EPSON( RACES.
Epsom races began on Tuesday. The weather, proved propitious, and the sport has been above the average in quality. The racing on the first day attracts little notice except from the "profession "—the regular " turfites." Tuesday's racing had, however, one important consequence. Mr. Douglas's Blue Jacket, ridden by Fordham, carried off the CravenStakes ; beating a famous horse, Gemma di Vergy. Now the stable coinpardon of Blue Jacket was Tournament, one of the Derby favourites;' and as the latter had on a trial beaten the former, Tournament at once became the first favourite for the Derby.
Wednesday was as fine a day as could be desired. The crowd orr the Downs was equal to that of any former occasion except perhaps the assemblage of 1851. No fewer than 17,000 persons were carriedle Epsom by the railway alone; and "the road" was crowded with vehicles of every description, drawn by horses of very various efficiency. The first race, for the Town Plate, attracted little attention. As the moment for the starting qf the Derby horses approached,, the excitement increased, and profound stillness succeeded the roar and bustle of the crowd. Thirty-five horses came to the post, and made a gallant show An unusual number of false starts kept up the excitement. When the name of the winner, Blink Bonny, was announced, it took nearly all by surprise. •• The Dram STAKES of 50 sees, each, h. ft. for three-year-olds; colts, 8st. 71b. ;fillies, Sat. Elb. The second to receive 100 Boys. out of the stakes ; and the winner to pay100 sovs. towards the police and regulations of the course, and 50 soya. in the judge. Mile and a half. To be run on the New Course. 202 subs. Mr. W. I'Anson's Blink Bonny, by Melbourne, 8st. 21b. (Charlton). 1
Mr. Drinkald's Black Tommy, 8st. 71b. (Covey) Mr. Mellish's Adamas, fist. 71b. (Wells) 3 Mr. C. Harrison's Strathnaver, Sat. 71b. (Bumby) 4
Betting at Starting.-1 to 1 against Tournament ; 7 to 1 each against Skirmisher, Saunterer, and M.D.; 9 to leach against Arsenal and Anton ; 20 to tenet, againatt Blink Bonny and Wardermarske• 25 to 1 each against Strathnaver, Lady Hawthorn, Zuyder Zee, and Sydney ; 40 to 1 each against Bird-in-the Hand and Cornmotion; 5.0 to 1 against Oakball •, 1000 to 15 each against Sprig of Shillalagh and Glee-Singer ; 100 to 1 each against Lambourn and Chevalier d'Industrie ; 1000 to 5 each against Black Tommy and Newton-le-Willows. The Bare.-=. The spectators became more and more impatient as false start after false start was made. Not until after a dozen ineffectual attempts were the horses despatched from the post, and no sooner had Mr. Hibburci given the word 'Go,' than Chevalier d'Industrie took the command, with Gaberlunzie, Commotion, Oakball, Turbit, Anton, Arsenal, Strathnaver, Blink Bonny, Wardermarske, Adams, and Lady Hawthorn, forming a cluster in his wake ; Saunterer, Skirmisher, Tournament, and M.D. being in the centre of the ruck. They ran thus to half-way up the hill, where Gaberlunsie went up to the Chevalier, and was soon in possession of a clear lead, the Chevalier lying second, Anton third, Strathnaver, Arsenal, and Commotion heading the next lot. No further change occurred until reaching the mile post, when Anton rushed to the front, Lambourn running into the second place', Chevalier d'Industrie going on third. Strathnaver and Arsenal next. On rounding Tattenham Corner, M.D. emerged from the ruck and showed in the third place ; Lambourn at the same time joining Anton, with whom he ran nearlyhead and head round' the turn ; Adams, Tournament, Strathnaver, and Skirmisher keeping close company, and Lady Hawthorn, who had up to this point run with the leading horses gradually dropping away into the rear. When they had fairly landed in the Straight, Commotion disappeared from the front, and BlackTommy, Adamas, Arsenal, hi .D.,Wardennarske, Blink Bonny, and Strathnaver showed nearly in a line behind Lambourn and Anton, On crossing the road, Lamboimi gave way ; and at the distance M.D., broke down and stopped as if lie was shot. On nearing the stand, Strathnaver headed Anton, with Blink Bonny waiting upon them, Adamas, Arsenal, and Black Tommy going on in close attendance. In a few strides further, a most exciting set-to ensued: Charlton 'let ant' Blink Bonny, who immediately rushed to the front, Black Tommy, Adamas, Arsenal, and Anton being well up in her wake ; a close race in ending in favour of Blink Bonny by a neck, the second beating the third by a head only, and a neck separating the third from the fourth ; Anton and Arsenal were fifth and sixth, close together-so well up, indeed, that the rider of each thought he was either second or third. Wardermarske, Lambourn, Commotion, Zoyder Zee; Skirmisher, Saunterer, Beeswax Colt, Tournament, and Sydney formed the next lot ;but we were unable to determine their relative positions. The' tail' consisted of Laertes, Bird-in-the-Hand, Turbit, Gaberlunzie, Special, License, Dusty Miller,. and Loyola."
On Thursday there were six races. The Two-year-old Stakes was won by Mr. Saxon's Princess Royal (Hayward), from eleven competitors. Ninefillies started for the Queen's Plate. The fortunate winner was Mr. Saxon's Mary (Hayward). This owner also carried off the Grand Stand Plate, with Tom Thumb (Hayward) ; for which eight started. These were the principal "events."
The "ladies' race" yesterday, the Oaks, brought thirteen fillies to the starting-post. The state of the odds allowed, that in the opinion of the rin Blink Bonny was sure of success ; 5 to 4 being laid on her, 3 to 1 against Imp4rieuse, 10 to 1 against Sneeze, 12 to 1 against McestissiMa, and 25 to I
against Vigil. The race proved the correctness of these anticipations. Blink Bonny (Charlton) ran in the centre of the ruck up to Tattenham Corner, when she started out, and won in a canter by eight lengths. Sneeze (Aidcroft) ran second. Thus a mare has won both the Derby and the Oaks. No horse has carried off both prizes since 1801. Blink Bonny is now the favourite for the St. Leger.
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