ENGLISH SPORTING NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1163, 15 June 1894, Page 25

ENGLISH SPORTING NOTES.

THE EPSOM DERBY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. London, Juno 6. The second day's racing of the Epsom Summer Meeting took place to-day, when tho Derby was run. The fact that Ladas, owned by the Prime Minister, Lord Rosebery, had been for weeks a hot favourite for that race made the Derby unusually interesting, and the attendance of tho public was larger than has been tho case for many years, crowds of peoplo who take na special interest in horse-racing going to see tho Derby merely from curiosity as to whether Ladas would win or not. THE RACE. Tho following if tho result of The Derby, of 0000 sovs ; tho owner of tho winner to receive 5000 sovs, the nominator of tho winner 500 sovs, tho owner of tho second horso 300 sovs, and the owner of the third horso 200 sovs. For three-year-olds colts, 9et; fillies, Bst 91b. About one milo and a half. (237 subs.) Lord Rosebery's b c Ladas, by Hampton

—llluminata Lord Alington's b c Matchbox, by St. Simon —Matchgirl Mr T. Cannon's b c Reminder, by Melanion—Postcript There were seven starters.

Ladas went to the post a very strong favourite at odds of 9to 2 on. The prices of the other two placed horses wore :■— 9 to 1 agst Matchbox, 33 to 1 Reminder. Matchbox led on sufferance until entering the straight, when Ladas was given his head, and cutting down Matchbox easily in the run home, Lord Rosebery's colt won in a canter by a length and a half amidst tremendous cheering. The time was 2min 4Gsec.

There was immense enthusiasm over the victory of the Prime Minister's horse. The enthusiasm, in fact, has never been equalled at Epsom. Lord Rosebery received a great ovation, and the assistance of the polico had to be called in te restrain his friends from rushing him. The news of the victory of Ladas was received with excitement by the members of the House of Commons, and cheers wero given for the winning horse.

The favourite for the Epsom Derby has run home easily from his field. The Derby was established in 1780, when Sir C. Bunbury's Diomed, by Florizel, was proclaimed the winner. The race has been regularly run for ever since, and unusual interest attaches to the gathering year after year. The starters this year only numbered seven, which is the lowest since 1803, when Ditto, by St. Peter, got home.

The win of Ladas must be very pleasing indeed to Lord Rosebery, England's present Prime Minister, whose victory, as the cablegram shows, was immensely popular, the crowd brimming over with genuine enthusiasm. It was not at all surprising that he should receive a great ovation from the populace, for apart from his own great popularity, his horse Ladas has been a hot favourite all along. The performance of Ladas shows that ho is a colt of exceptional merit. He won half a dozen races as a two-year-old, and this year got home comfortably in the Two Thousand Guineas and the Newmarket Stokes.

Matchbox, the second horse, shaped very well last season as a two-year-old, winning some good stakes for his owner. As in the Two Thousand Guineas the other day, Matchbox had to be consent with playing second fiddle to Ladas;. Reminder, the third horse, belongs to Mr T. Cannon the well-known jockey. The breeding being by Melanion from Postcript, the animal is rather appropriately named. Should Ladas win the St. Leger, his name will be added to the list of famous

Triple Crown winners, who havo won the Two Thousand Guineas, Derby, and St. Lcger. These are :Mr Bowe's West Australian, by Melbourne, in 1853 ; Count de Lagrange's Gladiateur, by Monarque; Mr Sutton's Lord Lyon, by Stockwell, in 1866 ; the Duke of Westminster's Ormonde, by Bend Or, in 1886 ; and Mr McCalmont's Isinglass, by Isonomy, in 1893. Tho oft-told story regarding the prediction when Lord Rosebery was a boy at Eton, that he would marry a rich heiress, become "Prime Minister of England, and win tho English Derby, is of singular interest at the present moment, for the prediction has now been verified. Lord Rosebery was evidently born both lucky and rich. The victory of his horso in the Derby should immensely enhance the already widespread popularity of the Liberal leader with the English people.

THE RACEHORSE MATCHBOX. London, Juno 8. Baron Hirsch ha\Vuight tho racehorse Matchbox, which ran Rv/ond in the Derby. The price paid was <£ls,ouo.