SPORTING NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXX, Issue 8578, 4 September 1888, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES.

More than one of our Australian contemporaries, in commenting upon the straitened financial position of the Auckland Racing Club, take the opportunity to decry the totalisator and all its surroundings. They attribute the difficulties of our northern friends, and, indeed, the depression which pervades the whole of the New Zealand turf, to the operations of the machine, and point, as well they may, with a self-satisfied air to the more flourishing state of affairs in their own country. There are plenty of people here who will draw the same comparisons and profess to hold the same views; but no intelligent parson who has taken the trouble to examine the accounts of the Auckland Racing Club will conclude that the troubles of that institution are due to the presence of the totalisator. The machine has enormously expanded the revenue of the Metropolitan Clubs, and there has been a corresponding improvement in every department of the sport; but Auckland, among other institutions, has been livingup to its full income, and, if wo may believe all we hear and see, the Northerners have not exercised a very large amount of business capacity in the management of their affairs. They have, in fact, allowed things to drift, hoping, no doubt, that a return of commercial prosperity would disperse the gathering clouds; but they now find themselves face to face with a formidable debt, and the prospect of a decreasing revenue. The position is serious enough, but we have little fear that the business men who occupy seats on the Committee, now fully awakened to the gravity of the situation, will succeed in extricating the Club Jrom its present embarrassment. Perhaps the totalisator may have had something to do with the initiation of a policy of extravagance and, if wo may use the term, inattention, it appeared such a certain and steadily increasing source of revenue, that finance was relieved of half its worrying details. Nearly all tfao Clubs made engagements on the assumption that the revenue from the totalisator would at least be maintaised, probably increased. Unfortunately, the spending power of the people has been very much curtailed; there is not the same amount of money available for investment in the totalisator, and the profits of the Clubs have been accordingly lessened. The obvious remedy is a reduction in the stakes, a reduction which points to no special but a general depression. The Auckland Racing Club has applied this remedy, and we sincerely hope that the application may initiate a period of unexampled prosperity. A few months ago we remarked upon the premium to roguery offered by the Lancaster Park Trotting Club in visiting a case of " pulling ” with a paltry sentence of three mouths’disqualification. Y/e characterised this as culpable leniency ; but what snail we say of the latest departure of the Lower -Heathcote Racing Club ?. This last-named institution held a trotting meeting on Monday afternoon, and one of the competitors in the Maiden Race displayed such an extraordinary reversal of form that the Stewards were compelled to hold an enquiry. The enquiry seemed to satisfy the officials that something was wrong, and alter mature consideration they determined to disqualify the horse and rider for the remainder of the afternoon ! Couid anything be more ridiculous ? As we remarked, when discussing the case at Lancaster Park, the accused is either innocent or guilty. If innocent, ho is a much wronged individual; if guilty, be should have received a thousand times the punishment. The evidence may have been of a very conflicting character, probably was; butit was a question of "guilty” or “not guilty;” and the Stewards had no right to accompany a verdict of “ not proven ” with any part of the penalty that would have been dealt out to a convicted offender.

Eemembering the very spirited manner in which one of our southern contemporaries attacked some suggestions we offered to the Dunedin Jockey Club a year or two ago, wo i are conscious of considerable temerity m venturing in the same direction again. Nevertheless, we should hke to point out to the management of the southern Club that considerable inconvenience is occasioned to visitors- from Canterbury and the North Island by the last day of the Autumn Meeting being fixed tor a Saturday. Under existing arrangements, a visitor from Chiistchur.h must give up a whole week to see three days’ racing, while if the meeting were fixed for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday tho trip would occupy only live days, and tho northern visitors could take advantage of Saturday night’s steamer from Lyttelton. The off day in Dunedin —the Friday—is never a very lively interlude, and horse owners are just as anxious as other people to get homo. Of course the delay may be of some benefit to Dunedin tradespeople, particularly to hot el-keepers; but the Jockey Club will not, we trust, allow this to outweigh the more important considerations in completing its programme for the new season.

