view raw text
PRICES BROUGHT BY DERBY WINNERS. .Memories of the most sensational Derby in the annals of racing are recalled by the fact that Craga-nour, the horse which, after passing the post first, was disqualified, lias arrived safely at Buenos Ayres. He was sold for 50,000 and. before, he left these shores, ho was insured for 50,000. A specially large box was constructed for him on the steamers deck aud in this lie was able to take exercise. The question often, arises in the minds of millions of people interested iu racing as to what becomes of those equliu: giants that figure so prominently iu the greatest race of the year. The. names of the winners will be familiar to many of our readers, but probably they would be lost if asked to name their fate or the price they fetched. Take for example, KIsber, which won in 1S7G, and died twenty-two years later. He was purchased for a "monkey" 2,500, and won for his owner, who, singularly enough, only namedrhim two days before the race, a fabulous sum in bets. A bullet mercifully put an end to Kisbers age and Infirmity. Craganours voyage serves to remind one that Blue Gown died at sea. First, this idol of the people, which won the Derby amid tremendous cheering, was sold for 30,000. Then he was bought by an American for 0,000, but on the way back to the States he breathed his last. Despite earnest entreaties, the Yankee owner refused to insure Blue Gown, and his mistake cost him a small fortune. Men everywhere still talk of Hermits snowstorm Derby of 1SC7. Reported lame days before the race. Hermit started at 00 to 1 against him. His victory ruined the Marquis of Hastings, put thousands upon thousands of pounds into the pocket of Mr. Henry Chaplin, the well-known politician, cost a racing duke 1913.sh0,000 iu bets. After, together with his progeny, winning .,500,000 in stakes, he died and his skeleton was presented to the Royal Veterinary College In Camden Town. Although he rau in nineteen races after he had proved successful in the Derby of 1S70, Kingcraft only won once, and in 18S4 he was sold for the paltry sum or 2,500. Meltoirf another notable Derbv winner, was. after being sold to the Italian government for 52.000, subsequently priced by that authority at 125,000. If you think that two Derby dead-heaters are necessarily worth the snrue amount, you are mistaken. St. Gatien and Harvester, which passed the post level in 18S4. changed hands for 75,000 and ,350 respectively, bur the former added the Ce-sarewileh to his Derby laurels during the same vear. Sir Revys, which won in 1870, and gave the great George Fordham his only -winning mount in the famous race, died; George Frederick, after being sold for the various sums of $.125, 1,500 and 10,500, went stone blind while he was spending his twenty-fifth birthday ou a farm in Canada and afterward peacefully iassed away. Silvio, which won in 1887, was sold for 38,000, and in his sixteenth year he broke a leg and was shot. Iroquois, which captured the great event in 1SS1, was brought over by the Americans, and his victory secured a vast fortune in bets. The result of this race was known in New York five seconds after the horses had passed the post. Blair Athol, another winner, died a natural death, and the glorious Giadiateur, which won 155,850 on the turf, was sold ut fluctuating prices of 30,200. 35,750 and 22,500. ne died in 1870, and his lasti owner drew 21,000 insurance monev. The Duke of Westminster sold Ormonde, probably one of the fastest race horses that over bore a silken jacket to victory, for 00,000. and the purchaser, who refused an offer of 135,000 from the late Sir John Brundell .Maple, afterward parted with this king of the turr for 150,000 to a California millionaire, who, in turn, refused a profit of 75,000 on the, deal. Yet Ormonde turned out a dismal fall- I ure from a breeders standiioint. Pearsons Weekly. I