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I | HIGH IRISH APPRECIATION OF 0RBY Interesting Review of Richard Crokers Epsom Derby Winner in Racing and in the Stud. The death, at the early age of fourteen, of the well known siallion. Orliv. is I big loss to the Irish stud, for the son of Orme— Rhoda R. had gradually worked his way Into the front rank of sires with the classic winner. Diadem: the Cambridgeshire winner. Eos; the Portland Plate win- , ner. Flying Orb; the "Jubilee" winner. Diadu-menos, ami the Caul field Cap winner. Flash of Steel, amongst ninny others, to his credit. He was one of two winners of the Derby at the stud in Ireland, the older Ensoul hero being Spearmint. Orby was I lienutifiil tvie of the high-class, symmetrical thoroughbred sire." and it was fortunate for his owner. Mr. Croker. that he had him insured through Messrs. "oyle and -0., the extensive insurance brokers, who also conduct the Irish Bloodstock Agency. I do not know what was the amount of the policy ,ii the life of Orbv. but in view of the way he forged ahead so ranidly at the stud his owner had. I hope, taken the precaution of having a large sum placed mi his life. Orbv did not win as a two-II ai aH. and all his winnings were at three years, when he accounted for the Earl of Sertolis Plate at Liverpool, the Baldovle Plate ireally a Derby I. the Irish Derby and the* Epsom Derby. Mr. Parkin son trained Orbv as a two-year-old. and long ln-fore the colt a .pea red in uublic he afforded me an opportunity of seeing the handsome chestnut. Mr. Parkinson, in showing ine the juvenile, remarked: "He will not Ik- ready for some time yet, as yon can see for yourself: but if he is not a glial horse some day I shall In- much mistaken in my opinion." That prophecy was amply fulfilled. Mr. Croker h::s been a singularly fortunate breeder, though. comparatively. for such a few years, anil during tiiat lime he has had two "classic" winners. Orby and Rhodora. both of them from Rhoila P.. a fa iiioiis Gam. all of whose progeny, with one excep tion. have been winners. She died in 1913. Rhn-di.r.i won a good deal more money than her half-brother, but she has not vet achieved at the still as broodmare Hie fame which belonged to Orby as a sire of winners. PARICINSONS ESTIMATE OF ORBY. It may he interesting la relate a little incident in eoiimctron with Orby during the early period of his two-year-old davs. At that time Mr. Parkinson also had In his establishment at Madilenstown I/. lge the useful ii»i former. Juliet II.. ■ three -vear-old which had just won the Droglieda Memorial Stakes. Mr. Parkinson tried Orby to give her eight pounds over three-quarters— a task which he accomplished in n canter. Some time later a certain famous English trainer was on a visit io Mr. Parkinson, and at the hitters request his guest was invited to express his opinion as to what he l bought of Orbv. "Well," said the visitor after he had cl.iselv insnectcd the son of Oruie — Rhoda It.. •What do you think he is worth?" Anything from JU.K00 to 30.000 guineas." reolied Mr. Parkinson. ••Von surely dont mean to say that?" retorted the Englishman, who added: "If that WW be o how do you think he would go with Slieve GaltionY" "You moan." said Mr. Parkinson, "how would Slieve Galliou go with Orby 7" We had to wait just over a t welve-moiith for the matter to Is- decided, foi in the Derby at Epsom Slieve Gallion started at IS to I on. but was beaten three and a half lengths by Orby. At the stud Orby sired the winners of nearly seventy races worth almut 311.000 pounds, and for the most part they were of high class, and there can scarcely be a doubt that his dam. Rhoda B.. was the best -class broodmare imported into the tinted Kingdom from America. She was by Hanover — Margerine dnm of Magerii|iie. which produced Nasturtium, the best two-year-old in America in 1901. and Isuight for 10.000 pounds to win the Epsom Derby, but he had a severe attack of fever and beeaaaa a roarerl. by Algcrinc a noted stayer in America I. Sweet Songstress granddam of the great |iorfornier. Kinley Mack, by Doncaster — Melodious sister to Melody, the dam of Paganinni. winner of twenty races, including the Goodwood Stakes. Stewards Cup. Great Klmr Handicap, etc.. by Forester or Peppermint — Harp. The latter was a sister to Glee, which produced The Promised Land, winner of the Two Thousand Guineas ami Goodwood Cup. and The Promised Land sired the dam of Robert the Devil. Orby commenced stud life in 1909 and in 1912 he had one winning two-year-old. Glencairn. a siieedy colt, which is now at the stud in America. HIS SUCCESS IN THE STUD. Season after season Orby was responsible for many winners, so much so. indeed, that for this year his lit was tilled as long ago as Octolier or Xo-vemlier at a fin- of 210 |M unds. Mr. Croker had for Orby a greater regard than for any other thoroughbred he owned, ami the sympathy of all sportsmen will Is- extended to him on his loss. Rhodora he sold out of his stud at Glencairn some years ago. but h • turned down many good offers made to him far Orby. which could have been sold several years ago at a large price. I think he had a particularly lucrative bid from an Argentine stud owner. How many sons of Orby there may be to carry on his line in the Inited Kingdom I do not know exactly, but three names which occur to me are Diadumenos, Flying Orb and The Boss. The last named pair are in this country. Flying Orb being at Rallykisteen Stud, county Tipperary. and The Ross at Garlow Cross Stud. Navan. while Diadumenos is at the Terrace House stud. Newmarket. Flash of Steel may have gone to the stud in Australia by this, and in the Catted States is the aforementioned Glencairn. There may Is- now. and certainly in the future will lie. other sens of his available for the stud, so that his line of Orme will have a goodly representation. — Dublin letter to London S|M rtsmaii.
