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Lot Essay
The Northumberland Plate is now one of the richest two-mile handicaps in the racing world. Run at Newcastle race-course since 1833 the event is popularly known as the 'Pitmen's Derby' as, traditionally local mining families gathered at the course for a rare day's holiday.
In 1852 Stilton, trained by Thomas Dawson and ridden by Dawson's brother-in-law Tommy Lye, was a much fancied runner in the race. So confident was Dawson that he persuaded many of his patrons to back him. Bets placed against the horse to lose, however, alerted Dawson that some foul play had occurred somewhere and the horse had been got at. Stilton won the race despite having been drugged. One of the conspirators, who included Tommy Lye, later confessed that the horse did so 'With an apothecary's shop in the inside'. Stilton was drugged again in his next race at Goodwood and was, on this occasion, beaten. For another box by this maker please see lot 442.
In 1852 Stilton, trained by Thomas Dawson and ridden by Dawson's brother-in-law Tommy Lye, was a much fancied runner in the race. So confident was Dawson that he persuaded many of his patrons to back him. Bets placed against the horse to lose, however, alerted Dawson that some foul play had occurred somewhere and the horse had been got at. Stilton won the race despite having been drugged. One of the conspirators, who included Tommy Lye, later confessed that the horse did so 'With an apothecary's shop in the inside'. Stilton was drugged again in his next race at Goodwood and was, on this occasion, beaten. For another box by this maker please see lot 442.