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The Gold Cup race in James Joyce's Ulysses

[pic source]

"The Gold Cup, the highlight of the third day [of the Royal Ascot], was inaugurated in 1807. Run over 2 1/2 miles, it is one of the longest flat races in the calendar and the ultimate prize for the World's top stayers." [cite]

Gold Cup: winners since 1965 [current context]

Ascot: [map] ditto [history] [current context] [site map] [attended by king and queen]

racing: [history]

horses: [best]

"A racehorse achieves peak ability at age five, but the classic age of three years and the escalating size of purses, breeding fees, and sale prices have led to fewer races held with horses beyond age four." [EB]

strategy:

"The typical Thoroughbred horse is capable of running only a quarter of a mile or so at very top speed, and much of the strategy of racing lies in determining the best moment at which to unleash this burst. The factors the jockey must consider include the distance of the race, the size of the field, the layout of the track, and the nature of a particular horse and of the opposition. The burst cannot be delayed too long in a sprint, nor should it be turned on when there is heavy traffic ahead or while going wide around a turn and thus losing ground. On the other hand, if a fast horse is left unchallenged, he might exert himself so little as to be fresh enough to repel challenges at the end." [EB]

16 June 1904: Irish Times preview

"...the sun shone forth with great power, and a refreshing wind swept across the Heath... Just prior to the resumption of racing the Royal procession, comprising eight carriages, wended its way up the course, and the King and Queen met with a hearty reception from the assembled thousands."

Sceptre: [1902 victories] [pic of pa] [owner Bass]

Zinfandel: [owner deWalden's boat] ditto ditto castle

Sir Hugo: [Epsom winners since 1780]

London Times

Joyce's earliest known notes about the Gold Cup race were jotted in 1917 or 18 in the predecessor of Buffalo VI.D.7. Danis Rose and John O'Hanlon have reconstructed its contents in The Lost Notebook and transcribe there the full account from the 16 June London Times, which was the easiest source for Joyce to consult in Zurich.

Thursday 16 June 1904 Times Ascot the third race on the card was the Gold Cup for which Maximum, winner last year, was again in the field but he had a stronger opposition to face than a 12 month ago when the infirm Rising Glass was the best of his three opponents. He had to meet this time Zinfandel and Sceptre, who had been first + second in the Coronation Cup at Epsom and as he had not shown to advantage in France this season he had very few friends, the race being regarded as a match between the 2 others; for little or no attention was paid to the fourth runner, Throwaway, whose chances were regarded as so remote that odds of 20 to one were offered against him. the point of interest was whether Zinfandel would confirm her Epsom running with Sceptre or turn the tables on him and as he looked very well in the paddock he started favourite.

The race was a peculiar one for Throwaway was allowed to get a long lead, the jockeys of Zinfandel and Sceptre being convinced that he would come back to them, as the saying goes, and that they would be able to beat him for speed. But they delayed their efforts too long, and Throwaway was never caught, winning by a length from Zinfandel, who thus occupied the same position that his owner's Rising Glass did last year. Sceptre was never dangerous, and the French horse was last throughout. No one can for a moment suppose that this was a true run race, and victory may be in fact due to the admirable riding of W. Lane, who is in extraordinary form just now, having ridden four winners on Wednesday and as many more today. Had he not gone resolutely ahead on Throwaway he might have been caught + beaten for speed.

won in a canter

The Gold Cup, value 1,000 sovs., with 3,000 sovs. in specie in addition, added to a sweepstakes of 20 sovs. each, h ft; weight for age, with allowances; the second received 700 sovs. and the third 300 sovs.
Two miles and a half.
Mr F. Alexander's b h Throwaway, by
Rightaway-Theale, 5 yrs, 9st. 4lb. (W. Lane) ... 1

Lord Howard de Walden's ch c Zinfandel
4 yrs, 9st. 4lb. (M. Cannon) ... 2

Mr W. Bass's b f Sceptre, 5 yrs,
9st. 11lb. (O. Madden) ... 3

Mr J. de Bremond's Maximum II,
5 yrs, 9st. 4lb. (G.Stern) ... 0

(Winner trained by Braime)

Betting. -5 to 4 on Zinfandel, 7 to 4 agst
Sceptre, 10 to 1 Maximum II, 20 to 1
Throwaway (offered).
The last-named cut out the work from Sceptre, with Zinfandel last, until in the line for home, when Sceptre took a slight lead of Throwaway, and Zinfandel took close order. In the run home Throwaway stayed the longest and won by a length.

Abbreviations: (some guessing)

h ft = ???
b h = bay horse? (ie, male)
st = stone = 14 lbs
ch c = chestnut colt (ie 4 years old???)
b f = bay filly
off = offered (but what does this mean?)

