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RACING IN WAR RIDDEN COUNTRIES. Marked Success of Recent Turf Reunions in France and Italy The Sport in Spain. The manner in which France lias overcome tremendous difficulties is a tribute to the wisdom of its rulers and to the courage of the people. In arranging for the resumption of racing, the government chose three localities in which horses could be easily collected for trials of speed and stamina, without interfering with military operations, the making of munitions, or the necessary business of the country. The first meeting was granted to Caen, in the centre of a great breeding province, where thousands upon thousands of half-breds and Normandy trotters, in addition to thoroughbreds, are reared every year. For the second experiment they i settled upon Moulins, in Central France, and the third meeting will be held at Mont-de-Marsan, in the South. In years gone by racing took place regularly at Motilins, on the racecourse a short distance from the town, close to the River Allier. It was here that the Grand St. Leger of France used to be run, but the Race Society at Vichy, which is not far distant, offered richer attractions fpr owners and trainers, and in time the Moulins meeting was abandoned in favor of its neighbor. The local raqecourse was then taken orer by Tom Carter, the trainer, who had charge of M. Edouard Foulds numerous horses. In more recent years the Due de Castries, Baron de Soubeyran, and Vicomte dHarcpurt bad their training stables there; and Jt was upon the fine old turf of the course that Sal-tarelle, Mondaine, Frontin, Little Duck, and other famous classic winners were trained. The second half of the Moulins program was fixed for the end of last week. During the first four days twenty-four important prizes were contested by close upon four huudred horses. This shows how eagerlv owners and trainers have seized on the opportunity of testing the merits of the young generation, and of ascertaining which of the older horses have retained their form. Baron E. de Rothschild has again taken high honors, while Mr. W. IC. Van-derbilt, Mr. J. D. Cohn, Baron Gourgaud and M. J. de Bremond whose horses are running in the name and colors of his trainer. Mr. H. Count, in consequence of family mourning have won their fair share of prizes. On the first day Mr. F. Ii. Hitchcock, an American owner, whose horses are trained by W. II. Snyder at Chantilly, was successful in the most important two-year-old event with AVhippoor-will, a filly by Yankee Rossignol. Yankee is American-bred, by Hanover Correction, a daughter of Himyar. Rossignol is by Rossiugton, a son of Doncaster Valuable, an American mare. The form was enhanced later on when Seawave a filly which finished second, only beaten a neck carried off the Prix de la Sioule in a field of twenty-one. Sea-wave is by Consols Sea Mew, the sire being by Doricles or St. Bris out of Console, a Bend Or mare, bred by the Duke of Westminster. The Russian owner, Mr. L. Mantacheff won a three-year-old race with Pro Pudor a colt by Ajax Pudeur, by Ladas, which .was purchased from M. Edmond Blanc, who bred him. Montagnard IV., a four-year-old belonging to M. G. Perreau, which did so well at Caen, won a 10,000 francs race, and Mr. J. D. Cohns Teddy followed up his San Bast,ian success by winning two races worth 1,000 pounds. In the second event he beat Jus DOrange, Montagnard IV. and Meigs, all previous winners. The meeting throughout has been favored by splendid weather, and the attendance has been highly satisfactory, when it is remembered that only sportsmen directly interested in the horses running were permitted to be present. There has been no pari-mutuel, and no betting is reported, but I am given to understand that speculation has not been altogether absent. There is nothing in the regulations to prevent owners and their friends betting among themselves, and more than one amateur has had a book upon the principal events. The success attending the Italian army in the field has been reflected on the race course at Milan, where the attendances hare been larger than ever, lind the enthusiasm most demonstrative. Last Sunday week the Preinio del Semplbne, a race worth 1,500 pounds, was decided over the mile and a half course. All the horses numbered on the card went to the post, the winner being Kibwesi a three-year-old colt by Galeazzo Lady