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THE GLORIES AND TRADITIONS OF KENTUCKY RACING Walter II Pearce contributed to the Louisville CourierJournal of recent date an extensive article on Kentucky racing its history traditions and glory from which the following extracts are made Kentucky madeKentucky famous throughout the length and breadth of the land for its fast horses and boaut ful women continues to hold a conspicuous plac in the turf world Time brings about many changes Other states slowly bow to the expression of re ¬ formers and enact legislation detrimental to tho best interests of the thoroughbred but Old Ken ¬ tucky remains steadfast to tradition and always looks forward witli pleasure to the opportunity tj place the blooded steed which has brought the stalo such pedestalHorse undying fame upon a higher pedestal Horse racing has been called the sport of kings and such perhaps it is though It once reached u higher type among the truehearted and kindly com ¬ moners of the groat Commonwealth of Kentucsy There was a day when each estate boasted its half mile track ami when the settlement of questions in dispute was often left for decision to thorougi bred champions which raced under their owners eye ridden by black slave lioys who never missed their instructions and who never were instructed to do aught save win It was upon a hillside of thse saine estates which were clothed In waving blue grass and watered by sparkling limestone rills that many of the great stars of the American turf were nurtured and the history of the American turf shows that during a long period it was felt that unless a race horse had been bred in Kentucky his value to the turf was of doubtful character characterIt It is natural therefore that the renaissance of racing In the tuited States should have its origu in Kentucky It is proper and right that in Ken ¬ tucky should take place the rebirth of good manners and good morals in the government of the turf Kentucky suffered with all other states when the greed for money had reduced the turf to a low lev i of indecency when jockeys horses iiiid the letting ring even the stewards sometimes themselves wer owned by one vast syndicate of money grabbers who staged the socalled sport of kings in beauti ¬ ful surroundings under smiling skies and chortled in their sleeves to see the public pick their choitw and contribute their money moneyWhen When the turf throughout the country had fallen into such low estate the good people of all creeds no matter what their opinion concerning sport might be came to the conclusion that the turf was rotten and should he abolished It was almost com pletclv eliminated A search for causes easily showed that bookmaking was the root of the evil and the Kentucky State Racing Commission enjoying great authority under the constitution of tho state drove out the knights of the chalk established the pari mutuel system in itself a thoroughly normal and hrtr method of wagering and the rejuvenation of the turf was well begun The immediate results to Kentucky are well known knownKentuckys Kentuckys stake in the turf is and always has boon greater than that of any other commonwealth in tiie Iliion Not only can this interest IK repre ¬ sented by a vast sum in dollars and cents but there are also sentimental reasons of great weight and merit why horses should be raced and why tho vast breeding industry should be conserved and fostered Perhaps the sentimental reasons are tho strongest At least tliov should be very strong in Louisville where the financial side of the sport has never l een permitted to overshadow the human and sentimental elements which enter into all tnie spout spoutNo No organization ever took a more prominent part in affairs of the turf than the old Louisville Jockey Club This club was organized in 1S74 by some of the most prominent and influential citizens of the state Among those responsible for the organization were Charles D Jacob M Lewis Clark Isaac Cald well Major J M AVomack E II Chase R II Nowhouso Col J Russ Butler Henry C McDowell of Lexington Danifl Swjgcrt of Lexington J W Hunt Reynolds of Frankfort and Thomas D Martin Jr of IxMiisvillc IxMiisvillcCol Col M Lewis Clark for many years the presiding judge at Churchill Downs was the president of the organization while Maj J M Womack was elected treasurer Col Clark who had visited England re ¬ turned with many important Sjggestioiis to offer re ¬ garding the stake events to be decided over the famous track He copied the conditions of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks after the famous English classics witli the result that tho kings and queens of the turf were always found as starters in these spring events The mighty Ten