A correspondent kindly informs the writer of the article on Hermit in
last month’s number that although the Stud Book is responsible for the
statement that the Rev. J. King (Mr. Launde) was the breeder of Ascetic,
it is not quite correct; Mr. King gave the mare Lady Alicia to one of
his tenants, Mr. Charles Clark, of Ashby, as he could not get her to
breed for several seasons. Mr. Clark sent her to a half-bred horse, and
that was successful. Subsequently Mr. H. Chaplin gave her a free service
to Hermit, and the result was Ascetic. Mr. Clark was, therefore, the
breeder of the famous sire of steeplechasers, and, as a good old
sportsman, and for long years a follower of the Belvoir and breeder of
horses, he is very proud of it. He has retired from farming, and some
few years back his friends subscribed a £1,000 testimonial for him, as a
proof of their goodwill and esteem. It is rather singular that Ascetic
was absolutely Hermit’s first produce.