Uht ^rookfieft Stuo OF Old English Breeds OF Horses Hr Burdett-Couttsm p Illustrated LONDON SAMPSON LOW MARStON GC? (LiMT?) Fetter Lone EC AND PRICE FJVE Srt1i.UNG» JOHNA.SEAVERNS \ CO QC 0 I Q J O o X 0) 2 i- Q X 3 H h i ^ Q o J i z UJ oc u. u o I O H CO z z cc M-i D h {Highgate Road, London, N. IF., and SJiciiIcy, Herts ) OLD ENGLISH BREEDS OF HORSES HACKNEYS CLEVELAND BAYS YORKSHIRE COACH HORSES THOROUGHBREDS PONIES. MR. BURDETT-COUTTS, M.P (AND ADDITIONAL NOTES BY MR. VERO SHAW.) WITH COLOURED PLATES AN'D OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS. Xon&on : SAMPSON LOW, AiARSTON & CO., LliMITED, ST. DUNSTAN'S HOU.SK, FETTER I.ANF, E.C, THE BROOKFIELD STUD, HIGHGATE ROAD. JV.iV. UNWIN BROTHERS, Printers, COJ^T'EJ^T List of Illustrations, with Names of Artists (see also Preface, page i8) Summary of Prizes ADDRESS FOR COMMUNICATIONS, &c., ROAD DIRECTIONS, STALLIONS, &c. HORSES FOR SALE, BREEDING STOCK, HARNESS HORSES AND HACKS, STALLIONS FOR SERVICE AND KEEP OF MARES, EXPLANATORY NOTE...] List of Special Subjects and Monographs in Mr. Burdett-Coutts' Notes on Breeding Preface by Mr. Burdett-Coutts General Press Notices of the Stud Descriptive Notice of the Brookfield Stud by Mr. Vero Shaw Hackneys Stallions (CANDIDATE, FOSTON FIREAWAY foaled 1 888 (BEAU LYONS, PRESIDENT FIREAWAY, &c „ foaled 1889 ,, foaled 1890 Mares, with Produce „ foaled 1888 „ foaled 1889 ,, foaled 1890 Ponies Stallions (LORD NIMROD, TOMMY) Mares Cleveland Bays and York- shire Coach Horses... Stallions (SULTAN, LORD SNEATON) „ foaled 1889 Mares, with Produce „ foaled 1889 ,, foaled 1890 Thoroughbreds Half-breds... Stallion (TRUEFIT) Mares, with Produce Yearlings, to be sold at Newmarket, 1891 Mares Introductory pages. PAGES 1—4 5—18 19—28 29—36 37—47 .) 48-SO SI— 55 56—57 58 — 104 105 — 112 113— 116 117 — 119 120 — 121 122 123—129 129 130—139 139 — 140 140 141— 145 146—153 154 155—157 mS — 162 Encouragement of Horse-breeding — Report of Speech by Mr. Burdett-Coutts in 1887 Old English Breeds of Horses— Article Reprinted from the Christmas Number of The Live Stork Journal Almanack, i^'i'tCj ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ■■•163 — 167 Index to Sires of Animals in the Stud Alphabetical Index of Animals in the Stu List of Stallions and Mares Sold ... ..168— 171 ..172—177 178 him OF IfcLUSTRHTIOJ^S. A Turn in the Ring- with the Old Horse, Brookfield Stud, 1890. {Coloured) A portrait of the famous single harness horse ' Fashion,' by ' Confidence ' 158 ; winner of the First Prize for single harness horses, Islington, 1882 ; winner of First Prize in same class, 1884. From an oil painting by Samuel Carter ... ... ... ... ... ... pyonU'spiccc. PAGE. Block Plan of the Brookfield Stud. To illustrate Mr. Vcro Shaw's description of the Stud The Stud Groom's Cottag-e The Main Stable and Riding- School. The Circle The Sleeper Boxes Views of the Brookfield Stud Candidate. [Coloured) From oil painting by Samuel Carter Beau Lyons. (Coloured) From nil painting by Samuel Carter Gold Wave. {Coloured) From oil painting by Samuel Carter White Socks and Dropping- Well. {/« lints) From an oil painting by Miss Hallifax. 29 31 33 35 37 49 67 86- Lady Alice and Silver Belle. {In linls) (Reproduced by permission of the Hackney Society-) From drawings by Samuel Carter ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 97 — 98 Sultan. {Coloured) From an oil painting by Samuel Carter ... 123 The Same. { Another Vinv) From an oil painting by Albert Clark 127 Trueflt. {Coloured) From an oil painting by Adrian Jones, Esq., 2nd IJfe Guards 141 The Same. {Another View) From a drawing by P. Palgrave 145 Of the above pictures, Fashion, Beau Lyons, Truefit, Sultan, White Socks, and Dropping Well, have been reproduced by W. H. Keep & Co. ; Candidate and Gold Wave by Leighton Bros. ; and Lady Alice and Silver Belle by Sprague & Co. Some comments on the pictures will be found at the end of the Preface (page 18). PRIZES. The follozviiig is a sitmi/niry of the Prizes for Shape ami Action, ivon by Horses in the Brookfield Stud Catalogue : — At the Royal Agricultural Society's Shows— Two Queen's Gold Medals ; Nine Firsts ; Three Seconds ; Four Thirds. At the Hackney Horse Society's Shows— Three Champion Cups ; One Victoria Challenge Cup ; One Reserve for Championship ; Eleven Firsts ; Two Seconds ; Five Thirds ; Five Reserves and H.C's. At the "Great Yorkshire" Shows— Nine Firsts; Eight Seconds. At the Hunters Improvement Society's Show— One Premium, £50, and Medal ; at the Show of the Royal Commission on Horse Breeding —Two Queen's Premiums of £200 ; at the June Show, Islington— One First ; One Second. At Local Shows (:/:., Doncaster, Malton, Peterborough, Halifax, Cleve- land, &c., &c.)— 158 Firsts; 46 Seconds;] 10 Thirds. At the International Horse Show. Paris, 1889— Two Gold Medals ; Two Firsts. At the New York Horse Show, 1890— One Championship ; Six Firsts (one of these being for a team of four) ; Two Seconds ; Two V.H.C's. ; One H.C. ADDH]gSS & HOA30 DIEECTIONS. Communications to be addressed to The MANAGER, "brookfTeld'stud, Brookfield Stud, Highgate Boad, '°'^'''°'^-' LONDON, N.W. {See Press Notice, page 24, as to nfpoinlment of Mr. MANSFIELD HARRISON as Maitaga:) Cheques and P.O. Orders to be made payable to "Brookfield Stud Account." N.B. — Mr. Biirdett-Goutts will he happy to hear personally from Breeders on matters of special interest. Visitors desiring to see the horses are invited to send notice to the Manager, and, if con- venient to mention what class of horse they desire to see out. right), to the Duke of St. Albans." ROAD DIRECTIONS. The Brookfield Stud Stables are situated on the Brookfield Estate, St. Albans Road, Highgate Road, N.W., deifig within the four-niile radius from Charing Cross, 3.116. are best reached by road. THe Best a.n.d Slnor*test Routes a.x>e— From CHARING CROSS, by St. Martin's Lane, \ Tottenham Court Road, to the " Britannia." Thence by Kentish Town Rd. From the WEST END, by Portland Place, Regent's Park, , 5""^ Highgate Road through Gloucester Gate and Park-st. to the "Britannia." { ^'''"'''^'''^ llTl^ul °" From KING'S CROSS, ST. PANCRAS, &c., by St. Pancras Rd. & Great College St. to Kentish Town Rd. There are tram and omnibus services from King's Cross, the Euston Road, Regent Street, and Charing Cross, to the " Duke of St. Albans," Highgate Road, which is close to the Stud Stables. STATIONS. The Brookfield Stud Stables are about 2I miles from Euston (L. & N.W.R.), King's Cross (G.N.R.), St. Pancras (Mid. & G.E.R.) ; 4 miles from Paddington (G.W.R.), Liverpool Street, (G.E R.), and Charing Cross (S.E.R.) ; and 5 miles from Victoria and Waterloo. The following Stations apply only to Passengers and not to Stock. GOSPEL OAK STATION on the North London Railway is half-a-mile from the Stud. Trains from the Mansion House, Charing Cross, Victoria, Kensington, and