412 JOHN PORTER OF KINGSCLERE 



latter beat the Duke of Portland's colt a head 

 after a thrilling finish. That season Democrat 

 won seven of the eleven races in which he took 

 part, including the Middle Park and the Dew- 

 hurst Plates, in both of which he beat Diamond 

 Jubilee. Simon Dale ran fourth in the Middle 

 Park Plate, and, giving weight to all his opponents, 

 was, a fortnight later, also unplaced in the 

 Criterion Stakes. 



During the ensuing winter Simon Dale made 

 normal progress, and, as already recorded, 

 finished second in the trial over a mile on 

 April 27, beaten two lengths at level weights by 

 Elopement, with La Roche, receiving 7 lb., 

 three lengths behind him. He did not run that 

 season until the Derby, and then finished second 

 to Diamond Jubilee, who won by half a length 

 only. This form was no doubt somewhat flatter- 

 ing to Simon Dale, because I could not regard 

 him as being more than a useful colt. For a 

 few moments, just after he had passed Disguise II. 

 and taken second place about a furlong from home, 

 it seemed likely that Simon Dale would catch 

 and beat the Prince's horse ; but Diamond 

 Jubilee struggled on very gamely and held 

 his own to the end. There was then a soul- 

 stirring scene. A report (premature as it turned 

 out) had reached the course early in the afternoon 

 that Lord Roberts had entered Pretoria, and 

 while the Prince of Wales stood on the steps 



