THE ENGLISH DERBY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 129, 3 June 1930, Page 12

THE ENGLISH DERBY.

TO BE RUN TO MORROW.

HISTORY OF THE RACE.

(ByjpORACE WYNDHAM.)

The '"appeal" of the Derby, which is run to-morrow, is such that the fixture stands forth in the national life, even among those who never actually witness the race or wager the smallest sum on the result. Each year, as it comes round, the struggle for the "Blue Riband of the Turf" fires the imagination of all and sundry, and to a degree that sets it apart from every other contest. To recount, even in brief fashion, the history of the Derby would require a volume, for it extends to almost 11)0 years. The meeting had its origin in an after-dinner carouse among a number of sportsmen who were dining with the twelfth Earl of Derby. One of them suggested that such a race should be established, and called by the name of> their host. This being put and carried, the official announcement ran: "Thursday, May 4, 1780. The Derby Stakes of 50"guineas each, half forfeit, for three-year-old colts, 8.0, and .fillies, 7.11,, one mile (30 subscribers)."

For this first Derby on record there was a field of nine 5 and the race was carried off by the favourite, Diomod, a chestnut colt belonging to Sir Charles Bunbury. Shortly afterwards the victor was sold for a modest 50 guineas and went to the United States, to become "the Father of the American Turf."

Early Days at Epsom. In its very early days the Press considered the Derby as so unimportant as not to be worth more than two or three lines. "Won easy" and "A fair attendance" and' "We will give the name "of the winner in our next issue"- was all that would be offered the public. When, however, "Bell's Life" was launched the "descriptive writer" came into his own, and columns upon columns were filled. None the less, the popularity of 'the race Avas of slow growth, and it did not develop into its present "national festival" character unul it, had been in existence for many years. .

» In the rubric of. the first Derby no money was allotted to the second and third horses. In 1782 "the second received 100 guineas out of the stakes," but several years elapsed before No. 3 had anything. Still, the entries were so small that the stakes were only worth about £1000. They have now risen to upwards of £12,000. Then, too, during the first three years the distance was one mile, to be increased in 1783 to a mile and a half. That "Derby Day"' should always fall on a Wednesday was not settled until 1838. . .

Although the . "unexpected" does not invariably happen, it lias happened fairly often at Epsom; and on several occasions the much coveted prize has been secured by animals which were not considered to, possess* the proverbial "dog's chance." An early example was that of Bloomsburv, who yon at 30 to 1 in 1839; and in the "following year Little Wonder romped home at 50 to, 1. This Derby was among the few witnessed by Quean Victoria and the Prince Consort. They were so struck by the jockey's skill that they presented him with .1 silver-mounted ■whip. . . ■ . .. '

But a bigger surprise was the 40 to 1 win of Caractacus in 1862. His owner, a veterinary surgeon, thought so little of his prospects that he did not even trouble to go to Epsom. Still, the classic oldtime instance Of an outsider securing tlin race was that of Mn Chaplin's Hermit, who started at the long odds of to 1. Hermit was known to be a good horse, but "handicapped by a bad habit of breaking blood-Vessels." However, in the 1867 Derby he proved superior to this little weakness.

.''Secret History." "Much water has flowed under the bridges" since the. 1780 victory of Diomod. Some of the water, too, has not been of a crystal clearness. Quite the opposite, for there have been ugly rumours of intrigues and "jobs" and unorthodox happenings. Tales of drugging and "nobbling" and substitution have been rife; and some of them have not been unfounded.

An early bit of blackguardism marked the 1544 'contest, when Eunning Rein, the winner, was entered as a three-year-old. Yet he was afterwards proved to be a four-year-old and to have a different pedjgree from that officially given him. This led to .a famous lawsuit and the disqualification of Bunniiig Bein in. favour of General Peel's Orlando, who had come in second. The unravelling of the correct ancestry of Eunning Bein and the exposeure of the nefarious plot to rob the public was due to the efforts of Lord George Bentinck. Concerning this subject of questionable identity, the case of Bend Or has never, despite the contrary decision of the stewards, been cleared up to the satisfaction of everybody. When Bend Or, the property of the Duke of Westminster, was declared to have won the 1880 Derby by a head from Bobert the Devil, a stud groom electrified the sporting world by declaring that Bend Or was really Tadcaster, and that the two had been "mixed up" as yearlings. As, however, the groom was "under notice," his story was received with strong suspicion. The stewards, of course, held an inquiry. Still, they upheld the judge's decision. None the less, a comparison .of the dam? of these two colts did lend some colour to the theory that the tale had "something in it." '

Grandstand Finance. The old grandstand at Epsom, which was replaced by a new structure in 1927, had an interesting history. It ia just' a century since a small body of sportsmen, calling themselves; the "Epsom Grandstand Committee," issued a thousand shares of £20 each, and commenced to build. Tlie actual cost was nearly £14,000, and the work took twelvo months to complete. The pioneers met with a good deal of trouble. The'initial discord came from a section of the shareholders/ Who roundly asserted that the scheme, so far from being advanced m the interests of racing, "had its origin ill an artful.speculation devised by various questionable characters." . - There certainly was one bit of sharp practice in connection with the building of this stand.. A wily member of the committee secufed a lease he^ old of the Manor for 00 years at £30 a year, by declaring tliat "he represented the Jockey Club and' tile most distinguished S Yet, the lie really, "represented was .himself. ipparently the Lord of the Hanoi felt that M had been topped upon. At any rate, he soog a ioggerkada Eife,

the committee. In 1534 things replied such a position that he issued a peremptory notice "requiring all persons to refrain from erecting any building whatever on Epsom Downs." The committee laughed at the notice, as also did the public, who ran up booths all over the place. Thereupon an action was brought against them for "trespass." This, however, was compromised by a payment of £5, and the recognition of the "rights" of the Lord of the Manor.

An Historic Picture. The first grandstand has gone down to history. In 1858 a young artist, W. P. Frith, wanting a subject for his Academy picture of that year, painted one ia which this building was a prominent feature. He called it "Derby Day," and from the moment it was exhibited tiie canvas secured a vast popularity. But, apart from its interest, the painting ranks as a classic on account of its faithful rendering of mid-Victorian manners and customs. With necessary changes it might stand for the present scene. Thus the various groups are composed of "all sorts and conditions"; of men and women, laughing and talking and flirting and lunching; of layers and takers; of tipsters and gipsies; of the "classes" and the "masses." Among the former there are recognisable portraits in the figures of that meteoric "plunger," the Marquis of Hastings, and General dir Henry de Bathe, who fell in the Crimea. The new grandstand at Epsom, opened in 1927, is far and away the largest in the world, since it actually provides accommodation for 20,000, with 215 boxes. The tariff is somewhat expensive. Thus, a balcony box (which can only be hired by the year) costs £120, and a gallery one is £75. Still, a good many people' can be accommodated in each. A reserved stall comes considerably cheaper, as the charge is fixed at £S. For those members of the public, however, who are not millionaires, unreserved seats in the less "exclusive" portions of the grandstand are, of course, much more moderate; aiid quite a good view can be obtained for ten shillings. Also, by standing in the .crowd, one can be obtained' for nothing at all.