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ENGLISH VIEW OF EPINARD : Trainer Gilpin Praises Wertheimer Colt in Enthusiastic Article. HovIctvs Ills Remarkable Showing In English Engagements Last Season; Predicts More Triumphs This Tear. P. P. Gilpin, writing in the London Weekly Dispatch, expresses the following high opinion of Epinard : More and more every year public atten-. tion is attracted to racing, and the season of 1924 promises to be more interesting than any for a long time past Of all the horses before the public eye . today there is not one so much discussed the world over as the great French Epinard. None of our own classic candidates is the subject of so much concern. Not to be wondered at, perhaps, considering his achievements. Epinard came over to this country in July of last year to compete for the Stewards Cup at Goodwood on the last day of that month. His weight, 118 pounds, was considered by many excellent judges to be prohibitive for a three-year-old. No such burden had been carried successfully by one of his years since the race had been .inaugurated, and many decided that this fact conclusively disposed of his chances, lie was being asked to do the impossible. A JtECOIlD-BItEAKrtfG AGE. But we too often overlook the fact that we live in a record-breaking age. Time and again we are seeing the hitherto fastest times for our great races being superseded by horses that travel just a. little faster than any animal has covered the distance previously. I, for one, believe it is a period of progress on the turf as in everything " else. Thus Epinard, starting favorite after all, came home in front notwithstanding the - weight and justified the confidence reposed . in him by his connections and supporters : indeed, ho won with, an ease which in turf parlance is called a "common canter." It was as fine a performance in a high-class handicap as I can recall to mind and one that left an indelible impression upon me. It was a sight as electrifying at the time as it is pleasant to look back upon. No wonder that when Epinard later in . the year reappeared in the Cambridge-. shire at Newmarket and again carried a weight higher by two pounds than had ever been borne to victory in that race by one of his age, he once more started a hot I favorite and, as I wrote at the time, was robbed of a great triumph only by the ill luck of the race. His was a moral success, however, and in my opinion a marvelous performance, for, disregarding the eighteen pounds he presented to the winner, by which he was beaten by a neck only, did he not give Pharos, the excellent second in the Derby, nine pounds and a decisive beating as well? PERFECT TEMPER AND DISPOSITION. ! A charming horse, Epinard has a perfect temper and disposition, as Avitness his model behavior on the Cambridgeshire day, when he threaded his way through an enormous crowd in the paddock a crowd so congested that it made getting about a matter of the utmost difficulty. Nothing wtonderful to look at as he walks around the ring set apart for competitors before the race, he . immediately arrests attention and admira-. tion when in action, and his may truly be described as the poetry of equine motion. He swings along without any apparent effort, and is into his stride with lightninglike rapidity the moment the tapes are released. Also he gives one the impression of a . most intelligent being which thoroughly realizes and understands in every way what is required of him. Every day now one hears what he is going to do, where he is going to race, and when. Knowing nothing definite myself, I always doubted whether he would run for the Lincolnshire. Even now that he is scratched for that event I very much doubt if those connected with him themselves know what plans will be followed for his career this season. He is flesh and blood like other horses, and those plans must necessarily await his readiness and well being. But on anything like fair terms and fully equipped with health and fitness to run, I am confident that his opponents, wherever he may meet them, will have to produce the best that is in them and be fortunate to boot if they are to stand any chance of lowering his colors. As an equine champion of delightful character and wonderful capabilities, he has my unstinted admiration, and I can -wish him no better than the good fortune he deserves.
