2-982-046 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Donkey Race at the Gibraltar Athletic Sports in the presence of the Prince of Wales, from a sketch by our special artist, 1876. 'All the riders were officers of the garrison, with the exception of Lord Charles Beresford. They all wore costumes which were suggested in each case by the name of the animal. Lieutenant Green's donkey was the "Heathen Chinee," and he wore a costume supposed to be that of the Emperor of China...but it is not so clear why a Spanish muleteer was the right style of dress to wear...The "Emperor of China" came in first, but he only won by the length of his pig-tail...It was a half-mile race. Colonel Cameron directed the proceedings, and at the end proposed three cheers for each of their Royal Highnesses. They afterwards dined with the officers of the 4th Regiment'. From "Illustrated London News", 1876.