i8o JOHN PORTER OF KINGSCLERE 



This was a splendid record, one which fully 

 explains the exalted estimate of Isonomy's merits 

 taken by the compiler of the Cesarewitch Handi- 

 cap. A word may be added with regard to the 

 Brighton Cup. Mr. Gretton had a horse called 

 Monk entered, as well as Isonomy. Monk was 

 sent to make running for his stable companion. 

 The conditions of the race stipulated that four 

 horses, belonging to different owners^ must compete. 

 As the time for the contest drew near we dis- 

 covered that, in addition to our two, the only 

 arrivals were Sir John Astley's Drumhead and 

 Tom Jennings's Paul Cray. The difficulty thus 

 created was solved by Mr. Gretton selling Monk 

 to me for ;£2oo, and he ran in my name. I did 

 very well with the horse. That year he won me 

 three races worth ;^454, and another of ;^io2 

 in 1880, when I sold him. He was the first 

 winner to carry my colours — " cherry, black belt 

 and cap '* — a variant of those registered by Sir 

 Joseph Hawley. In 1877 Monk, then a three- 

 year-old, started second favourite for the Stewards' 

 Cup at Goodwood. We tried him a few days 

 previously, and he just failed to do what we asked 

 of him. The gallop finished on some rising 

 ground, and Mr. Gretton, who was present, 

 concluded that this was the hindrance to Monk. 

 ** The easy course at Goodwood will just suit 

 him," he said. I, however, assured him I gener- 

 ally found the form shown in our home trials 



