view raw text
Virginia By Nancy Lee Finney Back From Tour of British Isles Boss Sired Four Winners in First Crop Jumper Uncle Pierre Former Flat Racer MIDDLEBURG, Va., May 12.— Humphrey S. Finney, president and general manager of the Fasig-Tipton Company, returned to this country on May 9, following a a trip trip to to Ireland Ireland and and England. England. He He a a trip trip to to Ireland Ireland and and England. England. He He really should be a camera enthusiast as well as a seasoned traveller because he saw one of the greatest sights one could possibly want to see. Not too many people have a chance to see even one of the "greats" in the thoroughbred breeding world, but he saw three at one time. Grazing serenely over a space of about 200 square feet were Hyperion, Never Never Say Say Die Die and and Alycidon. Alycidon. Never Never Say Say Die Die and and Alycidon. Alycidon. Utilizing every moment abroad, Finney, came to Ireland after viewing the running of the Two Thousand Guineas and then went back to Liverpool. He saw Dante and other thoroughbred sires standing in northern England and then drove to the southern part of the country and spent the night with his father and brother. Then the tour was to see the One Thousand Guineas, back to Ireland and then the States. Before the Bull Dog— Buckup stallion, Boss, finished his racing career and was retired to stud at Taylor Hardins Newstead Farm, Upperville, Va., he was bred to a few mares during two seasons in California. From the first small group of mares bred to him he had four winners from four starters. The next group was also small but from it has come the stakes winner, Bossy Baby. Out of the Half Crown mare, Short Sale, Bossy Baby was bred by La Jolla Farm and on the track the two-year-old filly has been the colorbearer for Black Gold Stable. On May 5th she had a winning effort in the 0,000 added Golden Gate Girl at Golden Gate Field. Her sire, Boss, has a full book at Newstead Farm this season and has attracted mares of good caliber. Virginia Gold Cup Drew Large Crowd The Virginia Gold Cup meeting at Warrenton, drew not only a good crowd of spectators but brought out 13 starters to try for a leg on the cup which was put into competition last year, the former gold cup having been retired by C. M. Greer, Jrs Rayquick in 1953. The eventual winner was Cyrus Mainerres owned and trained Uncle Pierre, who was ridden by the amateur rider, "Laddie" Murray. A nine-year-old bay gelding, Uncle Pierre is by Petrose — Royal Purple, by The Finn and was bred by L. A. Mosley. Included in Almahurst Farms Saratoga consignment in 1947, the then* yearling was bought by trainer J. E. Ryan for Mrs. E. du-Pont Weir now Mrs. John R. Thouron. He did not race as a two-year-old, but went postward on the flat as a three- and four -year-old. In September of his four-year-old season, he was sold during the horses-in-training sale at Belmont Park, his new owner being Newell J. Ward, Jr., of Middleburg, Va. He became a member of the Ward hunter string until the fall of 1953 when he was bought as a hunter for Mrs. Cyrus Manierre. In the spring of 1954 Uncle Pierre joined the point-to-point ranks with Mr. Manierre in the irons, entering the winners circle at the Piedmont For-hounds event and retiring the Rokeby Bowl for his owner-rider. Graduating to the timber division at the hunt meetings, his first outing was at Middleburg when he finished second, and thence to the Virginia Gold Cup where he finished in the sixth slot. He then went on to Radnor to win the William Stokes Memorial Challenge Cup, a maiden event over timber. This year he was a starter at the Blue Ridge Hunt point-to-point in the Joseph W. Lewis Memorial and with "Laddie" up, he finished second. On to the sanctioned hunt meetings, he was third under the same rider at Richmond in the Deep Run Hunt Cup. The Middleburg Hunt Cup was his next outing and this time he was ridden by amateur rider, E. Weymouth, to finish second. In the Grand National point-to-point he paired up again with his usual rider, but while sharing the pace -setting duties with Highest Award, Uncle Pierre went down. A two -weeks rest and then the bay gelding made his successful bid for a leg on the Virginia Gold Cup. Mahatma Provides Some Added Thrills Virginiana: The Virginia Gold Cup course at Warrenton was checked this year and the "about" could probably be removed from the conditions of the race and the "four miles" left in. Edwin J. Goulds Mahatma and jockey E. Carter parted company over the ninth jump, but the Mahmoud gelding continued to run and jump. However, when he tired of this he headed for the lane out toward the main gate, picking up a state trooper and car. The trooper advanced cautiously but i Mahatma raced all over the lane, not allowing room for the car to slip by him. Someone at the far end had a bright idea, backed a Nash into the lane but Mahatma skimmed by this road block and then was finally caught. This is nothing new for for Mahatma, as some years ago he got loose at Saratoga and is now personally acquainted with all strets and by-roads at the Spa. . . . Steeplechase rider Tommy Field was working Mrs. James P. Mills Pacific Pact on the flat at Belmont Park on the eighth when the good-looking gray gelding went down suddenly and didnt move. Luckily his rider, who was pitched some. 40 feet forward, was unhurt. The diagnosis was a brain hemorrhage.
