view raw text
HERCULOID A MOST EXCELLENT JUMPER. Easterners, whd keep a keen eye on steeplechasing and are good judges of jumping horses, say that Herculoid is one of the best fencers seen in this country In many a day. Since his victory in the Beverwyck Steeplechase at Saratoga Saturday there is a strong desire to see him meet the English horses John M. P. and Phil May. They are all in the Great Autumn Steeplechase, which is to be run at Sheepshead Bay September 8, which is Herculoids only engagement at the meeting. Herculoid has started four times this season. His first, appearance was in the International at Belmont Park, when he won. At the same track he finished third to Good and Plenty and Grandpa for the Grand National. He was then rested up for the Saratoga meeting; He won the Saratoga Steeplechase, the. richest cross country event at the Spa, and the Beverwyck. Herculoid is a rugged, hardy horse and this, In addition to his superb jumping, has caused more than one good Judge to express the belief that he would have more, than an outside chance of winning n Grand National over Englands difficult course. Colonel Robert Neville, his breeder, said of Her-culiod after his success in the Beverwyck: "He comes by his ruggedness honestly. He acquired that chasing over the ridges and valleys of Virginia in his colthood days. He is no mash fed horse, but is all bone and muscle, and that is what it takes lo carry a horse over the long and tiring National course. I would like to sec him a starter in that race after a years training at the Curragh, where they have a duplicate of the Aintrec course for schooling purposes." Colonel Neville has two half sisters to Herculoid, at his Pelhara Stud in Virginia. Both are by Contract, one a three-year-old; the other a two-year-old. The two-year-old, Colonel Neville says, is one of the finest fillies he- ever saw, and he predicts that she will duplicate the success of Herculoid when she comes to the races. Both Savlle and Harpist, the sire and dam of Herculoid, are dead. After J. Story Curtis, who imported Savile, broke up his Virginia breeding establishment Savile was bought for 5,000 to be returned to England. He died soon after reaching there. Harpist dropped dead" at the farm in 1004. Contract, the sire of the half sisters to Herculoid, was also imported by Mr. Curtis. He is by Isonomy, and is a well bred horse. He came to this country about the time Kinley Mack, which also is by a son of Isonomy, was making a name for himself and was at once eagerly sought by breeders. A number of mares were sent from Kentucky to be bred to him, but the horse was injured and the1 mares were returned without having been bred. It was believed that his injuries would lie against his success as a sire, but Colonel Neville did not subscribe to this theory and purchased him. He feels now that it was a good investment and expects Contract to send out many good cross-country performers from Pelham Stud.