A running commentary on the race
Geoffrey H. Gilbey and Quintin H. Gilbey from Sandown Park Race Course
The Eclipse Stakes, broadcast for the first time last year, is one of the most valuable and important races in the Calendar ; it is confined to three-year-olds and four-year-olds, entire colts and fillies, and in theory at any rate it decides whether this year's classic form is better than last year's.
Often in the past the Derby winners of two consecutive years have met and decided the question, but this year neither Midday Sun nor Mahmoud can be in the field. Four- * year-olds may be represented by those magnificent racehorses Rhodes Scholar and Precipitation, and His Grace, improved beyond recognition, while among three-year-olds Solfo and Full Sail may go to the post.
The race is worth practically
£10,000 to the winner, the second receives 900 sovs., the third 400 sovs., and the fourth 200 sovs., while the breeder of the winner gets 500 sovs... of the second 200 sovs., and of the third 100 sovs., to say nothing of valuable trophies presented to the trainer and rider of the winner.
The race is run over the Eclipse
Stakes course, one mile two furlongs, amid the lovely surroundings of Esher. Four-year-olds carry 9 stone, three-year-olds 8 8 stone 2 lbs., fillies allowed 31bs., and there are certain penalties for winners.
Nobody could describe the race better than the popular Gilbey brothers; who gave the commentaries on the Derby and the Oaks this year.