DEATH OF BLAIR ATHOL.

The decease of this celebrated stallion, from inflammation of lungs and kidneys, merits a passing notice, for, in the opinion of many competent judges, Blair Athol was the finest horse ever foaled. I have seen him myself in his old age led by a groom pacing the country roada round Cobhatn, in Surrey where he has ended his dayß. Foaled in 1861, he only took to racing in the Derby of '64, which he won easily, though by no means the favorite ; afterwards he was beaten at the Grand Prix in Paris on account of illness when crossing the water, but he was. beaten again, also, by a fluke in a minor race at Yorkshire ;in all other matches he was successful, and that with ease. When relegated to the stud he was a great favorite, and the father of many celebrated sons and daughters, one of which was a Darby winner. As a stud horse he waß immensely valued, and fetched first 5000 guineas, and subsequently 12,500 guineas, the highest amount ever given for any horse. Even in his old age he fetched 1950 guineas — that was about twelve months ago. The old horse, with hia magnificent muscular development and grand action, was well worth seeing, and a visit to the Cobham stud was quite one of the sights of Surrey. — Home correspondent N. Z. Times.