The Life of Fred Archer 265 
three-year-old before running in the Derby, so there was some 
excuse for the beHef entertained in many quarters that he 
had a chance of beating Ormonde. 
Coracle was again sent to the post to make the running 
for Ormonde, and was again of little or no use. The race was 
virtually a match between the first and second favourites all 
the way round. At the top of the hill, with seven furlongs 
to go, there were four or five horses in front of them. They 
drew nearer to the front approaching Tattenham Corner, 
coming round which Ormonde, close to the rails, gained a 
couple of lengths lead on The Bard. 
When heading for home the two horses began to draw 
away from the others. Running under pressure. The Bard 
ranged up alongside Ormonde, on whom Archer was riding a 
very confident race. It was not until he was inside the dis- 
tance that Archer began to move ; but the moment he called 
on his mount the contest was virtually over. Lengthening his 
stride, Ormonde shot ahead to win in a canter. 
The judge, Mr. Clarke, afterwards declared that he had 
never seen a race won more easily than the Derby of 1886, in 
which Archer rode Ormonde to victory. Ormonde had a great 
reception when he returned to the weighing-room enclosure. 
John Porter was now absolutely certain that in Ormonde 
he had the best horse that had ever been under his charge, 
though he realised this more strongly when he met and defeated 
Bendigo. Look at the horses Ormonde defeated ! He was a 
giant among giants. 
At Ascot Ormonde won the St. James's Palace Stakes from 
Calais and Seaton, and in the Hardwicke beat Melton and 
three others. His next race was the St. Leger at Doncaster. 
The winning of the St. Leger was a very easy task for him. 
After the race the Duke of Westminster offered Porter 
a present of £500 or Kendal. He decided to take the horse. 
Lord Wolverton was just then forming a stud at Iwerne 
Minster, near Blandford, in Dorsetshire, and wanted a stalhon. 
