Larkspur Wins Eventful Derby

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29843, 8 June 1962, Page 4

Larkspur Wins Eventful Derby

(N-ZJP.A.-Reuter— Copyright)

LONDON, June 6. The Irish colt Larkspur, ridden brilliantly by the Australian jockey, Neville Sellwood, today won the English Derby at Epsom.

Seven horses, including the favourite, Hethersett, crashed in the race and six jockeys were taken to hospital.

Sellwood, who now rides for the Aga Khan in France, accepted the ride after it had been rejected by P. Glennon and A. Breasley. Larkspur, starting at 22 to 1, won by two lengths from the French colt Arcor (40 to D.with another French horse, Le Cantilien (8 to 1) third. The last Australian jockey to win the Derby was R. Johnstone in 1956. Allegations of rough riding followed the pile-up, which occurred half-way through the mile and a half Sellwood said after the race he had narrowly missed the crashing horses. Two of the six jockeys admitted to hospital were later discharged. None of the others is believed seriously hurt. The other five Australians in the race were' Glennon (Sebring), .fifth; Breasley (Prince d’Amour), sixth; W Williamson CM i r a 1 g o). eleventh; G. Bougoure (Pavot), twelfth; and R. Hutchinson (Silver Cloud), last. The other horses to fall besides Hethersett were Pindaric, ridden by R. P Elliott; Changing Times, with T. Gosling up; Romulus (W. Swinburn); Persian Fantasy (S. Smith); Crossen (M. Larraun); and King Canute (G. Lewis).

The Duke of Norfolk said there would be no official statement today about the falls. “We have adjourned the inquiry until tomorrow, when we hope to interview the jockeys concerned," he said.

A spokesman at Epsom District Hospital said that they had admitted six in- 1 jured riders—Carr with head 1 injuries. Gosling with con- : cussion, Smith with concussion and an injured right

shoulder, Lewis with an injured right arm, Larraun with a cut arm, and Swinburn. The spokesman said that Carr appeared to be the most badly hurt He, Gosling and Smith were likely to be detained at least overnight “Terrible Sight" The first ol the fallen jockeys to return was R. P. Elliott, who said: ‘‘lt was a terrible sight. When I left the other jockeys they were all unconscious. “I don't know who or what caused the fall, but it was a terrible - experience. I was the last to come down.” From positions near the finish, the first Intimation that an accident had occurred was the sight of riderless horses crossing the finishing line. Sellwood said after the race: ‘‘The horses fell right in front of me. I had a wonderful escape. X was nearly brought down, but I got through.” King Canute broke a leg and had to be destroyed.

Back Early Sellwood held Larkspur back in the early stages of the race and began a rapid improvement soon after they swung into the straight. Overtaking River Chanter and Sebring, he hit the front two furlongs out. Arcor and Le Cantilien made up a lot of ground in the last furlong, but neither could reach Larkspur, which stayed on strongly to score a comfortable win by two lengths with half a length between second and third.

British-bred Larkspur is owned by an American. Mr Raymond Guest, and was trained in Ireland by Vincent O’Brien. O'Brien said they discovered, aa injury on the outside of Larkspur’s hock 10 days ago and called in the veterinary surgeon.

“We couldn't work the colt.” he said. "Larkspur had to go easy on Tuesday and Wednesday. cantered on Thursday, had a pipe-opener on Friday, and galloped on Saturday.” Result:— DERBY STAKES, £40.560; Ijm. LARKSPUR R. R. Guest’s ch c by Never Say Die— Skylarking 9-0 N. Sellwood 1 ARCOR, M. Boussac’s b c by Arbar—Corejada 9-0 R. Poincelot 2 LE CANTILIEN, Mme. S. Volterra’s b c by Norseman—La Perle 9-0 Y. Saint-Martin 3 Twenty-six ran. Two lengths; half a length. Time. 2:37 3-5. Winner trained by V. O'Brien (Ireland). Betting: 22/1, 40/1. 8/1. The 9/2 favourite was Hethersett (fell). ASHBURTON COUNTY RACING CLUB NOMINATIONS NOMINATIONS tor the Winter Meeting on June 23 close with the Secretary, Ashburton, at 4 p.m. on Monday, 11th inst. J. B. NICOLL, Secretary. P.O. Box M ■Phone 6794 —A«vt.