2-970-064 - /Heritage Images

The Spring-Meeting before Sebastopol - the First [Jump?], Second Race, 1856. Crimean War: off-duty soldiers organise their own entertainment. 'The day was remarkably fine, and numbers of both officers and men of the Allied armies were present, and great crowds of Russians came down to the banks of the river to witness the sport. On a rising ground near to the winning-post was a throne erected for General Pelissier, around which were planted evergreens. Numerous bands both of English and French enlivened the scene'. There were both flat races and steeplechases. Breeds of horse included 'Turkish, Arab Barbs, Spanish Horses and Indian Arabs'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.