Then followed the unpleasant news that Dunn was in trouble again, for the confederacy stable was active, though Lord Bill was away. This time it appears Dunn’s riding was so peculiar from the moment he left the paddock that the Stewards felt it imperative to institute another enquiry, regarding the running of Cumberland, and they came to the conclusion he had not ridden the horse to win, in consequence of which he was suspended for twelve months, rather taking his breath away, riding being his means of livelihood. This punishment was later added to by disqualification for life, for which no one could feel sorry, if he was unable to serve faithfully such a good master he did not deserve any mercy.
I believe in 1892, thinking Dunn had suffered enough, his sentence was remitted.
Lord William now engaged the services of that first-rate jockey Vinall, and he was out in India by October, when his lordship returned, looking much better for his visit to the German Spas, where he had amongst other things been drinking the waters.
In December racing people’s breath was taken away by finding Lord Bill had bought and landed in the country a couple of South American horses, which under the then existing rules were rated as country-breds and carried weight with that class. Vixen and Westminster were the names of these surprise packets.
At the Calcutta second meeting Escapade, Labby and Goldleaf won races. Pamela also won her first prize, the Walter Locke Cup, while good old Myall King romped away with the Viceroy’s Cup for the third time, value 5850 rupees.
The brilliant lawyer, Mr. Gasper, died in December of this year on the way to England for a holiday; if I remember rightly he died of heart failure. Lord William at once wrote a kindly, sympathetic letter to his wife, which, considering he cannot have felt very warmly towards her husband after the bitter tone he took up against his jockey and horses, was good of him, and I hope the lady appreciated the spirit that prompted him to do this gentle act. Gentle courtly manners are the fruit of noble natures and loyal minds.
January 1st, 1891, saw Lord William gazetted a full-blown colonel and K.C.I.E.
Why the Maharajah of Durbangah Gave up Racing--The Maharajah of Patiala Joins the Stable--The Indian Lotteries--Some Successful Racing--Lord Bill Pays Up--Simla Feeling Sad--Death of Myall King--Some of His Chief Races--Farewell Dinner--List of Guests--Speeches