xt7sbc3svd44 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7sbc3svd44/data/mets.xml Spencer, Edward, 1844-1910. 1902  books b98-42-41901158 English John Long, : London : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Horse racing Great Britain.Edward, VII, King of Great Britain, 1841-1910. King's racehorses  : a history of the connection of His Majesty King Edward VII with the national sport / by Edward Spencer. text King's racehorses  : a history of the connection of His Majesty King Edward VII with the national sport / by Edward Spencer. 1902 2002 true xt7sbc3svd44 section xt7sbc3svd44 



































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      (f/]NJ tj coprs a,/ nIumbereol/.


            io.    I

 

















THE KING'S RACEHORSES

 













































































     H.M.
KING EDWARD VII.



4 . i
: 4  4

 


TH E

RAC E
A HISTORY



KING



HO RS



's

E S



OF THE CONNECTION



OF HIS MAJESTY KING EDWARD V1I.
WITH THE NATIONAL SPORT: BY



EDWARD



LONDON



SPENCER



: JOHN



I902



LONG

 












































Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTAnBI, (late) Printers to Her Majesty

 




              PREFACE

  i  ,N       issuing this work, the writer
  Xt         wishes to express his warmest
                 thanks to   LORD  MARCUS
                 BERESFORD, His   Majesty's
   equerry and adviser, through-
out, in all matters connected with his thorough-
bred stud, for his great courtesy and kindness
in supervising the proofs, and making many
valuable notes and additions.
   It has been the author's endeavour to
collect the principal facts in connection with
His Majesty's patronage of the National
Sport, and to place them before the public
                                      V

 



   THE KING'S RACEHORSES

in consecutive order, as one, and it is hoped
not the least important, of the souvenirs of
Coronation Year.

  Airil 1902.



Vi

 








                     CONTENTS

                          CHAPTER I

               ROYALTY AND THE TURF

Sportsmanlike instincts of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales-His ancestor,
   the Prince Regent, as a Patron of the Turf-His jockey, Sam Chifney-
   Outspoken criticism on the part of Sir Charles Bunbury-Newmarket's
   loss Brighton's gain-The Pavilion in the olden time-Mr. Mellish
   lights the candle-The First Gentleman in Europe and his racing 'kit'-
   A little old Jew-King George iv. returns to the Turf-Purchase of the
   Colonel-Magnanimity of His Majesty towards Lord Chesterfield-A
   kind master and a true sportsman-Racing when the Second Henry was
   King-The Plantagenets encouraged the breed of horses on the higher
   standard-A layman, whose wife might wear a French bonnet, obliged,
   under a penalty, to keep a stone horse-Men ate oats, and horses bread
   and pease-pudding-Queen Elizabeth at Nonsuch Palace-Sporting pro-
   clivities of the Stuarts-' King Jamie' brings the Great Game from
   Bonnie Scotland-Passion of the Caledonians for horseracing and laying
   large wagers-The 'De Goncourt' Turf frauds-Admonitory law respect-
   ing farriers-The first Arabian horse known in England-The Duke of
   Newcastle's 'Treatise '-Mediocre galloping powers of the child of the
   desert-Shrewd but murderous methods of a former Asiatic Emperor-
   Making a certainty of it-Prompt decapitation of judge and jockeys-
   Heartrending fate of owner of winner-A possible 'get-out '-Special race-
   stands erected for the Shah on his visit to England-Racing in Hindustan
   -Ambition of rajahs to win the Viceroy's Cup-Natives in the saddle,
   at polo, and on the racecourse-Enthusiasm of the Bengali ba/'u for the
   Great Game-Indifference of Gallant Little South Wales to the national
   sport-A nice new racecourse for Swansea neglected-Rhonnda Valley
   miners Drefer scenery to steeplechasing-No more galloping down
   Swansea way-Racing a mere pretence during the disturbed reign of
   Charles i.-Clarendon's Bislory of the Rebellion-Meeting of Royalists



b



Vii

 








