THE LADY JOCKEY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2156, 22 January 1881, Page 3

THE LADY JOCKEY.

Perhaps the most exciting and enthusiastic sight ever seen on a racecourse was witnessed on Knaveamire in 1804, when the famous match came off between Mrs Thornton on Yingarillo and Mr Flint on Tbornville, which was run in the presence, as was stated, of 100,000 spectators Captain Flint, a gentleman residing on the Wolds, near Driffield, had married the sister of Mrs Thornton, and being as ardent a devotee of the chase and the turf as Colonel Thornton, the two families were constantly visiting at each other’s houses, on terms of even greater intimacy, in consequence of congenial tastes, than is usual between brothers-in-law. They were all —the Colonel, the Captain, and their wives —proud of their horses, and constantly talking of them, frequently trying them in impromptu matches in Tbornville Park. On one occasion, when Mrs Thornton was riding Yingarillo, her favorite horse, and Mr Flint was mounted on Tbornville, the conversation turned upon the respective merits of the two horses, and in order to test their capabilities, they extemporised a race in the park, which was won cleverly by the lady. Captain Flint, somewhat nettled at his discomfiture, challenged her to ride a race for a wager at some future time, when his horse would be in better “ fettle ” than he was then, Mrs Thornton immediately took up the gauntlet, and suggested that it should come off on the York course. Colonel Thornton, having perfect confidence in his wife’s equestrian skill, seconded the proposition, and it was arranged that the match should be for 500 guineas and 1000 guineas bye—the distance four miles, and Mrs Thornton to ride her weight against Mr Flint his weight; to come off on Knavesmire on the last day of the York August meeting, 1804. ... At length Saturday, the 25th of August arrived, and there, from early in the morning, might be seen such a gathering together of people as perhaps had never hitherto assembled to witness a race. The people came in thousands upon thousands from all parts of the country, and from distant counties as well, and there they were, surging like the waves of the sea, struggling to obtain places where they could get even a glimpse of the race. A vast body of constables was sworn in to keep the course open, and a detachment of the 6th Dragoons was appointed to separate the crowd as much as possible, and it was estimated that by their exertions to prevent undue crowding and pressure a great number of lives were saved of persons who otherwise would have been trampled under foot and killed. At four o’clock Mrs Thornton, dressed in a leopardcolored skirt, a blue jacket and jockey cap of the same color, rode up to the starting post, seated on Yingarillo, who was led by Colonel Thornton. She appeared to be in high spirits, and her horse in splendid condition, and was received with such a round of cheering as had seldom been heard, coming as it did simultaneously from so vast a multitude. Captain Flint followed on Tbornville, accompanied by Mr Baker and Mr H. Boynton. The bell rung for clearing the course; the inevitable dog made his appearance and ran the gauntlet, terrified almost to madness, between the two lines of shouting and yelling bipeds ; the starter got the riders in place, gave the signal, and off the competitors started, side by side, Yingarillo in a few seconds getting slightly ahead. There was great fun and much jesting in the betting. At starting it was 5 and 6 to 4 "on the petticoat;” when half the course bad been run, it rose to 7to 4; and at three miles advanced still further to 8 to 1, so evident was it that “ the petticoat ” had the best of it. Daring the three miles the lady hod been gradually Increasing the lead, when, unfortunately, in the last mile, her girth slackened, and the saddle turned partially round. She kept her seat, nevertheless, with great skill, but could not maintain her pace, and Captain Flint consequently rode past her, and was first at the winningpost, not, however, without loud demonstrations against his ungallant conduct from the spectators, who contended that it ought to be considered a drawn race. The race was run in nine minutes and fifty-nine seconds, and it was said that £200,000 changed hands on the result. Mrs Thornton challenged him to ride another race the following year, but he dedined, not feeling assured that her girth would give way a second time. In the following year Mrs Thornton rode two other races—one a match for 2000 guineas and a bet of 600 guineas, with Mr Bamford, who at the last moment declineu to ride, .and Mrs Thornton cantered over the course. The other was on Louise (mare), against Buckle, the jockey, on Allegro. Mrs Thornton, in purple cap and waistcoat, nankeen skirt, purple shoes and embroidered stockings, took the lead, and kept it for some distance, but was passed by Buckle, who maintained his position for a few lengths, " when the lady, by the most excellent horsemanship, pushed forwards, and came in in a style superior to anything of the kind we ever witnessed, gainI ing the race by half a neck.” —'• Leeds Mercury,”