Evening star., 1909-05-26
KINGS FLEET M|NORU
Wins CLASSIC DERBY
Louviers Is Second, William "
Third and VaIens Fourth.
SIR MARTIN HAS BAD FALL
Loyal Crowd at EPSON Downs Goes
Wild With Joy.
RACE IS MOST SENSATIONAL
Steady Downpour All Morning Fails
to Dampen Enthusiasm of
Great Crowd.
Derby Winners Since 1902.

Special Cablegram TO The Star
EPSON DOWNS. England. Nav %
Today, for the first time. the great Eng
lish6urf classic, the Derby, was won by a
reignins English monarch when King Ed
wards horse. Minoru, came home in front
of field of fifteen. winning the S,oo,p
prize.
w. Raphaefs Louviers was second only
head away, and there was But three
quarters of a length between Louviers
and Lord Michaelham's William w. which
finished third. Lord Carnavon's VaIens
was fourth and Fairies Bayardo was
fifth
In the draw for positions Minoru Sc
cured number l and got the most advan-
tageous berth, next the inside rail. Sir
Martin. the American crack drew IL. and
so was doomed to take a wide turn at
Tattenham corner. Sir Martin is owned
by Louis Winans an American resident
of London. and was bred in Kentucky by
John E. Madden. Much was expected of
this horse, but he was nowhere in the
race and fell down.
The victory Of Minoru was received with
| the widest cheering. The king evidently
was highly pleased and raised his hat in
4
Great Crowd Goes Crazy.
| The king led Minoru in after his VIC
tory. thus following a precedent which
many thought he would not follow as
king, although he had done so in the case
OF his two Derby victories when he was
Prince of Wales. There was a scene Of
extraordinary enthusiasm the like of
which has never been witnessed at EPSON
Tne crowd at the course was wild with
excitement. and broke through the police
GORDON and almost mobbed King Edward
as. Following the time-honored custom his
majesty, as owner of Minoru, led the
champion into the paddock.
hing Edward and Queen Alexandra
were present to see Minoru win one of
the most sensational Derbies ever run
"A great crowd of Americans was also
present and nearly all them had pinned
their faith to Sir Martin. ridden by Mar
tin. the American jockey.
The betting was ; to l against Minoru
the favorite; . to | against Louviers and
~ 10 ! against William ". Sir Mar
TIN price at post time was 10 - He
had been at /? to in the betting the night
before, but the heavy rain Of the morn
ing was considered as being against his .
chances. and so his price went to q TO /.
Later II shortened.
Wins by a Head.
The field Of fifteen was sent away TO
an exceptionally good start BrookIands
made the running for the first mile. with
the kings colt well placed in fifth posi-
ton. Approaching Tattenham corner
Minoru improved his position and stallins
off close to the homestretch 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 that
the kings colors were in front, the cheer
ing began. Gradually the enthusiasm
spread over the Downs. and the cheers
grew in volume as Minoru neared the
judges box. The victory was so narrow
that there a moments hesitation
pending the judges verdict 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 inclosure.
American Crack Falls.
The American crack was going strong
in the running. and was we'll up among
the leaders when he came to grief. Brook
lands was leading at the approach to Tat
tenham corner with Louviers close up.
Sir Martin. Minoru and Valens formed
the second flight. Rounding this dan
gerous corner, Sir Martin was crowded by
the other horses. crossed his legs and fell.
Jockey Martin escaped unhurt.
Despite the heavy rain all through the
morning. the enthusiasm or the DERBY
crowd was undampeHed. The king and
queen arrived at the course at IL o'clock.
Before then the usual stream of vehicles
from the coster's donkey car to the big
automobile. had poured in from London.
Those who rode in open conveyances
were in sad plight, and rugs and even
newspapers were requisitioned by them
as protection against the dOwnpour.
Women who had started out in summer
finery and without waterproofs soon pre-
sented a sorry and bedraggled appear
ance.
A feature of the road procession was
formed by the vast number of taXicabs
that had been chartered to take parties
to the races.
The London hotels were almost denuded
of Americans. Among those who came
to the track was party headed by Clar-
ence II. Mackay. who had A. G. Wander
bits coach Venture for the day.
Excitement at the Course.
There was the usual scene of great ex-
element at the course The big five
decked grandstand was packed before IL
o'clock The betting was furious. Just
before post time there was a rush to back
Bayardo op the reports of his owner that
he was especially good in soft going. The
price at which the bookmakerS held Min
oru was due. il was said. to the spirit OF
locality as much to the money that
was wagered on him.
Minoru is a bay colt by Cyllene out
of Mother Siegel. and is consequently
"a high-class animal in the thorough
bred list. Cyllene is sire of Cicero, VINO
won the 1905 Derby for Lord Rosebery.
As two-year-old Minoru was not
much OF "A success on account of some
eye trouble. but he made a few good
attempts. showing that he possessed
speed and stamina. His work a. .