EPSOM AND ASCOT RACES. THE Queen at Epsom!-This is the first occasion upon which a sovereign, as a sovereign, ever attended this place of English sport; and we should think there was not a person with a carriage-that there were not six people who could muster the amount of a barouche, -that there was not an individual with a pair of shoes, or a single gentleman without, that did not use their various means of conveyance, and attend the downs upon that day. The weather too, took the hint, and as the course furnished a wide, brilliant, and ample drawing room, the sun came out with new harness to its phaeton, and burned along his way upon this occasion like an aerial state coach. The people were in truth in such crowds, that the motion of the mass was absolutely a thrill before the eye. We had no opportunity, of course, of being in London, or we should have taken a list of the nineteen people who occupied the city; they will have something to talk of in their old age. The sight of the Royal Cortége streaming up by the beginning of the Cup course, was splendid in the extreme,—and seen from the stand (distinguished by the scarlet liveries), seemed to be a fairy procession of royalty. It grew, however, into life,-and at length the Queen and her royal consort passed through a crowd of her enthusiastic people,-literally deafened with tumultuous greetings. This partaking on the part of the sovereign with her people in their one great annual amusement, never thus sanctioned by any of her predecessors, made her presence so English, that heart and soul was the English reception of it. The Prince rode on horseback after the Queen had arrived at the stand, and saw all that was to be seen :--during his progress, he was the observed of all observers. Nothing can prevent his being "first favourite" with the English, as a manly and princely personage. The two great events at this meeting, to which we shall confine ourselves, on account of the pressure of time, and want of room, were perhaps this year of unusual interest. The Derby had long been booked to Scott, or John Day's stables. The Scotts made their favourite the real one throughout the year, and therefore the nibblers at the Black Beck, Black Bess, Maroon, and the rest of the tribe, were all wrong! Launcelot is a fine muscular true Camel-bred horse -quite after Touchstone, and ought to have won the Derby! Scott was so anxious to win, that he could not hold him at starting,-nor set-to with him at the finish! The Melody colt, a little strong thing, taken, we believe, by Mr. F. Clarke, as a bad debt, and sold to get out of a bad security, or composition,--was tried to be a fair Derby colt, and no more. John Day and W. Scott fought the battle for the bone.-and the little Lurcher stept in, and picked it up. Little Wonder was ripe in the morning, and ran so well and so kindly, that he made a Samuel Chifney out of a Macdonald! The tail in the race was much longer than O'Connell's,-and far less respectable. The following is the result of the race :— The start was appointed for a quarter before three o'clock, but it was not until twenty minutes past that the start was realized. The race was run at a pace that has not often been seen. The Derby Stakes of 50 Sovs. each, h. ft.; for three yr. olds ; colts, 8st. 7lb.; and fillies, 8st. 2lb.. Last mile and a half. The owner of the second horse to receive 100 sovereigns out of the stakes, and the winner to pay 100 sovereigns towards the expense of additional police officers. One hundred and forty-four subscribers. Mr. Robertson's b. c. Little Wonder, by Muley, out of Lacerta.-Macdonald .. 1 2 The following horses started, but were not placed:-Mr. Etwall's b. c. by Mulatto, out of Melody; Lord Albemarle's b. c. Assassin, by Taurus, out of Sneaker; Duke of Cleveland's b. c. Theon, by Emilius, out of Maria; Lord Kelburne's ch. c. Pathfinder, by Retainer, out of Emilia; Mr. Houldsworth's c. Confederate, by Velocipede, out of Miss Maltby; Sir G. Heathcote's b. c. Sophocles, by Laurel out of Bertha; Lord Exeter's c. Scutari, out of Velvet; Captain Gardnor's ch c. Monops, by Actæon, ont of Wings; Sir G. Heathcote's b. c. Bokhara, by Samarcand, out of Zenobia; Colonel G. Wyndham's b. c. by Nonsense, out of Gift; Lord Jersey's Muley Ishmael, by Ishmael, out of Filagre; Lord Exeter's c. Amurath, by Sultan, out of Marinella; Duke of Cleveland's ch. c. by Emilius, out of Farce; Mr. Fort's c. by Muley, out of Solace; Lord Orford's ch. c. by Clearwell, out of Angelica. Betting at starting :-9 to 4 agst. Launcelot, 4 to 1 agst. Assassin, 4 to 1 agst. Melody, 6 to 1 agst. Theon, 