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FEATURES OF THE FRENCH TURF. Enormous Rovcnuo from Botting Date3 of Grand Prix, and French Dorby Changed, Paris. November 17. During the past three weeks a lot of time has been occupied in the Chamber of Deputies by discussions on betting and gambling, the occasion being the introduction of the Minister of Agricultures budget. Horse racing in France is under the control of this minister, and the nationnl stud farms and stallion depots are also within his department. M. Ruau stated that the turn-over at the pari-mutuel this year Is expected to be over 300,000.000 of francs, or 500.000.-000. Last year the receipts were 321.000.000 of francs, and ho attributes -the falling off this year to bad weather. Last year was an exceptional one. as will be seen from the following figures: 1902 $ 50.000,000 1903 51.100.000 1901 49.S00.000 1905 52.200.000 loor. oo.ooo.oon 1907 Gl.325,000 1908 estimated at 00.000.000 Total for seven years S7.725.000 These figures are stupendous: and the S per cent, levied on tills sum produced over six million pounds sterling, or 0,000,000. The Minister of Agriculture declares most definitely that the government lias no intention whatever of iRTmitting the bookmakers to resume business, and those who break the law will be prosecuted. Nevertheless, there are plenty of bookmakers doing business on the race courses, as well as in offices and cafes in Paris, and in the big provincial towns. The question of allowing Investments to be made at the pari-mutuel on credit proposed by M. Noulens. the deputy for Gors, has been discussed, but no practical means of carrying it out has been suggested. Before next season. It is very probable we shall have some statement from the Minister of Agriculture on the subject, for the last words of his last speech were as follows: "If, at the end of the year, I find that the receipts show any serious diminution. I shall take prompt and energetic measures," and M. Ruau is a man of his word. For some time there has been an endeavor to get the Jockey Club to put back the date of the Grand Prix de Paris till the end of June or beginning of July, as this would prolong the Paris season, and do good to the trade of the capital. At last the racing authorities have yielded to the representation made to them, and have settled Sunday. June 27. as the date for next years big race. The date of the French Derby at Chantilly will also be nut later, and this event will be run on Sunday. June 13. This will place the French Derby in the Racing Calendar after the Epsom Derby. It will be interesting to note how the new arrangement will affect the engagements of French horses at Epsom and Ascot. The stallion Wildfowler. winner of the English St. Loger of 1S08, has lately arrived in France, having been purchased by M. Cher! Halbronn. Ho will stand next season at the Haras de Bel-Ehat. and his lists Is full for 1909. 1910. 1911 and 1912. M. Cher! Halbronn also announces that Le Samarltain is fully snbscrilKJd for the seasons of 1909 and 1910. LAiglon. by St SImon--Sclf Sacrifice, is standing at the same haras, and his foe is 00. M. theri nalbronn will have charge of the big sale which the Baroness de Forest will hold at Charmant on Wednesday. Decern ler 2. A number of broodmares, yearlings and horses in training will bo disposed of. Among the latter is the two-year-old Genny. half-sister to Ob. which won the Lincolnshire Handicap in England twice in successive years.
