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FAIR PLAYS SUCCESS IN THE STUD WONDERFUL CAREER One of Americas Greatest Progenitors of High Class Horses. .Comprehensive and Exhaustive Review of His Progeny and Their Records on the Turf. i . I . Editors Note "Herewith is the fifth of a series of articles covering the cntira stud career of Pair Play, one of the most famous and successful of American sires, which died last year. The subject matter is presented in an entirely new and novel manner, which, we feel certain, will prove interesting reading not only to those who find keen enjoyment in endeavoring to fathom the manifold mysteries of the fascinating industry of breeding, hut to the general racing public as well. J Mr. Belmont, so well pleased with Masda, returned Mahubah to Fair Play in 191G; This union proved exceedingly fortunate for it resulted in one of the greatest of American race horses. Because of the great "World War, Major Belmont disposed of all his yearlings in 1918, instead of retaining them, as was his custom, in order to devote his entire time to the service of his country. Because of this he was denied the privilege of seeing the wonder horse carry his famous maroon and scarlet jacket during his victorious career on the turf. Although Man o War proved to be one of the turfs greatest bargains, in comparison with the prices realized at the sales of 1918 but ten of the 509 yearlings brought over ,000, Mr. Riddle paid a good price when he secured him for ,000. Mad Hatter had not as yet demonstrated his greatness and, considering the percentage of other Fair Plays that had developed into anything like worth-while horses, the price was generous. Northward went to J. E. Widener for ,600 ; Furlough to the Brighton Stable for ,600; Mile. Dazie to C. Fellowcs for 00, and Captain Tom to W. Li. Petty on his bid of 00. Man o" Wars achievements were so numerous and consummated with such ease that he was rightfully crowned the "Horse of the Century." In place of the customary review, we are presenting a complete tabulation of his performances, the running of the Sanford Memorial being alone described. In the Sanford Memorial, the only race in which Man o War met defeat, he was carrying even weights with Golden Broom, 130 . pounds, giving fifteen pounds to their nearest rivals. Man o Wars adherents were forced to give odds, with Golden Broom ruling second choice. The supporters of the latter were jubilant when the start found Golden Broom with a big advantage, his closest attendant being Upset. Loftus had been caught napping and, as a result, Man o War -was off next to last. Golden Broom, through his early advantage, kept well in front with Upset and Donnacona his closest followers, but Man o War was making great efforts to get into contention and succeeded so well that in going to the first turn he seemed as if he might be able to wrest the lead away, but at this juncture, when his chances appeared best, was brought about his undoing, for instead of succeeding in slipping through next to the inner rail as Loftus had intended, the leaders moved over, effectively cutting off Man o War and forcing Loftus to take him wide into the stretch. Golden Broom was still in front on the stretcli turn, but ready to retire, which he did soon after, and Upset, which had taken the lead, appeared all over an easy winner, but the stout-hearted Man o War responded in resolute style to the punishing drive that Loftus was making and, an eighth from the finish, Knapp, realizing his danger, went to work in earnest on the Whitney representative. In the last sixteenth Upset was leading but his margin was being steadily reduced, and seventy yards from the finish it still appeared that Man o War had a chance to down his flying rival. But Upset hung on in unusually game style and passed the winning line a long neck to the good. With such records as set up by Man o War, Fair Plays fame was assured. Man o War was retired in 1921 and his first get appeared at the races in 1924. It would be a task to enumerate and review the grand performances of his many successful progeny, but collectively they have won 336 races, finished second in 271, third in 267 and earned ,433,-923. Crusader was his greatest winner fith eighteen races and 03,261 to his credit. Crusader, Mars and American Flag are three of his excellent sons which have been preserved to carry on in the stud. Miss Elizabeth Daingcrfield, manager of Faraway Farm, is authority for the statement that Man o Wars book, could be filled for five years in advance at a fee of ,000 if lie was available to the public. The wonderful staying qualities of this male line are well illustrated in the history of the Dwyer Stakes American Iiacing Manuel, at 1 1-2 miles. In 190S -the