    THE KING'S RACEHORSES

 on Banstead Downs-March to Reigate-Stand of the King's troops
 between Nonsuch Park and Kingston-on-Thames-Repulse of the Par-
 liamentary forces outside the King's Town-Samuel Pepys on racing-
 The Merry Monarch restores the former glories of the sport-The Abbe
 Pregnani foretells winners by the aid of the stars-Development of
 Epsom as a fashionable and sporting centre-George, Prince of Denmark,
 a votary of racin;-Queen Anne encourages the sport in the North of
 England-Her Majesty's two greys, ' Pepper' and ' Mustard '-Act
 passed during the reign of George ii.-The Darley and Godolphin
 Arabianis-Death of King George iii-and of King George iv.-The
 Goodwood Cup of 1830-His Majesty William iv.'s horses are placed
 first, second, and third-King Edward vii-A Frenchman's opinions-
 His characteristics-force of character-and 'confessions,'  .





                       CHAPTER II

            SOME EARLY FAVOURITES

A'st0ina lente'-Wisely and slow-A policy of moderation and patience-
  His Majesty as a sportsman, ashore and afloat-Erroneous and one-sided
  ideas of the Puritan on the subject of recreation-It is possible to own
  racehorses and yet keep unspotted from the world-The late Lord Chief-
  justice defends horse-racing-The morale of the Turf at the commence-
  ment and end of the nineteenth century-Racing conducted under
  theatrical circumstances-The ' tout' an ubiquitous institution-The
  Leviathan bookmaker missing from the scene-Means of information
  open to the general public-The registration of the Royal racing-colours
  -Their first wearer-Captain ' Venty' Hope Johnstone steers Leonidas
  to victory at Aldershot-' Fog' Rowlands of Pit Place-Alep, the Arab,
  is well beaten by Lord Strathnair n's Avowal at Newmarket-A chat about
  Pit Place-Lord Lyttelton's strange vision, and sudden death, as foretold
  -John Jones trains for His Royal Highness-Lord Marcus Beresford
  the guide, philosopher, and friend-The Scot and the Grand National
  Steeplechase-Voluptuary wins the race nightly at the national theatre,
  D)rury Lane-Hohenlinden wins the Grand Military Gold Cup-' Roddy'
  Owen-Magic does yeoman's service for His Royal Highness-The
  Prince determines to keep a few flat-racers-John Porter of Kingsclere,
       .V. .

 








                       CONTENTS

  Hants-A chat about Ormonde-The pony upon which the sons and
  daughters of the Prince of Wales were taught to ride-Death of Counter-
  pane from heart disease on Stockbridge racecourse-The late Sir James
  Mackenzie and The Imp-The Jubilee Handicap at Keempton Park-
  First visit of the Prince to Kingsclere-Derby trial of Sir Frederick
  Johnstone's St. Blaise-Getting to windward of the New Journalists-
  His Royal Highness lunches at Park House-Delightful privacy of Kings-
  clere and its Downs-King Alfred's will-King John's Hill-Summary of
  races won for the Prince by horses trained by John Porter-Moderate
  winning score for 1889-Pierrette wins three races in x890-Perdita's
  first foal-In 1 89! the Royal luck begins to mend-Barracoutta, Perdita's
  second foal, wins the Champion Breeders' Foal Plate at Derby-The
  Royal horses leave Kingsclere for Egerton House, Newmarket, at the end
  Of 1892-Mutual regrets at parting,  .     .      .      .          37