Nominations for several events to be decided at the Spring Meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club close on Tuesday evening. Premier has gone hack to his owner’s place ia North Canterbury. The successful owners at the last Plumpton Park mooting have not yet abandoned their intention to proceed against the Stewards to enforce the payment of tho stakes. The legal machinery is being adjusted. News comes from India that Musket’s son. Matchlock, has been destroyed. The Indian Flanter’s Gazette has the following with reference to this cast-off of tho Hon. James White’s stable: —"The ill-luck which attended him from his arrival has, studiously followed him; and in spite of the most assiduous care bestowed ou him by Perrett, one of the best and most careful trainers in India, his days had to be abruptly ended.” Tho disease from which he suffered is known as "kumri,” very prevalent amongst thoroughbred horses in India at the present time. Mr 11. Eedwood writes that he is well pleased with the progress his Cup and Derby candidates are making. The veteran is ay sanguine as ever and thinks, with a fair share’of luck, he will score a win or two during the Eiccarton carnival. The English trip Inis been indefinitely postponed. Ma j or W al rn si ay, the manager of the New Zea’aud Stud Company, telegraphed to Mr Stead last week that Marmionhad dropped twins to Nordenfoldt. One of the little strangers was bojrn dead and the other lived only an hour. This ill-luck reminds one very unpleasantly of tho disappointments occasioned by the daughter of Maribynong and Peeress on the turf . We have received programmes of meetings to be held by the Palmerston and

Shag Valley Jockey Club on October- 5, and by the Napier Park Racing Club on October 10. The latter includes the Park Stakes of 200 eovs, for which nominations will, be due on September 10. The North Canterbury steeplechase held at Amberley last week, again provided a most enjoyable outing for the local sportsmen and excursionists from town. The meeting has never been better patronised, and its success was thoroughiy well deserved. The weather was just what it should be at this season of the year, and the racing was interesting from first to last.

Only a quartette went to the post for the Great Northern Steeplechase—a rather pretentious title, by the way, for a AGO race—but they each had a confident following, and the predictions of a good contest seemed likely to be realised. Iceman, who was looking pounds better than when ho last appeared in public, stopped at the first and second fences, and got no further than the latter obstacle. From this point Presto made the running at a wretchedly siow pace, and keeping his position until mountin g too hill for the second time, was able to beat his two opponents in the run homo. Daddy Longlegs blundered, at the water the first time round, but jumped the rest of the country in his usual faultless style,while Isaac was in trouble at the half-distance, and should, we think, be treated to a spell. The Hunters’ Plate fell to Kathleen, a clover daughter of Killarney, who after being knocked over by Bolero at the double, managed to show the way out of the road and win all out by five lengths from the roan gelding. Hornpipe was third, and the placed horses, so far as appearances go, were certainly the pick of the half-dozen engaged. Isaac, notwithstanding his failure in the big race, was made a good favourite for the Seadown Steeplechase, but it was soon evident that all the fire was ontof Mr Bradley’s gelding, and Premier joining Squib at the bottom of the hill, the pair ran a capital race to the last fence, where Sheenan’s mount drew away and won very comfortably by three lengths. Landsborough, the winner of the Maiden Plate at the Grand National Meeting, was made a great pot for the Tally-ho Plate, and it looked like picking up money to lay 5t02 on the son of Nobleman. The favourite sailed away in front, and seemed to have the race at his mercy uutil half a mile from home, where Mr Aynsley made his effort on Kathleen, and catching the gelding at the double, won a slashing race by half a length. Either Kathleen is a great deal better than her friends supposed, or Landsborough was very lucky in beating Playboy and Shillelagh at Riccarton. We ai-e inclined to accept the latter alternative.

