THE DONKEY DERBY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 57, 4 September 1926, Page 23

THE DONKEY DERBY

ALLEGED USE OF ILLEGITIMATE

PERSUADER.

One of the leading jockeys, C. Smirke, was the centre of an unfortunate incident at a charity fete at Pinner last month (says an English exchange). With other well-known jockeys he was competing in a donkey Derby, and his animal, maintaining a steady gallop, passed' the winning post lengths ahead of' his opponents. A crowd, still laughing at the farcical aspects of the event, were clustered about Smirke, when a grey-haired man in'civilian clothes, who said he was Inspector. Beesley, shouldered his way through and accused the jockey of using a pin on his mount. Smirke indignantly denied the charge. Accompanied by 'another inspector, Mr. Beesley was present ■at the fete watching the racing on behalf of the National Equine Defence League. To a Press representative he said he regretted the circumstances; but added: "I have to do my duty." The "objection" was overruled, and the race awarded to Smirke, Pat Donoghue finishing second and Steve third. With the exception of this incident the visit of the jockeys to Pinner furnished excellent comedy. They had come on from serious racing at Alexandra Park to this Catholic fete, from thoroughbreds to the xincertain quantity of "mokes.". All the donkeys had identification bands on their bridles, which assumed for them the names of horses familiar to the race-going public; but the donkey cannot change his temperament, nor can the jockey on his back, however experienced, induce him to alter. Here was Steve Donoghue, grinning broadly, astride a grey ass which decided to stand stock still and watch the othets go round the turning post. And alf the arts of the famous jockey could not induce it to move until a friendly spectator gave it a vigorous push. T. .Weston scrambled home second in the "Oaks," but only by the expedient of dismounting and pushing "Flight's Fancy" past the post; some yards behind Michael Beary appeared to be sure of a place when "Star of Blyth" bceame rnmiiiative, accommodated its pace accordingly, and G. Archibald, coming slyly up on the rails at the fierce speed of three miles an hour, got "Cream o' the Sky" in front. The feelings of race meeting stewards watching this "Derby" and "Oaks" can only be imagined aa they saw the bumping and boring—one donkey deliberately rolled over—and riders coming up . the straight . frequently found their course barred by other donkeys strongly desirous of returning "to the paddock and Contesting every inch of the way with their .jockeys. "Old Kate," the well-known Epßom figure, was therein her .white apron, and with the jockeys and the hilarious crowds added that touch of reality to the Donkey Derby and the Donkey Oaks ivhich converted it into an excellent parody of the real things. ■