view raw text
BOTAFOGO THE WONDERFUL Argentine Horse Was One of Worlds Greatest Thoroughbreds. One of the greatest, if not the greatest, match races ever held in the Argentine was that between Botafogo and Gray Fox. It also proved beyond doubt the superiority of the Orst-mentioned horse. Botafogo really was one of the most remarkable thoroughbreds in the history of the turf. He won eighteen out -of nineteen starts by "many lengths," and then in a special match race defeated his only conqueror. Gray Fox, by leading him at the end of 3,000 metres. The match race was the result of active public demand, and many thousands were wagered on the result, so intent was the populace upon seeing its favorite restored. The race was a thriller. Botafogo first took the lead and then relinquished it, the two steeds exchanging places witli the turn of almost every eighth post. Cheers of the crowds changed abruptly to maddening groaning and baclc to cheering as the race progressed. On the homestretch Botafogo was given his head and, leaping into a hurricane sprint, he finished so far ahead of Gray Fox that some spectators ran between the two. When Botafogo died recently the whole country mourned for the wonderfur horse and perhaps never before or since was there more homage paid to a thoroughbred horse.