Stewart had the mount on Squib in the Farmers’ Steeplechase, and it was a compliment to that clever horseman’s ability that the mare should have been made a slightly better favourite than Premier, who was meeting her on a pound better terms than when he defeated her in the Seadown Handicap. In her first essay Squib was was ridden by her owner, Mr H, G. Pitt, who gave her every possible assistance,and we were not surprised to find that Stewart could do no more; indeed Premier won easier than on the first occasion, and was again followed home by Squib and Mexico, a rather remarkable confirmation of form. Isaac was again trusted with public confidence in the Consolation Handicap, but going from bad to worse he finished last of those that completed the course. Daddy Longlegs beating Icenian very easily, and Industry filling Che other place. The Amberley people for some reason had delayed the return of the specml train until half past seven, an hour and a half later than was necessary; but with this exception the arrangements were excellent, and we are satified that a very large ma jority of the visitors will look forward with pleasurable anticipations to tho next meeting of the Club. We evidently set a number of our readers an easy task in asking the pedigree of Norman, and we have to thank a further batch of correspondents for particulars supplied. “ A subscriber ” will be obliged by an answer to tho following: W'hat distance in a match ogainst time did Beith Maid trot at Ayr (Scotland) somewhere between 1862 and 1870 ?

The veteran trotter Jimmy Brown met with a singular, and highly unpleasant experience at the Lower Heathoote Meeting on Monday. The gelding got loose on the course, and being nearly blind blundered into the Heathcoto river, and swam across, but failed to effect a landing on the other side. Burdened with his clothing, he was now in considerable peril, hut Mr A. J. Keith, who seems to delight in adventures of this description, promptly plunged into the water, and succeeded in bringing the veteran to shore. Jimmy Brown subsequently took part in the principal race of the day, but was evidently suffering from his immersion, and after an exciting contest could only get second to Tommy. We think we are correct in saying that the negotiations for the sale of Lochieltoan American sportsman have not resulted in business. It is tolerably certain that the horse will remain here, but this does not make him a 100 to 12 chance in the New Zealand Cup, and we would again caution backers against accepting a false price about last year’s winner, who may play second fiddle to one of his stable companions. There is a general impression around Eiccarton —and these impressions are often well founded—that the Hon W. Eobinson will not send any of his team to Australia this season.

Pasha, carrying Dst, ran unplaced behind Elsie (7st 41b), Euth (9st 31b) and Desmond (Sst 2lb) in the August Handicap, at the Eosehiil Eacing Club’s Meeting, on August 18. There has been very little wagering on the New Zealand Cup, during the past week. Carbine has been in as good demand as anything, and backed at 100 to 12, and Lochiel, Artillery, Springston, Exchange and one or two others have been supported at last week’s prices. At the Caulfield Grand National Meeting held on August 18, the Handicap Hurdle Eace was won by Le Eoy (list 111 b), who beat Incident (lOst Gib), Bonnie Chester (lOst Sib), and seven others. The main feature of the Steeplechase was the number of casualties, five of the nine starters falling, leaving four to finish, which was almost a reflex of the race of two years ago, when in the same race, five out of eight came to grief. Backers of the favourite were early relieved from anxiety, seeing that Euby, taking off too long at tho logs in front of the stand, fell. At first it appeared that Scobie was severely hurt, but he almost immediately rose to his feet, remounted the mare, and returned to the saddling paddock. Ellerslie and Eoyal Oak nest fell at tho post; and rail fence near tho turn into the straight, and Curiosity, the last time round, came down on the top of the hill, after making joint running with Mernder for about two miles. To wind up with. Beadsman 11. fell at the last jump, and Easlet (9ab 101 b), who had joined Mernder (12st 21b) about a mile from home, cantered in three lengths in front of his colossal stable companion. Kestrel (9st 7lb) being placed a bad third. The handicaps for the D.J.C. Hunt Club Meeting were declared last week. Mr Dowse has put Sultan at the head of tho Kensington Handicap, and properly so; but Mr Hammond’s horse must continue in his very best form to win under 9et 41b. Snapshot, on recent performances, is not thrown in with Sst 51b, but Sommcil, if as good as his running with Carbine suggests, has a show with Sst 21b. Our Dunedin correspondent will probably have something to say about La Eose, and if the mare has wintered well we shall certainly respect her chance. Captain Cook has a tremendous allowance for his defeats at the .May Meeting of the Club, but ho is at an ago when horses seldom improve, and we prefer Wolverine with 31b less. Shifual is not badly treated, and the same may be said of Everton Lad, Chic, and Le Temps, about all we are prepared to say just now, but May bell is probably outclassed. We like Sultan, Sommcil, La Eose, and Wolverine best, and unless the others are thoroughly wound up, we shall plump for the top weight. Silvennarb occupies the poet of

