A GREAT SIRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2342, 19 January 1899, Page 36

A GREAT SIRE.

That there never has been bo great a sire as Birdcatcher's descendant, Stockwell, is matter of history ; that there never again will lie is my opinion, says an English writer. iWho can forget the year 1866, in which he had 3^ winners of £66,000 to his credit, and that in the days when there were no big stakes, such as there are now ? It is true that the house of Blacklock will this year bead the list of winning stallions, through its best representative Galopin, but that horse probably owes much of his success to the close strain of Birdcatcher in his sire Vedette, and it is worth noticing that, although you may inbreed as closely as you like to this blood, no other seems to do much good .without it. It is more than likely that Orme, •whose son Flying Fox is undoubtedly the best of his age, will head the list of winning stallions this time next year; whilst Kendal, Martagon, and Bonavista will probably help hiia to maintain the honour of the Doncastcr branch of the house of Stockwell. Blair Athol's best sons have always gone abroad, and St. Gatien followed his son Meddlar to America only a few years ago, but Baliol, who is still at Cobham, would do well with half a chance; and Juggler is rapidly bringing the Lord Lyon line to the front with the assistance of the stalwart Minting. Springfield's sons are keeping the St. AlLans tribe alive: whilst Chittabob and Deuce of Clubs are doing the same for The Duke. As long as the Stud Book lasts, the house founded by Stockwell, son of The Baron, by Birdcatcher, will always be bang to the front.