My Racing Adventures 



few years after the period under review, Mr 

 Bletsoe began to run some of his young stock 

 bred on the method indicated, when they soon 

 commenced to win races. He then received a 

 letter from Mr Tyler, a hunting gentleman in 

 Devonshire, asking what sort of mares he had 

 put to "Old Buck," as Mr Tyler owned the 

 horse and had noticed that his stock were suc- 

 cessful on the racecourse. Diplomatic negotia- 

 tions were initiated ; the excitement was con- 

 ceivably intense. 



In brief, Mr Bletsoe gave Mr Tyler the 

 information desired, at the same time asking 

 if " Old Buck " were for sale. The answer was, 

 "Yes; price twenty-five pounds." Mr Bletsoe 

 forwarded a cheque for that amount, also instruc- 

 tions for the horse to be sent by the next train. 

 He was cautioned to be very careful in his treat- 

 ment of his new acquisition, since the latter had 

 turned savage, though Mr Bletsoe informs me 

 that he had never the least trouble with the old 

 fellow, and that it was always the youngest lads' 

 work to attend to him out of the season. 



Mr Bletsoe kept him till he was twenty-four 

 years old, when he was obliged to have him 

 destroyed on account of teeth troubles. He was 

 the quietest entire horse his owner ever knew, 



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