honour in the Shorts Handicap, and should he be dressed in his best on the day he will be very hard to beat. Still it would hardly be politic for Mr Goodman to commence the season by winning under 9at 71b, and this remark, by the way, will apply to our selection in the previous race. Somme il. La Rose, Wolverine, and Shifnal meet on much the same terms as in the Kensington Handicap, and under the altered conditions we like Sommeil best. St James receives a lump of weight from the tried three-year-olds, but we shall venture the opinion that he is a long way below first class, and none of those that follow, without it be the Musket—L’Orieut colt, with 161 b below weight for age, take our fancy. At present we shall be content to rely on Goodman’s selection, and take Wolverine as next best. A very moderate lot are engaged in the Tally-Ho Handicap. If Haka can get the distance he will he suited by the fences, and probably win, bub Waitangi, fit and well, would be more rereliable, and we may leave a more precise selection until after the acceptances. In the Trot we must rely upon our local authority, but perhaps Emily, with 50sec start, has a chance of holding her own, and from what we hear of Fosaicker, on the same mark, he is not harshly treated. Acceptances will be due to-morrow week (September 8). Sultan was scratched on Saturday at 8.35 p.m. for the Kensington Handicap, to be run at the Dunedin Jockey Club Hunt Meeting. Major Walmaley informs "Phaeton,” of the Weekly Nevjs, that one of the finest yearlings he saw during his recent visit to the West Coast was a colt by The Dauphin from the imported mare Sissie, and if the son of Traducer’s stock have any fault, the Major considers it to be that they are too handsome. The Major is a good judge, and we are prepared to accept his opinion on most things relating to horse flesh, bub we are still in the dark as to the point at which a yearling becomes too handsome. The Dauphin, while on the turf, certainly did not suffer from this fault, and if we except Lorraine, who has grown into a wonderfully fine horse, none of his dam’s produce are distinguished for their beauty. Still, "handsome is as handsome does,” and The Dauphin is so nicely bred that with proper opportunities he must he a success at the stud.

The tracks at Eiccarton were jus b setting into fair order when the rain of Monday night again flooded the tan and plough. Very little in the way of exercise could be accomplished on Tuesday morning, but part of the trial gallop was thrown open next day and most of the local Cup candidates put in good useful work. Arillery was seat a long slow canter alone, moving none to freely, we thought, during any part of the journey. Kuby accompanied Springston once round steadily, when he was pulled off, and the younger brother made another circuit alone at a rather better pace. Buby still looks big and well but has done only very moderate work, and Springston, who is more forward, seems to be going on as well as could be wished. Carbine was associated with the rest of O'Brien’s team in a smart canter once round and strode along in his usual commanding style. Vandal was also of the party. British Lion and St Clair covered nearly three miles at half pace, and St Malo and Bavenswing accomplished an easier task, all acquitting themselves satisfactorily. Chain Shot had Engagement for a companion in a couple of rounds. The colt although looking wonderfully well, is not the best of movers, and Engagement again pulled up lame. Manton made two circuits of the grass steadily, aud was followed by Exchange, who, after showing a strong disinclination to go into tho saddling paddock, was sprawling all over the track in a strong three-mile gallop. Mr Eobinson’s colt is undoubtedly a good one, but he is evidently possessed of a temper, and his hocks will occasion some trouble. Among the other horses we saw gallop during the morning were Half-guinea,, Golden Crest, Haka, Dunkeld, Helmsman, Maligner, Merrie England, Charity colt, Sultan, Normanby, Idalia, Adulation, Lienster, Rewi, Tarantulas, Count d’Oreay, Irish King, Icenian, Isaac, Patrician, Yinco, Erin-go-Bragh, Psyche colt. Platter, Cypriote, Total Eclipse, Sjfcea and Playboy. Our Auckland correspondent chronicles a number of foalingsafc Sylvia Park, Prom Middlepark, wc learn that Rupee has dropped a colt. Miss Flat a filly, and PJeurange a filly, all to St George. At the annual meeting of the Poverty Bay Turf Club, held last week, the balance sheet showed a highly satisfactory financial position, and the following gentlemen were appointed a Committee for the ensuing year: Messrs Winter, Wethered, Sunderland, Bennett, Clark, Cassin, and Bobbie.