                       CHAPTER            III

                   THE PRINCE'S LUCK

Egerton House, Newmarket-Its advantages as training quarters-Vastness
  of the establishment-'Splendid isolation '-Richard Marsh as a steeple-
  chase jockey-His first master, the 'Red Duke '-Ambition of His Royal
  Highness to win the Derby with a horse of his own breeding-Porter
  purchases Perdita-Turning-point in the Royal luck-Establishment of
  the Sandringham  breeding stud-The 'Royal Mascotte '-Her breeding
  -Her ddbMt is not encouraging-Perdita and St. Simon both run at the
  Goodwood Meeting of x883-Fred Archersteers each tovictory-Perdita
  wins another selling race at Newmarket-And is knocked down, for 560
  guineas, to the bid of Matthew Dawson, acting for Mr. ' Benholm '-The
  filly wins the Chesterfield Nursery Handicap at Derby-Success in the
  Great Cheshire Handicap, Chester, and the Ayr Gold Cup-At four years
  old Perdita runs second six times out of nine races-John Porter pur-
  chases her, as a six-year-old. for the Prince of Wales for f9goo-Although
  a comparative disappointment on the Turf, Perdita proves one of the
  most successful brood-mares on record-List of her foals-She dies
  after foaling Nadejda to St. Simon-Winnings of her progeny-Threc
  sons and one daughter win, between them, , 72,847, 5s. -The Irish-bred
                                                             ix

 









     THE KING'S RACEHORSES
                                                                  l'AlI
   horse, Barcaldine, her 'first love '-Performances of the invincible Bar-
   caldine-A 'mad' horse when at the stud-Herr Loffler, the subduer
   -Method in madness-Union of Perdita with St. Simon-Land at last !-
   The late Prince Batthyany buys the champion, Galopin, and breeds St.
   Simon, another champion-Awfully sudden death of Prince Batthyany
   -The Duke of Portland's luck-Purchase of St. Simon at auction for
   16oo guineas - St. Simon's two-year-old performances - Archer the
   jockey and Archer the horse-Robert Peck's message to Matthew Daw-
   son-' Old Mat's' reply-Match between St. Simon and Duke of Rich-
   mond-One of the best John Porter ever tried-Another match with
   Tristan-A runaway affair-St. Simon retires from the Turf, sound but
   unable to stand more galloping- Matthew Dawson's estimate of the
   colt-Captain Horace Hayes on St. Simon-The marvellous beauty of
   his shoulders-A ' short-coupled' horse-Persimmon 'favours' his sire
   more than Florizel or Diamond Jubilee-The 'straight-dropped' hind
   leg-The late Mr. Joseph Osborne, author of the Horsebreeders' Hand-
   book, and the doyen of the Turf-Performances of Florizel-An overgrown,
   weak two-year-old-The writer's acceptation of the word 'luck '-Florizel
   as a stayer-Judiciously managed in his early youth, his record as a
   more matured horse is an excellent one-He wins the Prince of \Vales's
   Stakes at Epsom, the Prince's Handicap at Gatwick, the Manchester
   Cup, the Gold Vase at Ascot, and the Goodwood Cup-A creditable
   fourth in the Cesarewitch-A victory over None the Wiser in the Jockey
   Club Cup at Newmarket-Florizel retires to the stud after running once
   as a five-year-old-Two doughty and handsome sons of St. Simon make
   their appearance on the Turf in 1895-The Prince of Wales's Persimmon,
   and Mr. Leopold de Rothschild's St. Frusquin-Each difficult to train-
   Persimmon wins easily at Ascot-Triumphant career of St. Frusquin
   checked at Kempton Park-The two 'stars' meet in the Middle Park
   Plate at Newmarket-Doubts about starting Persimmon-The race-
   Its result,    .     .      .     .      .     .      .     .   73




                       CHAPTER IV

        PERSIMMON'S DERBY AND AFTER

Persimmon and St. Frusquin difficult to separate in the matter of superiority
  -An easy time of it during the winter months-Inadvisable to prepare
  him for the Two Thousand Guineas Stakes-Teething troubles-Vast
       x

 









