Yorkshire Celebrities 9 



of the Metropolitan Steeplechase, at a difference of only 

 2>\ lb. in weight, which was, of course, a foregone con- 

 clusion. " Globule " subsequently ran third for the 

 Liverpool Grand National, and was one of many instances 

 showing how well little horses can perform over that 

 tremendous course, if only they are not crushed with too 

 much weight. 



Mr. George Thompson once had an extraordinary 

 escape from what might have been a fatal accident. He 

 was riding a four-year-old into York, when it bolted 

 coming down Blake Street, facing the end of which is 

 Harker's Hotel. With great difficulty the runaway was 

 stopped on the very pavement of the house, but when 

 turned round to go back the horse started off again, and 

 went up a narrow passage between St. Helen's Church 

 and the Clarence Hotel. This was paved with large stone 

 flags, and across it, about half-way down, was a high 

 iron railing dividing it into two parts. The four-year-old 

 went straight at this, and managed to get over without 

 either horse or rider getting a fall, though two of the iron 

 spikes were broken off. A cross-bar, also of iron, ran 

 across the top of the railing, at the height of 5 feet 2 

 inches from the flags. This must have been actually 

 cleared, or a very heavy fall would have been a certainty. 

 The spikes rise 6 inches above the cross-bar, making 

 the total height of the leap 5 feet 8 inches — a formidable 

 obstacle indeed to face on a wild four-year-old. 



Mr. Thompson still has in his possession one of the 

 plates won by " The Flying Dutchman " in the historic 

 match ; it is undoubtedly one of the greatest racing trophies 

 of this century. 



How well I remember when " Blink Bonny " won the 



