This website, created by Valerie Martin, contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.

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Persimmon the Derby winner of 1896 — painted in Findon by Edwin Douglas for H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, 1897.

  "THE PRINCE DOES NOT LIKE THE STRAW"

Text copyright Valerie Martin 1999

Published in Sussex Life in October 1999

Persimmon retired at the end of his four-year career, by which time I understand he had won nearly £35,000 — a sum that put him among the most successful horses of the century. It came as no surprise when the Prince of Wales desired Persimmon to be painted by Edwin Douglas the eminent Findon animal painter. It was decided that the horse should be depicted against a stable interior and the details were agreed with Sir James Blyth.

Edwin Douglas with his son, Ronnie, and accompanying ladies on the steps of Fox Down in Findon.

 

Persimmon in a stable interior by Edwin Douglas.

Edwin Douglas duly executed at Fox Down a small version of a likeness of Persimmon and this was forwarded as a sample representation to Sir James Blyth for his blessing, who in turn passed it to Sir Dighton Probyn for approval. On 20th July 1897, Sir Dighton Probyn wrote an enthusiastic letter concerning the horse from Marlborough House in Pall Mall —

 

"It is an excellent likeness of the gallant horse. I look forward very much to be able to find a suitable place for it at Sandringham where I may be able to see it daily".

He added that the Prince would be indeed fortunate if the full size version intended for him was its equal.

Edwin Douglas delivered the official painting, measuring 28 inches by 36 inches, of Persimmon to Marlborough House just before His Royal Highness left again for Goodwood. It was signed and dated 1897.

On 31st July 1897, Sir Dighton Probyn had cause to communicate once more to Sir James Blyth with a message for the artist —

 

"The Prince likes the picture of the gallant horse very much. It is not only like the horse, but is well painted, full of artistic merit and does great credit to Edwin Douglas as an animal painter.

The only thing the Prince does not quite like about the picture, is the straw. That curiously was the only weak point, if there was any weak point, in the smaller picture of Persimmon, by Edwin Douglas, which you so kindly gave me.

Now the question is, would Mr. Douglas like to have the picture back again to try and improve the straw? I feel bound to ask this as you told me to be sure and let you know what the Prince thought of the picture".

Edwin Douglas was most likely taking a well-earned respite at his house, Fox Down in Findon, after his hard labours. His reaction can only be imagined when he discovered that his painting was likely to be returned because of the straw he had depicted in the horse's stable. One can only guess what he said to his family. Perhaps he went for a ride on his horse to clear his frustrations.

Edwin Douglas also had what might be termed "a family interest" in Persimmon. A horse named Newminster was the great-grandsire of Persimmon and also the sire of Hermit. Newminster was the property of Philip Feake Martin (a direct descendant of Sir Richard Martin, Master of the Mint who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I). Phillip Feake Martin's daughter, Christiana, had become Mrs Edwin Douglas in 1874.

Edwin Douglas with two of his sons, William on the left, and Ronnie sitting outside Fox Down.

Persimmon was to be even more of a success financially to his royal owner when he retired and later collected over £100,000 in stud fees. He remained the Prince's favourite horse, and when showing visitors around the stud at Sandringham, the Prince often stood beside his horse and asked the rhetorical question "Isn't he beautiful?"

Persimmon died in 1908 as a result of a fractured pelvis and the Prince ordered Carl Fabergé to model the horse for him in solid silver. He is still the only monarch to have owned a Derby winner.

In February 1996 I wrote to Queen Elizabeth II and enquired if the painting by Edwin Douglas of Persimmon, which had been presented to her Great Grandfather, was still in her collection. I duly received a reply to the effect that it was still in the royal collection but "not in very good condition".

What happened to Persimmon?    He died in 1908.

What happened to his trainer, Richard Marsh?   He did very well and won eight classic races for his Royal patron. This trainer now enjoyed the circle of his many wealthy and influential owners and spent a small fortune keeping up his establishment and lifestyle. When he died he was worth a mere £383.

Now continue to read about the Victorian Findon Downs when Edwin Douglas lived at Fox Down.

 Back to Edwin James Douglas Index

 Back to Main Index

This is Findon — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.

E-mail: valeriemartin@findonvillage.com