DONKEY DERBY SENSATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 204, 28 August 1926, Page 29

DONKEY DERBY SENSATION.

FAMOTti JOCKEY ACCUSED OF USING A PIN. AXGRT SCENE. An unprecedented scene marked the "Donkey Derby," In which the animals were ridden by famous jockeys at a fete at Pinner, Middlesex. Immediately C. Smirke passed the winning post on a donkey called Motl Mahal, he was challenged by Inspector Beasley, of the National Equine Defence League, who accused him of prodding the animal with a safety pin.

There was- an angry scene, and Inspector Beasley reported to a police-sergeant that he had seen the jockey use a pin, which had been handed over to him.

He also alleged that the jockey's hand was covered with blood, and another league inspector stated that a spot of blood hadi been fonnd on the donkey.

The inspector afterwards told a newspaper representative that he lias reported the matter to the secretary.of the league, to whom he would lenre the affair.

He stated that he was sorry to take any action at a fete in aid of charity, but that he felt it incumbent upon him to do so. He had gone to the fete in order to see that the donkeys were well treated.

Father Caulfleld, who organised the fete and rallied the many popular jockeys round the cause of charity, was deeply grieved.

It was announced afterwards that Smlrke was the winner, "the objection being over-ruled."

Pat Donohue was second on Apple Sammy and Steve Donohue was third on a donkey called Embargo.