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GRAND STEEPLECHASE STORY Big French Jumping Classic Won by Heros XII. Draws Huge Crowd. SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE. PARIS, France, June IS. Had there been sunshine today I do not know what coulld possibly have been done with all the people who would have journeyed to the Auteuii course in the Bois de Boulogne for the first day of the Grand Semaine. Never have I seen such a crowd at any Grand Steeplechase, and the day was overcast and cold The presence of Music Hall, and the confidence the public had in the ability of the favorite, Hcros XII., perhaps was the reason for the banner attendance. It would be quite useless to say who were present; the world and his wife were there. Americans were everywhere about the lawn and tho paddock. Prominent Americans present wero J. E. Widener, Frank Hitchcock and Mrs. Duryea. The former arrived in Paris late last evening, after freezing in England for the past week. He asked Jerry Welsh at the course today if Hcros XII. would win, and received the universal answer that he would, witli a qualifying contender in the young Sweeper II. horse, Corot, belonging to the Due De-cazes. They finished one-two, half a length apart Needless to say that both Mrs. Duryea and Mr. Widener were delighted with the race Corot put up. Sweeper II. will be a tremendous acquisition to the American breeding interests, and with the good marcs he is certain to have sent to him in the States, he will soon be carrying the Broomstick blood once again to the fore. HORSES Hi FINE CONDITION. Never have I seen a field for the big jumping classic so pleasing and in such wonderful conditions. I happened to bo at the gate early in the afternoon when Hcros XII. was taken out of his van, and the horse certainly felt himself. He looked a picture and he could not stay on the ground. In the paddock parade all showed the signs of capable trainers attention. The Italian marc did not please as much as she did last season. Corot showed all Charley Barillers skill, and Music Hall showed that Willie Pratt had given him the best French "pension" since he arrived at Chantilly. They were away at the first attempt, and when the field passed the stan I the Irish horse, Ben Cruchan, was in front. Parfrcment seemed to be having trouble to place him, and the pace was a scorching one. Nothing happened in the first turn of the. course, and they raced for the water jump, which they all cleared without any mishaps, except Absidea, which fell. Down the dip, and out of sight on the lower turn, and when they came to tho up and down some had parted company with the field. On the back-stretch Parfremcnt and his Irish horse were still going great guns. Hcros XII. was in the bunch, never at any time much worse off than sixth. The Decazes entry was in the rear bunch. Richebourg fell at the dirt bank, and Charley Hawkins, who was riding him, escaped a bad fall : the horse broke hi;? leg. LYser fell at the big water the second time, Willie Head being unhurt. SI3irRI BREAKS HIS LEG. Sirnpri fell along the backstretch and also broke his leg, Henry Count thus losing two of his horses in the afternoon for Comte de la Cimera. When they came to the brook in the figure eight it could be seen that the race would be between Heros XII. and Corot. Music Hall was third, and old Hermon fourth. The last was out of contention. Music Hall was galloping strongly, but without any dasft. As soon as they jumped the brook Mitchell and Barre, on Heros XII. and Corot, put on speed, and they soon left Music Hall. In the run home these two were in close company, and over the last hurdle they came with the Decases horse a half length in the lead. A fine finish all the way through the stretch resulted in Heros XII. being home a scant half-length to the good. Music Hall a poor third, and Hermon way back. Ben Cruchan pulled up. The first four were the only ones completing the long jotirney. It was one of the best Grand steeplechases I have seen. The pace was a cracker. I learned afterward it was impossible to place Ben Cruchan owing to his just having recovered from an abscess in his mouth, and Parfremcnt had to ride him with a bit covered with cotton. He certainly went a pace, for over two miles and a half leading his field, and jumping like a good horse. The Heros XII. victory was, of course, popular. He is a great favorite with the Auteuii crowd, and when I tell you his price wa3 7 to 10 in the big jumping race it shows the estimation the people hold him in. Tho more I see of the English horses the more convinced I am that ours are better at the jumping game. They are better bred and better suited for our work over here. We put better horses at the business; but, in justice, one must say that we can better afford to do so, as the hurdle races and steeplechases are much more valuable in France. Mitchell lost a stirrup coming over the last hurdle. One of the entries today was Rossignol, a half-breed, and he was running a creditable race until he fell at the brook. This is the first time, it is said, that a half-bred horse has started in the Auteuii classic. The objet dart for the big event was a massive soupiere in silver. When it is all said and done Heros XII. is entitled to be put among the laureates of the Grand Steeplechase of Paris, for ho is certainly one of the grandest jumpers France has produced. His victory was certainly deserved, for it was only in the last fifty feet that he overcame the young son of Sweeper H. in the long journey of over four miles.
