The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-05-20 00:00:00

EPSOII RACES.

SPORTING INTRLLIGEII'eIf.

frILOX OUR SPORTING REPORTER:I

THIRD 1141.7-THURSDAY. •
Perhaps no greater interest was ever excited than the
Derby attracted this dip The Craven and other meet-
ings at NeWmarket boast of distinguished visitors, but the
distance froitt .London naturally precludes thousands who
would otherwiie be there. This is not the case here, for:
the vicinity of Epsom to the metropolis, admits of tag
rag-and-bobtail—l'm/averring to the dowris in droves,
to increase the 'number of the dilletanti. On the pre-
sent occasion, the road to the course presented a scene
seldom witnessed ; vehicles of every description were
in requisition—the dashing four-In-hand, the coronetsed
landau, the Seur-post,ns, glass coaches, stage-coaches in
bang-ttp style, post-chaises, gigs, 'tandems, cabriolets, ca-
ravans, post waggons, slew-waggons, hay-carts, dung-carts,
and costermongers, barrouchalrs, all were mingled in one
promiscuous group, each striving for
.precedence; but
" the race is rcpt always to the swift, and the swells
could not proceed one atom • faster than those who
had taken tithe by the forelock, and got into line,
which they kept. in stern defiance of " the proud
man's contumely." Many jokes passed between the .lehus
and ibe trotters, and "'Gee up, Dobbin" was the continued
cry, but Dobbin. " kept his stately price," and disdained
to move beyond his accustomed course. The utmost good
humour, however, seemed to prevail ; here and there, to
be sure, an unlucky break-down would discompose the
mildest temper, and some of the poor devils were heartily
wished at their mailer's gates, and a little squabbling arose
in consequence. Patience, -however, overcame every ob-
stacle. The sides of .the roads were lined with thousands
throughout—by spectators who aeglected their homes and
occupations fur the sole purpose of gratifying an Idle curi-
osity, and quizzing those journeying towards the scene of
action. The animation of the scene was considerably in-
'creased by the number of ladies• schools drawn out in re-
gular array, some in line, and others in the form of a
crescent; and upon the whole we cannot but think that the
road to the races was much more productive of amusement
than the races themselves. • •

•
Long before the titre of starting, the lines on Loth sides
were quadruple deep with vehicles of every description,
and the stands presented an animated and gay appearance.;
in short, the whole coup crtril of the course was picturesque
in the extreme. The fit ems' of the day added to the ef-
fect of the display, and every countenance beamed with
pleasure and delight—all were determined to be pleased,
and though the dust rolled in clouds, lots of blue ruin and
heavy wet cleared the way for more.
There were booths of all sorts, from the splendid Crown
and Anchor Tavern down to the more humble Cat and
Fiddle, E. 0. Tables were provided for the canaille, and
tile Deux Claque, tbr the swells; in short, nothing was
wanted to satisfy the inward cravings, and every amuse-
ment was at hand, pour passer le temps, between the run-
nings, which could satisfy the most fastidious, altogether
displaying a striking contrast between the sweet repose of
nature and the bustling gaiety of life.
Of the various scenes on the Downs, none was more cal-
culated to excite the wonder and admiration of the Yokels
and Cockneys than the dense mass of men anti horses
packed together near the starting-post, for the purpose of
betting; there were speculators of every class, from the
swell Corinthian who risks his thousands, to the humble
Leg, who ventures his crowns. Nothing could be snore
animating or amusing than the intense anxiety mani-
fested in every countenance, and the Babel-like confusion
which prevailed through the morning till. all doubts were
at rest; It was a matter of astonishment to us, how, in the
midst of such noise they could understand each other, or
make correct memoranda of their engagements. It was
pleasant to observe the avidity with which the Legs seised
on a bet, and offered the merest trifle above the current odt't
against a favourite. Hundreds were ready to jump down
the throat of any adventurous fellow who fancied himself
safe in the offer.

The company on the course to-day was immense, anti
very fashionable; but we did not observe his Royal Iligh-
ness the Duke of York ; we heard that his Royal High-
ness was unwell. His Royal Highness Prince Leopold
was expected, and a place was kept near the Judges stand,
but his Highness did not arrive.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Glonsester honoured
the course with his presence, as did the Dukes of Grafton
snd Richmond ; Earls Uxbridge, Lowther, Jersey, and
Verulam, Lord Dunwich, &c. &c. The attendance of
Ladles was very goad, and we observed several foreigners.
The Military Gentlemen were in great numbers.
The pickpockets were pretty numerous, and from the
fine opportunities presented by so crowded a course, we
have little doubt that they levied heavy contributions on
the pockets of the spectators. IVe did nut hear of any acci-
dent of consequence.
We now come to the Races, of which there wave only
two, which was eons;dered by datae who came only to see
them, as a scanty bill of fare.
About an hour and a half previins to the start the bet-
ting gentlemen assembled in very great numbers at the
post from whence the horses run, having previously con-
gregated in the town for a like purpose. At the hitter
piaci the fluctuations were not very material, with the ex-
ception of Webb's being the first favourite; the odds then
wire as follows:-
2 to 1 agst Web
5 to 2 apt Rufus
7 to 1 apt Muleteer
At the post the odds gradually rose in fivour of Web;
first 2 to 1 agst him, then 7 to 4, 6 to 4, .5 to 4, then even
betting, and finally 5 and 6 to 4 on him, and 2 to 1 agst
Rufus.