Broeck was a starter in the lirst Kentucky Derby which was run in 1S75 The race at that time was one and onehalf miles and Ten Broeck failed to place The event was won by Aristides the little red horse horseAs As stated previously there was a time in tliJtt country when horse racing was called the sport of kings and not without good reason but that was long ago Those were the days when gciitlcmtn owners thought It i erfectly proper to match spfd with speed and when the jockeys always rode as f their lives de ended on their being first to reach tho goal of victory The butting was largely of the handtohand variety and the horse lover backed his opinion knowing that he was certain to get a run for his money moneyThen Then came the professional gamblers The book ¬ maker with his slate of tempting odds and tin sure thing artist who followed the game not for tiie love of it but for the money which might e won are the ones mainly resjmusiblo for the present condition of turf affairs The game slowly degen ¬ erated into a business proposition and when the bookmaker liegau to take an active part the horse became the servant of strange masters Outwardly the sport retained its attractivouos its charm and its hold upon popular fancy Mol men with red blood in their veins like to see rjst horses run There is something about the stretch struggle between two evenly matched steeds tnat sets the heart to thumping and makes 3ou pull I jr the best horse to win even though you may happen to hrvo a small wager on the other thoroughbred First one state and then another enacted laws against the sport because of tin conditions that existed It was rotten at some of the tracks unl bv that rottenness doomed to an early decay Kentucky has always occupied a prominent place in tho racing world For eightyseven years with but sliht interruption there has been continuous racing at the Kentucky Association track at Lex ¬ ington which is in the heart of the bluegrass see tiou The Louisville Jockey Clul has been in ex ¬ istence since 1S75 while 1itonia has had its ups and downs since 1SS3 During the existence of these thacks some of the greatest horses ever foaled have raced in Kentucky It can also bo truthfully stated that a majority of the bust horses that evv went to the post were born on Kentucky farms farmsPrior Prior to the establishment of wliat is now the New Louisville Jockey Club there was the old Oak ¬ land track which was located near where Seventh and Oak streets now intersect It was over this track that the famous WagnerGrey Eagle match race took place This event was a fourmile heat affair with the contestants evenmoney favorites This event was one of the great races of history in which the Kentucky representative went down in defeat Wagner was1 the Louisiana pride and his victory was no fluke Kentuekians wagered their last dollar on Grey Eagle and when tho race was over felt confident that they had received a good run for their money After racing was abandoned at the Oakland track it was resumed at the Woodlawn track which was located OH the L N right ofway near the present entrance of the road leading to the Ken ¬ tucky Military Institute Traces of the course can bo easily discerned from tho car windows of the trains and electric cars passing br there today There were two tracks located at Woodlawn one being for the exclusive use of trotters but the lat ¬ ter sport did not make much of a hit with the local publie and was soon abandoned abandonedOne One of the most famous races which ever took place over the Woodlawn track was a match race event liotwecu Lily Moon a daughter of Yorkshire and Ied Oak which had an unlteateii record on tho southern tracks Red Oak wns purchased by Fred Scruggs of Mobile Ala for the purpose of ar ¬ ranging a match with Lily Moon Rod Oak was winning the race with much ease and the rider be ¬ gan to slacken up The ridor of Lily Moon taking advantage again went to thr whip and his mount responded so gamely that she was beaten bv a nock The effort to get Red Oak at full speed after he had been eased up resulted in his breaking down downAmong Among tho famous horses which raced over tiie Woodlawn cnurse were Enquirer Asteroid Magnota and War Dance There were few sprint races in the old days The horses were trained to go over considerable distance of ground and it was not thought to be out of the ordinary for a horse to travel twelve miles during the afternoon Boston regarded by many experts as the best horse eve foaled would often run two or three times a woe in fourmile heats which shows that some times lie would travel thirtysix miles over a race course against the strongest competitors that could found to go against him lie also did other travel ing for he was