"BLUE RIBBON OF TURF"

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 122, 9 June 1937, Page 13

"BLUE RIBBON OF TURF"

The English Berby, in which the winner achieves world-wide fame, has its history inter-woven with the romance of racing. The winner may create a new fashion jn breeding, or help to accentuate the merit of a line at present in dominance by virtue of racing prowcurs in connection with Lord George ies in regard to the English Derby oecurs in connection with Lord Geogre Bentinck's connection with the turf and his severange from racing in order to devote more time to the political aft'airs of his country, Lord Bentinck at one time maintained a large stud and & team of horses in training, but made a elean sweep of the lot, which included Surplice, who Wbn the Berby of 1898 in Lord Clifden 's colours. In Lord Beaconsfield 's account of the life of Lord George Bentinck he relates that on the day after the Derby he met Lord George in tlie library of the EcUse of Commons. Lord Bentinck had been suffering rebuffs in his Parliamentary efforts, and this in conjunction with the result of the Berby left him in a \ery despondent mood. "He had nothing to consolo him (writes Lord Beaconsfield), and nothing to Sustain him except his pride. Even that deserted him before a heart which he knew at least could yield him sympathy. He gave a sort of superb groan and said: ' All my life I have been trying for this, and for what have I sacrificed it. You do not know what the Derby is,' he raoaned. ' Yes I do,' Teplied Lord Beaconsfield, 'it is the Blue Ribbon of the Turf,' 'It is the Blue Ribbon of the ^ Turf j' repeated Lord Bentinck, and buried himseif in a folio of statistics.'' Lord George Bentinck was the first real and great reformer identified w'Bi the English turf, and was ably folloin the same direction by Admiral Ro *1 ! in the same direction by Admiral Ro . j Lord Bentinck had a dispute over a bet with Squire Osbaldeston which led to & duel,. It fell to Lord George 's lot ' to fire first. His pistol missed fire, whereupbn, withbut any appearance of excitement, he said to his adversary, "Now Squire, it's two to One in your favour." "Is it?" said his bpponent. "Why, then, the bet 's off," and fired the contents of his pistol in the air.