THE DERBY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 711, 10 July 1929, Page 12

THE DERBY

SUCCESS OF OUTSIDER DESCRIBED DOWNFALL OF FAVOURITES The English Derby, which was won i by the •Irish colt, Trigo, at Epsom on 1 Juno 5, is described in the “New York i Herald Tribune” by Robert W. Cham- • pion as follows: | The list of rank outsiders to win a j big event on the British turf this season was increased when William Barnett’s little-known Irish colt, Trigo. with an apprentice jockey on his back, galloped home ahead of Lord Woolavington’s Walter Gay and Somerville Tattersall's Brienz to triumph in a field of 26 that went to the post for the running of the classic Epsom Derbv at the famous Downs course. The winner was at over thirties; the second horse started at odds of double figures, and the third was considered to have so remote a chance that he was quoted at extreme odds. It was estimated that more than a million people witnessed the race, which was declared to be the biggest betting race on record, it being computed that in the sweepstakes and bets more than £10,000,000 changed hands. The weather conditions for the chief of English turf classics, and for that matter of the world, were very miserable, as a drizzling rain fell throughout the afternoon. The light, however, was fairly good and most of the running of the mile and a-lialf race could be seen from the grandstand. Except that Kopi and Posterity were caught at a disadvantage while their riders were jockeying for a good position when the barrier was sprung and as a result of which both lost several lengths, the start was a fair one. Hunter's Moon First Away Tommy Weston, on Hunter’s Moon, one of the favoured ones, made the best of his position on the rail, and was the first to break when the gate went up. The Newmarket Stakes winner soon established a slight lead over Barbizon, En Garde, Trigo, Le Voleur, Reedsmouth, Cragadour, Gay Day and Mr. Jinks. At the top of the hill Hunter’s Moon was followed by Trigo and Barbizon, with Tom Peartree and Roberto close behind. > Six furlongs from home Rattlin’ The Reefer dashed through, and as the field approached Tattenham Corner Hunter’s Moon was joined by Trigo and Lord Londonderry’s entry, these being well clear of Baroizon. At this point Kopi, Sol B. Joel’s standard bearer and also one oi the most favoured in the race, which had been well up with the leaders, slippcu and threw his rider. F. Win.er. Trigo went on to gain the lead after turning into the straightaway, followed by Hunter's Moon, Cragadour, Rattlin’ The Reefer and En Garde. Shortly afterward Walter Gay and Brienz challenged the little Irish colt, but in spite of a stout effort on the part of each Trigo won by a length and aliall, two lengths separating Walter Gay and Brienz. Trigo’s time for tne mile and a-half was 2.36 2-5. Hunter's Moon, tiring near the finish, brought up fourth, with Cragadour and Posterity close , up. The latter, which belongs to an American. Mrs. Corlette Glorney, had run so well that but for his boor start he might have been well placed. The rest of the field was whipped in by Grand Prince and the riderless Kopi. Winner Unacclaimed Irish Colt The Associated Press report of the race states:—Fortune turned her back on the experts today and sent Trigo, an unacclaimed Irish colt, out to win the Derby, the world’s greatest horse race, before vast multitudes on Epsom Downs. Scantily backed at double figure odds, this courageous horse, owned by an Irish merchant from Ulster, William Barnett, triumphed in a field of 26 of Britain’s choicest three-year-olds. The three joint favourites— Cragadour. Hunter’s Moon and Mr. Jinks —and many other more fancied horses, failed in the exhausting test for premier turf honours over the famous mile, and a-half irregular course. A length and a-half behind Trigo came Walter Gay, Lord Woolavington’s colt, which almost until the hour of the race was counted a doubtful starter and was quoted at odds of double figures. Two lengths farther back came Brienz, another, comparative unknown, which dashed home to take down third money. Brienz, Somerville Tattersall’s candidate, went to the post at long odds. The Prince of Wales, with his sister and brother-in-law, was among the host of spectators—some said a million, but really nobody counted them — who saw the favourites finish behind Trigo’s flying feet. Hunter’s Moon, Lord Derby’s colt, made the best showing of the highly touted candidates, but after leading the field past the sixfurlong pole he fell back as the downhill drive began and finished fourth. Hunter’s Moon, which had been suffering from sore fore shins, evidently felt the pain as he shifted his weight from his hindquarters to his front lc-gs on the downhill sprint of onehalf mile. His two rivals in popular and expert esteem —Lord Astor’s Craga.dour and Major McCalmont’s Mr. Jinks —ran without their reputed dash and stamina, and finished back in the ruck. Gay Day and Kopi Disappoint Other great disappointments to the thousands who lined the rails and packed the grandstands were Gay Day, the clever speedster ridden by Steve Donoghue, and Kopi, which wore the colours of Sol Joel. . Donoghue, still hailed and backed by cockney race lovers for his former Derby glories, could not get his temperamental mount out of the mass, although the colt wore blinkers to help him keep his mind on his business. Kopi, which rated, perhaps, the finest stamina of the field, got away badly at the rise of the barrier and then‘ fell just before taking Tattenham Corner. Jockey F. Winter was unhurt and Kopi finished the race alone. Americans at the celebrated British event were hoping that Posterity, beautiful colt owned by Mrs. Corlette. Glorney, of the United States, would realise on his excellent breeding, but Posterity could do no better than sixth in the race, which was won in the nonrecord time of 2.36 2-s'. When the colts pranced before the grandstand for the traditional Derby parade before the race the iron-gray Mr. Jinks and Hunter’s Moon were as cool as cucumbers, while Gay Day fidgeted nervously between Donogi hue's knees. Nobody noticed Trigo. • for all eyes were on the more fancied horses. Hunter’s Moon Away First ! There was little difficulty in getting ! the 26 thoroughbreds away from the post and Hunter’s Moon soon edged i ahead of the struggling field as they ; dashed up the arduous uphill third of Ltthe course. Caradour, Mr. Jinks and Gay Day were still close contenders

