^ 



CHAPTER XIII 



THE PRINCE OF WALES' DERBY 



Amongst the four-year-olds, His Royal Highness, the Prince 

 of Wales' grand St Simon colt Persimmon stood far in 

 advance of any other horse of his age in 1896. He made 

 his first appearance in the race for the Ascot Gold Cup, 

 p/^3380. Three of the best horses, Love Wisely, Winkfield's 

 Pride, and the Oaks winner, Limasol, were his opponents, 

 and he won in a canter by eight lengths, ' a fitting victory 

 for the Jubilee year.' Persimmon is a magnificent specimen 

 of a thoroughbred, and when he came out for the Eclipse 

 Stakes, he won easily from Velasquez, who won the Prince 

 of Wales' Stakes in 1897, and the Champion Stakes at 

 Newmarket, also in the same year. But when Persimmon 

 sported the Royal colours at the Derby, and won the race 

 for His Royal Highness, no words can describe the 

 tremendous excitement which followed. The cheers and 

 shouts, the waving of hats until the brims were torn off, 

 and they were thrown high in air to celebrate the victory, 

 while the owners went home hatless ! the jostle and push, 

 and running to and fro, made up a scene of wildest joy. 

 The Prince's coat was nearly torn off his back, with the 

 enthusiasm of the delighted populace, who strove, one and 

 all, to get a nearer view of his Royal person, and to show- 



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