In February, 1892, that wonderful pony Lord Clyde, whose legs must have been made of cement, won the Merchants’ Purse at Lucknow with ease, Arabi Pasha the Derby, and Negus the Civil Service Cup. Racing people in India were growing restive at the formidable Patiala-Beresford stable winning so many of the best races, but if the stewards and officials who arrange the different meetings invite outsiders to compete they must not cry if they come and at times carry off their prizes. Both the Maharajah and Lord Bill were so extraordinarily generous they cared much less for the cash and prizes than for the glory of winning, and would willingly have given them the value of the stakes if that was all that mattered.
The Patiala Prince started some races of his own in April, 1892, on his own estate. They became very popular, and his hospitality was remarkable, everything well done, and Lord William able to help him in laying out and arranging the course, which was 1½ miles long, and well kept. It boasted of two grand stands, stables, dressing-rooms, weighing-room, and all the heart of man or beast could desire.
On the opening day both the Maharajah and his A.D.C., Sirdar Preetum Singh, rode in races, each being a winner. The bookmakers did good business too.
At Agra the stable did fairly well, winning the Bhurtpore Plate with Doris, Bar Stakes with Teviot, three races with Edith, and the Auction Stakes with Joker. Small wonder folk felt nervous when the Patiala-Beresford horses appeared on the scenes.
At Simla, on the new altered course, the races could hardly be called gymkhanas any longer, many good horses coming from far and near to compete. Lord William won the Jakko Stakes with his Coffee, but I do not remember any other wins of this time at Annandale, though there may have been several.
[Illustration: NEW PAVILION AT ANNANDALE]
The majority of his horses, as well as the viceregal horses, were summering at Dehra as usual. This year a few were sent to Nami Tal, another hill station, by way of a change and to represent the stable in some races and gymkhanas. Two horses that had lately been imported to India were causing anxiety, they were not doing very well at Dehra, but as they had come out in that trying month of August it was hardly surprising. It was my fate once to be in the Red Sea in August, and I almost made up my mind to die, but thought better of it, while a real live judge on board made no bones about it, and did lie down and die, though everybody did their best for the poor old man with ice, fans, and punkahs.