There happened to be another native nobleman at the time anxious and longing to make a name for himself on the turf, namely, the young and enormously rich young Maharajah of Patiala, straight from the leading strings of a strict Scotch tutor. Being at the Calcutta meeting for the first time in the early part of ’91, and knowing that the Beresford-Durbangah arrangement was at an end, he approached Lord William with a view to being taught the ropes and joining company. He was already a good horseman and loved the sport. His lordship agreed, and so for the future it was to be that very powerful stable the Patiala-Beresford, the strongest in India.
So there was no halting in any of the programmes, everything went on just as usual. At the Second Extra Calcutta Meeting in ’91 Lord William won two races with Lord Clyde and one with Wild Oats, as wild as his name. At the Lucknow Meeting Myall King won the Stewards’ Purse, value 1500 rupees. Here again there was an unpleasantness, one of those heated arguments that spoil the pleasure of a meeting for everybody. This time the row began when Mr. Apcar’s Sylvia won the Civil Service Cup, and Lord William, on behalf of the owner of the second pony named Frisky, made objection to her not having paid the full penalties. After certain explanations Lord William withdrew his objection, but Frisky’s owner carried on the war, and the unfortunate Stewards of the Turf Club (Calcutta) had to sift the matter and adjudicate. Counsel exhausted themselves with their eloquence over the case, but again it came to naught.
It was, I believe, in December, 1891, Myall King was beaten for the Viceroy’s Cup by that speedy horse Moorhouse, but Sunshine won the Karnaul Stakes, Edith the Zeerut Stakes, Teviot the Eastern Stakes, plucky little Blitz the Eclipse Stakes, with ears down, thinking hard, and doing his best; Ivo the Christmas Cup, so amongst these many wins it is hoped consolation was found to make up for poor Myall King’s defeat.
On the fourth day of the big Calcutta Meeting there was some grand racing. The Patiala-Beresford’s country-bred pony Negus, supposed to be the best country-bred ever seen in India, won the Eastern Handicap, and Ringmaster made a splendid finish for the Durbangah Cup, Vinall only just managing to squeeze him in front of Savant by a short head. The stable at this time had a small English boy named Peake doing the lightweight riding for them, he was rather a success. At the Third Extra Calcutta Meeting the black cap and light blue jacket won four races on Christmas Day as follows: Escapade the Kerry Stakes, Tabby the Welter, Negus the Bengal, Ivo the Fitzmaurice Stakes.