Challacombe, le-longing to "Sir Rholand," and ridden by Manchester. He is a fine horsp, "probably the best ever bred in Italy, and he . won in grand style, beating the five-year-old Brimelleschi, by Picton Bonny Bay, to which he was giving four pounds. Third place was filled by Ryan, a six-year-old grey horse, by Nabot Impropriety- Other winners at the meeting were Osihastou, by Minstead Clay Pigeon; Frera, by Lally--Florina; Oneiro, by Sig-norino Oak Apple; Afrbdlte, by Codoman Aolra; and Antoliva, by Genial Asturia. The Italian two-year-olds are promising, and the young Troutbecks are especially good. Sargent, by Troutbeck Sig-Jiorella, won the Prix Vergiate, a seven-eighths race, for Signor Federico Tesio. The dam of this winner is by Common Simons Bay, a St. Simon mare. Another good two-year-old is Alcione, from the Besnate Stud. Ho won the Criteriuni, beating Giampictrina, a filly by Signorino, which had previously won several races. The minister of agriculture gives a special prize to be run for ut the Milan meeting, and the Italian i government extends to racing throughout the coun- try direct patronage and support. The Milan program comprises steeplechasing as well as flat racing, but there are not many jumpers now in training, horses of that class being in request for the army. The president of the Milan Race Society is the Duke DAosta, and the chairman Count Emilio Turati. The list of stewards and directors include the best known Italian noblemen. The judge is Count Giacomo Durini, the clerk of the scales Count G. A. Negroni Prati Morosini, the handicapper Count Leonardo Marcelli-Flori, and the starter Sig. Adolfo Bagusa. The profits of the meeting, which will be continued until November 5, are given to the Italian Bed Cross Fund. Racing will start at Rome immediately after the conclusion of the Milan meeting, and will continue until the middle of December. Many valuable prizes are offered. D. Blackburn is the leading jockey in Italy, and it is no unusual thing for him to ride three .winners in a day. The pari-mutuel is established on all the race courses, but bookmakers are also allowed to do business, so there is plenty of competition. As a rule the bookmakers prices are better than can bo obtained at the mutucls. The meeting at San Sebastian has been so successful that racing will take place in other parts of the country under influential patronage. The King of Spain has gotten together a large stable of high-class race horses, under the direction of M. A. de Neuter, and his example is being followed by many leading noblemen. The Marquis de Villa-mejor has always been a supporter of Spanish racing, and many years ago he assisted in founding a meeting at Barcelona. The Spanish people have not hitherto been keen followers of the sport, and bull fights were more attractive to them than contests on a race course. A great change is coming over them in this respect. The king has always been an ardent horseman, and the government begins to recognize that horse breeding must be encouraged on behalf of the army. During the past few months over 20.000 pounds has been laid out in the purchase of thoroughbreds from France and England, and M. San Miguel, who has in previous years given his patronage to the French and English turf, lias conveyed most of his horses over the Pyrenees. The Marquis de Martorell, secretary of the Madrid Jockey Club; the Count de la Cimera, the Marquis de Valderas, and several wealthy young men in the royal entourage, have bought horses and registered their colors. The king, who races in the name of the Duke de Toledo, had the satisfaction of winning the Grand Prix DAutomne, worth 2,000 pounds, with Anti-vari, a three-year-old by Sea Sick Arva a mare closely inbred to Gulopin through Gulliver and Bose I Amour. There were twelve runners in the race, but the form does not look particularly good, as Key Diddle Diddle a selling plater in England finished; second. ONeill rode the winner, while other ATCll-known jockeys who rode in the race were G..Ktern. W. OConnor, M. Henry, Marsh and R. Stokes. Winnie, OConnor is popular here. After winning the Omnium on Le Ritto, he provided a fete for the people of. La Sarte, giving a bull, which was roasted whole, and eaten in the open air. Cider, the great drink of the district, flowed free to all, and there was dancing late into the night. London Sporting Life of October 15.
