttock was not unmeritorious, but 

 there was nothing in it to leave a sting in my 



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