EPSOM RACES.
The great horse-racing festival at Epsom has been celebrated this week. At the first meeting, on Tuesday, there was a comparatively th;n attend- ance, in consequence of the heavy rain over-night and during part of the morning. On Wednesday, the Derby day, the vast crowd of spectators was perceptibly less than the average ; but the weather was remarkably fine.
On Tuesday, Mr. Allen's Axwell (Wells) and Mr. Saxon's Hazlenut (Cle- ment) ran a dead heat for the Epsom Summer Handicap, 10 sovereigns each; for which eight horses started. The same day Aswell walked over. • The Heathcote Plate, 50 sovereigns, was carried off from five competitors by Captain D. Lane's Ephesus. The "great event" of Wednesday, the Derby, was contended for by twenty-seven horses. At starting, the betting was 5 to 2 against ,De.rirish, 7 to 2 against Andover, 10 to 1 against King Tom, and 20 to 1 against Her- mit and The Early Bird. After the usual canter, the horses went Up towards the post; all eyes were turned upon that point; and soon the competitors were seen proceeding from the paddock, a cloud of pretty colours m e sun- shine. The rest is told by the official reporter. "At the very first signal, a beautiful start was effected. Hospodar immediately went to the front, with Marc Antony, Canute, and Wild Huntsman heading the ruck; about the middle of which were Mr. Gully's two, Dervish, King Tom, Marsyas, New Warrior, and The Early Bird. On nearing the turn, Wild Huntsman ran up to Hospodar, and Dervish lay about sixth ; Marc Antony and Canute then dropping off. At the road both Hospodar and Wild Huntsmen were beaten, and anew combination of form and colour in front added excitement to excitement. Hermit now took the lead, followed by Andover, King Tom, Dervish, Knight of St. George, Mar- syas, Early Bird, and New Warrior. Andover waited to the half distance, when he went ahead, followed by King Toni, who made a very resolute effort, but was beaten easily 11 a length ; half a length between the second and third, and a neck between the third and fourth; Dervish, Marsyas, New Warrior, and Wild Hunts- man, were the next four. Autocrat was last off by several lengths. He went to the post merely for the purpose of saving bets about his starting. The winner ran in Mr. Gully's name, and was ridden in his colours, but be is the joint property of Mr. Padwick and Mr. Gully; the former, better known on the turf by his nom de course Mr. Howard,' was his nominator on this occasion. Value of the stakes; 59601." '
The winning horse was ridden by Alfred Day, the first time he has won a Derby.
The Queen's Plate, of 100 guineas, for fillies only, was contended for on Thursday by seven horses ; and won by Mr. Greville's Adine (Flatman) by twenty lengths. The racing this day, however, generally speaking, TM in- teresting only to the professionals who make a book.
On Friday, the Oaks Stakes, 50 sovereigns, 156 subscribers, was contended for by fifteen three-year-old fillies. The betting at starting was 6 to 4 on Meteora, and 10 to 1 against Mincemeat. The lot got away at the first sig- nal; at the distance Meteors and Mincemeat singled themselves from the rest, and raced to the post ; Mincemeat going ahead at the stand, and win- ning by a length and a half. Mincemeat belongs to Mr. Cookson ; and was ridden by Charlton. Value of the stakes 4125/.
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