Influence of Famous Imported Sires, Daily Racing Form, 1916-10-27

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INFLUENCE OF FAMOUS IMPORTED SIRES. Of all the great horses imported into this country from England Glencoe was " probably the best. As a race horse lie was quite first-class, winning among other races, the Two Thousand Guineas in 1S34. His breeding was ultra fashionable, tracing on his dams side to Web, Penelope, Prunella and others, one of the best racing families in the world. His impress upon the racing stock lias been strong, and today there is scarcely a first-class race horse, either in this country or in England, without several crosses to Glencoe. Before the revolutionary War, when Virginia was the home and the breeding ground of the thoroughbred horse, the importation of such sterling horses as Jolly Roger. James, Mor- tons Traveler, Fearnaught and Medley gave distinction and worth to the horses of Virginia and made them famous throughout all of the other colonies. Wealthy gentlemen vied with each other in establishing a breed of horses that would be superior to all others, and expense was not considered where a desirable animal could be obtained. The above horses stand out conspicuously as the foundation stock that made famous the breeders of the numerous and excellent horses then to be found in that section. At that time horses were esteemed and distinguished for their feats on the turf, their services under saddle and as valuable cavalry horses during the Revolutionary War. Dio-med. winner of the first Epsom Derby in 17S0, by Florizel, out of a sister to Juno, was one of the most valuable horses ever imported into this country. He was sire in America of Sir Archy, Duroc, Florizel and many other first-class race horses, and themselves the sires of race horses and sires from generation to generation. Indeed, his decend-ants were among the best horses ever raised in the United States, being large, speedy, game, vigorous, highly formed, sound and powerful. Sir Archy, his best son, was a rich bay, 10 hands high, with great power and substance, and as a race horse was considered superior, but it was as a sire that he was considered supreme. Leviathan imported in 1S30 by. Muley, dam Windlemare, was another that left a lasting impression and did much to improve the breed of horses of his time. He is regarded as one of the best horses ever imported. He sired the winners of 450 races, running 1.517 miles between 1835, when they first appeared on the turf, and 1S53. when races were up to four-mile heats and horses were only expected to run a limited number of races a year. Luzburongh. imported into Virginia in 1832. was another justly celebrated sire that added fame to the country in which he was located. One of the most successful stallions ever brought into the United States was Messenger. He was the sire of Millers Damsel, a great race mare and the dam of American Eclipse, one of the most famous race horses ever in any country, besides many other noted racers. Messenger is particularly famous as the founder of many successful trotting horse families, and in this connection it might be stated that imported Wildair or Lath, out of a Wildair mare, should be given credit with the good qualities esteemed in the Morgan family. It is not the least curious of the facts with the history of racing that England has parted with some of her best stallions, owing to an undue haste in eondemnii:? them. The English early condemned Buccaneer under the impression that his get were non-stayers. But no sooner had he left the country for Austria vhan Paul Jones, Formosa and Brigun-tine appeared, and when Kisbcr won the Derby in 1S70 they were anxious to get him back. Cruiser, imported by Joln Ravcy, of Groveport, Ohio, was a half-brother, both being out of the Little Red Rover mare by Traiap. Years ago they condemned Leamington, a horse that made history in America. He was a son of Faugh-a-Ballagh, which won the St. Lcger in 1S44. English turf writers have never ceased to regret that Leamington was exported. Gladiator was sold to France, but when his sons, Gladiateur and Mortemer, afterward imported into this country, and Chamant beat all of the best horses on the turf, they were not slow to acknowledge their mistake. They sold us Priam, which won the Derby in 1S30, but before he came lie had served in that country Industry. Miss Letty and Crucifix, and they clamored for his return. And so it goes all along down the line. Trustee, the sire of Fashion, the best race mare of her day, also sire of the gelding Trustee, the first horse to trot 20 miles within an hour, was another one of the horses that stands out as a valuable importation. The blood of Stonehcnge, King Ernest, Bonnie Scotland, Rayon dOr, Meddler, Prince Charlie. Watercress and many other celebrated imported horses not men tioned in this article will each contribute its part to the future greatness and glory of turf stars yet unborn. Of the recent importations by Jefferson Livingston, A. K. Macomber. Harry Payne Whitney. August Belmont and others, history will record the proper place to which each horse belongs according to the performance and breeding qualities of the individual. It was thought by many well-informed horsemen last spring, that the imported horses, on account of their supposed superior breeding, would sweep the boards and gather in all of the desirable stakes. They dont seem to have done so. Condition will, tell, and it will be in the future, as it has always been in the past, that the trainer that has his horses in the best condition on the day of the race will win the money." Charles E. Brossman in Cincinnati Enquirer.


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Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800