                      CONTENTS

improvements in the science of horse-dentistry-Brutality of the old
methods-Bleeding, sweating, etc., how did the horses stand it -A horse
needing dental attention twitched, gagged, and tortured-Ignorance of
operators in days of yore-Herr Lotffler and his pupil, Mr. Joseph
Marsh-Persimmon's disgrace in a trial gallop is entirely due to the
torture of biting on 'loose' crowns in his lower jaw-Prompt removal
of the offenders by the dentist-Opinions of an American expert-' No
healthy horse was ever born vicious '-Persimmon's Derby trial is
witnessed by the Prince and Princess of Wales and suite-The test
proves that the horse still retains his fine speed-And that he is much
the superior of his stable-companion, Balsamo-Subsequent trial with
Safety Pin to test the endurance of Persimmon-Doings of the opposi-
tion; St. Frusquin wins the Column Produce Stakes and Two Thousand
Guineas Stakes-And becomes a strong favourite in the betting on the
Derby-Difficulty in boxing the Prince's horse at Newmarket station-
St. Simon also awkward before taking a railway journey-Only the two
favourites considered to have chances in the great race-Starters,
jockeys, betting, and description of the running-Enormous attendance
on the Downs-Amusing incident at the starting-post-' No fun till 1
come '-Popular demonstration after the race-No such scene of enthu-
siasm ever witnessed before-What Mr. John Corlett wrote about it-
Foresight of the First Player in Haim/et-Mlr. de Rothschild, the owner
of the second, unable to be present-It was a clever win, if not aln easy
one-Unstinted praise for John Watts, the rider of the winner-And
for Richard Marsh, his trainer, who has all the responsibility on his own
shoulders-1)elight of His Royal Highness as he leads his horse through
the unsaddling-paddock-Result of the Princess of Wales's Plate at
Newmarket proves Persimmon and St. Frusquin to possess equal merit
over a mile course-The Eclipse Stakes at Sandown is St. Frusquill's
last race-He gives way in his suspensory ligaments-Lovely 'Ihais,'
after winning the One 'T'housand Guineas, is unfortunate at Epsom and
Ascot-Persimmon specially prepared for the l)oncaster St. Leger-
Description of the race-The Cavourite runs lazily, but wins very easily
-In splendid condition for the Jockey Club Stakes, which he runs away
with from start to finish--Persimmon a magnificent four-year-old-He
sets the seal on his fame by winning the Ascot Gold Cup-And winds
up his career by taking the Eclipse Stakes-A chat about Eventail-
Early performances of Diamond Jubilee-He runs sometimes mulishly,
and sometimes gamely-His dislike to Mornington Cannon-He suffers
from teething troubles like his brother-He is thrice beaten by the
American gelding, Deemocrat-J. Tod Sloan's opinion of the last named
                                                           xi

 








     THE KING'S RACEHORSES

  -Little Herbert Jones, his stable attendant, rides Diamond Jubilee-He
  wins the Two Thousand Guineas, the Newmarket Stakes, and Derby-
  But is beaten by Merry Gal in the Princess of WVales's Stakes-He wins
  the Eclipse Stakes and St. Leger, but is unplaced to Disguise later on
  -III-luck of 1)iamond Jubilee at four years old-By his deeds let him
  be judged-No 'coward ' or 'moderate' horse ever won so many
  important races-Table of winners of more than  20,000 in stakes-
  The ' record' score of Isinglass,.    .     .         .      .  .




                         CHAPTER V

            THE CROSS-COUNTRY DERBY

Fondness of His Majesty for steeplechasing-Early attempts to win the
  Grand National Steeplechase-Magic the best of his jumping stud in
  the 'eighties'-The Grand National of 1863 takes place on the same
  day as the Royal wedding-Emblem 'pecks' at the final obstacle-
  Arhury a rare stamp of hunter-First visit to Aintree of His Royal
  Highness-Mr. John Nightingall's Shifnal is the winner-Conflagration
  bhneath the Royal balcony-Return visits in t88o and 1884-W1'hat
  became of V'oluptuary-An equine 'star '-Coquette unable to take part
  in the Cross-Country Derby owing to hard ground-The National Hunt
  Steeplechase-The Prince of Wales one of the first subscribers-Efforts
  of Air. Fothergill Rowlands-His Royal Highness attends the Cottenham
  fixture-And the following year visits Blankney when venue changed to
  Lincolishire-Bristol honoured with a Royal visit-The late Mr. John
  1Frail-His graceful and patriotic speech-Lord Marcus Beresford rides
  the winner of the National Hunt Steeplechase in 1876-Purchase of
  Ambush-Ireland the birthplace of steeplechasing-The earliest record
  makes no mention of the winner of the historic match-Pedigree of
  Ambush - His sire also begat the celebrated flat-racer, Bendigo-
  Anmbush wins the Maiden Plate at Punchestown at four years old-
  'akes part in the great race at Aintree in 1899, finishing seventh-He
  looks 'dried up' and 'stale'-'l'he following season the horse comes
  out 'like a giant refreshed '-And sets the seal on his fame by winning
  the Cross-Country Derby-W\ild enthusiasm of the multitude-Attempted
  assassination of His Royal Highness in Brussels four days later-Public
  horror changed to rejoicing-Ambush breaks down in training, .    155
         xii

