314 THE BLUE RIBBON OF THE TURF. 



their bets. Althougli the horse was allowed to start 

 for the Derby, it was well enough known by all 

 interested that in the event of its winning it would be 

 objected to, and there was great excitement in conse- 

 quence. As soon as the judge had given his decision, 

 Colonel Peel claimed the stakes, and as legal proceed- 

 ings were to be taken for the recovery of the money, it 

 was at once paid into the Court of Exchequer by 

 Messrs. Weatherby, who acted as stake-holders. In 

 that court the trial took place, when it was proved 

 that the animal which was started as a three-year-old, 

 in compliance with the conditions of the Derby, was 

 in reality Maccabeus, and was four years of age. A 

 verdict in accordance with the evidence gave the race 

 to Orlando, and the stakes raced for to his owner. 

 Colonel Peel, who was warmly congratulated on his 

 success, as was also Lord George Jientinck, who had 

 played an active part in exposing the plot. Another 

 colt wliich ran in the Derby of 1844 was Leander, 

 which, had it won, would not have been awarded 

 Derby honours — seeing that it, also, would have been 

 i:)roved to be a four-year-old — but no difficulty arose, 

 as, in running, Leander fell and, breaking his leg, 

 required to be destroyed. This year Colonel Peel ran 

 first and second (ignoring the performance of Running 

 Rein), Orlando beating Ionian by two lengths, Bay 

 Momus being close up. There Avere twenty-nine 

 runners, including the impostor, and the placings of 

 the judge were as follows : 



Colonel Peel's b. c. Orlando, by Touchstone out of Vulture - 1 

 Colonel Peel's b. c. Ionian, by Ion out of Malibran - - 2 

 Colonel Anson's b. c. Bay Momus, by Bay Middle ton - - 3 



