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i i i t t t i - i t • t ; i . i , i , t , , • . . . . I I I • APPLETON MEMORIAL TROPHY Mrs. Payne Whitneys Cup for the 0,000 Steeplechase Much Coveted. NEW YORK. N. Y.. March IS— In the time of the Oeorges every English gentleman had I stable of race horses, or a pit of game cocks, and frequently both; and none took a keener interest than royalty itself in both spoils, there being I cockpit within the confines of Westminster, An echo of the period, and of the customs which made the era one of historical importance fiom the sportsmans viewpoint, lias been unearthed by Mrs. Payne Whitney in the shape of a splendid cup of silver gilt which she will offer as a trophy on behalf of the Greentree Stable for the 0. tMIO Appbton Memorial Steeplechase, which will be the cross-country feature of the spring meeting of the Westchester Racing Association at Belmont Park next June. The race, which will commemorate the fine quali-t ties of the late Charles Lanier Appleton. who was sportsman and soldier and was identified with the fortunes of the Oreentree Stable, will be unique. inasmuch as ,000 of the stake each yea.- will be contributed by friends and admirers of the young New Yorker who gave unsparingly of his time whenever the cause of racing, particularly sleeplechasing, demanded it. There are many who never knew the late Mr. Appleton personally who will consider it an honor to make a donation to the race which will serve to keep his memory green. Men in the humblest walks of life on the turf will be on the list as well as the leaders of the sport. The additional ,000 will be added by the Westchester Racing Association, which organization is doing its part toward promoting interest in cioss- country sport, with this race and other rich events for decision in the spring and the Brook and other fine prizes for the jumpers in the autumn. The cup, which stands eighteen inches high, and weighs 11S ounces, is from the hands of the English artisan Charles Wright, who completed it in 17*2. Acanthus leaves, bunches of grapes and sprays of grape leaves prevail in the treatment of bowl, pediment and handles, while the lid is surmounted by a high-stationed game cock, trimmed and spurred, ready for the pit. It is a magnificent trophy and thoroughly repiesentative of the era in which the best of the exquisitely wrought silver and gold cups, which are so widely copied today, were fashioned by hand. Its antiquity is attested in the following inscription which is engraved within the rim of the bow 1 : "Won at the Royal Cock-pit. Westminster, in a. Welsh main; fought, April 4. 17S3; tleorge Onslow, INquire, Steward." There will be a lot of rivalry in the ranks of steeplechase owners for the possession of the cop, which must be won a number of times--the exact number is stil under discussion— before it can become the property of an individual owner. It will he a fitting companion piece for the priceless old Singleton cup offered by the Coaching Club of New York for the Coaching Club American Oaks. For the man who puts sentiment above mere money the possession of such treasures ha a value that cannot be reckoned in dollars and cents. • «.