 









                       CONTENTS





                       CHAPTER VI


    SANDRINGHAM AND THE ROYAL STUD


'rhe Fen country between Ely and Wolferton-Suitable covert for alligators-
   The scene is changed as though by the wand of a fairy-Country around
   Sandriogham most picturesque-Ablaze with colour in the late summer
   -The Norfolk residence of His Majesty is only four miles from the sea
   -' The Wash '-Five parishes, with part of Dersingbam, form the Sand-
   ringham estate-WVell protected in the time of the Romans-A strong
   fortress mounted guard at Brancaster over the mouth of the Wash-
   Chain of hills running between Wolferton and Sandringham-Standing
   on Sandringham Heights-Infinite variety of the outlook-The only
   Royal deer-park existing in Norfolk in medireval days-John Vere, Earl
   of Oxford, was ranger of the Chase in the reign of Henry vil-Bluff
   King Hal 'swaps' the Chase and Castle Manor to the Duke of Norfolk
   -Evidence of John Jeffrey of Rising Castle, labourer-Dersingham in
   mediteval times an immense sheep tract-Its church, dating from the
   fourteenth century, remarkable for size and beauty-About the Great
   Bustard-Attempt to restore him in all his former glory-Beef or
   Bustards -Sandringhamii purchased for His Royal Highness at the time
   of his mirriage-O'iginal disposition of the estate-Lord Palmerston's
   suggestion-Determination to convert the mansion into a complete and
   attractive country seat-Principal entrance to the mansion-The Norwich
   gates made for the Great Exhibition of t862 from designs by Mr. Thomas
   Jekyll-A wedding-gift from the County of Norfolk and Corporation of
   Norwich-The shooting one of the most important features of Sandring-
   ham-The King an enthusiast in the sport-Partridges thrive better
   in Norfolk than elsewhere -The stud-farm-Unpretentious but compact
   -No crowding, and plenty of good pasture-The mares' boxes-Origill-
   ally devoted to Shorthorns and Shire horses-New boxes-Advantages
   of the old-fashioned thatch-The boxes for uitlander mares close to
   WVolferton station-Persimmon's quarters-Not the slightest risk of
   conveying infection- His Majesty's personal interest in his stud-farm-
   Lord Marcus Beresford exercises a careful supervision-Edmund Walker.
   the stud grooim-Formerly in charge of small stud of late Fred Archer
                                                           Xiii

 








  THE KING'S RACEHORSES
                                                             IAGF
-The Sandringham stud card-Performances of mares when on the
Turf-III-luck of Nonsuch-Worth of La Carolina, own sister to Energy,
for breeding purposes-Laodamia, the best-looking in the world-Fan-
chette, the oldest inhabitant of the boxes-Pierrette-The loss of Merrie
Lassie a severe one-Fitzsimmons one of the Royal 'failures '-Better
hick to Lauzun !-List of amounts won by descendants of St. Simon-
Mammoth prizes - The 'Emperor of stallions' - Amounts won by
descendants of Hermit-The Dailiy Telegraph on the King's thorough-
bruls,                  .                           .        1 7 3

 







     LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

H.M. KING EDWARD VII.              .  Frontispiece

LORD MARCUS BERESFORD     .   .    . toface page lo

GALOPIN       .    .      .   .    .   ,,   20

PERDITA 11. .    .                     ,,   30

J. WATTS    .    .        .                 42

JOHN PORTER.     .                          52

M. CANNON        .   .    .      .     ,,   62

RICHARD MARSH           .   .          ,,   74

ST. SIMON                   .    .     ,,

FLORIZEL 11.                                92

PERSIMMON        .      .   .    .     ,,   108

RACING STABLES, EGERTON HOUSE, NEWMARKET  ,,   114

DIAMOND JUBILEE (H. JONES UP)              I, 124

H. JONES                                   1.. .    .   .      ,,   34

NADEJDA (PERDITA'S LAST FOAL)      .   ,,

AMBUSH 11. (ANTHONY UP).    .    .     ,,   56

STUD GROOM'S HOUSE, SANDRINGHAM.   .        64

E. WALKER (STUD GROOM).   .   .    .   "   178

LAODAMIA AND FOAL      .      .    .   ,,   88

NUNSUCH AND FOAL     .    .   .        ,,  196


FACSIMILE: THE ROYAL STUD CARD FOR 1901   ,,   i86
                                      xv

 This page in the original text is blank.

 
















ROYALTY AND THE TURF

 































'The King's name is a tower of strength.'

 







                      CHAPTER I


      ROYALTY AND THE TURF

Sportsmanlike instincts of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales-His ancestor,
the Prince Regent, as a Patron of the Turf-His jockey, Sam Chifney-
Outspoken criticism on the part of Sir Charles Bunbury-Newmarket's
loss Brighton's gain-The Pavilion in the olden time-Mr. Mellish lights
the candle-The First Gentleman in Europe and his racing 'kit '-A little
old Jew-King George [v. returns to the Turf-Purchase of the Colonel
-Magnanimity of His Majesty towards Lord Chesterfield-A kind
master and a true sportsman-Racing when the Second Henry w'as King
-The Plantagenets encouraged the breed of horses on the higher
standard-A layman, whose wife might wear a French bonnet, obliged,
under a penalty, to keep a stone horse-Men ate oats, and horses bread
and pease-pudding-Queen Elizabeth at Nonsuch Palace-Sporting pro-
clivities of the Stuarts-' King Jamie' brings the Great Game from
Bonnie Scotland-Passion of the Caledonians for horseracing and laying
large wagers-The ' De Goncourt' Turf frauds-Admonitory law respect-
ing farriers-The first Arabian horse known in England-The Duke of
Newcastle's 'Treatise '-Mediocre galloping powers of the child of the
desert-Shrewd but murderous methods of a former Asiatic Emperor-
Making a certainty of it-Prompt decapitation of judge and jockeys-
Heartrending fate of owner of winner-A possible 'get-out'-Special race-
stands erected for the Shah on his visit to England-Racing in Hindustan
-Ambition of rajahs to win the Viceroy's Cup-Natives in the saddle,
at polo, and on the racecourse-Enthusiasm of the Bengali babu for the
Great Game-Indifference of Gallant Little South Wakcs to the national
sport-A nice new racecourse for Swansea neglected-Rhonnda Valley
miners prefer scenery to steeplechasing-No more galloping down

                                                      3

 






     THE KING'S RACEHORSES
Swansea way-Racing a mere pretence during the disturbed reign of
Charles L.-Clarendon's Histoiy of the Rek/lion-Meeting of Royalists on
Banstead Downs-March to Reigate-Stand of the King's troops
between Nonsuch Park and Kingston-on-Thames-Repulse of the Par-
liamentary forces outside the King's Town-Samuel Pepys on racing-
The Merry Monarch restores the former glories of the sport-The Abbe
Pregnani foretells winners by the aid of the stars-Development of
Epsom as a fashionable and sporting centre-George, Prince of Denmark,
a votary of racing-Queen Anne encourages the sport in the North of
England-Her Majesty's two greys, 'Pepper' and ' Mustard '-Act
passed during the reign of George 11.-The Darley and Godolphin
Arabians-Death of King George 111-and of King George Iv.-The
Goodwood Cup of 1830-His Majesty William iv.'s horses are placed
first, second, and third-King Edward vII.-A Frenchman's opinions-
Royal characteristics-force of character-and 'confessions.'


