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i if — # » ~i • REFLECTIONS by nelson °unstan NEW YORK, N. Y., May 6 — Should Olympia win the Diamond Jubilee running of the Kentucky Derby tomorrow afternoon, the victory will stress once again the prominent part that imported horses have played in this typically American event since its inaugural running in 1875. Olympias sire is Heliopolis. an reported son of Hyperion, the famous stallion that American breeders tried so hard to purchase when England plunged herself into World War II. Lord Derbys answer, "Hyperion will never leave these shores, even if England is reduced to ashes," sent our American breeders eagerly after his sons and daughters. Arthur B. Hancock of Claiborne Stud purchased from Lord Astor the mare, Penicuik II., and directed she be bred to Hyperion. Late in 1940, Warren Wright purchased Penicuik II. from Hancock and, in the following February, a chestnut colt by Hyperion was foaled at Calumet Farm. Later named Pensive, this colt won the 1944 Derby running from 15 opponents. Then, the master of Calumet Farm purchased Hydroplane II., a daughter of Hyperion, and from a mating with Bull Lea came the famous horse, Citation, winner of last years Derby renewal. Dale Shaffer of Coldstream Stud brought Heliopolis to this country and, in 1948, this son of Hyperion was third to Bull Lea and Mahmoud on the list of "Twenty Leading Sires." He may have even greater claim to fame by nightfall tomorrow. AAA In the very first running of the Kentucky Derby, the winner, Aristides, was an example of the combination of American and English breeding. The most famous American sire of all time was Lexington, who established a record that will probably never be broken when he was the leading stallion in this country for 14 years in succession — 1861 to 1874, inclusive — and twice again after !is death in 1876 and 1878. The horse that eventually toppled him from his throne was the imported Leamington who, after six seasons in England, was brought to this country to become an amazing success as a sire. His first foals burst upon our turf with dazzling brilliance, and he was said to have introduced a new type of horse Foreign Stallions, Mares in Derby History Olympia May Add to Hyperions Fame Leamington-Lexington Blood in Aristides Sir Gal la had III. Successful Derby Sire in this country — for they were of tremendous size, wonderful speed, had great strength and power and, though temperamental, plenty of courage. He was mated with many daughters of Lexington and, from a union with Sarong, a daughter of Lexington, came Aristides, the first winner of the Kentucky Derby and who, as "the little red horse," is right now the central figure in one of the best-selling novels of the present day. AAA From 1875 to the turn of the century, the Kentucky Derby was just a modest horse race whose value to the winner, on one occasion, dropped to a mere ,970. But, in those years "before Col. Matt Winn," the winning beadroll showed horses who are still regarded as among the mightiest of all time. In 1881, the winner was Hindoo who, even though he traced back to Glencoe in the male line, was out of a Lexington mare and thus American in all that the word implies. When sent to stud, Hanover was a success in his first crop, and while the latters blood was not acceptable to the guardians of Englands General Stud Book, three winners of the Epsom Derby carried it, namely, Durbar II., Orby and Grand Parade. In 1895, Hanover sent a Kentucky Derby winner to the post in Halma and, in 1902, Halma earned his share of glory as a Derby sire in the winner of that year, Alan-a-Dale. In 1896, the horse Ben Brush was the Derby winner and, as you know, this horse was one of the three to create what are now the typical American lines, of Ben Brush, Domino and Fair Play. Before Ben Brush died, he had solidly established what was known as the Bonnie Scotland line in this country, and that was to be carried on by his two great sons, Sweep and Broomstick, the latter being the sire of the Derby winners, Meridian in 1911 and the filly, Regret, in 1915. AAA In 1902, Col. Matt Winn became the directing head of the Kentucky Derby activities, but it took many years of building before the race had a value of over 0,000, and that was in 1919 when Sir Barton defeated Billy Kelly and then became the first horse in history to win the "Triple Crown." Those early years of the century did not produce Derby winners who went on to win great fame as sires. Two of the greatest winners in that period were Old Rosebud and Exterminator, but it was impossible for them to aid the breeding structure of this country as they were geldings. Another much-discussed winner was Regret, the Whitney filly who became the only one of her sex to win from the colts at Louisville. The race first passed the 0,000 mark in 1923 when Earl Sande rode Zev and, from that year on, it took its rightful place as one of the events in which the value of the winner became greater in the eyes of our breeders. Reigh Count, the winner over Misstep and Toro in 1928, became a factor in the Derby history of the future and, especially so when he sent Count Fleet out to win from Blue Swords in 1943. Man o War did not start in the Derby, but he was the sire of Clyde Van Dusen, winner in 1929, and also War Admiral, the colt who appears to be destined to carry on his male line in this country. AAA During the past 25 years, there has probably been more noted stallions and mares brought here from foreign countries than in any like period. This has naturally had a great effect on the traditional events in this country and this is especially true of the Kentucky Derby. During the 25 runnings from 1924 to 1948, no less than 11 renewals have been won by colts sired by stallions brought to these shores, along with five others who were out of imported mares. Sir Gallahad III., who, in this writers opinion, is the most successful stallion ever brought here, was the sire of Gallant Fox, 1930; Galla-hadion, 1940, and Hoop Jr., 1945. Johnstown, the winner in 1939, was out of La France, a daughter of Sir Gallahad III.; and Jet Pilot, the winner in 1947, was out of Black Wave, another daughter of Sir Gallahad III. It was Col. John F. Wall who once said, "Fresh infusions of blood, regardless of origin, are good for the breed in any country, and tomorrows diamond jubilee renewal of the Kentucky Derby is a striking example of the fact.
