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American American Colt Colt Takes Takes Epsom Epsom Derby; Derby; Numerical Numerical Victor Victor in in Kankakee Kankakee Purse Purse Never Say Die Is Winner of Classic R. S. Clarks Kentucky-Bred 33-to-l Outsider Defeats Arabian Night Two Lengths By VERNON MORGAN Reuters Sports Editor LONDON, England, June 2. American owner-breeder, Robert Sterling Clark, won the 175th renewal of the Epsom Derby today with his chestnut colt, Never Sax. Die, 33-to-l outsider. The little son of Nasrullah Singing Grass dashed ahead soon after entering the straightaway, winning easily by two lengths. Second after the judges consulted the camera finish was another 33-to-l shot, Jack Fergusons Arabian Night who was a neck ahead of Sir Percy Loraines heavily played 7-to-l chance, Darius. Twenty-two ran. The brilliant young English jockey, Lester Piggott, riding his first Derby winner, rode a dashing race on the aptly named colt who was the longshot choice of thousands of small backers. Never Say Die is trained at Newmarket by the veteran handler, Joe Lawson. Durban Winner in 1914 The last American colors to be carried successfully at Epsom were those of Mr. H. Duryeas Durban in 1914. Iroquois, in 1881, was the last Americansbred to win. Johnny Longdens mount, Blue Sail, was near the leaders at Tattenham Corner, but began to fade, eventually finishing tenth. The other American colorbearer Walter, Jeffords, BluePrince, spurted into sixth place, but seemed to make, his effort too late. Yorkshires Rowstbn Manor and the French challenger Ferriol started 5-to-l joint favorites. Rowston Manor led with Queen Elizabeths horse Landau as the field rounded Tattenham Corner, but dropped back to finish seventh. Queen Elizabeth, who with the Duke of Edinburgh was watching Landau challenge, saw him finish eighth after having every chance. Ferriol, who never seemed to have a real chance, was eleventh. Americas blue riband winner was led in by the stable lad who looks after him as Mr. Clark is in the United States. Victory of this American colt was extremely popular as his cerise and gray stripes quartered cap and blue sash colors are seen almost exclusively in this country. They were successfully borne by Clarks filly,. Galatea, in One Thousand Guineas and the Oaks fillies classic events in 1939. Clark is just starting" a- stud over here. He. sent Singing Grass, dam of Never Say t Continued on Page Five A mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm . - j NABHLLAH Sire of the Epsom Derby winner. Never Say Die, who now stands at stud at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky. American Colt Never Say Die Takes Epsom Derby in R. S. Clarks Colors Leads Arabian Night by Two Lengths; Blue Prince Sixth, "e Sail Tenth in Classic Continued from Page One Die, over to Britain to be covered by Nas-rullah. Tha mare was returned to the States to foal Never Say Die. The colts trainer, Joe Lawson, said later: Ive always had faith in Never Say Die who has improved steadily throughout his career. He ought to have beaten Elopement in the Newmarket Stakes last month, for he was catching him fast at the finish. Mr. Clarks colt is not entered in the valuable King George VI. and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, but is engaged in a 12-furlong event at Royal Ascot and the Donca.ster St. I Leger." Eighteen-year-old Lester Piggott, his face flushed with excitement, told reporters in an interview after weighing in: "Never Say Die was always fifth or sixth early and held a good position coming into the straightaway. I took up the running a furlong from home from Darius who had at 1 that point taken a momentary lead over Rowston Manor and Landau. My nount then accelerated well and gave me a winning feeling the rest of the way. It was a very fairly run race." Clarks colt covered the distance in 2:35, just two seconds more than Mahmouds record run in 1936. Longden Planing Back Today Johnny Longden, who flies back to the I States Thursday and will ride at Hollywood on Saturday, didnt seem disappointed with his Derby ride. He said: "It was a good Derby, but the strip on the firm side was just against Blue Sail. I was near the leaders at Tattenham Corner, then my mount began to fade. I think it was the going. Its a bit different from America. You have to have a good horse to win,here. I really enjoyed myself and the English boys were very good to me over here. The Queens horse, Landau, and Blue Sail kept company for a long way but like us, Landau began to weaken. The winner certainly ran a good race." The winner, second and third horses were all trained at Newmarket.. Jack Waugh trains Arabian Night, who was ridden, by Tommy Gosling, while Darius, Manny Mercers mount, was handled by ex-jockey Harry Wragg. The bookmakers were all smiles and actually admitted they had a winning race even though plenty of small bettors had a touch on the winner. Jockey Carr, on the Jeffords racer, Blue Prince, told trainer Capt. Cecil Boyd-Rochfort, that the colt was always well up there but got into a little trouble and did well to finish sixth. The start, five minutes late, was fairly good, although Ruwenzori, Cloonroughan, and Kingsloe were away slowly. Prominent early were Moonlight Express Blue Sail, Alpenhorn, Rowston Manor and Landau. After going a quarter mile, Rowston Manor showed ahead followed by Alpenhorn, Blue Rod, Never Say Die, Darius, Landau and Valerullah. Then Lavengro took the lead, followed by Rowston Manor, Landau, Darius, Blue Sail and Never Say Die. At the half way mark. Lavengro ,stiU made the play from Rowston Manor, Landau, Darius, Never Say Die and Elopement. Approaching Tattenham Corner, Rowston Manor and Landau rounded the corner together clear of Darius, Never Say Die and Blue Sail. Half way up the home stretch, there was little between Darious, Never Say Die and Landau, while Elopement, Arabian Night and Narrator were closing fast on the leaders. Never Say Die, striding out resolutely, took the lead about a furlong out and held off the late determined challenge of Arabian Night who passed Darius but could not get to the American-foaled chestnut who raced past the post a comfortable winner of 7,765, first prize. Elopement was fourth, Narrator, fifth; Blue Prince, sixth.
