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SMALL BREEDER INCREASING « This Element Heartily Welcomed by Turf Authorities. • Many Farmers Turning to Production of Thoroughbred — Dr. Xeets Case of What Can Be Done With a Few Mares. ♦ NEW YORK, N. T.. April 24.— For those with a love of nature the production of livestock has a charm. Of the types experimented with as a pastime by those with other interests, or as a means of livelihood none equals in fascination the breeding of thoroughbreds, not only because of the early maturity of the species, thereby guaranteeing a quick market, but through the romantic quality attached to racing without which bloodstock production would be a nameless and purposeless occupation. That the small breeder of bloodstock is on the increase here is a matter of statistics. That this element is heartily welcomed by the turf authorities who see in it an influence helpful to the cause of horse breeding in general is certain to enlarge that circle so well known and appreciated in Kngland and Ireland, especially in the latter country, of which the late Richard Croker said on the occasion of his last visit to New York: "Everybody with a foot of pasture in Ireland owns a thoroughbred mare, and the priest would not consider his parish complete unless he had one." Many farmers in grazing communities outside of the bluegrass region of Kentucky. Tennessee and Virginia are turning to the breeding of thoroughbreds as a part of diversified farming. A strong demand exists for clean-bred dams — the sort that would produce a race horse, hunter or saddle animal. There is ? market at a price for all the serv-iceablv sound, well-made mares in the country. The blemishes incidental to racing do not constitute a disability in a brood mare. JOCKEY CLUB BUREAU. It is a matter of pardonable pride on the part of the Jockey Club authorities that this ! result has been achieved by a plan of its i making, the initial steps inaugurating the I movement having been taken when its breed -I ing bureau was founded in 1906. Under this I system a thoroughbred stallion of the right type was placed in every county and premiums were offered for the get of these horses at the fall fairs. That the work was ultimately confined to the western part of the slate was the outcome of a number of conditions which crystalized in the formation of the Genesee Valley Rreeders Association with headquarters at Avon. This is a region rich in soil fertility and peopled by farmers of intelligence and initiative. Under the guidance of Mrs. Herbert Wadsworth, who is president of this organization, great progress has been made in horse improvement in the Valley, so much so that the Federal Kemount Service has adopted it as a model for their nation-wide campaign in which upwards of 400 stallions — all but fifty of which are thoroughbred — are being employed. Turf history is studded with incidents of a romantic quality having a bearing on blood stock breeding. The case of Dr. John D. Xeet of Versailles, Ky., will servie as an il- Coiitinued on twelfth page. SMALL BREEDER INCREASING Continued from first page. lustration, and his experiences with the marcs Cinderella and Tarantella, the former a daughter of I.lue Ruin or Tomahawk, and the latter hy Hermit are so well told in a letter to the writer that the text of the communication is given verhatim. It is illuminat-[ ing as showing what can he done with a few I thoroughbred mares. 1 r. Xeet never had I more than half a dozen dams, and these were kept on his farm as a side line while he was . engaged in the practice of medicine. They received the usual attention hestowed upon j biood mares, but had the run of an unusually line area of bluegrass pasture. I R. NEETS INSPIRING LETTER. This is Dr. Neets letter, and it should be an inspiration to every man who has a few acres and a desire to breed a thoroughbred : "Replying to your letter of February 23, both Cinderella and Tarantella were foaled in England in IMS. They were sold in Tat-tersalls sale in MM to Alfred Withers of London, who was then engaged in handling coach horses in that city. "At the sale above referred to Mr. Withers purchased ten mares, two yearling fillies Cinderella and Tarantella and one stallion imported Albert to send to America to be sold and the proceeds invested in coach horses for the London trad.. In November, lSSO. these thoroughbreds were shipped to Lexington, Ky.. and offered at private sale. I bought the two yearling fillies and paid Eg-mont Lawrence, who was sent to America in charge of the stock, 00 for Cinderella and 00 for Tarantella. "I bought these fillies for breeding purposes ! and never raced them. However, in their two-year-old form 1 had them trained for a few months and they both showed in their work to be exceptionally fast. As 1 bought them solely for breeding purposes I decided not to race them. In the stud they were regular breeders and remarkably successful in producing high-class race horses. Cinderella was the dam of seven stake winners and Tarantella of nine stake winners. Among other good winners Cinderella produced Fer-1 rier, winner of lifty-six races at all distances. j eighteen straight, and losing his nineteenth the day he fell at Louisville, killing his rider I Goodwin; but after that be continued his ■ brilliant .career on the eastern tracks. The I Stud Book ami Turf Guide convey some idea of the wonderful performances of the produce f Cinderella and Tarantella. 1 could write you for hours about them, but that is not necessary. "In further reply to some of your inquiries ; would say that the two mares cost me MM, and I realize,! from the sale of their produce. 1 from racing, fiom leasing them and in other ! ways the sum of 50. 000. Cinderella died a j natural death from heart disease at the age ■ ; ■ oC twenty-three. Tarantella lived and produced several years longer and died the property of J. E. Madden, to whom I sold her when twenty years old for ,000 and other considerations. •in 1S!S. May 4, Plaudit, by Himyar, out of Cinderella, won the Kentucky Derby. On the same day and same year GLnlu-im. by Hanover — Cinderella and two years old. won the Juvenile Stakes at Morris Park. That day W. C. Whitney wired me an offer of 5,000 for Cinderella. I promptly declined the off.-r and he then asked me to set a price on her for a two-year lease — one season to llanburg. the other to Meddler. I wrote him that I would base her two seasons for 0,000 without a guarantee. He accepted my bffer and gat a colt by Hamburg which died of pneumonia as a yearling and a Ally 1 y Meddler, named Slippers, dam of the great horse Buskin and several other good ones." Cinderellas greatest achievement was the giving to the turf of Hastings, himself a good race horse, winner of the Belmont Stakes and many other events of importance, and the sire of Fair Play, an equally brilliant performer, who immortalised himself by siring -Man o War and many other stars, all of whom are somewhat eclipsed by the dazzling accomplishments of Mr. Riddles Champion. Plaudit was a raee horse of parts, and he sired a lot of useful horses. The blood of Cinderella is marching on — her place in the history of the American thoroughbred is secure.
