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1 "" "r — Ireland Panaslippers Race In Derby Excellent By TOM COOPER Dublin Correspondent, Daily Racing Form DUBLIN, Ireland — Last weeks Derby meeting at Epsom Downs proved more exciting for Irish racegoers than the home events. events. As As we we wrote wrote events. events. As As we we wrote wrote when reviewing the race two weeks ago, Irish prospects for the supreme classic were brighter than for many a year past. As the big day approached tension grew high before climaxing in the disaster which befell Hugh Lupus. Following his fine performance ance in in winning winning the the ance in in winning winning the the 1 "" "r — Irish Two Thousand Guineas, news from Epsom strengthened the claims of the Irish-trained colt, as he bo.th traveled well and was moving well in the gallops. On the eve of the Derby, however, Hugh Lupus injured himself slightly in his work and had to be withdrawn on the very morning of the race. Following this sensation came a last-minute rush of big money for Daemon, finally the only- representative from Paddy Prendergasts stable. These, events palled in comparison with the running the race itself. The 100-1 Irish challenger Pana-slipper, bred, owned and trained by members of the McGrath family, .dashed into what appeared a certain -winning lead two* and one-half furlongs from home, only to weaken and be passed in the last 50 yards by Phil Drake. Thus history failed to repeat itself, as Panaslipper is trained on the same gallops at Glencairn as the last Irish -trained Derby winner, Orby, about 50 years ago. t 4 Although victory was snatched from him ■ at the last possible movement, full credit must be given Panaslipper for running a most courageous race and proving himself the second best colt at one mile and a half m Europe, with the exception of the unfortunate Hugh Lupus. Reflected glory goes to his young trainer, Seamus McGrath, who saddled a runner in the Derby for the first tinier McGrath also saddled Windsor Sun, more fancied than his stable companion, who ran well about half way and then faded out of the picture. The timing of Panaslippers Derby preparation was a work of art, as the Solar Slipper colt had had only one previous race this season, the Irish Two Thousand Guineas just a week before. A. share, too, must be apportioned Solar Slipper and Panorama. Solar Slipper unluckily was prevented from taking part in the Epsom classic during his. own racing career, but has now proved that he is a stallion of the highest class. Panorama for several years past has been amazing us with the success of his broodmares. By siring the dam of a horse second in the Epsom Derby, Panorama surpassed all his previous achievements in this line, and we believe he has no limits to future successes. Hardly had the cheering for the Derby winner ceased when Irish fortunes allied to those of McGrath were again concerned. In the very next race, the valuable Lonsdale Produce Stakes for two-year-olds the McGrath-bred and -owned Prince of Greine, but on this occasion trained in England by Willie Stephenson, made his debut. In what would appear to be a very high class field, Prince of Greine was backed down to short odds of favoritism and he fully justified the confidence by winning in most impressive style. It was frequently said at Epsom later that evening that in 12 months time the name of this good looking colt would be on everybodys lips as the probable favorite and winner of the 1956 Derby. Although this may be looking forward too far ahead there are undoubted grounds for believing that this colt could become a potential classic winner. Certainly his breeding leaves nothing to be desired with the Derby in yiew. Prince of Greine is a combination of the two best bloodlines of the McGrath stud. Sired by the Derby winner, Arctic Prince, his dam, Blaith na Greine; is a daughter of another Derby winner, Straight Deal, and Carpet Slipper. A winner herself as a two-year-old, Blaith na Greine is a half-sister to several high class horses, including Godiva, who wpn the English One Thousand Guineas and Oaks, and the unbeaten Windsor Slipper, wha is the sire of Solar Slipper. Another half-sister is Nova Puppis, who has bred Novarullah, now •racing prominently in California. Prince of Continued on Page Seventeen M 1 y W » t e « i v » e 3 Report From Ireland By TOM COOPER Continued from Page Eight Greine is thus truly bred in the equine royal purple. Blarney: Irish-bred horses were in the news in many of the other races at the Epsom meeting. The Tipperary-bred* three-year-old Papa Fourway put up a great performance in the Stewards Stakes, a sprint race. Carrying 133 pounds, Pappa Fourway completed the five-furlong course in :55. The course record is held by Devine-ress, who, carrying 30 pounds less, created the record in 1933 of :54%. In a stirring race for the St. James Stakes Royal Serenades own brother, Royal Palm, just beat Flying Story, yet another from the Mc-Grath stable. . . . Pride of Hainault, third dame of the Derby winner, Phil Drake, was bred in County Meath by the late D. OM. Leahy. . . . Clive-Sullish, three - year - old colt by Signal Light, carrying the colors of Mrs. Milton Erlanger New Jersey and New York , won at Phoenix Park Dublin last Saturday.