as the piunging horses reached the ! summit and swung into the curve. As the leaders turned the famed Tattenham Corner into the gently sloping homeward run, Hunter’s Moon found his leadership challenged. Watchers through glasses filled the air • with astonished cries of ’“Trigo. Trigo.” Steadily the Irish bred racer crept 1 ahead and during the final quarter con- i tinued to gain with powerful strides, j Hunter’s Moon wearying rapidly, slipped back just in front of the other ' favourites, and Walter Gay and Brienz. both of which were never far behind, passed Lord Derby's colt to finish with ; a roar of hoofs behind the never i slackening Trigo. The blushing, bashful owner was j mobbed by silk-hatted admirers as he led his graceful winner to the Itoy.al : box. The Prince of Wales in the ceremony customarily performed by the ! King smiled upon and congratulated J the new wearer of Derby honours. By j this time the drizzle had changed to a brisk shower, cutting short the postrace festivities. Derby Pageantry Present Despite the rain there were present all of the features of past Derbies —a mixture of ballyhoo and pageantry— : which through 146 racing years have made the event dear to the British heart. There were first the swarming crowds, which made vast Epsom Downs an anthill. There were the massed vehicles of all types, ancient horsedrawn carriages almost crushed among the mighty throbbing buses and charabancs, which provided bleacher seats for thousands. The flower of English nobility moved about the paddocks and reserved enclosures. graceful and imposing in grey or black top hats and other necessities of smart dress. Bookmakers and refreshment vendors made the air vivid with their cries. Gipsies, both gaudy and dirty, dragged towsled infants about, and sought their profits by means traditional with Romany folk. Joe Marshall, who rode to fame astride Trigo, is only an apprentice jockey and perhaps is the first apprentice to ever win the Derby. In describing his victorious race Marshall said: “Trigo was always going well. From the beginning I was always lying third or fourth until the six furlongs. Then hali-way down the straightway I took the lead with my mount running splendidly. From six furlongs I considered we had the race for from then on there seemed to be no doubt of our winning. Just before we took the lead Hunt ’-' Moon was in front.”