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AS A MAN FBOM ABROAD VILWS US. Pen Pictures of Our Greatest Ereoding Farms by a Competent English Writer. Last spring Mr. Edward Moorhonso, one of the editors of that admirable turf publication. The Bloodstock Breeders Review, came to this country and spent s,,me time iii Inspection of our leaning thoroughbred breeding establishments and iu witnessing some of our racing. Returning to Bngland be put his impressions into a comprehensive article in the Breeder** Review. His description of our bloodstock nurseries is so well told and so full r.f information of decided interest, that Daily Racing Form will lay it before its readers in a set jes of installments, of which the following is the Tilth: Fifth and Last Installment. Ogden was one of the half dozen stallions i s-nv at this stud. There was a reference to him in the last number of the Review, in the "More About Melbourne" article, so that I need not say more then that this son of Kilwarlin. which went to the States as a foal, has been a consistently good sire from the days h" began his career at the Bitter Root Stud when he was the property of the late Mr. Marcus Daly. He is now twenty-two years old. Standing only 1." .2. he looks nearly as broad as he is high, for he has an enormous barrel and very wide quarters. Year after year be occupies a promin at position in the sires list. I saw .-. son of his. The Finn, win the Metropolitan Handicap i t Belmont Phrft two days before I sailed for Liver pool. It may interest some to know that both Ogden and his son. Sir Martin, were, as two-year-olds, tlie leading winners of their season-. In an adjoining box was poor old Star Shoot, which has been blind for several years. There is no need to dwell on his record as a stallion for it is writ large over the modern history of the American turf. Despite his infirmity, he looks very fit. Or-mond.-ile. by Ormonde, is pretty much the stamp of horse I imagined him to be. We saw several yearlings by him sold at Newmarket a few years age while he was still in California, and they always gave one the impression that their sire must be a big. robust fellow. And so he is. Hessian, by Watercress, is another big bars-. Petattd. by Dar-ley Dale, and Sea King, by Persimmon out of Sea Air. are also at Bamberg Place. Although one would hare liked him better were he a bay instead of a chestnut. Sea King has a very impressive appearance. He is three-parts brother to Pieterma-rltsbarg, which was such a wonderful success at the stud in Argentina. Owned by Thomas F. Ryan. he has until this season been stationed in Virginia, where he begat several useful winners. As lie is only eleven years old we are likely to hear a good deal more of him. because Mr. Madden will -co to it that he is not starved of opportunities. Hamburg Places Great Barns. At Hamburg Place I saw the biggest barns I came across during my travels. One of the •tractates is an enormous affair. Sea Kings boa is at one end of it. Here, too. are scores of magnificent game ocks. Had time permitted us to explore further we ahoald, no doubt, have seen much more that would have made an abiding impression. If °ver 1 nay a second visit to Kentucky. 1 --hall certainly hope to see mor- of Hamburg Place than it wa - possible to do on the recent occasion. The last of the studs I ui nt to while in the Blue Cia-s region was that known as Keeiieland, Which is on tie- Versailles road, six or seven miles from Lexington. There I received a hearty greeting from Jack Keen-., whom I had already come t.. regard as a friend, even though I believe he wa responsible for my bi ing called npoa to speak at the Horsemens Dinner. It is only recently thai Mr. Keene has launched out as a breeder of thoroughbreds, but for many years he trained them with conspicuous success. For some time he was private trainer to M. Eazareff. in Russia, where he almost got tired of winning, like a certain English owner in days long gone by. Had he so desired. Mr. Keene could have r turned to Muscovy to train for M. Ifnataseheff, but for the time being ae i quite content to remain at home. The land which the Koines own hereabouts has been in possession of the family for several generations. Ii was given to the first of the tribe as a reward for services rendered to the commonwealth during the revolutionary wars. The house is of historic interest, for General Lafayette stayed there on one occasion, and the tree is pointed out under which he addressed a gathering of local patriots. The great-great grandfather of Mr. Keene was om of the directors of the Lexington race course when it was InalHlllMl Pleased with Luke McLukc. Th" "feature" of the Keeiieland Stud is the stallion Luke Mel.uke. This good and handsome brown horse is by Fltimus out of imp. Midge, by Trenton from Sandfly, by Iso.iomy out of Saidiway. His racing life was a short