THE TWO THOUSAND AND ONE THOUSAND GUINEAS.

Observer, Volume 2, Issue 35, 14 May 1881, Page 380

THE TWO THOUSAND AND ONE THOUSAND GUINEAS.

The Two Thousand Guineas, the first of the great "classic" or three-year-old contests for which English racing 1 is famous, was run at Newmarket, over the historic "Rowley" mile, on Wednesday last. This event was instituted in 1809, and is consequently 72 years old. The conditions are as follows: — A sweepstake of 100 soys. each, half forfeit for three-year-olds, colts to carry Bst. lOlbs., and fiUies Sst. 51bs., the second to receive 200 soys. out of the stakes, and the third to save his stake. The value of the race varies according to the number of subscribers. In 1877 it was worth £5200 ; in 1878, £4650 ; in 1879, £6250, and in 1880 £4850 only. The Two Thousand Guineas Stakes has been carried off by many of the most renowned thoroughbreds, in fact it is looked upon as a sort of Derby trial, and whatever wins becomes a hot favourite for " the blue riband of the turf." The double event, Two Thousand Guineas and Derby, has been brought off on nine occasions, viz., by Smolensko in 1813, Cadland in 1828, Bay Middleton in 1836, Cotberstone in 1843, West Australian in 1853, Macaroni in 1863, Gladiateur in 1865 lord Lyon in 1866, and Pretender in 1869. Of late years Newmarket heroes have been singularly unfortunate at Epsom. At one time it used to be looked upon as a certainty that the winner of the Guineas would get a place in the Derby, but Lord Falinonth's Atlantic (1874) was the last to achieve this honour. English "sports" have taken a good deal of interest in, the present contest because of the anticipated meeting between those two great cracks — Bal Gal and St. Louis. The race was considered a certainty for either one or the other of them : but, as often happens, the pot has boiled over, and a little-thought-of youngster, who never ran as a two year old, secured the coveted i>rize. Peregrine (a brown colt, by Pero Gomez, out of Adelaide, by Toung Melbourne) was purchased for the Duke of Westminister by his trainer (Robert Peck) at the sale of Mr. Taylor Sharpe's yearlings, in September, 1879, the price paid being 450 guineas. He did not, as we have said, run as a, two year old, and it is probable that he made his first appearance upon any course on Wednesday. The victory will compensate His Grace of Westminster for the disappointment he experienced last year when Muncaster was beaten on the post by Petronel. It is too far from improbable that the colt will win the Derby, as, if lie conquered Bal Gal and St. Louis, he has nothing very formidable to meet at Epsom. Possibly, however, neither of them ran. The second in the Guineas is Iroquois, an Americancolt,by Leamington, out of Maggie B.B.,belon°--ingto Mr. Lorillard, who ran no less than twelve times as a two year old, winning such important events as the Chesterfield Stakes (value £15001 at Newmarket July meeting, and the Lavant Stakes at Goodwood. He has all along been much fancied by the Yankees for both Guineas and Derby, and was probably heavily backed. The third horse is given in the cable news as " Donfland j" but 'there being no animal entered of that name, we opine it is meant for Don Pulano (by King Alfonso,

out of Canary Bird), an American colt, belonging to Mr. J. R. Keene. Don Fulano ran three times as a three year old, scoring one victory — a Nursery Stakes at Newmarket, in which he beat Mazurka and other smart youngsters. It is probable that F. Webb rode Peregrine, Jefferylroquois, and Greaves Don Fulano. The betting, when the mail left, had barely commenced ; in fact, very little real wagering on the Guinens is done till after the City and Suburban has been decided. St. Louis and Bal Gal were quoted at 9to 2 each ; none others mentioned. The One Thousand GJuineas Stakes — a valuable race for three year old fillies— was run at Newmarket on Friday last, and resulted in a victory for the first favourite, Thebais. The One Tho .isand Guineas is now nearly as valuable a prize as the Oaks. Last year it was worth to the owner of Elizabeth no less than £3950, while the value of the sister race at Epsom was £4500. Although the One Thousand was until recently run over a shorter course than the Eowley Mile, the latter track has, at last, been adopted by the Jockey Club for the fillies, and the One Thousand and Oaks are now identical with the Two Thousand and Derby, so far as the distance is concerned. The winner, Thebais, a eh filly, by Hermit, out of Devotion, belonging to Mr. W. S. Crawfurd.and trained by Alex. Taylor, at Fyfield, ran no less than twelve times as two year old, scoring ten victories, including the Ham Stakes at Goodwood, and the Great Challenge and Criterion Stakes at Newmarket. She is a beautiful filly, and was selected by nearly all the tipsters to win both One Thousand and Oaks. Thora, by Doncaster, out of Freia, belongs to the Dnke of Westminster, and ran six times as a two year old, winning twice. The third, Bal Gal, is of course Lord Falinouth's till now unbeaten flyer, who must have fallen off terribly to play second fiddle to Thora.