The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1886-10-23
ECLIPSE'S FlMOTS RACE.
An Eiahtssnsh Century Herss That Nsvsr
Was Beaten.

Was Beaten.
At the close of racing season
almost unparalleled in the history
of Chicago, where many great
horses have been seen aud many
great races run, it may not be un
timely, says the Chicago Herald,
to recall TO readers tho history of
the greatest race horse the world
ever saw:
On the LIST Of April, 1894, during
an eclipse of the sun, Spiletta, a
mare belonging to the Duke of
Cumberland, in England, gave
birth TO a chestnut colt, which
was at once named Eclipse, in
consequence of the heavenly phe-
nomenon attendant upon his birth.
He had royal pedigree, tracing
back his descent through the best
of England's horses to those flying
children of the desert which had
been imported in the previous
century. The Duke of Cumbcr-
land, uncle of George Ill, was a
patron of prize fighters and Of the
turf, and is known in history as
Butcher Cumberland, hero of Cul.
loden. He died the year after the
chestnut colt was born, and his
stud was sold, Eclipse among the
rest. He was very unpretend.
looking chestnut colt, with white
blaze from his forehead to his
nose, his off hind leg white from
the top Of the shank to the foot.
He was short in the forehand and
high Ia the hips, aud had an nncom
monty bad temper. He bit aud
kicked and SHE'D and struck out
with his forelcgs like q boxer.
He was, in fact, an unpromising
yearli1g, and at the sale was
Knocked down to a Mr.. Wildman,
who knew thing or two about
horses, for seventy.five guineas.
His temper was certainly very
provoking, and Mr.. Wildman got
out Of patience with him very
often, and at last. in u rage, put
him in the hands of u rough-riding
poacher, who rode him about all
day from stable TO stable, aud at
night took him to the cover side
aud made him wait while the
poacher was taking unlawful game.
This rough treatment brought the
colt somewhat to terms aud rem.
/
dered him more docile, but his
spirit renamed unbroken. When
he was four years old Col. Dennis
O'Kelly paid Wildman $50 guineas
for u half interest in him, and
shortly afterwari gave 75O gum
eas for the remaining interest,
and thus became his sole owner.
Col. O'Kelly was an irish adven.
turer, springing from a very low
origin, who suddenly appeared on
the English turf with a great horse
and a pocketfnl Of money. He
had led a wild and scranbling
life, sometimes meeting with great
reverses, and once finding himself
in prison for debt. Escaping
from the tolls of his creditors
through the assistance Of a lady
friend who gave him her last El00,
fortune now seemed to turn in his
favor, aud everything he touched
turned to gold. But he could not
get admitted to the Jockey Club
nor into the society clubs Of Lon.
don, and the aristocracy would
have nothing TO do with him. not.
withstanding his money. But he
had courage, patience, industry
and sagacity, and in bis way was
as invincible as bis horse. To pre-
vent his jockey being bought over
be paid him an annual salary, with
the privilege of taking Other
mounts when O'kelly had nc
horse in the same race, an arrange
ment now very common and usual
but at that time unknown.
Having his plans now all per
fected. O'Kelly entered Eclipse
for small race at EPSON Downs
1t was ESQ entry for horses thai
, had never won, ESQ matches ex
: cepted. Eclipse was five years
old, aud this was his first race
The day before the race O'kelly
took odds to large amount, ant
! just before the race bet evel
J money, aud then five and six tt
four that his horse would win
, Nay, more, this noisy and obstre
! perous Irishman offers a larg,
amount of even money that b,
can place the horses. There arr
: some good horses in the race, 81
everybody is willing TO accommo
date Col.O'KelIy when he thinks b,
can place those horses. 1t is thu
3rd of May, 1869. The saddlinI
bell rings aud the horses appea
for the trial canter. The Englisl