THE EPSOM DERBY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9107, 5 June 1908, Page 5

THE EPSOM DERBY.

WON BY SIGNORINETTA

Received June 4, 8.10 a.m

LONDON. June 3. The 128 th Epsom Derby was run to-day. The following is the result of the race:— The Derby Stakes, of 6,50050v5, by subscription of 50sovs each, half forfeit, or five sovs only if declared by the last Tuesday in March, 1907; colts 9.0, and fillies 8.9; the nominator of the winner to receive 500sovs out of the race; about one mile and a half. (There were 301 entries). Chevalier E. Ginisvlelli's b or br f Signorinetta, by Chaleureux —Signorina, ... 1 The Duke of Portland's b c Jfrimer, by St. Simon—Breviary 2 Mr Barclay '•Valuer's b c Langwvm, by Missel Thrush Llangarren Lass ... 3 HOW THE RACE WAS WON. Received June 4, 12.50 p.m. LONDON, June 3 ; J The race was run in beautiful j sunny weather. The King and Queer, and the largest crowd for years, were present. Eighteen horses started, Signorinetta won easily ny two lengths, a neck separating second and third. Time, 2min 39 44-ssec. His Majesty King Edward's horse Perrier, which was a much fancied candidat2, finished thirteenth. The English Derby has a peculiar attraction and fascination for ell. There are richer stakes run for in England, the Derby is the most prized of all, and it can be further said that sportsmen all the world over are keen on hearing the re s ult of the equine struggle that annually takes place un Epsom 1 Downs. Opinions are divided as to who actually founded the Derby. Some incline to the belief that it was originated by the twelfth Earl of Derby, whilst others are equally firm in the opinion that Sir Charles Bunbury, whose colt Diomed was successful in the first Derby, instituted the event. All turf authorities are, however, agreed that had it not been for a little romance therfi would have been no Oaks or Derby. In 1743 there stood in the parish of Woodmarsterne a well-wooded park of about a couple of hundred acres, with an oldfashioned brick residence known as the Oaks. This secluded spot attracted the eye of Captain John Burgovne, who had caused a flutter in the heart of society just at that time by eloping with Lady Charlotte Stanley, daughter of the eleventh Earl of Derby. So much was he taken up with the place that he purchased it for his bride. It was r.ol long, however, before the runaway couple became pecuniarily encumbered, and tie pair asked the forgiveness of the Earl. Peace being restored, the Earl took a fancy to The Oaks and purchased the property. He afterwards bequeathed it to his grandson, Edward Smith Stanley, who on May 14th, 1779, founded the Oaks Stakes, for three-year-old fillies, and he named the event after the sylvan retreat in Woodmarsterne. He won the race himself, and, according to one turf historian, wa3 so pleased that in the following year he instituted the Derby Stakes, so named out of compliment to him. On the other hand, one or two of the old writers declare that the idea of instituting the Derby did not originate from the Earl of Derby, and that Sir Charles Bunbury I was the actual founder. They state that it was at a dinner party given by Sir Charles that the question was mooted and details of the famous Blue Riband arranged. Diomed's Derby was not the first race of that named run in the British Isles. It has been said that early in the 17th century, at the time that the Earls of Derby ruled over the Isle of Man, a race called the Derby Stakes was annually run on the narrow strip of land which separates the bays of Derbyhaven and Castletown. There were 35 subscribers for the first Derby and nine starters. For Wednesday's race there were 301 entries, which is a record subscription for the race.