262 JOHN PORTER OF KINGSCLERE 



It is mentioned on a former page that The 

 Bard went through the season of 1885 unbeaten, 

 and won that year sixteen races. As a three- 

 year-old he had not run before the Derby. He 

 had shown himself to be a little wonder as a 

 juvenile, so there was some excuse for the belief 

 entertained in many quarters that he had a 

 chance of beating Ormonde. But the saying 

 that " a good big 'un will always beat a good 

 little *un " was once again proved true. Coracle 

 was again sent to the post to make running for 

 Ormonde, and was again of little or no use. 

 The race was virtually a match between the first 

 and second favourites all the way round. At 

 the top of the hill, with seven furlongs to go, 

 there were four or five other horses in front of 

 them. They drew nearer to the front approach- 

 ing Tattenham Corner, coming round which 

 Ormonde, close to the rails, gained a couple of 

 lengths from The Bard. 



When headed for home the two horses began 

 to draw away from the others. Running under 

 pressure. The Bard ranged up alongside Ormonde, 

 on whom Archer was riding a very confident 

 race. It was not until he was inside the distance 

 that Archer began to move ; but the moment he 

 called on his mount the contest was virtually 

 over. Lengthening his stride, Ormonde shot 

 ahead, to win in a canter. The judge, Mr. 

 Clark, afterwards declared that he had never 



