MAIDEN'S FRENCH DERBY

Evening Post, Issue 27, 31 July 1935, Page 6

MAIDEN'S FRENCH DERBY

This year's Prix dv Jockey Club (French Derby) was won by a maiden performer, Pearlweed, who is owned by the well-known Continental sportsman, Mr. Edward Esmond. The race was decided at Chantilly a fortnight before the Grand Prix. Neither. Crudite nor William of Valence was a runner. ■

The success was a- particular pleasure to Mr. Esmond, as he bred Pearlweed, who is one of .the first offspring of Hotweed, who won his owner his first Derby: Moreover, the time of 2min 34 l-ssec was the best since Hotweed's 2min 34sec in 1929.

Pearlweed is trained by Frank Carter, whose stable has been in fine form this year. The trainer thought his charge had • a fair chance, but hardly anticipated such a facile victory. Mr. Esmond always believed in his colt, especially over a distance, for Pearlweed apparently is a loosely-made, medium-sized colt, with powerful quarters. ' i ' ' Pearlweed represents a line of worthy i winners of the French Derby. Hotweed is a son of Bruleur, himself the i sire of four winners of the French classic—Ksar, Pot au Feu, Madrigal, and Hotweed. Ksar also continued with the Derby winners Tourbillon and Thor, both owned .and bred by M. Marcel Boussac. .Hotweed has now silenced his critics. After all,-, it is given to few stallions to sire the Derby winner in his first season. ! The dam of Pearlweed (Pearl Maiden, by Phaleron) also produced that great mare Pearl Cap. who was estimated to be 141b better than Brulette, ~the year the latter won the Epsom Oaks. Pearl Cap won the French Oaks, the Prix de * I'Arc de Triomphe, and nearly 1,500,000 francs in stakes.