intermediate Stations on the District Railway, run to Gospel Oak every half-hour ; also from Broad Street in the City. HIGHGATE STATION is about a mile from the Stud, and is on the Extension of the Metropolitan Railway from King's Cross. KENTISH TOWN STATION, at which nearly all trains on the Midland Railway stop, is a mile from the Stud. Is about 2 miles from Elstree Station on the Midland Railway; and 5 miles from Potters Bar on the G.N.R. BREEDING STOCK. There will always be a large number of young horses for sale at this Stud, both to home and foreign breeders. As to breeding — a point of the greatest importance — it will appear from the following pages that these include the oldest and most reliable strains of blood in each special breed, and therefore are best calculated to impress their qualities on native stock of different descriptions ; and as to the merit of the horses themselves, the fullest trial and examination is invited. Most of the animals comprised in this work are, or will be, for sale, including STALLIONS which have left young stock in the Stud; MARES which have done the same, or of which there exist similar specimens in blood and excellence ; COLTS and FILLIES by the Stud stallions, and whose dams are kept. In fact, while some representatives of the most valued strains will always be retained, no horse will be kept to be looked at. The reproductive powers of the Stud are so extensive that moderate prices, which will be stated at once, will be accepted. Horses for abroad will, if desired, be carefully cooled down, and got into the safest condition for shipping. The whole of a recent valuable consign- ment to one American breeder, consisting of 24 mares and stallions of all ages, from foals upwards, arrived in New York safely and in good condition. For directions as to visiting the Stud, &c., see opposite page. HARNESS HORSES AND HACKS. This department has now attained large proportions, and there will always be a number of perfectly-broken Harness Horses and Hacks for sale (see reference to this subject in jhe " Descriptive Notice of the Brookfield Stud," page 34). It is the owner's object to breed, break, and make these at the Stud. MATCHED PAIRS with brilliant action, and SINGLE HARNE.SS HORSES for Buggy, Brougham, and Victoria, are always ready; and the resources of this department will be equal to supplying well-matched TEAMS. Sound, good- looking, well-mannered horses can always be obtained at Jiioderatc prices. The Harness Horses and Hacks include many full-registered PEDIGREE MARES having a double value for work and breeding (see Preface, page 13). No vicious or unsound animal will be knowingly sold from the Stud ; and no foreign horse is admitted into it. Appointments can be made at any time with the Manager. Stud StaLiLions and Sjsevice of Makes.. For particulars of these, see next pnge. Sep A T T Tr^TSTQ X^r\X) Q.WX^'XTTr^'X? X iiJbJLalUlN jD Jt; UJtt jOJCaJCA, V XwJCa brookfieLd stud, St. Albans Road, Highgate Road, London; and Purseley Farm, Shenley, Herts. A " Stallion Book," giving full particulars (including service fees) of all Stallions offered, for service at the Brookfield Stud, is published at the beginning of each year, and will be forwarded post free on application to the Manager. SUGGESTIONS TO BHEEDEHS. For the information of those who are not acquainted with the respective breeds, the StalHons may be classified in the following manner, according to their suitability for various purposes : — To get Thoroughbred Stock, Hunters, and Hacks... TEUEPIT {&^ /.. 141.) To get Barouche horses, and good-sized carriage (SULTAN (.sv,/. 12^) horses, with fine shapes and high-stepping actionjIjOilD SNEATON (.sv,/. 128.) r CAN DID ATE (s„ / 37.) To get high-stepping Phaeton, Buggy, and Victoria] FOSTON FIREAWAY (s,c /. 41.) horses, Hacks, and Cobs ... ... ... ...jBEAU LYONS (.sw/. 49,) (PKESIDENT FIREA^WAY And any of the other Hackney Stallions. N.B. — It has been proved by experience (i) that the Hackney stalhon crossed with the Thoroughbred mare produces good-looking Hunters and excellent Hacks, and (ii) that the Hackney stallion crossed with the heavy draught mare produces valuable carriage horses. To get Ponies with pace and action LORD NIMROD (&•./. 120.) TOMMY {s,e ?. 121.) KEEP AND SEHVICE OF MAKES. Reduced Railway Rates. — Owners of mares are reminded that from April to July inclusive, all mares travelling for breeding purposes by rail are charged for the dortble journey the reduced rate of ten per cent, over single fares. Mares can be taken in to grass, or boxes, for any length of time. Mares requiring boxes, at 20/- per week ; mares at grass and not requiring boxes, 1 5/- per week. A special arrange- ment will be made to take mares left at grass only, for a period of not less than one month, after the 15th May, at 10/- per week. All mares are received and kept at their owner's risk; but every care will be taken, both as to foaling, service and keep. Mares will be met at London stations on sufficient notice being given, at a charge of 3/6 per mare. All mares tried must be paid for. Accounts will be sent in as soon as mares are returned to their owners, stating dates of service, &c. ; and a prompt settlement is requested. The horses named are offered subject to any of the younger ones being sold during the season, in which case the subscription will be transferred to one of the older horses, or, if desired, zvill be cancelled. The tioo-year-old Stallions zvitl not serve before May \st. All Communications to be addressed to : — The Manager^ Telegrams : Brookfield Stud, Highgate Road, "Brookfield Stud, London." LONDON, N.W. Cheques and P.O. Orders to be made payable to " Brookfield Stud Account." EXPLANATOEY NOTE. HE preceding pages will explain themselves ; with regard to the rest, a few words will make the plan of this work clear. In my Preface will be found some account of the origin of the Stud, and some comments upon the question of horse-breeding in England. The descriptive introduction by Mr. Vero Shaw (which appeared as a Preface to a former Catalogue), and his Notes on the horses, have been amended, where necessary, and retained. Every animal that has been in the Stud since its foundation is entered in this Edition, with the exception of the Harness Horses and Hacks and young geldings. A list of the Stallions and Mares which have been sold from the Stud up to the end of 1890 will be found at the end of the book. The title-name of each animal described is in the heading printed thus : " 873 TRINKET." The number to the animal (in the case of the Hackney Stud Book the number is always placed after Stallions and before Mares) refers, unless other capital initials are appended to it, to the Stud Book of the breed to which the animal belongs, which is stated clearly at the head of every page. Under each name full and