“ Augur ” says that Crusader, the stallion recently purchased in Melbourne by Mr Allan M'Lean of Hawkes Bay, is cue of the very best Arab performers that ever left India.

The Hon. James White, in a letter dated August 11, says:—"We have lately beeu favoured with nice rains, and in consequence the training tracks at Eandwick are in capital going order. With the exception of Cranbrook, all my horses are doing well, and I am sanguine he will come round again after a good spell.” The following clipping from the Australasian will be of interest to some of our readers : —A few months ago a dispute arose between a layer and a backer respecting a bet which was made at Caulfield. Both parties to the bet were, with many others, behind the stand on their way to the lawn to see the race, when the wager was made, and when they got into the open the horses had just passed the post, but The Charmer, who was the subject of the bet, was beaten, and the backer expressed an opinion that it was no wager, as the race must have been over when the wager was made; but, as neither party knew the result, Mr Joseph Thompson, who was the layer in question, contended that the backer ought to pay. He refused, aud the matter was laid before the committee of the Victorian Club, who decided that the backer bad not to pay. Mr Thompson submitted the matter to the Committee of the Newmarket Subscription i Booms, and from that body he has received the following answer:—“At a meeting of . the Committee of the Newmarket SubscriptionEooms held at Eothesay-house, Newmarket, on Tuesday, July 5, 1888, Mr Eobert Ilowett having submitted to the committee particulars of a disputed bet laid by Mr J. Thompson with Mr of 100 to 50 against The Charmer winning a certain handicap in Australia, it was unanimously resolved that in the opinion of this committee this bet must stand good, unless Mr can prove that Mr Thompson not only knew that the horses had passed the winning post, but that The_ Charmer had not won the race in question." Although this is only the opinion _ of the committee, it is in accordance with the rules of betting in this country.” _ Of course this does not affect the decision given by the Victorian Club, but it is merely given to show the custom which prevails in England. It is a significant fact (says a London contemporary) that in every action brought during the present reign by anyone connected with the Turf against a newspaper for libel, the verdict should invariably have been won by the plaintiff. Among these actions, each of which was necessarily from its nature more or less of a cause celebre, four stand out pre-eminently above their fellows. In August, 1842, Mr Charles Greville sued the Sunday Times for accusing him of scratching liis horse Canadian for the Derby of that year, in order to win several large bets which ho had laid against him, and was rewarded by a verdict in his favour, with .£250 damages. In November, 18G9, Sir Joseph Hawley summoned the proprietor of the Sporting Times and the proprietor of the Man About Town to appear before Sir Thomas Henry at Bow street, on the charge of publishing malicious libels about the scratching or Siderolite and Blue Gown (both of them the property of Sir Joseph) for the Liverpool Autumn Cup of that year, which race ho won with Lie tor. Neither of the <iqfendauts attempted to justify, at Bow street, their libellous statements, for which they printed ample apologies in subsequent issues of their respective journals. Nevertheless, Sir Thomas Henry committed them

