ST. LEGER HISTORY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23135, 6 September 1938, Page 9

ST. LEGER HISTORY

OLDEST CLASSIC EVENT MANY SURPRISE VICTORIES WINNERS FROM FOREIGN LANDS BY PHAETON The St. Leger, run at Doncaster, is the oldest oi' the English classics. The Derby was instituted in 1780, while the St. Leger—or, rather, the race that was to become the St. Leger—was first run in 177G on Cantley Common. The race had its origin in the establishment ot a sweepstakes oi : 2o guineas, tho distance being two miles. Two years later, in 1778, the race received the title of the St. Leger Stakes, the distance being fixed at 1$ miles and 132 yards, and so it remains to the present day. For a Long stretch of years owners were content to race for their own money, which means that the prizemoney was furnished in the shape of sweepstakes, and that continued up to the beginning of the present century. Several years ago a change was made, and it is now a sweepstakes of £IOO for starters, with £4OOO added. With forieits added, the value of the race is further increased. To be Run To-morrow

This year's St. Leger is fixed to bo run to-morrow. Tho Derby winner, Bois Boussel, and Bockfel, winner of tlio One Thousand Guineas and the Oaks, not being engaged, the issue is regarded as very mien. Pasch, by Blandford, who was the popular fancy for the Derby, but who suffered so decisive a defeat as to cause a doubt to bo cast on hits staying capacity, was not at one time viewed favourably for the St. Leger. At last advices, however, he was elevated to the position of favourite as the resultjtpf his attractive winning display inline Eclipse Stakes of a mile and a-quarter. Scottish Union, by Oameronian, finished second in the Derby contest, and here, again, stamina is challenged in an aspirant for classic honours at Doncaster. Pound Foolish, by Blandford, ran unplaced in the .Derby, but it is argued that he will find the Doncaster course nioro to his liking. There is a prospect of France beinu well represented in this year's St. Leger. M. M. Boussac claims a brace of colts, Apollonius, by Astcrus, and Callias, by Tourbillon. Sir Abe Bailey's representative, Bautapa, by Bustoni Pasha, was bred in France, and La-Li, by Blenheim, who figures in the nomination of the Aga Khan, was also bred there.

Dutch Oven's Surprise Like other great classic races, the St. Leger has seen many surprise victories, in 1882 three fillies were contestants. Lord Stamford's filly Geheimnins, winner of the Oaks, was made favourite in preference to the Duke of Westminster's filly Shotover, winner of the Two Thousand Guineas and Derby. A big surprise proved to be in store, for Lord Falmouth furnished the winner with Dutch Oven, a daughter of Dutch Skater, who was ridden by F. Archer and who started at 40 to 1.

In 1894 Ladas, who had won the Two Thousand Guineas and Derby for Lord Rosebery, was popularly thought to hold a mortgage on the St. Leger. but the presumed certainty was defeated in sensational circumstances. Throstle, a filly who was owned by Lord Alington and who started at 50 to 1, challenged the favourite in the closing stages and beat him handsomely amid intense excitement.

Seven years later another hot favourite was defeated. This was Volodyovski, who had' won the Derby and who ruled an odds-on favourite. Doricles, who started an outsider at 40 to 1, got the best of the favourite in an exciting finish and won by a neck. The race of 1913 saw the whole of the favourite division routed. The Irish-bred colt Night Hawk, who carried the colours of Colonel W. HallWalker (Lord Waver tree) and who started at 50 to 1, got home first, with two other outsiders, White Magic and Seremond, second and third. Hot Favourites Defeated In 1921 Lord Astor furnished a hot favourite with Craig-an-Eran, on whose ability to win odds were laid. Craig-an-Eran ran unplaced and Polemarch, an outsider at 50 to 1, who carried the colours of Lord Londonderry, led the field home.

Papyrus, who won the Derby of 1923 in dashing style, is numbered among the hot favourites defeated in the St. Leger. Odds were laid on Papyrus, but ho had to surrender to tho filly Tranquil. The St. Leger has been won by foreign-bred colts on only three occasions, namely, by Gladiateiir in 1865, Rayon d'Or in 1879 and Iroquois in 1881. The two first-named colts carried the colours of the French sportsman Count Lagrange. Iroquois was owned by Mr. Pierre Lord lard, of America. In 1922 the French sportsman M. Boussac furnished a strong favourito with Ramus, but ho failed to run to expectations, and Lord Lonsdale furnished tho winner with Royal Lancer. In 1928 M. J. Wittouck was considered to have good prospects of winning with Palais Royal, but tho French-bred colt was defeated by Lord Derby's colt Fairway. Tho St. Leger of 1932 holds a special place by reason of one owner, H.H. tho Aga Khan, furnishing four contestants —Firdaussi, Dastur, Udaipur and Taj Kasra. -Dastur wa? most favoured of the quartette, but Firdaussi beat him in a stirring finish. Udaipur finished fourth and Taj Kasra fifth.

Famous Winners Tho names of many illustrious horses aro enrolled among winners of the St. Leger and the following may bo specially cited: —Stockwell, by The Baron; West Australian, by Melbourne; Blair vVthol, by Stockwell; Gladiateur, by Monarque; Lord Lyon, by Stockwell; Melton, by Master Kildare; Ormonde, by Bend Or; Donovan, by Galopin; Isinglass, by leonomy; Persimmon, by St. Simon; Flying Fox, by Orine; Diamond Jubilee, by St.' Simon; Rock Sand, by Sainfoin; Bayardo, by Bay Ronald; Swynford, by John o' Gaunt; Hurry On, by Marcovil; Gainsborough, by Bayardo; Solario, by Gainsborough; Coronach, by Hurry On; Bahrain, by Blandford.

Noted fillies who won the St. Leger include: Caller On, by Stockwcll; Achievement, by Stock well; Formosa, by Buccaneer, Mario Stuart, by Scottish Chief; Seabreeze, by Tsonomy; Memoir, by St. Simon; La Fleche, by St. Simon; Sceptre, by Persimmon; Pretty Polly, by Gallinule; Booklaw, by Buchan.

Lord Derby who haw furnished the winner of the St. Leger on five occasions with horses privately bred, holds the record. The winners who carried the Stanley colours comprise Swynford, by John o' Gaunt; Keysoo, by Swynford; Tranquil, by Swynford; Fairway, by Phalaris; Hyperion, by Gainsborough.

TROTTING FIXTURES September 21 —Wellington Trottinsr Club October I—Methvon Trotting Club. October B—New Brighton Trotting Club October 15 —Waiknto Trotting Club. October 22, 21—Auckland Trotting Club. October 22. 21 —Greymouth Trotting Club October 24—Oamaru Trotting Club. October 20 —Invercnrgill Trotting Club November S, 10, 11— N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club. November 19—Wellington Trotting Club November 24, 20—Forbury Park Trotting Club. December 3—Waikato Trotting Club.