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| , j , ] , , ! j , , , j | ■ THE GREATEST OF ALL RACES. Some. Interesting Facts in Connection with the His- tory of the Epsom Derby. One hundred and thirtv years have elapsed since the English Derby was instituted. Its establishment, says the Pall Mall GaMtte, was largely dm- to the initiative of the twelfth Karl of Derby, who was unite a young man at the time— twenty-eight years of age. to he exact. The oaks, bordering on Epsom Downs, was one of bis residences. Hence his inter-csi iu the Epsom race meeting. A race for three-year-old allied on the same lines as the Derby had been established in 1779, and, as a compliment to Lord Derby, it was christened .the oaks. As for the title which the more Important race bears, the story goes that Lord Derby and Sir Charles Bunbury discussed tin- matter one day over walnuts aud wine. Eventually they decided that it should bear the name of one or other of them, and thai the toss of a coin should settle the question. If Sir Charles was disappointed when tin- spin wenl against him lie obtained swift consolation, for his, colors were borne to victory in the first Derby by Diomed. He won the prize a second time iu 1.H01. and a third time in 1813. The Karl of Pasha had to wait until 17S7 before he Cap tared the prize by the aid of Sir Pete" Teazle, who is generally referied to as Sir Peter. The earl bad married, as his second wire, the accomplished aciress. Miss Farren. who attained her n.ost conspicuous success on the stage iu the character of Lady Teazle. Lord Derby won the first Oaks with Bridget, and he won the prize again in 1719 with Hermione. Curiously enough, although tin Stanleys have beef most geneions patrons of the turf, none of the descendants of the twelfth earl bus managed to win the Derby. The late earl, however, twice won the OaltS— With Canterbury Pilgrim in lSMi and with Keystone II. in P.mmi. There is no event in the racing calendar which has so many romantic associations as the Derby. In its early history the race was not regarded with the Importance which afterward attached to if, but tor nearly a century it has been the lodestar to every owner of race horses. Substantial as is the pecuniary reward which ionics with the winning of the Derby, this counts as nothing when compared with the sentimental value of the victory. Vast fortunes have vainly been spent by wealthy men in an endeavor to win the Derby. Inasmuch as men of means have a better chance of bleeding Hie winner, because they can command the best blood in the market, it would be untrue to say that money plays no pari in the striving for this prize. Still, in a large measure, i! is correct to say that the Derby cannot be bought. Therein lies one of the secrets or the fascination it has for sportsmen. Diomed. which won the first Derby for Sir Charles BUnbUry, was. When twenty one years of age. sold to an American lor fifty guineas 58. On arriving iu America lie was re-sold for $." .i«H». He lived for another ten years, and founded a great family of thoroughbreds iu the land of his adoption, his descendants including Sir Archy, Timoleon, Boston ami Lexington. There were only thirty-six horses nominated ror Diomeds Derby. For this years race no fewer than 384 animals were entered. This latter figure is easily a record. Last year the number was 299. Until 1988, the entries had only once got into the third hundred— in Diamond Jubilees year. When the nun, her. as in 1808, was ML The value of the Derby used to vary according to the number of subscribers. There was no guaranteed prize until 1880. In 1792 the prise touched low-water mark, for that vear it was worth only ,975. Iu 1MB Lord Lyon credited his owner with 8,780 bv winning the Derby. In Macaronis year t lie race was worth 5,900, and iu Hermits 835.000. Since 1H40 the value has only once been below 8,008. In Ayrshires vear. 1888, the race was worth only 8,375. In 1S90 the conditions stipulated that the owner of the winner should receive 9,888 and the nominator ,900; the owners of the second and third received ,900 and ,000 respectively. Five years later the amount guaranteed the owner was increased to $:: i. nii and In 1883 to 2,508 — the figure 84 which it at present stands. The owner of the second horse gels ,000 and of the third ,080. The monetary conditions governing the Doncaster St. Leget are BOW the same as those for the Derby. The Grand Prix de Paris is worth 8,009. Two Derby winners have bad odds of 100 to 1 laid against them at the start — Jeddah iu 1888 and Signorinetta in 1868. Perhapa Merry Monarch is entitled to keep the pair company, for when be went to the |H st in 1S45 his chance was considered so hopeless that he did not receive individual mention Ul the betting return. lie was, however, one of "Forths lot."" against which 19 to 1 was laid. Other long priced winners were: Hermit, 00 to 1; Azor. La pi log. Spaniel and Little Wonder, 54 to 1 each: Dopcaster. 45 to 1: Frederick. Phosphorous, Caractacus and Sir Hugo. 40 to 1 each. There have been fourteen other winners starting at 20 to 1 or more. Spearmint, which won for Major Loder in 19iK!. holds the time record. He covered the mile and a half in 2:3ftf. Cicero. Lord Rosebcrys third Dolby winner, was the first to reduce the time below 2:40. He compassed the course iu 2:39 . Signorinetta ran la 2:391. These are the three fastest times chronicled. The slowest time recorded was :!:04 of Admiral Har-conrts Ellington in 1856. The race was not timed previous to 1K4 . John Iorter saddled no fewer than seven Derby winners, viz.: Blue Gown. Bhotover. St. Blaise. Ormonde. Sainfoin. Common and Flying Fox. Of our present day trainers Richard Marsh is ahead oT ail ids rivals, for he prepared Persimmon, Jeddah. Diamond Jubilee and Minora. Matt Dawson trained six Derby winners. The first winner or the Two Thousand Guineas to carry off the Derby was Whisker, in 1815. Since then the two races have been won by Cadland ISL.X. Bay Middle ton 18361 Cotterstone ls4:ti. West Australian 853, Macaroni 1863, Gladiateut 1885. Lord Lyon 1888, Pretender 1869, Shot-over 1882, Ormonde ISSti. Ayrshire IssS, Common 1S91i, Isinglass 11893. Lades ISM, Galtee More 1K9T. Flving Fox 1898, Dlaaaoad Jubilee 1900, Bock Sand 1803, St. Aiuant 1884 had Minnm 190!. :
