A Running Commentary by R. C. LYLE
Relayed from
Town Moor Racecourse, Doncaster (Copyright. See notice on page 30)
There are five classic races in the year all confined to three-year olds: the 2,000 Guineas, run over a mile at Newmarket; the 1,000 Guineas, for fillies only, run over the same course ; the Derby, run over I mile 4 furlongs 5 yards at Epsom; the Oaks (for fillies only), run over the same course ; and today's race run over 1 mile 6 furlongs 132 yards at Doncaster.
Whilst it is only possible for colts to win three of the classics, or the Triple Crown, it is possible for fillies to win the five, for they are entitled to run in all. This feat was very nearly brought off by Bob Sievier 's peerless mare Sceptre in 1902, when she won the 2,000 Guineas, the 1,000 Guineas, the Oaks, and the St. Leger.
If H.PL Aga Khan wins today s race with Bahram, the unbeaten son of Blandford Wilt. have achieved what no other horse has achieved since 1903 when Rock Sand won the Triple Crown. It is true that three horses have won it since then-Pommern in 1915, Gay Crusader in 1917, and Gainsborough in 1918, but these were war years and all the classics were run at Newmarket.