258 JOHN PORTER OF KINGSCLERE 



I do not wish It to be understood that I was 

 doubtful about Barrett's ability to do Ormonde 

 justice. His style of riding was the nearest 

 approach to George Fordham*s I had ever seen. 

 He had beautiful ** hands." There were times, 

 it is true, when Barrett's behaviour in the saddle 

 was erratic. His eccentricities became more 

 pronounced towards the end of his career, when 

 his brain was affected. It was, I am persuaded, 

 this affliction that accounted for the way he 

 bungled his business when he rode La Fl^che in 

 the Derby. He made a lot of money as a 

 jockey, and many people thought he was un- 

 scrupulous. I, however, had no reason to 

 believe that he was, except on one occasion to 

 which reference will be made later. 



The race for the Two Thousand Guineas is 

 thus recorded in the official Calendar : 



The 2000 Guineas Stakes, of loo sovs. each, h.ft., for 

 three-years-old ; colts 9 st. ; fillies 8 st. 9 lb. ; the second 

 received 200 sovs. out of the Stakes and the third saved his 

 Stake. R.M. (82 subs. — £4000). 

 Duke of Westminster's b.c. Ormonde, by 



Bend Or G. Barrett i 



Mr. R. Vyner's b.c. Minting .... Watts 2 

 Prince SoltykoFs ch.c. Mephisto .... Cannon 3 

 Mr. Childwick's ch.c. Saraband .... Archer 4 

 Mr. Manton's br.c. St. Mirin . . . F. Barrett 5 

 Duke of Westminster's bl.c. Coracle . . . Viney 6 

 II to 10 against Minting, 3 to i Saraband, 7 to 2 Or- 

 monde, 100 to 3 each St. Mirin and Mephisto, and 200 to i 

 Coracle. Won by two lengths ; a bad third. 



