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RUNNING OF THE FIRST EPSOM DERBY. Famous Race Was a Mile Dash for the First Four Years of Its Existence. Every one inter, steel in horse racing is aware that the inaugural race for the Derby was run in tin- ye-ar 17*0. anil that tin- winner was Sir Charles Bunbur.vs colt Dioined. Not many, however, are- aware that the- distance- of tin- race ween by the- powerfully built seen of Florizel. and by ids first three saeceaaata on the- Iposm scroll of fame, was only a mile. It was not until 17M that it was iacreaaed to a mile and a half. The- conditions of Diomeds Derby were- "fifty guineas each, half forfeit, for three-year-olds, colts 112 peands, fillies 10S pounds, the last mile of the coarse. To Ik- continued in 17M." How the race came to In- called the Derby is related in Moorhoases book. "The Bmaaani of the Derby." According to a tradition tceaaarcpd, he-explains, by the descendants of Sir Charles Bun-bury, tin- name- bestowed on the great. Epsom race was eieeideei upon the toss of a coin. According te the- story. Lard Derby and Sir Charles ilis-caased the matt r over the dinner tabic-, resolved that the- new event should be calle-d after one or the other, and then allowe-d e-liani-c ti settle the ipa sti-ai. The erigiaal entry appears in the "Calendar" for 177:1. and aiming the thirty two subscribers, four of whom nominated two colts apiece, were a royal duke, two other dukes, eleven lords and six baronets, as against only twelve eeem moiiers. These who nominated two colts were the Duke e,f Boltea, Lord Clermont. Sir . Bunhury Bad Mr. Panton. Jr.. and among tin- entry were six of the get of Florizel and several by tin- hitters sire Herod. Herods twee great stud rivals. Eclipse ami htatehem, were als, re pre seated, both in the- entry and in the- race- itse-lf. the- winner of which Blamed, was a grandson of Herod, while-Mr. Okellvs Boudrow and Mr. Walke-rs Spitfire, which ftaished second and third, were both sons al Eclipse. Jockeys in Olden Times. "Ortons Annals" does not give the- nanus of any of the riders of the -nine essapetitors for the inaugural Derby. In those days jockeys apparently were regarded as unimportant members of the- racing cssamaaity. However, reference to "Ruffs , tnile" sheews that Die. noil was ridden by Sam Arnull. a member Of the faaasas family which his produced so many go-id jockeys and trainers. Sir Charles Banharys colors were "pink ami white stripes." those eef Mr. OKelly. eewm-r of the second larse. "scarlet with black cap." and those of Mr. Walker, the owner of the third horse-, •bloom ester, with green cap." What sort of color "hi n" was j. spea tee elouht. Here is a return of tin- race-. but it is a ball affair, nothing be-ing said of how lii. -li eel we. n. ami there- is only a brief report of the betting, from which it will be seen that only four of the nine- had a notation and that tin- first three favorites accepted the three leading places in their market order: 17h0. Till: DERBY STAKF.S. of BO guineas each, half-forfeit, b] thre .--ye-ar-eelels; ceeits Set, fillhs 7sl eh-ven pounds. Tin- last mih of the course. Bun Thursday. May 4. sir c. Banharys eh. c, Btsaaed, by Ptsrlaei — sister to Juno, by Spectator S. Arnull 1 Mr. •» Kellys b. c, Boadrow, by Ke lipse -Sweepe-r mare- J Mr. Walkers br. e-. Spitfire-, by Kelipse The Orford Barb man- 3 sir F. Brelyai br. e, by faazhall Knap Miranda 4 Mr. Panton. Jr.s coll by Herod 1 Blank man- .. .*e II. It. II. Duke eef Cum l« ll.l II. I s e. |.y BclipSe a Spectator mare- t; Mr. Sub hs b. e-. ley Cardinal Puff F.lois.i . .7 Mr. Deinies gr c. by Gimerack Wobwya dan Duke- of Bolton** e-. i, iii. 1,. in a Begalns n Bettaag: te. 1 again I Dkaned, i to 1 against Boadrow, 7 t.. 1 ugaii 1 »i itfire ami 10 tee 1 ag iiu»t Duke ot Boltejus colt.— Loudon Sportsman.
