3S2 JOHN PORTER OF KINGSCLERE 



the time, however, the comforting assurance 

 that the Prince and the Baron greatly regretted 

 the necessity for severing their association with 

 the stable. That assurance was later, on more 

 than one occasion, reconveyed by His Royal 

 Highness. As for Baron Hirsch his partiality 

 for Kingsclere was revealed in a very tangible 

 form twelve months afterwards, when he asked 

 me to train for him again. I had to tell him it 

 was impossible for me to take his horses back, 

 for the good and sufficient reason that I had no 

 vacant boxes. 



The Baron then made an astonishing and very 

 flattering proposal. ** If," he said, ** you are 

 willing to sell, I will buy Kingsclere for ;^2o,ooo. 

 As my trainer I will pay you a salary of ;^iooo. 

 Further, I will place ;^ 100,000 in the bank, which 

 shall be at your absolute disposal for the purchase 

 of bloodstock, and you shall have the sole manage- 

 ment of my horses. Any boxes I do not fill you 

 can use for horses belonging to other owners." 

 I could only express my thanks and my regret 

 that I was unable to entertain the offer, because 

 of my desire to act fairly to my older patrons. 

 I recommended Baron Hirsch to place his horses 

 with George Blackwell, who had been head man 

 to Matt Dawson. He adopted my suggestion, 

 but, unfortunately for Blackwell, about twelve 

 months after the horses went to him. Baron 

 Hirsch died. 



