The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-10
FAMOUS HORSE RACES
From the Boston Globe.

From the Boston Globe
 E ORSE racing in the United States b)v is not so common as formerly,
 but on the other side of the At lantio there is no cessation of interest in this sport. The history of famous horse races in England Is always of great in terest in that country and also in Amer ica-
 Volumes could be written of the romance attached to the British turf events in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Take the Ascot races, for instance. at which royalty and the elite foregather in July They were really founded by Queen Anne in I'll, and kings and queens have been more or less intimately associated with them ever since. Even Queen Victoria, who was little given to horse racing, had many recollections of Ascot. She went there first young girl in 1884, and on ming jockey, Little Bell, and when she did so asked the boy his weight. ''Please. ma am," he answered, master says as how must never tell my weight to any, body.
 It is said that when Persimmon won the Ascot gold cup for King Edward there were scenes of unparalleled en- thusasm. But even these did not equal the excitement in 1901, when George, prince of Wales dater George IV), won the most sensational race ever witnessed on Ascot common. A million pounds was said to have been staked. and when Chif- ney, on the princes Baronet, snatched a victory by half head. with live other horses running neck-and-neck to within q few yards of the winning post, the en- thusiasm of the 400o spectators was said George III to his son when con- sratuaing him, but your Baronet IS worth all of mine put together"
 It was the third Duke of Richmond who started the Goodwood races In 18so-a meet ing which has rivalled Ascot in It's at traction of royalty and society people One of the most memorable races for the Goodwood cup was that of 1890, when King William " entered three horses, which came in first, second and third for that event.
 Ascot and St. Leger excepted, the Derby is the oldest classical event on the Eng fish turf, the first race being run in 17SO. It was Captain Burgoyne-who amazed society in 1743 by eloping with Lady Char lotte Stanley, the daughter of the Earl of Derby-who really founded the race. He purchased an estate near Banstead Downs to stimulate the native breeding of horses.
 .-.4s<,,tad +ha fo r,aou. dorhv et kes iy, 17s0.
 How many have wanted to win the Dreby and been disappointedf More than one Lord Derby would have given worlds for the honor. It was Lord Glasgows ambition in long life, but he only got second once. One of the most successful Derby winners was probably John Gully. the man who rose from the prize ring to tho house of commons. In 1890 he won e1OO,OOO over his horses, St. Giles and Mar grave, when they won the Derby and St. Leger.
 The St. Leger, the second oldest horse racing event in this country, was found- ed four years before the Derby. It takes it's name from the famous Dom caster sportsman, Col. St. Leger (really pronounced "Sillinger," although 1t is generally pronounced as spelled by the majority). It is a race which never fails to arouse enthusiasm in the north. and in the days before railways laborers liv- ing 50 miles away would save up their shillings weeks before, walk to Doncas- ter, see the race. and walk home again Many memorable St. Legers have taken uvh on one occasion a horse named Theodore, against whom the odds had been quoted at 1000 to walking stck-or, officially, 1000 to 5-won.
 One hundred years ago the race for the Two Thousaad Guineas. which Kins Edward wen tho qthsr day. WAS instis