FLYING CHILDERS.'
[To THZ EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:] SIR,—I happened to read in the Spectator of April 26th a review of "A History of the Turf," and among other inter- esting comments something of the history of 'Flying Childers.' The late Mr. Childers gave me the following account of that famous horse. The Duke of Devonshire of the period was in the habit of buying young racehorses from Mr. Childers, of Cantley, near Doncaster ; and on one occasion, having pur- chased several, Mr. Childers said, "I have this plain colt; I don't care about him, and you have paid me so handsomely for others that I will throw him in with the lot." He was, therefore, brought to Chatsworth, and but for an accident would have remained neglected and untried, being for a time used as the post-horse. On one occasion as the lad was riding him back with letters the Duke's trainer was galloping some of his homes in the park. One of them being an indifferent starter, and the post-horse, Flying Childers,' being pulled up by his rider to see the horses in training, the trainer asked him to lead off the bad starter, when to the amaze-
ment of all present Flying Childers' easily galloped away from his competitor, was put in training, and became one of the most celebrated of the racehorses of the past.—I am, Sir, &c., JOHN FELL. Flan How, Ulverston, Lancashire.
Previous page
