THE CENTENARY OF THE DERBY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2153, 19 January 1881, Page 4

THE CENTENARY OF THE DERBY.

Tho following graphic retrospect and description of the English Derby, is taken from the “Exeter and Plymouth Gazette.” Exactly a hundred years ago on Wednesday was established, by the twelfth Earl of Derby, the great national race which bears his honored name. He had established the Oaks in the previous year, which race he won with his filly Bridget j but tho most coveted prize on the turf, the famous Derby, he failed to secure. The late Lord Derby, who was a ncblo sportsman of tho finest English type, also tried hard to win the great race, but failed by “ a short head,” when, in 1858, his horse Toxophilite was beaten by Sir Joseph Hawley’s Beadsman. As we have stated, the first Derby was run in 1780. That race was won by a chesnut horse named Diomed, foaled in 1777, the son of Flo'izil, out of Spectator, bred bv the Hon Richard Vernon, of New. market, from whom it was purchased by Sir Charles Bunbury. To-day the London and provincial papers doubtless contain elaborate accounts of the race itself, learned comments on tho mysteries of betting and “ public form,” so say nothing of clever pen-and-ink sketches of scenes on Epsom Downs aud on the way thither. Wo quote tho following description of the first Derby from the London “ Evening Post ” of May 6th, 1780, in the way of contrast Thursday—The Derby Stakes of 50 guineas each, h ft; colts and fillies. The last mile of tho course. Sir O. Bunbury’s ch e, 1; Mr O’Kelly’s b c, 2; Mr Walker’s g, 3; Sir F. Evelyn’s hr c, 4.” The original conditions of the race were a subscription of fifty guineas; weights, Bat for colts, and 7st 111 b for fillies ; and the distance one mile. In 1784 tho distance was increased to a mile and a half, and the weights raised respectively to Bit 71b and Bst 21b. No alteration of the course was made till 1848, when the “ New Derby Course” was brought into requisition, and from that time till 1872 tho competitors were marshalled in the dip below the paddock. In 1872 the present “new” course had been made, and the horses are now sent on their journey'from the newhigh level starting post, an arrangement likely to continue for many years to come, unless the proposition of transferring the Derby to Newmarket is carried, which is very unlikely. Since 1862 colts have carried Bst 101 b, and fillies Bst 51b. The entries and forfeits have never changed, and no “ added money ” has ever been given. Tho must valuable Derby ever won was that by Lord Lyon, in 1866, when the stakes amounted to £7350; and last year the figures were close upon this. We cannot spare space to mention even briefly all the sensational Derby events during the past century, for indeed they have all been more or less sensational. A good deal of interest, however, still attaches to the moot startling Derby in tho whole decade, when, in 1844, a horse named Running Rein came in first. It was suspected that this animal was a four-year-old, and this proving correct, led to a great trial at Westminster, in which Colonel Peel, owner of Orlando, the seI cond horse, claimed the stakes. An order was issued by tho court for Running Rein to undergo inspection by a veterinary surgeon, but it could not be found, having been destroyed or “ spirited ” away, whereupon the stakes were given to Colonel Peel. In giving judgment, Baron Alderson, who presided, stigmatised the fraud, and declared that, “if its perpetrators wore tried and convicted before him, transportation for lire would be the senteccs ho should pass upon them.” Some of the more noted horses who won the Derby up to 1850 may bo mentioned—Whisker, Priam, Plenipotentiary, Flying Dutchman, and Yoltigeur. Eleven years after that date, Kettledrum, tho property of Colonel Townley, won in the fastest time on record, covering the mile and a half in 2min. 43gec. In 1864 Blair Athol, and in 1868 Blue Gown were only a fraction behind this time. The longest time on record was taken by Ellington in 1856, namely, 3min. 4sec., but it must be mentioned in explanation that the ground was frightfully heavy from continuous rain, and the race was run in a perfect hurricane. Since 1830 only eight Derby winners have secured the St, Leger, and since Lord Lyon in 1866, Silvio in 1877 is tho only horse which has scored the double event. Seven times since 1830 the Derby winner had previously won the Two Thousand ; and there are still only three wearers of the triple crown of the Two Thousand, Derby, and St. Leger—namely, West Australian (1853), Gladiateur (1865), and Lord Lyon (1866). Twice only has a filly been succesful in tho Derby, and then she also carried off the Oaks—Eleanor in 1801 and Blink Bonny in 1857 ; but then it must be remembered as a matter of fact that but few fillies are entered for this race. Some of tho most illustrious noblemen and gentlemen of our land, distinguished alike in arms, in the political arena, as scholars and authors, have been proud to own their connection with this great race, and, with but few exceptions, it has generally been run “on the square.” To pass from the owners of horses, and from the horses themselves to the famous jeekeys who have ridden the Derby, the names of such “ boys ” as Sam Ornull, Sam Scott, J. Ornull, Robinson, who rode five winners, Morson, who won with the famous Yoltigeur and Teddington, T. French, F. Archer, and, greater than all, G. Fordham, who, after many failures, scored his first victory on Sir Bevys, the property of one of the Rothschild family.