A SENSATIONAL SALE OF THOROUGHBREDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11346, 14 April 1900, Page 6

A SENSATIONAL SALE OF THOROUGHBREDS.

THE PURCHASE OP. FLYING FOX FOB h '■'■:■■■' V 37,500 GUINEAS. : '\'Z ', V There wis : something intensely dramatio in the scene that was played'at Kingsclere on March 8 (says the Sportsman), and it was inevitable that it should be so, for the sals v was tho most sensational that has ever been known in tho history of horse-racing. The pile of quiet, one-storeyed, red brick, buildings with the Royal standard waving' high in' the breeze, the huge marquee monopolising nearly ■; all ■■ one paddock, and the littlo temporary sale-ring standing in the centre of a second paddock on the left. -These furnished the main features on which the ays rested until the sale commenced,.and men began to bid thousands for lot after lot as readily as though they had been bidding in shillings. It lasted an, hour and a-half, and during that, timo 19 lots were offered, and ' the : aggregate realised was 70,440 guineas, giving the extraordinary average of over 3500 guineas. , ■ '..'- '. /' . ' !: : ':}

Lot 7 was described on the catalogue in threo lines, tints: "Flying Fox, a bay colt, four years old (winner of the Two Thousand Guineas, Derby, St. Leger, etc.), by Qrme out of Vampire, by Galopin out of Irony, by Roscbory out of Sarcasm, by Breadalbane," and as he was led into the ring evcryono was in a white heat of excitoment. ■" Will you keep still,* gentlemen, a moment?" said the auctioneer. "This is- the most valuable horso that has ever entered a sale-ring, and • ho is going to have his photograph taken." The. operation did not last long, hut before it wa« accomplished a catastrophe nearly occurred, the crush against the temporary rails enclosing the ring being so great that they,, tottered and cracked, and in another instant' 1 ' would have given way,* but a body of con- F i stables quickly pushed a passage through and , prevailed upon the crowd to keep back. "The reserve upon the horse," said Mr. Tattersall, "is 30,000 guineas. Will anyone bid me 30,000 guineas for Flying Fox?"" this being m announcement which has never been approached by any other auctioneer at a horse sale in the world. Instantly Mr. S. B. Jool put tho horse in at that price. "And five hundred," said a quiet voice, and on search being made for the owner, of the voice. he was discovered to bo M. Edmond Blanc. "Thirty-one thousand," replied Mr. Joel' "And five hundred," repeated the quiet voice. "Thirty-two thousand," said Mr. Joel. "And j five hundred," said tho quiet voice. " Thirty-threo thousand," from Mr*. Jool, "And five hundred," . imperturbably from M. Blanc. ' :■"■/ '■■;?'.

An instant's pause, then Mr. Joel shook his head. The duel between the pair was at an end, but the flutter of a catalogue over the head of Mr. P. P. Gilpin, who was occupying a seat in the ladies' stand opposite, drew attention to tho fact that a fresh opponent wished to enter the field. "Thirty-four thousand?" risked Mr. Tattersall persuasively, and the reply was a nod. " And five hundred," went on that calm, unruffled tone, which sounded like the voice of destiny, A glance from the auctioneer, an answering nod from opposite, ; and the announcement, "Thirty-five thousand," only to be met with "And five hundred." . v Again the same play, again the quiet "Five hundred," and once more the same ' business. . "Thirty-seven thousand," said the auctioneer. "And five hundred." • ' ' .""'

