The Washington herald., 1910-05-07

King Edward was one OF the few men
to win the English Derby more than
once
Three different times he saw his colors
foremost in this classic race-frst borne
by Persimmon. who won the Derby In
1896. when Edward was Prince Of Wales:
second, in 1900 when Diamond Jubilee
was victorious, and last. in 1863, when
Minoru. from the Kings stable. cheered
up all Britons by coming in ahead OF his
rivals.
The victory OF last year was easily the
most notable. II came at the height Of
the war panic when every Englishman
was Sseeing hostile aeroplanes by night
and. German warships by day The whole
country was in a blue funk from fear OF
an invasion.
Imagine, then knowing how close 20
tie Britons heart sport lies. the delight
and satisfaction which overspread the
nation when Minoru. bearing the King
colors won the worlds greatest race. II
was as II great victory had been won
in battle by English troops
Odds Against winning
When Persimmon won the Derby in
1876 the odds against him were 10 /.
Eleven horses were in the field. The win
ner's time for the course-one mile. four
furionss, and twenty-nine yards-was 20.
The stakes Persimmon won were $50
pounds sterling. The horse was trained
by Marsh. who trained all Edward s
horses. and Watts was the jockey.
Four years late. 1900 Edward won
again with Diamond Jubilee. The odds
against this horse were small-s 10 Efor
he was indeed, the favorlte in the bet
ting. Jones. who later rode Minoru. was
up on Diamond Jubilee The winners
time was the same-e.l2-and the stakes
were Of the same value. There were four
teen entries.
In 1903 the odds against Minoru were
to >. and the Kings horse was a general
favorite in the betting. Never was there
more popular victory Fourteen other
horses were entered. Minorus time was
2.2 2-5. and he brought 10 his majesty's
purse $50 pounds sterling or approx
mately S3121S
Loved British sports.
Edward always took keen interest in
those sports peculiarly British. and II
was TO his love for recreation that he
owed his remarkable vigor and healthy
appearance. He was content when en-
jcying a long days tramp over the
stubble at Sandringham or when deer
stalking in the soft Highland mist
His life as a sportsman began early.
When he was quite a child he accom-
panied Prince Albert on deer stalking
expeditions at Balmoral Later he hunted
with the barriers, and when he was ff-
teen could claim to be the best shot in
the royal family
He was associated in the public mind
with the sport Of kings. and the royal
coiors, purple, gold band, scarlet sleeves,
and black velvet cap with gold fringe.
were familiar sight at British race
courses.
Although he had been a member Of the
Jockey Club for thirty years, II was not
until July. 1871. that Alexandra. then the
Princess OF Wales. hOnored New Mar
ket with her presence TO see her hus-
band's colors carried for the first time.
On that occasion. Edward had no luck.
although Alep. pure bred Arab. started
favOrite. but was beaten by Lord Strath-
nirns Arab, Avowal Five years later
Edward won the Household Brigade Cup
at Sandown with Fairplay
Judge of Horse Flesh.
He was conceded to he a great judge
of horselesh, and, at New Market, made
it a point to watch the early morning
gallops His great interest gave a big
impetus to horse breeding in the United
Kingdom In the early sos he started
a thoroughbred stud a half-breed stud.
and a shire horse stud
In the evening following the running
Of the great English classic. the Derby
day dinner at the Marlborough House
each year was attended by Edward. at
tired in full dress and not in uniform.
The great silver service. costing 100000.
ordered by the then Prince on his mar
riage. has always been used at this elab-
crate feast
Although Edward had been a plucky
and fearless rider from early childhood.
he was never specially identified with
the hunting field, and during his latter
years seldom followed the hounds.
His shooting parties at Sandringham
rarely numbered more than ten guns.
The best season was during 1856. when
the total bag was l6,13l head, including
7.252 phcasants. Edward. when Prince
Of Wales. shot more or less all over Eng
land, and, like his father, was a keen
deer stalker.
AS a yachtsman. he was extremely for
tunate, and one of the annual events to
which he most looked forward each year
was the regatta at Cowes. He first won
the Queens cup. annually presented to the
Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes, in 1871.
He won the cup again in 1880. and again
in 1895 and 1897.
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