The Sun.
London, England, 1839-12-09 00:00:00

Tt7l-i: SUN, LONDON. MONDAY, DECEMBER 9. is3o.

GREAT MATCH TO GALLOP
FORTY MILES IN TWO HOURS-SATURDAY.

This was one of the greatest equestrian treats ever
witnessed, and the backers of time were dropped in
the hole to a very heavy tune. The undertaking was
to perform in saddle, with a pony and mare, forty miles
in two hours, and cattle to be changed but once. They
were men well known in the sporting world who had
undertaken this extraordinary task, and money had been
laid out in very heavy sums, at five and six to four on
time, odds which increased as the day neared for the
great effort. Sunbury Common, the scene of many a
sporting victory, was the place selected, as presenting
the best piece of ground in England for such a task.
At half-past twelve the backers of the horses and
those engaged for the enemy " Time," moved towards
the common. It has been usual to start these matches
from the milestone near the George in the lane, in order
that the five miles out on to the Staines road may be
taken ; but on this occasion it was deemed more pru-
dent to go a mile further from London on the common,
and take it three miles out and in—a very prudent
course, as, in the first place, there was more room for
the rider to turn ; and in the second, in the event of any
accident to the first horse, he could sooner have availed
himself of the second.
The company did not over abound, but what there
was of it was slap. There was plenty of fine cattle on
the ground, with as good horsemen (as Captain Becher,
Stacey, Whitfield, and others of note), and traps of every
sort and size abounded. It was a bad day for sweeps to
rusticate, and this left sporting men without the chance
of being incommoded.
Having disposed of the audience, we must look to the
actors. The first performer was a clipped pony of Mr.
Watson's, a gentleman well known as a good judge.
Vagabond is the name under which the pony is known,
and, as far as apparent breed goes, we should not think
him likely, at first sight, to create any sensation ; about
eight years old, and stands 14 hands high. The mare,
a grey, was a fine creature, with the points of a racer,
and standing 15± hands, and 6 yrs old.
The pony had only been destined, in the first instance,
to do 18 miles, but as heavy sums depended upon her
doing each of 18, 19, and 20 miles within the hour,
she was put to the full task.
The umpires and time-keepers on each side having
taken their stations, at a quarter to twelve the signal
was given, and the ground having been cleared of the
large body of horsemen present, the start took place.
We subjoin the time—

THE PONY.

First six miles 16 min. 30 sec.
Second ditto ditto 18 27

Third ditto ditto 19 1
The two miles 6 40

THE MARE.

The two miles

6 min. 10 sec.

First six miles 16
Second ditto ditto l6 45
Third ditto ditto. 16 25

Total score of the 40 miles...fh, 58m. ss.
The pony turned out a most audacious thing, a per.
feet vagabond" to the backers of time. She blowed
hard at the twelfth mile, and at the eighteenth, in the
mind of the competent judges she had done all she
knew, but went and performed her last two miles after
this, as will be seen, in six minutes forty seconds, per-
forming the twenty miles in one hour and forty seconds.
The mare did not gain so much favour in the eyes of
those present as her predecessor. She was found fault
with in divers ways; some thought her action too high,
and that she was taking it out of herself too much in
the first six miles, but her speed was fine, and if ever
a rider came up to the mark at each end, the gentle-
man who jockeyed yesterday did. As far as betting went
on the ground, the odds were all one way," in favour of
the horses," and 2 and 3 to 1 increased to 5 and 6 as
the distance became shortened. .

The company were obliged to put up with the
" heavy' supplied at a " jerry" near the starting place.
Finings, we should think, are not known in this part of
the country, although they are very conversant with
" nailing," and as matches don't occur often, it's prac-
tised freely enough.
The horses were led to Laurence's, where a bed was
made" up for their accommodation.