20 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE 



2. Matchem. One of the important sons of the Godolphin 

 Barb was named Cade. He proved to be an indifferent race 

 horse, but a great sire owing to his superior blood and confor- 

 mation. Matchem, his best-known son, became a great racer as 

 well as a prominent sire. It is stated that he made a record on 

 the Beacon course at the rate of a mile in 1:44. He also became 

 well known for the excellence of his progeny in speed quality, for 

 he sired three hundred and fifty-four sons and daughters Ihat were 

 winners of races. Matchem was foaled in 1748 and died in 1781. 



3. Eclipse. The Darley Arabian was the sire of two great 

 horses in their day — notably Flying Childers (also known as The 

 Devonshire) and Bartlett's Childers. The former was a chestnut 

 horse with four white feet and was the fastest horse on the 

 English turf up to his time. Bartlett's Childers was never trained 

 to race, but was used in the stud instead. A grandson of his, 

 named Marske, bred to the mare Spiletta, was the sire of Eclipse, 

 foaled in 1764 during a great eclipse, from which he takes his 

 name. From two points of view this horse may be regarded as 

 perhaps the greatest in history — one as a racer, the other as a 

 progenitor of racers. He was bred by the Duke of Cumberland, 

 and at the sale of his stud brought 75 guineas. He was five years 

 old before going on the turf, running first at Epsom. In his 

 second race, at York, he distanced his competitors. In 1769 

 Dennis O'Kelly bought him for 1650 guineas (^8250). As a 

 racer he distanced some of the best horses of his time. Finally, 

 as no one would race against him, he closed his racing career of 

 seventeen months by walking over the Newmarket race course 

 for the King's Plate in October, 1770. In 1779 O'Kelly was 

 asked by one of the Bedford family for his price on Eclipse, and 

 he replied that "all Bedford Level would not purchase him." 

 From another person he asked ^125,000 and an annuity of 

 ^2500 for life. 



Eclipse won eleven King's Plates, and O'Kelly cleared i; 2 5, 000 

 on him. In historical descriptions of this horse he is said to have 

 been about 15^ hands high; his shoulders were very low and 

 oblique and thick above, while he stood high behind. He had a 

 great loin, very long quarters, powerful and long thighs and fore- 

 arms, and his stride was very wide. He was so thick winded 

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