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CONCEDES SUPERIORITY OF BRITISH STOCK. Replying to an ill-natured letter from an American correspondent in an English turf paier a comrauui-.cationjso palpably fallacious as not to call for notice except .for. the enlightenment of those who have never given the subject any thought Fred A. For-sythe, well-known Kentucky breeder, writes in The thoroughbred Record: -Now England may have the best thoroughbreds, as a rule. If she does not, then it is a strange freak of nature, bacausc the breed originated there. It has been carefully studied and fostered by the best and wealthiest patrons for over two hundred vears. The government does not try to hamper it, but encourages the sport; their ruler is a great patron; society is enthusiastic over the sport, and they have a just right to feel proud of the stand of the people upon this question, as they recognize its far-reaching benefits. Here with us the reverse has been true. Instead of a turfman who is honorable being respected and honored, he is classed along with the undesirables of the turf, those who frequent it for the "greed of gain. Different state governments under the domination of self-seeking politicians have to a great extent crippled or killed this great and beneficial sport in their borders. Maryland and Kentucky stand out as exceptions to this disgraceful and unfortunate crusade. "We do have to go back to the fountain head to replenish and improve our thoroughbreds. We have not arrived at that state of self-sufficiency where we consider" that our methods of our stock cannot be improved upon. When this time comes we will truly retrograde. We do go back to England and in some cases get their best, as St. Blaise, Ormonde and Itock Sand were brought to tills country. That the majority of us are not able to pay the prices for the best in England is our misfortune and not our fault, but I believe in fair, truthful and unbiased statements and credit when engaged in sport in giving every good horse in every country his well-earned dues, and not because he belongs to one man to depreciate his worth as a horse. He cannot choose his master; all that he can do is to serve that master as he is able, faithful and true. "We know that Orby carried the despised blood of Lexington and Virgil in his veins, as did Iroquois before him, and even with this English handicap won the Derby. "It is my opinion that we in America as breeders and turfmen have quite enough to contend with in adverse legislation, that is both cruel and calamitous, without the added menace of knife thrusts from the rear. If given the opportunity, I believe the American people are the equal in any vocation in life of holding their own with any country on this globe, but if we are continually hampered and our labors bronght to naught after years of striving toward the acme of our hopes, what can one expect but the retarding of our aims and ideals. What a pity that every man in America who loves a good horse would not join with those who are struggling and instead of being quiescent when their brother is in travail, give the helping hand to every branch of sport."
