82 THE BLUE RIBBON OF THE TURF. 



V. 



Among the horsemen of long ago will be foimd the 

 name of one who was a credit to the turf, and who 

 well deserves a few lines here by way of record. His 

 name was Francis Buckle, who won the race for the 

 Derby on five occasions, was victorious eight times in 

 the Oaks, three of his wins being in consecutive years; 

 Wiliile twice the St. Leger fell to his prowess in the 

 saddle. Buckle was at an early age sent to the busi- 

 ness of jockeyship, passing through the usual drudgery 

 incidental to stable-boy life. 



It was discovered at an early period of his novitiate 

 in the stable at Newmarket where he was trained to 

 his duty, that the boy was possessed of a head which, 

 on the occurrence of an emergency, led him to do the 

 right thing at the proper moment. Buckle very soon 

 became a good rider, and had only been at work for a 

 month or two when he was entrusted with the impor- 

 tant bvisiness of riding in trials, in which he showed 

 such aptitude as to convince all who saw his perform- 

 ances that he had the stuff in him of which good 

 jockeys are made. After serving in the stable for two 

 years, he was sent to ride on the race-courses ; and in 

 the course of a few seasons he was acknowledged to 

 have few superiors at the business. Buckle became 

 especially great in match riding — unequalled, it has 

 been said. A celebrated match in whicli he took part 

 was that between Hambletonian and Diamond, for 

 3,000 guineas, and which he won cleverly by means of 

 his ' head.' Buckle was fond of telling the following 



