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IHHHHKr EQUIPOISE — His son Shut Out added additional acclaim to the Domino line in winning the sixty-eighth running of the Kentucky Derby. • I SIRES and DAMS I ; By Nelson Dunstan American Lines Holding Their Own Shut Out, Alsab Credit to Dominos Eclipse Founder of Domino Clan Domino, Commando Careers Short NEW YORK, N. Y., May 5. In this column yesterday we made mention of the fact that Shut Out and Alsab, one-two in the Kentucky Derby, are members of the Domino male line. Instead of mere mention, however, it is an angle of the Kentucky Classic that should be shouted to the housetops. For, regardless of the inroads made by imported sires and their get, it remains that the old-fashioned American lines are still sending out racers capable of holding their own against those of other countries. Since Gallant Fox won the Derby in 1930, until 1941, only three winners have been by sires who are : I 1 | | , • . ! I American beyond two generations, and they were Brokers Tip, by Black Toney; War Admiral by Man o War, and Johnstown by Jamestown. So just when it seemed that the three-year-old classic was to be dominated by the get of imported sires. Shut Out and Alsab came through to continue faith in the homebreds, and especially the Domino clan. Actually, "The Dominos" were founded when Richard Ten Broeck imported the colt, Eclipse, foaled in 1855, by Orlando — Gaze, by Bay Middleton, to this country. He established a line that for sheer speed, stands second to none, including The Tetrarchs. His best son was Alarm, the champion miler of his day and often said to be "Americas first sprinter." Alarm, the sprinter, was the sire of Himyar. But, here we find a horse who could run over a distance of ground. For his dam was Hira, by Lexington, and his granddam was Ambassadors daughter, Higera, both mares having been four-mile heat winners. It was the defeat of Himyar by Day Star in 1878 that many claim was the greatest upset in Derby annals. When sent to stud he established a line of pure speed horses. Mated with Mannie Gray, he begot that £Black Whirlwind," Domino, whose pedigree bespoke as much stamina as speed, but whose legs pronounced him one of the fastest horses ever to appear in this country. Under the James R. Keene colors, he was an unbeaten juvenile, retiring as a four-year-old with 19 wins in 25 starts and earnings of 93,550, for many years an American record. Going to stud at famous Castleton, he begot two small crops before death suddenly ended a career that, even though short, was brilliant. His daughter, Cap and Bells, won the Epsom Oaks, while his son, Disguise, won The Jockey Club Stakes. His greatest son, Commando from Emma C, by Darebin, remained in this country and, after being two-year-old champion of his season, was retired after he broke down in the Lawrence Realization, the Belmont being his outstanding victory at three. The tragic death of Commando at seven was a reminder of the early death of his sire, Domino. But in his short career he had sired a group including Colin, Peter Pan, Celt, Superman, Hippodrome, Peter Quince, Ultimus and Transvaal. Colin was undefeated in 15 starts, and while his daughters have proved valuable as matrons, his sons, Neddie, Jock and On Watch, have made their presence felt in recent years. Peter Pan is a name that has constantly appeared in the modern breeding fabric, while Celt was the sire of Dunboyne and the dams of Easter Stockings, Sun Edwin, Curate, Ironsides, Petee-Wrack and Gallant Fox. Superman, winner of the Brooklyn Handicap, begot Dreamsome, dam of Bud Lerner, and also that grand mare, Ormonda, dam of Osmand and Brevity. Peter Quince was the sire of Mae Quince, dam of Our Mae, by Our General, while Ultimus, an inbred Domino, never raced, but sired Stimulus, Supremus, Luke McLuke, High Time, Last Coin, High Cloud, Infinite, Last Reveille and others. Ultimus was one of our greatest brood mare sires, and his sons added to the glory of this line, which is playing a strong part in the American breeding scene of today. To tell the whole story would require a book, so we are touching only the high spots in this brief resume. From the short-lived Domino and Commando came an amazing array of winners and sires and dams of winners. Of them all, Peter Pan was to stand out like a beacon light. With his robust constitution, his speed and courage on the race course, this son of Commando — Nettie Hastings, by Hastings, was to play a highly important role in stud. True, the Domino blood is to be found in the pattern of most famous American horses, but the highlight of the line is the manner in which Peter Pan has become the near ancestor in the near background of American pedigrees. His daughters made history, and among his sons were Tryster, Peter Hastings, Pennant and Black Toney. The latter plays his part in this story as he was the sire of Brokers Tip, a Derby winner. Pennant also plays his part, for, like others of the Domino male line, he had great success when bred to mares of the Ben Brush line. Mated with Swinging, a, daughter of Broomstick by Ben Brush, he begat Equipoise, one of the sires who played a great part in last Saturdays Derby renewal. In our opinion, Equipoise, the famed "Chocolate Soldier," was one of the best horses ever produced in this country. And—
