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REFLECTIONS *y nelon dunstan CHURCHUL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 2. — In any sport, the expression, "records are made to be broken" holds true. It is especially applicable to horse racing, and the major exents of the American turf. The Kentucky Derby is an outstanding example. While it was long said that that the the three three victories victories of of Isaac Isaac that that the the three three victories victories of of Isaac Isaac Murphy at the turn of the century would stand for all time, Earl Sande tied it when he rode Gallant Fox to victory in 1930, and then Eddie Arcaro came along to end the tie with victories on the quartet of Lawrin, Whirl-away, Hoop, Jr. and Citation. There is one record, while technically tied, was never been surpassed, and that was the breeding of five Derby winners by A. J. Alexander, from Baden Baden, in 1877, to His Eminence, 1901. Through the present century, the American breeding world has. seen many famous farms come into existence, but none equaled that which was established by Robert Alexander in 1792 in Kentucky, and with its successive proprietors became the most influential farm this country has ever known. Alexander named this farm Woodburn, and it was there that he collected the best stallions and broodmares obtainable in America, with a sprinkling of imported stock. AAA The story of the Alexander family is a page of American history that is closely interwoven with the breeding of horses in this country. When Benjamin Franklin arrived in Paris in 1776, he met a young man named Robert Alexander, to whom he took a great liking. Alexander was half Scotch and half French. In 1785, when Franklin returned to this country, Alexander came with him and — i .1, | Even Derby Records Are Made to Be Broken Breaking Alexander Breeding Mark Tough Job Alexander Bred Five Winners of Classic Woodburn Greatest American Breeding Farm was his close companion until the formers death in 1790. Alexander decided to remain in this country and, in 1791, purchased a tract of land in Woodford County, Ky., some 15 miles west of Lexington, which is today the heart of the Blue Grass. He not only became one of the leading men of the state, but also one of its leading breeders. It was at Woodburn that Lexington was placed in stud, after being purchased for 5,000, and the "Blind Hero," who was the greatest stallion ever to stand in this country, made his home at the Alexander farm from 1857 to 1865 when he was removed to Illinois for safety. Lexington led the American sire list for 16 years, 14 of them in successsion, a record which has never been approached. During his career, Lexington sired 236 different winners, who are credited with winning 1,176 races and ,159,321. AAA Robert Alexander had two sons, and after his death they determined to make Woodburn an even greater farm than it was in their time. The older brother, R. A. Alexander, died in 1873, and Woodburn passed to his brother, A. J., who at that time, was a bachelor. The Kentucky Derby was inaugurated in 1875 and two years later, A. J. Alexander won the third running with Baden Baden, a son of the famous sire., Australian, who was a stud mate of Lexington at Woodburn. Three years later he won his second Derby with Fonso, by King Alfonso. Then in 1885 he won with Joe Totten, another son of King Alfonso. Nine years passed before he won again, and that was in 1894 with Chant, a son of Falsetto, and his fifth victory was scored by His Eminence, another son of Falsetto, in 1901. In 1906, Sir Huon was a Derby winner, and while he became the third son of Falsetto to take the Derby, he was owned by George J. Long, who had hoped for a victory at Churchill Downs ever since he entered breeding and racing in 1887. Falsetto was one of the most successful sires in America for many years. Besides his three Derby winners, he begot Dew Drop, one of the best mares ever seen in this country, and a host of other good ones. AAA A. J. Alexander lived until 1902 and that year Wood-burn completed 111 years as a producer of great horses. One that should be mentioned who was foaled there was the renowned Foxhall, who was taken to Europe by James R. Keene, to win the Cesarewitch, Cambridgeshire, Grand Prix de la Paris and the Ascot Gold Cup. In fact, one might keep on interminably tracing the influence of the Woodburn sires and dams. It is almost impossible to tabulate the pedigree of any great modern horse, except a scattered few, bred from parents of exclusively imported blood, without encountering the name of a sire or dam from the famous Alexander farm, so great was its prestige that for over 40 years American breeders relied upon it to an extent that no other breeding establishment ever enjoyed. The Woodburn record of five Derby winners has withstood the test of time. As we said above, while it has never been excelled, it was tied by the late John E. Madden who bred Old Rosebud, Sir Barton, Paul Jones, Zev and Flying Ebony. Madden was the owner of the famous Hamburg Place in Fayette County, but Sir Barton Continued on Page Forty-Four REFLECTIONS By NELSON DUNSTAN Continued from Page Forty -Eight was bred in partnership with Vivian Gooch of England. AAA Two famous farms that came into existence during the present century were Idle Hour Farm of the late Col. E. R. Bradley, and Calumet Farm, which is now the property of Mrs. Warren Wright. Idle Hour has been broken up since the death of the Colonel, but during his career he bred the four Derby winners. Behave Yourself, | Bubbling Over, Burgoo King and Brokers j Tip. Here again, we find a partnership, for | Burgoo King was bred by Colonel Bradley and Horace N. Davis. The late Warren j Wrights Calumet Farm also has had four winners, Whirlaway, Pensive, Citation and Ponder. There is no possibility of Idle Hour equaling A. J. Alexander and John E. Madden with five winners, but as Mrs. Wright is carrying on at Calumet there is a chance, with the stallions and the sterling band of broodmares there, that she eventually might equal that record. It is almost a certainty, however, that Calumet will not advance this season, for while the farm has Fanfare and Replete as eligibles, the veteran Ben Jones said some weeks ago that he seriously doubted whether either of them would be starters in Saturdays seventy-seventh running. So, although records are made to be broken, 50 years have passed since A. J. Alexander created the breeding mark of five Derby winners, and unless Calumet accomplishes the feat, it will probably stand for many years to come.
