view raw text
AN ECCENTRIC REASON FOR BIDDING. Discussing some aspects of the December sale of thoroughbreds at Newmarket, England, "The Special Commissioners" said in a recent issue of London Sportsman: "As for the sales this week they have proved quite remarkably good. That is to say, there has been a big volume of business at lower prices than during the last two years, but still quite good. Those years of comparative madness were almost entirclv controlled by Mr. Mantascheff insofar a- prices were concerned. That gentlemans expansive plaid cap in 1912 excited other bidders to extraordinary efforts in opposition. It seems almost incredible, but tliis is to my certain knowledge the fact. One well-known gentleman, after making a Ms purchase in which he outstayed Mr. Mantascheff. said to me: I know I have given altout 2.000 too much, but I was determined not to be beaten hv a man wearing such a cap Another English buyer went far beyond what he intended on being urged oi not to be beaten bv a man in a cap like that! Tlds also I heard with my own ears. It seems strange, but is none the less true. This year we have reverted to more normal competition, and tue prices, such as they have been, would have been quite acceptable seven or eight years ago."
