The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-15 00:00:00

THE GREAT FRENCH STEEPLE

CHASE.
(From Galignani's Messenger
The great annual Steeplechase of biases came off on
Sunday at the Croix de Berny. In the early part of the
moruing the weather promised to be pretty fine. and the
consequence was that a vas multitude of the Parisians
wended their way on foot, on horseback, and in car-
riages, to the scene of the day's sport. A great many
foreigners, especially English, were present ; and the
country people of the villages for miles around went in
great rumbers. The gathering altogether could not
have been less than thirty thousand persons, and they
comprised all ranks, from the very highest to the lowest.
The number of carriages was enormous, and they were
of all kinds, from the dashing four-in-hand, down to the
peasant's humble cart. Such was the anxiety to witness
the sport that many of the aristocratic vehicles took up
their stations near the ground marked out for the
chase at an early hour on Saturday morning. The
whole 1. ngth o;' the ground was lined on both sides by
carriages, chiefly occupied by elegantly-attired ladies,
and by pedestrians packed closely together. The stands,
of which there were several, of 'paces to suit every
purse, were full to overflowing. On the whole the
assemblage of Sunday was the largest ever seen at any
sporting event in France ; and it is specially worthy of
remark, as showing the great enthusiasm of the people
for the sport, that, though disappoint, d in their expec-
tations of fine weather, rain having commenced falling
heavily on the opening ► f the day's business, and con-
tinued with evr,increasing violence until the close, not
a score individuals, and scarcely a single carriage, quitted
the course. The heroic fortitude with which tl.y bore
the pelting of the pitiless rain was still more remarkable
from the fact that the ground being naturally very
marshy, one might almost say a swamp, they had to stand
almost ancle deep in wet. Their good humour, too. was
unbounded, the slightest incident being mei:, d upon to
turn into laughter ; and, sooth to say, such incidents
were not wanting, fur many an unfortunate wight,
anxious to show off his skill in leaping over some one of
the many brooks, went souse into the water, or mea-
sured his length in the mud The ground selected din
year was somewhat different from that chosen for the
last steeplechase. Instead of running entirely on a fist,
the horses on this occasion had to ascend a hill. on heavy
ploughed land, they then descended it, and went to some
distance beyond the road from Paris to Orleans, and,
after describing a circle, came back nearly on the same
line, passing the starting-place to arrive at the winning
stand. The entire length traversed was about four miles.
The obstacles to be encountered were not fewer than
thirty-two in number, consisting of ditches, hurdles,
walls, hedges, a river, and a brook. Some of them were
rather serious, though not such as one is accustomed to
see in an English steeplechase. In height none exceeded
four feet, or in width ten feet. His Royal Highness the
Duke de Nenst,urs was present, Count d'Hedouville and
Baron Lecoutoulx ably superintended the proceedings.
The weighing commenced shortly atter two, and a few
minutes after it was concluded the grand steeplechase
began. It was a
handicap for 12,5001'. (5001.) added to a sweepstakes of
500 f., forfeit 2501., hut only 125 f. if declared to the
Secretary of the Jockey Club before the 12th of
March. The second horse to receive 1,250 f. from the
entry, and the third to save his stake. Distance about
four miles. A weight of 51b. to be allowed to gentle-
men riders. 42 subs.
Lord Strathmore's b h St. Leger, 12st. 41b (Mason) 1
M. Creuieux's b h Young Lottery, lOst 31b
Mr. Lambden's Discount, list 81b
Lord Strathmore's Switcher, 12st 51h
Mr. Stanley's b m IStitchless, lOst 51b...
Mr. Bolt's Peter Simple, lOst 131 b
Baron N. de Rothschild's Hack, 9st 121 b
Mr. Livingston's Commodore, 9st 121 b
Major Rushbrooke's Gezely, lOst 71b
M. Aumout's Waggs Fits 9st 41b.
Odds at starting-6 and 7to 4 agst Switcher, Lord
Strathmore's two agst the field.
The start was good, all going together. At the brook,
Matchless got over first. On going up the ploughed
field Peter Simple took the lead, and kept it round the
turning and down to the river. The others kept close
to him, and all made the leapt, which were five or six
in number, and two of them presenting some difficulty,
remarkably well. Near the wall Di-count get first, and
kept the lead until turning beyond the ;11; spike to come
home, Gazely and St, Leger following dust" upon him.
St. Leger and Peter Simple then got in front, Discount,
however, keeping close to them. On nearing the last
obstacles coming home, Peter Simple dropped off, and in
a few seconds after Discount dropped off too. Young
Lottery then came up, and went over the last wall at
the same time as St. Leger. They then pushed hard,
but the latter contrived to get in first by hbout half a
neck. It was a beautiful affair altogether. Experienced
judges declared it the finest ever • seen in France, and
many said that it was nut always equalled in England.
Considering the number of obstacles, there were remark-
ably few incidents—not one fall, and only three horses
and their riders went into the river. The winner gained
about 30,000 francs (1,2001.) including the forfeits
for the horses entered, but not running. Loud applause
greeted him on his arrival at the goal.
The above was followed by a second steeplechase, by
gentlemen riders, for 2,500 f. (1001.), added to 300 f.
(12L), half forfeit. If five horses start, the second to
=sive his entry.. g valued fit 5,000.4 (200./.), the niit~