Persimmon was King Edward VII's most successful racehorse.  To great acclaim, he won the Derby and St Leger in 1896 and the Ascot Gold Cup in 1897.  King George V described the Derby in his diary: 'it was a splendid victory & it was only won by a head, Papa led "Persimmon" in, he got a tremendous ovation, I never saw such a sight…'  His father purchased Fabergé's silver sculpture of the horse in November 1908 and a month later bought six bronze copies to be given away as mementoes, perhaps to the trainers who had contributed to the horse's remarkable success.  Fabergé also made a frame in the King's racing colours which contained a photograph of Persimmon (RCIN 15168).