264 The Life of Fred Archer 
the idea of poaching several lengths lead at the outset, 
and, in furtherance of his scheme, showed no inchnation to 
line up with the other horses, but remained some way in 
advance. 
The starter, the late Lord Marcus Beresford, ordered 
him to join them, and he exclaimed in an injured tone, " What 
is the use of me coming down there when I have to make the 
running for Ormonde ? " He had, of course, to Une up with 
the others, and, so far as Coracle was concerned, it only 
remains to be added that his paceraaking mission was a dire 
failure. 
Ormonde, however, stood in no need of assistance. 
From first to last he was master of the situation. A long way 
from home the issue rested between Ormonde and Minting, 
and the latter was definitely and decisively beaten just where 
John had told Dawson he would be — coming out of the Dip a 
furlong from the winning-post. 
The world at large now knew that Ormonde was a really 
great horse. Countless columns were written in praise of 
him. The people who knew him best were aware that it was 
impossible to exaggerate his merits. Between the Two Thou- 
sand and the Derby he progressed as well as his trainer could 
have wished, and there was no need to " try " him for the 
Epsom race. 
Neither Minting nor Saraband opposed Ormonde in the 
Derby. Mat. Dawson accepted the Two Thousand form as 
correct, and very wisely decided to keep Minting fresh for the 
Grand Prix du Paris, which he won in a canter. Mr. " Child- 
wick " also realised the futility of running his horse, and so 
Archer was at liberty to ride the son of Bend Or. 
Ormonde won the Derby easily enough by a length and a 
half from The Bard. The latter was a really good and game 
Uttle horse, but Ormonde settled him in two strides. The 
Bard as a two-year-old was unbeaten, and won sixteen races 
that year. He had not been seen on a racecourse as a 
