THE BLUE RIBBON OF THE TURF. 



The conditions under which the race is now to be 

 run, it will be generally admitted, are an improvement 

 on previous arrangements, but so far as can be deter- 

 mined at the time of penning these remarks, they will 

 not cost the Epsom executive so much as a shilling. 

 The sum allocated to the second horse is unsatis- 

 factory ; if really honest racing is ever to be obtained, 

 it will be when every animal taking part in the race 

 is trying to win it. But in the Derby, and several 

 other contents, where there is a big prize only for the 

 first horse, there is always likel}^ to be a number of 

 non triers. The instructions given to riders of such 

 animals may well be supposed to be couched in the fol- 

 lowing fashion : ' We are only going for the off-chance. 

 If you think, when the push comes, that you can win, 

 by all means do so ; bat if not, then ease y(jur horse. 

 We don't care about getting a place in the Derby.' 



With a sum, however, of £2,000 or £1,500 for the 



