weakly contested race for the Troy Stakes (the event was run twice a year) in which he beat Pebble by a neck. Following the race he was described in The Sportsman as a "nice colt" and a "thorough stayer", but below Derby class. 1883: three-year-old season Spring St. Blaise grew and made good physical progress during the winter and in mid-April he appeared for the first time in the Derby betting lists at 33/1. He made his seasonal debut on 25 April in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, for which he started at odds of 25/1 in a field of fifteen and was ridden by George Barrett. He was not fully fit but produced a promising performance to finish fourth behind Galliard, doing the best of the colts who had raced on the far side of the course. Immediately after the race he was offered at odds of 11/1 for the Derby. St. Blaise was then trained more vigorously and ran impressively in a private trial race on the Friday before the Derby. The Prince of Wales was visiting Kingsclere at the time and was impressed enough with St. Blaise to place a large bet on the colt for the Derby. Shortly before the Derby, St. Blaise and his connections travelled to Epsom and stayed nearby at an inn called the Sheepshearer's Arms at Burgh Heath. This was interpreted as a good omen at the original St. Blaise was the patron saint of the wool trade. Epsom Derby At Epsom on 23 May St. Blaise started at odds of 5/1 in a field of fifteen. The race took place in fine weather in front of an "immense" crowd which included the Prince and Princess of Wales and other members of the Royal Family. Galliard, ridden by Fred Archer started favourite on 9/2 while one of the outsiders was Highland Chief (trained by Archer’s brother, Charles). The potential conflict of interest for Fred Archer, who was believed to have a strong interest in his brother's stable had been highlighted as a cause for concern. St. Blaise, ridden by Charles Wood, was held up in the early stages as the pacemaker Bonjour made the running but moved into contention at Tattenham Corner. Wood sent St. Blaise through a gap on the inside on the home turn to take the lead as the field entered the straight. St Blaise was briefly challenged by