DERBY HISTORY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22743, 1 June 1937, Page 7

DERBY HISTORY

" THE BLUE RIBBON" INCIDENTS OF GREAT RACE SOME SENSATIONAL SURPRISES BY PHAETON The Derby, which is set down ior decision to-morrow, was fust run in 17S0, and with the, exception ot a period of four years, 1915 to 19]8. during the Great War, it has been run at Epsom. The story of the Derby is ii strange chronicle ami there is much truth in the statement bv a noted writer: " A world of thrills and a world of tragedies and dramas have found their springs in the great Epsom race." It is often said that the glorious uncertainty of racing constitutes its greatest cliarm. It' that is so, then the Derby must be accounted to have contributed its full quota. Many sensational incidents have occurred m connection with the Derby, especially when betting owners such as the Marquis of Hastings, the Dulce of Hamilton, Lord Glasgow, Lord George Bentinck, Viscount Chaplin, Sir Joseph Hawley and James Merry, a Scotch ironmaster, wagered on a large scale. Jn 1865 the French sportsman Count Frederick do Lagrange crossed the Channel with Gladiateur, who made his debut on English soil by winning tbo Two Thousand Guineas, which brought him into prominence for the Derby, for which there was a strong field of 29. Gladiateur won the race in such style as to give rise to an impression in some quarters that he was four years old, and his age, unsuccessfully, was challenged. Success of Hermit Tho Derby of 1867, won by Hermit, has probably led to moro writing than any other classic race figuring in the calendar. Hermit, who was owned by Mr. Henry Chaplin—subsequently Viscount Chaplin—was extensively backed by his owner, but was said to have broken a blood-vessel in training, with the result that he was knocked out to long odds. On the day of tho race snow fell at Epsom, and when Hermit filed out of the paddock with his coat looking as though it had been groomed tho wrong way ho was fairly scouted. Hermit beat tho field of 29 against which ho was opposed amid intense excitement. Mr. Chaplin was credited with a win of £150,000 by the success of his colt. Un the other hand, the Marquis _of Hastings, who made a set against Hermit, was cast in liabilities that, it was computed, amounted to over £IOO,OOO. When 18S0 is reached Bend Or s name is recorded, which will bring to many minds the ill-fated Fred Archer s narrow triumph with the chestnut son of Doncaster over T. TCossiter on Robert the Devil and the objection that followed on tho grounds that tho winner was not the Rouge Roso colt described by the Duke of Westminster, but the Clcmence colt. Win for American Owner In 1881 the American sportsman Mr. Pierre Lorillard was considered to hold a colt much above the ordinary in Iroquois, and, with F. Archer accepting the mount, his Derby prospects were voted bright. However, the English colt Peregrine, who had won tho Two Thousand Guineas, counted sufficient admirers to send him out favourite. Iroquois beat his rival in convincing style, and, as ho won the St. Leger at Doncaster later on, ho was accepted as tho leading colt of the season, The contest for tho Derby in 1896 is given first place in a racing sense. Two sons of St. Simon, St. Frusquin and Persimmon, were tho pair to furnish tho great thrill. St. Frusquin, on tho strength of an impressive victory in tho Two Thousand Guineas, ruled a hot favourite, but Persimmon, who did not contest the Newmarket race, was well supported. The two fought it out stride for stride from Tottenham Corner and the upshot of a great contest was a neck victory for Persimmon, owned by the Prince of Wales, afterwards King Edward VII. Four years after Persimmon s victorv Diamond Jubilee, a full-brother, carried the Prince of Wales' colours to victory, and then, at an interval of nine years, Minoru won tho Derby in the nomination of King Edward VII., each victory evoking much enthusiasm. Son of Carbine The Derby of 1906 had unusual interest for New Zealanders, for in that year a syn of Carbine led the field home. This was Spearmint, who carried the colours of the Irish sportsman Major Eustace Loder, and who was accorded a place with the most notable winners. . The contest for the Derby in 191J cost supporters of the favourite a laigo sum. Craganour, a warm favourite, got home first by a head from tho rank outsider Aboyeur. lho battle ioi superiority between Craganour and Aboyeur was described as a bumping finish, and, acting on their own initiative, the stewards held an inquiry, the upshot being that Craganour \\as disqualified and Aboyeur declined tho winner. '1 he disqualification of Craganour was very keenly discussed and hia owner, Mr. C. Bower Ismay, was considered to have experienced very hard luck in losing the race, it being strongly argued that Aboyeur was equally to blame for what occurred,. Craganour never raced again, there being a proviso to that effect when ho was sold to a South American breeder for £30,d00. " At an interval of 'l9 years another French-bred and owned colt won the Derby. The victor was Durbar 11., who carried the colours of Mr. H. Diirvea, and the favourite division suffered a completo rout. Defeat of Colombo The defeat of Lord Glanely's colt Colombo in tho Derby of 1934 was a sensational happening. At two years old Colombo retained an unbeaten certificate, and, when ho scored a decisive victory in tho Two Thousand Guineas, his followers declared he was a certainty for the Derby and it was a case of odds on his ability to win. However, he never held the lead and finished third to Windsor Lad and Easton. Colombo's defeat was warmly discussed, but it was generally agreed that lie had been greatly over-estimated. Windsoi Lad's victory placed him prominently in the limelight and he was subsequently sold for £50,000. Ho rewarded his new owner by winning the St. Leger and several other races. The presence of French and American colts gives this year s Dorbv an international flavour, M. de St. Alary owns lie Ksar, winner of the Two Thousand Guineas and credited with being a high-class colt. -He became favourite after his decisive victory at Newmarket last month. Perifox, who it is predicted, will dispute favouritism with Tie Ksar, is owned by the American sportsman Mr. William Woodward, and from that it may be assumed that he has stood up to his training in good style. Of the Knglish colts, Cash Book, owned by Lord Astor, is entitled to most notice by reason of his victory in the Newmarket Stakes. A victory for Lord Astor's colours would lie seized upon for a special display of enthusiasm, as on five occasions ho has furnished the runner-up.