view raw text
AN EQUINE MARVEL OF RECENT TIMES. Some Particulars of the Feats of Prince Palatine in English Racing. When T. Pilkington in 1909 purchased privately a yearling colt by Persimmon — Lady I.ightfoot from Colonel Hall Walker, the purchaser had by no means the worst of the bargain. Commencing modestly, the colt, which was none other than Prince Palatine, developed into one of the greatest horses of the past decade. In the course of his racing career Prince Palatine won stakes worth a sum approaching 00,000. while later J. B. Joel gave the amount named to obtain possession of the son of King Edwards first Derby winner. It was in one of the Biennials at Ascot, that Prince Palatine first became acquainted with a race-course. Ridden by Herbert Jones, he ran third to the favorite St. Nat and the Lady Frivoles filly. His next outing was in the National Breeders Prodiu e Stakes at Sandown Park, but in this he was unplaced to Cellini. His third essay was less severe, and he easily won a minor event at Kemptoh Park in August, while he likewise accounted for a moderate band in a maiden plate at Newbury in the autumn. Returning to the higher class, he beat Braxted by a neck for the Imperial Produce Plate at the October meeting at Kempton Park, and wound up the season with a poor display in the Dewhurst Plate, in which Phryxus and King William ran a dead -heat. His first appearance as a three-year old was also in an Ascot Biennial, and it seems strange, in these times, to realize that Bannockburn, in receipt of twelve pounds, was favorite, while Prince Pala -fine was a 10 to 1 chance. Moreover. Bannockburn defeated the latter by a head. Prince Palatine was again second in the Midsummer Stakes, in Second July Week, to Mushroom, the "city" winner, conceding ten pounds. Mr. Pilkingtons colt found his way first past the post at Goodwood, where lie won the Gordon Stakes by three lengths from Phryxus. The "Prince" was coming on apace now, and by Doncaster he was at top notch. His St. Legcr Victory. He was one of the eight starters for the St. Leger. The Derby winner Sunstar was a notable absentee, but J. B. Joel was represented by a fancied horse in Lycaon, which had won a race at Goodwood. The chief fancy, however, was the disappointing King William — owned by Lord Derby and ridden by Frank Wootton — which started at ti to 4 against, Mr. Joels colt anil Prince Palatine being joint second favorites at 100 to 30 against. The trio which headed the quotations also filled the leading places in the race; but not in the order expected. As a matter of fact, Prince Palatine simply ran away from his rivals, finishing a half dozen lengths in front of Lycaon. with King William three lengths further away. Frank ONeill, who rode the winner, could rarely have had a more comfortable ride. The "Princes" only other essay that year was in the Kingselere Stakes at Newbury, in October. In this he was opposed only by Stedfast, a stable companion of King William, and Narenta. belonging to the Duke of Portland. There was some close wagering between Stedfast. which had run second to Sunstar in both the Two Thousand and Derby, and Prince Palatine, Stedfast being finally quoted at 6 to 5 on, with the otner at like odds against, and Lord Derbys representative, in receipt of seven pounds, pulled through by a half length. Stedfast for the second time gained the verdict when the pair again met. in the Coronation Cup, at Epsom, the following June, winning by three parts of a length from the St. Legcr victor. The latter, however, may hardly have been beaten on his merits, inasmuch as he dwelt at the start and thereby lost a deal of ground. Then came the Gold Cup, in which he was opposed by Charles OMalley. Basse Pointe and four others. The "Prince" was favorite at 2 to 1 against, but the French folk were hopeful that the trophy would be taken across the channel, through the agency of Basse Pointe, and M. de St. Alarys mare was well supported at odds down to 3 to 1 against. The result proved our Gallic friends to have been sadly out in their reckoning. Prince Palatine — which seemed to have a penchant for spreadeagling his foes when he did win — finishing five lengths ahead of the French mare, third place going to Bill and Coo. A Rare Surprise. Disaster attended the next effort of Prince Palatine. Having regard to the ease with which he won the Gold Cup. it was reasonable to assume that lie could dispose of the somewhat ordinary band that opposed him in the Princess of Wales Stakes, and odds of 5 to 2 were asked by the layers. Balblair. Fantasio and Lorenzo were the only others supposed to hold a sort of chance; but all calculations were upset by Lance Chest, which, in the hands of Walter Griggs, won comfortably by a length and a half. Prince Palatine lienting Fantasio for second place with three lengths to spare. In the corresponding race a year later Lame Cheat created another surprise by boating Catmint and others. Prime Palatine made amends in the Eclipse Stakes, in which he defeated his old opponent Stedfast. on which odds were laid, by a short head. The Doncaster Cup he won by ten lengths from Adalis. the only other contestant, while he again defeated Steadfast — who was again an odds-on favoriti — in the Joi key Club Stakes. His final appearance for the year had a sensational ending, lie was opposed by Aleppo in the Jockey Tub Cup, and odds of 20 to 1 were demanded about the son of Persimmon, the outsider winning easily by six lengths. Another trophy was lifted by Prince Palatine at Epsom the day after that on which Aboyeurs historic Derby was decided. This was the Coronation Cup, which Mr. Pilkingtons horse won by three lengths from Long Set. with Cigar third. The same month he won his second Gold Cup at Ascot, though in this instance he was distinctly favored by fortune. Tracery was leading and going well when a spectator with a "bee in his bonnet" ran on to the course. Tracery collided with the man and fell. In the end Prince Palatine landed the odds laid on him by a length and a half. Stedfast being second and Aleppo third. The "Princes" final race was at Goodwood, where odds were laid on him for the Cup. Something went wrong with him in the course of the race, however, and he was unplaced. I.. Brassey winning the prize with Catmint. Which beat Aleppo by a neck, with Lance Chest three lengths behind the second.— "J. F. P." in London Sporting Life.
