Tattenham Corner,

Otago Witness, Issue 1916, 10 August 1888, Page 26

Tattenham Corner,

and the descent horne — where a horse endures such a different stress to that experienced on other courses — have elicited from celebrated jockeys in every generation the opinion that the Derby course is not only difficult but dangerous. Fordham, with all his taciturnity, did not hesitate to express his dislike of it, and Archer's feats over that risky grassy stretch were most talked of because its dangers only served to arouse that inimitable horseman's highest power. The perils of tho going are vastly increased by the now dry weather, and perhaps not since 1875 has the turf been harder than is generally the case at present. However, Galopin started a warm favourite that year, and comforted his backers by a ready win. When Epsom is awaked from its rustic quiet and tho broad of the downs, with its heather and furze gleaming in golden blossom, is swarming with the thousands on pleasure bent, and everything looks charming in the soft spring wind under the brilliant sun, one must survey the scene with natural pride and remember with satisfaction its ancient triumphs. Sir Charles Bunbury's Diomed heads the distinguished list as first winner of the race — an honour almost equalled by the same owner subsequently in again winning that event. Tho noble founder of the blue riband of racing seven years after its institution won his first Derby with Sir Peter Teazle in 1787 ; but Fortune had been more prompt in rewarding him in the sister race — the Oaks — as it fell to his (Lord Derby's) representative, Bridget, at the first time of seeking, which was also the first occasion on which the " ladies' race " was run, so that its christening and its winning were toasted almost in the same bumper. Exactly 100 years ago that good horse, Sir Thomas, owned by the Prince *f Wales, won, having, in a field of 11 runners, ■barted a very fancied candidate at odds of 6 to 5 on. The following year Skyscraper, with odds of 7 to 4 laid on him, won, and a a third favourite kept up the sequence next time when Rhadamanthus flashed past as winner in 1790. Occasionally since, two successive favourites have vindicated the judgment, and proved, it should be added, the good luck of their admirers by securing the honours, but in the history of the race there is only tfce one trio of favourites which won in three consecutive years. Twice, also, the big race has resulted in