164 The Life of Fred Archer 
a pretty good mare, led into the straight, Jim Snowden riding 
her. When Archer called upon Iroquois the result was never 
in doubt, and he beat Tom Cannon on Mr. F. Gretton's Geologist, 
with Lucy Glitters third. 
" Newark was handy for Doncaster Races, and I was often 
over the famous moor. I shall never forget Dutch Oven's St. 
Leger. She started at 40 to i and beat Geheimniss and Shot- 
over, all three mares. When the news came we made merry for 
the rest of the day. Racing took place at Nottingham on the 
Forest when I was there at Newark ; a peculiar place it was, 
shaped like an egg, all on the bend, with a sharp turn at the 
ends. 
" I once saw Archer, Wood, and Abington Baird ride a 
tremendous race there, and Baird just won. 
" Abington Baird (Mr. Abington) was a fine horseman, but 
he was wild, and did not take care of himself, and so he came 
to an early end. He would go from the south to the north to 
ride in a race, for he was passionately fond of it — and he could 
ride and no mistake. He had a style something like Archer's, 
although he had not the latter's skill. 
Fred Archer had marvellous hands, wonderful judgment of 
pace, and knew exactly what his opponents were doing in a 
race. His finishes were powerful. He seemed to wrap his 
legs round a horse and fairly lift him forward. When St. 
Blaise won the Derby there were a good many people who 
differed from Judge Clarke and said Highland Chief ought to 
have got the race. Galliard, ridden by Archer, and Highland 
Chief were neck and neck at the Bell, but neither of them could 
catch St. Blaise, on whom Wood had the mount. There was 
a lot of talk over this race at the time, and Archer was blamed 
for the defeat of Galhard. Many said he rode a bad race on 
him ; some went even farther than that. It is surprising how 
the loss of a little money influences the opinions of some people. 
The fact of the matter was that Galliard lost ground coming 
down the hill, owing to being a heavy-shouldered horse, and 
