THE KING’S DERBY.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 8, Issue 29, 9 April 1907, Page 7

THE KING’S DERBY.

*■ j By Mr. Richard Harsh. Who would not gladly change places with the King’s candidate for the Derby ? Win or lose the life of a horse engaged in the Blue Riband of the luif is a most enviable one A truly palatial stable to live in, electrically lighted, and furnished regardless of expense ; artistically tinted walls ; a carefully regulated temperature ; fittings and accessories the best that money can buy j and every equine luxury that the ’most fastidious thorough-bred could possibly desire. Truly, thousands of men have not such a comfortable home. The various wants of the King’s Derby horse engage the attention of literally a battalion of servants while the most talented doctor, or lathoi’ -veterinary surgeon, attends twice daily first in the morning, and again at * stables in the evening—to,. metaphorically speaking, take the royal candidate’s ten ierature, and feel his pulse, which, in the case of a horse, ■ means examining his legs, throat, and eyes, i‘to see that ho is sound in wind and limb,” to use the jargon of the racing-stable. No spoilt child was ever so carefully looked after as a Derby horse, whose day’s work commences betimes, at the somewhat early hour of 5 a.m., when he is given a light breakfast of corn, and is made ready to join the string, which parades in a private enclosure every morning before setting out to the training ground. Mr, Richard Marsh,, the King’s trainer, is in charge of stables more luxurious than any other racing establishment in the kingdom. Marsh who once upon a time was a famous jockey, invariably, “rises with the lark,’* and from early morning to late at night finds his time fully occupied in discharging has important duties. It is the head lad’s duty to see that the King’s horse, to whom, naturally, special care is devoted, is in proper trim before his valuable charge is allowed to leave the stables Having reached the training ground, the aspirant to the highest honours that the Turf has to offer is given a spell of walking and trotting exercise for about a quarter of an hour, just to clear the lungs and got the blood into active circulation, before being given a preliminary canter. This over, more walking exercise is indulged in, and then preparations are made for a good gallop, varying in distance between a mile and a mile and a half. Warm clothing is exchanged for light, cloth, ami the jockey having received instructions from the trainer mounts and proceeds to the startingpoint, where he is joined by several other horses, including the “Schoolmaster,” whose duty it is to lead the royal candidate a good gallop. ’The trainer then stations himself at the point where the gallop is to finish, and the signal is given for the start. As the horses dash into their stride, the animal carrying the lightest jockey rushes to the front, for his orders are “to make the running.” Peering through his powerful race-glasses, Marsh carefully notes every incident in the gallop. The gallop over, the Royal candidate having acquitted himself to his trainer's satisfaction, is dismounted, and allowed to walk about and nibble the grass' as lie cools down.; before being gently ridden back to his stable, where a luxurious bed of golden straw has been made ready for him during his absence. Then, after being carefully groomed over by his own special attendant, “breakfast” is served. By this time it is noon, and after the trainer has again examined his Royal charge to satisfy himself that no ill-effects have resulted from .the morning’s exercise, the Royal candidate is locked up and left to doze, eat, or comport himself as his fancy leads him until the evening, At 5 o’clock, the trainer again visits his charge, who is inspected from head to foot, and then, after being groomed and wrapped up in warm clothing, is given another good feed cither of well-boiled linseed and beans, or of oats and hay, and is locked up for the night by the head lad, who hands over Die key of the horse's box to the trainer. — “T.A.T.”