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c I . J J J a l , j £ J i J i : ! | , : , • WAS TRIPLE CROWN WINNER CAREER OF THE DUKE OF WESTMINSTERS FOURTH EPSOM DERBY VICTOR. Flying Fox and His Various Races with the American-Bred Caiman — Proved a Remarkable Success When Sent to the Stnd. The late Duke of Westminster possessed a wonderful record in the Derby, having won the greatest race in the world on no fewer than four occasions. His first winner was Bend Or and his last Flying Fox. and all four were bred at the Dukes stud at Eaton. Flying Fox was by Orme — Vampire, Galopin mare which had but a brief and undistinguished turf career. Flying Fox was foaled in 1K90, and in due course was sent to Kingselere to be prepared for his engagements. It was early ascertained by John Porter, who had charge of numerous famous animals, including tlie Dukes three previous Derby winners, that the son of Orme was gifted with more than ordinary lowers, and when he made his public bow in the New Stakes he commanded a good deal of attention. He made an auspicious start by winning the Ascot race — for which be started favorite — fairly comfortably from Mr. Douglas Bairds Musa. Then at Stockbridge he accounted for his only opponent in the Foal Stakes. He was not again saddled until the autumn, when he was sent to Kempton Park to take part in the Imperial Produce Stakes, a race somewhat notable for upsets. In this. Flying Fox sustained his first reverse, failing by a head to concede five pounds to St. Gris, a colt owned by Mr. Leo| old de Rothschild. It was hoped that he would rehabilitate himself in tlie Middle Park Plate in the following week: but he was again defeated, this time by the American-bred Caiman. In the Criterion Stakes a fortnight later, however, he avenged himself upon his Kempton conqueror, winning by a length and a half from Sinopi, with Matoppo third and St. Gris a poor fourth. This was the last effort of Flying Fox as a juvenile. The antagonism of the Duke of Westminsters colt and Caiman was renewed in the Two Thousand, and that the public refused to accept the form of the previous autumn was correct was proved by the fact that they laid odds on the Kingselere colt, while Caiman was quoted at 5 to 1 against, and the judgment of the odds layers was vindicated when Flying Fox raced home two lengths ahead of the American. As a consequence of this. Flying Fox was made a hot favorite for the Derby — his next race — odds of 5 to 2 being demanded by members of the ring. M. de Bremonds Holocauste was deemed the chief danger. Tlie French candidate was going well in the race when he fell. It transpired that be had broken a fetlock, and he was forthwitch destroyed. The regrettable mishap to Holocauste, of course, made the task of Flying Fox the easier, and he finally won comfortably from Damocles, with Innocence third. There are those who assert that tlie spoils would assuredly have gone to France but for the accident; but that is obviously merely a matter of opinion. Just now Flying Fox was unbeatable, and he experienced no difficulty in giving his stable-companion. Royal Emblem, upwards of a stone in the Princess of Wales Stakes: while in the Eclipse Stakes another colt of the Dukes — Frontier — attended Ormes son past the winning post. • Following this came tlie St. Leger. in which, for the third time. Flying Fox was opposed by Caiman. Odds again had to be laid on the Derby winner, while Caiman was a 4 to 1 commodity. Once more was the Middle Park Plate form discounted. Flying Fox winning by three lengths from Lord William Beresfords chestnut colt. Scintillant finishing third. Tlie last-named, it may be noted, was on offer at 300 to 1 against, but his performance on the Town Moor brought him into notice for the Cesarewiteh. which race he duly won by a head from Ercildoune. which was carrying a ten-pound penalty for winning the Duke of York Stakes on the previous Saturday. Scintillant. however, had another cut at Flying Fox before Cesarewiteh week came along, tlie occasion being the race for the Jockey Club Stakes. In this Scintillant was in receipt of eleven pounds, but this did not help liim in the least, the triple crown hero winning in a canter by four lengths, though Scintillant managed to beat the remainder of the field, including Jeddah. the 100 to 1 Derby winner of the preceding year, which was making his first and last appearance of the season in this ten-thousand pound event. This race brought the turf career of Flying Fox to a close, as before another season had come round the colts owner had breathed his last. Still, as it was. the son of Orme had more than paid his way. Altogether he took part in eleven races, of which he won nine. When the Dukes horses came up for sale thert-was. needress to say. considerable comjietition for the possession of the champion three-year-old of 1S99. but M. Edmond Blanc had evidently determined to be the purchaser, the famous french sportsman defying his english competitors at the sale ring and obtaining the colt for 37.500 guineas, which constituted a record at the time. There were folk who questioned wbether the price paid by M. Blanc was not excessive, but the buyer was pnstified by results. His first stock included Gouvernant and Ajax. Tlie former was sent over here for the Derby of 1904, for which he started favorite. He. however, swerved and ldst ground at the "start, and was consequently never in the hunt, the result of the race being a popular victory for Mr. Leopold de Rothschilds St. Amant. whose sire, St. Fnisquin. had been narrowly beaten by Persimmon a few years earlier. Ajax was more successful, winning both tlie French Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris. Subsequently Flying Fox was represented by ottvr gO»d colts in Val dOr. Jardy. and Adam. Jardy. like Gouvernant. endeavored to win the Derby for M. Blanc, but Cicero barred the way. Val dOr. however, compensated to some extent by beatiug the third of Lord Roseberys Derby winners in the Eclipse Stakes a month or so later. Cicero in this race started at 13 to 8 on. while Val dOr was next in demand at 3 to 1 against. Among the other runners were Llangibby. which later also won the Eclipse, and Polymelus. which had at that time not established his reputation. Val dOr won tolerably easily by a half length, with Llangibby third. Tmc progenv of Flying Fox won for M. Blanc over 100.-000 sovereigns in stakes, while several of thpm realized big prices when sold at a later date. — "J. F. P.." in Sporting Life.
