Phil Drake Convincing Winner of Rich Grand Prix De Paris: Becomes Third Colt in This Century to Take Longchamp Fixture and Epsom Derby, Daily Racing Form, 1955-06-28

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. . Phil Drake Convincing Winner Of Rich Grand Prix de Paris Becomes Third Colt in This Century to Take Longchamp Fixture and Epsom Derby Special to Daily Racing Form LONGCHAMP, Paris, France, June 27 Reuters. Madame Suzy Volterras Epsom Derby winner, Phil Drake, raced to a two lengths victory in the valuable Grand Prix de Paris, run over one mile and seven furlongs here on Sunday afternoon. The French colt was again ridden by Fred Palmer and he put on a tremendous finishing burst to beat Madame C. Del Ducas Bewitched with M. C. Wildensteins Beau Prince II. a half-length further away and third in a field of 20 runners. The convincing way in which Phil Drake beat this strong field makes him a hot favorite for Britains richest racing prize the King. George VI. and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 16. Trainer Francois Mathet said after the colts Long-champ victory that he would contest both the Ascot race and the Doncaster Saint Leger in September. A crowd of 80,000, including French president M. Rene Coty, saw Phil Drake become only the third horse in this century to complete the Epsom Derby and Grand Prix double. The British horse Spearmint achieved the feat in 1906 and the. Aga Khans French -trained My Love also did so in 1948. Phil Drake is a son of Admiral Drake who won the Grand Prix in 1934 for the late Leon Vol terra, husband of Suzy. The colt paid 54 francs for "a 10 -franc win stake in the pari-mutuels. The favorite was Marcel Boussacs Kuran. Victory Worth 6,000 Afteu the race Madame Volterra, whose win brought her a 6,000 prize, was warmly congratulated by the president.- It was jockey Palmers fourth victory in this race. Superstitious Freddie had his lucky number 12 on the card in each of his previous Grand Prix successes and also at Epsom last month, but yesterday his number was 17. Palmer was given the choice of riding Phil Drake or Rapace whom he piloted to victory in the French Derby here a fortnight ago. Rapace ran disappointingly yesterday and never was among the leaders. The Grand Prix, which is the most fashionable French racing event, was watched by nearly all owners of competing horses. One absentee owner was the American TWA transatlantic navigator, Jerry Jakob, whose Doural was purchased from Mme. Volterra and was one of the favorites but ran unplaced. Phil Drake was buried in the pack early in the race and did not come on the scene until the field had approached the last bend when he moved into fourth place. He stayed with the leaders until close to home when he put on a spurt to draw away to win magnificently. MME. SUZY VOLTERRA Owner of the double Derby winner, Phil Drake.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1955062801/drf1955062801_6_4
Local Identifier: drf1955062801_6_4
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800