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STALLION FEES ON DOWNGRADE Englands Greatest Sires Now Standing at Half Former Price. Brilliant Hurry Ons Fee Slashed More Than Half Sporting Action on the Part of Owner. After the distinct revival in the yearling sales noted at Doncaster, it was not expected jthat there would be a move of outstanding importance in the bloodstock world prior to the December sales at Newmarket, but, auctions apart, there is a something that will mark an epoch in the breeding of the British thoroughbred; this is the general and wholesale reduction in stallion fees for the forthcoming season. Ever since the "boom sales" years, breeders have grumbled at the fees that they have had to pay for the services of stallions in comparison with the prices they have obtained for the resultant yearlings. Their complaints have been broadcast, and have kept many a potential breeder from participating in a business that is as safe an investment granted some judgement as there is in the world today. They need grumble no longer. Look at the list of stallions that have dropped fees since last season, for no other reason than the wish on the part of their owners to better the lot of the smaller breeder. The most notable reduction is that in the fee of Hurry On, which comes down from 400 gs. to 148 sovs. simply because his sporting owner is desirous of opening up the market. For his detractors to affirm that Hurry On is too old is nonsence. The mere fact that his stock have won 15 1-2 races this season until the end of Doncaster disproves that, besides which many an older horse than he has sired a "classic" winner. One seldom sees a hero of the St. Leger that has sired the winners of three Derbys, a St. Leger, two Oaks, and a One Thousand Guineas, at such a nominal fee. His stable companion Press Gang, who to my mind was the best of his year in 1930, has dropped from 250 gs. to the samo price 148 sovs. This reduction, like that of Hurry On, is the result of the generosity of Lord Wool-avington, for never have a better lot of foals than the first lot by Press Gang been seen during the Goodwood meeting. That he is a sire with a future is certain and breeders who do not get on his list at the present figure will have only themselves to blame in years to come. Again, it is rarely that one hears of winners of the Two Thousand Guineas such a3 Ellangowan and Flamingo at such low fees as 48 sovs. and 98 sovs., respectively, especially as the former has sired the winners of nearly 20,000 in stakes since he went to stud, while at 10 sovs. the Grand Prix winner, Lemonora, should appeal to the smaller breeder. Although not what is "fashionable," this son of Lemberg is a consistent winner producer. SPEEDY HEVERSWOOD Another to note is Stanley Smallwooda charge Heverswood, which, despite the fact that he has sired the winners of fifteen races worth 2,594 up to the end of Doncaster, has had his fee reduced to 25 sovs. Also at the Heath Stud, Captain Fracasse, who is one of Tracerys most genuine sons, has come down to 9 gs., which, considering the merits of his son Pickle and his daughters Fougasse and Fricasse, is a purely nominal fee.
