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BEST SALE IN MANY YEARS MACKAY YEARLINGS FROM FRANCE BRING AN AVERAGE OF 0YEB ,000. Big Crowd of Representative Turfmen Attends the Sale—John Sanford Buys Three, hat Kentucky Pays Top Price. New York, December 24. — The thoroughbred resumed ascendency iu the horse mart of America last night when fifteen thoroughbreds import- d from the Haras de Fresnay Stud of Clarence II. Mackay were sold at Durlands for 0,000. Of the consignment thirteen were yearlings and these brought 2,000, an average per head of ,231. In the light of the recent history of the sport, after its lite had been threatened by hostile legislation, the showing was remarkable, and Mr. Mackay, who was present, was warmly congratulated by prominent turfmen for his share in developing the confidence of Americans in racing. A more representative gathering of horsemen never graced the Durland tanbark than those which assembled for the dispersal of the crop of choice yearlings sent from Fiance to enrich the blood stock of this country. Long before the time announced for the sale intended buyers aud admirers of the thoroughbred, paraded around the ring inspecting the grand looking specimens, that tempted many a lover of the horse to invest in the chance for future glory. There were great chances offered, for all the youngsters sold were richly engaged and, nearly all, had ancestors which had left their mark on the history of the turf as winners of great races abroad or at home. John Sanford. the most liberal buyer of recent years, who has set himself the task of. building up the Hurricana Stud to a point it never reached before, had come down from Amsterdam. N. Y.. and there was no limit to the prices he was willing to pay for the right kind of blood to associate with the blue blooded animals already at New Amsterdam. Three took his fancy and these he purchased for a total of 4,300. The honor of paying top price did not. however, fall to the up-state sportsman, who showed a pre-deliction for the Meddler and Back Sand strains. There was a new Richmond in the field when the chestnut colt Sunlight was put up for auction, or rather several Richmonds. for the bidding was brisk until this handsome chestnut was knocked down to John It. Morris, a Kentucky breeder. Tor Sli.OCO, the top price of the sale. Mr. Morris was acting for Kenneth Alexander of Woodburn Farm, near Versailles. Ky.. whose ancestors were interested in the thoroughbred in the days of the noted Lexington. Besides the fancy prices realized, for the returns were beyond expectations, despite the high-class breeding lines represented, there were encouraging signs for racing in the character of the purchasers and the interest taken by those around the sales ring. The prices obtained were ro far beyond general expectations that the most optimistic were surprised. Prior to the sale Mr. Bain, the auctioneer, believed that 0,000 would lie about the limit for the fifteen head, and Charles Hill, who managed the sale for Mr. Mackay, was of the MM opinion. It was gratifying to both when the total reached 0,000. Among the bidders were several new aspirants fo-turf honors, notably I". A. Clark, who is starting out with a small string of imported horses. Mr. Clark is well known in tlie financial district of New York. Two of his recent purchases abroad arrived on the Rotterdam, but one had to be destroyed, having broken its leg. The Schwartz brothers were bidders for the good horses in the sale and possibly would have bought Allumeur. but Mr. Schwartz bid of 1915.sh,110 was a fraction of a second too late. B. Strausberger. who bought Ginger S:;ap, is also a new comer to the turf. After the last horse was sold Foxhall P. Keene said: "It was a most wonderful sale and sIiowh the vast amount of money waiting to be invested in thoroughbred blood that will improve the American breed. The true spirit of patriotism was in-fusi-d in every bid. It seemed ps if everyone wanted the credit of doing something to help the cause. The result of the sale speaks volumes for the future and should be an incentive for those invested with legislative power, to encourage the improvement in the breed of the American thoroughbred, when so many and patriotic citizens aro willing to spend their money to further a :;iiort and an industry which means so much to this country." Mr. Keenes sentiments expressed the feeling of all who were at the sale, among whom were many notables in the skirting and financial world. There is little question that some of the horses brought more than they would have under ordinarv conditions. The blood was the chief consideration of bidders at all times, the racing prospects of the horses seeming to be of minor importance, there being few in the band which gave external promise ot becoming great race horses. The summaries — Yearlings: Sunlight, ch. c, by Sundridge—Spectrum: J. IT. Morris BOO Gloriana. ch. f. by Meddler — Ballantrae: John Sanford 5.500 Gunrock. ch. c. by Rock Sand — Gunfire: John Sanford 4.S00 Merry Thought, ch. f, by Uncle — Marise: W. R. Coe 4. IW0 Pierre-a-Feu. b. or br. c. by Rock Sand — Trigger: John Sanford 4.0 ;0 Crepuscle. b. f. by Meddler — Strike-a-Light : Grant Hugh Browne t.Oitf Hathor, b. f. by Meddler — Kamara: Willis Sharp Kilmer o.lOO Sargon, ch. c. by Uncle — Semiramis II.; G. M. Odom 2.S0O Flotsam, ch. c. by Meddler — Flocarline: George M. Odom 2, 100 Ginger Snap. b. f. by Gingal— Cafe-au-Lait; R. B. Strausb-rger l.: 50 Courtship, b. e. by Phoenix— Courtisane: Phil Chinn 1.200 La Recolte. b. f, by Meddler— Wheat Ear; John If. M rris 1.O50 War Dog. ch. c. by Mordant— Miss Ellie: Grant Hugh Brow ne 900 Older Horses. Allumeur. b. c. 4. by Meddler— Strike-a Light: Willis Sharp Kilmer C.000 Nyack. ch. c, 2, by Unchi — Semblance: Henry Waterson 2.000
