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KING GEORGES MOST SUCCESSFUL YEAR. Probably one of the most strenuous .flat-racing seasons on record, particularly during the last three months, was that which reached its end on Saturday. It was remarkable for many incidents, some not altogether satisfactory, as, for instance, the qualiity of the classic three-year-olds, which must. 1 think, be admitted to be well below the usual standard, while there was nothing outstanding in the juvenile form. There is, however, at least one gratifying reflection in the fact that his Majestys horses won the largest aggregate in stakes since his accession to the throne. This happy result is due in the main to Friar Marcus, which is responsible for 9,750 of the total of 9,725 resulting from eleven victories gained by six bearers of the Royal purple aud scarlet. These figures must be parte-ularly gratifying to Lord Marcus .Beresford anil Richard Marsh, not to mention Walker, the stud groom at Sandriugliam, who bears all the responsibility of bringing up the young stock until sent up as yearlings to Egerton House. Nor is Jones to be forgotten, for he had the handling of Friar Marcus in all his races, and enjoys the distinction of having been first jockey to the Royal stable ever since he won the Two Thousand Guineas. Derby, and St. Leger on Diamond Jubilee for the late King Edward, then Prince of AVales. It may be that classic honors are next year des lined for King George, as Friar Marcus is undefeated, and it is fair to assume that he would have done better still had he not been hampered by a summer cough after his easy victory at Epsom in the Great Surrey Foal Stakes. This misfortuna kept him at home when he might have been winning at Ascot. Happily the ailment left no ill-effect behind, and although he had little to spare when he came out agaili at Goodwood he gave Saow Marten six pounds and a head beating for the Prince of Wales Stakes. Next he appropriated the Rous .Memorial at the First October .Meeting when conceding ten pounds to .Lamplugh, and finally capped all by winning the .Middle Park Plate in irreproachable style from Redfern, Manxman, Sun fire, and others undoubtedly his best performance, aud one which must have been especially pleasing to Lord Rosebery. whose horse, Cicero also a Derby winner got him from Prim Nun, daughter of Persimmon and Nonsuch. WSth such credentials and such a pedigree, to say nothing of his beautiful quality and facing conformation, it requires no great imagination to see in Friar Marcus a possible Derby winner. Encouraged by his spring promise, especially when he ran Corcyra to a short head and beat Hapsburg by three lengths for the Newmarket Stakes, one had hopes that Brake spear would win the Derby, but after beginning slowly, and being interfered with when going well at Tattenliam Corner, he was only sixth. The good-looking son of Spearmint was never a bulldog for iiluck, as witness his two-year-old form, and although second four times and third twice he did not win- a race during the season. Sunnv Lake was more fortunate, inasmuch as he scored brackets on three occasions. His Majestys other winners were Suuni, Vervaine, and Symbolism. Several of the horses included in the Egerton House team last spring have been weeded out of the stable, as, for example, White Locks, Ludovitch and Per Mare, the last a well-bred filly by Marcovil. which was purchased for the paddock by Hlggs for 570 guineas. La Marquise, by Marcovil out of Princess do Gnlles-; has gone to Sandringham. aud the two-year-olds, Markie. Marktiope, Seed Pearl. Jungle Cock. Aiglette, Flowery Speech and Sprig of Erin, have yet to face the public, but all are sufficiently well connected to give promise of winning next year, and will. I believe, be kept in training. In fact, his Majesty will have more horses in training than ever before, the team being reinforced bv sixteen vearlings, namelv: Marconi, colt by Radium Witch of the Air. General Probyn," colt by Fairinan Prim Nun. Sney Pearl, fillv by Spearmint Pearl of the Loch. Sir Dighton, colt by Bayardo Princess de Galles. Dog Star, colt by Suiistar Ecila. Vane Tempest, colt by Weathercock Flame Flower. Pin Mark, colt by Marcovil Pintade. Santley. colt by Santry Sweet Alison. Minimum, colt by Minoru Persian Lilac. Cocoa, fillv bv Cocksure II. Gold Paste. Willow, filly by Willouyx Loch Doon. Esther, filly by Santry Persoopolis. White Pearl, filly by White Eagle Pola. Marie LEstrange, filly bv Cicero Marie Lcgraye. Orange Peel, colt by William the Third Sweet Vernal. Aquiniiie, colt by Lonviers April Princess. Thus there are ten colts and a half dozen fillies, sou- said to be of more than usual promise, and that is the hope of every sportsman, for there Is no sight more exhilarating "on the turf than to see the kings colors in the van. "Vigilant," in London Sportsman of December 2.
