PRINCE PALATINE 



this famous 3rd of June, 1896, in plenty of time to 

 witness the two contests which preceded the struggle 

 for the great race. The all-absorbing question was 

 whether the Prince could win. Comparatively few 

 of those assembled supposed that his chance was 

 really the best. St. Frusquin " hardened in the 

 market," as the phrase goes ; Persimmon's supporters 

 could get 6 to I till the field of eleven came out to 

 parade before the stand, and then there was some- 

 thing of a reaction in favour of the handsome bearer 

 of the "purple, gold braid, scarlet sleeves, black cap 

 with gold fringe," whose attractive appearance sent 

 him to 5 to I without, however, weakening the status 

 of St. Frusquin, on whom his admirers willingly laid 

 7 to 4, an idea prevailing that Persimmon was being 

 backed in many cases chiefly because he belonged to 

 the Prince, and the keen desire for his victory 

 influenced the outlay. The more a horse is backed 

 the shorter the odds against him become; there was 

 a wide margin, it will be seen, between the prices of 

 St. Frusquin and Persimmon, and it was also imagined 

 that the latter held a false position in consequence of 

 his ownership. 



Running was made by Bay Ronald — destined in 

 course of time to earn fame as the sire of Bayardo. 

 He led round Tattenham Corner, before reaching 

 which memorable landmark St. Frusquin made his 

 way into second place, and with him was Persimmon, 



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