ENGLISH RACING ITEMS.

(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)

London, May 30.

"To him thab hath, etc." Lasb week the Duke of Portland not only won the Epsom Grand Prize and Oaks, but landed Derby sweeps to the tune of nearly a thousand pounds. In the turf club sweep, worth over £500, His Grace had two shares, for which he drew Sainfoin and Surefoob. The Garrick.Club Derby sweep, fell to Irving, and " friend Toole " shares with Mr Edmund Routledge the first prize ab the Devonshire. '-•'_.-. ' . The pony Semolina made the running in bhe Oaks for a mile or more, when she compounded, and for a few momenta

seemed going to win. At the distance, however, Memoir collared her, and quickly getting bhe best of a brief struggle, won easily by three-quarters of a length; Mr Houldsworth's Ponza third. Evens were laid on Signorina, 7 to 4 againsb Memoir, 100 to 30 Semolina.

The Prince of Wales has bought The Imp from Sir James Mackenzie, and it will run in its Royal colours for the Ascot Hunt Cup on Wednesday, for which ib is much fancied. H.R.H. likewise wanted to buy Sainfoin, but as the colt failed' to pass the vet., Porter persuaded him nob to, urging bhab nasty things would be said if he asked his Royal employer a big price for the colb and ib later broke down. Sir Jamas Miller of course elected to run all risks. He is captain in tho 14th Hussars, and only 26.

Watts, like Tom Cannon (tho two Shotove.B) and Archer (Melton and Lonely), has succeeded in riding winners of Derby and Oaks in the same week.

The Grand Steeplechase do Paris (worth £2,000) was run last Sunday jafc Autenil, the winner turning .up in the Irish chaser Royal Sleath, lor whom Lord Dudley gave £5,000 (with a contingency of £2,000 if ib won) before the start. Royal Meath started favourite at 6 to 4, and won easily by three lengths from tho French Fetiche, Papillon IV., and eight others, Mr H. Beasley riding. The distance is almost the same as our own Grand National, but the fences are much easier.

Donovan will, if well, run bis last race in tlm Ascob Gold Cup on Thursday, after which bho young horse joins Ayrshire at Welbeck Stud Farm. The Duke of Portland cannot bear to risk defeab with his favourites, and the greater his success tho more this peculiarity grows upon him. His Grace wished little Semolina to win the Onks, bub, acting on advice, made no declaration. Watbs was offered his choice of mounts, and judiciously selected Memoir. In all probability seven furlongs is Semolina's best distance, as it was her mother's.