race was won by Fair Play. Man o War, Dunlin and Lad-kin, sons of Fair Play, were victorious in 1920, 1923 and 1921. respectively. In 1921 Mad Play, another son, finished second. American Flag, Crusader and Genie, sons of Man o War, won in 1925, 1926 and 192S. Chance Play and Chance Shot, sons of Fair Play, finished second in 1926 and 1927, and Sun Beau, son of a Fair Play mare, finished second in 192S. To such an extent has the fame of Man o War reached that Baron Edouard de Itotlis-child, who maintains one of the largest breeding establishments in France, has shipped to Faraway Farm, two choicely-bred mares to he bred to him in the spring. Mile. Dazie, sister to Tailor Maid, was a good racer and more than paid her way for three years. She won six races as a two-year-old, six at three, and two at four. She has had one foal, Margarita, in 1925. Captain Tom was gelded and raced over a period of nine years with little success. Violet Tip was raced for three years. She has had but one foal, Blaze, which has won four overnight races of small value. FOALS OF 1917 The following are the Fair Play foals of 1917 and complete records: Family Male Amt. Horse. Dam. Number. Sire of dam. Line Wins. 2d. 3d. Won. Man o War. .ch. c. Mahubah .b. 4 by Itock Sand E 20 1 0 49,465 Mile. Dazie b. f. Toggery .. b. 9 by Bock Sand..... E 14 11 12 16,456 Captain Tom ch. g. Florin b. 24 by Hamburg H 5 8 5 3,015 Violet Tip b. f. Violet Bay b. 4 by Rock Sand . . . . E 1 4 2 2,160 Northward ...b. g. Ninevah b. 12 by The Ill-Used... E 1 0 3 1,625 Clarabella ...ch. f. Star Cat ch. 4 by Star Shoot E 0 4 1 1,025 Sentry . .b. c. Surcingle br. 12 by Rock Sand E 12 3 800 Furlough ...ch. c. Ferment b. 19 by Octagon E 0 3 2 450 Phenolax ...ch.c. Starry Night. ..ch. 4 by Star Shoot..... E 0 0 0 Woodford b. c. Sanctissima br.Am by Lamplighter .. M 0 0 o FOALS OF 1918 The following are the Fair Play foals of 191S and complete records: Family Male Amt. Horse. Dam. Number. Sire of dam. Line Wins. 2d. 3d. Won. Sporting Bld.b. c. Felicity b. 5 by Rock Sand E S 10 4 9,864 Grenadier b. g. Mission b.Am by Bock Sand E 9 0 4 16,920 Turnabout . . .b. f. Job Lot br. 9 by Ogdsn M 4 10 10 6,949 Ruddles . ...ch. g. Mollie Elliott. . .ch. 12 by Voter ......... E 8 8 14 6,355 ; Playfellow ...b. c. Mahubah b. 4 by Rock Sand .... E 2 6 5 4,764 Bennington .ch. g. Roxane ch. 27 by Perblaze .. E 7 5 2 4,241 Costly Colours b. f. Violet Ray .b. 4 by Rock Sand..... E 1 1 1 1,465 Fair Florin. . .b. f. Florin !b. 24 by Hamburg H. 2 1 0 850 Playcany b. f. Tuscany br. 2 by Rock Sand E 1 0 0 700 Cri de Coeur..b. f. Toggery b. 9 by Rock Sand E 0 0 0 g : i . Man o9 Wars Racing Record 1919. Date. Track. Race. Dist. Wt. Fin. Time. Track. Value. June C.Belniont rark...rurse i .1-8 st 115 1 :59 fast $ 500 June !... Belmont Park...Kecne Memorial 5 l-2fst 115 1 1:05 slow 4,200 June 21... Jamaica Youthful 3 1-2 f 120 1-i l:0d;s good 3,850 June 23... Aqueduct Hudson 5-8 130 li 1:01 fast 2,825 July 5... Aqueduct Tremont 3-4 130 1 1:13 fast 4,800 Aug. 2... Saratoga United States Hotel 3-4 130 1 1:12 fast 7,600 Auff. 13...Saratosa Sanford Memorial 3-4 130 2J 1:11 fast 700 Auk. 23... Saratoga Grand Union Hotel 3-4 130 H 1:12 fast 7,000 Aug. 30... Saratoga Hopeful 3-4 130 1 1:13 slow 24,000 Sept. 13...Belniont Park. . .Futurity 3-4 st 127 1S 1:11 fast 20,050 Total 10 $ 83,323 1920, Date. Track. Race. Dist. Wt. Fin. Time. Track. Value. May lS....rimlico Preakncss 1 1-8 12G 1J 1:51 fast 3,000 May 29.. ..Belmont Park. ..Withers 1 11S 1 1:35 fast 4,825 June 12... Belmont Park... Belmont 13-8 12G 1 2:14 fast 7,950 June 22... Jamaica Stuyvesant Handicap 1 135 1 1:41 good 3,850 July 10.... Aqueduct Dwyer 11-8 120 li 1:49 fast 4,850 Aug. 7... Saratoga Miller 1 3-1C 131 1 1:50 fast 4,700 Aug. 21. ..Saratoga Travera 1 1-4 129 in 2:01 fast 9,273 Sept. 4. ..Belmont Park... Lawrence Realization 1 3-8 120 1,0 2:10 fast 15,040 Sept. 11... Belmont Park. . .Jockey Club 1 1-2 118 l 2:2S fast 5,850 Sept. 18. ..Havre de Grace. Potomac Handicap. 1 1-1G 13S 11 1:44 fast G.S00 Oct. 12 Kcnilworth KenilwortU Park Gold Cup.l 1-4 120 l7 2:03 fast 80,000 Total 11 i.,140 RECAPITULATION. Tear. Age. Sts. 1st. 2nd. 3rd. Unp. "Won. 1919 . 2 10 ! 1 0 0 $ 83,325 1920 3 11 11 0 0 0 1CG.140 Totals 2 . 21 20 1 0 0 19,403 MAN 0 WARS AMERICAN TIME RECORDS 0? 