THE KING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 56

THE KING.

THE FIRST SPORTSMAN.

God bl€6s the King; long live the King. Of all his millions of subjects, no matter in what quarter of the habitable globe, there are none by whom he is more beloved than by those of the racing world, be they of high class or low. Personally, words fail me adequately to express my reverent and admiration for his Majesty, whose personal patronage and influence have done so much to improve- the statue of the turf — truly the sport of kings — for I ha\e no hesitation in saying that without his royal support racinjg would long since have drifted into the slough of despond. Even as he i 6 the first gentleman, so he ia the first sportsman in the world, and though of necessity unseen and unheard, his diplomatic influence is as great as regard© the comparatively insignificant interests of our national sport as in the political and more momentous affairs of the Empire. Who that witnessed the scenes which followed the Derby triumphs of Persimmon and Diamond 1 Jubilee will ever forget the thrill of loyalty and excitement which would have paralysed them had not their feelings found relief in that burst of enthusiastic cheering, but for which their heart* must have burst in their throats. It was glorious, splendid, magnificent, and will be more so when next the purple and scarlet i 6 seen in the van for the greatest and 'most important race in the universe, for though it is not the most valuable, the English Derby is undoubtedly the most coveted of all racee, the winning of which is the acme of the ambition of every sportsman who is a sportsman. It is not in human power to command success, and it is or"dained tfiSt kings and begjrai^s alike -h<\\\ have their reverses. So it is that King Edwaid's racing fortunes must var\ like those of his subjects, and for several r.-ais. la spite of tfaek perfect breeding <mU ia

spite of all the skill and care of their clever trainer, Richard Marsh, his Majesty's horses have been of moderate calibre and but little successful. Luck runs in cycles, and 1 as regards his Majesty a big spoke in. Fortune's wheel was struck when, following the advice of John Porter, he purchased Pcrdita 11, who made the Sandringhani stud famous by her produce of Florizel 11, Persimmon, and Diamond Jubilee as a result of her several alliances with St. Simon, an account of whose extraordinary success at the etudi would fill a book.

Than Lord Marcus Beresford none coukJ be found more capable or better adapted to control the management of the royal btud, nor could a more able stud groom be imagined than Mr Walker. But, ad•vantageous tie may be the bcientific knowledge of breeding, it is of little avail as compared witfi the luck and chance of the game, and if those who swear by the figure system find themselves occasionally in the position to point to the success of No. (1) family there is of course the reverse side to the picture, and such ac are not devotees to that hard-and-fast reasoning might reasonably inquire as concerning the many " No. (I's) " that proved worthless. The element of chance enters largely into the success of breeders of thoroughbreds, and there can be little doubt that variety is a good thing; but there come periods when, let what maybe done, the fickle jade will turn a deaf car to all appeal, and no choice remains but to W8 it patiently ; better, in fact, to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune than to take arms against a sea. of troubles, for it does not follow that by opposing one can end them. Everything comes, we are told, to him who knows lio-.v to wait. Well, King* Edward must be admitted as a living example of patience, end hi-, turn nrusfc and will como in du> course ; were it in my power I would write shall come, but that would be futile, for "L'homme propose — Dieu dispose." None is more enthusiastic, -none takes greater interest in all matters appertaining to the turf, and none watches the play of the great game with more admirable equanimity than his Majesty. I hope and trust the time is near at hand 1 when we shall have .again to cheer the success of the royal livery, and in expressing that hope I have in mind that Perriei', by Persimmon out of Amphora, is an e-keeeclingly nice horse that may be destined to take high honours; for though Flill very backward — in fact, little more than a great big baby— when he hunted Rhodora home at the finish for the Dewhurst Plate, he did his work after tha style of a racehorse through and through. Perrier is in fact a colt of great possibilities, and is, I should say, the best youngster that has been sent down from Sandrineham for a long while. At is gratifying also to know that he is making satisfactory winter progress. As evidence of his Majesty's deep interest in the turf one need only note his latest act of grace, to wit, the presentation of a. cup, which is to be styled " Tlie King's Cup," valuo 100 guineas, to be run for at the Ward Union Hunt Steeplechases at Fairyhouse (Ireland) on Vaster Monday next. A later ond better opportunity will be afforded for reference to the prospects of the King s two-year-okls for next season. It is, of course, well known that he has leased halt a, dozen colts from Mr W. Hall Walker; but, as far as I can hear, none of then* stand out conspicuously, and maybe the Sandringham-bred fillies will in the end make the best show, there bem<r several very nice ones among them — ' A 12'lant, London Sportsman.