shipped from one track to anotY r with startling regularity regularityWhile While many great races were staged over the Oakland track none caused as much comment as the great struggle between Wagner and Grey Eagl Wagner was the pride of Louisiana and was ridden by jockey Cato a black saddle artist of much abl ity He was a slave negro but as the horses were being saddled to go to tho post his owners wo had wagered heavily on Wagner informed him in the event of victory that he would be given his freedom Presentday riders have taken desperate chances In an effort to win a largo stake race in to land a big wagor but none ever had so inueli depending upon the final outcome of a struggle twceii thoroughbreds Catosj riding was a woinlei ful exhibition and was mainly responsible for flu victory of Wagner WagnerWithout Without the question of a doubt the must famous race ever decided over the Churchill Downs course was the match between Mollie McCarthy and Ten Broeck This was run off on July 4 ISTS which proved to be one of tho hottest days on record So much interest was manifested In t match however that one of the greatest crowds In the history of the Jockey Club was on hand to witness the struggle Iietween the colt and tho tilly which was arranged to be a fourmile heat affair affairAlthough Although Ten Broeck made a ilisaniiointlim showing in the Kentucky Derby In his early three yearold form he later showed that ho was a won ¬ derful horse It was when ho became a fouryear old however that lie really demonstrated that la was capable to go against any runner and that he could negotiate a considerable distance of ground with ease Little need be said of Mollie McCarthy She was the California queen and a racer of merit with rare gamehess gamehessIt It was the horse against the filly It was Kon lucky against California This time it was not a repe ¬ tition of the WagnerGrey Eagle affair for Kentucky triumphed The lilly and the colt had but one boit to settle the struggle Alter going three inies Mollie McCarthy had enough She never finished out the four miles and Ten Broeck was proclaimed the champion long distance performer of America Probably the greatest of all Kentucky Derbys and one that will never be forgotten by lovers of thoroughbred racing was tho event of ISS when Spokane ami Procter Knott came to the finish lino luises apart in the fastest time ever made for the original Derby route which was one and onehalf mills stepping the distance In 2AV Proctir Knott was tho pride of the entire American turf loving public because In his twoyearold form ho had captured tho first Futurity Stakes run at Coney Igliiml by which his ownecs Sain Bryant and the Scoggan brothers Louisrillc turfmen pulled down about 70000 an unheard of sum in those days for a single race Pike Barnes tho star colored rider of those days had the mount on Procter Kuott While Tom Kiley who Is now an active trainer on the western tracks had the leg up ou Spokane which was prepared for the race by John Rudegap who is still living and oneof the oldest trainers on the American turf Proctor Kuott was hold at even money in the books and was backed for a kings ransom Spokane was quoted at from 10 to 1 to 1 AVhen the race was run it looked as if Proctor Knott would be a sure winner until he reached the head of the stretch having led the entire distance from two to three open lengths At the head of the stretch Barnes cither took the Luko Blackburn colt wide or tiring he swerved At all events this allowed Spokane to como through on the rail and the finish was one of those dingdong affairs which required the officials to determine the win ¬ ner They hung out the number carried by Spo ¬ kanes jockey but many who saw tho race are just as confident that Proctor Knott lasted long enough t win winThe The Kentucky Dorby was run at one and one half miles from 1S75 to 1S05 being reduced to one and onequarter miles in 1890 The first running at the new distance resulted in a victory for Bon Brush a son of Bramble which beat Ben Eiler a nose Tliis race was similar to tho Proctor Knott Spokane race in many respects only a larger ma ¬ jority of the spectators disagreed with the placing of the finish Ben Brter seemed to have won by a good head Jockey Willie Sinims one of tho great ¬ est colored riders of turf history rode Ben Brush BrushThe The best horse has not always won the Ken ¬ tucky Derby but few of those fortunate enough to pull down the long end of the rich purse have been dismal failures Judge Hlmes Elwood Pink Star and Stone Street all winners in recent years were of the selling plater class but Judsre Hlmes could run against kStake horses when the track was muddy and make a good showing which goes to show that it takes