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EPSOM DERBYS OF A HUNDRED YEARS. Incidents Marking the Running of the Worlds Most Famous Race. Twenty First Article. The Derby of 1907 was notable in at least one respect. While several previous winners were natives of Ireland, Orby, the victor of the year under discussion, was actually trained in the Fmerald Isle, which could not be said of any of his predecessors. But though Orby had been prepared on the other side of the St. Georges channel, it was not an unequivocal triumph for Ireland. The winner himself, as a matter of fact, was quite a "cosmopolitan." He was a son of the Fnglish horse Orme, his dam was the American bred Rhoda 15.. while he was foaled in Berkshire. Furthermore, he was ridden by Johin.y Ke-iff and carried the colors of Richard Croker. who. though born in County Cork, has spent II good many years of his life in America, in the political arena of which he became a power. Mr. Croker on returning settled at Wantage, but later he removed to Ireland, where he transferred his stud. Mr. Croker has won numerous races both in Ireland and F.ngland. but. of course, there is nothing to his account within measurable distance of Orbys achievement. There was little in the form of the colt as a two -year-old to suggest that he was destined for any particular distinction. He made his first appearance in the Londonderry Plate, at Leopardstown. in the late summer. There were five other runners for this, but Orby was confidently expected to score, and odds of 3 to 1 were l-i i I on him. lie could, however, only get third to Cleg and Affiant. lie next ran in the Railway Stakes at the Curragh, ami was ag.-iin well backed, though Rosctown had a bare fractional call in the market. Orby was again third, the winner being BlectriC Ros — also the property of Mr. Croker 1 nd tkc sc -ond Silver Fowl, which later became famous as the dam of Silver Tag and Iif incll.i. Orbys English Rivals. Orbys next race was in England in the early days of his second year. He was one of the starters for the Fail of Seftons Plate at Liverpool, in which odds were laid on Persians. The event was won easily by the son of Orme. which finished three lengths in front of Pane, Persiiius being third. Ketiirning to Ireland, he won with even greater ease Ike Baldoyh Plate. Galloping Girl II., which was his nearest attendant, being a half dozen lengths away. I.y this time it was beginning to dawn upon racing men that Orby had an engagement in the Fp.-oni Derby, and in view of the reports as to the colts progress, coupled with the fact that he was proving himself capable of winning Dacca, Orby begaa to he mentioned as an animal with at least a sporting chance at Eptioas. At the same time certain others trained at home claimed chief attention. Among these was Slieve Galliou. the property of Captain Greer. This son of Gallinule had shown capital form as a two-year-old. He had led off with an easy victory in a maiden race at San-clown Park in the spring, following this iqi by cantering away with tin- New Stakes at Ascot. Then he won the Champagne Stakes at Dnncaster easily from My Pet II. and Bezonian. but in the Middle Park Plate lie astonished his bathers who had to lay 4 to 1 on by failing to beat Galvani. Good Credentials of Galvani. Galvani. which belonged to Major Loder. the owner of Spearmint, was. however, a pretty good colt just at that time, and only a few days previous to his overthrow of Slieve C.illioti he had won the Imperial Produce Plate at Kcmpton Park. Prior to this he had been beaten a neck by Bezonian in the Breeders Foal Plate, also at Kcmpton. but earlier still had disposed of Jubilee. Glacis and others in the International Two-Year-Old Plate, and also won the Chesterfield Stakes. So that it was not to the everlasting discredit of Sliee Galliou that ho should have failed against the son of Luveno. Captain Greers colt had commenced his second season in promising manner with an easy victory in the Craven Stakes. Thi- was only a prelude to another of even greater importance in the Two Thousand, in which he was followed past the post by itezoniaii. three b ngtlis away. Liuacre being third. tUhli II Galliou and Galvani had been the winter favorites for the Derby, and the former had. by the wins above noted. naturally increased in public favor, and on the great day lie was a 13 to S on chance. Galvani. which had not been out since the previous year, was next in demand at 7 to 1 against. Bezonian coining third at ! to 1. followed by Wool Winder and Orby, which were bracketed together at M8 to 9. The starters totalled nine, of which number none looked better than tkC favorite, and the Beck-humpton party made no secret of their confidence. Orby made many new Ml nds, and several good judges were s.i impressed by the appearoneo ol Mr. Ciokers candidate that they accorded liim their support at the eleventh hour. John Bull Makes the Running. The least considered of the nine. John Bull, was permitted to lead at the outset, being followed by the favorite Bezonian and Galvani. At the mile post Higgs sent Slieve Galliou to the front, ami when half the journey had been traversed he was a good two lengths ahead of Bezonian. which followed, with Galvani. Orby and Wool Winder coming next. The last named was going well when he was the victim of a bump, the result being that he became unbalanced, and Madden was compelled to ease him for a little while, and on rounding Tat tenham Corner In- had dropped back last. Filtering the straight. Slieve Galliou led slightly from Bozo nian. with Galvani third. Orby was. however, going great guns and soon passed Major Loders colt. Then Bezonian hoisted signals of distress, and it seemed to be a case cither of Slieve Galliou or Orby. Two furlongs from home friends of the favorite were dismayed to observe that he had begun to sprawl, orby, on the contrary, was running well, and on Hearing the distance he appeared to have the issue in safe keeping. The "Irishman" then hung to the right, ami it b came evident that Wool Winder was going to have something to do with the finish. Colonel F. W. Bairds colt was travelling at a great pace, and about fifty yards from the peat he overtook Siieve Galliou and tackled Orby. But the last named was too far in front, and had two lengths to spare when he reached the box. Slieve Galliou being third. A long way off came Bezonian, fourth, while the rest came in at their leisure. Orby ran but twice subsequently. He easily won the Irish Barks/, but finished last of four to Lin-acre in the Atlantic Stakes at Liverpool. A veterinary examination followed, which disclosed trouble. It was hoped that a lengthy rest would put things right, but as soon as he entered upon his St. IiOgor preparation one of his legs gave way. Later he-was dispatched to the stud. To be continued.
