* THE FRENCH YEAR; 1865. 143 



ever been proved that any unfair means were resorted 

 to to stop the animal from winning. There are 

 persons who rejoice, no doubt, to see the downfall of a 

 favourite brought about; but with these it is no ques- 

 tion of nationality; they would as soon 'nobble' an 

 English race-horse as a French one. There may have 

 been a feeling of soreness, but it was certainly not 

 apparent at Epsom ; for as the horse came back, 

 bearing his victorious rider to the scales, guarded by 

 Inspector Tanner, cheer upon cheer was given in the 

 heartiest manner. Count de Lngrange, the owner, 

 Avas warmly coni^ratulated by the noblemen and 

 gentlemen present, and by none more warmly than by 

 that best of English gentlemen, the Prince of Wales, 

 who took a deep interest in the race. So far, then, as 

 outwaid show was concerned, there seemed no fly in 

 the Count's pot of ointment ; and as regards the 

 honours of horse-racing, he had every reason to be 

 satisfied, inasmuch as he had in the preceding year 

 secured the 'Garter of the Turf with Fille de I'Air, 

 whilst the Two Thousand Guineas had fallen to him 

 by the prowess of the horse he had just led in at 

 Epsom, a Cambridgeshire and a Goodwood cup 

 having previously rewarded his enterprise. Many an 

 English geutleraan. after a lonc^ strui^orle, has at lensfth 

 retired from the turf without even taking one of these 

 important races. 



The ])recautions which for the first time were taken 

 by the Epsom authorities to prevent any fraud being 

 perpetrated may be here recited from a sporting 

 chronicle of the period : ' Between the preceding race 

 and the race for the Derby an interval of an hour was 