a horse of class to gain the decision in a Kentucky Derby Some of the greatest horses in the world were foaled at Kentucky farms and went to England and became famous both as racers and sires None were better than Foxhall by King Alfonso which captured many English classics It is only necessary to mention that Hamburg Enquirer Lexington and others of this class were foaled in Kentucky to show what this state has accomplished from a breeding standpoint standpointAs As a long distance racer few horses possessed the same amount of courage and ability as the renowned Lexington one of the most famous horses ever bred in Kentucky Whenever the name of Boston is mentioned in connection with heat races it is almost certain that Lexington will be discussed along most favorable lines Lexington was a son of the mighty Boston being outof lAlIcoQiriicnl the latter a race mare abilityLexington of more than ordinary ability Lexington could travel far and he could travel fast It was over the famous old Metairle track at New Orleans that ho ran a couple of his most won ¬ derful races and ones which will always be remem ¬ bered by tho old school of turfmen As early as 1854 Lexington had a worthy rival in Lecoinpteals by Boston and out of Reel a wonderful racing tool Great rivalry existed between the owners of Lexing ¬ ton and Lvcompte and a meeting between the pair always aroused the greatest of enthusiasm enthusiasmThe The lir t mooting between Lexington and Lecomnle was in the Grand Post Stakes worth OOO to the winner Kentucky Alabama Louisiana and Miss ¬ issippi had representatives in this event which was decided over the Metallic course Lexington repre ¬ sented Kentucky Lecomntc Mississippi Highlander Alabama and Arrow Loulsjana Highlander and Arrow were four mile iiorformers of unusual merit but did not class with Lexington and Lecompte as their first meeting proved conclusively Locompte was in rare form for the Grand Post Stakes but proved unequal to the task of beating the gallant Lexington which won easily In two straight heats Tho first heat was rim Jn 8OSi while the second four miles were traveled in S04 The outcome of the race was nilto disappointing to tho backers of Lecompte who clamored wildly for another meeting with Lexington They laid great stress upon their claim that Locompte had been badly ridden riddenAnother Another mooting was easily arranged to take place one week later which fell on April S lt 4 It is claimed that the second meeting between the turf stars resulted in the greatest race ever de ¬ cided on the American turf Over 10000 persons were ou hand to witness tho struggle between the mighty fourmllers Among those in the stand was Miilard Fillmore expresident of the United States Lexing ¬ ton ruled a slight favorite in the betting being M to ICi against the field fieldAlthough Although Lexington struggled gamely he was unable to repeat his victory over Lecompte which was handled In faultless fashion by Abe a plantation negro who greatly resembled a monkey Lecoiiipte took the first heat in tho wonderful time for that period of 72i Tho manner in which he won seemed to take all the rim out of Lexington and in the second boat Lecompte won with less difficulty in 7S i Itenhe a fair performer took third money in this match It was now the time for the hackers of Lexing ton to come forth with excuses for the defeat of their favorite They had plenty to offer Richard Ten Broeck of Louisville Immediately offered to wager 20000 that Lexington could defeat Le ¬ compte in a return match T J Wells the owner of Lecompte and Mr Ten Broeck were unable to come to terms and the talk of a match lasted for many months monthsFinally Finally Mr Ten Broeck offered to wager 20000 that Lexington could boat Lecomptes time for four miles As Lecompte had stepped the four miles in the remarkable time of 720 the lattors owner did not think that such a thing was possible After much haggling the trial against time was arranged It was In this trial against time that Lexington ran four miles in TrinTu a mark which stood for twenty years l oing lowered by Fellowcraft over the Saratoga coiuse coiuseIn In his trial against time Lexington was ridden by jockey Gilpatrick Tills saddle artist was one of the stars of his time hut had felt the displeasure of an official ruling Mr Ten Broeck and other in ¬ fluential turfmen used their sreatest persuasion with the officials in an effort ti secure Gilpatricks reinstatement The officials would not reinstate Gilpatrick but they allowed the rider to pilot Lex ¬ ington in the trial against time timeRobert Robert Alexander known as Lord Alexander of the Woodburu farm in Kentucky purchased Lex ¬ ington for 1 KH It was at the Wnodburn farm that Norfolk was