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INTERESTING TO ENGLISH TURFMEN. Although for various reasons several of the leading performers of different ages were withdrawn from their engagements, the weeks sport at Newmarket lias been full of interest throughout. Amongst the absentees were Kuutsford and Diadem, and their conqueror in the Hopeful Stakes, Dansellon, but. of course, the principal delinquent in this direction was Pommern. The strangely timorous policy of which the son of Polymelus and Merry Agnes lias been the subject since lie enrolled himself a "triple-crown" hero, was freely commented on, as was only natural. Indeed, whenever the subject cropped up, regret was expressed that the colt should have gone into retirement without his merits having been put to the test, by one or two of the leading three-year-olds. Clarissimus, which won the Champion Stakes in sucli fine style, would have served the purpose admirably, but at the last moment it was decided that Pommern should not enter into rivalry with Lord Falmouths good colt. I am not of those who so roundly blame Sam Loates in the matter. The famous ex-jockey found himself in a difficult position, and I am quite sure that there are many trainers who would have adopted precisely the same course as he did under the circumstances. As a matter of fact, he has only had Pommern under his charge for about a month, and lie could hardly be expected, therefore, to have sufficient knowledge of the colt to enable him to come to a reasonably correct conclusion. In pursuing the line of least resistance, then, he merely obeyed Mr. Sol Joels instructions, and that gentleman will certainly withhold the strictures so generally passed by others in no way concerned in Ponimenis future. Had the colt been my property he would certainly have gone to the post, as defeat would have afforded him no worse an advertisement than the shirking of an important engagement. Putting aside personal considerations altogether, however, it is highly desirable, in the interests of the breed of the race horse, that a colt should retire to the stud with his precise class as clearly defined as possible. When a good horse gives way in training before this has been properly established there is, of course, no alternative. Pommern was on all hands regarded as an exceptionally good three -year-old, but the most convincing proof of a classic winners excellence is provided when he demonstrates superiority over the best representatives of the generation succeeding him. However, there it is, and Pommern has bidden adieu to the turf. Pommerns sire, the champion Polymelus further strengthened his position during the week through the victories of Invincible and Phalaris. The three stallions following him in the list Chaucer, Radium and Sunstar also had successful representatives, and although we wore not favored with a further view of the Stockbridge youngster, Dansellon, the first-named stallion was well to the fore with Poignant, winner of one race and divider of another with Lammermuir. The latter filly is a daughter of Sunstar, whose two-year-olds have been doing so well, and which earned further fame at the concluding stage when North Star carried off the Middle Park Plate. This was a distinct score for Mr. J. B. Joels Derby winner; but one hardly knows what to make or the juvenile form, which is now in a terrible tantrle. Molly Desmond won her race on Wednesday in such startiugly effortless fashion that she was accepted as a worthy daughter of her famous dam- Pretty Polly. In color and conformation she strongly favors her defunct sire, Desmond, and It may be, therefore, that she is not one of the cut-aod-come-again sort. Still, she had nothing to do in jher earlier race, in contrast with what hap- pned on the occasion of her debut, when she participated iu a dead-heat. However, one must not deny due credit to North Star, which is doubtless coming on rapidly; though, if his Middle Park Plate form is to be strictly relied upon, it makess out Margarethal, which so easily defeated North Star in th Buckenham Stakes, to be a smart filly. Radiums champion during the week was. of course, Clarissimus, and it was satisfactory to see Lord Falmouths colt back again in vigorous health. Other sires sharing in the weeks honors included Cicero with The Speaker and Kwang-Su. Bay-ardo with the costly foal, Bayodeo, and Bayber-ry, and that consistent winner-getter Simon Square with Crimson Square and Webden gelding. Sanctum, as the hero of the big handicap on Wednesday, enabled Santoi to figure once more as the sire of the winner of a Cesarewitcii. Then there were Marco, Land League, Morganatic. Kroon-stad, Willonyx, Sunder, White Eagle, Fowling-piece, Symington, Spearmint, Fariman. Pillo, Sol-fcrino. Joe Chamberlain, and Ossary with one successful representative each, so that the prizes were far more evenly distributed than is sometimes the case. Messrs. Tattersall. it will be observed, announce the great annual December Sales for the week beginning on the fourth of that month. Already the catalogues for the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are booked full, leaving vacancies on the Monday and Friday only. Intending vendors, therefore, should not further delay sending in their entries. A sale is also arranged for the Wednesday in tiie Houghton Week, for which a few more entries can be taken. Amongst the lots already catalogued are two colts from His Majestys stable, the three-year-old Dog Star by Sunstar out of Ecila, by Persimmon, and the four-year-old Sam-marco by Marcovil Saints Mead, by St. Simon. This latter colt has a good "book" record, though or. account of inability to run more than once since his juvenile days he still figures as a maiden. There arc also yearlings by Radium and Llan-gwm. and one by Vamos, the property of Mr. G. I. Smith. From Tickford Park are coming a couple of colts by Matchmaker, and in another property is a colt by Sir Archibald, while Sir John Robinson is sending up his four-year-old Chaucer gelding, The Nab. "Our Special Commissioner" in London Sporting Life of Oct. 21.
