THE ECLIPSE STAKES

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 47, 24 August 1932, Page 4

THE ECLIPSE STAKES

MIRACLE'S SPLENDID WIN

BARGAIN OF SALE-RING

(From "Tlio Post's" Representative.) LONDON, 19th'July.

• Lord Tioscbery's three-year-old eo!t, | Miracle' (Manna—Brodick Bay), third to April the ■ Fifth in the Derby last June, carried off the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown last Saturday in fine style. After Epsom lie ran at Ascot, and gave some people the impression that he did not stay, but it is evident that his stamina is improving, and it is anticipated that he should cfo very well in the St. Legcr, where he will again be running in competition with April the Fifth. After the Derby, H Wragg, Miracle's jockey, said that his mount would beat Tom Walls's horse in the September event, and that be would have won at Epsom in a true-run race. The favourite for the Eclipse in a field of thirteen was the French-owned Goyescas, who was easily beaten by three lengths, with the Aga Khan's Firdaussi two more lengths away third. "The "Times'* gives the accompanying summary of the event: —

HOW MIRACLE WON

''The field bad not been long at the gate before ■ they were sent a_waj\ From the stands'it appeared to be a very un-even-start, for Koyn.l Dancer lost many lengths, as did Andrea, who, appeared to be bumped badly as the tape was released. Erase was soon many lengths out in front, followed by his stable companion Violator, with Sandwich and Miracle; two more stable companions, close behind. Erase was still leading when the straight was reached, ■followed,, as before, by Violator and Sandwich" - /Andrea had made an attempt to make, up his lost ground, but it'was obvious even, then that he would not be concerned witli the finish. '•'Two furlongs from the -winning-post Erase was beaten and was caught by Violator and Goyescas, with Miracle going well not far behind them on a wide outside. A furlong from the finish Miracle had beaten both Violator and Goyescas, and had the race won, finally winning 'in quite impressive style by three lengths. "Wragg, who rode him, wisely followed tue instructions given him by,the" trainer (J. Jarvis) to come wide after teaching the straight and so use the -harder and firmer, ground' that had not been artificially watered. ' Jarvis is to be congratulated on this advice to his rider, which must have been of great use to the colt, who, however, would certainly have won in any case." -.-'■■

The "Scout" ("Daily Express") writes:—

'■Miracle's gains to date are about £16,000, and he may be worth £50,000 as a sire in two months' time.

''Lord Beaverbrook has estimated that his ventures into owniiig and breeding cost him in a few years well over £150,000. He never won a great race before pressure of work -determined him on'■'! a complete dispersal of stud and stable. "Among the untried yearlings he owned was Miracle.

A "BAG OF BONES."

"Miracle was immaculately bred. His sire, Manna, had won the Two Thousand and the Derby, and his dam, Brodick Bay, was the issue of one of Lord Derby's choicest matings. But Miracle went to Ireland for a change of air—and it did not agree with him; The stud groom almost wept as a 'bag of bones' left him to go into the sale ring at ..Newmarket.. "Only the most polite of buyers merely, tittered, but.; the auctioneer > and Lord Rosebery tried to be serious. vLonl Rose< bcry made a .hurried consultation,^ with Mr. Jack Jarvis. The hammer soon •fell, and .at 170 guineas the 'ugly duckling' was theirs! Mr. Jarvis had to be almost a plasterer as well as a trainer to get so'nie flesh on Miracle. Patience paid:- The colt came out and won for the first time at Goodwood last year. There were no laughs then, but still many critics. Miracle next won the famous Gimcrack Stakes at York—making his juvenile gains into £1781—and Lord Rosebeijy made the Gimcrack speech and prophesied a great future for his horse from the bargain basement. "The road to equine fame is, however, broken. 'Miracle had put his stock down to zero by failure in'the first clas.sie, but Mr. Jarvis added more flesh, arid,'lieI''came back in the Newmarket Stakes :■?. before running third in the Derby..:,"; And now comes success by three lengths over the French-owned favourite;, Goyescas, in : the : richest and- one. of the' m'ost:coveted I priz&i in England. It alone-doubles, a .horse's stud value. The genius of Harry I Wragg 'in bringing out Miracle'wide to finish on the firmer going .near the stands had much to do with his easy .triumph." Miracle will probably start" favourite for the St...Leger. It :is.' believed .that the .ilt; who'has gained, strength, is of somewhat better class, .than -either Cameronian or Sandwich, the' Two Thousand Guineas, Derby, and St.' L'eger winners of .1931. , .Miracle lias put on considerable weight since Ascot. His neck, back, and loin are very appreciably stronger, and his -quarters are beginning to' show the trainer's art. ■