view raw text
EPSOM DERBYS OF A HUNDRED YEARS. Incidents Attending tho Running of the Most Famous Race of the Worldi Fourteenth Article. The late Duke of Westminster won the Derby on four occasions, and there are those who believe that but for the mysterious illness of Orme in 1S92 the total of wins would have been five. It was with a son of Orme that the Duke scored his final success in 1S99, the colt to so distinguish himself being Flying Fox. Like his Graces three previous Derby winners. Flying Fox was bred at Eaton, his dam being a Galopin mare named Vampire. Flying Fox ran five- times as a two-year-old, winning three of his races. He made a triumphant debut in the New Stakes at Ascot, in which he was attended home by Musa, the Oaks winner of a twelvemonth later. Following this he defeated his only opponent in the Stockbridge Foal Stakes. He was not again seen out until the autumn, when he was beaten by a head by St. Gris in the Imperial Produce Stakes at Kempton Park, while he was also defeated by Caiman in the Middle Park Plate. He, however, recovered some of his prestige by easily winning the Dewhurst Plate, with which his seasons labors ended. Flying Fox took the first opportunity of avenging his defeat by Caiman, this occurring in the Two Thousand, in which the Dukes colt beat the Middle Park Plate winner by two lengths. As a consequence. Flying Fox became a pronounced favorite for the Derby, odds of 5 to 2 having to be laid on. The greatest danger was anticipated from Holocauste, a gray colt owned by M. de Bremond. There were only a dozen runners, but the starter had some difficulty in dealing with them. Eventually they were got away, and they had not gone far before the "Frenchman," which was ridden by Sloan, went to the front, though Flying Fox ivas close up. Nearing Tattenham Corner, the Kings-clere champion drew level, and a little later took the lead. There seemed every prospect of an interesting finish between the pair, and there was consternation when the gray faltered and then fell. The path was, of course, cleared for Flying Fox, which finally won easily by a couple of lengths from Damocles, with the 50 to 1 chance. Innocence, third. It was soon discovered that Holocauste had broken a fetlock and he was shot on the course. Sloans opinion was that his mount had the race won when the mishap occurred; but that is a point that must ever remain unsolved. There was no stopping Flying Fox hereabouts, and in turn he won the Princess of AVales Stakes and the Eclipse Stakes. After these successes lie took part in the St. Leger, in which lie again met his old opponent. Caiman. The American was not without his admirers, but Flying Fox was an odds-on favorite and defeated Caiman with the greatest ease. He then competed in the Jockey Club Stakes, in which he was again successful. Flying Fox did not run again, the death of his owner bringing his career to an early close. AArhen the Dukes horses later came tip for sale the son of Orme was secured by M. E. Blanc for 37,500 guineas, and the purchaser had no reason for regret, as Flying Fox more than justified himself when he entered upon stud life. One "triple crown" winner was immediately followed by another viz., Diamond Jubilee, owned by the late King Edward. Diamond Jubilee was broil at Sandriugham, and was a son of St. Simon out of that phenomenally successful matron Perdita II. He was thus brother to Florizol II. and Persimmon. The colt did not greatly distinguish Himself in his juvenile days. He commenced by running unplaced to Democrat in the Coventrs- Stakes at Ascot, while ho gave a splendid exhibition of how not to do it in the July Stakes, in which he ran last of six. He displayed more kindliness at Goodwood, where ho ran second to Epsom Lad, while at his fourth attempt lie obtained n bracket by beating Paigle and others in the Boscawen Stakes. Ho subsequently ran second in both the Middle Park and Dewhurst Plates, Democrat being his conqueror in each instance. In his two-year-old days Diamond Jubilee had been ridden by Mornington Cannon and John Watts, to neither of whom did lie take a violent fancy. On the other hand, Herbert Jones, then comparatively unknown, could get along quite well witli the royal colt, and it was consequently decided to entrust the,, handling of Diamond Jubilee to the last-named rider. The first fruits of the combination was a runaway victory in the Two Thousand, for which both Elopement and Sailor Lad were preferred. The son of St. Simon, however, had all his work cut out to beat Chevening in the Newmarket Stakes, but he nevertheless started favorite for the Derby, the odds against him being 0 to 4, second in request being Forfarshire, which had run well in his first season. It is worthy of note that this was the first Derby started with the "gate." Chevening and Forfarshire were the leaders in the early stages; but when the mile post had been reached Diamond Jubilee had imprqved his posi--" tion. On entering the straight the American colt Disguise II. took up the running, but in assuming the lead he interfered with Forfarshire and others, Sir T. Dewars colts chances being seriously prejudiced. Diamond Jubilee led at the distance, and in the end won by a half length from the Duke of Portlands Simon Dale, Disguise II. filling third position. As was only to be expected, there were enthusiastic scenes when the number of Diamond Jubilee was hoisted, though there was not quite the same amount of "mafficking" as when Persimmon won. The following month Diamond Jubilee ran second to Merry Gal in the Princess of Wales Stakes, but subsequently won both the Eclipse Stakes and the St. Leger. He could only run third in the Jockey Club Stakes, while as a four-year-old ho was unsuccessful in the whole of the three races in which he competed. After his racing career had closed he stood for a few years at Sandringham, hut was later purchased by an Argentine sportsman for 30,000 pounds. To be continued.