one, but he made the most of his opportunities. When he wen the Ke-ituckv Handicap of tslO.000. be covered the mile and a quarter in the fastest time ever recorded on a western track. He was also successful in other good races, and one way ami another did sufficient to earn a place among the champions. He is a horse of commanding size, and with a conformation it is practically impossible to faalt His constitution is all that could be desired, and lie is given the character of being sensible. Mr. Keene owns him in partnership with J. W. Schorr. Tins was Lake He-Lakes first season at the stud. Breeders ru died to secure n auinations at £200. Thirty-five stares were booked and forty were turned away. 1 asked Mr. Keene to procare me a photograph of his horse and it reached me shortly after 1 returned to LOB-don. Several pictures promised in other quarters have not yet come to hand and so the "gallery" presented in these pages is not quite as complete as was intended. We will now, if yon please move on to Louisville, with Mr. and Mrs. Hancock alternately at tin-steering wheel of our car during the spin of a hundred miles or so through a delightfully diversified Country. I believe I have emitted to say anything about the road surfaces in Kentucky. Well. they are the envy of Virginians, and often really first-rate. They weald probably be beyond reproach if a harder "metal" than limestone were procurable locally. But anyhow. 1 want to pay a tribute to the authorities who obviously strive to keep the roads in good order, hoping that they will be encouraged to improve on what they have already accomplished. Views a Kentucky Derby. There was a great gathering at Louisville for the Kentucky Derby, run the opening day of the meeting at Churchill Downs, which is on the outskirts of the city. The course presented a remarkable spectacle when the scene was fully set for tin Derby. Stands and enclosures wi re crowded to the very corners. The utmost enthusiasm prevailed. i In story of the big race is told elsewhere in this number and I will only say here that but for stumbling at the start, and taking in consequence a 1 ag time to get thoroughly balanced, tlie English home, Star Hawk bought last autumn from J. B. Joel by A. K. Macombcrl. would, in all probability, have wen instead of enduring defeat by a in ei:. Racing began that afternoon at half-past two. The fifth race on the aid — the Derby — started at 5:15. The seventh and last race was decided at 6:40, by which time "the shades of night were falling fast." The American public who support racing get tremendous value for their money. The iollowing day, Sun lay. I traveled on to Pittsburgh, a journey of fifteen hours. A visit to the little town of Me idville, in the northwest corner of Pennsylvania, followed, and then came a flying visit to the Niagara Falls, tor who could go all the way to America and not see that amazing cascade? Then another long Jump to Albany, the capital of New York State. All the while 1 v.as tier., and especially when the Capitol was in sight. I was obeascd by the thought that it . as lure Governor Hughes, now the republican partys candidate for the pn sidency, wrought so in m-li mischief by his anti-betting legislation. And now another Sunday had come— my last before sailing for home. I spent the greater part of it at Amsterdam, a thriving little manufacturing town in the spacious valley of the Mohawk, about thirty miles northwest of Albany, and perhaps I .-. aty trim Saratoga. There it is that Mr. San-iord has his stud, and there it is that S;i anuints The Cerragh, has found a p w home. It is known ; ■ the Hurricana stud, and lies up on the hills behind the tov.ti. 1,200 f.et above sea level. Magnificent ere the views obtained from many of the paddocks. Tlie town and the valley, though so i . .s,-. might be non-existent, for the eye c.i dies only the crest of the ridge beyond them. Away to the northeast are the faintly -outlined Adiron- dacka. It is lovely tcenery and intoxicating air that yen get up there. But what of the stud. Mr. Banford labors under no illusions. --l kno-v." he told me when 1 afterwards met him at Belmont Park — he was not at Amsterdam at the time of my visit — "I know that I should have a better chine of success if I moved my stud to Kentucky or Virginia, where there is more genial climate. But what amusement ahoald I get out of it then? My business and my home am at a t wdam, and I like to b- able to BOO my breeding Btock and Cie ciriings aad foals whenever 1 hive a mind to. Put Ill tell you what I am proposing to do ." At that mom -nt somebody c.iine up and interrupted our conversation, and Mr. Baaford never cot to til me what his scliem- is. That dash is i, ailv mod tant.ili/ing. Wi, ii Mr. Baaford sees it. I hope be wiil think it worth while to send me the end of thu story. There la Mr ah weather up on those hllb iu winter nnd early spring. The snow at thews lb s deep and Ion,. Snugly loused are the broodmares and their youngsters, but the s-ason is often w.