THE THRONE AND THE TURF.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18609, 3 July 1930, Page 2

THE THRONE AND THE TURF.

THE SHAH HAS IDEAS. Derby Day, which this year is June 4, is approaching (writes Horace Wyndham). Royalty has always been a staunch supporter of the Derby. The first race ever held at Epsom was witnessed by George, Prince of Wales twhose purple and scarlet won the 1788 event), and the Duke of York, and, since then, every sovereign has patronised the meeting. George IV., when Prince of Wales, was not exactly an ornament to the utrf. He once threw a beer bottle at a winner because he himself happened to have backed another mount, and he was even “warned off” for shady practices. However, on becoming a king, he turned over a fresh leaf, and drove down to Epsom even' üby Day, with an escort of a troop of Life Guards and a retinue of lovely ladies. In his hot youth, “the First Gentleman in Europe” had curious notions as to how racing shoudl be conducted. His little trouble with the Epsom stewards was caused by the “in-and-out” running of his horse Escape. This was ridden for him by Sam Chifney. who had been apointed “rider for life” at the modest salary of 200 guineas a year. After the official inquiry into the performance of Escape, the Prince was told by Sir Charles Bunbury that, “unless he changed his jockey, no gentleman would start against him on any course.” There-upon H.R.H. consigned Sir Charles and the other stewards to a “warm place,” and temporarily retired from the turf. Chifney, whose jockey ship had been questioned, retaliated by publishing a pamphlet, in which he declared that “the record of the noble baronet himself was suspect.” As a matter of strict fact, there was “something in it,” for Sir Charles Bunbury was not too “nice” when there was a good stake to be won. Royal Victories. The racing career of the Duke of York was crowned with two Derby successes, one in 1816 and the other in 1832. After the Duke's second victory with Moses in 1832, the Royal colours remained unsuccessful until the spell was broken by King Edward, who secured the Blue Riband three tirr~s. His first two triumphs were achieved (in the days when he was Prince of Wales) with Persimmon and Diamond Jubilee, each bred at the Sandringham stud, and the third with Minoru, when he :ad become King. In the Derby of 1896 Persimmon was well to the front coming round Tattenham Corner, but Mr Leopold de Rothschild’s St. Frusquin was soon neck and neck with him. The finish was so close that it looked perilously like being a dead-heat as the pair flashed past the judge’s box. Suddenly, however, to the unmixed delight of the tremnedous crowd, the numbers were hoisted, declaring that the Prince had won his first Derby. This year, 1900, was a red letter one in the racing history of King Eciward, since, in addition to the Derby, the Two Thousand Guineas, the St. Leger. the Eclipse Stakes and the Grand National also fell to him. The result was he headed the list of winning timers. In 1909 fresh Turf history was made for the Royal colours by the victory of Minoru. It was King Edward’s third Derby, but his first as a Sovereign. The field on this occasion was fifteen, and the betting was 7 to 2 against His Majesty’s horse. When Minoru’s number was beyond parallel, “ a shouting, hatless mob singing and cheering itself hoarse for half an hour, and renewing the cheers with still greater vigour whenever they momentarily stopped.” Although Queen Victoria (like the present Queen Mary) was not specially interested in “the sport of kings” for many years she kept up the long famous Royal bloodstock stud at Hampton Court Palace. In her early days she also felt it her duty to patronise Epsom, and, as a young bride, she attended the 1840 Derby, together with the Prince Consort. At this visit, the courage of a diminutive jockey, who rode the winner, so impressed her that she sent for him and asked him his weight. “Very sorry, Your Majesty,” was the budding Donoghue’s response, “but my guv-nor says he’ll take the skin off me if L ever tell anybody that.” Although the listening courtiers looked shocked, Her Majesty was so pleased with the lad’s loyalty to his employer that she presented him with a gold-mounted whip. What the Shah Thought. In Victorian days foreign monarchs and other visitors of distinction often accompanied the Royal party to Epsom in order to see for themselves how u. national sporting festival should be conducted. The arrangements, however, did not always meet with their approval. Thus, when the Shah of Persia attended the 1889 Derby, he expressed himslf as scandalised that a mere subject should be permitted to win. “The chief prize should always be awarded to the monarch,” he announced, "whether the monarch’s horse be first or last.” But Nasr’eddin, the “King of Kings,” had other whimsical views about racing generally. “It is obvious,” he wrote in his diary, “that one horse can always run much quicker than any of the rest who are matched against him. For this reason, it is not worth while troubling to watch a race.” “Behold how heaven-born wisdom speaks!” remarked the members of his suite, when this was read out to them. The authorities at Epsom have sometimes been charged with “highhandedness” by minor foreign royalties, who do' not always understand that racing must be conducte d on strict business principles. Thus on tnc morning of the 1892 Derby, they received a frantic telegram from a Russian Grand Duke: “Please put off big race until 4 p.m. Have missed train.” Much to the sender’s annoyance, the time-table was not altered. Nor would the Jockey Club act on his suggestion to dispatch the recalcitrant officials to the British equivalent to Siberia. The “Derby Day dinner,” which u always given by the Sovereign to the members of the JocKfey Club, was established by George, IV. On the death of the Prince Consort, the function necessarily lapsed for several years. King Edward, however, revived it, and King George has followed his example This year the Prince of Wales will act as host. The table is always decorated with the Royal racing colours, and the magnificent service of gold plate is brought up from Windsor Castle There is only one toast drunk, that of the “Derby winner.” This is proposed by the Royal host. Three times, however, it has devolved upon the senior guest to undertake this duty Perhans some day Fortune will decide that it shall happen again.