      ' ,, 60 be neither unduly elated by success,
g         X       nor dismayed by reverses, has al-
N[7X1'- tv     n     ways   been   considered   the  first
                      attribute of a good sportsman.'
                          In these winged words did His
          _           Most Gracious Majesty sum up the
situation, as Prince of Wales, nearly twenty years ago,
after a noble owner of racehorses had been bewailing
his own lack of success on the Turf.
   George iv., when Prince Regent, held equally sports-
manlike opinions. Passionately attached to horse-racing,
His Royal Highness had not to wait nearly as long as



4

 





     ROYALTY AND THE TURF
his grand-nephew has done before carrying off the ' Blue
Ribbon of the Turf'; for we gather from the Racing
Calendar that, in 1788, the Prince's Sir Thomas, by
Pontac, ridden by W. South, was successful in the
Derby, defeating ten opponents. At this time the Prince
Regent was only in his twenty-sixth year-less than half
the age attained by the royal owner of Persimmon on the
day on which the 'purple and scarlet' jacket was vic-
torious in the great racing prize of the year 1896. And
although three years after winning the Derby the Prince
Regent quitted the Turf in disgust, owing to what is
historically known as 'the Escape scandal '-a horse
named Escape, the Prince's property, was alleged to have
been 'pulled' by his jockey in a race at Newmarket-it
has been truthfully chronicled that the conduct of the
First Gentleman in Europe with reference to the matter
was straightforward and sportsmanlike from first to last.
   Rather than sacrifice his servant, the accused jockey,
Sam Chifney, the Prince behaved like a prince and a
man, and gave up temporarily his favourite amusement.
He told Chifney he should not be likely to keep race-
horses again; 'but if ever I do,' he added, 'Sam
Chifney, you shall train and manage them. You shall
have two hundred guineas a year all the same. I cannot
                                              5

 





    THE KING'S RACEHORSES
give it you for your life, I can only give it you for my
own. You have been a good and honest servant to me.'
   Early next year, the Prince Regent's racing stud
was brought to the hammer, but though he ceased to
run horses of his own he did not by any means lose
his interest in the sport.  He had determined not to
visit Newmarket Heath again-after the outspoken
utterances of Sir Charles Bunbury, a Steward of the
Jockey Club, on the conduct of Chifney, the Royal
jockey-and he kept his word. From that time until
the day of his death he only once viewed the Heath,
with its ghostly-white posts and rubbing-houses, from
the London Road, as he swept past in his barouche,
after sleeping all night at the Palace, in Mr. Douglas's
time, on his return from a visit to Holkham.
   But Newmarket's loss was Brighton's gain. The
well-known Tom Raikes, in his diary, gives a graphic
description of Brighton on a race morning, when the
Prince was in his meridian, and the ground was covered
with 'tandems, beautiful women, and light hussars.'
   ' In those days,' writes the diarist, 'the Prince made
Brighton and Lewes Races the gayest scene of the year
in England. The Pavilion was full of guests, and the
Steyne was crowded with all the rank and fashion from
      6

 





     ROYALTY AND THE TURF

London. The "legs" and bettors, who had arrived in
shoals, used to assemble on the Steyne at an early
hour, to commence their operations on the first day,
and the buzz was tremendous, till Lord Foley, and
Mellish, the two great confederates of that day, would
approach the ring, and then a sudden silence ensued,
to await the opening of their books. They would come
on, perhaps, smiling, but mysteriously, without making
any demonstration.  At last Mr. Jerry Cloves'-
presumably the principal bookmaker of the period-
'would say, "Come, Mr. Mellish, will you light the
candle and set us a-going"  Then, if the master of
Buckle would say, " I'll take 3 to X about Sir Solomon,"
the whole pack opened, and the air resounded with
every shade of odds and betting. About half an hour
before the departure for the hill, the Prince himself
would make his appearance in the crowd. I think I
see him now in a green jacket, a white hat, and light
nankeen pantaloons and shoes, distinguished by his
high-bred manner and handsome person.'
   The appearance of such a costume on the racecourse,
or at Brighton, would hardly be appreciated by a modern
crowd, inured to simplicity, and even severity, in the
attire of mankind.
                                            7

