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! 1 - . FAMOUS AUSTRIAN EREEDER DIES. It is with deepest regret that I learn of the death after a long illness of Mr. Aristide Baltazzi, who was not only a great man but a wonderful organizer who by his untiring efforts was directly responsible for the giant strides made of recent years in the general status of the turf in Austria. He was as highly respected and well known on English race courses and la our sale paddocks. His funeral in Vienna only a few days ago was attended by many aristocratic and highly placed mourners. Mr. Baltazzi was a brother of Messrs. Alexander and Hector Baltazzi. whose names were associated in 1S70 with the Austrian-bred Kisber, which, trained by the late Joseph Hayhoe and ridden by C. Maidment, easily beat Forerunner, Julius Caesar, Petrarch and eleven others for the Derby. Mr. Hector was, too, one of the best amateur riders iu Europe. The deceased was for many years senior-steward of the Austrian Jockey Club, and it was under his regime that racing in that country attained its present high status. It was under him that the Napagedl breeding stud in Moravia grew to its "present high dimensions, and the records of the yearling sales are really remarkable. The annual celebration was attended by the principal buyers from all countries, and was a gigantic festival at which the guests were entertained on the most lavish scale by the C-juntess and Mr. Aristide, tlie pleasure of the function being enhanced by the delightful music from the world-famous Hungarian bands, and the picturesque scene was enhanced by the presence of a gaily-attired bevy of handsome girls in attendance. These sales were In fact splendid in every respect and financially were remarkable, for between thirty and forty yearlings were sold every year at a rough average of 700 pounds per head, while on one occasion only a year or two back the produce disposed of won collectively about a million kronen in stakes, equivalent in English mouey to about 47,000 pounds. Needless to say, the success of the stud was in the main due to blood of Euglish origin, and at the present time there are, I believe, upwards of sixty broodmares of the highest class in tlie paddocks, while among the stallions are the English horses, Wombwell, Woolwlnder and Matchbox, and the French-bred Gouvcruant. The widow is equally en- thuslastic as regards racing and breeding as was Mr. Baltazzi, and I understand that the establish- niont is to be carried on iu the same style as hither- to by the gentleman who married Mr. Baltazzis only daughter. Mr. Baltazzi was responsible for the success attained by the new race course at Kottingbrunn, near Vienna, and Austria has to ile- plore a loss which it will he har.d, If not impossible, to replace, for apart from bis vast personal influence his knowledge of every detail api.-rtaiuiug to turf affairs was consummate. "Vigilant iu Lou-; don Sportsman of November 25.