exact particulars are given of the sex, height (except in the case of animals three years old and under), and age of every animal, also the name, address, and county of the breeder, in the case of animals not bred at the Brookfield Stud. Then follow particulars of the breeding. Where the sire or dam, or both, are in the Brookfield Stud, the particulars of their pedigree are supplied by a reference to the pages on which they appear. In all other cases tolerably full particulars of the sire and dam are given, and they can be further followed up in their respective Stud Books. Following the particulars of pedigree come Mr. Vero Shaw's Descriptions, initialed V.S., and my former Notes on Breeding, initialed B-C. In the case of the large number of animals subsequently added to the Stud, Notes, for which I am solely responsible, combining the two subjects, appear under the heading Description and Breeding, and are initialed B-C. Then come Performances, viz., the Prizes won in the Show ring. Then, in the case of mares, a list of the Produce while at the Brookfield Stud. Last of all come such Press Notices as have been collected. The thoroughbred mares, kept for breeding racing-stock, are discussed by the able authority, so well known to readers of The Field, who writes over the initials G. S. L. EXPLANATORY NOTE. Throughout the letterpress, wherever any animal now, or at any time, belonging to the Brookfield Stud is referred to, his or her name is printed in small black letters, thus : Minnehaha. The animals are classified according to their (i.j Breed, (ii.) Sex, (iii.) Age, wherever the animal is, at the date of the publication of this work, three years old or under. This classification appears at the head of every page ; but in the case of four-year-olds and over, the age is only appended to the particular animal. This renders unnecessary any indices beyond the three at the end of the book, and which are (i) a List of Stallions, with their sons and daughters belonging to the Stud, (2) an Alphabetical Index of the animals, (3) a List of the Stallions and Mares that have been sold from the Stud. The Preface to this work, and the reprint of the Speech and Article appearing at the end of the book, contain my ideas on the subject of the breeds comprised in the Stud, and afford a clear indication of the lines upon which I am proceeding. The notes on breeding contain such information as I possess with respect to the strains of blood to which the animals belong. Every Hackney breeder who appreciates pedigree owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. H. F. Euren, the able and indefatigable Secretary of the Hackney Society and the compiler of its Stud Book. But there is a large amount of information contained in these notes which has been derived from other and trustworthy sources ; and many of the notes contain monographs on subjects of special interest connected with these breeds, of which a list is appended on the next page. I endeavour to make an especial point of placing reliable information as to every animal at the disposal of intending purchasers. The cross-entries of the stock bred at the Stud, which appear both individually and as " produce " of their respective dams, leave no room for error, while the greatest care is taken as to the correct statement of the pedigrees of purchased animals. Where the information has been incomplete, no attempt is made to follow ihe hitherto unfortunately common practice of "making a pedigree.' It is hoped that this complete and accurate display of the development of the Stud, and of the origin of every animal, will not only interest those who are watching the progress of this important and novel enterprise, but will give confidence to all breeders who place a just value on a clear insight into the strains of blood they may desire to employ. Upon this latter basis the whole structure of the Brookfield Stud has been built up ; without it, whatever accidental successes may be obtained, no scientific or trustworthy experiment in breeding can be formulated. W. BURDETT-COUTTS. Brookfield Stud, Highgate Road, London, N.W., hibritary, 1891. LISl OF SPECIAL SUBJECTS. LIST OF SPECIAL SUBJECTS TREATED OF IN E. BURDETT-OOPTTS' BREEDINGr NfOTEi \_N.B. — Many of these subjects arc discussed in the Preface, to which no references arc givcn.'\ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦4 - Back Blood. — Great importance of, in these breeds (article, p. 164) ; not sufficiently valued by foreigners (ib.) ; it makes qualities inherent and transmissible (speech, p. 160). Value not generally recognised outside of Hackney districts (' Longtail,' p. 103). Loss by selling pedigree mares at fairs (' Hope,' p. 84). Follow up a successful strain (' Laoy Fireaway,' p. 62). Importance of Registration in Stud Book ('Jenny of the Manor,' p. 95). Foreign Buyers — often neglect back-blood (article, p. 165) and quality (ib.). Italian Government enterprising and intelligent (' Courier,' p. 46). Rubbish taken abroad ('Annie,' p. 114) ; probable reflex results on imported harness horses ('Lass o' Donald's,' p. 94) ; Austrians' taste for size ('Trixie,' p. 76). Neglect of Hackneys in England (speech, p. 161 ; article, p. 163 ; ' Gold Wave,' p. 67 ; ' Leona Fireaway,' p. 88). Government Aid confined to Thoroughbred Stallions. — Arguments against this (see last references, and, ' Leona Fireaway,' p. H8). Mares. — Importance of keeping pedigree mares with size in the country (' Priory Maid,' p. 71 ; 'Lady Primrose,' p. So; ' Lady Lyons,' p. 58 ; ' Princess Fireaway,' p. 66 ; article, p. 164). Value of a Hackney Brood Mare.— (' Lady Lyons,' p. 58). Value of Hackney Stallions for Ordinary Mares.— Candidate, p. 38 ; Lord Derby II. (' Dr. Parke, p. 53) ; Triffit's Fireaway (article, p. 1671 ; and generally ('Leona Fireaway,' p. 88). Yorkshire and Norfolk Hackneys. — Comparison of (article, p. 166 and note thereon ; 'Jessie,' p. 64 ; 'Lass o' Donald's,' p. 94; ' Vivandiere,' p. 106; see also reference under ' Confidence ' iff^, below). Origin of Yorkshire Hackneys (' Lady Lyons,' p. 58). Necessity of re-uniting the two, and instances of success {ib., 'Faith,' p. 85 ; ' Lady Fireaway,' p. 62 ; ' Overton Princess,' p. 79 ; 'Princess Royal,' p. 113). Three great jirize-winning foals of 1889 ('Nor' 'Easter,' p. 52 ; 'Winning Hazard,' p. 51 ; ' Kiss-me-Quick,' p 113). The Denmark — Fireaway Cross. — Instances in a well-known stud (' Candidate,' p. }'!