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PROGRESS OF THE TURF IN SPAIN. Success of Last Years Meeting Leads to Extensive Plans for This Year. One of the most conspicuous features in the records of sport last year, and the more remarkable by reason of its being one of the few beneficial consequences of the war. was the wonderful development of racing in Spain. After the demise of Alplionso NIL, thirty years ago. the sport of kings became virtually non-existent in the peninsula, the dispersal of the chief stables, which were those of the Due de Ferriari -Nunez and Signer Garvey, being quickly followed by most of the others, until the only patron of any consequences left was the Marquis de Villamejor, who still kept a few horses in training. Thus racing in Spain may practically bo said to have died of inanition, and at last the calendar of sport was reduced to a couple of days racing at Seville and an affair of minor importance at Madrid, the chief support coining from half -breds. All this lias been suddenly changed, and racing has been revived under the direct and personal influence of the reigning monarch. It fell to the lot of the famous Belgian sportsman. M. A. de Neuter, to bring about this happy revival. Compelled by the exigencies of the war to quit Belgium, where he beat all records as a successful trainer — his was by far the most extensive and important racing establishment in the country — he migrated to England, and in IMS met at the Newmarket sales the well-known Spanish owner. M. San Miguel, who had just purchased Stanborough from Col. Hall Walker, a son of Minora, which made his mark last year in Spain. "I suppose you are taking him to Spain? I did not know you had much racing over there," remarked M. de Neuter, and the reply was: Tnfortunately but little. It is a great pity we have no racing at Saint Sebastien on similar lines to that at your own fashionable summer resort at Ostende. It is the ideal place, close to the French frontier, with its casino and various other attractions and the addition of a race course would make all complete." A Royal Supporter. It is strange how little tilings lead up to great events. A few days later M. de Neuter, whose name spells enterprise and organization, set out for Spain, where his proposals met with enthusiastic response. The entire management of the venture at Saint Sebastien was entrusted to him. and — it sounds almost like a fairy tale — within six months an up-to-date race course, with stands, paddocks and everything complete was an accomplished fact, with an International prize of 4. KM sovereigns as the chief attraction on the opening day. Most delighted of all concerned at the success of this wonderful tour de force was the king himself, who has inherited from his sire the true sporting instinct, and forthwith became the owner, as the Due de Toledo, of a few moderate horses. But this was only a beginning, and in his keen desire to encourage the vitally important industry of breeding and establishing high-class racing, which had so far been much neglected. King Alfonso instructed M. de Neuter to form a stud appropriate to the circumstances; in fact, a royal stable. The suspension of racing in France gave him the opportunity of which he promptly took advantage, to purchase en bloc the racing stud of M. Jean Lieux. which fortunately included probably the best three-year-old on the continent in Antivari, a son of Sea Sick, a horse that played a conspicuous part in the Derby won by Sig-norinetta. The debut of the royal colors was m-picions. as Botticelli, a cast-off from Vicomte de Fontarces string in England, carried them to victory in the Grand Hurdle Race at Saint Sebastien. and an indescribable scene of enthusiasm greeted King Alplionso as he led the horse buck to weigh in. and. better still, racing iu Spain was from that moment firmly established. Deserved Success. The Saint Sebastien meeting extended over forty-one days, covering a period of three months, and the successes of the royal colors were frequent, the climax being reached when Antivari won the Grand Autumn Prize. It was a fine performance, and as a consequence the colt was detailed to oppose the cracks of all ages in the Prix de lElevage, locally styled the "Derby of Derbys," at Mont de Marsan. Again the royal star was in the ascendant, for it was the first appearance of the purple, red. Burgundy cross, purple cap. and gold tassel in France. and Antivari accomplished all that was expected of him by winning in brilliant style, beating Baron de Rothschilds Sans le Sou. which had not previously experienced defeat, and Mr. Dohas Teddy, which had won the Grand Prix de Saint Sebastien. Encouraged by these victories, the Due de Toledo intends to augment considerably his stud, which will continue under the direction of M. de Neuter, who has in consequence resigned the management of the racecourse, and will lie succeeded by another Belgian sportsman of high repute in Commandant Malfeyt. Already the royal racing string numbers forty hones, and it is the hope and desire of the king, after the war. to see them race and win in all countries, more particularly in England, where he was immensely popular during his visit to tin-late King Edward before his marriage with our Princess Ena, grand-daughter of Queen Victoria. King Alplionso may rest assured of a cordial welcome, and great will be the rejoicing should Antivari, which has been entered for some races here next year, or any other of his horses prove good enough to beat ours. Several of the mares sold at the last Newmarket sales were for the king of Spain, and are doubtless destined for the royal stud. A Racing El Dorado. The unqualified success of the Saint Sebastien venture has had tile effect of stimulating the Sip-dete d- Komeuto de la Cria Caballar the Spanish Jockey Club to fresh efforts in the promotion of sport, hone • the grand autumn meeting at Madrid, where Stanborough won for M. San Miguel the Omnium price of 2.000 sovereigns. Next year, I understand, there is to be an important meeting at Seville, another ut Barcelona, eight days racing at Madrid in May. and two at Aranjuez the local Versailles, which, under the personal patronage of the king, will become the Spanish Ascot. Then will be thirty -eight days racing at Saint Sebastien. with two -1.000 pounds stakes, in addition to Ms. 000 pounds for other races all open to international competition, and finally an autumn meeting at Madrid. Among the many important racing stables recently established in Spain is that of the Coasts de la imc-ra. who I believe is in want of an experienced Englishman to take charge, and among other notable patrons of the Spanish turf are the- Marquis de Viana. equerry to the king, the Marquis dAldana. the Due de Postrana, the Marquis de Martorell. □easts de les Andes, tlie Due dAlbe. M. Quinones de Leon Spanish ambassador in I. iris, the Dae de Seven, the Due cle Penoraiicla. the Due de All-u-querque, tlie Marquis de Vnldt tit, the Marquis do Persies, CoSStS cle la Quinta dS la Enjarada. Unite-de jorre-Arrias. unite de Rim-on. the Marquis de la Casta, tlie Due- de Andria. Comtc de Tom-palm a. and tin- Menpiis de Murrietra. — "Vigilant" in Loads* Sportsman.