foaled This colt sold for Sl Sli001 i001 It was Mr Alexanders boast at the time when he purchased Lexington that this sire would produce a colt which would sell for more money than he Lexington cost Air Alexander refused SlTiOOO for Norfolk stating that he would have to receive at least 1 in advance of this sum before he could close negotiations negotiationsTo To make a selection of the greatest horse ever foaled in Kentucky is a matter of comparing the opinions of generations and the foundation ou which these opinions were based All things taken into consideration it must be admitted that Colin the son of CViniiiiando Pastorolla is truly the best product of the Kentucky breeding industry lie is the ptpular idol of the laterday generation of race ¬ goers He did everything that was asked of him and was never lioaton In all Colin ran in fifteen races and won tin in all fourteen with tho greatest of ease In the othc he had to be hustled to boat an ordinary racer but then he was running over a track not exactly to his liking and probably when he had staled off just a trifle Colin won the richest prizes of American racing and horsemen who have grown gray in iWatchiug the successive generations of horses com and go declare that his equal never existed Jimmy existedJimmy Rowe the Kcene trainer who saddled Colin for all of his races does not share the opinion or a majority of trainers that the son of Commando Is the greatest American thoroughbred of all time Mr Rowe thinks that Sysonby another Kcene star was a better horse than Colin ColinThe The writer asked the opinion of a group if trainers at Lexington recently regarding tiie mer ts of great horses born in Kentucky One picked Ham ¬ burg another Colin one Sysonhv Tom Bowling was still another selection and Hindoo the fifth And so it would be with any group of turfmen nskoil to express their opinion opinionPrejudice Prejudice amoilg brooders accounts for a lot Sentiment also goes a long way In their selection It Is the general opinion however that Hindoo tr Colin should be accorded tho honor The writer saw Colin when lie won the Futurity and in some f his other races Not having witnessed Hindoo p i form it Is hard to express an opinion regarding tlu respective merjts of those racers but Colin demon ¬ strated that lie was capable of doing anything that was asked of him himHindoo Hindoo was a son of Virgil and Florence th latter being a daughter of Lexington He was t bay colt and foaled In 1S78 During his career iii the turf ho started thirtylive times winning thirty races He was owned as a twoyearold by DaiiiI Swlgert and won seven stake races in successlf 1 His victories were in the Colt and Filly Stakes at Lexington Alexander and Tennessee Stakes at Churchill Downs Juvenile and Jockey Club Stakes at St Louis and the Tromont Stakes at Chicago He was then purchased by the Dwyer Bros tir 15000 lie started twice in their Colors at Sara ¬ toga but failed to win finishing third the first time out and second in his next effort effortIt It was as a threeyearold that Hindoo showed such wonderful form lie won eighteen races hi a row before going down in defeat lie captured both the Kentucky Derby and the Clark Stakes that year As a fouryearold Hindoo was beaten in his lirst start by Checkmate but afterward won hail dily from Checkmate It can bo said that Hindoo was never beaten when in the prime of condition conditionAmong Among tho races won by Colin was his initial start in a purse affair the National Stallion race Eclipse Stakes Saratoga Special Croat Trial Stakes Brighton Junior Stakes Futurity Stakes Flathush Stakes Produce Stakes Champagne Stakes Withers Stakes Bolmont Stakes and the Tidal Stakes Colin could run IP front or be rated He was a horse of tre ¬ mendous speed wonderful courage and gave evi ¬ dence of I eing able to travel all day He was whipped in but one race and then it was hard y necessary for his rider to resort to punishment as Colin was rapidly overtaking his opponents opponentsKouisvllllans Kouisvllllans own nearly all of tho stock of the New Louisville Jockey Club which is being ma i agpd by Col Matt J Wiun who has shown marked ability since taking charge Charles F Graingfr is the president of the association and one of the large stvckholders One fact to which the success oC the New Louisville Jockey Club is attributed Ts that gamblers have no stock in the organization organizationThe The Douglas Park Racing Association is owned by St Louis capital Louis Cella and Cant C A Tillos control the management of the plant which is under the direction v f John Hachmoister one of the most capable and popular racing otlicials in thf country When the Cella crowd first secured Doug ¬ las Park it was feared that a turf