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I EPSOM DERBYS OF A HUNDRED YEARS. Incidents Attending the Running of the Most Famous Race of the World. Eleventh Article. The Derby of 1892 ranks as one of the most sensational of the past quarter of a century. The Kingsclere Stable, which had been intimately concerned with the victories of Sainfoin and Common in the two preceding seasons, had hopes of carrying off the race for the third consecutive year. These hopes, moreover, were based on solid grounds, as among the Epsom nominations trained by John Porter were Orme and La Fleche. The former, a son of the incomparable Ormonde, had. in his first year, proved himself a worthy successor of his sire. As a two-year-old Orme had taken part in a half dozen races, his only defeat having been sustained in the Lancashire Plate at Manchester, in which he was lieaten by a half length by Signorina. La Fleche had taken part in four contests, winning on every occasion, and though opinions may have differed as to which was the better of the twain, it was acknowledged that Porter held a strong hand so far as the classics were concerned. When the spring of 1892 came along, Orme was put into work with a view of the Two Thousand, and matters were proceeding satisfactorily until one day the trainer observed saliva ozzing through the muzzle that the colt wore during dressing operations. The horse dentist who was called in attributed the trouble to a decayed tooth, which was extracted; but Porter was not satisfied, and the colt getting worse instead of better, a veterinary surgeon was sent for. The case was pronounced to be one of mercurial poisoning, and the "Orme poisoning mystery" became the topic of the day in racing circles. For some time it was doubtful whether the horse would recover, but fortunately he did, and though he was unable to take part in either the Two Thousand or Derby, he won the Eclipse Stakes on a couple of occasions, to say nothing of minor races. It may here be noted that the Duke of Westminster offered a reward of 1,000 pounds for information that would lead to the conviction of the poisoner of Orme. Fortunately for Kingsclere, La Fleche was ready to take the place of her stable companion. Baron de Hirschs filly had won the One Thousand in a trot, and in the meanwhile had made so much progress th.it her trainer had little doubt as to her ability to enroll her name upon the list of Derby winners. The general public were of the same opinion, with the result that 11 to 10 against was the best price offered by the layers when the hour for the decision of the race arrived. The chief danger was assumed to be the French colt, Rueil, against which 100 to 9 could be obtained, while the Two Thousand winner, Bonavista, was third in demand at 100 to 8. As to the race. When a half mile had been covered Thessalian held the lead, with Persistive, Bucentaure, St. Damien. Sir Hugo and Li Fleche following in the order given. Half way down the hill Bucentaure, which was quoted among "the others," possessed a clear lead, his closest pursuers being Thessalian, Sir Hugo and La Fleche. At this time George Barrett was hard at work on the favorite. Bucentaure was still leading, but when a quarter of a mile remained to be covered Sir Hugo got level with the French outsider and shortly afterwards took the lead. Nearing the distance La Fleche, which was responding gamely to the calls of her rider, also passed Bucentaure and made a great attempt to overtake Sir Hugo, but this task was beyond her, and Lord Bradfords colt, which had previously run unplaced in the Two Thousand, and was a 40 to 1 commodity, got the better of the argument by three-parts of a length, much to the surprise of those present. Probably the filly was not quite herself on this great day. Anyhow, she had a deal of difficulty in accounting for The Smew, which she had easily vanquished in the One Thousand, two days later in the Oaks. La Fleche took a spacious revenge upon her Derby conqueror in the St. Leger, in which race Orme ran unplaced. But that has nothing to do with the Derby. Whether Sir Hugo was below the average standard of Derby winners may be left for the individual to decide. No doubt, however, exists as to the quality of his immediate successor. Isinglass. This son of Isonomy was owned by Mr. H. McCal-mont. who was comparatively unknown as an owner at the time, but Isinglass was not long in making the blue and scarlet jacket familiar to race-goers. The colt which was trained by Jewitt, made his public bow in a Maiden Two-Year-OlJ Plate at the Newmarket Second Spring meeting in 1892. He experiereed no difficulty in winning this, while a little later he recorded a more important victory in the New Stakes at Ascot. Isinglass next ran in the Middle Park Plate, in which the generous odds of 10 to 1 were betted against him, but he won comfortably iron. Ravensbury, and he retired into winter quarters favorite for the classic events of the following season. Isinglass opened his three-year-old career in the Two Thousand, for which he started at 5 to 4 on, •lhd which he woe by three-quarters of a length from his old opponent Ravensbury, which was a colt of well above average class. At the next meeting at headquarters Isinglass was one of the runners for the Newmarket Stakes, which race lie won in :; canter from Lord Ellesmerts Phccion, jtavens-bury on this occasion being third. Having regard to his previous performance, it was only to be expected that Mr. MeCalnionts colt would Ik- a good favorite for the Derby. As a matter of fact, his supporters were called upon to lay odds of 9 to 4 on the son of Isonomy. Mr. Tom Cannons Irish Wake was second favorite at 100 to 7 against, while a colt named William, owned by Mr. T. Jennings, was next on the list at 100 to 6, with Raeburn and Dame President on the 20 to 1 mark, and Ravensbury on offer at 25 to 1. When the horses were descending the hill Raeburn was In front, but the Duke of Portlands colt lost ground turning Tattenliam Corner, the result being that Isinglass was enabled to take a slight lead. Raeburn continued to go well, but when T. Loates really got to business Isinglass soon got the better of Raeburn. Ravensbury was, however, still going resolutely, but Isinglass was not to be caught and finally reached the winning-post a length and a half ahead of Mr. C. D. Roses candidate. Raeburn continued to keep Peppercorn out of third position, and so the placing* were identical with those in the Two Thousand. The next appearance of Isinglass was in the St. Leger, which he won lite easily. Ravensbury again being second and Le Nicham third. Tims, Mr. McCalmonts colt won the "triple crown," while subsequently he cleared the board of the "ten thousand lwunders" of 1894. in addition to which he won the Ascot Gold Cup. A great horse was this same Isinglass. To be Continued.
