EPSOM 115 



The Epsom programmes, though somewhat mixed, and 

 with sprint running somewhat in the ascendant, are very- 

 popular with all ranks of racing men, and large fields are 

 the rule rather than the exception. At present only two 

 meetings are held each year, one in April and one at the 

 end of May or beginning of June. There used to be an 

 autumn fixture, but it has not been held for many years, 

 the London and Brighton Railway withdrawing the pecuniary 

 support it was in the habit of according. Seven races a day 

 is the number usually decided. Handicaps are the chief 

 feature of the Epsom Spring Meeting, the Great Metro- 

 politan of two and a quarter miles on the first day, and the 

 City and Suburban of one and a quarter miles on the second 

 day, being the most popular items of the racing. Indeed 

 the " City," with the exception of the Jubilee Stakes, is the 

 most popular of all the Spring Handicaps, and its decision 

 invariably draws a huge crowd. The minor races at this 

 meeting are of passing interest only, and notably the two- 

 year-old events seldom bring about the debut of anything 

 likely to make a great name in the future. 



The programme of the Summer Meeting is much more 

 ambitious, nor does it depend solely on the Derby and Oaks, 

 for there are important races on each of the other days, 

 and in 1897 the Epsom Cup — weight-for-age, a mile and a 

 half — was reinstituted. Taking 1900 as an average year, 

 I find that twenty-five races were run, the total value of 

 which to the winners was iJ"i 7,702 (I have taken no account 

 of prizes for second and third horses, which in the cases 

 of the Derby and Oaks are very considerable), and that 

 these races were contested by 231 horses, or an average 

 of between nine and ten runners to each race. The Derby 

 and Oaks were respectively of the value of ^5,450 and 

 ;^4,550 to the winners, while the Royal Stakes was worth 

 ;^900, the Epsom Cup ;^820, and the Durdans Plate ^935. 

 The longest race was a mile and a half, the Derby, Oaks, 

 Epsom Cup, and Norbury Plate being decided at that 

 distance. There was also one race (the Durdans Plate) 

 of a mile and a quarter, three races of a mile, two of seven 

 furlongs, five of six furlongs, and ten of five furlongs, so 