war was certain to result but soon a consolidation was effected with the New Louisville Jockey Club ClubFor For a time the tracks alternated the racing be ¬ ing hold at Churchill Downs in the spring and at Douglas Plfk in the fall It was soon found advis ¬ able to hold all of the meetings at Churchill Downs tho Douglas Park people sharing in the profits For a time all went well and then came a disagreement The Cella crowd nskvd for the dissolution of the holding company stating that they intended to holl meetings at their own plant plantWhen When the Racing Commission refused to grant dates to Douglas Park last spring it was again feared that trouble would result but Mr Cella and Mr Hachineister at once went on record as stating that they wore more than willing to abide by any decision of the commission Last fall the Douglas Park plant was granted liberal racing dates and this spring will have almost as much racing as Churchill Downs DownsThe The Cella crowd has acted magnanimously since coming Into Kentucky As long as John Hach ¬ moister is at the head of affairs the public can feel certain that highclass sport will be provided with liberal purses offered which will attract the best horses in the country to the track Mr nachineis tec is now a fullfledged Loulsvlllian residing at one of the most exclusive apartments on Fourth ave ¬ nue and says that it will always IKJ his sincere endeavor to provide the best there is in racing for the Douglas Park track trackThe The Kentucky Association track at Lexington which is the oldest establishment of its kind In the state and one of the oldest In the country having been organized in 1820 has had more than Us share of failures It has only been since 1004 that It has been enjoying some degree of prosperity The Ken ¬ tucky breeders who have been clamoring for the Kentucky Racing Commission to force the track owners to Increase the size of purses did not conic to the aid of the famous old track when it was in distress and about to die a natural death deathNo No member of tho commission ever took a more active part for the welfare of the sport than tho late Major Daingerfield Despite declining years ho knew the sport from beginning to cud and was always ready to offer suggestions at a time wliiii they were needed It was Major Daingerfield who took the Initiative in regard to the establishment of the Kentucky Endurance Stakes AVhich was intended to bring about a revival of longdistance racing in Kentucky The success of his plan has Iwen amply demonstrated by the two races of Un ¬ kind conducted at Churchill Downs The Thoroughbred Record taking Mr Pearces reference to Lexington as a text has this to say about that famous thoroughbred and his antecedents antecedentsLexington Lexington was a bay foaled March 17 1S 0 and was bred by the late Dr Elisha Warfleld at The Meadows which now fronts on Loudouu ave ¬ nue this city He was by Boston first dam Allre Carnoal by imp Sarpedon second dam Roweiia by Sumpter third dam Lady Gray by Robin Cray fourth dam Maria by Melzar fifth dam by imp Highflyer sixth dam by imp Fearnaiight seventh dam by Aerial eighth dam by Jack of Diamonds ninth dam imp Old Diamond alro called Duchess by Culloii Arabian tenth dam Grisewoods Lady Thigh by Crofts Partner eleventh dam by Cray hound twelfth dam Sophonisbas dam bv Curwen Bay Barb thirteenth dam by DArcys Chestnut Arabian fourteenth dam by Whitoshirt fifteenth dam Old Montague Mare MareBoston Boston the sire of Lexington was a chestnut foaled in IS bred by John Wickham Richmond Va by Timoloon sou of Sir Archy lirst dam Sis ¬ ter to Tiickahoo by Balls Florizol second dam by Imp Alderman third dam by imp Cockfast fourth dam by Synunes Wildair fifth dam Young Kitty Fisher by imp Foarnanght sixth dam imp Kitty Fisher by Cade seventh dam by Cullens Arabian eighth dam Bald Charlotte by Old Royal ninth dam by Bethels Castaway tenth dam by Brimmer BrimmerAlice Alice Carneal the dam of Lexington was a bay and bred by Dr E Wartleld She never started in public until she was live years old She was of a particularly high nervous temperament to such a high degree that she would get out of condition be ¬ tween her stable and the race course Dr Warliold said that at homo she was superior to any Imrse lie ever bred or owned When drawn for a race she would sweat freely tremble purge and became so nervous and excited as totally unfitted her to race and difficultyThat was started with the greatest difficulty That our readers may form some estimate of Lexington as a race horse wo are attaching two letters from his trainer J B Pryor His well known reputation as a trainer his high character as a gentleman of truth and integrity will go fur ¬ ther to establish the horses reputation