ROYALTY AND RACING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 127, 31 May 1937, Page 4

ROYALTY AND RACING

THE KINGS OF ENGLAND MEMORIES OF PERSIMMON Ever since the word sportsman entered the English language and became a special mark of distinction as well as a term of outstanding appreciation of a person whose sporting actions defied criticism it could not be regarded as a superlative term when applied to the Kings of England. History tells us that some of the Kings of England led in battle and some of them also led in hunting, hawking and racing. The horse was identified with each branch of sport just as the gaily caparisoned quadruped carried the knights of old when they couched a lance in tourney bold. It was no doubt the speed developed in the hunting field which led to racing rivalry in matches and ultimately in racing as we know it to-day. In its earliest history racing was confined to the nobility and gentry of England under the patronage of Royalty. The enthusiasm it roused spread to the commoners, and also to the vulgar herd, until it became the national sport, and so it stands to-day. Queen Elizabeth, Queen Anne, Charles I. Charles 11, King James 11, George 11, George 111, George IV and others on or near the throne shed the light of their encouraging patronage on racing. William 1 IV, the sailor king, was not a racing man, but he took over the Royal stud and Is perhaps best remembered in connection with sport by his instructions to his trainer when asked what horses should carry the Royal Colours in a race. “Start the whole fleet,” said His Majesty. Queen Anne gave Ascot its first push into prominence in 1711, and it is now the greatest social function of the season. George IV began the Royal procession up the course, and, in fact, when Prince of Wales, acted as leading postillion. It is on record that Queen Victoria attended Ascot although her sympathy was not with racing, and, in fact frowned on King Edward Vll’s partiality for racing when Prince of Wales. King Edward VII, as King of a sporting nation, was probably the most popular monarch that ever occupied the English Throne. He reached the pinnacle of his popularity when Persimmon won the English Derby amidst enthusiasm that absolutely rocked the sky. When the tumultuous applause waned to silence it was aroused again by an itinerant cornet player, who took up a position on the course in front of the Royal enclosure and trumpeted “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” It struck a note that found an appreciative echo in the heart of every sportsman who heard it. There is another popular King of England to-day, and so long as he will —as he is sure to do —act as a sportsman the loyalty of a sporting nation will stand welded in allegiance to the Throne.