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VISITING SUN BRIAR COURT Susquehanna Farm of W. S. Kilmer a Model of Excellence. Charles Griffin Herring Writes His Impressions After Tour of Binghamton Breeding and Training Establishment. Charles Griffin Herring, after a visit to "Willis Sharpe Kilmers Sun Briar Court at Binghamton, has written of his impressions of that model thoroughbred establishment. Here is how he saw the farm that lies along side the Susquehanna: Everyone interested in thoroughbred horses should see Sun Briar Court, Willis Sharpe Kilmers wonder place at Binghamton, New York. I had this pleasure recently and will never forget it. While I regretted the absence of the hospitable and generous owner, his capable and courteous private secretary, J. A. Holm, made my visit most enjoyable. The estate, which is extensive, is situated within the city limits and surrounded by beautiful homes, on both sides of the historic and enchantingly beautiful Susquehanna river, and combines to admiration the charms of natural loveliness with the highest developments of art. The first of the buildings one approaches Is the large clubhouse, built by Mr. Kilmer for the entertainment .of his friends and visitors. Surrounded by beautiful grounds and handsome from without ; within, with its very handsome finish and furnishings and its wonderful collection of pictures and objects of interest, it is good taste and hospitality translated into everything that can delightfully amuse and entertain the guest. Its extensive gallery of equine pictures, some of them exceedingly rare, is alone worth a long journey to see. MODEL TBATNITTG QUARTERS. The main training buildings situated beyond the clubhouse, constructed of vitrified tiling, are both beautiful and complete, with stalls for 100 horses and a covered training track a quarter of a mile in circumference. Besides this there are many splendid stables for brood mares and stallions and large well-fenced paddocks and pastures. Under one large inclosure Is a device for exercising eight brood mares at a time, an invention which works to perfection and gives one an Idea of genius and originality. Extensive offices and dormitories for grooms and others are provided, and a separate house for the farm staff. Faultless organization, cleanliness and order show in every department and detail about the place. Two complete tracks, one a straightaway along the river, the other modeled after the Sandown course in England, provide ideal training for the young racers. And this brings me to the horses. Sun Briar, the wonder horse, for whom the place is named, which made a new American record for a mile of 1 :36 in the Delaware Handicap this mark has since been surpassed, won the Travers Stakes in fast time and which was reported to have run a mile against time in 1 :34 at Saratoga, although this time was never officially recognized, is premier stallion and looks what he is, one of the greatest the breed has produced. His produce are strikingly like him in appearance and are inheriting his marvelous speed. ENGLISH STOCK HOESES. Mr. Kilmer has two other handsome English horses in Assagai and Allumeur, the latter the property of the Federal Remount Service, both of which are siring fine stock. When one looks over the brood mares, thirty-eigth in number, and considers their breeding, their foals and yearlings, it is hard to believe that a more valuable collection could be selected and purchased. Of course, the mares of international value and interest are Sweet Briar, dam of Sun Briar, and Royal Court, sister to The Tetrareh. But Affinity, by Star Shoot Love Note ; Anna Reed, by Star Shoot Blue Mass ; Carpathia, by Star Shoot Janowood; Conference, by Rock Sand Audience ; Contessina, by Count Schomburg Pitti ; Cyra, by Corcyra Carisbrooke Castle; Espere, by Sir Dixon Isolee; Edwina, by Celt Lady Godiva; Felucca, by Trap Rock Fixgig ; Gay Polynol, by Polymelus Lady Quex ; Hathor, by Meddler Kramara ; Hussy, by Star Shoot Bold Girl ; Irish Lady, Con tinned on twelfth page . 1 i : : 1 1 I . 1 . - 5 - J - 3 - - - i r , VISITING SUN BRIAR COURT Continued from second page. by Bachelors Double Lady Edgar; Los Atlos, by Palo Alto St Kristine ; Love Night, by St. Amant Sister Lumley; Magicaris, by Magic II. Polaris H. ; Magic Shot, by Magic H. Gray Shot; Mariewerth, by Isinglass Sweet Marjorie; Montha, by Spearmint Jubilee ; Midge, by Trenton Sand Fly ; Mum, by Freemason Mrs. Beaz; My Friend, by Disguise Playmate; Palatino Lassie, by Prince Palatine Forest Lassie ; Private Flag, by Hamburg Privatee ; Rhajos, by Sardana-pale Fouille ; Romango, by Polymelus Malatesta; Royal Quest, by Roi Herode Vehron; Sabretache, by Martagon Sabri- netta; Sal Volatile, by Disguise Heartburn; Sekket, by Sun Ridge Queen Tii; St Fey, by St Frusquin Brownie ; Sobranje, by Polymelus-Duma ; Sunday School, by Sunflower II. Schoolbook; Sungai, by Assagai Sunday School ; War Doll, by Sir Jeffrey My Dolly; White Diana, by The White Knight Dark Diana, constitute a roll call of distinc- tion and honor. YOUNGSTERS ARE SUPERB BAUD. The weanlings and yearlings are a well grown and superb band, carrying about them the hall-marks of high caste "with a p2st that inspires and a future that beckons to great deeds." That there are some glorious stake horses among them is the prophecy and sincere wish of every lover of the thoroughbred horse, who cannot but admire the liberality, courage and love of good sport which Mr. Kilmer has shown in his great enterprise. Exterminator was still at Saratoga, "his new-earned laurels fresh upon him," but I saw his stall, and felt again the tightening of the heart and moisture about my eyes as when I arose to my feet with the rest of the great concourse on August 31 and cheered him home in his heroic win for the fourth time of the Saratoga Cup. Everyone loves and reverences this brave and honest creature, and he will be remembered as long as generous hearts warm to brave and noble deeds. I came away from Binghamton realizing as I had never done before how much all of us who love the thoroughbred owe to men like Mr. Kilmer and how well he de-i serves his place among the great sportsmen of America and Europe.