 





    THE KING'S RACEHORSES
    'He was generally accompanied,' continues that
genial gossip, Mr. Raikes, 'by the late Duke of
Bedford, Lord Jersey, Charles Wyndham, Shelley,
Brummell, M, Day, Churchill, and ohl-extraordinary
anomaly-the little old Jew, Travis, who, like the dwarf
of old, followed in the train of Royalty. The Downs
were soon covered with every species of conveyance,
and the Prince's German waggon and six bay horses
(so were barouches called when first introduced at that
time)-the coachman on the box being replaced by
Sir John Lade-issued out of the gates of the Pavilion,
and gliding up the green ascent was stationed close
to the Grand Stand, where it remained the centre
of attraction for the day. At dinner-time the Pavilion
was resplendent with lights, and a sumptuous banquet
was furnished to a large party; while those who were
not included in the invitation found a dinner, with
every luxury, at the Club-house on the Steyne, kept
by Raggett during the season, for the different members
of White's and Brookes's who chose to frequent it, and
where the cards and dice from St. James's were not
forgotten.'
   In i826, six years after his accession to the throne,
George iv. returned to the Turf, and, faithful to his
      8

 





    ROYALTY AND THE TURF

promise, renewed his acquaintance with the Chifney
family, two of whom were promptly retained to train
and ride for His Majesty. Once fairly started, the King
entered into the sport with as much interest as ever.
The Colonel, purchased from the Honourable E. Petre,
after running a dead heat with Cadland for the Derby
of 1828, cost 4000 guineas, a large price for a horse at
that period; but money was no object when the King
was determined to win the Ascot Gold Cup. This was
in the following year, and Zinganee was destined to
foil the Royal ambition.  Lord Chesterfield, who had
made an offer for this horse after he had won the
Oatlands Stakes on the previous Tuesday, not only
mentioned the negotiation to King George that evening,
but gracefully, and loyally, expressed his readiness to
break it off, in order not to be in any way the instrument
of depriving His Majesty of a trophy on which he had
evidently set his heart.
   'My dear Chesterfield,' was the frank, jovial answer,
'buy Zinganee, by all means; if you don't beat me
with him, Gully will; I don't mind being beaten by
you I'
   Such sportsmanlike and magnanimous sentiments
foreshadowed those of his grand-nephew Edward vii.,



9



B

 





    THE KING'S RACEHORSES
in more refined and (let us hope) better times; but the
great and gallant principle, noblesse oblige, is not for
an age but for all time.
   George iv. afterwards bought Zinganee from Lord
Chesterfield for 2500 guineas. But the horse was past
his prime, and no good afterwards, although he carried
the Royal colours for the Ascot Cup in 1830, coming
in a 'bad last.'  At that time the King was on his
deathbed. But the ruling passion was so strong, that
he despatched his factotum, 'Jack' Ratford, specially
to Ascot, charging him to come back express with the
result, immediately the race for the Cup had been run.
The love of the sport was with him to the very last;
hence, despite his faults, turfites still retain much
affection for that Royal memory. Indeed, his connexion
with the Turf is a relationship in which the character
of George iv. stands out framed in a bright and pleasant
setting; for when engaged in the national sport he was
always seen at his best, jovial, frank, good-natured,
fascinating-a kind master, and a true sportsman.
   It is not the intention of the writer to give, in these
pages, a history of the British Turf, from Chapter i.
Early horseracing can have been interesting only on
account of the paucity of any other form of sport in
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LORD MARCUS BERESFORD

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LORD MARCUS BERESFORD



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