THE FIRST ST. LEGER.

Otago Witness, 5 December 1900, Page 40

THE FIRST ST. LEGER.

Authorities differ as to the identity of the winner of the first "Seilinger," as the St. Leger is often pronounced, and also as regards its founder, some saying that it was Colonel Anthony St. Leger, and others his nephew or brother, Colonel John. St. Leger, called " Handsome Jack," then of Warmsworth Hall, near Doncaster, both of whom were afterwards generals. "The Peerage" (to quote from Dr Doran) claims the winner for the man who had been, and was again to be, Prime Minister — viz., the Marquis of Rockingham, of Wenfrworfch Hovise, wivh his Samson filly, in 1776. The "Baronetage claims it for Sir Thomas Gascoigne, of ir"arlington, near Leeds, with his famed Hollandaise, in 1778. The two statements are easily accounted for. In the year 1776 there appears for the first time on a Doncaster card of the races the entry for "A Sweepstakes of 25 guineas each, for three year olds." 'lhe card for 1777 bears a similar record ; but in the succeeding year, instead of "A Sweepstakes," we find the words "St. Leger Stakes," by which name cards and calendars have recorded the great event ever since. In the first of the above-mentioned years, Lord Roekingham, of Wentworth, was the winner ; but in 1778, when the race first assumed the name of the most fashionable of gentlemen, Sir Thomas Gascoigne, of Aberford, carried off the prize.