FLYING CHILDERS. 
468 
It is said that Childers was first used as a hunter, where 
he evinced high qualities, and was noted for being veiy 
headstrong, as well as vicious ; he had not, however, any 
restifness. It is supposed his racing career commenced at 
five or six, and he beat all competitors at whatever dis¬ 
tance. He was never tried at running a single mile, but 
his speed must have been a mile in a minute. Carry¬ 
ing nine stone two pounds, he ran over the round course 
at Newmarket, which is three miles six furlongs and 
ninety-three yards, in six minutes and forty seconds. 
He also ran over the Beacon Course, consisting of four miles 
one furlong and one hundred and thirty-eight yards, m 
seven minutes and thirty seconds, covering at every bound 
a space of twenty-five feet. Childers died in the Duke of 
Devonshire’s stud in 1741, aged 26 years. 
