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EPSOM DEHBYB OF A HUNDRED YEARS. Incidents Marking the Running of the Worlds Most Famous Race. Seventeenth Article. Sir .lames Miller was assuredly one of Fortunes favorites. Not only did he win the Derby at his first attempt, but thirteen years later recorded his second success in the worlds gieateat race. The naaVv of his first triumph with Sainfoin in 1*90 has awpeady been told. Sir James was at that period a young officer in one of the Hussar regiments who had with others witnessed the victory of Sain-loin in the Esher Stakes at Sandown Park. It was taid that Sir James later dreamt that he saw the colt winning the Derby; but whatever the truth as to that lie entered into negotiations for the purchase of Sainfoin, with what result the records testify. Probably, however, the baronet derived greater pleasure from the success of Rook Sand in 190.?. it only by virtue of the fact that the winner was an animal of his own breeding and a son of Sainfoin. His dam was a St. Simon mare named Roquebruno, which as a two-year-old beat Shad-nock. Thais, C.alezzo, and others in the New Stakes jit Ascot. Roquebrune was not overworked during her turf career, making but three appearances all told. Rock Sands Debut. Rock Sand, which was Rociuebrunes first foal, made his debut ill the Bedford Stakes at the second spring meeting at headquarters. The general unite knew practically nothing about the colt, Mi he was not even honored with a quotation, lie, however, displayed his ability by winning easily by three lengths from Arabi. Slight odds were l.ud n Kock Sand when he made his second appearance. in the Woodcoto Stakes, which race he won by three-parts of a length. Kroonstad being second. He experienced a lot of trouble in disposing of the smart Baroness La Fleche in the Coventry Makes at Ascot, the margin between the pan-being a head: but he scored comfortably in he Chesterfield Stakes at Newmarket and the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. Then followed his one and only defeat daring his first s-ason, this being sustained in the Middle iark Plate, for which he was an oven-money favorite. Among his opponents was his stable ...nipanion. Flotsam, owned by Sir D. Cooper ami ridden by Malier. FIots;im had the provlUM week «:mtered away witli the Imperial Produce Plate at Kraaptsa Park, and was thus obviously in form, •hough it was not expected that h ■ WUBM defeat Sir James Millers aabeatea oolt. The latter, liow-i nr. could only manage to fill third place, Flot-H— a winning by a head from Greatorex. with Back Sand two lengths further away. A fortnight btteC the son of Sainfoin demonstrated that the Middle 3 ark Plate running was not altogether correct by easily turning the tables on Greatorex in the Dew-lnust Plate, and Reek Sand retired for tin; season bearing the reputation of a good colt. Winter Favorites for the Derby. During Cue winter months be was frequently snp ported for the Derby, for Which not unnaturally l.i was favorite, while Flotsam was also backed, and with two such candidates Rlaekw-Us prospects ..f saddling the winner were roseate. Kock Sand had little to beat when he reappeared as ■ tl.r.o year-old in Crav n week, Bad he readily landed the odds of ." to 1 on his accounting lor fcare Charm and another in the Hi anlagtoa Stakes. His next essay was in the Two Thousand, which wader the gaidaaee of J. II. Martin, he won by a length and a half from Flotsam, the mount of Maker, with Rabelais third. Most folks were now ratisficd as to the superiority of Sir James Millers celt to Flotsam, and odds were demanded from those da irons of supporting the Two Thousand wianer. Tic greatest danger was anticipated from M. K. Planes Vinicius. Which had, however, disappointed in the Preach Derby at Chantilly, on Which occasion odds were laid on him; but his «oniiections made excuses for this failure, and he started second in demand for the Epsom race. The field for this stopped short at seven, a substantial drop from the twenty-five of Volodyovskis jiMr. or ever the eighteen ot Ard Patricks season. Which immediatt ly prec.-dert that of Kock Sand. mm contradistinction to that of IMS, Derby Day eWBS splendid from the weather point of view, the MM being in evidence during the whale of tin-day, and the atC lidanee was well up to the average. I. ing Edward, who was represented by Mead, and oneen Alexandra wen; among the distinguished company, as also were the present king and queen. How the Race Was Run. The story of the race does not necessitate a deal of telling. The favorite, which was again ridden by Maher, llitorj being on Flotsam, was eooa ill front, but was steadied, and Mead took up the running. The Preach oolt was in the me.-, awhile cutting a poor figure. Bad before long was at the wrong end of the field. Mead was still prominent approaching Tattenham Corner, and visions of another Koyal victory were conjured up. When the straight was reached Mead was tea tea, and Kock Band soon held a good lead of Flotsam. Then, to the astonishment of everybody. Vinicius — against which all sorts of odds had been offered in running — got going, and rapidly made up ground until he became second. Put though he continued to lessen the gap he could not catch the favorite, which eventually reached the winning Beat two lengths ahead of tin1 Frenchman, with Plotneai third, and Kabelais fourth. There was some difference of opinion afterwards as to whether the spoils might not have gone to Frame had the rider of Vinicius made his effort sooner. ltock Sand had an easy task in the St. .lames Palace Stakes at Ascot. |,ut was well beaten when he opposed tic champions of the previous pear, Aid Patrick and Sceptre, in the Felipse Sialics, lor which he started at 5 to 4 against, with Sceptre at 7 to 1 and Aid Patrick at 5 to 1. A great tussle was witnessed between the four-year-olds, the colt getting the better of the argument by a neck, with Kock Sand third, three lengths behind the filly. This reverse did est, of course, enhaiuv the reputation of the Derby winner; but he re-established himself to some extent by running away with the St. Lcgcr. in which he was opposed by YVill.im Kufus, Mead. Lave Charm and Persistence, which finished in the order in which tiieir names are written. His last appearance of the year was made in the lackey Club Stakes, at the First October meeting, in which he again met Sceptre. Once again the colt was given preference over the filly, and once again did the latter prove the superior, winning easily by four lengths. Third Season Triumphs. Kock Sand had another season on the turf, making his first entry as a four-year-old on the course .n which his greatest triumph was achieved, being one of four contestants for the Coronation Cup, the others being Sceptre. Zinfandel and Jeans Folly. This time odds wore laid on Sceptre, and for the third time she defeated her youngest rival, hut was herself beaten by Lord Howard do Waldens colt. This was Rock Sands last reverse. In the Hard-wicke Stakes at Ascot he partly avenged his defeats by Sceptre, which in this race could only finish third, three lengths behind Sautry, which was two lengths behind Kock Sand. The Princess of Wales Stakes resulted in another easy win. and then followed victories in the Lingfiold Park Plate, the First Foal Plate at the second July meeting. and the Jockey Club Stakes. In his later days Beck Sand had given his trainer some trouble, and when he went to the post for the event last named ho showed signs of lameness, but he showed little trace of this when it came to racing, and had a bit-in-hand when he passed the post a length and a half in advance of Henry the First. A twelvemonth or so after Kock Sands retirement to the stud his owner died, and he was subsequently secured by Mr. August Belmont for 25,000 pounds. - One of his sons was Tracery, which carried Mr. Belmonts colors to victory in the St. Leger of four years ago. To be continued.
