The Life of Fred Archer 93 
him, though his price was returned as 100 to i against. Captain 
Machell, more out of bravado than anything else, took 100 to 3 
at once. 
" It was a good run race, and when we came to the cords, 
which they had at that time about two hundred yards from 
home, Archer looked like winning easily ; but the Ditch Mile, 
finishing at the Bushes, is very severe. In fact, I always 
thought, and so did Fordham, that it wanted more running 
than the Rowley Mile. To my eyes. Archer took things rather 
easily, and left off riding. Seeing there was just a chance, I 
kept King Lud going, he being a real game 'un, and he came 
with a wet sail before Archer could set his horse going again, 
and won by a neck." 
At Chester, Archer carried off only the Great Cheshire 
Stakes, a 6-to-i chance, on Andred ; but since Newmarket 
he had been gradually increasing his score in minor events. 
In 1874, for the only time in his life. Archer was suspended for 
fourteen days or thereabouts for disobedience at the post. 
He seemed much chagrined, but philosopically remarked : 
*' Perhaps it serves me right." Poor Harry Constable chaffed 
his pal on his enforced days of idleness. 
Thus, in 1874, Archer began his long career of great Turf 
triumphs in the service of Lord Falmouth. His performance 
on Atlantic confirmed Lord Falmouth in his opinion that 
Archer was the natural and fitting successor of Tom French. 
This noble owner never swerved in the opinion which he had 
formed of young Archer, and the great jockey did yeoman 
service for the great owner who has been appropriately des- 
cribed as the greatest ornament the Turf has ever seen. 
Indeed, Archer's last winning ride was on Lord Falmouth's 
Blanchland, in the Houghton Stakes at Newmarket, a fitting 
conclusion to his long and brilliant connection with the all- 
conquering black body, white sleeves and red cap. Archer 
achieved a list of triumphs such as will cause his name to be 
for ever associated with the great days of Lord Falmouth's 
