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EPSOM. DERBY FORFEITS. The authorities at Epsom mixed up mattera in connection with the Derby of next year In a way that resulted In the imposition of n flno of ,500 by the automatic Engliih Jockey Clnb. The case is thus eet forth In a recent letter to the Thoroughbred Eecord: Mention of Lavengro uaturally leads up to the muddle in connection with next years Derby. Hitherto there was a condition stating that a minor forfeit could be paid for tho Derby on the first Tuesday in January of the previous year, when the horses nominated became two-year-olds. The advertiEad conditions of j the 1902 Derby included this time honored clause and a number of the animals which were nominated as yearlings last year accordingly paid the minor forfeit on tho first Taos-day in January this year. Amongst them was Lavengro, who at that time was not known to be a good one. Now, unfortunately for tho Epoum executive, the Jockey Club passed a rule in 1899, which came into operation on January 1, 1900, to the effect that "no de claration" of forfeit affecting yearlings or two-year-olds shall be fixed to be made between ibo escond Tuesday in October, when they are yoarliogs and the last Tuesday in March in the following year. The 1902 Derby forfeit being fixed for the first Tuesday in January this year, was, according to the new rule, clearly illegal, and Mr. Bievier has claimed to have Lavengro reinstated, adding that had thu forfeit uuen fixed for the last "luetaay in March, which is the proper date, Lavengro woula have been allowed to remain in the race, ao his miner had discovered him to be a good uo some time between tho first Tuesday in January and the end of March. The discovery that the conditions of the race were illegal, openud up all sorts of possibilities of a more or itss unpleasant nature to the Epsom executive, and altnough it seems hard lines for Mr. bievior, the Jockey Clnb have undoubtedly done tho best thing in ruling that the conditions must stand, although not in accordance with the Kales of Kacing, and that all animals for which foifeit waB pain in January must be regarded as struck out. In thus ruling, the stewutds of the Jockey Club are undoubtedly over-iidug tijuir own laws, but if they bad allowed tai. oicviers claim and reinstated Lavengro. numerous other owners who had left their animals iu in January, would without donbt claim to In va mem struck out on payment of the minor forfait, on tho ground that between tne beginning of January and the end of March, their trainers hau discovered them to be no good. This would cause serious loss to the JSpsom people who would in that event hava to make up a lot of the Derby stake of 0,000 out of tbeir own funds. Their conditions wcio carelessly drawn up no doubt, and oqualiy euro is is that Mr. Sievier might appeal tu law with some certainty of getting his colt reinstated and Mb next move in the matter is awaited with much eagerness. As Lavengro has been beaten however. It is probable that dr. bievier will accept tho situation in a philosophical spirit and bow to the Jockey Clubs decision.
