"
The Duke followed the traditions of his family and commenced to form an
expensive racing stud.
In 1882 his attention was concentrated to a considerable degree upon
this object. He bought the famous sire, St. Simon, at the sale of the
late Prince Batthyany's horses. St. Simon could not compete in the
classic races in consequence of the death of his owner, and all through
his racing career he was not put to any severe test of speed, or most
likely his name would have represented the double achievement of being a
famous racer, and the sire of famous racers too. He was bought for
1,600l., the purchase being effected on the recommendation of Mat
Dawson, the trainer, and the horse was then a two-year-old. That he
could go at a terrific pace is proved by an observation made one day by
Fred Archer to the trainer. St. Simon was at exercise when Archer's spur
touched him, unintentionally by the jockey. He bounded into a gallop--a
state of action rarely seen before--and Archer subsequently said that he
had never been whizzed through the air at such a terrific pace.
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