The following is an excerpt from the Manchester Dispatch report of 7th June 1934 on the triumph of Maharaja Sir Vijaysinhji of Rajpipla in the Epsom Derby as his horse Windsor Lad finished first in this blue riband of the turf.
The Derby wheel of fortune. Windsor Lad’s Victory
by Sir John Foster Fraser
Yet, after
Smirke, the jockey in purple and cream sash, pressed Windsor Lad past the post,
there rose a cheer as though the favourite had really won. Into the course -
the long broad ribbon of green between the excited multitude - stepped the slim
figure of the Maharaja, dark of feature, carrying his white topper in his hand
with a red rose in his coat, bowing and smiling as he went to meet his horse.
When he came into the enclosure he was mobbed by a hundred white-toppered
friends. The Aga Khan, who had three losing horses in the race, patted him on
the shoulder.
THE KING
Then the Earl of
Harewood came and got the Maharaja out of the clutch of a crowd of interviewing
journalists and took him to the King to be congratulated. For everybody was
there, the King and Queen, and most of the Royal family, down to little boys
from Epsom Town, who were allowed to crouch at the feet of policemen on
promising to be good. The Derby
(This
has been reproduced from Indra Vikram Singh’s book ‘A Maharaja’s Turf’. Author
Indra Vikram Singh can be contacted on email singh_iv@hotmail.com).
A
Maharaja’s Turf
ISBN 978-81-901668-3-6
Published in India by Sporting Links
Fully Illustrated
Hardcover 8.75 x 11.5 x 0.6 inches
(landscape)
140 Pages
MRP Rupees 1995
Indra Vikram Singh’s latest books published
by Sporting Links:
A Maharaja’s Turf ISBN
978-81-901668-3-6
The Big Book of World Cup
Cricket ISBN 978-81-901668-4-3
Don’s Century ISBN
978-81-901668-5-0
Crowning Glory ISBN
978-81-901668-6-7
Distributed in India by: Variety Book
Depot, AVG Bhawan, M-3, Middle Circle, Connaught Circus, New
Delhi-110 001, India. Tel. + 91 11 23417175, 23412567, Email
varietybookdepot@gmail.com.
