Judging by the rather curious account Mephistopheles ought to have won, but refused to play the game, giving the Fenian an opportunity his rider was not slow to take advantage of. But then it is just those off-chances that constitute the excitement and uncertainty of racing.
Lord William did not have a mount at this meeting, and only won the above race, although several of his horses were entered.
Maid of the Mist carried his colours ridden by Captain Clayton, but was nowhere in it. Captain Candy won riding his own mare Rosebud. In another race Captain Clayton rode Lord William’s Cyclops, which fell. This again was won by Captain Candy on his Park Mount. Maid of the Mist had another try in the Four-Mile Handicap Steeplechase, ridden this time by Captain Grissell, but the race was won by Captain McCalmont on Bicycle. In the Flying Plate, Mr. Herbert rode Mumbo for Lord William, but Captain Candy won on Strasburg. To put the finishing touch to a most successful day’s racing for Captain Candy, he secured under the circumstances the inappropriately named Consolation Plate with Cracker. That was a “Sugar Candy” day with a vengeance. Riding in six races he won five, and was second in the sixth. A record for professional or amateur.
No one was more pleased with his friend’s successes than Lord William, for they were fast friends, and when Captain Candy married the sister of his likewise friend and brother officer, Lord Rossmore, he acted as best man.
It was generally known about this time that the then Prince of Wales was interested in racing, and had been for some time, but owing to Queen Victoria’s objection to the Royal colours appearing on a racecourse, His Royal Highness had been running his horses under other people’s names. In fact, in 1876 Royal won him the Grand National in Captain Machell’s name, long before Ambush II was thought of. His Royal Highness also had a share in Lord “Joe” Aylesford’s horses. Therefore, when the Prince’s racing colours appeared at the 10th Hussars’ Steeplechases, while they were stationed at Hounslow in 1871, I think, it was a day of great excitement, the Prince being in the regiment at the time.
There was no public announcement of the meeting, it being a semi-secret affair held at Down Barn near Southall, within easy reach of their quarters at Hounslow. Consequently there was no big crowd. Nevertheless, it was quite an historic meeting; the rows of drags that lined the course reminded those present of Ascot. The judges were Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar, Lord William Beresford, and Lord Rosebery. The card of the day’s racing contained only five events.
Everyone was anxious to see the Royal colours win the Challenge Cup for bona-fide hunters; distance about three miles.
The entries for this race were:—
| H.R.H. the Prince of Wales’s | Champion, b.g. | Captain Rivers Bulkeley. |
| Lord Valentia’s | Wellington, ch.g. | Captain Wood. |
| Hon. P. W. FitzWilliam’s | Punkah, b.g. | Owner. |
| Lord Valentia’s | Vent Piece, bn.m. | Mr. Woods. |
| Mr. Smith-Dorrien’s | Marquis, ro.g. | Owner. |
| Major St. Quinten’s | Crusader, b.g. | Owner. |