326 JOHN PORTER OF KINGSCLERE 



another Common lost him a bonny penny, for 

 he was a disappointment as a stallion. The 

 best of his sons and daughters were Nun Nicer 

 (winner of the One Thousand Guineas), Osbech, 

 and Mushroom. When he went to the stud 

 his fee was 200 guineas, but by 19 10 it had come 

 down to 19 guineas ! Then, however, the 

 achievements of Mushroom sent it up to 48 

 guineas, and at that figure it stood when Common 

 died in December 19 12, at Mr. Boyce Barrow's 

 stud near Chelmsford. After Sir Blundell 

 Maple's death in 1903 the horse was presented 

 by the widow to Mr. Barrow. 



It has repeatedly been stated that in deciding 

 to start Common at the stud as a four-year-old 

 Sir Blundell Maple disdained all advice to the 

 contrary. This was not the case. He wanted 

 the horse to remain in training, provided I would 

 keep him at Kingsclere. I could not, however, 

 accept Sir Blundell as a patron of the Kingsclere 

 establishment because I was already training for 

 so many owners. But this did not entirely 

 exonerate Sir Blundell from blame in pursuing 

 the course he did. I have always maintained 

 that his judgment was at fault. If Common 

 had raced as a four-year-old he would almost 

 certainly have proved himself a great Cup horse, 

 and he ought to have had the chance of so doing. 



After Common had won the St. Leger I 

 received the following letter from Lord Alington : 



