THE WINNER OF THE DERBY.

Evening Star, Issue 3221, 17 June 1873, Page 3

THE WINNER OF THE DERBY.

Ten years ago the greatest of living horses, Blair Athol, upset the calculations of those who follow public running by winning the Derby the first time ho appeared on a racecourse, imd the telegraph yesterday acquainted us with the success of his half brother, Doncaster, under similar circumstances, thus keeping green to the last the fame of his illustrious sire. Though years ago Stockwell had earned the title of “The Emperor of Stallions,” the grand old horse has in his final season fairly eclipsed his previous successes. True it is, that in Lord Lyon’s year his progeny occupied the three coveted positions, but he was then in the zenith of his power, and his harem comprised the aristocracy of stud matrons. The first and second in this year’s Derby were the children of his old age, produced when he was already regarded as a light of other days. Before their victory was gained he had passed away to the happy pastures, trad the most eloquent tribute to his memory has now been recorded in the pages of the “ Calendar.” Doncaster is a chesnut colt by Stockwell, out of Marigold. He was purchased by his present owner, Mr Merry, at the annual yearling sales at Doncaster, for 950 guineas, being one of a lot of four bred and there submitted to auction by Sir Tatton Sykes. At the time these yearlings were sold the average obtained for them —837 guineas—seemed high, and probably few thought that the winner of the Derby was among them. The highest priced was Windermere, a filly by Macaroni out of Miss Agnes (the tribe for which John Osborne was famous), that brought 1,000 guineas. Then came Doncaster (950 guineas), Bras-de-fer (: 00 guineas), and Pink-and-White (500 guineas. Though for many years Mr Merry has possessed one of the most select breeding studs in England, it is strange that his only two Derby triumphs, through Thormanby and Doncaster, have been gained with horses purchased as yearlings. Few as have been his purchases, they have geueraliy been characterised by great judgment, and Thormanby, Dundee, Macgregor, and Doncaster speak well for his shrewdness, or that of his advisers. Those who were at Epsom in 1863 may remember the despised outsider that made the backers of the favorites for the Oaks tremble in their shoes, and failed a head to upset all previous deductions. This was Marigold, the dam of Doncaster. She soon afterwards disappeared from the scene, and has been comparatively lost to sight, until she now appears reproduced in her son, and compensated for her defeat by a greater victory. To any connoisseur in breeding, the victory of Doncaster cannot be surprising, as on both sides of his pedigree the direct male line runs back to Whalebone, the fountain of ail good in horseflesh ; but racing men have doubtless been taken by surprise, since the horse was heavily engaged as a two-year-old, and declined all his races, a fact significant of ill. No one has the reputation of asking so much from his two-year-olds as Mr Merry, and it is generally, and with reason, regarded as a sign of worthlessness when his two-year-olds do not perform at that age. What his reasons may have been for altering his usual tactics with Doncaster is hard to judge, but bis success is the best answer to the policy of so doing. Mr Merry’s luck has been long in turning. During th« last tea ywp* he hM frequently

d the victory snatched from him when seemed within bis reach. The lion-hearted Dundee broke down when the blue ribbon was apparently already on Us brow, and Kettledrum snatched the race from him by a length, Buckstone, who subsequently defeated Tim Whifiier over the Ascot Cup course, gave place to Caractacus and the Marquis ; Scottish Chief to Blair Athol and General Peel. Liddington and Student, the premier two-year-olds of their respective years both went to pieces ; and Marksman, whose heart was as craven as his sire’s was bold, suffered Hermit to outstride him by a neck. Then came Macgregor, the greatest favorite ever stripped for the Derby, who from inexplicable causes was beaten by the worst horse that ever won. Ho in turn was followed by King of the Forest, who ran a dead heat for second place to Favonius, and all this in the space of twelve years. Surely no one can say that the success of “ the boy in yellow ” is not well earned.