both for trial at the Central Criminal Court, where the casts were heard oil December 15, with the result that Dr Shorthouse, of the Sporting Times, was condemned to a fine and a year’s imprisonment, while Mr Robins, of the Man About Town, escaped with a small line alone. In I June, 1881, Mr Barrow jun., a veterinary ! surgeon, brought an action against the, Morning Post for defaming his character, , and obtained a verdict in his favour, with , £1750 damages. In June, 1888, Charles Wood, the jockey, sued Mr Cox, the proprietor of the Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette, , for accusing him of pulling Success at Lewes and Alexandra Park, the result being a verdict for the plaintiff, damages one farthing. Some time ago wo chronicled the ship- , ment of Gay Hermit, by Hermit —Doll Tearsheet, and St Mirin, by Hermit —Lady 1 Paramount, from England to Buenos Ayres. A correspondent in the latter country now sends the following to the London Field -. '• It was on June 10, in a 1750-metre race— . or, say, a little over a mile—tbit Gay Hermit first threw down the gauntlet, which was taken up by the crack all round , horse of the country, by name Ben Venue ; Ulysses, and a promising two-year-ohi by ' Phoenix, the Hermit of South America. This youngster was in receipt of sonie 1 three stone from his opponents, who carried j even weights, both being of an age—63£ , kilos, or, say, 11b under 10 stone. A full description of the race is uncalled for, as ' at the fall of the flag it was over. Gay , Hermit, jumping off with a ten-length lead, < was never caught, and won hard held all ' the way, amidst silence most amusing on j the part of the Argentines present, and vociferous cheers from the English, and , heating the record for the distance by a r trifle over a second, his time being lain , 53fsec. In conclusion, I would state that • Gay Hermit’s trainers are natives, and : they deserve the highest credit for the ■ condition in which they presented their horse at the post, the same being simply perfect. St Mirin has not yet sported silk. ; By the steamship Tanais, which left Port : Jackson on July 11 for Noumea, the race- ; horses Uppercut and Wolseley took ; their departure for New Caledonia, ] both horses having been purchased at satisfactory figures by a sportsman from that island. Uppercut is a son of Gemma di Vergy and Caller Ou, and Wolseley is by 1 The Drummer (imp.) from Prosperine, by j Kingston from Psyche, by Oxide from 1 Cenci, by Sir Hercules. The pair should : hold their own with any of the horses they ' are likely to measure strides with in the 1 French Colony. _ ! At the annual meeting of the Napier ; Park Racing Club held last week, the ■ Committee reported that £2591 10s had , been expended in stakes during last season. ; The total expenditure amounted to .£3520 j 15s, and the receipts to £3564 2a 9d, leaving a surplus of £43 7s 9d. The accounts in connection with the four meetings were as j follows:—Spring Meeting: Expenditure, ; £534 12s; receipts, £507 8s * 6d. New ; Year’s meeting: Expenditure, £499 19s; receipts, £646 16s 3d. Autumn Meeting: ■ Expenditure, £ll7O 17s ; receipts, £I7OO 18s Bd. Winter Meeting; Expenditure, • £576; receipts, £439 5s 3d. The following officers yrere elected for the ensuing l season :—President, Mr John Close; Vicepresident, Mr J. Heslop; Treasurer, Mr J. Knowles ; Committee, Messrs J. Irvine, D, Glendinning, J. M‘Vay, A. M'Cartney, ; W. Heslop, J. Bennett, G. Tait, K. Smith, and H. Williams, jun. The notice of appeal in the libel case of Wood v. Cox was given on two grounds—(l) That the Lord Chief Justice admitted evidence which was irrelevant to the case, and should not have been admitted; and (2) the second ground expresses in legal phraseology the dissatisfaction of the plaintiff with the result of the trial. Subsequent to the hearing of this action, the Lord Chief Justice, in deciding a case of no public ' interest, in which the plaintiff obtained a farthing damages, referred to the turf libel case, again giving his reasons for depriving the plaintiff of his costs. Hia lordship said that in the case of W ood v. Cox he had exercised his discretion simply on the understanding that a quasi-pledge had been given that the matter should go to the House of Lords. Of course if that tribunal decided that the Court of Appeal had jurisdiction in regard to the discretion of a judge, he would willingly bow to it, but until that decision was arrived at he should refuse to exercise his discretion.*