Evening Telegraph

[bold sections scanned by Bloom]

ASCOT MEETING. The Gold Cup. THE OUTSIDER WINS.

From a weather point of view the Cup day was the most enjoyable of the three, the sun shone forth with great power, and a refreshing wind swept across the Heath. The specials from the metropolis came down packed, there being scarcely standing room in any of the carriages, and the attendance was an enormous one all round. Just prior to the resumption of racing the Royal procession, comprising eight carriages, wended its way up the course, and the King and Queen met with a hearty reception from the assembled thousands. Although it was known that the field for the Gold Cup would not be a large one, the race promised a most interesting contest. A somewhat quiet start was made with the Rous Memorial Stakes, for which Uninsured was served up warm, but finished last. Wild Oats third in the Hunt Cup yesterday, winning in a canter. The All-Aged Stakes dwindled down to the proportions of a match between Cossack and Orchid, and with odds of 4 to 1 laid on him, Cossack won easily, but had then to run the gauntlet of an objection for carrying wrong weight, a protest which was sustained, and the race awarded to Orchid. The objection to Cossack was made as much in the public interest as in those of his owner, and in a sportsmanlike spirit, and Mr. H. J. King, the owner of Orchid, has instructed Messrs. Weatherby to divide the value of the All-Aged Stakes between the two most deserving Turf charities. Regarding the weight carried by Cossack, it may be mentioned that it was transparent from the conditions of the race that he had a 10lb penalty added to his age weight of 9st 9lb, which would make 10st 5lb, and not 10st 1lb as carried, and it seems strange that with such a capable trainer as Blackwell a mistake like this should be possible. The Ascot Gold Cup, run over a distance of two miles and a half, was, of course, the principal attraction of the afternoon. The race is one of the longest established events in the history of the Turf, and is remarkable for the number of great horses that have won it. Within the last half-century such names as West Australian, Thormanby, Gladiateur, Petrarach, Isonomy (twice), Robert the Devil, St. Simon, La Fleche, Isinglass, Persimmon, Cyllene, Santoi, and a host of other good horses are recorded as winners. The four runners to-day was a fair average for the race, and these included last year's winner, Maximum II. After his display in the Coronation Cup at Epsom it was not surprising to see Zinfandel a better favourite than Sceptre; last year's winner being quoted at tens, and Throwaway on offer at twenties. However, the despised one created a great surprise, as with the exception of being once headed by Sceptre, he made all the running, and won in the style of a thorough stayer. For having won the Gold Cup, Throwaway incurs a 12lbs penalty for the Northumberland Plate, raising his weight to 9st 12lbs. Details:

3.0-- The GOLD CUP, value 1,000 sovs., with 3,000 sovs. in specie in addition, out of which the second shall receive 700 sovs, and the third 300 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 20 sovs each, h. ft., for entire colts and fillies. Two miles and a half.

Mr. F. Alexander's THROWAWAY,      5 yrs. 9st 4lb  W. Lane   1
         by Rightaway-Theale,
Lord Howard de Walden's ZINFANDEL, 4 yrs, 9st      M. Cannon 2
Mr. W. Bass's SCEPTRE,             5 yrs, 9st 1lb  O. Madden 3
M. J. de Bremond's Maximum II.,    5 yrs, 9st 4lb  G. Stern  0

(Winner trained by Braime.)

Race started at 3.5. Betting-- 5 to 4 on Zinfandel, 7 to 4 agst Sceptre, 10 to 1 agst Maximum II, 20 to 1 agst Throwaway (off)

THE RACE. Throwaway set a fair pace to Sceptre, with Maximum II, last, till fairly in the line for home, when Sceptre slightly headed Throwaway, and Zinfandel took close order with him. Throwaway, however, stayed on, and won cleverly at the finish by a length; three parts of a length divided second and third.

Time-- 4 mins. 33 2-5 secs.