R to 1 Apt legacy
8 to 1 agat flog:lath

THE RACE..
The Derby Stakes of 30801'6. each, h. ft. for 3 yr old colts,
Bst. Ilb. and fillies Bst. 21b. The last mile and half.
The owner of the second horse to receive 100 soya. out
of the stakes. 58 subscribers.

. .
. 3

Lord Jersey's ch. c. by Phantom out of Webb -
Duke of Grifion's ch. c. Rufus by Election, Prudence .
Mr. Batson's ch. c. Hogarth by Ruben%
Mr. J. Rogers's ch. c. Muleteer by Mailey—Norah
Mr. Shards b. c. Hugumunt by Waterloo out of Legacy . 0
Col. Yates's b. c. Cain by Paulowitz . - 0
Mr. R. F. Benson's b. c. Usurer.* by Whalebone . . 0
Mr. Udny's b. c. by Miley, dam by Sorcerer . . 0
Mr. Forth's ch. e. by Whalebone, dam by (Johanna . - 0
Lord Egremont's out of Sagana - - . r
Duke of York's b. c. by Phantom. . - - .
Captain Berkes b. c. Ritmo by Poulton
Mr. L. Fox's ch. c. by Comus out of 31acduffs dam .
Mr. J. Rogers's br. c. by Haphazard . .
Mr. Wynilham's ch. c. by °TIMM; . . .
Mr. Doildington's m. c. Oberon by Phantom
Lord Verulam na. Actron by Scud - -
Mr. Benson's b. c. Comrade - - .

- o
- o

Muleteer made all the running until the top of the bill. Tatten.
ham-Burner, followed by Rufus, closely looked after by Webb; it
is not In this case, as is frequently observed, that the horse well
landed here is nearly always the a inner, for Rufus in this case got
a little in front, and kept the lead until within a distance or so,
when Webb, who had evidently laid by, let loose, got in front, and
won a good race in the most clever style by two lengths. and
the knowing ones say he might have multiplied the two by five or
six. In turning the corner CaM sliNed, and threw his rider,
Spring. who received a hurt in his arm, but not a severe one.
James Robinson, who. on a Phantom colt and a Phantom filly
won the Derby and Oafs, last year. again rode a winning race for
the Derby on another Phantom colt. Amu!! rode Rufus, Chitfney
Hogsrth, Wheatley Muleteer, .1. Day Ilugumont, Dockery
S. Day Mr. l'ilney's, Tam Mr. Forth's, iloodison the
Duke of York's, young Buckle 31r. Fox's, Clift thellaphazard
colt, Norman Oberon, and Edwards Ac•iison.

The Durden's Stakes of 10 soya, each, with 20 added, fool the
Race Fund for 3-yr olds and upwards, 1 mile.
Mr. Holbroke's b. c. by Rubens, walked over.

The Denbigh Stakes of 10 sows. each, 20 added for Maiden Horses,
3-yrs 10st., 4-yrs frst. 71b.. &yrs 2st. 2ib., 6 and aged, trst. 31b.--
The 'Winner to be sold for 100gs.-1 tulle.
Mr. Prince's b. e. by Bourbon, 3 yrs . 1
Mr. Harrison's ch. f. by Soothsayer, :3 yes .
Mr. Farre.i's b. f. by Ashton, 3 yr* . . 3
Bourbon colt rode by IL Boyce, took the lead, kept k, and son
in a canter. ;Hiner rode 3lr. Harrison's.—No betting.
BETTING on THE Clans.-7 to 4 agst Fortune; sto 1 awn
Pipylina ; 7 to 1 agat Wings ; 6 to 1 agst Dahlia; 211 to 1 ags:
First Fly ; and 20 to I agst Pasch:rm.—Aline does not start.

Avr alarming fire broke out in the houscof Mr. Clark,
butcher, in Thornton-street, Flovsleydown, about a quarter before
one o'clock yesterday morning, which entirely destroyed the house
and furniture, and did considerable .I.lm.ige to the two nest
houses—Nlr. Chapman's, a baker, and Mr. liaftei's, • earn-
chandler. We are happy to say no lives were lost, and the houses
are insured.