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RIDERS IN THE ROYAL COLORS. Now that Kiiiig George has announced his inte-n-tion of carrying on his late fathers racing stable, v.e may hope again to see tin- royal Colors borne to victory. Handsome colors they are, too. The body of the jacket, is of purple satin, w ith gold braid, the sleeves are scarlet, and the cap is of black velvet, with a heavy gold fringe-. Those- who have been privileged tee wear tiieui have not esteemed the honor lightlv. The late John Jones, father of the .jockey who sc. regularly rode for King Edward eef late years, always kept the- jacket and cap on view umle-r a ulass e ase in ills sitting room. The- elder .Tone-s was a steeplechase riele-r and rode for King Kelward. then Prince eef Wales, in the Grand National some- thirty years ago. but his burns The Scot — failed to win. His son — Herbert Jones — won his mleers by the wonderful way in which In- was abb- tee manage that queer-tempered animal. Diamond Jubilee-, furs reecie Diamond Junilec- to victory in the Derby, and also rode the wii r In tin- Two Thousand and tin- Ne-w- marke-t Stakes. Tin- royal owner presented young Jones with a handsome pin in recogniton of these successes. Fred Archer, probably the greatest jockey that ever lived, rode on a number of different occaakms, lor he then Prince of Wales. The first was in June. 1880, when, at Sundown Park. Counterpane was entered for a maiden race. L neb-r Ai.h.-rM handling sin- wen by three lengths. After that he often rode for the prince, who made him several handsome presents. The- first great race won by a horse belonging to the late- king was the One Thousand Guineas of 808. Thais, the winner, was rielele-ii by John Watts. In the- same year he piloted Persimmon to victory in the Derby. A more magnificent race, or a titier piece of riding, has se-hlom Ix-en seen when, stride by stride, the- ro.val horse- overhauled St. Frnsepiin and finally snatched the victory iu one of tlie fastest times ever clocked. Watts has worn the- royal jacket more often than any olher Jockey except Jones. Another great jockey who has frequently liestriel-de-n horses from the royal stab|e-s is Mornington Can 11011. lb- first, rode- a ro.val heirse in 1804, and he WOO the- CUterham Plate by a short bead on a horse-named Courtier in IS!!.".. Madden, who brought ofr that startling 1 M to 1 Derby chance on JeOdnh iu 189S. also rode for the late king. Tom Luates was occasionally employed by the late king. In 1801 he was engaged to ride Ilotizel II. in the St. James Palace Stakes at Ascot. The race was the- last, one of the afternoon, yet practically everydne Stopped to watch it, and the- cheering was tremendous when Horlsel rottped in first. That celebrated American, Tod Sloan, altogether •roele three winners in the- roval lively hbj first being Ntmsueh in the old Cambridgeshire In Is.is f In addition to professional joe-keys se veral amateur rulers have, at one time or anothe-r. been privileged to wear the royal colors. Tlie first of these was Captain Hope Johnstone, who, thirty years ago, rode Lconidas II. in a steeplechase si Alde-rshot. ami won with ease. The captain used tee say that lo-WOUld never forget that afternoon, for it was tin-Wettest be had ever known for a race mee-tlng That famous sportsnmn, the late Mai. "Roddy" Owen, roele in and won a couple of sieeplecha-jes on rural-owned bonea. Poor Majeer Owens life was c ut short by cholera while In- was in active sen h e 111 Kgypt in the summer of ISM, One other amateur who must be mentioned Is F. P. Wilson, who In l.s s Wore tin- roval e-olors iu the Grand National. He was unsiii-e-essful but since that year the late- king twice- realized his ambition ot carrying off tlie greatest steeplechase prize of the year. — Londejn Answers.
