Regret, a chestnut daughter of Broomstick—Jersey Lightning, to-day overcame tradition that has withstood since Aristides, the “little red horse,” triumphed in the inaugural running of the Blue Grass State classic in the spring of 1875, and gained for her owner, Harry Payne Whitney, the Eastern sportsman, the sum of $11,450 and what is infinitely more to him the honor of winning The Kentucky Derby.

Regret, the scion of illustrious thoroughbreds, achieved an easy victory, and, while she may not be the greatest horse that ever won the Derby, the daughter of Broomstick and the granddaughter of Ben Brush furnished a spectacle for more than 40,000 persons at Churchill Downs that will not soon be forgotten. Dashing to the front with the rise of the barrier, she made every post a winning post and came on to laurels that were rightfully hers.

Behind Regret trailed the greatest field that has ever worn silks in this premier turf event. Pebbles, also carrying the colors of the Eastern invasion, straining aching muscles, pursued the flying leader to the wire. In his wake were Sharpshooter, another representative of the East; Royal II, the English-bred colt; Emerson Cochran, Leo Ray, Double Eagle and the rest of the struggling field. Sixteen pure-blooded animals accepted the issue, the largest number in the history of the race.

Far Back was For Fair, a winter king; Ed Crump, the hope of the Tennesseeans; Norse King, a star of the Maryland racing, and others. Each had done nobly, he had done his best, but it was not enough to-day. Old horsemen squinted their eyes unavailingly; they could not recall a Derby wherein so many good horses had been found wanting. For when was there such a field as that in the forty-first running of this turf fixture? Regret and her victory will long be talked of where the turf is discussed.

“A filly cannot win the Derby” has been a familiar slogan in Kentucky. But no filly of Regret’s type has ever before aspired to this turf honor. Of richest lineage, trained by the master hand of James Rowe, and ridden by the clever Notter, Regret’s claim demanded consideration. Those who scoffed at her chances did not consider.

After a short delay at the starting pole, all breasted the line together and up went the barrier. Down the stretch came the charging thoroughbreds; past the grandstand they sped with Regret leading by a half length, Pebbles second and Sharpshooter third, overlapped by Ed Crump. The others were in close attendance.

On swept Regret, Jockey Notter sat well forward and the filly moved with the utmost precision, maintaining a moderate rating stride that bespoke much reserve. Pebbles still hung at the saddle girth, his long sweeping strides a source of discomfort to the backers of the favorite. Plain it was that Pebbles was the chief contender, and in the interest of the thousands it was a two-horse race.

Around the first turn and up the back stretch went the flying leaders. At the five-eighths pole Pebbles challenged, and momentarily seemed to make up a few inches on the pacemaker, but Notter loosened his reins a notch and Regret responded easily. Sharpshooter was still leading the pursuit. Ed Crump, a close attendant, then made his move. Near the end of the back stretch the Schorr colt crept up. He was ridden by Jockey Goose, a Louisville boy, and his friends sounded above the din, “Come on Roscoe.” But Ed Crump was not equal to the occasion. He tried, but failed and dropped back further and further as the journey progressed.

As they took the turn by the old clubhouse Pebbles made a determined bid for the honor and glory that go to the winner of the Kentucky Derby. Again Regret met his challenge easily. She moved away from her dogged rival and came into the stretch with a lead of a length and a half. Sharpshooter plodded stubbornly after the Butler crack, his steel-like cords playing beneath the skin. Three-sixteenths of a mile from the wire Notter shook up the filly slightly and she came on down the rail two lengths in front of Pebbles. Sharpshooter, driving madly under the urging of Jockey Butwell, held Royal II. safe.

Regret pulled up remarkably fresh after her long journey. When she came back into the charm circle before the judges’ stand she was still full of run. When the wreath was placed around her neck and Jockey Notter boosted up on her bare, sweaty back the cheering which had accompanied her victory was a mere whisper in comparison to the ovation she received when the idea that the unattainable had been attained and that a filly had conquered the princes of the turf and won a Kentucky Derby, penetrated the head of the vast throng.

Regret was bred at Mr. Whitney’s Brookdale Farm, in New Jersey.

Under a smiling sun, forgetful of world’s tragedy, society assembled a brilliant gathering around the clubhouse grounds to witness the running of the Derby to-day.

Mr. Whitney was one of the first men out on the track after the race was over, and as Regret was jogging back to the stand he remarked: “Isn’t she the prettiest little filly you ever saw? You know,” he continued, “this is the greatest race in America at the present time, and I don’t care if she never starts again. The glory of winning this event is big enough, and Regret can retire to the New Jersey farm any time now. I told Rowe I didn’t care if she never won another race if she could only land this one. I have seen much bigger crowds than this one in the East and abroad, but I never saw a more enthusiastic one. It’s great” and the expression on his face as he stood patting the mare’s neck was the best evidence in the world that he is a worthy representative of his illustrious father, than whom racing never had a better friend.

This was the largest field which ever went to the post in the Kentucky Derby. In 1875, when the first Kentucky Derby was run, and Aristides, the little chestnut horse was returned the victor, fifteen competed for the prize and honors. In 1882, when Apollo was victorious, fourteen went to the post, but never in its long history did sixteen horses fight it out.

SUMMARY

May 8, 1915. Track fast. Derby, $10,000 added, value to winner $11,450; $2,000 to second; $1,000 to third. Time 23?, 48?, 1.13?, 1.39?, 2.05?.

Royal II, 117, A. Neylon; Emerson Cochran, 117, W. Taylor; Leo Rey, 117, T. McTaggart; Double Eagle, 117, C. Burlingame; Dortch, 110, A. Mott; For Fair, 117, Warrington; Ed Crump, 117, R. Goose; Little String, 117, E. Pool; Goldcrest Boy, 114, J. Kederis; Uncle Bryn, 117, J. McTaggart; Tetan, 117, J. Smyth; Norse King, 117, W. J. O’Brien; Booker Bill, 117, W. Andress.

Winner Ch F, by Broomstick—Jersey Lightning. Trained by J. Rowe. Owner, H. P. Whitney.