Ulysses

At his armpit Bantam Lyons' voice and hand said:
-- Hello, Bloom. What's the best news? Is that today's? Show us a minute.
Shaved off his moustache again, by Jove! Long cold upper lip. To look younger. He does look balmy. Younger than I am.
Bantam Lyons's yellow blacknailed fingers unrolled the baton. Wants a wash too. Take off the rough dirt. Good morning, have you used Pears' soap? Dandruff on his shoulders. Scalp wants oiling.
-- I want to see about that French horse that's running today, Bantam Lyons said. Where the bugger is it?
He rustled the pleated pages, jerking his chin on his high collar. Barber's itch. Tight collar he'll lose his hair. Better leave him the paper and get shut of him.
-- You can keep it, Mr Bloom said.
-- Ascot. Gold cup. Wait, Bantam Lyons muttered. Half a mo. Maximum the second.
-- I was just going to throw it away, Mr Bloom said.
Bantam Lyons raised his eyes suddenly and leered weakly.
-- What's that? his sharp voice said.
-- I say you can keep it, Mr Bloom answered. I was going to throw it away that moment.
Bantam Lyons doubted an instant, leering: then thrust the outspread sheets back on Mr Bloom's arms.
-- I'll risk it, he said. Here, thanks.
He sped off towards Conway's corner. God speed scut.

--What's up with you, says I to Lenehan. You look like a fellow that had lost a bob and found a tanner.
--Gold cup, says he.
--Who won, Mr Lenehan? says Terry.
--Throwaway, says he, at twenty to one. A rank outsider. And the rest nowhere.
--And Bass's mare? says Terry.
--Still running, says he. We're all in a cart. Boylan plunged two quid on my tip Sceptre for himself and a lady friend.
--I had half a crown myself, says Terry, on Zinfandel that Mr Flynn gave me. Lord Howard de Walden's.
--Twenty to one, says Lenehan. Such is life in an outhouse. Throwaway, says he. Takes the biscuit, and talking about bunions. Frailty, thy name is Sceptre.

Madden had lost five drachmas on Sceptre for a whim of the rider's name: Lenehan as much more. He told them of the race. The flag fell and, huuh! off, scamper, the mare ran out freshly with O. Madden up. She was leading the field. All hearts were beating. Even Phyllis could not contain herself. She waved her scarf and cried: Huzzah! Sceptre wins! But in the straight on the run home when all were in close order the dark horse Throwaway drew level, reached, outstripped her. All was lost now. Phyllis was silent: her eyes were sad anemones. Juno, she cried, I am undone. But her lover consoled her and brought her a bright casket of gold in which lay some oval sugarplums which she partook. A tear fell: one only. A whacking fine whip, said Lenehan, is W. Lane. Four winners yesterday and three today. What rider is like him? Mount him on the camel or the boisterous buffalo the victory in a hack canter is still his. But let us bear it as was the ancient wont. Mercy on the luckless! Poor Sceptre! he said with a light sigh. She is not the filly that she was. Never, by this hand, shall we behold such another. By gad, sir, a queen of them. Do you remember her, Vincent?

Had the winner today till I tipped him a dead cert. The ruffin cly the nab of Stephen Hand as give me the jady coppaleen. He strike a telegramboy paddock wire big bug Bass to the depot. Shove him a joey and grahamise. Mare on form hot order. Guinea to a goosegog. Tell a cram, that. Gospeltrue. Criminal diversion? I think that yes. Sure thing. Land him in chokeechokee if the harman beck copped the game. Madden back Madden's a maddening back.

(A dark horse, riderless, bolts like a phantom past the   winningpost, his mane moonfoaming, his eyeballs stars. The field follows, a bunch of bucking mounts. Skeleton horses, Sceptre, Maximum the Second, Zinfandel, the duke of Westminster's Shotover, Repulse, the duke of Beaufort's Ceylon, prix de Paris. Dwarfs ride them, rustyarmoured, leaping, leaping in their, in their saddles.

Ascot meeting, the Gold Cup. Victory of outsider Throwaway recalls Derby of '92 when Capt. Marshall's dark horse, Sir Hugo, captured the blue riband at long odds.

While the other was reading it on page two Boom (to give him for the nonce his new misnomer) whiled away a few odd leisure moments in fits and starts with the account of the third event at Ascot on page three, his side. Value 1,000 sovs., with 3,000 sovs. in specie added for entire colts and fillies Mr F. Alexander's Throwaway, b.h. by Rightaway-Thrale, 5 yrs, 9 st 4 lbs (W. Lane) 1. Lord Howard de Walden's Zinfandel (M. Cannon) 2. Mr W. Bass's Sceptre, 3. Betting 5 to 4 on Zinfandel, 20 to 1 Throwaway (off). Throwaway and Zinfandel stood close order. It was anybody's race then the rank outsider drew to the fore got long lead, beating lord Howard de Walden's chestnut colt and Mr W. Bass's bay filly Sceptre on a 2 1/2 mile course. Winner trained by Braine so that Lenehan's version of the business was all pure buncombe. Secured the verdict cleverly by a length. 1,000 sovs., with 3,000 in specie. Also ran J. de Bremond's (French horse Bantam Lyons was anxiously inquiring after not in yet but expected any minute) Maximum II.

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