The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-05
THE DERBY DAY.

has come over the appearance OF London. At
the railroad stations every incoming train dis
gorges troops OF fnshionably -attired young
mon. together with n considerable sprnkling
Of very clean looking elderly gentlemen. hav-
ing n slightly horsey air; and in addition to
these number OF dapper- looking "cads. +" with
shiny hats and lght-colored ovorcoats. Tho
clubs are crammed full. bets are at premium
all over the town. and walters are worked 20
hours out Of the "a; for this morning is tho
ninety eighth anniversary Of the Derby. which
is always run on the Wednesday before Whit
sunday.
The EPSON races came into fame through n
man whose name Is very familiar to Americans
Gen. Burgoyne. He had been accustomed to
stay Mt an inn called The Oaks" when hunt
ing and shooting in that then wild district.
where 1t is likely enough that he retired when
in disgrace on his return home from this coun-
try. Taking a fancy to the place. he bought II.
and few years later sold II to his friend and
patron, Lord Derby. great grandfather Of tho
present Earl. Lord Derby's second wife was
Miss Farren a famous actress. TO whose careful
instruction the late Earl Is said to have been in
debted considerably for having become the
first orator in the House Of Commons. and on
the occasion Of her marriage Burgoyne COM
posed well-known poem called " The Maid Of
the Oaks'
In 1879 Lord Derby, delighted with the racing
facilities offered by the Downs. established The
Oaks Stakes" and in the following yoar Tho
Derby Stakes" SO that the latter great race is
within two years of its centenary. Tho Oaks.
transformed by Lord Derby into vast hunting
establishment. with fifty bedchambers. long ago
passed from the Stanloys. The present Earl
cares for none OF these things. doesn't enter his
stables at Knowsey once in a month. and prob
ably has never been on race-course thrice in
his life; but his father was notable on the
turf as in the Senate. and yet. like his friend.
Lord George Bentinck. the leading turtle OF his
time. was never destined to win Derby.
The first winner Of the Oaks run on the Fri
day after the Derby was Lord Derby's Bridget.
and the FIRST winner OF the Derby was Sir
Charles Bunbury's Diomed. The most cele-
brated horse which ever ran at EPSON was
Eclipse. entered when full years old. for the
maiden plate OF $50. Eclipse was bred by the
Culloden Duke of Cumberland. 80 named be-
cause ioaled at the time of the great eclipse Of
1854. He was bought when yearlng by Mr..
Whitman for seventy-nve gulneas. The his
tory OF the purchase is curious. Wildman had
n friend in tho Dukes stud who had given him
a" tip" IA to the extraordinary excellence Of
Eclipse. SO. as soon as he heard that the Dukes
stud was TO be sold. he hurried to Windsor but
didn't arrive until his object had been knocked
down for GO. He found. however. that the sale
had begun before the hour named and forth
with protested. and insisted that the lots be put
up again. This was done. and Wildman got
him for five guineas more.
In 1863 OKelly. an Irish adventuror who
had an extraordinary career. bought half share
OF Eclipse for G50 guineas from Wildman. and
subsequently completed the purchase for 100
guineas more. On the Duke OF Bedford asking.
in 1873. how much he would take for him. he is
said TO have replied. By the mass. my lord. it's
not all Bedford level "a farm tract worth some
100000 year then. and thrice that sum now
stated that he had made eos 900 by the horse.
Nothing comparable 10 him has been known
on the turf He heat every competitor with
the utmost ease. In twenty three years his
progeny earned for their owners fl5s.07l.
In 1888 Eclipse was removed from his
owners house ut Epson to Cannons in n van,
and died in the following February. aged 25,
" Cakes and ale were given at his funeral, and
he lies buried in picturesque spot in the
A good case Of bitter bit occurred Mt EPSON in
old Lord Derby,s day. young foreigner
irict. WINS induced. after dinner TO back horse
pf his which had been easily beaten IN former
The stable keeper fixed upon the servant OF n
gentleman present rs his Jockey; the foreigner
selected his own groom; Two days, however.
before the match the foreigner learned that his
opponent had secretly engaged regular Jockey.
and mentioned this TO horsey" Yorkshire
now gone. III Trend told him to 20 instantly
a. Newmarket, and hire Buckle, the first Jockey
~ the day. When he reached EPSON, the for
cieuer found the nnk"epcr and his friends in
high spirits, and betting heavily on the mare.
The foreigner said that his man would arrive
N few minutes, AMI the horses We're snddled.
just then post chaisc drove up. and Buckle.
perfectly equipped. stepped out. was ON the
foreigner horse IN trlcc. and bysklIiul riding
brought him IN tho winner.