Every eye instinctively turned back to Mr. Gilpin, who had been bidding for Mr' W. C. Whitney, but ho camo to tho conclusion that the battle between Francs and America had raged long enough, and the quiet shake of the head announced that the second duel had ended. "Thirty-seven thousand five hundred," repeated the auctioneer. "Any advance—last time," and the hammer fell, and the record and sensational sale of Flying Fox was concluded. A breathless silence followed, till Mr. Tattersall announced the Buyer, and when the name of M. Blanc was given and the publio learnt that the horse was destined to leave this country, a half-' stifled groan went up—a groan that was pathetio in its intensity, for there was nothing of angry resentmenet in it, not a vestige of ill-feeling because the buyer was a Frenchman, only just a spontaneous groan of disappointment. Instantly, ', however, the chivalry of Englishmen asserted itself, and the* pluck of a good sportsman, no matter what his nationality, receivod the success it moritcd, and there was nothing forced or halfhearted in the cheer that followed the involuntary groan. M. Blanc will ' probably run Flying Fox in the Ascot Cup, and he suggested to Porter that ho should continue to train the horse, but',': Porter 'was not anxious for the huge responsibility, and as he is a private trainer, and not a public one, difficulties presented themselves, so .; he thought it better to decline. The following is a.full list of the prices paid, and the purchasers at the sale: * ■ . • . : Gs. Flying Fox,', 4yrs, by Orme-Vampire, _ M. E. Blanc ....... »• 37,500 Good Luck, 4yrs, by Royal'Hampton-' ■;■ Farewell, Mr. J. Waugh • .;. ... 2,100 Goblet, 3yrs, by Grey leg-Kissing Cup, ■ . Mr. E. Bird ... ......... V:. 5,000 Missel Thrush*. 3yrs. by Orme-Throstle, Duke of Westminster ..'. ... ... 900 Tane, 3yrs, by Vampire, His Eoyal . Highness the Prince of Wales ... 4.409 Manchuria, 3yr9. by Orme~<}auntlet, _ Mr. S. B. Joel ... ... 2,300 Calveley. syrs, by St. Serf-Sandiway, Sir John Thrusby ". ... ...... 7,900 Aldernev, 3yrs, by Orme-Jersey Lily, Mr. P. Gilpin " ... ... .... - 270 Granite, 3yrs, by Grey Leg-Bright Alice, ■ Mr. Oliver ... ... , ■■-,:-■ ™ Garb Or. 2yrs, by Bend Or-Bright Alice, _ Mr. T. Simpson Jay \ ... ... ':■■■ 1.500 Ormenus, 2yrs, by Orme— Mr. S.-- _j Darling... ... ... .... J... ■■> 1-™ Grey Bird, 2yrs. by Grey Leg-Throstle, ■ Dulse of Westminster . ... ..: 1.900 Skimmery, 2yrs, by Orme-St. Mary, Mr. E. Wcatherly 1 . ... ... ... •'.. 590 Eydal Mount, 2yrs. by St. Serf-Eydal, t m Dulse of Westminster ... 1.700 Quest, 2yrs, by Orrae-Quetta, Mr. Broderick Cloete ... ... ■... ■—■ 1.000 Mail. 2vrs, by Bend Or-Gantlet, Mr. P. ' 2 Gilpin ... ... ... ... M Bright, 2yrs, by Sheen—Ornament, Mr. C. J. Langland *i%..; ... ••• 130 Conform, 2yrs, by Orme-Console, Mr. ... • John Porter ... ... ■ ...• 25 Churton. 2yrs, by Grey Leg~retal, Mr. ■ T. Nolan • ... ... - 125 A black gelding. 3yrs, by Athol Brose- ••■■. Kitty (hb), Mr. G. Williams ... ■ ... __J5 Total -. ... "..". ■ .... ...' 70,440 In a comparison, the Sportsman says:— Lord Falmouth's sale in 1884 realised 111,880 guineas, but the horses sold included stallions and brood marcs. The horses in trail' ing only fetched 36,440 guineas.

, TROTTING. AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB'S , AUTUMN MEETING. • The above club will open their autumn meeting to-day at Potter's Paddock, and in the event of the weather proving propitious, a good crowd of visitors may be expected to put in an appearance at Epsom. Tho AC' ceptances received for the various event; of the programme aro in every case most satisfactory, and give promise of some capital sport. Tho following is a list of the acceptances:— . AUTUMN HANDICAP of SOsovs. Six furlongs and a - half. — Repetition 9.i" Nora 9.5, First Whisper -9.2, Bob 9.2. Fairy Bower 9.2, Lady Howitzer 9.0. Bavaria 8.8, Fairy Tale 8.0, Miss Lane 8.0, Topsail 7.9. Dolly 6.7, Israelite 6.7, Moctai 6.7, Progress 6.7. MAIDEN TROT of 3050v6. One mile and iv-half—Colenso scr., Martha 35., Lady 11. OS., Comet 6s„ Viscount 125., K.D., ,125., Park" 145., Miss Graham 18s. STEWARDS' TROT •of 75sovs. One mile and a-half— Victor scr., Patron 16?-. Lord Harold 18s.. Bob E.T. 18s., Ebony 2;5., Hard Case 255., Victory 285., Cob 305., Empress 315., Miss Haon 31s. ELECTRIC TROT of 50sovs. One mileYnm Yum scr., Patron Tola Clair 135., Heiress 165., Golden King 163., Fibre 135., Miss Victor 18s., Martha 225., Lady R 245., K.D. 245., Black Bess 245. '•' r NORTHERN HARNESS TROT of 50soys." Two miles.—Billy Wilson 25., Cleveland 65.. Lft. Rue 145., Victory 18s., Empress - 205., Vola Clair 20s.

PLYING STAKES of 25sovs. Five fnrlongs. -Repetition 10.4, Little Wonder 10.1, Nora 9.12. Bob 9.6, Fairy Bower 9.6, First Whisper 9.6, Yarra 9.2, Lady Howitzer 9.0, Nannie 8.7, Mies Lane 8.4, Shamrock 7.4, Progress 6.7, Moetti 6.7, Israelite 6.7. Toi 6.7. • •■

HANDICAP HURDLES of 25sov«. Cue mile and a-quarter.-llinemoa 12.2, Bob 11.5. Little Tom 10.5, Nellie 10.4, The Flower 9.13, New, Boy 9.12. Trilby 9.7.

