362 THE BLUE RIBBON OF THE TURF. 



subscribers who entered for the 'Bhie Ribbon 'of 18S7, 

 Mr. Abington was the man to whom victory fell by 

 the aid of his horse Merry Humptoi), ridden by John 

 Watts, which came in tirst in a field of eleven, win- 

 ning the race by four lengths ; Mr. Fern's The Baron 

 obtained second place, Martley being third. Among 

 the runners were Aintree, Eiridspord, and Grandison. 

 The Baron was made favourite in the betting, and 

 started with odds of 5 to 4 on him ; Eiridspord and 

 Martley were next in demand ; whilst the price of the 

 winner was 100 to 9. The value of the stakes was 

 £4,52.5. 



His Grace the Duke of Beaufort secured the Oaks 

 by the aid of Reve d'Or, C. Wood being the successful 

 jockey. The filly started with odds of 11 to 4 betted 

 on her, and raced away from eight competitors, beating 

 St. Helen, wlio was second, by three lengths. There 

 Avere 142 subscribers to the race. 



Ridden by F. Barrett, and with odds of 6 to 5 laid 

 jj^gj, on him, Ayrshire credited the ])uke of 

 Ayrshire. Portland with the ' Blue Ribbon of the 

 Turf.' The following horses comprised the field : 



Duke of Portland's Ayrshire - - - - - 1 



1\.\\ Vyner'a Crowberry .-.-..-2 



Mr. C. D. Rose's Van Dieman's Land - - - - - 3 



Galore, Orbit, Chillington, Nether Avon, Simon ruvc, 

 and Gautby. Ayrshire had previously won the Rid- 

 dlesworth Stakes at Newmarket, beating his sole 

 opponent by twenty lengths. The Two Thousand 

 Guineas was also won by the same horse, beating the 



