Many people who had admired the poor old horse felt sad when they heard he had met his death on the racecourse where he had won so many races. The poor beast had of course to be put out of his pain.
The _Indian Planters Gazette_ felt it so strongly it broke into song, as follows:--
Myall King has been shot, ran the pitiful story, We heard in Calcutta on last Tuesday eve; But that such a sad ending had come to his glory, We listeners indeed found it hard to believe.
Fling open the gates of the equine Valhalla While the notes of his requiem mournfully ring, Staunchest of thoroughbreds, best of Australians, Champion of India, brave Myall King.
Yet, if there’s a future for men and for horses, Perhaps our old hero we once more may see, Grazing free on sweet clover in meadows celestial, Happy as sportsmen all wish him to be.
The following shows at a glance the horse’s performances:--
_Myall King, by King Cob--Queen of the Forest_
Weights. Distance. Time. 1887, Dec. Calcutta Viceroy’s Cup 8.8 1¾ m. 3 m. 9½ s. Durbangah Cup 9.0 1 m. 6 f. 3 m. 20½ s. 132 yds. 1888, Feb. Lucknow Stewards’ Purse 10.3 2 m. 3 m. 41 s. 1888, Dec. Calcutta Viceroy’s Cup 9.0 1¾ m. 3 m. 7½ s. 1890, Dec. Calcutta Viceroy’s Cup 9.0 1¾ m. 3 m. 8 s. 1891, Feb. Lucknow Stewards’ Purse 9.7 1½ m. 2 m. 41 s. 1891, Dec. Calcutta Viceroy’s Cup -- -- Ran third 1892, -- Hyderabad Gold Cup 9.7 2 m. --
Misfortunes seldom come singly. Another catastrophe occurred almost directly after Myall King’s, that useful pony Edith fell at the same place, putting her shoulder out, so of course she could race no more.
On December 2nd, at the first Extra Calcutta Meeting, Release ran a dead-heat with Mr. Apcar’s Sapper in the Pony Plate, which was unsatisfactory to both. At the second Extra Meeting Ivo won the Fort Stakes, First Shot, looking splendid, won the Pony Trials, and Westminster the Maiden Horse Stakes. Prince Imperial the Hastings Plate Hurdles.
Then came the eventful Cup Day. Excitement had been great for some time and now grew intense. Many people thought the Maharajah of Kooch Behar’s Highborn was certain to win, though in the opinion of some he was a trifle overtrained. Lord William also had plenty of backers.
As the horses cantered past to the post, Highborn certainly did look tired and a little stale, while Tostig, Lord William’s horse, or I should say the Confederacy horse, was looking very fit. They both got away well, and Vinall kept his charge going from the first, hoping to reduce his field a bit; he kept the lead until the last turn for home, when it was observed Highborn was creeping up, though pale blue and black cap was still leading. Presently Trahan, who was riding Highborn, threw up his arm and began riding for a finish. This made the crowd shout out, “Highborn’s beaten, Highborn’s done,” and the field thought all was over but the shouting, and Lord William would be victorious. Both jockeys now meant business; both were riding every inch resolutely, but in spite of Vinall’s best endeavours, the black landed his head well in front as he passed the winning post, conqueror by a length.