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. 1 Bright Prospects For International Schapiro Back From Abroad; Says Past Foreign Successes Stimulate Interest in Feature NEW YORK, N. Y., June 15. Prospects for the third edition of the Washington, D. C, International this November appear better than ever, John D. Schapiro, president of Laurel Race Course, home of the now world-famed event, said today. Schapiro, who returned this morning from a six-week tour of Europe, declared that "interest in the race is lip everywhere, stimulated by the success of foreign-owned horses in the first two runnings." During his trip abroad, Schapiro visited England, France and Italy. Disembarking from the liner, Queen Elizabeth, today, he listed these major developments in lining up possible starters for the mile and a half grass course event: 1 The fact that this years English Derby winner, Never Say Die, is American-owned makes the chances "much brighter" that a Derby victor would appear in this j country. Never Say Die is owned by New Yorker Robert Sterling Clark, and the ac- ceptance of an invitation to compete in ! the International would mark the first time since Papyrus came here to meet Zev in 1923 that an English Derby winner would be seen in the TJ. S. Italy May Be Represented 2 Italy may be represented in the classic for the first time. Schapiro said that he -had spoken to Marquise Inchisa, former partner of the late Count Tesio and now sole owner of Botticelli, the leading three-year-old in Italy, about the possibility of shipping the colt to Laurel, and was warmly received. While in Italy, Schapiro saw Botticelli win the Italian Derby. 3 He discussed with Capt. Cecil Boyd-Rochfort the possibility of entering Queen Elizabeth n.s Aureole in the International. Boyd-Rochfort was-noncommital, but the Laurel president said he intends to pursue the matter strongly. Schapiro went on to say that interest in the International in France is overwhelming, particularly so after Wordens victory in the event last fall. He added that the three-year-old situation in that country appears to be wide open, but that Le Petit Prince, owned by the American, Laudy Lawrence, might emerge as the best of the crop there this season. Le Petit Prince won the French Derby at Chantilly last Sunday. Assurances were given to Schapiro by such noted French sportsmen as Marcel Boussac, Francois Dupre, Baron Guy de Rothschild and Mme. Suzie Volterra that they would ship to the United States for the International if any horses owned by them developed into championship calibre. In England, too, Schapiro declared, enthusiasm for the race was greater than ever before. An English horse, Wilwyn H.s won the inaugural of the International in 1952. In addition to Boyd-Rochfort, Schapiro said that interest was shown by-Sir Percy Lorraine, owner of Darius, who finished, third to Never Say Die in the English Derby; Lord Derby and Lord Astor, all of whom indicated they may send a horse here if possible. . 1
