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■ ... mi — - i I , iwn vu viv y By Joe Thomas 1 Heliopolis Was Discovered by Shaffers Proving Adequate Bull Dog Replacement Lost Only U.S. Start and Entered Stud LEXINGTON, Ky., June 3.— It was 15 years ago that the late C. B. Shaffer, his son E. E. Dale Shaffer, and their Coldstream Farm manager, Charles ■ ... mi Kenney, Kenney, began began looking looking around around for for Kenney, Kenney, began began looking looking around around for for a horse to replace the aging Bull Dog. Today it is evident, as a matter of fact has been for some time, that their "discovery" was one of the most fortunate incidents* in the history of American racing. For the "result of their search is Heliopolis, whose sons Helioscope and High Gun staged one of the most brilliant duels in turf history in Mondays Suburban Dan Handicap Handicap at at Belmont. Belmont. When When — - Dan Handicap Handicap at at Belmont. Belmont. When When Coldstream forces began surveying the stallions that might possibly be secured, their first choice was Fair Copy. He was bred similarly to Sickle and Pharamond n., two stallions who already had done well in America. But Lord Derby refused theirs and all other offers, stating that he already had promised the horse to France as a replacement for Pharos. Hyperion Blood an Influencing Factor With the aid of Clarence Hailey, who had helped in the negotations which had brought Bull Dog to Coldstream a search for another suitable horse was begun. Kenney, in studying English form, came up. with Heliopolis. He was a speed horse, tops at middle distances, and came from a tremendous female family. His first four dams each had won stakes and produced stakes winners. The fact that he was by Hyperion actually influence the selection little, one way or the other, for Heliopolis was in Hyperions first crop, and while the 1933 Epsom Derby winner had every credential-for becoming a successful sire, his brilliant career still lay ahead of him. Heliopolis racing record was good — he won stakes at two and three, and had led most of the way in the Derby, tiring toward the end to finish third to Blue Peter and .Fox Cub. But it apparently . did not come up to the. English "classic" standards and Coldstream was able to buy him rather cheaply. However, when he arrived in America — he had been purchased sight unseen — he was far from a pretty horse and the first reaction was one of disappointment. Heliopolis was a four-year-old when he arrived in the United States and an attempt was made to race him the following season. But in his lone start at Hia-leah, he displayed an inaptitude for the American courses and he was returned to Coldstream. He arrived there a sick horse and he didnt take up stud duties until very late Jn the season. He was bred to three Coldstream mares and two of them, Misleading and Sun Celtic, produced the stakes winners Alexis and Helioptic, respectively. The next season, standing at a fee of 50, he had a full book, but only one season was "paid." The only breeder who purchased a service was the late P. A. B. Widener. ,It was Kenney who insisted that, if the services couldnt be sold, they should be giverf away. He convinced the Shaffers by pointing out that Bull Dog made himself with just ordinary mares. If Heliopolis was to replace that grand old horse, he should be given the opportunity to do the same thing. As things turned out, it was a wise policy, for Heliopolis proved that he could and does improve on the mare. From that second crop of mores, "John" as he was called by his handlers, since then were unable to pronounce his registered name, came up with the stakes winners Hampden, Winter Wheat, Marine Victory, Athene and Hyperhelio. Earnings Second Only to Bull Lea The rest is historyToday only Bull Lea stands ahead of Heliopolis on the basis of money won by their offspring. The sons and daughters of the Hyperion horse have earned more than ,000,000. But, insofar as a true comparison between Heliopolis and Bull Dog is concerned, three other events on thepast week end have more significance than the Suburban duel. Bull Dogs greatness lies not only on the records of his sons and daughtesr on the track, but also on their ability to "breed on" when retired to stud. His son, Bull Lea, is possibly the greatest sire ever to stand in America; hi£ daughters have made him Americas leading broodmare sire the past two years. Regardless of Heliopolis own stud record, to rank with his former stud mate at Coldstream, he must "breed on." That is why the week-end successes of Decathlon, who turned in a track-record performance to win the Bay State Kindergarten Stakes; Gandharva in the Besty Ross Stakes, and Ifabody in the Wilmington Handicap, takes on added significance. Decathlon and Gandharva are by Olympia, Heliopolis greatest money-winning son, and one of his first sons to enter stud, while Ifabody is out of Heloipolis daughter Itsabet. These successes, plus what other Heliopolises have done, augur well for the future of the blood of Heliopolis. Other of his sons, who already have sired stakes winners are Ace Admiral, Hampden and Noble Hero; his daughters also have produced By Zeus, Ring King and Thinking Cap.
