226 Indian Racing Reminiscences. 



won the Arab and country-bred handicap, and Sweep, 

 steered by that same fine horseman, secured the steeple- 

 chase handicap. As I had the money principally on 

 Viceroy, and as I was in want of a rider, I put up 

 Captain Atkinson of the 85th, who had ridden some 

 steeplechases in England very fairly. Unfortunately 

 I put a snaffle instead of a double bridle in Viceroy's 

 mouth, as " Mr. Bob " used to ride him in it. The little 

 horse was a hard puller and inclined to refuse timber if 

 he was given the chance, which, I need hardly say, he 

 never got from " Mr, Bob." As Captain Atkinson was 

 somewhat out of condition, he was too much " blown," 

 after they had gone a mile, to keep Viceroy straight at 

 the posts and rails, and allowed him to "run out." I\Ir. 

 Short and Mr. Johnson rode a grand race against each 

 other in this chase. As the former had the speed of his 

 opponent, he managed to lead him up to each fence 

 by about half a length, until they came, after they had 

 gone a mile and three-quarters, to a small obstacle, which 

 Van Amburgh caught with his hind legs on account of 

 jumping too soon, fell, and broke his back. This accident 

 was a sad illustration of the danger to a rider, when 

 going fast, of keeping half a length or so behind another 

 horse racing alongside him at a fence ; for his horse, 



