Lynda La Plante: Royal Heist

Aka Royal Flush

© 2002

June 2001: Royal Ascot was into its third day, with crowds enjoying the unusually warm, sunny weather. There was a circus atmosphere at times, with clowns on stilts and booths selling racing memorabilia. A brass band was warming up, and the aroma of fish and chips still hung in the air. Ladies in extravagant hats were escorted by men in morning suits, and everywhere they walked, the champagne flowed. Affluent visitors headed toward private boxes or to the Royal Enclosure. Today, it was murmured, Her Majesty the Queen was present, for one of her own horses was running.

Outside the official car park, Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, and Mercedeses queued with buses, coaches, and station wagons. The car park closest to the main gates was only for owners and trainers, and rows of attendants checked the passes displayed on windscreens. Police and racecourse stewards directed pedestrians over a crossing that led to the gates and turnstiles. The stewards wore old-fashioned bowler hats, smart black suits, white shirts, and as requested by the track officials, sober ties.

Christina de Jersey pulled her navy Corniche, packed with two teenage daughters and their friends, into the closest car park. The girls all wore their large hats bedecked with flowers, while Christina’s was stowed safely in the trunk.

She had invited several guests to lunch in the de Jersey box and overseen the menu with her usual meticulousness. Though it was not twelve o’clock yet, she had wanted to avoid the even greater crush that would ensue nearer to the start of the first race, to give herself time to check the table and greet her guests.

A couple of hours earlier, in his helicopter, her husband had piloted his jockey, Mickey Rowland, and trainer, Donald Fleming, to the track. Now, from the busy helicopter pad, he made his way toward the racing stables on the far side of the track. Though fifty-seven, Edward de Jersey was still athletic and exceptionally fit from daily exercising his vast stable of racehorses. At almost six feet three, with broad, strong shoulders, he cut a striking figure. He wore not a gray top hat but rather a black silk one with a slightly curved Victorian-style brim.

De Jersey had a tight sensation in his stomach. Even though he had kept in constant touch with his stable lads, who had traveled by road from his stud farm, he would not feel easy until he had seen his entry, Royal Flush, for himself.

“What stall is he in?” he bellowed to his trainer.

“Number four,” said Fleming, breathlessly, catching up.

Fleming, too, had spoken frequently to the lads to make sure the prize colt had not suffered any adverse effects from the journey. Royal Flush could be moody; a horse that volatile might injure himself in or out of the horse box. He was to race in the three o’clock seven-furlong Chesham Stakes for two-year-olds with a 37,000-pound purse. Royal Flush had cost a fortune, and de Jersey was convinced that he was special enough to win the Derby the following year. He had won his maiden race at Lingfield by over a furlong: a spectacular result. Still, Royal Flush had to prove he wasn’t a one-race wonder.

As de Jersey approached the stables, he greeted his two lads. “How’s my boy?” Numerous other owners and trainers were also checking their horses. Royal Flush was draped in his blanket and appeared unruffled by the hubbub around him.

“He’s been a right bugger, sir. We cladded the sides of the box, but you know what he’s like, tried to bite me hand off earlier-and he’s been kicking and bucking. We gave him a good walkabout, though, in the backfield after breakfast, so he’s calmer now.”

De Jersey bent close to kiss the horse’s soft velvet muzzle. “You be a good fella now,” he told him. Then he checked virtually every inch of the horse. As he ran his hand over the muscular, glossy flanks, he felt breathless with anticipation. There was big competition against Royal Flush for the Chesham: the Queen’s horse was the favorite, and the Sheikh had a runner worth over a million.

At last, satisfied that all was in order, de Jersey went off by himself to stride the famous racetrack. He thought how perfect it was for his colt: well watered-and with the forecast of a hot summer day, he couldn’t have asked for better-the track would be firm. Royal Flush did not run well on soft ground.

He turned to look back at the finishing post, then at the stands and boxes, and half-wished they had not invited so many guests. If his “boy” wasn’t placed, he would be hard-pushed to remain the genial host.

“Good day for it, sir.”

De Jersey didn’t recognize the wizened little man in his suit and bowler hat.

“Harry Smedley, sir. Your lad came up earlier. Says to be sure Royal Flush goes into the starting gate last. Apparently he’s got a bit of a temper on him.”

“It’s imperative,” de Jersey replied. “He doesn’t like being stalled, and with so many young colts there’ll be a delay getting them in.”

Smedley nodded. “I’ll make sure of it. The lads working the starter stalls aren’t due up here yet, not until just before the first race, but I’ll warn ’em.”

De Jersey felt for his wallet.

“No need, sir, but let’s hope he runs a good race. Certainly ran a blisterer on his maiden.”

De Jersey was eager now to return down the track.

“Your dad would have been proud.” Smedley gave a knowing wink. “Right old character he was.”

Smedley reminded de Jersey of a garden gnome, with his bulbous nose and flushed cheeks. “You knew him?” he queried.

The small man looked baffled. “I’m Margie Smedley’s son. My family used to run the dairy at the end of your street, and we was at school together. Before you got into the grammar school. Long while ago now, but my mother knew yours.”

De Jersey still had no recollection of the man, but he nodded and smiled anyway.

Smedley moved closer. “You remember the corner shop just up from the dairy, two doors down from your old fella’s bettin’ shop? Gawd almighty, she was in and out like a ferret, my mother, never could resist a bet, and with it being on her doorstep…” Smedley chuckled. “You was always held up as an example to me. First, the only lad from round our way to get into the grammar school, then you went off to that officers’ training place, didn’t you?”

“Sandhurst.” Still de Jersey couldn’t place him.

“Your dad, he used to show us your picture in your uniform, proud as punch he was. And you had that handsome fella staying. He was wiv you at Sandhurst, right?”

De Jersey was surprised at the old man’s memory-he and Jimmy Wilcox had been very close; they had been at officers’ training together, and Wilcox was to this day someone he trusted.

“Mind you, it’s only cos I knew you way back that I’ve followed your career. I’d never have recognized you now, but being a racing man meself, I wondered if you was him. Then I spotted you at Epsom a few years back. Your dad was a card, wasn’t he?”

“He died a long time ago.”