THE DERBY RACES.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 452, 14 January 1869, Page 3

THE DERBY RACES.

There seems great probability that the Derby in future will not be run at Epsom. According to a statement in the Sportsman, the new proprietor of a portion of the course has absolutely refused to allow the race to be run over his ground. It appears that the rent of the ground formerly was £3OO a year; but Mr Studd hns endeavoured to raise it, very naturally considering the circumstances, to £IOOO. To this increase the lessees of the course would not submit, but endeavored, vainly, to make a new course, advertising the races to be run as usual. This proceeding enraged Mr Studd, who now refuses any terms at all. Should he persist, not only will the race have to be run elsewhere, but the nominations for 1869 and 1870 will all be void, seeing that the young animals are engaged to be run over the Epsom course and no other. This is a matter of some little interest to many who care nothing for racing as a rule. The loss of the Epsom course itself would scarcely be a subject for' serious regret. It is one of the worst possible for a great race, and a yearseldom passes without one or more horses or jockeys being injured at Tattenham corner. The difficulty is that there is no other within an easy distance of London, and the Derby Day, as we all know, is a London holiday. Newmarket would afford by far the best course ; but then the Derby would be little more than a a repetition of the Two Thousand, and the distance from town is too great. Perhaps Ascot will have yet another great race added to its enormous programme.