view raw text
BRITONS COLORS WELCOME WALTER S. HEATHERS FUTURITY NOMINATIONS A SOURCE OF SATISFACTION. Example, if Followed by Others, Will Mean Much to Future of American Thoroughbred Stock — Present Shipping Handicaps. By M Cole. New York. Jan. 11. Who would have thought ■ few years Kg* that English hUdUl would enter horses in American stakes? While the tact that Walter s. Heather of Rugby, England, has seal leven i owlnstloas for the Futurity of 1919 is probably a speculation on his part, it never- ll.eless is aa innovation anil shows distinctively that a earner loam i llwa is being brought about between European and American breeders of thoroughbreds. It aiso indicates that a market of create] imnortance than ever is organizing itself with internat-.ona? features. It will not he at all surprising to see the example set by Mr. Heather followed by many other Kuropean breeders, as the American market for English bom • is strong at the present time, and marcs or foals with American stake encasements will surely be worth more money than those without. The incentive probably for Mr. Heathers action was the purchase of a number of his yearlings by Mr. II. C Hallenbeck, which have shown their owner and his trainer. Edward llcffner. they are worthy the name of thoroughbreds. The latter is i.tl.u.iastic over their looks, and Mr. Hallenbeck has such bright hopes of their future that he has i;ominated theai extensively. Tor years this country has nominated horses in the English classics, but it was not for the purpose of sale. Their owners were more concerned in their winning races. It is presumed that participation in racing in this country is far from the thoughts of Mr. Heather, the market being his object in chief. Even this being the case, the situation is encouraging, for it ateaaa a greater variety of blood being imported and consequently an increased opportunity to improve the breed of the domestic stock. Some | horse. i n thank it is a little late to begin such operations, as the war may soon be over, and that as soon as peace is declared the bottom will drop out Of the market for forolgn-bred horses. This may not be the case, especially if a fair share of the already imported horses make good in this country. Men of means will constantly be on the lookout for good lenses, and it they can buy horses abroad with stake engagements hero, they will unquestionably be preferred to those which are not engagd. Possibility of Better Stakeu. Then, again, there is the possibility of some breeders and English OWOU sen ■ling horses over here to be raced. The sport is growing into favor daily in this country and. while the stakes as a whole are not of the value of some of the foreign events, they are increasing rapidly and are tieing made worthy of investigation. With any kind of legislation in this state it would not be long before there was -i return to the 25,000 Brooklyn and Suburban Handicaps and 0,000 end 0,000 Fuiurities and Hopefuls. It looks as if the subject of nominating horses and matrons for American stakes is one that might well be considered liy English and French breeders. It would bring about a much closer relationship between horsemen of this country and Europe and would c rtainly enrich the blood on this side of the Atlantic, as will as add grist to the thoroughbred industry of the warring countries. The nominating of English mares for the 1919 Futurity may turn out a much bigger enterprise than it looks to be at this moment. There impossibilities of a much greater trade of horses than has been going on for the hut two years between this country ami Europe, end who knows but that in the near future the United States may be able to boast of a Flying iox. a Persimmon, an Ormonde. u Rend Or or even one as pronounced as the later-day lolyniehis: Mr. Heather his forged the first link in a r la tionship between this country and Europe that may grow ii.to unthought of proportions, which will be u great benefit to both sides. Europe needs the money, an.i American needs the horses. The tallica of the latter in the stakes to be run here enhance their value a- well as the additional Incentive to buyers to import horses with stake possibilities attached. Ii is to be hoped otler English and French br eders will tep along with Mr. Heather and make nominations for the richest of American stakes. Adverse Shipping Conditions. So far recently imported European horses have not . hown up as w . ■ : I la re as was expected. Hut this was p-oliably due lo sickness and long traveling more than to anytl lag else. Horses that were shipped here during tli s past Jwo years undi rwent ] nvutions that they would not encom.ter after tin-war. Some were nearly a month cooped up in their meagre Stalls and had to stand rough ocean treat-rent. Thin the question of acclimatizing enters, i i ey certainly did not have the chance that horses Mill have as soon as ocean travel heroines norm-il. t ..isoquently. better results can be anticipated when shipping conditions are changed and a short passage oi from seven to ten days, instead of three or four weeks, is ..-- tresL Short ir;i-s might be quoted as an example of the value of acclimatization. He was not so much i f a star in his early efforts in this country, yet he improved every year. So it might be with a number f horses that were found wanting last season. The Mings of the hmporh d stock this year will do much ; j settle the question of improvement with age of the English and French thoroughbred after importation. Mr. Maeoinber has the largest stable of imported stock, and the calibre of his string can bill ken as a criterion of what to aspect from the for-i it-i element in t In- future. Sickness will be the i lily excuse for their downfall, for they are in charge of one of the few expert trainers. Walter Jennings, who met with successive potions of ill-laeft last season, which he can hardly expect to ci. counter next season.
