Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-07-24
HOrse-Racing at EPSON.

in Surrey, England, enjoyed most at
tractive reputation and possessed most
entertaining history long before the
neighboring downs became the scene of
the greatest race meetings in the world.
1t was doubtless owing to the bracing
brcezcs, picturesque scenery, and hunting
and hawking opportunities tat Henry
VIII, was so fond Of Iesorting hither,
III amusing himself in his two extensive
and we'll stocked parks. It Mas IN the
smaller of these that James l. built the
once-renowned palace Of Nonsuch, and
there were few finer views in Eng land,
than that the king could enjoy when on
fine day he sat caronsing with his cour-
tiers on one or other Of the two tall tow
crs Of that magnificent structure. Here
also came Charles l. in the DAYS
when there was as yet there was no
thought Of Rump Parliaments and Round
heads. Oliver Cromwell, too, Puritan
though he might be, appreciated EPSON,
was not foolish enough to look on horse
flesh with disfavor, and kept some good
|rood-mares in the vicinity of the Downs.
In 1910 that beautiful harpy, Barbary
Palmer, whom Charles IT. created OUCH
css of Cleveland, obtained by royal grant
from the amorous monarch the palace re-
fcrrcd to and its estate, and was dubbed
Baroness Of Nonsuch. EPSON was to
England. in the days Of the Merrie Mon
arch, what Brighton is now. That inin-
liable old gossop who fourished at the
time, Mr.. Pepys, says It: Rode through
Epsomc, the whole town, overseeing the
various companies that were there walk
ing, which is very pleasant, seeing how
they are there without knowing what to
do only in the morning to drink the
waters. But, Lord! to sec how many l
met there of citizens that I could not
have thought to have seen there--that
they had ever had it in their heads or
purses to 90 down there"
No actual racing seems to have been
done on the Downs till about the year
I'LL, when a Mr.. Parkhurst instituted
something like a regular meeting, which
only became annual since 1870. Many
years, however. passed away before the
two great races associated with the little
Surrey town were founded, the Derby
taking its title from the sporting carl OF
that name who established it, and the
"Oaks" being SO designated from his
seat in the immediate neighborhood.
EPSON lies on the western verge of Ban
stead Downs, whereon is situated the
.'Oaks.' This was originally an ale
house, but was purchased by General
Burgoync, of American renown, who adj
ded al elegant dining-room and fitted
up the place for Il hunting scat. 1t was
sold by the general to the Earl of Derby
who greatly enlarged the building, and
incloscd SO much of the adjoining com
mon that at one time it was surrounded
by grounds two miles in circumference.
1t was i'll ITO that the Earl of Derby orig
iginated "thc Oaks" and the year follow
ing saw the inauguration of the Derby,
which has since become one of the most
popular and-if VIC may judge by the
manner in which all business, public, or
private, is suspended when it takes place
one of the most important of English
institutions.
When the great race was first established
1T was but u tame affair, there being only
nine starters in 1880. In the following
year, when young Eclipsc-a son of the
world renowned Eclipsc-won there were
fifteen; but the numbers in 1888 and 1894
fell as low as six and four respectively,
and it was not tlll1927, when Lord Jer-
sey's Mameluke was victorious, that more
than score faced the starter. Since then
double numbers have always prevailed,
though only twelve years came to the
post in Wild Dayrell's year 1855, and
tho same number in 1878, when Mr.
Nlerrys Doncastcr secured the prize
For the first half century Of its existence
the Derby can hardly be said to have been
an event Of national, and much less Of
cosmopolitan, interest. The excitement at
tending it was confined almost exclusive.
ly to strictly racing circles. During the
last fifty years, however, it has gradually
but surely attracted more and more attcn.
ton, until now it seems to be looked up
on us a m*tter of worldwide importance
Throughout England the Decby creates &
turor OF excitement, and men, women, anC
children are aroused to enthusiasm
though Turing the rest Of the year they
may. be perfectly Indifferent to racing and
race horses. Unlike the practice in the
immortal Pepsy's time, when famous
race" on Banstead Downs was s'put of
because the Lords do sit in Parliament
to-day both Houses of the Legislature
make Dcrby-day a holiday. And now
alone in England is the great race re.
gardetl rs the event of the year, but in all
countries there seems to be sort oil
breathless expectation that extends ever
outside of the racing fraternity. The re
suit is tcicgraphed to America, India
Australia, as we'll as Europe, the moment
it; becomes known, and the name of the
winning, horse is for time more famous
than that of the most iHustrious hero.
The great spring meeting at EPSON
takes place in May, in the week succeed.
ing Trinity Sunday. Until. 1898 the Der,
by was run on Thursday, and the Oaks
on Friday. Now the great race of the
year is run On Wednesday, which is 8
most judicious change in several respects
BY this alteration the public have a day
given them to recover from the turmoil