ST. SIMON'S GREAT MATCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2375, 7 September 1899, Page 36

ST. SIMON'S GREAT MATCH.

The Duke of Portland was fortunate when he purchased St. Simon as a two-year-old for 1600gs. The colt was never beafen, and his progeny won something like £350,000 in stakes. Unfortunately St. Simon did not take part in any of the classic races, having forfeited those engagements through the death of his nominator, Prince Batthyany. Perhaps St. Simon's most remarkable performance finds no cognisance in the official records ; it is, however, recorded in a number of Racing Illustrated. When St. Simon ,tvas carrying ail-before him, says an Australian exchange, Tristan was also a top sawyer on the English turf, and a thoroughly sporting matcb. was arranged between the owners of St. Simon and Tristan, whose respective ages ■were three and «ix years. What makes this match remarkable is that no monetary value was involved, consequently the trial of strength excited the greatest interest. The race waß run at the Becond Newmarket spring meeting over a mile and a-half, the weights being St. Simon Bst and Tristan 9st 91b. St. Simon fairly smothered his doughty old opponent, and fully established his title to be considered the best horse then in training. Fancy the owners of Bobadil and Cocos pulling their~cracks out during the progress of a big meeting and publicly trying them for the mere sport of the thing without betting a dollar on the result !