THE STORY OF THE DERBY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2147, 1 August 1907, Page 1

THE STORY OF THE DERBY.

“BOSS” CHOKER REALISES HIS LIFE’S AMBITION. ORBY THE FIRST IRISH TRAINED HORSE TO IVIN THE BIG EVENT.

By. HVigilant" 'hi tint f*Sportsman.” s ‘There never was a Derby! 1 ji c many respects the great race had a features which are unique in the an- \ nals of Epsom. In the first place, t the winner is hall English and hall American, for his sire was Orme and t his dam the American Mare lllioda I 13.. who ran on the English lull with some success. Then. flgan, Orb.v | is the first' Irish trained "horse to win the Derby, and it is something of an accident' that ]io was trained in the Emerald isle, lor his owner Mr. Choker, intended to train Ins horses on Newmarket : Heath, but there \yere obstacles lu the \Y a y* terday Mr. Choker took courteous revenge by beating Wool Winder into second place. lllioda 13. imported from America, bad two foals previous to producing Orby, both by Aiiicricus, and the second-born, llliododendron, won several races in Ireland. Orby liiineslf was foaled at Mr, Leopold de Kothscliild’s Squtlicote Stud Farm, where his dani was on a visit to St. Erusquin, and the result of the last-mentioned alliance is Rhodora, who won the Cardogan Plate at Leopardstown for Mr Croker recently. Every corner of Epsom racecourse was crowded, and I should think the number of holiday makers was considerably larger than usual; the stands and rings were packed, and the hill was covered \yith people from starting-post to stand. In the Paddock there was such a throng that it was difficult to get near the horses, and the need of a railed enclosure for the competitors to walk round in was more felt than ever. It;, is a pity also that Epsom authorities do not adopt the now usual plan, m a big race,, of having printed cards with the names of the runners car- [ ried by the lads in charge instead

of tho badge with the number, which entails reference to the card to those who do not know tho horse bv sight, Tho first horse that I saw was Earlston, who looked well and muscular, but 1 did not spend much time in his company, for I wanted to see others of more promising credentials. Darling was saddling Sliovo Gallion under the thorn hedge, and the black loked thoroughly fit. and well, bis coat shining with metallic lustre ; lie had a perfect 'racing-like frame, with good shoulders, and plenty of power, but lie has always lmd an ugly neck

which detracts from Ids appearance; however, there was no fault to find with him beyond this, and all connected with the horse looked upon defeat as unthinkable. I had been told that Bonzonian had been overdone, and that lie would appear dried up and stale. Never was report so devoid of foundation, for a more thoroughly fit-looking animal was never stripped—Lord; Rosebery’s horse was a mass of good hard muscle, which would reflect credit upon the work of any trainer, and lie was full of life withal, walking with a merry step, and moving with a faster pace than his attendant could easily keep up with.

Otby bore out all that 1 had been told about his looks, and more than that, for he was undeniably tho finest horse in the paddock. An immense chestnut, with magnificent quarters, and loins, and wonderful propelling power, he certainly looked like carrying some of the others. Some critics took exception to his

lore-legs, and thought that he would not he able to come down hill, but those who-had seen him gallop felt no fear on this score, anil their confidence was justified in the result, as was mine when I said he was Slieve Gallion’s most dangerous opponent. 1 did not sec Galvani in the paddock, hut when I saw him in the parade I was disappointed with his appearance, lor last year, I was always a great admirer of his; he sweated a good deal, anil did not give tho impression of being ripe. AVool Winder was another who sweated in tho parade, but he is a nice horse. Galleot is a somewhat leggy chestnut, fit enough, but not a strikingly beautiful animal, as his hind quarters and loins are rather slack-look-ing. All Black is better-looking than he ought to be, considering his .vretclied running, and John Bull i.. i nice, level, little hay, who will pay his way in a humbler sphere of die, Tlie horses paraded, but not in their order on the card, and when they turned to canter to the post, Wool AA’inder showed very taking action. Slieve Gallion was all dash and life as lie bounded along with his head up, and his characteristic fighting action. Benzonian went down as well as anything, . with beautiful rhythmic strides, and he looked as if he understood the work in hand, and relished the prospect, of a race. Galvani moved short and listlessly, and Orby dashed along with great, raking strides. AA’hen they reached the starting-post, where by the way, i crowd had collected that would in itself have constituted a very fair attendance at a gate-moiifey .meeting,

there was very, little delay, and Air. Willoughby sent them on their journey with a very good start, the first to show in front being John Bull, with Slieve Gallion lying close up, and Benzonian the most, prominent of the others. Orby did not jump into his stride just at first, and was

several lengths behind the leaders when they had gone a furlong, at which time the favourite had taken the lead from Mr. Bottomley’s colt, with Earlston upsides with Bezonian. Tho hackers of Slieve Gallion were on good terms with themselves, for never a doubt of their champion’s staying power had entered'their heads and thus early they began to shout

his name. After half a mile had been traversed, Slicve Gallion was out a couple of lengths in front, with Bezonian in nearest proximity, and from that point Lord Rosebery’s horse put. in some good woi'lc and looked likely to catch the leader. Orby was then still several lengths behind, but as they neared Tatterham Corner Reiff sent his mount along in earnest, and the gap was diminished in no time, the Yale blub jacket being seen threading its way through the leaders until Mr. Crok-i-r’s colors were level with those of Captain Greer, ami in another moment were well in front of them. As they came into the straight it could be seen that bar accidents, Orby would win tlieDerby, for.though HigW was making strenuous efforts on Sliovo Gallion, and the horse was doing his best to respond, the big Irish-American was thundering along unconcernedly with a two-length lead, and all efforts to catch linn were futile and unavailing. In front of the stands Slievc Gallion very tired, swerved right over to the other side of the course, and looked as it lie wanted to visit the weighing enclosure, whilst Wool Winder came through his horses with a rattle, but unite failed to effect the position ot the leader, and Orby galloped past the post a very easy winner amid a storm of cheering. When Mr. Crokei went out to moot his gallant horse and lead him to the weiglnng-room, there was a scene of enthusiasm. that can only he witnessed on a Derby Day when a good horse lias delighted the public with a fine performance, and there can be no doubt that-Urby was verv popular with the crowd, who love to see a fair and honourable struggle in which the best animal wins, "without thought of the victors nationality or of their own private gains or losses. ,