-ll advanced before they can Ii ■ givi n a continuous spell on gram. Put this aort of thing ha- beea going on at tin- llnrric.in.-i Stud for yean. It was Stephen Baaford, the father of .John, who established the farm, and a tremendous amount of enjoyment he derived from it. by following one inflexible rule. M M- never illowed om- of his two-year-olds to raca before tin- Saratoga meeting is Aagust, By that time they had made up the ground lost during the winter months and were ready to meet their I litem pornrb-s on fair fighting terms. What was more, beea use of their ao1 being forced in the days o." babyhood, they gen- rally stood hard training for a period hmg beyond the average. After all. as a private breeder. Mr. Baaford, like his father before him. is iu tin- happy position of hi ing able to do as he please*. Then was. however, a series of years, ending about 1900, when the late M,-. is. infold who died in 1!»13. aged eighty -seven. | sold his output of yearlings in New York, bur thereafter, until his death, he always raced the products of his stud before parting with them to make room for the next batch of yearlings. Sanford an International Turfman. John Sanford has not confined bis racing and breeding enterprises within the same narrow- groovi -that his father adopted. While anxious to maintain the stud and stable at Amsterdam on its old heals, he has gone further afield. Net only does he patronise the apart in Kentucky and other aoe there centers, to say nothing of the New- York tracks, hut we find him with an important br eding stud in France .-nd with horses in training at Newmarket. When I m t him at Louisville, the night before tie Kentucky Derby, I got from him the news that the Two Thousand Guineas, run nine days previoasly, was won by Chtriashaas, ami the further information that his own horse, Nassovian, had finished a good third. For a week I had bet a trying to glean infoi-mati. n about that race. No mention of it was made in any American paper, although the result of the One Thousand was duly chronicled without delay. When 1 saw Mr. Baaford at Belmont lark he eagerly discussed the prospects of his colt in the New Derby and told me of his having engaged 0NeiB to ride the horse, i boned we ahoald get tidings of the race by win less while crossing tie- Atlantic, but none came through, and it was not until 1 reached Liverpool tie- following Sunday that I found out that Fifiuella had won and that Nassovian was again third. Mr. Sanford, thee, is a sportsman of international renown. He follows the fortunes of his horses. Wherever they may be. with a keen delight, and rejoices unfeignedly when they prove themselves worthy to carry his colors. The turf of any country is fortunate in having the patronage of a man of his standing and Inclinations. For the time being his activities, so far as racing in Prance is concerned, are at an end. Last January half a dozen two -year olds arrived in New York from his French stud, and several yearlings of fashionable lineage will cross the Atlantic this summer. Tin K importations will greatly strengthen his American amble and assist in fostering the interest and I -eitement that is sure to be created w lien tlie rivalry between British and Americaa-bred horse* develops, as it will do this summer or autumn. The Curraghs Nerw Home. The Hurric-ina Stud and stable is a splendidly ■quipped establishment. In the lifetime of Stephen Sanford. it grew, like the huge carpet works from which the wherewithal is obtained, from a small beninning. finder tie- galdanee of Mr. Bestley, tin- secretary of Mr. Bnnforda company, I sprat a whole afternoon within tin boundaries of tin- farm, •.ml then did not see all there was to see by any iie-ans. But what did come under my notice impressed me with the fact that everything i, well ordered. The stallions are under tie- care of Charles Cunningham, who shewed me The Cnrragh, looking fresh and hearty, with a satisfactory season nearly completed: Clifford, by Bramble, now twenty-six years old. but a winner in his day of forty-two of his sixty-two races and only twice Unplaced: Ni- dsr, by Amphion — -Isis; Rockton. by Meddler: Chnctannnda, by Laureate, and Mohawk II.. by Rockton. Voter is at Mr. Bnnforda stud in Franco. He was bought at the break-up sale of the late Mr. Keen -s stud in 1914. The mares, foals and yearlings are under the superintendence of William Lawsoa, an Englishman, wiio has been many years in American studs. His father was employed at the Middle Park Stud, and theie. as a boy. Lawson was initiated into the duties that devolve upon a stud gro.m. He has been with Mr. Sanford three years, ami before that was nt Brookdale. New Jersey. He showed us the yearlings and all the foals and their dams. Their