CLEVER RACE FOR DERBY

Taranaki Daily News, 6 June 1930, Page 11

CLEVER RACE FOR DERBY

BLENHEIM’S GREAT EFFORT •INDIAN PRINCE OWNS WINNER. ENORMOUS CROWD SEES EVENT. By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. London, June 4. The Derby, the blue riband of the English turf, was run to-day before hundreds of thousands of spectators, including the King, Queen and two Princes. The race, which is a mile and a-half, resulted:— • BLENHEIM, Aga Khan’s . ; 1 ILIAD, Mr. Somerville Tattersall’s ••' i ' 2 DIOLITE, Sir ITuga Hirst’s 3 Seventeen started. Won by a length, two lengths between second and third; The race was delayed by the restiveness of Silver Flare, who refused to come up. The field eventually got away to a good start, Hallyferis and Silver Flare being only a yard or two behind when the tapes rose. Diolite was first away, in, front of Trews. At the half-mile Rustom Pasha led from Biolite, Trews and Ballyferis. Then, com- - ing down the hill, Rustom Pasha still held command from Diolite, Ballyferis and .Silver Flare. Rounding Tattenham Corner Rustom Pasha was on the rails and Diolite was next, with Iliad third, while Blenheim was improving his position, in front of Ballyferis and Trews. Shortly afterwards Rustom Pasha was beaten, and Iliad came on from Diolite and Blenheim. The last

named, however, ran past Iliad and won cleverly by a length. Silver Flare was fourth, Seer fifth, and D’Arthenou last. ! ' Hundreds found that the best way of going to' the Derby l was to pass the night on the Down?. At daybreak many spirals of smoke curled skywards marking the camping places. ; The crowd was estimated at several hundred thousands. There was a ceaseless stream of traffic as motley as usual, comprising every type of vehicle from obsolete gigs to high-powered care, Hundreds arrived by aeroplane. Their Majesties, accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Glour cester motored to Epsom. The King looked well and was deafeningly welcomed. The owner of Blenheim, Aga Sultan Mahomet Shah, known as his Highness the Aga Khan, is the spiritual head of the Khojah sect and the recognised leader of the Indian Mahommedane. Always considered io he almost a god by his own people, he is well known and popular in London society, and'was a personal >iend of the late King Edward, who bestowed upon him all the principal Indian decorations. After the outbreak of the Great War he gave unmistakable proof of his loyalty to the British nation. He issued a. statement impressing, upon all Mahoiiamendans in India the necessity of adhering firmly to their old and tried' loyalty to ;the British Government. On this account! he was the subject of favourable mention- by Lord Hardinge to the Secretary of State for India. The Aga Khan claims' descent in a direct line from Ali by his wife Fatima, daughter of the Propbet Mahbmet. He exercises a vast and absolutely unquestioned influence over his followers not only in India itself, but in East Africa, Central Asia, Egypt, and Morocco as well. Great as his influence is, it has never been abused by him. He has wielded his power well.,' In England he is well known as a keen supporter of racing, and a wealthy patron of the stud stock sales. The holders of Blenheim tickets in the Army and Navy veterans’ sweepstakes at New York are E. P. Dougherty, Brooklyn, New York, and Wilfred Le Blanc, Hull, Quebec, respectively. They each, win £29,800.