THE PROPERTY OF LORD LURGAN AND WINNER OF THE WATERLOO

CUP, 1868.

ENGRAVED BY E. HACKER, AFTER A PHOTOGRAPH.

BY ROBIN HOOD.

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After persevering for many years, the coursing patrons of Ireland were rewarded by the victory of Master M'Grath in last year's Waterloo Cup, for the perversity which attended their strenuous endeavours to off the "blue riband of the leash" to the Sister Isle. The success of Lord Lurgan's dog was eminently popular, not only to his enthusiastic countrymen, but also to every sportsman on this side the Channel, and there perhaps was never so hearty a cheer given at Altcar, and certainly never such demonstrative expressions of congratulation, as greeted Mr. Warwick's verdict, which rendered Master M'Grath for ever celebrated in coursing annals. The pride with which the success of the Irish representative over all the most celebrated greyhounds of the day was regarded, was considerably heightened by the fact universally admitted that a better lot of youngsters had never contended; indeed, it is remarkable that two dog-puppies were first and second, in Master M'Grath and Cock Robin. The "all-aged" lot included the celebrated bitch Lobelia, who won the Cup so cleverly the previous year, and on this occasion she succeeded in getting into the last four, when she was put out by the winner. In addition to the glory which surrounded the first Waterloo Cup victory for Ireland, the sportsmen of Erin had the more tangible satisfaction of winning a large amount of money, as everyone of a speculative turn had invested on Lord Lurgan's chance. The noble owner of the winner did not nett nearly such a stake as was at first reported; but that everyone who had books on the event, lost, there is little doubt, as the backers on this side the water never ceased to support the nomination up to the last moment.

Although this was the first time since its establishment the Waterloo Cup had fallen to an Irish dog, the country had been well represented on several occasions, Blue Hat and Reliance for example, each running into the last four, while Barney Williams and Shy Girl, after displaying grand qualities, carried off the Waterloo Purse in 1861 and 1867 respectively; Othello proving himself equal to the task of winning the Plate in 1862. Master McGrath was exactly two years old the day he commenced running for the Waterloo Cup, and weighed a shade over 54lbs. He is not by any means what would be termed a handsome dog; in fact, there is nothing striking in his appearance, his head being plain, while his contour does not convey the idea of a flyer; he was bred by Mr. James Galway, of Colligan Lodge, Dungarvan. He is a dog much more remarkable for immense muscular power than for symmetry, and a casual observer on first sight would

not be struck by anything particular about the dog, but he will bear close inspection, and at the end even the critic will be forced to admit that, whilst there is little to find fault with, there is a great deal to admire in the conformation of the Waterloo Cup winner. In addition to good feet and legs, he has beautifully-formed shoulders, average length of neck, good loins, rather short back-although, strange to say, he stands very long-and a particularly well-formed rib and round barrel. One noticeable point about him is his remarkably short and excessively fine tail. He is rather undersized, and now weighs just over 55lbs. Before reviewing his performances, it may not be uninteresting to take a hasty glance at his owner's carcer as a public

courser.

Lord Lurgan's connection with the sport dates back some fifteen years, his first win being the Nursery Stake at Mountainstown with Bessie, a daughter of War Eagle and Perseverance. To enumerate all the celebrities that have since been the property of his Lordship, and run conspicuously, would extend beyond the limits of the present article. The following names, however, will be quite familiar to the public courser: Master Leotard, Master Burns, Master Brabazon, Master Burleigh, Master Ivo, Master Nathaniel, and Master Herne, an own brother to Master M'Grath. Amongst this lot Lord Lurgan's old favourite, Master Burleigh-now at the studdeserves especial notice. As well as being remarkably stout, he was probably one of the fastest greyhounds of his time. In his "ladies," Lord Lurgan has had a still more brilliant lot, and amongst the following will be recognized some of the best greyhounds of their day: Lady Margaret, Lady Agnes, Lady Mary, Lady Norah, Lady Java, Lady Bella, Lady Alexandra, Lady Beatrice, and Lady Meta, own sister to Master M'Grath. Lady Agnes was one of the gamest greyhounds ever slipped, and, in addition to several other stakes, won the Coole Cup in 1864. Lady Norah, a perfect beauty, divided with her kennel-companion, Master Burns, the Diamor St. Leger: 73 entries. Lady Java was a first-class public performer, winning, amongst several other stakes, the Brownlow cup at Lurgan, beating Coodareena in the deciding course. Lady Alexandra won the Molyneux cup, for thirty-two puppies, at Lurgan, in October, 1865, and subsequently won three courses in the Waterloo Cup, as well as distinguishing herself on many other occasions, and Lady Beatrice won the Coole Cup at Cork in January, 1866.

