The Derby 315 



Eosebery, one of the soundest of judges, believed that 

 Velasquez was considerably the best horse he had ever 

 owned. When the Middle Park Plate day arrived, 

 Velasquez did not look quite himself, as it was under- 

 stood that the extremely heavy going — for it had been 

 raining much, and the course was very deep and holding 

 — would be against him. There was an idea of sending 

 his stable companion Chelandry to run instead, but 

 finally he was sent to the post, and 5 to 1 was laid on 

 him, for he had only Galtee More to beat, and the colt's 

 previous form was very remarkable. Velasquez ran 

 very badly however, and was beaten six lengths ; next 

 season it was found that Galtee More had ' come on ' 

 and greatly improved, and also that Velasquez did 

 not really stay. Lord Eosebery's colt was beaten easily 

 in the Two Thousand and decisively in the Derby, the 

 history of which is thus brought up to date. 



