view raw text
France * English Provoke Pungent Question By GODOLPHIN DARLEY Paris Correspondent Daily Racing Form PARIS, France.— Prior to our return to France, we saw in the weekly newsreel at Radio City a truly remarkable film of the finish finish of of the the Epsom Epsom finish finish of of the the Epsom Epsom Derby. Trailing almost last throughout the race, the French colt, Phil Drake, was still about sixth with only a couple of hundred yards to go. In a most thrilling finish, Phil Drake drew closer, passed the Irish colt Panaslipper and won with his jockey easing up. The owner-breeder, Mme. Suzy L. Volterra, trainer Francois Ma-thet and rider Fred Palmer rejoice in a well-deserve d win, which which we we believe believe the the which which we we believe believe the the American public appreciates to its full. The French victory .follows that of the American-bred Never Say Die last year. In fact, since 1947, when French colts after the war were again competing in England, in nine seasons they won the Derby four times, 1947 with Pearl Diver, by Vatellor, 1948, My Love, by Vatellor, and 1950, Gal-cador by Djebel. As for the English-bred wins — in 1949, Nimbus won in a photo, finish from the French Amour Drake; by the Italian-bred sire, Nearco; in 1951, the winner was Arctic Prince, by the French | Prince Chevalier, and in 1953, Pinza was by the French Chanteur. The most English or Irish was Tulyar in 1952, by Tehran, who is by the French-bred Derby winner Bois Roussel. We have to cite these facts for the reason that rather sour comments followed this years Derby in most of the English papers. Truly more amusing than really irritating. Largely, the commentators tended to minimize the quality of the French winner, and the ability of the rider. The latter would only emphasize the superiority of the colt. Some English turf writers went so far as to state that any French win in the Derby only proves that the English three-year-olds are poor. Such a statement is inviting the question, why are English breeders so generous as to breed at least five bad generations in nine years and why do they not endeavor to breed better crops? While visiting the Thoroughbred Club in Lexington, John A. Bell m. mentioned to us the difficulty he experienced in having the right colt or filly entered in stakes with long-term closings. This applies to the French entries in the Epsom Derby for which engagements are due when the horses are yearlings. Not many are entered from France and consequently e.very top French three-year-old is not in the Derby. So that eliminates each season a large percentage of the French chances winning Englands greatest classic. Added to the result of the Epsom Derby are those in the two-and-a-half -mile Gold Cup, which has practically become a French event at Ascot. So we will ask our readers to agree with us that French-breds and French sires are dominant in Europe through their stamina from a mile and a half. When it comes to speed in mile classics, is the story so different? Let us consider the Newmarket mile tests for colts and fillies, the Two Thousand and One Thousand Guineas and the equivalent events in all the countries of Western Europe, not including Germany. In Belgium, the Two Thousand was won by Torcellino, by the French sire Torcello and the One Thousand by Mo-alda, out of the French mare Moana. In Italy, the Two Thousand was won by Vasco de Gama, by the French sire Souverain and the One Thousand by Theodorica, by Owen Tudor, half -French through his dam, Mary Tudor. In Spain, one event for both sexes was won by Thessa, by the French Tourbillon, out of the French mare Christabel, purchased in foal. * In Ireland, the Two Thousand was won by Hugh Lupus, by the French Djebel, out of the French Sakountala, purchased in foal and the One Thousand by Dark Issue, by Sayajirao, half -French through his dam, Rosy Legend. In France, the Two Thousand was won by Klairon, by French-bred Clarion, by Djebel and the One Thousand by Dictaway, by Honeymoon, out of a French mare, Nimphe Dicte. In England, the Two Thousand was won by Our Babu, by French-bred My Babu, by Dejebel. Only does the One Thousand Guineas escape the apparent rule that a classic winner must Continued on Page Forty-Nina Report From France By GODOLPIIIN DARLEY •" . . , .■■ : a ■ ■ :■ t - ■ „ Continued from Page Nine have at least; one French parent. The winner Meld was entirely English. We were surprised to see last Sunday at Longchamp the hot. favorite Chingac-gook defeated in the Prix Lupin, a mile and five-sixteenths, the final of the series of the three-year-old pre-classics. Second in the Grand Criterium at two, . second in the French Two Thousand Guineas by a nosethis season, Chingac-gook lost by a short neck. The winner Nistralin raced well during the season, but so far docs not appear to be a top contestant for the French Derby. Marquise de Bois-Gelins Nistralin is now vastly improved and this adds another colt to the rather lengthy list of high class three-year-olds in training in France. ». The Prix Lupin was led at a good pace by Americ and Fauchelevent, both able front runners. Going into the straight, Chingac-gook went to the front, but was unable to withstand Nistralins strong final challenge. Third, two lengths away, was Bous-sacs Macip and fourth was Tharsidis. Nistralin is trained by Daniel Lescalle at Mai-sons-Laffitte, ridden by Henri Signoret, a veteran, and bred by Marquis de Talhouet ! Roy. His sire, Mistral, bred by Leon Vol-terra, broke the track record when win-, ning the French Two Thousand Guineas in his year. Mistral, was recently exported to Germany. On the same card, a stakes, the Prix Keiset at one mile .and seven furlongs was taken brilliantly by R. B. Strass-burgers colt, Clichy, by Clarion, out of Carrere, by Le Pacha. At Saint-Cloud Monday, the big event was the Grand Prix du Printemps, with 1,500 added. Georges Wildensteins four - year - old Norsemour, by Norseman, beat a top field _ of 15 others at the mile and a quarter. Excellent second was Marcel Boussacs Anadir and third, R. B. Strassburgers Cato, with Guy Rothschilds Beifmet and Madame Del Duccas Bewitched close by. Norsemour was bred by Madame L. Vol-terra and is trained by Rene Pelat and ridden by Roger- Poincelet. . . . This Sunday, the Prix de Diane, one mile and five-sixteenths at Charttilly will be run. This is the French equivalent of the Oaks. ... A leading French turf writer, Jean Trarieux, columnist of Le Figaro, lost his wife, daughter and two grandchildren in a car accident.
