Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-27
KINGS MINORU WINS DERBY
st Time in History Reigning Mon
arch Takes Historic Event.
CROWD ALMOST MODS EDWARD
ThronRs Breah Through Police Corr
don when His Majesty Leads Win
ner Into the PRddock-Ameri-
can Horse Falls In Race.

EPSON, May 26.-Thc EPSON derby, the
classic event of the English turf and the
blue ribbon feature of the racing season,
was run here today and won by King
Edwards Minoru. In this victory the
famous bay colt has made history, today
being the first occasion on which the
greatest of all races on the turf has been
won by an animal belonging to a reigning
monarch. W. Raphsel's Louviers was sec
ond and Lord Michelham's William ~
was third. The American crack, Sir Martin,
owned by Louis winans, an American resi-
dent of London, and bred in Kentucky by
John E. Madden, of whom so much was
expected, fell.
Magnificent Minoru scored his victory by
a head only, while half a length separated
the second and third horses. The victory
of the kings horse was greeted by an out
burst of enthusiasm, the equal OF which
never has been witnessed at EPSON.
On Minoru the betting was Z to 2; on
Louviers, 3 to 1, and on William the
Fourth. 20 to 1.
Minoru is a bay colt by Cyllene, out Of
Mother siegel, and is consequently a high
class animal in the thoroughbred list.
Cyllene is sire of Cicero. who won the 1905
derby for Lord Rosebery. AS a 2-year-old,
Minoru was not much of a success on ac-
count OF some eye trouble, but he made a
few good attempts. showing that lie pos
sessed speed and stamina. His work as a
S-year-old continued to show Improvement,
until he became favorite in that classic
event.
Crowd Almost MObs King.
The crowd at the course was wild with
excitement and broke through the police
Gordon and almost mobbed King Edward.
as, following time honored custom, his
majesty, as owner of Minoru, led the cham
pion into the paddock.
The field of fifteen was sent away to an
exceptionally good start. Brooklands made
the running for the first mile, with the
kings colt well placed in fifth position.
Approaching Tattenham Corner, Minoru
improved his position. and stalling off close
to the home stretch, a strong challenge by
Louviers, he won by the shortest of short
heads.
AS soon as the horses entered the straight
and the crowd recognized the kings colors
were in front, the cheering began, Grad
ually the enthusiasm spread over the
downs, and the cheers grew in volume as
Minoru neared the judges box. TIL vic
tory was so narrow that there was a mo-
ment's hesitation pending the Judges ver-
dict, but when the royal number was
hoisted to the top of the board a great roar
burst out afresh and followed the king as
he left the royal box and led his third
derby champion to the unsaddling en-
closure. His majesty's two previous sue
cesses were achieved when he was the
prince of Wales.
American Horse Runs strong.
Sir Martin actually started a favorite in
the betting at 8 to 1. ..
The American crack was going strong in
the running and was well up among the
leaders when he came to grief. Brooklands
was leading at the approach to Tattenham
corner, with Louviers close up. Sir Martin,
Minouru, Hayardo and Valens formed the
second flight. Rounding this dangerous
corner Sir Martin was crowded by the other
horses, crossed his legs and fell. Jockey
Martin was throw n heavily and was
shaken and Somewhat bruised. He was
picked up and brought in by two of the
track officials. 1t was at first reported
that Sir Martin had been injured, but this
was a mistake. He is all right.
showers Diminish owd
A heavy downpour of rain, which began
early this morning and continued until
noon, with threats of showers during the
afternoon, kept thousands of the casual
racesoers from iourneying down to EPSON
Downs to witness the historic Derby. I'M
terest in the race was undiminished, how
ever, and King Edwards .Minoru was the
favorite.
The rain chiefly affected the crowd which
usually comes down oy road. The custo-
mary costers' turnout, the tradesmen's
wagons, wagonettes and hanson cabs still
were to be seen on the road, but the
procession was diminished noticeably. A
feature of the parade this year was the
taxicab. This vehicle enabled the busy
man to leave his office after his mornings
work to get down here in time to see the
big race.
King Edward and queen Alexandra,
Princess Victoria, the prince and princess