20 to 1 agst. Pathfinder, 20 to 1 agst. Scutari, 20 to 1 agst. Forth's two, Little Wonder and Solace colt, 20 to 1 agst. Bokhara, 30 to 1 agst. Confederate, 30 to 1 agst. Solace colt, 40 to 1 agst. Gift colt, 40 to 1 agst. Angelica colt, 50 to 1 agst. Little Wonder, 1000 to 15 agst. Muley Ishmael. About a quarter past three, after one false start and two or three minor failures, the lot went away at an excellent pace, the Angelica colt leading, followed by the Melody colt, Launcelot, and Bokhara, with Confederate, Assassin, Little Wonder, and Scutari next, and the others well laid up. This order was observed for about half a mile, when the Melody colt took up the running, Launcelot lying second, Assassin third, Angelica, Confederate, and Little Wonder being the next lot in going round the turn Little Wonder passed Assassin, and took his place at Launcelet's quarter's; the Angelica colt was beaten off here; in fact, the three leading horses were all that were left in the race, neither Assassin, nor Confederate having the slightest chance of winning. The Melody colt maintained his lead to the distance, and there it was all up with him; Little Wonder then challenged the “crack,” headed him in a few yards, was half-a-length before him ere he reached the stand, and went by the post a clever winner by a length; Melody third Confederate, who passed Assassin at the distance, fourth; Assassin, fifth; and Amurath sixth; of the others it is only necessary to say that the tailing began before they reached the turn, and that Theon, the Gift colt, and Sophocles, were the last three; Theon, we believe, actually last. Value of the Stakes, 37751. Im⚫mediately after the race Mr. E. Anson entered the weighing-place, and delivered to Macdonald an elegant riding-whip, as a testimonial from Prince Albert of his admiration of his jockey-ship. This whip, we surmise, was, as far as hopes and wishes could make it, intended for Lord Albemarle :-But Assassin betrayed the kindness. The Oakes was better attended than for many years. The notion that Her Majesty would be present, brought hundreds. Our favourite of favourites, Crucifix, like the lovely Marcia, "towered above her sex," and after baffled starts, and much pulling,-won a closely finishing race. She will run the St. Leger with greater ease—and we trust the abomination of false starts after one allowed, will be abolished. Crucifix, kindly-mooded, could give, or could have given, the Queen of Trumps 5lbs. and a 10lbs. beating. Welfare is a nice wirey brown mare,-and Teleta is a Trifle." What business have they there at such a time?" The races commenced about three o'clock, and did not terminate until after six; the weather during the whole of the time was favourable, but changed immediately after the last race, and sent many home with wet jackets. The Oaks Stakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., for three yr. old fillies, 8st. 4lb.-Last mile and a half.-The owner of the second horse to receive 100 sovs. out of the stakes, and the winner to pay 100 sovs. towards the additional expenses of additional police officers.-One hundred subs. Lord G. Bentinck's b. f. Crucifix, by Priam.-J, Day.... ..... Mr. Wigram's ch. f. Teleta, by Plenipo... 2 3 The following also started, but were not placed :-Duke of Grafton's b. f. Currency, by St. Patrick; Lord G. Bentinck's b. f. by Glencoe; Colonel Anson's bk. f. Black Bess, by Camel; Mr. Batson's br. f. Plenery; Lord Albemarle's ch. f. Iris, by Cain; Mr. Fowler's b. f. Lallah Rookh, by Defence; Sir G. Heathcote's b. f. by Emilius ; Mr. Greatrex's b. f. Pocahontas, by Glencoe; Mr. Bell's b. f. La Femme Sage, by Gainsborough; Lord Chesterfield's The Ant, sister to Industry; General Grosvenor's f. Diploma, by Plenipo; Colonel Wyndham's ch. f. by Nonsense. Betting: 3 to 1 on Crucifix (t.), 9 to 1 agst. Black Bess, 11 to 1 1 agst. Pocahontas, 15 to 1 agst. Lallah Rookh, 30 to 1 agst. Welfare, 40 to 1 agst. Currency, and 50 to 1 agst Teleta. After fourteen to fifteen failures the race commenced, Lallab Rookh taking the lead, followed by Welfare and Teleta, the ruck lying close to them, with the exception of Crucifix, who was last off by two or three lengths; the pace, however, was so far from being good, that at the Craven post she took up the running, and at the same time mended the specd. Lallah Rookh waited on her, Welfare and Teleta third and fourth till they reached the top of the hill, when Welfare ran into the second place, Teleta taking the third at the turn. These three, Lallah Rookh, and Pocahontas, were fairly singled out from the crowd as they