CHAPTER XVII 



KNIGHT OF THE THISTLE 



The " Lincolnshire "—Good Horse's Bad Moments— At Home in England 



The winter of 1898-1899 brought about the usual 

 incidents : visits here and there in America ; meetings 

 with many old friends and the introduction to new 

 ones, especially those connected with the prize ring 

 and the world of sport, some of whom I shall have 

 occasion to refer to in later chapters. I had always 

 of course to bear in mind that I was due back to ride 

 for Lord William in the early spring. In fact I heard 

 at the end of January that I was required to ride Knight 

 of the Thistle in the Lincolnshire Handicap. This 

 horse was trained by Huggins, who had bought him 

 for an American sportsman named L. O. Appleby. 

 Two years before, when a four-year-old, he had won 

 the Royal Hunt Cup carrying 7-5 and had figured 

 prominently in other races. I knew little or nothing 

 about him but was told by letter that I had a real good 

 chance of winning the first important race of the 

 season. They sent me cuttings from English news- 

 papers — the handicap, and what certain English 

 sporting writers thought about the prospects of the 

 race. 



I had heard of Knight of the Thistle, for of course 

 there was always the usual " horse talk " every 

 evening and during the day — but, by the way, we would 

 frequently, my friends and I, break away entirely 

 from turf topics and switch on to other things, especi- 



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