Great North Road (Great Britain) not compete with the new railways. The last coach from London to Newcastle left in 1842 and the last from Newcastle to Edinburgh in July 1847. The highwayman Dick Turpin's flight from London to York in less than 15 hours on his mare Black Bess is the most famous legend of the Great North Road. Various inns along the route claim Turpin ate a meal or stopped for respite for his horse. Harrison Ainsworth, in his 1834 romance "Rookwood", immortalised the ride. Historians argue that Turpin never made the journey, claiming that the ride was by John Nevison, "Swift Nick",
Dick Turpin (horse) Cityscape on the line, and won by a short head. Dick Turpin ended his track career in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in October in which he came home fifth behind Frankel, Excelebration, Immortal Verse and Dubawi Gold. In the 2011 World Thoroughbred Rankings Dick Turpin was given a rating of 122 making him the twenty-third best racehore in the world. Dick Turpin was retired from racing to become a breeding stallion at the National Stud. The best of his offspring have included Vintage Brut (National Stakes), Rockingham Stakes) and Billesdon Bess (Upavon Fillies' Stakes). Dick Turpin (horse)