CHAPTER XIX 
As showing something of what Archer's natural weight 
should have been, he was 9 stone 10 lb. when he returned to 
England, greatly improved in looks and buoyant in spirits, 
but as soon as he reached Newmarket he went into train- 
ing and commenced the arduous task of getting weight off. 
When he appeared on Mr. F. Robinson's Laceman in the 
Batthyany Stakes he was greeted by a storm of cheers, which 
were repeated again and again as he cantered down to the 
post. During 1885 he devoted himself, if anything, with even 
greater vigour to the duties of his profession, and may be said 
to have reached the zenith of his fame ; for he beat all previous 
records and rode 246 winners in England, while he also won 
the Grand Prix on Paradox. 
His series of important successes began when he had the 
mount on The Bard in the Molyneux Stakes at Liverpool. 
He rode Paradox in the Two Thousand Guineas, landing him 
a winner after a desperate and exciting race with Grafton, 
and on Melton accounted for Paradox in the Derby after 
another fine race. 
Much of the history of the great jockey during this season 
is in a book of letters and cuttings, on the outside of which is 
written : 
" The Derby," won by Melton, 1885. Private scraps 
collected by the Lady Hastings, and put in this book, 1902." 
Of Archer, Lady Hastings says : 
" I am very interested to hear that you are writing a 
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