MAIDEN PONY of 20aovs., Five furlongsFairy Bower 10.2, Tarra, 9.12, Hinemoa 9.10. Repeat 8.9, Shamrock 8.7, Silent 8.0. Toi 7.10, Battleship 7.10. Makiri 7.7, Lady Dosboro' 7.7. Tho first event is set down to be started at one p.m. .'■/, ;

',-. TROTTING IN RUSSIA. . Mr. Holioway. American Consul-Genera! at St. Petersburg,'has sent to the State Department a brief but.very interesting report or communication about American horses in Russia. .He says that a false impression has, been created by the publication of a stilement that there is "a feeling of discontent »nd;

: „ Rufdan owners of American '' ***EJwX th 9 fr ft 0 ' i h ? ' IffiPißSEf been' limited, in» the fat | mT Junctions were extended to the ■ »r*iaoe. of «JJJL § This, he, says, is too G- }re<lai)«o f Sry. This, be, says, » to ° Ln t* l3 , it While American horses I& & K Russian horses as trotters 3S* hSTpermitted to compete in a i^UuTe'n™, «Te vears, the crossbred animals -- ices for °,7o start for all but three purses W^^ Empire during the past season, : ' : *«» in ' lwth9orloffsky, 3000 roubles " ! -U ilßiB A nuke's Pri«, 10,000 roubles, and 25,000 roubles. Mr. ■' 07* !£' ago American horses could ■i.'i.W-KJin Russia, but they were [ •W* » faster than the Russian horses that H* "ie ha red from the big races in order Fi **■*& their own interest; but as the ' "> pf tof Russian horsemen now own ; )D»j?W horses and are more constantly BW»s?Sifct' thero is a growing sentiment I bein? Do ,°Tf their being permitted to start '-'' in Srss"«ept those intended exclusively ■' l ot X%!& ofV'ssian horses generally ac- « til is the "Orloff." founded MffiSffl Orloff-Chomenski at the end of ft , Hentury, being a-cross between the I *ui Son Smetanka and his descendGerman, French, Belgian, and Mm but principally English marcs. The •' Sff is not only the light harness horse of : 01 ;« but almost the only carnage animal : » While there is no great unformity in • «'.nd form, the best studs are'l6 hands .in i nH weigh 1100 pounds,' with heavy ; u bushy taiL that reach within a few "'J, of the ground, and iron limbs that : Sea' muscular development. They are ff... furious rate, even through the "!"Ll Greets of St. Petersburg, there Eno limit to speed in the city limits, the if of the streets next to the street-car • Sin being reserved for the fast driving ■{*r\, j|, 9 winter months single, double, and Horse-abreast (Troikas) sleighs dash m the streets at three and a-half or four--v,,t« rait. The colour of the horso is JS and grey, the latter colour being the horses soon become acclimatised In Russia and after'the first year stand the . Late as well as native animals. '. '"'•■ Ko torse is barred from any race except • the three specially mentioned above), on acfcontof his speed, but fast horsas are ban--1 toped by being required to pull mora njJht and starting a few yards farther back. In trotting wees at St. Petersburg but two ' : Uses start in a heat from designated places it opposite sides of the track, at the sound -pf hi ' electric bell, which prevents jockeyin? or position. The horses follow each Jjtlffico' or three times round the track, • a, stance being either two or threo miles.. it ffler how many 'entries there are in a (Lie ; race, .but two horses are .permitted ' -on the track at the same time, and the one making the best time wins . the raco. In Moscow the races are managed on the America pl* n - , ;. ,'~ ~ Rices for the purpose of testing the endurance of horses are frequent, where horses ye driven from 25 to 50 miles, then finish '■■■ the last one or two miles at the limit of : their speed.'- The horse finishing in the best condition and showing the best speed at the - close is the winner. " ....L, .'• gome of the racecourses are divided into '■.pirate tracks 10ft wide, and separated from EH other by ft strip of sod 2ft wide, giving - horse a separate track, the difference in the length making the handicapping distance ■for'horses of .'various speeds, which avoids : the struggle for the pole. - »No. "kicking is permitted from drivers I it the close of heats. Each heat is a race; it the conclusion, men carrying big black- . boards showing the number, name, and time pads by each horse pass in front _of the grandstand and through the grounds, in order 'that all may know the result. '•■During the winter, racecourses are flooded \ ach night, and horses trot on 3in of ice. ■- (hlv stallions are used in cities, mares beinz'kept in the country or shipped to Germany and Austria, where they are in great ■ demand. v*'' , . , American pneumatic sulkies, • harness, 1 loots gaiting appliances, etc.. are in general we here.-Turf, Field, and Farm.