condition did bin great credit. There is a training track six furlongs in circumference at the Hurricana Stud, and also a covered exercise ground with a furlong circuit. In Stephen Baafords time, •i series of two-year-old trials took place on- afternoon each July. The occasion partook of the nature of a race meeting and the attendance ran into lioiis-mds. the firms workpeople, who number 3.0OO. being allowed a holiday. And so if comes to pass that An- teid.im has long been noted for if., horses as weil as its carpets. Englishmans Interest in Hurricana. I must just mention that Mr. W. H. Cooper, a native of T.ariea shire, who is the vice-president of Mr. S.mfords company, takes an active interest in the management of the Hurricana Stud. I had the pleasure of meeting him nt Louisville and again at Belmont Park, but he happened to be away from heme the day I was at Amsterdam. A sail down the glorious Hudson Rivi r from Albany, brought me back to New York and its skyscrapers. P.efore boarding tlie St. Loais the following Saturday, there were calls to be made, an revoirs to be said. I sought oat Mr. Theodore Cook, to report that while at Lexington I had s, en the youngsters his trainer. Mr. Howard Oota, bonght for him at Newmarket last autumn. When I inspected them none had run. but they were about to be dispatched to Canada for the Toronto meeting, and I have since ascertained that the first to start finished a good s coo i. There are many potential winners among them, and Mr. Cook told me that he has from tie- first been thoroughly satisfied ivith them. Luncheon with Mr. Oxnard at the top of one of these heavenward soaring buildings "down town" was another en-pujeaseat duly fulfilled. Then there was a dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Powers and their family in their up-town home, and another chat with Mr Rowe at the Jockey Club. Mr. Bowe is a walking encyclopaedia of racing and breeding lore, and it is a joy to listen to his expositions and reminiscences. And, of course. I had to see a baseball match. It was one between Ni w York and Boston. A great game I can assure you. Why it lias never taken root in England is a mystt ry. Impressions of Belmont Park. Lastly. I must make allui.ci to the afternoon I spent at Belmont Park, the opening day of the season there. It was an inspiring occasion. Although betting has to be conducted within very restricted limits, and without any parade of the traffic, there was an attendance iif 23.000 people. Through the kind offices of Mr. Powers, some photographs of the course, stands and i m hiauni were taken sp.-eially for me. and the reproductions here preeeated cannot fail to be of interest to English and Australian readers of the Review. They BOOm to me to serve as a tribute to the manner in* which New York sportsm n have valiantly surmount d the obstacles with which they win- suddenly confronted eight years ago. It may be some time yet before racing on the Metropolitan tracks is restored to its former prosperity, but the movement now in progress is nn augury of oven greater achievements than are at present possible, and all concerned, August Belmont and his co adjutors. are aincen ly to be congratulated on their bold eater-nrl i . All the while I was in the States I was warned not to miss a days racing at Belmont Park. After I had been there I understood the meaning of that injunction. It is an admirable and a most picturesque racecourse. In many ways it reminds one of Ascot. The main grand stand at Belmont Park is a stupendous structure. I was told that it provides stating accommodation for S.OOO people. and there is a smaller stand with seats for 4.000 more. If at any time the management of any of cur large courses contemplate the reconstruction of their stands, it is to be hoped that they will send tin ir architect to inspect the one at Pelmont Park before he makes bis plans. I saw two British-bred horses win the day I was there. Jack Mount a celt by Amadis— Catana, imi orted 1-y Mr. W. R. Coo. won a race for maiden two- year-olda, and MareelBaen scored a ready victory in tin- New York Steeplechase. And si. at hmg list. I have come to what must be He- , nd of my atory. It has aasamed portentous dimensions. if l have wearied my readera I crave their pardon. While writing I have more than once beea tempted to stop and hold the remainder of my eessy over to the next number of tin- Review. But I was forced to the conclusion that .t wa, advisable for m.-.i.y reasons to complete it now. Much that I wanted to say has had to be omitted. No doubt opportunities for impartial the information which 1 have withheld will from time to tune present themselves. Finally, let me once again express my heartfelt thanks to the many friends i made in tin- course of my ton for the generous and aelf-sacrificing way in which they helped me aloug. 1 bhull never forget their kiuducsn. .. a