From the foregoing it will be perceived that Lord Lurgan has had a fair share of success. True he each year bred à large number of puppies in conjunction with his friend, James Galway, Esq., but seldom has a season passed without the Lurgan kennel producing at least a couple of first-class grey-hounds. Lord Lurgan's highest ambition, as it is no doubt the ambition of every good courser, was to win the. Waterloo Cup, and each year the" Irish Brigade" headed by him, and full of hope, put in an appearance at Altear. In 1866, Lady Álexandra after having won three courses in good style was considered to have a very rosy chance, but on the third morning, Fieldfare, the runner up to Brigadier, quickly disposed of her pretensions in a short trial, and as if to add insult to injury the last hope of "Ould Ireland" was bowled over in the very next course by Theatre Royal, who beat Blue

Eye. In 1867, Master Price, who had been heavily backed, cut up very badly indeed in his second course with Marionette, and the Irish division began to think that Waterloo honours were not for them. However, it was little imagined that there was then in a remote and unfrequented part of Ireland, reared by an orphan boy named Mickey M'Grath, a dog that would the following year make up for all previous disappointments.

Master McGrath made his first appearance at Lurgan in October, 1867 (being then about 20 months old), where he won the Visitors' Cup, 32 dogs, without being once challenged, except by S. S., and his clever defeat of the latter attracted the attention of good judges. A week subsequently he divided the Money Glass Purse at the Creagh Meeting with his kennel companion Master Nathaniel, and, although beating nothing of consequence, his style of running, and cleverness in handling his hare caused his noble owner to at once decide on throwing him by for the Waterloo Cup. How he won the big event appears to be indelliby impressed on the minds of all who saw it, judging from the persistent manner in which he is backed for the forthcoming Cup. We may, however, notice that his defeat of such greyhounds as Belle of Scotland, Marionette, Brigade, Lobelia, and Cock Robin-the latter under extreme difficulties-speaks volumes for his excellence. Master M'Grath has only been out once this season, viz., at the Lurgan Open Meeting in October, where he divided the Brownlow Cup with Mr. Stocker's Sir William. In running through this stake he appears to have lost none of his good qualities, and his defeat of Mr. Lonsdale's Sir William, under great difficulties, shows that he still retains that fine turn of speed, coupled with smartness in killing, which so materially assisted him to victory last year. Whether he may be destined to do what has never yet been done since the Waterloo Cup became a 64-dog stake-win it twice in succession-remains to be seen. The unprecedentedly short price-6 to 1-at which Lord Lurgan's name is now quoted, shows the extreme confidence reposed in Master M'Grath's ability, as well as the integrity of his noble owner, who could, by resorting to a practice not unfrequent, and by some so-called sportmen considered quite legitimate, back the dog to win a large stake at a comparatively small outlay by running him in another nomination.

In every relation of life Lord Lurgan has the respect and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact, and should the favourite once more be successful we are sure the same congratulations that were offered to his Lordship last year from all classes will again be accorded.

The following is from the return of last year's Waterloo Meeting, which appeared in The Field of February 29th. Master M'Grath's dimensions are as follows:

HEAD. From tip of snout to jointing on to neck, 94in.; girth of head between eyes and ears, 14in.; girth of snout, 7 in.; distance between the eyes, 24in.

NECK.-Length from joining on of head to shoulders, 9in.; girth round neck, 18 in. BACK. From neck to base of tail, 21in.; length of tail, 17in.

INTERMEDIATE POINTS.-Length of loin from junction of last rib to hip bone, Sin.; length from hip bone to socket of thigh joint, 5in.

FORE LEG.-From base of two middle nails to fetlock joint, 2in.; from fetlock joint to elbow joint, 12in.; from elbow joint to top of shoulder blade, 12 in.; thickness of fore leg below the elbow, 6in.