THE ENGLISH DERBY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1921, Page 5

THE ENGLISH DERBY.

VICTORY FOR J. B. JOEL. HUMORIST WINS BY A NECK. GREAT CROWD; GLORIOUS WEATHER. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—CopjTlght. London, June 1. Never in the history of the Derby did traffic commence so early. The weather was glorious, and thousands tramped to Epsom Downs all night long. A large number slept in the open or in doorways. At six o’clock in the morning Epsom was crowded. There was a constant procession of vehicular traffic, including trade vans, charabancs, taxi-cabs, don-key-carts, Red Cross vans, even a coster’s barrow drawn by two men stripped to the shirt. Owing to the absence of railway facilities, it was a record road Derby. Before noon it was estimated that 100,009 vehicles left London. The roads were black with an endless line of traffic. R 33, from an early hour, reported the traffic to the controller at Epsom. Another feature was the revival of push bicycles. The King and Queen received a great reception. The Derby resulted:— Mr. J. B. Joel’s Humorist * 1 Lord Astor’s Craig-an-Eran .... 2 Mr. J. Watson’s Lemonora 3 Alan Breek 4 There were 23 starters. Won by a neck. Time, 3min. Received June 2, 5.5 p.m. London, June 1.

Donoghue rode the Derby winner. The start was delayed for twenty minutes, and the tape was thrice broken. Alan Breek immediately took charge from Leighton, and the three placed horses and Pucka Sahib, were always within striking distance.

Humorist and Craig-an-Eran, when two furlongs from home, challenged resolutely, and Alan Breek failed to sustain. Thereafter there was a battle royal between the first and second. Leighton finished fifth. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.