Count Edmund Battyany (1826-1914) helped to set up the Yacht Racing Association.
He held very popular garden parties during Cowes Week, and flotillas of yachts crossed the Solent to Eaglehurst near Calshot to be entertained with fireworks, chinese lanterns, military bands, etc.
He was also a member of the Jockey Club where, again he was the centre of society. He died on the steps of the Jockey Club just before his horse Galopin won the Derby.
The image on the right below shows, from left to right, Sir John Burgoyne, Admiral Bainbridge and Prince Batthyany.
HSH was a popular member of the Royal Yacht Squadron. He was also a member and founder of the Yacht Racing Association, and, though an Austrian nobleman, he enjoyed an enviable popularity in this country.
The celebrated Kriemhilda, which was built for him (at that time Count Edmund Batthyany) by Michael Ratsey, marked an epoch in British yachting, which led up to the big cutter class, including Britannia and Vigilant. She was one of the best cutters launched from Cowes, and won many matches. The Prince also owned the Flying Cloud, one of the most celebrated schooners ever built. She figured largely in the early history of British yachting, and sailed some splendid races with Egeria, Pantomime, etc. He also owned the s.y. Blunderbuss, and was head of a syndicate which built the 20-rater Stephanie.
Clubs: Royal Yacht Sailing, Royal Thames Yacht Club.
Address: Claridge’s Hotel, Brook Street, W.
Vessels: Kriemhilda; Flying Cloud; Blunderbuss; Stephanie