XIX.— "OLD BUCK," AND OTHERS 



The history of "Old Buck," the sire of 

 " Grudon " and other good 'chasers, reads like 

 a page of romance. I often think, indeed, that 

 if an accurate record were written of the lives 

 of celebrated race-horses — assuming the author 

 to have a full appreciation and practical know- 

 ledge of his subject — the result would be 

 extremely interesting. What equine ups and 

 downs would be thus revealed ! Those changes 

 experienced by human beings, wonderful enough 

 sometimes, are unromantic in comparison with 

 the vicissitudes just indicated. If race-horses 

 could only talk or, preferably, write a little ! 



Naturally I take a great interest in the 

 " Old Buck " family, having steered " Grudon " 

 to victory in the Grand National when the 

 snow was falling ; and I have received some 

 valuable information from Mr Bernard Bletsoe, 

 of Denton, the owner of those horses, with 

 reference to their brilliant sporting career. It 



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