136 TALES AND TRAITS OF SPORTING LIFE. 



lated to improve and perpetuate tlie breed of tlie sound 

 and stout tlioroug-li-bred horse, not onlj for racing-, but 

 also for g-eneral stud purposes." There was another prize 

 of twenty sovs. for the second-best ; and good accommo- 

 dation promised in the yard, with a roomy box, made 

 perfectly comfortable and secure for each horse. This 

 promise was fully carried out. The boxes alone, either 

 for room or warmth, were worth going- all the way to see, 

 and a horse might have lived as well in them for two or 

 ^three months as for two or three nig-hts. Then the com- 

 mittee announced further that " three g-entlemen of the 

 hig-liest reputation, soundest judgment, and strictest im- 

 partiality, should be selected to make the awards — one 

 being a nobleman or gentleman connected with the Turf, 

 another an experienced trainer of race-horses, and the 

 third a gentleman who has a thorough knowledge of 

 breeding horses for both racing and hunting purposes." 

 Every exhibitor had the privilege of suggesting the names 

 of gentlemen to act as judges ; but the committee of 

 course reserved the right ot selection. On a Thursday 

 morning, then, early in August 1860, the now fiourishing 

 town of Middlesbro'-on-Tees, although not so long since 

 but a few farmhouses, was the scene of some considerable 

 excitement. The entry, to number not fewer than twenty 

 niominations, was known to have filled, while no end of 

 high-mettled horses were rumoured to be in. At a Httle 

 before twelve the yard, or rather the somewhat swampy 

 show ground, was opened, and soon after, having taken a 

 walk through the boxes, their worships '^ stepped into 

 the ring." The gentleman connected with the Turf turned 

 up in Mr. James Weatherby ; Tom Dawson, of Middle- 

 ham, was the experienced trainer; and Mr. Hobson, of 

 Kettleby Thorpe, near Brigg, the breeder of that chance 



