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THOROUGHBRED BREEDING Suggested as a Desirable Hobby From Which Great Pleasure May Be Derived BY JOHN K. MADDEN. One hears so much talk these days about the tired business man and others who are seriously looking for some form of exercise or relaxation that will take them out into the open air, away from business problems or other cares and not bore them to death— ! as most forms of exercise and cut and dried relaxations do — that I have wondered why men of affairs who can well afford it do not take up the pursuit of breeding horses on a modest scale. I can think of nothing that offers a wider diversion or that better enables a man to forget himself and his troubles. Regardless of the linancial result the attraction of running fine animals is strong, but on the breeding side the great pleasure comes in producing : and, as in many other walks of life, it is the unexpected that is constantly happening. The truth is there is scarcely a man who does not love the horse and if he owns one he has selected it because it is good to look at or a fine jumper ; for this is merely human nature asserting itself. The study of mating mares and the consideration of their blood lines is a fascinating occupation to which any desired amount of time and thought may be given, and when it comes to thrills there is none greater than seeing a youngster of your own breeding flash past the post a winner in the Futurity or other classic race. Half a dozen mares and no stallion forms the best equipment for the beginner. The mares should be the best procurable and the selection should not be influenced too much by racing ability. Lily Agnes, dam of Ormonde, won twenty-one races. Pocahontas, dam of Stockwell, Rataplan and King Tom, could not win a race, while Ornament, dam of Sceptre, never started. Without a stallion, the breeder is free to patronize the best stallions available according to the blood line of his mare. These mares should be well enough bred to make any colt from them acceptable as a stallion for stud services and in purchasing his mares let the breeder "nave this end in view. I am convinced that this is the most satisfactory method to follow. Pleasure is assured and a profit on the venture is possible. After a reputation has been gained, the rest is comparatively easy. Like a man making his first ten thousand, the struggle is at the start. The beginner should not commit the error of confining his operations to a small acreage. The thoroughbred must have plenty of room. The man who breeds the race horse never loses him. Though the horse may run in another mans colors, the glory in part always goes to the breeder. 1 can illustrate this by my own experience. Whenever a horse wins that was bred at Hamburg Place it gives me the keenest pleasure, no matter who owns him. The expectation and exhiliration created by the breeding and racing of thoroughbreds furnish the best remedy for all kinds of depression. No lottery ticket was ever found in the pocket of a suicide. If the wealthy idle and the tired business men will take up the breeding of thorough -ureds as a pastime, they will at least enjoy life, even though they die poor. — The Spur, New York. «
