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CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUP WJTH BRIGAND Five Horses Intensely Backed for Race and Favorites Were 8 to 1. The cabled stories about Mr. James de Rothschilds winnings over Brigands Cambridgeshire race last month do not seem to have been much exaggerated. The horse went to the post ,at 25 to 1 and won virtually all the way. Bookmakers took liberties with Brigand. They did not believe that, even lightly weighted as he was with ninety-four pounds, he. would stay the severe mile and an eighth over which the. Cambridgeshire was run. The general public seemed to entertain a like view. Hence it ivas that Mr. de Rothschild-and his followers were enabled to realize incredible winnings. Mr. de Rothschild not -only backed his representative, but told all his friends to "get on." One of those who accepted the information and invested liberally was Sir Ernest Cassell. In spite of heavy wagering on Zinovia, Scatwell, Sir Berkeley, Alas-nam and Golden Fleece, many of the Jig operators in the ring lost on the race. W. Parrish, owner of Golden Fleece, which shouldered 109, backed his aged gelding at 25 to 1 and stood to win 50,000 on the race. Wealthy men were so insistent upon wagering that for several minutes prior to post time the paramount question in the ring was, "How much will you take?" Prices were not seriously considered. During the period of greatest activity in the ring there was no favorite. Five horses were equal choices and each was S to 1. A similar condition was not recalled. James de Rothschild, who belongs to the French branch of the family, has been a picturesque figure on the British turf. As a young man he was noted as a backer of horses the chances of Avhich were considered negligible yet occasionally won. On, a .horse, of. his w;uwhicn,Tajt iu-,.a- selling race at Epsom he lost a small fortune. In the St. Lcger of 1910 his colt Bronzina, a despised long shot, was beaten a few inches by Swynford, while Lemberg was third. Had Bronzina been placed first an immense coup would have been accomplished. Joseph Thompson, the famous bookmaker, once refused to lay a long price against a horse Mr. Rothschild wished to back. Thereupon Thompson was informed that he lacked enterprise, andif he were unwilling to bet he should vacate in favor of somebody who would. When Thompson regained composure he remarked" with evident chagrin: "Said that to me to me, who betted millions before he wasc tborn!" Mr. Rothschild is a versatile sportsman, a scholar and a mathematician. The late Leopold de Rothschild termed him a wonder at figures. Of an adventurous spirit, he was happy when facing an element of danger. -One of his eccentricities was to seek uncertain jumpers with which to follow the hounds. Service in the war and the loss of an eye, the result of an accident while playing golf, have modified his disposition. While wearing a monocle and playing golf at Deauville, France, a golf ball struck the monocle, fragments of which penetrated his eye, injuring it so badly that, it .had to be removed.
