Sport: Papyrus

A Golden Age of turfdom seems at hand. Papyrus, winner of the 1923 Epsom Derby (TIME, June 18), and therefore technically England’s greatest three-year-old colt, may cross the Atlantic for an international match race with his fleetest American contemporary, in October at Belmont Park, L. I.

Horse lovers of many nations thrilled at the news. Questions flew. Who will defend for America? Will Papyrus stand the voyage? Will Steve Donoghue, wizard English jockey, ride Papyrus? The date? The stakes? The winner?

The date will be early October, the stakes huge but of secondary interest. Donoghue has said he will rifle. The American defender will be chosen at the National Trial Sweepstakes by American racing officials.

Some American Horses. Zev, the Harry F. Sinclair colt, who won the Kentucky Derby, the Withers, the Paumonok, the Belmont, the Rainbow Stakes. He has been called ” the greatest of the three-year-olds ” of the 1923 season. He is the most logical and likely contender. He is a distant cousin of Papyrus.

The Clown. Latonia Derby winner, who is the star of Western three-year-olds.

Martingale, Pimlico Futurity winner.

The English Horse. Papyrus, son of Tracery, is owned by Ben Irish. Though not unanimously endorsed by other English owners as England’s greatest horse, he will be backed by many a pound and shilling. Before coming to America he will run the St. Leger Stakes. First upon this race and then upon his seafaring qualities depends Papyrus’ great challenge in October.