THE BIGGEST JUMP ON RECORD

Globe, Volume I, Issue 87, 10 September 1874, Page 3

THE BIGGEST JUMP ON RECORD

(London tsoedety.)

It was at the Warwick steeplechases that old Chandler made that wonderful jump—the biggest ever known ; and a little story was told about the event. The horse belonged to the father-in-law of W ,my informant, and he used to ride it sometimes with the North Warwickshire hounds. One day Lord 8 called at the farm, where he occasionally bought a horse, and .asked if there was anything good for sale. W brought out the Chandler, and the poor animal was made the butt of a choice collection of jokes by Lord S and his friends. W assured them that the horse could jumn : but Lord S replied : ‘That beast jump? Absurd ! I wouldn’t have such an ugly fiddle-headed brute in my stable.’ So he was led back to his native stall. Lord S , who was very anxious to win the big event at Warwick, had hacked his horse heavily, and was confident of success; and for some time after the start his hopes seemed likely to be realised. Rain had swollen the brook very considerably, however ; and as the going was proportionately heavy, a good deal of trouble was experienced at the water. Lord S ’s horse would no( have it, others refused, when old Chandler, splendidly handled by Captain L , came down to the stream, and, with a superb rush and a magnificent effort, cleared fairly thirty-nine feet. ‘lmpossible!’ yon exclaim, of course —every one does who was not there, hut it seems to he well authenticated by many witnesses. Lord S was wonder-struck. ‘ln the name of all that's miraculous, what horse is that ?’ he asked. • It’s the ugly fiddle headed brute that you wouldn’t have in your stable, my lord,’ replied W , who was standing near. Old Chandler won easily.