SIR MODRED AS A SIRE.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7359, 11 July 1889, Page 2

SIR MODRED AS A SIRE.

By Spkctator. The value of recuperative blood in breeding studs has bad another ezempliflecatioainiheiiKoeaß which Uai attended I thenrstof SUr Modrefo progeny both In Australia and America, *ndno doubt the question as to the wisdom or otherwise of looking abroad for sires will be again debated. Anyone who has closely observed the course of events in the colonies will have noticed the successes which have been achieved by the progeny of sires over the sons and daughters of colonial bred sires, and though it must be admitted that imported hones have bad greater opportunities given them* I am a firm believer in the imported horse as a sire, though I confess that I have formed that opinion more from a reference to the turf records than from any other observance. My theoryls that New Zealand mares crossed with English bred sires are more likely, judging by past experience, to produce racehorses than if both sire and dam were bred in the colony. The progeny of colonial bred and Ncvr Zealand sires in particular, with some exceptions, would appear to be what are known as " soft" horses as compared with stock of the great majority of sound English sires we have had. The first of Sir Modred's stock to ran and win In America was Fannie in the St. Patapxo Stakes at Washington. The next one is thus spoken of lathe Turf t Field, and Farm:— The racing thus far has not thrown much light upon the two-year-old question, although It Iβprobable that tomorrow's big race For the Great American Stakes will develop something beyond the average. If the majority of the starters have a fair Beld. Reclare and Urbanna have been the only ones to pass the winning post first more -than once. Ballarat, Senator Hearst's son of Sir Modred, is perhaps as good as any that have yet shown. In his Initial effort he did not get as goad a start as some of the others, but finished Ifourth after having slipped his head-stall back on bis neck. In the Hudson Stakes he won without any trouble, and looks to be one Of the improving kind. He was brought to the post on both occasions the perfection of the trainer's art, and Matt Allen has every reason to feel proud of his young Australian. It is safe to say that we have not heard the last of Ballarat, and if he has to lower his colour* in Thursday's race the Morris Dwyer, Scots orßelmonfcetableawiU have to send out some new material r which perhaps may have held in reserve.