The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-07-24
HOrse-Racing ut EPSON.


The delightful little town of EPSON,
in Surrey, England enjoyed most at
tractivc reputation and possessed most
entertaining history long before the
neighborinY downs became the scene of
the greatest race meetings. in the world
1t was doubtless owing to the bracing
brcczcs, picturesque scenery, ami hunting
and hawking opportunities at Henry
VIII, was SO fond Of rcsorting hithcr,
an amusing himself in his two extensive
and well stocked parks. 1t M.s III the
smaller OF these that James |. built the
oncc-rcnowncd palace OF Nonsuch and
there were few finer views in England,
than. that the king could enjoy when ON
fine day he sat carolsinY with his cour-
tiers on one or other Of the two tall tow
crs Of that magnificent structure. Here
also came Charles +. in the days
when there was us yet there was no
thought Of R'lmp ParlamcntS and Round
heads. Oliver Cromwell, too, Puritan
though he might be, appreciated EPSON,
was not foolish enough to look on horse
flesh with disiavor, and kept some yno,
brood-marcs in the vicinity Of the Downs.
In 1910 that beautiful happy, Barmry
Palmer, whom Charles II. created ouch
css OF Cleveland, obtained by royal grant
from the amonus monarch the palace re-
tcrred to and its estate, and was dubbed
Baroness OF Nonsuch. EPSON WAS to
England. in the days Of the Mcrric Mon
arch, What Brighton is now. That inim-
table old Sossop who Houlishcd at the
time, Mr. Pcpys, says 1t: "Role through
Epsome, 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
TO only in the morning to drink the
waters. But, Lord! to sec how many !
met there OF citizens that I could not
have thought to have seen thcrc--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 Mr.. Parkhurst instituted
something like regular meeting, which
only became annual since 1880. 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 earl OF
that name who established it, and the
"Oaks' being so designated from his
seat in the immediate ncighborhood.
EPSON lies on the western verge of Ban
stead Downs, whcrcon is situated the
''Oaks.' This was originally an ale
house, but was purchased by General
Burgoync, of American rcnown, who adj
ded an elegant dining room and fitted
up the place tor a hunting seat. 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 in TO that the Earl of Derby orig
iginatcd "thc Oaks" and the year follow
ing saw the inauguration of the Derby,
which has since become one of the most
popular and-if we may Judge by the
manner in which all business, public OF
private, is suspended when it takes place
One of the most important OF English
institutions.
When the great race was first established
it was but a tame affair, there being only
nine starters in 1880 In the following
year, when young Eclipsc-a son of the
world renowned Ec!ipsc-won there were
fifteen; but the numbers in 1888 and 1894
fell as low as six and four respectively
and it was not tlll1S27, when Lord Jcr.
scy's Mamcluke 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 Dayrcll's year 1855, and
the same number in 1878, when Mr.
Nlerry's Doncastcr secured the prize
For the first half century ofits 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 gradual,
but surely attracted more and more attcn
ton, until now it seems to be looked up
on as matter of worldwide Importance
Throughout England the Derby creates {
furor ofexcitcmcnt, and men, women, anC
children are aroused to enthusiasm
though during the rest of the year the,
may be perfectly Indifferent to racing ant
race horses. Unlike the practice in thu
immortal Pcpsy's time, when "famou
race on Banstead Downs was "put of
because the Lords do sit in Parliament
to-day" both Houses of the Legislature
make Dcrby-day holiday. And nov
alone in England is the great race re-
garded as the event of the year, but in al
countries there seems to be sort Of
breathless expectation that extends even
outside of the racing fraternity. The re
suit is tclcgraphcd to America, India
Australia, as we'll as Europe, the moment
it becomes known, and the name of the
winning horse is for a time more famous
than that Of the most illustrious hero.
The great spring meeting at EPSON
takes place in May, in the week succeed.
ing Trinity. Sunday. Until 1888 the Der.
by was run on Thursday, and the Oaks
on Friday. Now the great race of the
gear IS run On Wednesday, which is &
most judicious change in several respects
BY this alteration the public have day
ko ~