<). Advanlagcb of (sec Breeding Notes to many animals in Brookfield Stud,/'c?.w//v). LIST OF SPECIAL SUBJECTS. Size in the Hackney. — Necessity of increasing (article, p. i66 ; ' Princess Fireaway,' p. 66 ; ' Lady Lyons,' p. 58 ; ' Beau Lyons,' p. 49 ; ' Gold Wave,' p. 67 ; ' Leona Fireaway,' p. 88 ; ' Courier,' from Great Gun,' p. 45) ; to be obtained by selections (' Dorothy' p. 77) ; and see height of Hackney mares in Brookfield Stud generally, /(ij'w'w). Size with and without quality (' Trixie,' p. 76). An enormous Hackney mare (' Cleopatra,' p. 70 ). Small ones that look big ('Her Majesty,' p. 92). History of a dwindling Stud, Rickell's (p. 71, and 'Anconeus ' under ' Nelly Horsley,' p. 73). Tendency corrected by crossing, e.g., Anconeus H. (' Overton Princess,' p. 79). Quality in the Hackney. — A Blair Athol Hackney mare (' Lady Emma,' p. 83). Taste for it increasing (' Trixie,' p. 76). Speed in the Hackney — ('Mystery,' p. 104) Coupled with weight-carrying power ('Trotting Heroine' p. 108). Hackney Action. — Its influence on American Trotters (' Trotting Heroine,' p. 108). Compared with thoroughbred action (ib., and ' President Fireaway,' p. 48). Shoulders for going down hill ('Loyalty,' p. 77), The counter-jumper's taste ('Lass o' Donald's,' p. 94). Hock action, its real importance (' Waldemar,' p. 43, and ' Mystery,' p. 104). ImppeSSiveness. — Of colour (' Popitup,' p. loi ; ' Violet Earle,' p. 109). Of size (' Strike,' p. 96 ; 'Copenhagen,' p. 47 ; 'Berserker,' p. 50 ; 'Matchmaker,' p. 51 Of action, its test (' Danceaway,' p. 100). Of character (' Wangarina,' p. 96 ; 'Lady Bursea,' p. 68). The Norfolk Hero line ('Trotting Heroine,' p. 108). Relative in sire and dam ('Cross Patch," p. 1 19). Five generations of Hackneys living (' Lady Bursea,' p. 68 ; ' Berceaunette,' p. 115). A Mysterious Horse. — Bay President (' President Fireaway,' p. 48). The old "One-Eyed Steed" ('Polly Shales,' p. 74). Hackney Stallions.— Descriptive Notes on : — Anconeus 887 (' Viscount IL', p. 54 ; 'Overton Princess,' p. 79). Anconeus H. (' Overton Princess,' p. 79). Candidate 920 (pp. 37-40). Comet 151 (' Phantom,' p. 75 ; ' Landscape,' p. 95). Confidence 158, his merits and defects (' Brown Fashion,' p. 44 ; 'Annie,' p. 114). Confidence (Stewart's) 1265 ('Loyalty,' p. 77 ; ' Paleface,' p. 68). Copenhagen 146 1 (p. 47, and ' Nitrate,' p. 116). Danegelt 174. Size in his stock ('Strike,' p. 96). Denmark 177. His success at the stud ('Candidate,' p. 37) ; a ''mite" at two years old ('Viscount n.', p. 54). Fashion 199 (' Earsham,' p. loi). Fireaway (Triffit's) 24Q. Enormous value of this horse (article, p. 167) ; 'Fireaway ' compared with 'Denmark" {ib.)\ with 'Bay President' ('Accident,' p. 45). List of 'Fireaway' mares in the Brookfield Stud (see Stallion list at end, p. 169). Scarcity of his sons (article, p. 167 ; 'Foston Fireaway,' p. 4t ; ' Eddlethorpe Performer,' p. 40 ; ' President Fireaway,' p. 48 ; ' Tocsin,' p. 54). Their stock (' White Socks,' p. 86 ; ' Dropping Well,' p. 87 ; ' Doll Fireaway,' p. 89). Foston Fireaway 288 (p. 41, and ' Doll Fireaway,' p. 89). HaAvkestone Shales (Part 2, Vol. H.). (' Aureate,' p. 80 : ' Polly Shales,' p. "4). LIST OF SPECIAL SUBfECTS. Hackney Stallions.— Descriptive Notes on—conliiiiidl Lord Derby II. 417 ('Dr. Parke," p. 53). Matchless of Londesborough 1517 (' Lady Lyons,' p. 5.8 ; 'Matchmaker,' p. 51). Norfolk Hero Line, The (' Trotting Heroine,' p. 108). Pioneer 1088 ('Flower Girl,' p. 104). Prince Alfred 1325 (' Plantagenet,' p. 75). Rifleman (Barrett's) 670 (' Cleopatra,' p. 70). St. Giles 687, ('Foston Fireaway,' p. 41). Shepherd F. Knapp (App.Vol. I.,H.S.B.) (' Primrose,' p. bo ; ' Vivandiere,' p. 10b; ' Dividciul,' p. 78). Sir Charles 768 ('Queen Dagmar,' p. 60). Sir Edwin Landseer II. 1563 ('Landscape,' p. 05 ). Victor of Beetley 1587 (' Victor the Younger,' p. 55). Why Not 862 ('Gold Wave,' p. 67). Wildfire 1224 ('Polly Horsley,' p. bi). Hackney Breeders. — Asquith, Mr. W. (' Good-Night-Fireaway,' p. 73 ). BuRNH.^M, Mr. J. B., of Yorkshire ('Dr. Parke,' p. 53 ). Case, Mr., of Norfolk, ('Jessie,' p. 64). CoKER, Mr. James, sen., of Beetley Hall (' Tri.xie,' p. 76). Cook, The Brothers, of Pocklington ('Accident,' p. 4? ; ' Random Fire,' p. ioq). Cooke, Mr. C. E., of Litcham, his interestnig stud (' Vivandiere," p. lob). Dakreli-, Mr. J., of Yorkshire ('Dorothy,' p. 77). Grout, the late John ('Mystery,' p. 104 ; Press Notices, ' Truefit," p. 143). Harrison, Mr. Mansfield (Press Notice, p. 24 ; ' My Fancy,' p. Q4). Moore, Mr. H., of Burn Butts, Yorks (' Candidate,' p. 37.) Morton, Mr. Joseph, of Norfolk ('Viscount II.", p. 54). Peacock, Messrs., of Brandon (note to article, p. i6b). RiCKELLS, the ('Priory Maid,' p. 71). Triffit, Mr. P., Breeder and Owner of 'Fireaway' 249. Has kept this the most valuable Hackney stallion of the century in this country for thirty years (p. 167 diwd. passun). Hackney Stud Book. — Conditions of Registration and Entry discussed (' Cross Patch," p. 110;' Danceaway, 'p. 100; ' Confidante,' p. 102). Inspection of Mares. — Evils of the system (' Cross Patch,' p. iiq). Experiments in Crossing". — To increase size while preserving the type of harness horses : — Coaching Stallion and Hackney mare (' Curiosity,' p. 15b; 'Sultan,' p. 124); Hackney stallion and Coaching mare (' Cross Patch,' p. iiq). To get Hunters : — Thoroughbred stallion and Hackney mare (' New Cross,' p. 157). ,, ,, Hackney stallion and Thoroughbred mare (' Donnybrook Fair,' p. 7b). Interesting instance of American Trotting, Thoroughbred, and Hackney blood combined in one (' Primrose,' p. 69 ). "Pretty" Foals — generally make small horses (' Victor the Younger," p. ^^). American Horses. — The Hackney in America ; a class for Hackney stallions with their stock ; the American Trotter; Method of judging Hunters. (Press Notices, p. 27 ; 'Dagmar," p. 93; 'Trotting Heroine," p. 108). Hacks and Riding Horses — should be nearly Thoroughbred ; but some Hackneys are of true riding type (' Lady Lyons," p. 58). Value for this purpose of Thoroughbred stallion and Hacknev mare (' New Cross,' p. I57)- LIST OF SPECIAL SUBJECTS. Thoroughbred Blood. — Effect of, on these breeds (speech, p. 159) ; lowers the knee action (curious instance under ' Accident,' p. 45), but infuses quality (' President Fireaway,' p. 48). To keep Hackney type, better to use Thoroughbred mare than Thoroughbred stallion (' Brown Fashion,' p. 44 'New Cross,' p. 157 ; and ' Merry May,' p. 117). Much Thoroughbred blood in first foundation of Yorkshire Hackneys (' Lady Lyons,' p. 58). Necessity of, for Norfolk Confidence (' Annie,' p. 114). Curious instance of close in-breeding to Confidence, with cross-out to different Thoroughbreds {ib). Thoroughbreds not the best sires for harness horses (speech, 159) ; ('Accident,' p. 45) ; but arc the best cross-out for the Hackney (speech, p. 159 ; ' Arminella,' p. 151 ; 'May,' p. 152). Thoroughbred Stallions.— Comments nn :— Blair Athol ('Katrine,' p. 147). Toxopholite (' Lady Peregrine,' p. 146). Truefit (p. 141). Young Melbourne (' Hermione,' p. 148). Hunter Breeding.