1920. Dale. Track. Stake. D:st. Weight. Time. May 29 Belmont Park... Withers 1 118 1:35 July 10 Aqueduct Dwyer 1 1-8 12G 1:49 June 12.. ...Belmont Park. . .Belmont 1 3-8 12G 2:11 Sept. 11 Belmont Park. . .Jockey Club 1 1-2 - 118 2:28 Sept. 4 Belmont Park... Lawrence Realization 1 5-8 12G 2:40 : ; e Northward was gelded and did not amount to much. Clarabella has produced three winners. Wrackanna dam of the winner Geo. Terry, by imported Wrack ; Clarifier, by imported Sweeper and Prowler, by imported Mont dOr-II. Sentry, Furlong, Phenolax and Woodford have simply dropped out of racing. Again, in the crop of 191S, the two best performers were from Rock Sand mares. None of this band cut much figure as two-year-olds, but they helped to swell the total of winnings for their sire to 69,102 in 1920, which gained for him first position in the list of winning sires for that year. Sportng Blood was a horse of dazzling speed and at the same time could carry it over a route. He has to his credit several miles in 1:38 or better. He was second to Leonardo II. in the Withers, the mile being run in 1:37; second to Grey Lag in the Belmont, Leonardo II. finishing behind him ; second to Grey Lag in the Dwyer Stakes, one mile and an eighth in 1 :49, equalling the American record, the mile being run in 1:35. At one time or another he met every good horse that had defeated him and turned the tables. He won the Travers of 1921 from Prudery and the Latonia Championship from Black Servant, Humphrey, Grey Lag, Behave Yourself, etc. In fourteen starts as a three-year-old he was unplaced but once. His first crop of foals appeared at the races of 1924. He has sired a dozen or more good winners, the- best of which probably was Inception, winner of the 1929 fall running of the Prince Georges Handicap at Bowie. Sporting Blood was the property of Bud Fisher and was standing at Thomas Piatts Brook-dale Farm at the time of his death, March 22, 1929. He was regarded as one of the most promising young stallions and his loss was a severe one. The gelding Grenadier was put over the jumps in his fourth year and developed into a good performer in that branch of the sport. He accounted for six races in 1923, including the Corinthian, Queensboro and Winfield Steeplechases. He has not raced since 1925. Turnabout was a fair filly, winning three races as a two-year-old, and one at three. She has had one foal, producing the colt Sinon winner of two races, to Trojan in 1925. Ruddles was campaigned for five years, meeting with the most success as a four-year-old, when he won four races. He was overraced and never given time to rest. As a result, he broke down in 1924. riayfellow, a brother to Man o War, appeared in this band and was regarded highly, but failed to display any of the brilliant speed of his brother. This horse was a crib-ber, which probably accounted for his failure at racing. He has been represented at the races for the past three years. His best has been Ben Machree", which won two races as a two-year-old and, last year, won a victory in the Latonia Cup, at two and one-quarter miles ; second to Rose of Sharon in the Latonia Oaks, at one and one-quarter miles; third to Buddy Basil and Clyde Van Dusen in the Latonia Derby, at one and one-half miles. He also won a place in the Ashland Oaks and the Miller Stakes, so, evidently, Sporting Blood does not pass his short windedness along to his offspring. He is standing at Benton Stud, at private contract. Bennington was gelded and. though he won at three, four and five, he did not amount to much. Costly Colours raced well as a two-year-old, but fell in a race and had to be destroyed. Fair Florin won two cheap races, one at two, and one at three. She has had lliree foals, one, Florinassa, by imp. Assagai, which has proved to be a first class filly. She won six races her first year and two as a three-year-old. Playcany, raced only as a two-year-old. bids fair to be a profitable mare at George j D. Wideners Erdenheim Farm. She has produced four times in her six years as a matron, including the filly Hester Ann, winner at three, by imp. Hourless ; the colt Clearance, winner at three, four and five, including the .Quebec Derby, by imp. Sweeper; the filly Playsafe, by imp. Stefan the Great, and last year she had out the good two-year-old colt Hi-Jack, by John P. Grier. Hi-Jack, racing for his breeder, made an impressive record. He finished third to Gallant Fox and Caruso in the Flash Stakes ; third to Caruso and Gallant Fox in the United States Hotel Stakes ; won the Sanford Stakes ; second to Flying Heels in the Nursery Handicap ; second to Whichone in the Bemont Futurity, finishing a nose in advance of Gallant Fox ; second to Dedicate in the Eastern Shore Handicap, and third to Caruso and Black Majesty in the Richard Johnson Stakes. He went amiss last October, pulling up lame after a mile trial. Cri de Coeur has produced six foals in as many years at the Coldstream Stud of C. B. Shaffer. Though they have not been of stake class, among them were the filly Babe K., winner of eight races, by Leonardo II. ; colt Plucky Pal, one race, by Prince Pal ; and the filly Cristar, by imp. North Star III., which won two races last year as a two-year-old. To be continued.
