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j j I I . I I ! 1 1 1 1 I 1 1 ASCETICS STUD RECORD , Grandsire of Sergeant Murphy a Great Sire of Chasers. ♦ Three of His Progeny Won Liverpool BtRR National — As a Race Horse He Was Worth Practically Notli.nir. ♦ BY E. E. OOUSSELL. LONDON, England, April 6.— In the story of Sergeant Murphy there have been numerous references to his maternal srand-sire Ascetic, which was undoubtedly one of the greatest sires of jumpers ever known. Ascetic was bred in 1871 by "Parson" King the owner of Apology, which won the St. Leger in 1874. He was a bay horse by Hermit — Lady Alicia, by Melbourne. Ascetic, therefore, is practically full brother to Dinah. the grand-dam of Marcovil, which sired Hurry On. He is also closely related to Suicide, the dam of Amphion, the sire of Sun-driiige. Ascetic as a race horse was hardly worth 00. At two years old he was once unplaced in poor class. Next season there were three unsuccessful starts. tfcoUBM e na i only seventy-seven pounds to carry in the Liverpool Cup. At four years Ascetic managed to finish second at Brighton. After running once unplaced over hurdles he disappeared from the turf. Some one. greatly daring, took him to Ireland as a stallion. In that country he had a chance of fame. He sired four or five flat race winners only, but the notable triumphs of his brilliant MSCBMM ha.s-ing offspring will ever keep his memory fresh. CLOISTFItS 8KKAT MERIT. Ascetic, however, was nineteen years old when his son Cloister first kCRRM t reread his merits. Ultimately he became regard 1 as one of the greatest steeplechasers ever seen at Liverpool. Before he art the seal on his fame by winning the t;rand National in 1893 by forty lengths, carrying the maximum weight of 175 pounds. Cloister tan second in 1SIU with ltil pounds, and in IS92 .; 1 was again second with 171 pounds in the saddle, conceding twciily-six pounds to thfl winner. Cloister wun numerous other high class jumping events. In 1.901 Drumcree. a son of Ascetic, finished second to Jrudon. The next season. t iddeii by Percy Woodland and carrying IS« pounds, he won the National hy three lengths. Four years later c ime Ascetics Silver, which won by ten lengths and covi red the four and a half miles in new record time, which has not sine been excelled. Hd put up 119 pounds and was ridden by the Hon. A. Hastings. Third to Ascetics silver vv;us B. W. Parrs Aunt .May. by Ascetic. Her burden was 161 pounds and her rhler the well-known trainer 11. S. IVrs.c. who trained Silver Urn to win tin- One Thousand Guineas for Mr. Parr last year. Another most brilliant son Ascetic wis la grand steeplechaser named Hidden Mvs- terjr, which met with a fatal accident, canst il hy another competitor, in a race at Sandown Park. It was generally considered li, u. is capable of taking National honors. Leinster was also a high-clsss Bteeplechnser. il- w n fourteen good races. lis last eight viilr.es were in stnv.-ssion. Th.-se are the outstanding offspring ■ f Ascetic, but there were many othera of note. His auughtera have bean prised, it is sufficient evidence of their value when it is mentioned that Tmytown. as well as Ser- iAe.i 11 1 Murphy, are from mares hy Ascetic. Th. last named died in Ireland as lout; a.; . as lSJT when he was tweuty-sx years 1 Id. Still no other stallion has succeeded in airing three winners of the Grand National.
