78 HORSE-RACING PREVIOUS TO VANS. 



it was a matter of no slight difficulty and risk to 

 get horses even from Newmarket to Epsom to 

 run for the Derby and Oaks. Many a favourite 

 on arriving at Epsom was unable to start, from 

 being amiss on the day. It was usual for New- 

 market horses to reach Epsom or the neighbour- 

 hood three weeks or a month prior to the races. 

 Some were located at Epsom, some at Ashstead, 

 Leatherhead, Mickleham, and Headley, the last 

 place, when Mr Ladbroke resided there, being 

 headquarters, as, in addition to being an opulent 

 banker, he was an enthusiastic sportsman and a 

 confederate for many years of the late Earl of 

 Egremont. It was his great delight to entertain 

 as many of the most distinguished patrons of the 

 Turf as possible, and also to accommodate their 

 horses. The Duke of Grafton, the Duke of 

 Cleveland, and the Duke of Rutland were always 

 included among Mr Ladbroke's guests, and their 

 horses were provided with excellent stable accom- 

 modation. Mr Ladbroke also took lodgings near 

 his own house for their trainers — Robert Robson, 

 R. D. Boyce, and William Chifney. The Cock Inn 

 hard by was well patronised by other trainers and 

 jockeys, so that Headley, as long as Mr Ladbroke 

 lived, was an important racing centre whenever 

 the Epsom Summer Meeting came round. In 

 addition to entertaining as many distinguished 

 guests as he could find room for, Mr Ladbroke 

 took the greatest pleasure in inviting all the 



