view raw text
i - New. York Breeding Farms No. 3 I By NELSON DUNSTAN j SANFORD STUD FARMS. -The oldest thoroughbred nursery In the Empire State is the Sanford Stud Farms, now owned by John L. Sanford, father of Stephen "Laddie." Sanford, famous polo player, and first American owner of a Grand National Steeplechase winner, Sergt. Murphy, 1923. Originally named the Hurricana Stud, the Sanford Farm came into existence at Amsterdam, New York, in the year 1880, and was started by the late Gen. Stephen Sanford and his sons, William and John Sanford, the latter being the only one of the trio now alive. The Sanford Stakes, famous as the race in which Man o War met the only defeat of his career, is named in honor of General Sanford, founder of the Sanford Carpet Company. For years, the General staged a meet yearly, and invited the employes of his company and the townspeople of Amsterdam to attend as his guests. Amsterdam is situated in the beautiful Mohawk Valley. Clifford, a son of Bramble Duchess, was probably the best sire that stood at Amsterdam. He lived until -1917 -and his son, Caughnawaga, was the best horse ever bred at the Sanford Farm. He was an outstanding stayer and won the Saratoga Handicap and Saratoga Cup in 1905. In 1923 the farm was incorporated and the name changed from Hurricana to Sanford Stud Farms, and with its 950 acres, no expense has been spared to make it a model American breeding establishment. In addition to the palatial barns there is an attractive training track six furlongs and within it an up-to-the-minute steeplechase course. Nor was price an object in seeking suitable sires for the farm, but although Mr. Sanford also maintained the Haras de Cheffreville, near Fervacques in Normandy, the importations he niade proved ordinary. At present there are forty-three mares at the Sanford farm, along with the six stallions imp. Blue Pete, imp. Vespasian, imp. Archaic, imp. Snob II., Starpatic and Mo-katam. The last two named are American-bred, Starpatic being a chestnut hors-e by Star Master, from Simpatica, by Friar Rock. Mr. Sanford secured him from Frank E. Brown, raced him a few times, then retired him to stud. Mokatam, a bay foaled in 1927, is by Bud Lerner from Katrina, by imp. Brown Prince. A first-class racer, he was purchased from the Rancocas Stud. As sires, neither have yet had issue old enough to race. Archaic 1917 Imported in 1920, is a son of Polymelus from Keystone II., by Persimmon, and his best contribution to date is the jumper, Arc Light. Blue Pete 1921, by Corcyra from Petit Bleu, by Eager, was imported, but the best he has been able to offer to date are Barcelona Pete and Ajac-cio. Vespasian was bred by Mr. Sanford, sold .d then repurchased to stand at the Amsterdam farm. He is by Stefan the Great from imp. Dark Flight, by Dark Ronald. Mr. Sanford also bred Snob II., a brown horse foaled in France, and by the unbeaten Prestige from Mary Dora, she by imp. Isidor. Brought here as a yearling, Snob II. became a racing sensation and was sold by Sanford to Joshua S. Cosden for a reported 5,000. Retired to the Cosden farm, Snob II. sired the fleet One Hour, and on the strength of that feat, Sanford repurchased him when Cosdeh withdrew from the breeding fi-eld. The majority of horses that. have worn the purple and gold Sanford colors in recent years have been steeplechasers, and th-e best of these was Tourist, by Son-in-Law. After their careers on the turf are over, most of the Sanford horses go back to the Amsterdam farm. On the grounds is one of the most imposing horse cemeteries in the country, and on going through it, a visitor glimpses head-stones that are certain to attract attention. One, for instance, says "Postguard, foal-sd in 1874, winner at all distances a wonderful campaigner." George Smith was probably the best Sanford flat racer in the past thirty years. Winner of the 1916 Kentucky Derby, he was retired to the Sanford Stud, but although given the best mares, was a failure. Mr. Sanford finally made him a gift to the Breeding Bureau of The Jockey Club.
