THE KING’S DERBY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2553, 14 July 1909, Page 6

THE KING’S DERBY.

\ A SCENE OF FRANTIC ENTHUSIASM. The following spirited account of the scene -which occurred at Epsom when King Edward’s horse, Minoru, won the Derby, appeared -recently in a contemporary : There have been many scenes of enthusiasm on the famous Epsom Downs, but the London newspapers tell us that they were all eclipsed when on the afternoon of May 26th tho King led in his third Derby -winner, Minoru. TJie enthusiasm began before the horses passed the post-, and the cheering grew in volume until it developed into (one mighty roar. For' some moments it was doubtful whether the King’s horse had won, so closely was Minoru pressed by Louviers right up to the post. At one moment, indeed, Louviers seemed to be getting the best of the struggle, but the King’s horse ran stoutly under pressure, and won by a head. When Minoru’s number went up the dying volume of cheering broke out again, liats were thrown in the air, and every man seemed to vie with his neighbor in demonstrating his delight. When the King passed from the Royal box to lead in the winner, there was an extraordinary scene. The police, who attempted to keep a course clear for the King to reach his horse, were swept asido by the people, and His Majesty was surrounded by a mob of his frantically cheering subjects, he was even patted on the back by two or three of his humblest, but at the same, time much exalted, admirers, one of whom congratulated the King with “Good for you, old sport.” Meanwhile l Minoru was being pressed through the crowd towards the King, but when the colt was within a few yards of liis owner, the crowd completely blocked the way, and the horse Avas jammed in a dense mass of humanity. In desperation. Marsh, the trainer, hurled himself through the crowd, and, seizing Minoru’s bridle, dragged the horse to His Majesty. Amid a fresh outburst of cheering the King took the rein, and led bis horse in. He. iiad no difficulty, for the people made a lane for him. Returning to the private enclosure, tlio King paused at the top of tho stops to his box. There was a fresh outburst of cheering, fiercer, if possible, than before. “All eyes,” says a reporter, “were on His Majesty as lie stood there, his face white, liis lips twitching, and his eyes shining suspiciously. No mortal man could remain unmoved by such a demonstration.” The whole incident was summed up by a rude American when ho said: “Well, 1 never envied Albert Edward his job till to-day.”