IVhen Boston met Fashion 251 



supreme moments of contest when the vital ques- 

 tion was to be asked; and it came to be known 

 to the sportsmen of that day that when young 

 Laird " threw away his reins " Fashion might be 

 expected to let out a most astounding burst 

 of speed. 



This New Jersey horse was trained for all her 

 engagements by Samuel Laird of Colt's Neck, 

 New Jersey, and ridden by his son Joseph, who 

 was at that day called the best jockey in the 

 North. He was the rival this side the Potomac 

 of Gil Patrick, who was the premier jockey south 

 of the divisional line. 



Laird conducted a public stable, taking horses 

 from such owners as wished to train their steeds. 

 It was a bit unfortunate for Fashion that 

 at the time of her going into Laird's hands 

 he was also training her half-brother. Mariner, 

 and a capital race-horse, Clarion ; so that, when 

 they went to the races. Fashion was compelled to 

 take her turn with these two in meeting the 

 various candidates, and winning opportunities 

 were lost to her because the trainer would elect 

 to send some other horse to the post in affairs to 

 which Fashion was eligible, and which she would 

 have won had she been asked. 



