EPSOM RACES.
FOR once the horse-racing fraternity have had uninterrupted fine weather for the great annual festival at Epsom. The consequence has been that on the great day, Wednesday, when London suddenly peoples the quiet Downs, the masses of holiday-makers and sporting folk were denser than ever. "The Downs were crowded to an extent seldom seen-it was a real Derby gathering, and, if possible, a Derby gathering exaggerated. The race, as will be seen, was one of great interest, ending in a surprise to all concerned. There were eighteen starters, but only three were placed.
The Derby Stakes, of 50 sons. each, h. ft., for 3-yr-olds ; colts, 8st. 71b.; fillies, 8st. 21b. The owner of the second horse to receive 100 soya. out of the stakes, and the winner to pay 100 soya. towards the police and regulations of the course, and 50 cove. to the judge. Mile and a half, to be run on the New Course. 238 subscribers. Value 64501.
Colonel Towneley's ch. c. Kettledrum, by Rataplan (Bullock) ... 1 Mr. Merry's b. c. Dundee(Custance) ... 2
Lord Stanford's ch. c. Diophantus (A. Edwards) ... 3 Belling.-3 to 1 agat. Dundee, 4 to 1 agst. Diophantus, 6 to 1 agst. Dictator, 7 to 1 agat. Klarikoff; 12 to 1 agst. Kildonan, 14 to 1 agst. Rouge Dragon, 16 to 1 agst. Kettledrum, 20 to 1 agst. Royallien, 25 to 1 agst. The Drake, 40 to 1 agst. Yorkminster, and 1000 to 15 each agat. Atherstone and Aurelian. THE RACE. Precisely at the time set down the horses left the paddock, and took their preliminary canters, after which Mr. Martin Starling marshalled them in line, and in due course handed them into the custody of the starter, who lost no time in getting them to the post, and, after one slight failure, the flag was lowered, amid the shouts of the anxious spectators, and they were off at 3.24— to an indifferent start, Rouge Dragon, Klarikoff, and Lupus being left many lengths behind. On settling into their places, Royallieu immediately went to the front, and with Imaus, Diophantus, Kettledrum, and Yorkminster lying close up, cut out the work at his best pace ; the rear division being headed by Dundee, who was running in the centre, Atherstone, Dictator, and Kildonan following in his wake, Rouge Dragon, Klarikoff, and Lupus still being in the rear. With little or no alteration they ran thus to the fumes," when Diophantus, as in the " Two Thousand," rushed to the front and took a slight lead, Kettledrum going on second close to his girths, with Royallieu, Atherstone, and Aurelian in close attendance. Descending the hill Klarikoff began to improve his position, and before the turn was made was ou equal terms with his horses. Diophantus, on entering the straight still held a conspicuous lead, Aurelian at this point lying second, Kettledrum on the whip hand ; Klarikoff, on the lower ground next the rails, creeping op, was fourth ; then came Atherstone, Royallieu and the favourite, the others presenting a lengthened tail, the last of them being Rouge Dragon, Russley, Lupus, and Seven Dials. In this way they ran to the road, crossing which Atherstone swerved, and drove Royallieu out of his stride, and in so doing sent him on to Dundee, who at that moment was in the act of coming up on the ontside, and nearly knocked him over, but Custance fortunately had him iu hand and saved him from falling, but before the distance had been reached, Dundee was observed to falter, and in a few strides further broke down badly, but gamely struggled on to the half distance, where he joined Diophantus, who with Kettlearum, Aurelian, and Klarikoff closely laid up, came on together ts the entrance of the Stand enclosure, where Bullock called un his horse, who answered with great gameness, and in a stride or two took a cleapor lead. Dundee at the same time made his foal effort, but was unable to "'act" through his misfortune, and was beaten, after a game struggle, by a length, defeating Diophantus by a head only for the second money, the latter beating Aurelian by a neck. Klarikoff, who never fairly got to his horses, finished an indifferent fifth, Royallieu sixth ; the others, headed by Imaus, Kildonan, and Atherstone, came in at wide intervals beaten off a long way, the last three being Lupus, Rouge Dragon, and Seven Dials.
The Oaks Stakes, contended for yesterday, was won by Brown Duchess; Lady Ripon, second; and Fairwater, third. Seventeen ran.
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