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EPSOM DERBYS OF A HUNDRED YEARS Incidents Attending the Running of the Most Famous Race of the "World. Twenty-third article. The Derby of 1900 will be ever memorable from the fact that it was won for the first time in its history by the reigning monarch, the late King Edward VII. That "prince of sportsmen," however, was no stranger to Derby honors, as he had twice earlier led back winners, viz.. Persimmon in 1890 and Diamond Jubilee in 1900. Needless to say, the enthusiasm displayed knew no bounds and the kiiig was heartily delighted with the whole scene. His majesty was accompanied by. the queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales now King George V.;. and Queen Mary, Princess Victoria, Prince and Princess Alexander of Teck, Princess Henry of Battenberg, Prince Christian and Princess Victoria of SChleswig-Holstein a truly royal party to participate in a royal victory. Circumstances had tended to make the race more open than usual, and it was pretty generally con--ceded by the experts that whatever won would have to struggle his hardest. They were a really good band that went to the post, for included in the field were Minoru, Louviers, William the Fourth, Valens, Bayardo, Strickland, The Story, Phaleron, Prester Jack, St. Ninian and the ill-fated Sir Martin. The last-named was an American-bred horse imported by Louise Winans, and prepared for the race by Joe Cannon at Newmarket. Previous to the Derby he had been seen out in a Welter Handicap at the Second Spring Meeting, in which he carried 136 pounds and won in a canter. There was. no doubt that he had a host of friends" behind him, but he had no chance in the race as it happened, as half-way down the hill he pecked badly through being crowded in upon and shot his jockey out of the saddle. He was going well at the time and was. well in the fighting. Among the English horses Bayardo stood out, as the best on two-year-old form, for he had gone . through the season without a defeat. He did not appear in public till Ascot, when he won the New Stakes with ease. Next he carried off in succession the valuable National Breeders Produce Stakes at Sandown Park, the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood,, the Buckenham Stakes and Rous Memorial Stakes; at Newmarket First October Meeting, the Middle Park riate and the Dewhurst, Plate. He had thus firmly established his claim to be considered the champion juvenile. Minorus One Victory. Minoru had won but one race, the Great Surrey Foal Stakes at Epsom and then been beaten by Louyiers jn the Coventry Stakes at Ascot. The latter had started well by winning at his first outing, but after Ascot he was a consistent failure. Valens had shown improvement as he went on, and finished up by scoring in the Great Sapling Plate at Sandown in October and then winning a seven-eighths Nursery at Newbury. Strickland hail had a busy season, as he had appeared on eleven occasions, Avlnning five races, chief of which was the Ascot Biennial. The others in the field were of little account, for though several of them were, winners, their victories had been scored in small events. It will thus be seen that Bayardo stood out by himself and he was the winter favorite for the race. A great change came over the position, however, with the spring and early hopes were raised of the royal success, which eventually materialized. Minoru was sent to run for the Greenham Stakes at Newbury, but lie was not considered so fit as Valens, which had odds laid on. Minoru won in a canter, however, from Lord Carnarvons horse and when he followed this up by winning the Two Thousand Guineas in record time, it seemed only a question of his staying . the course at Epsom to bj returned the winner. Between the Guineas and Derby there were conflicting reports as to the condition of Bayardo, but he appeared on the "Classic neath" all right and between he, Sir Martin arid Minoru a rare, battle ensued in the" ring as to which should start favorite. This position was ultimately held by Sir Martin .at. 3 to 1, with Minoru at 7 to 2 and Bayardo at 9 to 2. And now as to the race itself. Several were on their toes at the barrier, but there was little delay before they were sent away to a magnificent start indeed, one of Mr. WMoushbys best efforts. They had gone almost an eighth in an unbroken line before Brooklands got out in front on a pace-making mission for his stable companion Louviers, and after them .came Sir Martin, Diamond Stud, St. Ninian and Electric Boy, with; Bayardo and Minoru lying next. At the mile post Louviers took command of the field, with Brooklands lying second, Sir Martin third, Minoru fourtli and Bayardo close behind. Halfway down the hill the accident occurred Which extinguished ..the chance, of. Sir Martin and the latter, in coming on to his knees, interfered with William the Fourth, which had to be almost pulled up. He, however, was quickly got going again and went on in pursuit. Turning into the straight, Louviers, which was still leading, slipped a trifle wide and Jones, seizing the opportunity in a flash, dashed Minoru through next to tlie rails and was in the lead before Louviers had recovered his balance. Here Herbert Jones" showed, another fine piece of judgment, for he immediately steadied his mount, so that Louviers got in front again and keeping a tight rein allowed his horse a "breather." Then followed :a rare battle between the pair, which were about two lengths clear of Valens and William the. Fourth. Neither anhhal shirked his work and head and head they raced for the post. Minoru picked up his opponent and at the bell had his head in front. Though both were tiring, they displayed tlie utmost gameness and his majestys colt, keeping off the final challenge qf Louviers, won all out by a short .head, with William the Fourth a half length away third and Valens placed fourth a head behind him. A Scene of Excitement. Such a scene of excitement followed the hoisting of No. 1 as could never have been imagined. Losers and winners alike seemed to lose their heads- for the moment. Hats were thrown recklessly skywards and few of the owners ever saw them again. The great crowd swarmed onto the course, and everybody cheered until having to stop for want of breath. When it was seen that the king, despite the advice offered him as to tlie dangers which he was incurring in doing so, intended to step out on to the course to lead in the winner, the cheering was renewed. How his majesty ever contrived to get to his horse is a problem that no one could solve, so" dense was the throng. He and the Prince of Wales stepped outside the gate leading onto the track and were almost immediately swallowed up by the crowd. It was a wonderful action on the part of the king; but, as he observed, "Why should I be afraid? Am I not among my most loyal subjects?" The police cleared a lane through the crowd for the horses to return. First of all came Brooklands, which had finished last, and he was followed by Bayardo and Phaleron, but one had to wait some time before the winner came to hand. At length Jones was noticed above the heads of the people carefully threading his way through on the winner, and well was it " for the enthusiastic souls that Minon: had a temper like a lamb.. He took but little notice of the surging seas around him and on liis way to his illustrious owner many a hair was plucked from his tail and many a pat administered to his quarters. It seemed as if he never would get free, but at length Marsh, his trainer, forced his way through arid, getting hold of the reins, led the winner to, the king, who,, with his genial smile, performed tlie pleasant task of leading him in. Jockeys have trained themselves to a stoical immobility of countenance even in their most triumphant moments, but Jones for once relaxed the rule and his face plainly reflected his feelings". He had ridden a splendidly judged race with the happiest results and Well deserved the word of commendation he received at once from his majesty, who could not but show his great satis-1 faction and delight during the short journey to the weighing room door. Tlie "all right" evoked another tremendous burst of enthusiasm, arid no Avonder that in retiring to the Jockey Club stand the king was a little short of breath as he smiling acknowledged congratulations on all sides. There was one other person on the course that day who had every reason to be proud of the victor of Minoru and that was Colonel Hall Walker, who bred him. It was really quite by chance that the winner came to carry the royal jacket instead of the blue and white check, as owing to the preponderance of fillies in the royal stud In the crop of yearlings, a half dozen colts were leased from those bred at Tully arid the winner was among thorn; After the Derby Minoru proceeded to further successes that year and won the St. James Palace Stakes at Ascot arid the Sussex Stakes at Good- wood before having the tables turned oil hlm by Bayardo in the St. Leger.
