Princess Elizabeth Starts A Racing String

Wanganui Chronicle, 27 December 1947, Page 8

Princess Elizabeth Starts A Racing String

SPECIALLY WRITTEN FOR “THE CHRONICLE” BY Vernon Morgan (The Noted Sports Writer) Princess Elizabeth has started her racing string with the gift of a filly foal a wedding present from the Aga Khan. This foal by the 1940 St. Leger winner Turkhan out of Hastra, a daughter of Derby winner Hyperion, is sufficiently well-bred to be even now considered as a potential classic winner for the Princess in 1950. Although it is possible that the filly might run in the King's colours, there seems every probability that Princess Elizabeth will register her own racing colours and appoint her own trainer and jockey The Princess’s colours would be assured of a great following, for everyone—even the bookmakers!— likes to see a royal victory. Already there is much speculation how the new foal will be named, what will be the Princess’s colours and who will be her trainer and jockey. Turkish Princess might be a happy name for the new foal, which is at present at the Aga Khan's stud at The Curragh in Eire. This eight-months-old filly is not likely to cross the Irish Sea until she is more than a year old, so this is one present the Princess will not be able to see for some time. According to all reports the filly is nice and docile as weii as being a great pet at the stud. LIVELY INTEREST IN RACING Pointing to the assumption that the Princess is really keen on horses and on racing is the fact that in addition to the foal she has been given a saddle, a riding switch, and a pair of binoculars, to name but a few “horsey” wedding presents. Obviously th e donors thought these gifts would be acceptable and to judge from watching the Princess at Ascot and other race meetings,t they certainly will be. She takes a lively interest in the Turf and one feels sure would be only too delighted to have her own racing string. Probably her trainer at first will be Captain Cecil Boyd Rochfort who looks after most of the King’s horses at Freemason Lodge establishment at Newmarket, although she might later have a trainer of her own. However that may be, racegoers are right now looking to the day when they will see among the names of owners, “H.R.H Princess Elizabeth." ROYAL OWNERS How far Queen Elizabeth was interested in the Turf, history does not

relate, but Queen Anne actually owned horse* and ran them in her own name. Only a few days before her death she won a race at York. That was in 1714. Since then the Kings of England have generally shown keen interest in this sport; hence its name, “th e Sport of Kings." Today there is still annually held at Newmarket a race for “The Whip" said to have been used by Charles 11.

In recent years King Edward VII and King George V were both keen racegoers and one feels sure the present King would race much more than he does if opportunity allowed. He certainly seems to enjoy every minute of the Royal Ascot and other meetings which he attends. King Edward VII did extremely well as an owner, winning the Derby twice when Prince of Wales (with Persimmon and Diamond Jubilee) and as the reigning monarch with Minoru. Minoru’s victory was in 1909 and there has not been any royal victory in this great British classic since then. King George V was not as lucky an owner as his father but he was regarded as an even better horseman and judge of a horse. Scuttle, who won the One Thousand daughter Friar's Daughter was the dam of the great Bahram, were probably his two best horses. WEATHER RUINED 1947 DERBY CHANCE The present King has had the good fortune to have already had in Big Game and Sun Chariot tw> of the best horses of the last decade. Indeed the filly Sun Chariot, winner of the One Thousand Guineas, Oaks and St. Leger, can lay claim to being the best lillv of this century. Big Game won the Two Thousand Guineas. Only this season the King had in Blue Train, the unbeaten daughter of Sun Chariot, a ready-made Derby winner, but unfortunately it was found impossible to train this big colt for the race owing to the phenomenally dry summer. Princess Elizabeth is therefore steeped in racing tradition and it is small wonder she loves the Turf. All racegoers will wish her many winners.