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Weighing In By EVAN SHIPMAN HOLLYWOOD PARK, Inglewood, Calif., May 24. On Wednesday next the eyes of the turf world, and of millions who are aware of only one race on the turfs calendar, will be turned to Epsom Downs for the running of the English Derby. We will enter no argument as to whether this actually is the greatest of all races, but there can be little doubt that it is the most famous of all events, and that winning it endows a three- year-old thoroughbred with unique prestige. The Derby, once described by Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli as the "blue ribbon of the turf," also brings unparalleled pride and satisfaction to the winning owner, who, in the majority of cases over its long history, has also been the breeder. The self esteem derived from such a triumph is not limited to the individual, but takes on a strong nationalist tinge, as Americans who nave read of Iroquois victory in the 19th century and who recall Dubar n.s score in 1914 will readily admit. Of late years, much to the discomfort of the English, French stables have been very prominent at Epsom Downs, and, with that state of affairs in mind, we asked -our friend, the Franco-American sportsman, Alan du Breil, to give us a few impressions of this French generation. Du Breil writes us: "The Prix Hoc-quart, run at Longchamp on Sunday, May H, has become a sort of preview of both the French, and English Derbys. It is run at the European classic distance of a mile and a half. In 51, Sicambre won the Prix Hocquart as a prelude to his victory in the French Derby at Chan-tilly, while in 48, My Love won the Long-champ race before scoring1 an easy victory two weeks later at Epsom. This year, the Prix Rocquart was of special interest since it opposed the first two favorites of the English Derby, Silent and La Varende both French to Marcel Boussacs best colt, Auriban, leader of the French Experimental Handicap and already a strong choice for the French. Derby. In spite of a previous defeat by Silnet, Auriban started a heavy favorite in the Prix Hoquart, his odds being 6 to 10 on, and he won, but this victory was not without emotion since he beat Ralph Beaver Strassburgers Worden IT. by a half length after the American colt had entered the homestretch with a good six lengths advantage. Silnet was third another three lengths away, followed by La Varende and three others. "The style of Auribans victory caused the most favorable comm on the part of French turf writers," du Breil llaues, "and led many of them to compare Auriban with his sensational sire, the undefeated Pharis. Unfortunately, Auriban is not entered in the English classics. His breeding is as Boussac as it can be, since by Pharis, he is out of Arriba, by Toubillon. Arriba, whose dz was Orlanda, is a full sister to the 38 French Derby winner, Cillas. This is once again the Frizette family. It is also interesting to note that Arriba was offered at private sale in America and abroadthree years ago, with no takers. I think that one of Auribans half-brothers, a colt by the name of Celadon, was imported to America at about that time, but he failed to do anything in this country. This Celadon is by HierocleSi "Getting back to. the Prix Hocquart, Worden HVs place to Auriban, in front of Silnet, was a distinct surprise. Worden II.s breeding is also, of more than passing interest to American sportsmen, since he is out of Sans Tares. This Sind mare out of Tra, by Teddy, was imported to the U. S. A. in 40 by Strassburger, and sent back to France in 47. She had as produce in this cour try Bordeaux, by Pasteurized 1943 and La Rochelle, by Easton 1945. Worden II.s sire, Wild Risk, made quite a name for himself in France as a jumper, but he was very well bred, being by Rialto put of the late Joseph E. Wideners excellent Wild Violet, one of the most successful Widener matrons overseas. Before finishing second to Auriban, Worden II. had run unplaced in the two thousand Guineas at Newmarket to the French Thunderhead, the latter a very fast colt but hot a candidate for the Derby. As for Silnet and La Varende, their showing in the Prix Hocquax must have come as a shock to English punters, since it is -;omewhat discouraging to find the first two favorites for the English classic beaten by such decisive margins two weeks before the great race. Silnets Hoc-quart, however, was not without excuses, and he must still be ranked as a contender for classic honors. Silnet is by Fastnet, a very successful French sire and another who carried Wideners silks well. He shows once again the great in-Continued on Page Thirty-One I WEIGHING IN I By EVAN SHIPMAN Continued from Page Four fluence f Wideners stud in French 1 breeding: and, believe me, his colors are j sadly missed -n the French turf. . "After Thunderheadis five lengths vie- tory in the Newmarket Two Thousand Guineas," du Breil writes in conclusion, i "French hopes were high of winning all j five English classics, since this colt, although admittedly a good one, was not ! appraised among the best 10 in France. Then came the One Thousand Guineas i for fillies, of course, and the equivalent of your Acorn, and La Mirambule, heav favorite and a French filly by the Derby winner, . Coaraze, was beaten by an English rival, Zabara. Zabara is no ordinary filly either. In the EngMsh Frea Handicap, sne 1 was rated second, with only Windy City II. i above her. The English handicapper fo. The Jockey Club, Mr. Freer, made Windy City TJ. top weight, and Zabara five poun-Ts i below which means only the sex allowance. . It may well be that Zabara is the best three-year-old in training in England, 1 regardless of sex. Zabara is a daughter of 1 the Matchem stallion, Precipitation, but . hex distaff side gives no certainty of j i stamina, since she is out of a daughter of i Caerleon, whose get is at their best over ; seven , furlongs or a mile. Outside of La Mirambule the French have at least two : ; serious contenders for classic honors in : : Marcel Boussacs " fillies, Arbelle and ; Equilla, both daughters of Djebel. Arbelle s , out of the fabulous Astronomic whom the : French regard as the mare of the century, ; and who has already produced such run- , ners as Arbar, Carcalla, Marsyas and Asmena."
