The Sporting Dictionary and Rural Repository, Volume 2 (of 2) / Of General Information upon Every Subject Appertaining to the Sports of the Field

by William Taplin

VOLUNTEER

—was a racer in high estimation, and has long been a stallion of much repute. He was bred by the late Colonel O'Kelly, foaled in 1780; got by Eclipse, dam by Tartar; and is own brother to Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Adonis, and Queen Mab. He is the sire of many capital racers, the most remarkable of which are the following. In 1791, Portia, (the Duke of Bedford's,) then three years old, won a sweepstakes of 100 guineas each, six subscribers; 250 guineas forfeit from five; both at Newmarket; the Oaks Stakes of 50 guineas each, thirty-eight subscribers, at Epsom; and 200 guineas at Newmarket. Recruit, three years old, won two fifties at Penrith. In 1792, five of his get appeared with increasing reputation. Nerissa, (Duke of Bedford's,) two years old, won 200 guineas at Newmarket. Scanderbeg, (Mr. Fox's,) only two years old, won 200 guineas, 130 guineas, 100 guineas, 75 guineas, 100 guineas, and 200 guineas, all at Newmarket. Hop-planter, three years old, won 50l. at Epsom, 50l. at Guildford, and 50l. at Stockbridge. Recruit won 50l. at Stamford, 50l. at Grantham, 50l. at Worcester, 50l. at Penrith: and Fetters, (two years old,) 50 guineas at Newmarket.

In 1793 appeared Cælia, (Duke of Bedford's,) who at three years won the Filly Stakes of 300 guineas, 1500 guineas, 50l. and 50 guineas, at Newmarket; and the Oaks Stakes, of 50 guineas each, thirty-seven subscribers, at Epsom. Nerissa won 400 guineas, 600 guineas, 250 guineas, and 100 guineas, at Newmarket. Scanderbeg won 800 guineas, and 200 guineas, at Newmarket. Hillisberg won 200 guineas at Newmarket. Hop-planter won 90 guineas, 180 guineas, and 50l. at Canterbury. Hybla, 175 guineas at Litchfield. Isaline, 100 guineas; and Brimstone, 50l. both at Newmarket. In 1794, the brother to Portia, then two years old, won 135 guineas, 360 guineas, and the July Stakes of 490 guineas, at Newmarket. Cockade won 100 guineas, and 100 guineas, at Newmarket. Jessica, 200 guineas at Ascot, and 50l. at Newmarket. Cælia, the Fortescue Stakes of 90 guineas at Newmarket. Stirling, 100 guineas at Ascot, and the Magna Charta Stakes at Egham.

The merits of Volunteer, as a stallion, now became so perceptible, that ten of his produce, in 1795, were repeatedly brought to the post: a three year old of Mr. G. Bowes's won 50 guineas, 50 guineas, and 50 guineas, at Newmarket. Bonny Kate, two years old, 100 guineas also. Miller, 25 guineas at Epsom, 50l. and 20 guineas at Lambourn. Hop-planter, 50l. at Newmarket, and the King's 100 guineas at Guildford. Stirling won 50l. and the Jockey Club Plate, at Newmarket; 75 guineas at Epsom; and the King's Plate at Ipswich. A colt of Mr. O'Kelly's, 50l. at Epsom, and 50l. at Northampton. Spread Eagle, 450 guineas, and 500 guineas, at Newmarket; and the Derby Stakes of 50 guineas each, 45 subscribers, at Epsom.

In 1796, Miss Whip, at three years old, won 50l. at Ascot; 60 guineas, and 100 guineas, at Canterbury; 200 guineas, 100 guineas, and 100 guineas, at Newmarket. Pepper-pot, the same age, won 25 guineas, and 50 guineas, at Newmarket; 76l. 5s. 0d. at Nottingham; 125 guineas, and 200 guineas, at Litchfield. Pleader, 50l. at Preston, 50l. at York, 50l. at Richmond, and the cup at Northallerton. Miller, 50 guineas at Newmarket, 100 guineas, and 25 guineas, at Ascot, and 50l. at Enfield. Hum, 100 guineas at Lambourn, and 25 guineas at Wantage. Spread Eagle, 450 guineas at York. Recruit, 50 guineas, 50 guineas, and 40 guineas, at Newmarket: and Stirling, 400 guineas, and 400 guineas, at Newmarket, and the King's 100l. at Burford.

In 1797, a three year old of Lord Sackville's won 50 guineas, 50 guineas, and 50 guineas, at Newmarket, and 40 guineas at Lewes. Miss Whip, 100 guineas at Newmarket, 50l. at Ayr, and two 50's at Dumfries. Stirling, 300 guineas, 500 guineas, and 400 guineas; and Pepper-pot, the Claret Stakes of 600 guineas, at Newmarket.

In 1798, Commodore won 50l. and 50 guineas, at Newmarket. Ironsides, 50l. and 100 guineas, at Haverfordwest. Magic, (Lord Sackville's,) the Petworth Stakes of 170 guineas at Brighton, (beating Wrangler, Johnny, Bennington, Montezuma, and Play or Pay;) 120 guineas at Lewes; the King's Plate and 50l. at Canterbury. Split Pigeon, 800 guineas; and Spread Eagle, the King's 100 guineas; both at Newmarket.

In 1799, a three year old bay colt of Sir F. Standish's won 85 guineas, 400 guineas, and 1800 guineas, at Newmarket. Split Pigeon, 50l. at Winchester, 50l. at Blandford, and 50l. at Taunton. Rosalind, 50l. and 100 guineas, at Dumfries. Magic, 240 guineas at Litchfield, and 50l. at Leicester. Jemmy, 50l. at Ascot, and 30 guineas at Abingdon. Commodore and Provisional, each 50 guineas at Newmarket.

In 1800, Brighton won 50l. at Lambourn. Eagle, 400 guineas at York. Rosalind, 1500 guineas, and 300 guineas, at Ayr. Triumvir, 300 guineas, and 250 guineas, at Newmarket: and Volonté, the bowl at Salisbury.

In 1801, the brother to Recruit won 40 guineas at Epsom; 50 guineas, and 20 guineas, at Newmarket. Brighton, 50l. at Winchester, 50l. at Blandford, and 50l. at Reading. Eagle, the Craven Stakes of 110 guineas, and 200 guineas, at Newmarket. Gaoler, 120 guineas at Stamford, and 50 guineas at Newmarket: and Triumvir, 110 guineas at Canterbury; 15 guineas, and 25 guineas, at Newmarket.

In 1802, Brighton won 50l. and 25 guineas, at Ascot. Conscript, 50l. at Ayr. Eagle, 150 guineas, at Newmarket. Fusileer, 50l. at Kingscote; and Gaoler, 600 guineas, 100 guineas, 100 guineas, and 42½ guineas, at Newmarket.

Volunteer, though now twenty-three years old, is in good health, and covers at Cannons, near Edgware, in Middlesex, at 10 guineas the mare, and half a guinea the groom.