Racing History.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 144, 19 June 1931, Page 6

Racing History.

To the Editor. Dear Sir,—lt is stated in the article in vour issue of June 16 on “Some notable Derby winners ” that Potsoes began his racing in 1778 when five years old. There is some mistake somewhere unless there were two horses of that name. I have a pocketbook, which belonged to my grandfather, published in Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1777, which contains a “ Catalogue of all the horse races for legal prizes throughout Great Britain in the year 1776.” In-that catalogue under date Newmarket, April 11, is the following: “A sweepstake of IOOg. each Ld. Abingdon’s Potoooooooo (1), D. Northumberland’s f (2), Mr Vernon’s br f (3).’* The year 1776 was the year in which the first St Leger was run and in the catalogue under date Doncaster, September 24, is the following laconic record of that great race. “ Same day, a sweepstake of 25g. each p.p. for three-year-olds, Lord Rockingham’s br b f (1), Mr S. Leger's b f (2). Mr Wentworth’s b c (3), Ld. Scarborough’s ch c (4). Mr Foljambe’s b f (5), Mr Farrer’s gr c paid.”—l am, etc., OUDEIS.