ASCOT SUNDAY AT TATTERSALL’S.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18939, 9 December 1929, Page 13

ASCOT SUNDAY AT TATTERSALL’S.

England's Historic Mecca Of Horseflesh

(Written for the “ Star ” by

RICHARD ADNEY.)

Tattersallls, the scene of so many exchanges of horses that have made sporting history, is known throughout the world as the place where men, beauty, money and the best cattle are to be found. However, the Sunday preceding Ascot is possibly the one day in the life of this old-established repository that counts more than any other. The best studs are then on offer, and on looking through the catalogue there are generally to be found horses from all the most important hunts. Owners wishing to -dispose of their horses in many cases book their stalls months ahead. In many instances, well-known studs have for years been offered annually at this particular sale. It is a most fortunate thing that this all-important event comes before the great racing carnival and not after. The purchasers on this particular day are all the best sportsmen who generally attend Ascot. Alas, many return poorer but wiser! However, it does not matter very much, because they bought the hunters for the next season at Tattersall's on the day before the meeting started. Had they not done so, it is to be feared that there are instances when three days a week instead of four would have been the order of things when hunting started again. Still, there was one Pytchley sportsman who bought eight beautiful hunters, and had such a disastrous time on the Berkshire course that he had to sell them again to enable him to settle his account with the bookmakers on the following Monday. A Fox-Hunting Tradition. During the whole of . the London season no day is more interesting or important socially than Tattersall’s’ Ascot Sunday. It is the unwritten law mat every man. woman and child who nas ever heard of fox-hunting sha*l put on their brightest and best and sally forth to Knightsbridge. About 8 a.m. the whole place becomes alive with stud grooms, strappers and stable boys. Rugs are pulled off and dandy brushes soon at work A final rub down with a cloth, rugs put back, beds nicely shaken up—then all is ready for the hunters’ day in society. About 11.30 the familiar voice of Johnson saying “Catalogue, me lud?’’ is the sign that the gallant and fair are arriving. Well known M.F.H.’s with their wives and friends, beautiful women, all marvellously gowned, are entering the repositor\'. It is hard to believe that the lovely girl with the pink sunshade once looked worse than a drowned rat when she was pulled out of that trappy bog near Blue Clover. Standing over there is a hard riding old sportsman, who has hunted with fifty-six different packs, ar.d who knows an old dog fox and a bottle of port equally well. He is talking to a woman from the Cottesmore, who fractured three ribs through the young chestnut mare putting her foot in a rabbit hole. Close .by is the thruster, who is such a star* turn in the point-to-point world of women; there are few men who could give her any start. There four beautiful sisters are chatting together; they are the life and soul of hunting and racing. Who is that hard-looking customer scrutinising his catalogue? He looks like

a fox-hunter and a fighter, and should you try to follow him across those Meynell grasses when the hounds of the Meynell really scream there would be little fight left in you at the end of the day. As the morning advances the repository becomes packed and it is not uncommon to hear the jovial remark, “ What d’you mean by selling me that wretched animal last year? He simply wouldn’t jump a stick and gave my wife the most awful fall.” “ Sorry to hear that. He was always considered a nailer when I had him. Perhaps he got unsighted, or your country wouldn’t suit him. Anyhow, I can recommend you to a smasher this time old boy—one that can catch pigeons or jump the side of a house ’ “ It’s awfully good of you, but after your recommendation last year I shall trust my own judgment this time.” The Cream Of The Show. Walking through the stables, one sees people standing in threes and fours admiring some well-known performer. In the boxes the cream of the entry is generally to be found. It is here that a group will be inspecting some weight-carrying blood'un, described “ seven years, 16.1, up to fifteen stone, a good hunter, wonderful performer, best of mouth and manners, fast, no day too long; has carried a lady.” “Ah! I’m afraid he’ll make too much for me! ” is the com ment that is often heard when horses as above described are being looked over. Going through to the other stalls it is noticeable that a group of children obviously with their parents, are gazing with eager eyes upon a beautiful short-tailed pony. “ Oh, daddy! I would so love him for next holidays.” “ I’m sure he’s much better than Jenny,” is the. jubilant remark of one of the family. And so the shorttailed bay, standing about 14.2, goes to the Fernie country for the next Christmas holidays. It is 1.30 now, and the enthusiastic crowd disperses, some to smart luncheon parties, some to relations, others to the Ritz or Berkeley. About three o’clock a great many people who have been seen in the morning are back again. fl. Many wish to have a look at some likely mount others return to have a few words with the owner or his man in charge before making up their minds whether they will buy a certain animal or not. A word on the part of the stud groom is often the deciding factor. “ Yes, 111 come and buy him to-morrow. I m sure he’ll carry me well.” Then they have finished for the day. Oftentimes the crowd after lunch is larger than in the morning. It is possible that many people who live in London make a point of going to Tattersall’s during the afternoon, in order to gaze upon the throng who prevent London being swarmed by foxes / The day passes without further excitement. At six o’clock the crowd has dwindled. Save for a few dealers who are hoping to make money hi to-morrow’s sale, there is no one else By seven-thirty the horses are all fed, and beds have been shaken down for the night. (Anglo-American N.S. Copyright.) iiiifliiminiiiiiiifnininiiiniiiiiinniiiiiiimiiiiiiiinuiiiiiiiiiiniiiiniiinimiiijHiniirii