Geoffrey Douglas Giles (1857-1923)

Mons Meg was a bay filly, by Martini-Henry out of Malacca, foaled in 1888. In 1891, ridden by G. Chaloner, she won the Gold Vase at Ascot in these orange: white hoops and cap of Sir Daniel Cooper. Although afterwards she was favourite for the Gold Cup and the Cesarewitch, the Vase was the only win of her career. Neither of her rivals in the Vase carried the colours of the other horses in this picture (one of which is clearly in the Royal colours) so, whether at his patron's request or on his own initiative, we must assume that the artist, in celebating her great win of 1891, has used considerable imagination in portraying the field.