— Must have 'blood on the top' (article, p. 167) ; Clevelands and Yorkshire Coach Horse mares better foundation stock for weight carriers than cart-mares ('Lily,' p. 134). Hackneys, do. do. for light and middle-weight hunters ('Lady Lyons,' p. 58). In-breeding. — Science of (' Queen Dagniar,' p. 60 ; ' Plantagenet,' p. 75 ; 'Loyalty,' p. 77 ; ' Victory,' p. 55 ; 'False Vows,' p. 112; ' Parthenia,' p. 107). A good pair of Phaeton horses (pp. 86, 87). A good pair of Blood ponies (p. 122). Cleveland Bays and Yorkshire Coach Horses — Value of,'for big barouche horses (article, p. i6b). Most now in London are foreigners [I'h.). The quarters the diferentia between the latter and the former (' Miss Mowbray,' p. 137). But these breeds deficient in knee action ; per contra ' Sultan ' (p. 123). Cross of Cleveland and Hackney ('Modesty,' p. 139). Early forcing of ('Sultan,' p. 123 ' Dragoman,' p. 129). Contrasted with French Coach horses. (Press Notices, p. 26). Necessity of Amalgamating the two Breeds, and their Stud Books ('Sultan,' p. 125 ; 'Bayonet,' p. 133 ' Honeysuckle,' p. 132). Sultan.— Fine action in his stock (' Sultan,' p. 124 ; ' Yildiz,' p. 138 ; ' Dragoman,' p. 129). A Sire of Fillies.— Yorkshire Coach Horse ' Candidate' (' Lily,' p. 134)- Hackney Stallions, Hawthorne Shales, Taylor's Performer, and Denmark (' Polly Shale?,' p. 74). Acclimatisation (' Wild Thyme,' p. 135). The true Pony. — Definition of, and difference between this and cob (article p. 165 ; 'Adelaide,' p. 122, 'Lord Nimrod," p. 120). Combination of the two (' Gazelle,' p. 122). Welsh Horses.— Their value and promise for crossing with Hackneys (' Roper,' p. 42) and with Thoroughbreds (' Tommy,' p. 121). Varieties of Judging.— (' Lady Alice ' and ' Silver Belle,' pp. Q7 — 98); ' Primrose ' and ' Polly Horsley, pp. tii, 6q , Venus,' ' Miss Mowbray,' and ' Ingmanthorpe Rose ' (pp. 136, 137, 138). Reduced Railway Rates for Mares.— Far-reaching effect of this concession (' Nor' Easter,' p. 52). o o s z 111 X > (f) So U ul o ^ U) o < =) oc o CQX 1 i PREFACE, ORSE-BREEDING in England, so far as it affects the production of light horses, and viewed as an industry — a subordinate but important one to the agriculturist — has entered upon a new era; and, having been to some extent primarily responsible for this departure, I would gladly have devoted some space to a discussion of its origin, its objects, and its scope. But the time I have had to devote to the preparation of this work, with its classifica- tions, pedigrees, descriptions, notes, lists of produce and performances, selection of press extracts, indices, general arrangement, and correction of the proofs, has left me comparatively little opportunity of abstract dissertation. There is practically no literature of these breeds. Had I desired to produce a similar work about hunters or thoroughbreds, I could have found fifty people who could have done it far better than I. But the breeds of which the Brookfield Stud is mainly composed have been from their earliest origin in the hands of farmers, men to whose care and intelligence we owe their production and maintenance, and who for over a hundred years have kept from father to son an unwritten stud book of each, and to whom I am indebted for all the knowledge on which my enterprise was originally based, but withal, men to whom writing is an unwelcome exercise, and the opportunities of the publicist are rarely granted. No doubt all this will soon be changed and we shall shortly see a " cloud of witnesses" in print on a subject to which, as far as I know, not a single book has been in any sense devoted, and which, save in a few instances, has hardly occupied the place it deserves in the press. For any errors of detail, or evidences of haste, that may be found in the following pages I plead the excuse of a perhaps exceptionally busy life, occupied for the most part in matters widely removed from horse-breeding. Meanwhile, I hope that this detailed account of the Brookfield Stud will be found a more complete and satisfactory work than the first essay, which is deleted by, or rather ab- sorbed into it. For the present work not only contains all the additions that have been made to the Stud by purchase and breeding since the summer of 1889, and all details of its breeding operations (ii.cluding the produce of 1890) ; but there have been included all animals, with the exception of geldings, which at any time have belonged to or passed through the Stud. This edition presents, therefore, a complete history of the origin and progress of the Stud up to the 6 PREFACE. end of 1890, and may, so to speak, be taken as the first volume of a " Brookfield Stud Book." Far be it from me to contemplate such an isolated policy as the establishment of a Stud Book of my own. The volumes of the respective Stud Societies, with which I am thoroughly in harmony, and in whose work I have from the first taken a deep interest, are in every way sufficient for purposes of registration ; but as this work contains much that naturally could not find a place in their pages, and as some of the animals appearing in it have gone into the hands of other owners, I thought it would be a convenience to these latter as well as to the future purchasers to have a complete and authoritative book of reference, in which every animal that has been, or will be, purchased from the Stud finds a place. From this point of view I would beg those who obtain a copy of this book to preserve it, as subsequent descriptions of the Stud will be con- fined to horses actually in it. Some of the matter that appeared in the first edition will be found incorporated in this. Had time served I would gladly have re-written the whole, particularly with a view to consolidating the notes on special subjects, which are only drawn together under their respective headings in the List of Monographs appearing on pages i to 4. The method adopted, namely of discussing any special subject or line of breeding under any horse which may happen to suggest or illustrate it, has a certain practical advantage in bringing the abstract and the concrete, the premiss and the conclusion, at once to the eye of the reader. For those who care to go more fully into these matters I have supplemented this discursive method by collating the Monographs, in order that any generalisation should be supported by all the arguments that have reference to it throughout these pages. This list also collects the references made to well-known breeders, and the descriptive notes on many sires whose names are landmarks in the history of these breeds. While availing myself of much of the matter contained in the first edition, and retaining the original Speech and Articles on Horse-breeding to illustrate the theories on which my experiment has been based, I have carefully brought all the original matter up to date. On the subject of theory, I am glad to be able to state that my practice has not in any single respect had to be diverted from the lines originally laid down. The additional information