SAINFOIN AND COMMON 325 



nesSj courage and stamina pulled him through. 

 He had, however, to be pushed pretty hard to 

 beat Reverend a length. 



Shortly before the St. Leger the owners of 

 Common received from a representative of the 

 Austrian Government an offer of 14,000 guineas 

 for the horse. This was refused, though one of 

 ^the conditions accompanying the offer was that 

 Lord Alington and Sir Frederick Johnstone 

 were to receive the St. Leger Stakes if the 

 [horse won. Two days after the race an offer of 

 [15,000 guineas, made by Sir Blundell Maple, was 

 [accepted. This transaction caused quite a sensa- 

 tion, for it was the biggest sum that had ever 

 Ibeen paid for a racehorse. The following Monday 

 >ir Blundell received a telegram reading : 



Would you accept 20,000 guineas for Common ? 

 'ire reply, Walpole, Vienna. 



Without taking time to consider this offer. 

 Sir Blundell Maple, in his naturally grandiloquent 

 way, sent the following message : 



Thanks for offer. The English Turf requires 

 Common's services. Money will not tempt me. 



Blundell Maple. 



Common's new owner meant well. He believed 

 that by refusing to part with the horse he was 

 doing both English breeders and himself a good 

 turn. He made a mistake. One way and 



