1 78 CHASING AND RACING 



in the hands of Sam Pickering, to whom I had now 

 confided her. Besides, there was " a pony " for the 

 second, and I was keen on a ride. 



Whilst my beautiful filly was being saddled, she 

 caught the eye of the Prince of Wales (as King 

 Edward VII. was then). 



" Has she any chance ? " he asked me. 



" Well, sir," I replied, " they say that Blanc repre- 

 sents Isinglass at even weights ; so I suppose it will be 

 a case of 5-2 on him ! " 



" Why, they are laying 100-8 against yours," 

 exclaimed the Prince. " Have you backed her ? " 



" Yes, sir. I have 50 on her S.P. on the off- 

 chance." 



" And I shall tell Reuben (Sassoon) to take me 

 1000-80," and away went H.R.H. as cheerful as a 

 cricket. 



Shortly before the Bibury meeting I had gone down 

 for a Dornroschen trial, and this came off one fine 

 morning by the side of the Limekilns gallop. 



If I remember rightly the weights were, Blankney 

 5 yrs., ii stone; Dornroschen 3 yrs., n stone 10 Ibs., 

 with Lord Rosslyn's Grong (I think it was) with a very 

 light stable boy up, to ensure a true pace. Sam rode 

 the big son of Hermit, whilst I steered " the star 

 turn." The spin was over six furlongs only, but I had 

 Blankney well tacked down before half the distance 

 was covered. 



Dornroschen was turned out for the Portsmouth 