contained herein is simply a record of a consistent adhesion to those lines, and the successes which have attended their more extended pursuit. For whatever it may be worth, I am, as I have been from the first, anxious to lay before the horse-breeding world the fullest information which time, labour, and study, coupled with a large investment of capital, have placed within my reach. I have already had, and I am aware that I shall have still further, to contend with some time-honoured traditions and with clouds of prejudice ; for such is the lot of most who start a new enterprise, and of all who pursue an old one on new lines. Objections and jealousies start up in every conceivable form and from every quarter, and are notoriously more rife and more easily and deftly employed in the horse-breeding industry than in any other. As to the success of my particular enterprise, I have as yet small cause for dissatisfaction : the best horse wins in the end. But for the theory. If I can show from fifty to a hundred of the finest harness horses in the world, not one of them sired by a thoroughbred, but all coming from these breeds, i.e., the Hackney, Cleveland, and Yorkshire Coach Horse, the case for " these breeds " is made out — that is, so far as the means of production are concerned. The question of supply and demand is an economic one. The former, the supply, must PREFACE. 7 be viewed correlatively with the long-continued neglect of the production of harness horses at home, and their increasing importation from abroad ; the latter, the demand, only attains its just proportions by taking into account its variety, universality, and permanence. There are subordinate questions involved : — the uncertainty in breeding hunters and the risks in bringing them up to a marketable point ; the absurdity of providing nothing but thoroughbred sires, no matter what the farmer's market or needs may be ; the tendency of such sires to get long- legged and weedy stock ; the growing taste for "shapes," short legs, substance, and action ; the value of "these breeds" as "foundation" stock even for hunter-breeding; the production of harness horses abroad by means of the stallions of " these breeds " persistently purchased for many years by foreign Governments ; the results as embodied in {a) most of the London carriage horses over i5h. 3in. being "foreigners," (/;) the enormous increase in the horse exports of France, Germany, Holland, and other foreign countries ; the comparison of our own horse exports and imjjorts, the former consisting almost entirely of stallions and mares — the means of production, the latter of geldings — the results of production, and, in addition, the article we must have for use ; the fact that twenty or thirty years ago we supplied ourselves with this article from home sources. All these, and many other interesting facts would find place in a full presentment of the claims of " these breeds. ' But it is not necessary to extend, still less to overload, the argument, until we have got hold of the simple syllogism into which it resolves itself. Harness horses are needed: "these breeds" produce the best harness horses, therefore "these breeds" should be developed and encouraged. To this I would append a minor one : — hunter breeding is risky : the farmer cannot afford the risk ; therefore the farmer should not undertake hunter-breeding. And its corollary : — hunter-breeding is expensive ; only the well-to-do can bear the expense, therefore only the well-to-do should undertake huDter-breeding. But I have shown above and throughout this book that the thoroughbred, while in my opinion he is the only sire for hunters, is not the sire for harness horses. And so we proceed in logical sequence to our final conclusion, that the thoroughbred is not the sire best suited to thefarmer. Now let me expand this a little. I value the thoroughbred as highly as any man living. I fully recognise the incalculable services he has rendered to the horses of England. Even for, " these breeds," whose purity of blood I have made it my object to manifest as well as to preserve, I have often argued that the thoroughbred is the best and only, and from time to time a necessary, " out-cross." It is the exclusive use of the thoroughbred as a country sire for jight horses which I challenge, by the light of my own experience, and of the matured practice and indisputable financial gain of other countries, I expect, and will welcome fair criticism. You put your finger on the weak parts of a system ; forthwith its advocates cry out that you want to destroy it. In their eyes the reformer at once assumes the terrible aspect of the iconoclast ; the apostle of development becomes the bigot of a new idea. I have heard plenty of this sort of thing from the old votaries of horse-breeding. With profound respect I brush it all aside. I address the argument to those who have the patience to reflect and to examine, and whose minds are not sealed up by tradition or taste. I think it is time that the industry of horse-breeding should shake off the silken chains of sport and caprice, and don the sober garb of an economic pursuit. Not Melton or Newmarket only, but the steady demand of the harness PREFACE. trade in this country, reaching out into the capitals of Europe and the big cities of America should now rule the British farmer's operations. Cap and jacket, boots and breeches ; the "straight run in " and the "good thing from Coston Covert to Woodwell Head " ; the wild shout of "the favourite wins " and the cheery " Huic forrard ! " of the old huntsman, may still fill his dreams— particularly on Saturday night — and carry him back to the time when corn was fifty shillings a quarter ; but do they fill his pocket ? When he wakes up in the morning and re- members that four hansom-cab horses, at ^25 apiece, and one moderate hunter represent the total result of his breeding, with a very doubtful market into the bargain, the spell of past traditions is rudely broken. And so he sets himself to think how he can supply the dealers who have been round during the past week, wanting something on short legs, with bone, quality, and substance, at ^^60, /^70, ^^80, and even ;^ioo if they have "a bit of action " — aye, and will take them at three " off," with no expense of breaking or making. Our friend has been, perhaps, exceptionally unlucky with his present lot ; he has kept them till they are half-past four, and a whole year of that with some corn ; he can ride a bit himself, and he has spent more days than he could spare from his farm work to take them out with the hounds. But, one — that one that took to his fences so kindly and galloped and stayed so well — has thrown out a nasty spavin, and three vets, have cast him successively. Another, the best-looking of the lot, consistently refuses ditches " to him " in sight of the whole field ; a third, that went fairly well, is touched in the wind ; the fourth is a good hunter, and can gallop and stay, but is such a flat-sided, ewe-necked devil to look at, that he could only get a bid of forty pounds from the hard-riding curate. To be sure, the sporting doctor topped the curate with another fiver, but our farmer friend is a bit in the latter's books for the last baby, the seventh annual tribute to conjugal felicity. There is one horse left, on which the hopes of the year have centred, but a four weeks' frost kept him in his box, and when at last the thaw came, he was above himself, and took off too soon at his second fence and landed his fore-leg into a stub. It was nothing to speak of, but he has had to be put by for a fortnight and the season is well on, and, somehow, " there's more sellin' than buyin' " just now. And all this comes from trying to breed hunters. The picture is, I grant, drawn in rather sombre colours.