view raw text
France Rapace Survives in French Derby By GODOLPHIN DARLEY Paris Correspondent, Daily Racing Form PARIS, France. Run for the first time in 1836, the Prix du Jockey Club at Chan-tilly for three-year-olds is the French equivalent 01 uie- ii;p-som Derby. At the time of its foundation, racing in France was chiefly for mature horses, and the events were usually at four miles in two or three heats and a, final. The French Derby drew little attention. Critics just overlooked it and only a few understood its importance. As racing developed, e m p h a sis settled more and more on tests for three-year-olds, the most desirable means to select future stud prospects. The ideal distance for a three-year-old race on turf, as it was over 100 years ago, is a mile and one-half. At least it is so considered by European horsemen. It appears that tests over shorter distances, which require speed primarily, are not adequate for selecting: the best future stud prospects. Speed in race horses may be developed by special . training, but that type of training is detrimental to many individuals who, trained under other conditions, would display quality and stamina as three-year-olds. The test for speed alone eliminates stud prospects able to pass on their ability to stay. With its 3,000 added, the Prix du Jockey Club closed in November, 1953, with 532 horses, then yearlings, named. Finally 15 colts went to the post last Sunday on one of the rainiest Derby Days ever; The event was worth 4,350 to the winner. Hot favorite at 5-4 was Marcel Boussacs Whirlaway colt Kurun and the two entries, Nabis and Mercadial. Out of an Epsom Oaks winner, Asmena, Kurun had won in fine style the pre-classic Prix Daru at one mile, three furlongs. Again a Derby winner mated to an Oaks winner could not produce a Derby winner. Kurun ran a prominent fourth. Joint second favorites at 6-to-l were George Wildensteins Beau Prince II., who had justified his top ranking at two; . Pierre Wertheimers Vimy, by Wild Risk, and Comte Francois de Ganays Bapace, by Djefou. Vimy was the winner this season of the Prix Lagrange and of the pre-classic Prix Noalles at one mile, three furlongs. Bapace won his last three starts, including the pre-classic Derby test Prix Hocquart at a mile and a half. Marquise de Boisgclins Nistralin by Mistral, recent winner of the pre-classic Prix Lupin at one mile and five-sixteenths, was another top candidate along with Guy de Rothschilds consistent Beignet by Cranach. Other starters were Madame Del Duccas Bewitched, by Sayani; Peter Fehlmanns Poulbot, by Norseman; Jean Lignels Norfolk, by Tornado; Madame P. Petrocochinos Tragedien, by Tour-ment, Michel Caimans Fric, by Vandale; Martin Fabianis Point Gamma, by Go-yama; Madame M. Mates Crazy Horse, by Verso H. From a good start, Mercadial set a fast pace, followed by Fric, Crazy Horse, Tragedien, Norfolk, Point Gamma and Nabis. Passing the famous old, stables, Beau Prince n. and Kurun were well up with the front, group, whereas Vimy, Rapace anU Geignet were still in the rear. On the last turn, coming up the stiff climb, the field was bunched. Mercadial was in the lead coming into the stretch, but soon Norfolk, Point Gamma, Vimy, Kurun and Bewitched were fighting for it. Vimy, with Roger Poincelet up, forged ahead of Kurun, Serge Boul-lenger up, while Rapace, under Fred Palmer, and Beignet, with Paul Blanc up, closed fast on the outside. Rapidly Vimy and Rapace drew away from the other two, showing equal merit. They finished a nose apart, the decision in favor of Rapace. Six lengths back, Beignet and Kurun were . third ancffourth with a short head between them. Another five lengths in the rear, Nistralin and Bewitched were separated by a neck. While the photo was awaited, the owners of the first two were talking together in the ring. When the result was official Pierre Wertheimer congratulated the more fortunate Francois de Ganay, who is the son of a former president of the Societe dTEncouragement and owns only three horses. This was Palmers second " Continued ,wi Page Nineteen , Report From France By GODOLPHIN DARLEY Continued from Page Eight victory at Epsom. Trainer of the winner is Robert Wallon at Maison-Laf fitte. Rapace was bred by Yicomtesse du Derby win of the season, as he had ridden Madame Volterras Phil Drake to Pontavice de Heussey. Rapace is by the 1945 Djefou, in the latters first crop. Djefou js another classic producing sire - by Djebel, and is out of Douce Folie, by Monarch. The dam of Rapace is Rahnee, by Lovelace out of Rhode Island, by Consols. There were winners in her fam- ily but none of any great fame. Besides Tourbillon in the pedigree of Rapace are the bloodlines of Monarch, La Farina and Ex Voto, typically French. Rapace was backward at two and started twice without success. He cameback to run second at three and then was unbeaten in all four starts, including the .Derby, He will point for the Grand Prix de Paris on June 26. Vimy, not entered in the French classic, will start in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July. On the same Sunday card, Jean Sterns Fauchelevent, by Nosca scored r very easily in ihe Prix du Lys at a mile and a half. A top two -year-old race at , five furlongs was taken easily by George Wildensteins colt Patras by Goyama out of Madame Patrol. The latter mare is : also the dam of the Ocarina colt yearling we saw at Glenangus recently. Patras defeated by three lengths, F. Du-pres Polic by Relic, one of the leading youngsters out so far and unbeaten in his two previous starts. During the week G. L. Ohrstroms colors were victorious on his four-year-old filly Vanette by Tanagrello in a mile and seven-jfurlong handicap at Chantilly. Vanette was a winner earlier in the spring over hurdles Auteuil. She is trained by John Cun-iagton, Jr. Sunday the Grand Steeple-phKse-de:PTirE-wilinreruK ,toir -milty; nnri n givtepnth
