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FIRST DERBY WAS RUN IN ISLE OF MAN How the lfi English Race Originated and Has Been Carried On For British racing men there Is a peculiar interest vittaching to the Isle of Man for it was there that the Derby Slakes wen first run for The narrow strip of crisp and springy turf which separates the bays of Castietown and Derbyhaven was the scene of the lirst Derby and Is still known as The Ruce Course though no races have been held there for a hundred years and the ground is now converted Into golf links It was In 1521 when the Earls of Derby were still lords of Man that the order was Issued establishing these races and directing that the Derby Plato to which the carl contributed handsomely should be competed for every year at Easier in the race course at Castlelown The pres ¬ ent Derby Stakes as everyone I suppose knows were founded by Edward Stanley twelfth carl of Derby in17SO in17SOThe The noble earl who founded the Derby Stakes only won them once namely in 17S7 with Sir Peter Teazle named in honor of bis second wife Miss Farren the famous actress with whom he had fallen in love while she was acting Lady Teazle Sir Peter came of the purest blood being descended from the Godolphln Arabian Up to four years old ho beat everything opposed to him and was said to be the winner of more races than any other horse on the turf but he broke down at the age of four at Ncw marljet and was afterwards kept for breeding His success at the stud was extraordinary Sir Peter Teazle was the sire oC more winners than any other horse on the turf turfIn In 17 1 his stock began to show Its superlative excellence and the snorting world rang with his fame Even across the Atlantic breeders were loused Into enthusiasm by the record of his suc ¬ cesses American turfmen were anxious to secure so powerful a sire and the American consul offered the earl 5000 for the horse an unheardof price in those days But his lordship with a smile declined the offer saying Had 1 been disposed to part with Sir Peter 1 have already been offered 50000 for him Ix rd Derby was more fortunate In his efforts to win the Oaks of which he was also the founder than in his contests for the Derby for his two fillies Bridget and Heroine twice placed the ladies race to his credit creditSir Sir Peter lived to the good age of thirty Lord Derby was sixty years on the turf he attended all the great meetings in a coach and six with quite a retinue of servants Many mementoes of this granl old sportsman are still preserved the picture of his huntsman Jonathan Grillin on his gray horse Spanker may be seen on the parlor walls in many a roadside Inn in Surrey The likeness of his groom Story hangs at Knowsley Of this worthy It is told that one day while he was dining somebody came running in to tell him that the Irince of Wales was In his stable Then he may wait until I have done my dinner was the answer And the Id Curmudgeon did not hurry himself cither Thor mauby in London Sportsman