* It will raise the hair on the head of many a fine old sportsman ; and many a young one, willing to pay a high price for a good weight-carrier, will say that I am discouraging the breeding of good hunters, for which there is a fine market if they could only be found. I plead guilty to that ; but shall I not get a verdict on economic grounds ? Not taste, but reason, dictates my position in the matter. No one loves a good-looking hunter * The day after the above was sent to press I came on the following letter in The Ftcld^ February 14, 1891 : — "Sir, — I should like to give my experience of the result, in a very small way, of an attempt at horse " breeding, /o//;' encoiirager les cuitrcs. The first colt I bred broke its back in attempting to jump a fence. The " second one broke its leg in the same manner. The third became broken-winded before the animal was broken, " and nearly got me into a law suit. The fourth was born with a rupture, and, after I had keep it for some time, " it had to be destroyed. The fifth, a very promising young mare, was taken with apoplexy. A veterinary surgeon " was called in to examine her ; he said nothing was the matter that he could see, but before he had left the " premises she tell down dead in the stable. The sixth, an ugly brute, was sold for jf20 as a four-year-old. The " seventh, a half-bred Arab, was so vicious and unmanageable that it was sold for ^"8 after costing much more to " break. The eighth died as a foal from catching cold. After this I gave up any further attempts at horse- •' breeding ; and time, too, some will say- Such are some of the drawbacks in this pursuit, of which I appear to " to have had my full share. C. E. S." PRE FA CE. 9 better than I. No one has paid higher prices for them to farmer breeders. No one is prouder that this, the most beautiful animal in the world, should be the peculiar property of English breeding with which no other country can attempt for a moment to compete. In fine I should revel in the fact that English farmers devote themselves to hunter-breeding were it possible to answer, with any approach to satisfaction, the crucial question, "Does it pay ? " Not here or there, not in special districts, not with individuals who happen to have a successful mare, but over the length and breadth of the land, under the average circumstances of climate, herbage, markets, conditions of the hard-working farmer's life, sires, service fees, chances in breeding, risks in breaking and making — docs it pay '' I leave the question to be answered by each one who knows his own district. But I ask another question : Does the breeding of harness horses pay ? And I turn for the answer to Norfolk, where old Confidence has paid the rent of twenty parishes for as many years ; to Yorkshire where Trifiit's Fireaway's stock has totalled a value of something like half a million of money, and the paternity of Denmark means nothing under ;^ioo, and some prices up to ^i,ooo, to anything on four legs that owns it. " But these are special districts," someone says, " where there are Hackney mares." I answer that Hackney stallions properly chosen, and, by the light of recent experience. Coaching stallions too, get good harness stock from all sorts of mares. In further illustration of this I would refer the reader to the Note on Leona Fire- away (page 88). Moreover, the stock so bred being stronger, wider, sounder, shorter-legged bigger-boned, better-shaped, and better-actioned, comes at once within the purview of the hunter-breeder as more valuable foundation-stock than he had before on which to place his thoroughbred sire. I lay stress on this latter point, as combining the interests of hunting men, who naturally look to the grand old sport we all love and honour, and the supply of hunters upon which our enjoymerit depends, with the wider needs of the British farmer, who has struggled so long and so gamely against gathering troubles. Both classes, closely inter-dependent as they are, deserve careful consideration ; and the greatest benefit to both would be to adjust the supply and demand on such a basis that neither would be prejudiced and both advantaged. I honestly believe the scheme I shall proceed to offer would have this result. Hitherto, as far as I am aware, none but thoroughbred stallions were as a rule provided throughout the country by landlords and others who have been at much pains and expense to encourage horse-breeding amongst their tenant farmers. I exclude, of course, cart-horses, as they do not affect the class of horse I am discussing; and I also exclude the districts of Yorkshire and the Eastern counties to which that class is indigenous. The Royal Commissioners on whom devolved the difficult task of formulating a system for the application of State aid to horse-breeding — for it was that and nothing else which emerged from the old Queen's Plates — adopted, and by that adoption formally confirmed, the exclusive use of the thoroughbred sire by the farmer-breeder. In my opinion this was an unfortunate step. Granting that any Government assistance was needed, the sum at their disposal was absurdly small ; the commissioners chosen were men of high position and authority in matters of horse-breeding, albeit trained in the old system and imbued with its traditions. To risk the little all that was granted them, and to depart from accredited practice, would have 10 PREFACE. been to undertake an unknown responsibility. Onrne ignotuni pro — horrifico ! But the very smallness of the sum might have pointed to its appHcation as a complement, and not to the organisation of a system. If they adopted the latter view, the system, however limited in area, should have been complete in form. There were more than enough thoroughbred sires in England ; there were no sires (excluding Yorkshire and Norfolk) of other breeds. They supplied sounder thoroughbred sires, and added to their