In the paddock at Flemington on the Grand National Day, a notice was posted by a bookmaker, stating that owing to a certain gentlemen not having settled over past events his wager with the bookmaker over the National Meeting was repudiated. The bet was 1000 to 20 about the double, Malua and Euby. For once, at least, the layer" had the luck of it.*' The much paragraphed ", Plunger Benson" seems to have purchased a little wit. Writing of the Stoekbridge Meeting, “Pendragon” of the Referee says: A great feature of the meeting was the successful—and, as it was successful, I may safely add, intelligent—plunging by the Jubilee backer, who appears to be budding from the jug or mug state into a good judge of men and horses. Ido not know whether h® did it all out of his own head or was put up to it, but he was credited with a very smart move in a Hunters’ Eace, for which Coercion looked, on paper, a good thing, with Phrenicos next. The Plunger found out that Coercion was short of work, and gave a big price for him. That readied the market to make Coercion a hot favourite, so that a nice price could be got Phrenicos. The J. B.’s money went on the latter. Coercion ran in Mr Benzon’s colours on his merits, and, as might be expected from his condition, was badly beaten by Phrenicos. One of our New York contemporaries, referring to the sale of the yearling King Thomas for .£7600 at Mr Haggin’s sale, says; "It was the struggle of the century.” At first there were four prominent competitors for this much-coveted yearling— Mr Gratz of Pennsylvania, Mr Dwyer of New York, Senator Hearst of California, and Mr Appleby of New York. Mr Gratz was the first to tire, as he stopped short at 5000dols, or IOOOgs. Mr Dwyer, commonly supposed to be the best judge of thoroughbred stock in America, was stalled off after bidding 15,000, or SOOOgs. The struggle was then reduced to a match between Senator Hearst, and Mr Appleby. “At it," says our contemporary in true Trans-atlantic phraseology, " they went hammer and tongs, pitchforks and sawlogs. It was the West against the East. The people stood up and shouted. Hearst made a spurt at the 20,000d01s post, and it seemed all over. But Appleby came again gamely, and was clearly leading at the 30,000d01s post. Then the people went mad. The Californian was sorely distressed, but struggled on to 37,000d015, his final bid. Then Appleby shot past at the 88,000dols post, and, after a brief 'You can have him at that ’ from Senator Hearst, the hammer fell.” It transpired, says the Field, that Senator Hearst had written to offer 40,000d01s for King Thomas, which was accepted. Eight thousand guineas for an untried yearling! Such moonstruck madness has never been manifested by an Englishman, and we sincerely hope it never will. Against the few costly yearlings which have proved good purchases—such as Merry Hampton and St Louis —we could quote hundreds which never won a saddle. “X am asked,” said Mr Easton, when King Thomas was led into the ring, "to read you a little history of this fine yearling. After seeing the trials of Ban Fox and King Fox, own brothers to King Thomas. Mr Haggin asked Major Thomas, the owner of Maud Hampton, the dam of all three, to set a price upon her. She was in foal to King Ban, and Major Thomas replied, ‘Ten thousand dollars!’ With that offer MiHag gin instantly closed. King Thomas was born on the last of March, 1887, and King Ban, his sire, died aboutribhe same time. King Fox died as a two-year-old, after showing extraordinary speed and endurance. Ban Fox was early nut to the stud, aud died in 1887. King Thomas is therefore the last of his family, and was pronounced by Major Thomas to be the grandest foal ever dropped, and worthy to be called King Thomas, a name given to him by the major’s stud groom.”