than any words of ours could do Berkshire England May 1801 Dear Sir I was much pleased yesterday to receive your letter of the 21st ult and most cheerfully give YOU anv information that 3011 may want about Lexington Lexington was a horse of the host and kindest temper a good feeder and at the same time was a horse that never wanted the hard work that some horses do I never allowed him to run to his best in any trial 1 gave him a fourmile gallop at Natchez over the Pharsalia Course a few days be ¬ fore ho wont to Now Orleans to run for the Post Stake I mean the Groat State Post Stake He wont the first mile alone tho second hiile he boat Jim Barton the third mile he leat Col Pingamaus Attila and tho fourth mile he boat Little Flea Each of these horses was set In fresh and each beaten from thirty to forty yards The last mile was run in 1 4S Ho was throe years old with 101 pounds on him the others had alxuit eighty itouuds on each Xo horse was ever his match or ever could race with him after half a mile Lexington was not fit to run when Locomte boat him ho was full of cold and oven then aftov having caught Lecointo and had him lieat the boy stopMd him thinking he had gone four miles Lexington when right was a distance hotter than any horse I ever saw run in America four mile heats and I have seen all the best horses run in England for three years and there is not a horse here that he could not beat four miles There are horses here thit might beat or race with him two miles but none four lie could go faster at the end of four miles than most horses can a half mile I have been training horses thirty years ami am iwisitive that Lexington It the best race horse 1 have ever seen n any country When he ran against time in New Orleans he could have run in 710 When ho boat Locomte the next week he could have beaten hlirt three hundred jards and I doubt If you could have beaten Lexington that day I gave him runs with such horses as Charmer Wado Hampton Arrow Wild Irishman and Little Flea none could over make him run tho gallop Was always over after three quarters of a mile mileIn In speaking of Lecomte he was a good raco horso in any company but Lexingtons but lie was like all others no match to him himYour Your obedient servant J B Iryor IryorFrom From another letter two years after tho above was written we extract the following notice of the English horses horsesCompton Compton Berts Eng February 3 1S55 Dear Sir In looking over some old letters today I found yours of tJe 25th of June 1SC 3 which is most interesting to me Tilings in the way of rac ¬ ing are alnmt the amo as when you were in this country except that the threeyearolds of last year were better in number than auv season for some time Still I tiiliLk Thormaiiby tho best Derby 1fcs I have seen Both General Peel and Blair jpfiol an fine horses but neither finish a raco like niormanby I have seen 11 the best horses ruu here for five years and seen them run all distances and fed sure without prejudice that lyexlngton was fmuerlor to all horses in England or any other country as 1 have seen some of the best Arabs here and he could have Jieutcu them all allYour Your obedient servant J B Pryor Iexingtou never broke down his legs were as clean as a colts up to tin day of his death Shortly after Ills last race with Leoomte his eyes failed and Air Ten Rroeck sent him to Kentucky and ho made Ins first season of 1S55 at W F Harpers near Midway In June 1S5 R A Alexander bought Lexington for 15001 of Air Teu Broeck who was then in England He stood at Woodburn Farm commencing witli the season of 3857 except his temporary removal in lS65 to Illinois down to the day of his death July 1 1S75 Soine unthinking persons charge that Lexington had some fifteoi hundred or two thousand colts upon tin turf In fut there were ouly 413 of Lexingtons get trained of which 236 were winners of 1159 21 being first 1175 times second 34S and third fortytwo times Alauy of Ixjxingtons seasons were made during the war and his get had few places at which they coiild run and the purses were ex ¬ tremely small Old English turf writers have been extremely fond of giving the number of winners by Herod Matchem and Eclipse the three great strains of the English blood horse Herod represents tho Byerly Turk line Alatclum tho Godolphin Arabian and Kelipse the Darley Aralilan and the subjoined table will show how Lexington compared with them Herod produced 497 wimtors which wou 970000 Matchem produced 354 vyumers which wou 531000 Kclijise produced 344 winners which won 543520 Lexington produced 235 winners which whichwon won 1159321 1159321By By this it will be seen tliat I exingtous get won more than Alatcliems aul Eclipses together and S1S9521 more than Herods
