THE CAREER OF ORMONDE 255 



following year; and Gay Hermit, already a 

 winner of seven races. 



That success completed Ormonde's two-year- 

 old career. Sportsmen had plenty to talk about 

 during the ensuing winter months, for there 

 were several strong candidates for classic honours 

 in 1886. The Minting party were still very 

 cock-a-hoop. Many people had a great fancy 

 for The Bard, a chestnut colt by Petrarch, and 

 an unbeaten winner of sixteen races as a two- 

 year-old. There were also Saraband, St. Mirin, 

 Gay Hermit, and others that came into the 

 argument. 



Ormonde wintered well, growing more muscu- 

 lar, especially about the quarters, which developed 

 a tremendously powerful appearance. When the 

 spring came round I did not think it necessary 

 to subject him to a formal trial; we knew he was 

 well, and that was all we wanted to know. 



The Saturday before the Two Thousand 

 Guineas saw him again at Newmarket. On the 

 Sunday morning I took my horses on to the 

 Bury Hill gallops by the side of the Plantation, 

 and there I met Matt Dawson with his string. 

 He and I were the only trainers on that portion 

 of the Heath. We pulled up our hacks 

 and exchanged greetings. After the customary 

 formalities Matt said: " Til show you the best 

 horse you have ever seen in your life, John.'* 

 Thereupon he called to the boy riding Minting 



