CHAPTER XXXV 



MINORU S YEAR 



Richard Marsh — The Trainer at Home — The Late Duke of Hamilton — 

 Minoru's First Race as a Three-year-old — Craze for Bayardo — Tod 

 Sloan on Sir Martin — The Grave Doubt about the Verdict — George 

 Stern speaks of Bayardo — Joe Marsh as Starter and Horse 

 Hypnotist — Joe and Diamond Jubilee 



It has been most pleasurable to mark the increased 

 interest which his Majesty is showing in turf matters. 

 There was a good deal of unrest felt after King 

 Edward's death as to what attitude King George 

 would take up concerning racing. I do not think that 

 Richard Marsh had any fears on the question, and 

 Lord Marcus Beresford soon assured him that things 

 would be quite all right, and, so far as I gather, Lord 

 Marcus himself was anxious that some pronouncement 

 shoald be made as soon as practicable after a certain 

 period of mourning. Naturally, it meant a great deal 

 to that good fellow and natural gentleman, Richard 

 Marsh, who has maintained, and still keeps up, that 

 very extensive establishment at Egerton House. 



Ten years back Marsh had four owners : his Majesty, 

 Mr Larnach, Lord Wolverton and Mr Arthur James. 

 The expenses presumably were divided in certain 

 proportions, but eventually, and as befitted the 

 dignity of a royal owner, Mr Marsh became private 

 trainer to the King. Egerton House is the home of a 

 country squire, beautifully maintained with comfort, 

 in fact luxury. Richard Marsh, a fine cross-country 

 rider in his time, was made a great friend of by the late 

 Duke of Hamilton, for whom he rode and trained. 



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