DERBY DAY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16175, 11 July 1923, Page 10

DERBY DAY.

THE CLASSIC RACE

EPSOM DOWNS, June 6.—Papyrus, by Tracey out of Miss Matty, owned by B. Irish and ridden by Steve Donoghue, won the classis Derby stakes run here to-day.' The! Derby cama around with all its traditional trappings to belie the ,maxim that racing is the sport for kings alono, and to .contradict the practical minded who affirm that the day of the horse is done. . .

All England was at Epsom Downs this morning—hero in the spirit if not. in tho flesh—for Britain's greatest festival will not bo denied, and draws hundreds of thousands despite business depression, unemployment, international complications, and income taxes. And for every nun, woman and child who) had a place) in tho great amphitheatre of hills surrounding tho trackwhen the thoroughbreds wont to tho barrier, there were probably a score who though not present, had even as lively an interest in tho result. Thfce were the countless thousands in whoso pockets nestled a well-thumbed Bweppstako ticket, that, coveted card which annually admits someone within tho gales of financial independence. Papyrus won by a length, whiie half a length separated Pharos and Parth at tho fines'h. This ia the third time in succession that Donoghue, a veteran English jockey, has won tho blue ribbon of the English turf, thus becoming entitled to wear thd golden spurs. Donoghue captured tho prize with Humorist in 1921 and with Captain Cuttle last year. By this year's victory Donoghue's, total string of winning l mounts in the Derby was run up to fivo as) he had captured the classic- with Pomarn in 1915, and with (Jay Crusader in 1917. Tho winner's time l for tho mile and a half was 2 minutes 3b" seconds.

Tho track was enveloped ini a blanket of mist and at tho start thd horses could scarcely bo discerned.

Thu racel troon resolved itself into a struggle between Papyrus, Pharos and Town Guard, pursued by Legality. Donoghuei took up trie challenge and, gaining the favored inside position next to the. rail, gradually forged ahead. As Papyrus, wjtJi magnificent strides flashed across the finish line there was a hurricane of cheers from the vast concourse of spectators. Anthony do Rothschild's Doric, a bay colt by Tracery out of Doro, finished fourth.

Of greater popular interest, perhaps, was the fact that approximately 8.0C0,CCO Britoins im all walks of life had some part of their worldly fortune invested in tho race. Pasquale Mansi, an Italian'restaurant keeper of Fleet street, won nearly £SOOO on a sweepstake.

Town Guard, ridden by the American jockey Archibald, finished im tho rear.

Irish, owner of the winner, is a Northamptonshire} tenant fanner. He is perhaps tho only owner of a Derby winner who is not) a wealthy man. Among the owners of Derby horses were eight millionaires.

Among the world-famous figures who entered horsep were Lord Astor, Foxhall Keeno, Lord Rosebery, Lord Derby, the Duke of Westminster, Lord Woolavington and Admiral Sir Hedworth Menx. Two of the horses entered -were owned by women. They were Lady Nuhurn Holmes' Portumna and Mrs. Bendir's Skias.

The King and Queen, who customarily attend the Derby, were absent because of tho illness of 'Princess Christian. The Princo of Wales, however, was on hand.