Todays Richest Epsom Derby May Bring Forth Thirty-Four: Silnet is Probable Favorite; Indian Hemp Carries Colors of Canadian Owner, Max Bell, Daily Racing Form, 1952-05-28

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Todays Richest Epsom Derby May Bring Forth Thirty-Four Silnet Is Probable Favorite; Indian Hemp Carries Colors Of CanadianOwner,Max Bell LONDON, Eng., May 27 Reuters .The Derby, premier British turf classic and one of the countrys major sporting events, will be run at Epsom Downs tomorrow for the 173rd time since it was inaugurated at a house party held by Lord Derby in 1780. This year the prize money of 7,816 will be the biggest ever, the field will probably equal the record of 34 in the 1862 running, and Britain and France will put on their biggest clash ever for bloodstock prestige. . Remarkable precautions have been taken to protect the horses worth about three million dollars. Wire fences, alarm bells and arc lights during the night have been used to keep intruders at bay; A flock of geese and a bulldog were employed at one stable to give warning of any attempt at doping or "nobbling." Dry Spell Leaves Turf Firm The weather will play a big part in tomorrows race which is as open as any previously run over Epsoms testing mile and one-half course. A dry spell for the past three weeks has left the turf firm and after riding Argur over part of the track today jockey Charlie Elliott remarked, "The going is very hard. You cannot tell me any horse. likes that sort of going." Connections of horses who do best on soft turf will be casting anxious eyes skywards hoping for rain before race time. Weather experts say they will be disappointed. Among the horses likely to be particularly suited by firm footing are the French chal- Continued on Page Thirty-Seven RALPH B. STRASSBURGER Has one of the .two American entries in todays Epsom Derby, his coiorbearer being Wor-den. The other American entry is Robert S. Clarks Fiery Torch. Richest Epsom Derby May Test Thirty-Four , Silnet Favored; Indian Hemp to Race for Canadian, Max Bell Continued from Page One lengers Argur, who went downhill around Tattenham corner well enough today, and Silnet. Also the English-trained colts Indian Hemp and H.V.C. Indian Hemp will be the first Canadian-owned runner ever in the race. The colts owner, Max Bell, flew direct from the United States yesterday to watch tomorrows race and will return to his newspaper and oil interests in Canada next Thursday. Bell says he has an unshakable hunch Indian Hemp will win. Altogether the French are sending out eight .horses, including Eugene Constants Thunderhead, winner four weeks ago of the first British turf classic, the Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket. Like Silnet, who will probably start favorite, he is trained by Etienne Pollet. Marcel Bous-sac will run two horses, Argur and Mar-syad. The French hold a fine post-war record of three wins -in six races. Weighing up the chances of his French-bred colt, Worden, in the Derby the American owner, Ralph B. Strassburger, said if he traveled well from France, he should be a serious competitor. The Aga Khans Tulyar, Lord Roseberys Bobmajor, Mrs. James Ranks Gay time and the Yorkshire-trained colt, Torcross, owned by Mrs. Richard Straker, are among the most prominent English hopes. It seems probable tomorrows field will at least equal the record of 34. Green Signal and Merry Minstrel are doubtful. The present riding arrangements are: Ararat, F. Palmer.; Argur, E. C. Elliott; Bob Major, W. Rickaby; Bold Buccaneer, W. Snaith; Castleton, F. Hunter; Caerlave Rock, F Durr; Chayey Down, W. H. Carr; Faubourg, J. Doyasbere; Fiery Torch, G. Littlewood; Gay Time. L. Piggott; Green Signal, no jockey; Hasty Prince, E. Smith; HVC, A. Taylor; Indian Hemp, J. Marshall; Kara-tepe, E. Mercer; Khormousa, K. Gethin; Lavarende, C. Maire; Marsyad, W. Johnstone; Merry Minstrel, P. Maher; Monarch More, G. Richards; Neath, S. Clayton; Nick La Rocca, E. Britt; Postmans Path, C. Spares; Rego, M. Lynn; Serpenyoe, G. Younger ; Shah . Orenda, T. Evans ; Silnet, R. Poincelet; Silver Wraith, J. Sime; Speechmaker, F. Barlow; Simmer Rain, D. Smith; Thunderhead, E. Fordyce; Trim Curry, H. Packham; Tulyar, C. Smirke; Torcross, W. Nevett; Worden, M. Lorierou. All carry 126 pounds.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1952052801/drf1952052801_1_3
Local Identifier: drf1952052801_1_3
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800