commenced the straight running, Crucifix having a lead of about a length and a half. At the distance the struggle was exceedingly interesting, and at the Stand it certainly was a race, Welfare and Teleta being then at the favourite side; they kept there to the finish, Crucifix winning by half a length, rather cleverly, but not in the style in which her other triumphs have been achieved. Welfare beat Teleta for the second place by about half a head, and Lalla Rookh, a length behind them, was fourth, with a very slight advantage over Pocahontas; nothing was within some lengths of this lot, but the Elfred and Nannette fillies were sixth and seventh, and Iris eighth. La Femme Sage fell shortly after starting, cut herself badly and bruised the jockey. The pace, as we have before stated, was middling at first, and was only first-rate from Tottenham corner. Value of the stakes, £2,700. The opening, intermediate, and concluding races, were of the usual indifferent character. Ascot was a brilliant meeting, and was attended by Her Majesty and Court, and by all her people. The racing was very good-and proved three things,-viz. that St. Francis is the truest and best animal of his year, or of the " past three!" as the old watchmen called it ;that Samuel Chifney is still the emperor of all patient, skilful, and powerful jockies;-and that Lord Exeter's perseverance is its "own great reward." The following are the best races of the week :-Our lists will give the regular returns. The gold vase given by Her Majesty, added to a sweepstakes of 20 sovs. each, for three yr. olds 7st. 3lb., four 9st., five 9st. 71b., six and aged 9st. 9lb., mares and geldings allowed 5lb.; horses that have never won above the value of 501., or received 1001. for running second, before the time of starting, to be allowed weight in the following proportions: three yr. olds 4lb., four 7lb., five 12lb., six and aged 181b., matches not to be reckoned as winnings, the winner of the Derby and St. Leger in 1839 and 1840 to carry 10lb. extra, winners in 1839 and 1840 of the Oaks, Ascot, and Goodwood Cups, Riddlesworth 2,000gs. Stakes, Newmarket Stakes, Port and Claret Stakes, and the second horses in the Derby and St. Leger, to carry 4lb. extra; two miles; thirteen subs. Mr. Pettit's St. Francis, by St. Patrick, 5 yrs. 9st. 71b.- Robinson.... 1 Mr. Etwall's b. c. by Mulatto, out of Melody, 3 yrs. 7st. 3lb. 0 0 4 Betting: 5 to 4 on Melody, 2 to 1 agst. St. Francis, 8 to 1 agst. Jeffy, and 10 to 1 agst. Amurath. St. Francis made the running, fol lowed by Melody and Amurath, Jeffy bringing up the rear; the pace only moderate. About one hundred yards before they reached the last turn, Melody took the lead from St. Francis, Jeffy now lying third, and Amurath last, in which order they reached the distance, the pace after this change being excellent. The lot now closed, and one of the finest races ever seen took place; it was neck and neck with all four, and the chances so equal that he must have been a bold man who would have laid 6 to 4 he named the winner; the set-to lasted to the chair, and it was not until "No. 10" was exhibited that St. Francis was ascertained to have won by a head; a dead heat for second between Melody and Amurath, and not more than a neck between them and Jeffy. The Gold Cup by subscription of 20 sovs. each, with 200 added from the fund; three years old 6st. 10lb., four 8st. 5lb., five 9st., six and aged, 9st. 3lb., mares and geldings allowed 3lb., to start at the cup post on the new mile, and go once round, about two miles and a half, 17 subs. 1 .... 2 Mr. R. Pettit's St. Francis, by St. Patrick, 5 yrs. old.-Chifney ... .... 0 0 Mr. Isaac Day's Caravan, by Camel, 6 yrs. old.-J. Day, jun...... Sir G. Heathcote's Valentissimo, by Velocipede, aged.-Chapple Betting: 5 to 2 agst. St. Francis (taken), 7 to 2 agst. Bloomsbury, 6 to 1 agst. Montreal (taken), 6 to 1 agst. Euclid, 8 to 1 agst. Caravan, 9 to 1 agst. Flambeau, and 12 to 1 agst. Valentissimo. At starting Bloomsbury, overpowering his jock, ran away with the lead at a great pace, Montreal second, Euclid third, Valentissimo fourth, Caravan and Flambeau fifth and sixth, and St. Francis last, two or three lengths separating the last three from the others, between whom there was respectively a space of at least a length and a half. After running half a mile, Euclid fell back. Flambeau, Caravan, and Valentissimo took his place, Bloomsbury still two or three lengths in advance, and making much stronger running than was consonant either with Templeman's orders or inclination. No further change took place till they were |