number, or at least to their use ; they took no heed of the other breeds ; they encouraged and improved the production of hunters ; they did not enable, or even assist, the breeding of harness horses. So, for the time, their opportunity of exemplifying to the country a scheme directed to its real needs, and based on economic principles, was lost. A brief suggestion of what the scheme should be — whether undertaken by Government, or by landed proprietors, singly or in combination, will sum up the matter. Every district, the area being determined by the needs of the farmers, and their taste for horse-breeding, as well as by the available supply of stallions, should be provided — that is to say, in the case of the Queen's premiums, assisted as at present — with a Cart, Hackney, Coaching, and possibly a Pony stallion in addition to thoroughbred stallions This would be a complete scheme. But it would not have been necessary for the Queen's premiums to have been applied to all parts of it at once. If licensing or punitive restrictions could have been placed, as in France, on unsound stallions, of v;hich there are so many among the thoroughbreds, this would have liberated a large portion of the money while preserving all the hunter stallions worth using. But if this were not possible, the Commissioners should have included in each district to which they now only supply thoroughbreds, at least one stallion of a recognized harness breed. The Cart stallion is tolerably well provided at present by landlords; the Coaching stallion's capabilities with half-bred mares are not yet fully ascertained ; the Pony stallion would only be needed in certain parts — the New Forest, Wales, Exmoor, &c. The horse really to begin with, for harness purposes, would be the Hackney, choosing stallions of good size, quality, and old pedigree. That, however, is a matter on which there may be different opinions. It is the principle I am contending for, and I think it should have been recognized in the first project of State aid ; viz., that the farmer should not be driven inexorably to the thoroughbred sire, but should be enabled to attune his breeding operations, to the varying needs of himself, his market, and above all, his mares. Such is the plan, mutatis iimtandis adopted in other countries after systematised experience, and with admirable results. It is the only plan to raise horse-breeding in this country to the level of an economic pursuit. Since the date of the establishment of the Brookfield Stud the atmosphere has cleared itself a good deal on the subject. Since then what strides have been made in the direction I have endeavoured to indicate ! H.R.H. the Prince of Wales in the East, the Earl of Londes- borough in the North, two gentlemen in the South, Mr. Livesey and Mr. Waterhouse, have established high-class Hackney studs. I mention these because they ensure a guarantee for the production and preservation of the best type of this valuable breed. But many great landed proprietors have come forward and purchased Hackney stallions for their tenants, not to supplant, but to supplement or complement the thoroughbred sire, which is exactly the Hackney's proper place and purpose. The Hackney stallion is becoming better known and more used every day. In the general interests of horse-breeding throughout the country I PREFACE. w rejoice in this. I only take the credit that appertains to publicity and the first exemplar. Brookfield set the ball a-rolling. Plenty of people had seen the vacuum, and good-naturedly tried to fill it with lengthy dissertations on what they called " half bred " horses. That fine old fad, the cross of the thoroughbred on the cart mare, was trotted out once more ; voluminous and didactic explanations of "How to breed horses for the Army " were offered to the British farmer ; gallant octogenarian colonels wrote up the preternatural merits of that Oriental weed, the Arab. All this time the Hackneys and Cleveland Bays and Coach Horses were being quietly bred by the farmers of Yorkshire and the Eastern counties, and more quiedy taken away by the emissaries of foreign Governments to enrich and fortify their native stock. Not an English finger was raised to keep them, not an English bid, save by farmer to farmer, was offered for them. Starved of recognition at home, depleted by an ever-growing foreign demand, they were dwindling away to nothing. The Yorkshire and Norfolk farmers, to their lasting honour, held on'to them still. To them as a class we owe it that they had not disap- peared long before, and that a nucleus was left for English breeders to begin on when they once woke up out of their long sleep. Much of the mischief had been done. England, instead of becoming the busy nursery for the supply of all the fine harness horses in the world, had gradually ceased to fill its own orders. The fetish-worship of the thoroughbred sire had tainted the native stock of the country, and had covered the length and breadth of England with shapeless, actionless, boneless stock, the produce of " fashionably-bred " two year old cast-offs from racing stables. The farmer, with wheat down to thirty shillings, and meat and butter and eggs coming from other countries, had turned to his horses as his last resource, and had found them, generally throughout the country — leather and prunella. I again remind the reader that I exclude from this purview the cart- horse, which by the intelligent liberal and fostering care of some landowners had become a source of profit to many tenant farmers. But with regard to light horses the case was as bad as could be. It was at this juncture that the real value of the recognised breeds of light horses came more prominently into view. Several well-known breeders took the matter up. Societies were established, stud-books were compiled with much care and industry on lines which, if originally admitting some doubtful pedigrees, were calculated to make for the future purity and conservation of the blood of each breed. They were pure breeds, not "half bred," in so far as a breed is pure when it is fixed ; that is to say, when its type and properties, derived by heredity, have become prepotent, impressive, and transmissible. Once convinced of this essen- tial postulate, I went for these breeds with, I venture to submit, no lack of vigour. I spoke till my throat was dry, and I wrote till my pen split ; but what was far more convincing, I got the horses. I showed them to hundreds of friends, and told their history, and bred from them and showed the results. Nothing practically was known about them outside of their own dis- tricts ; and yet I had many visitors to Brookfield who had been breeders all their lives, and who were only too willing to find a way for themselves and their tenants to make horse- breeding pay. I had to plead guilty to the ardour of the noviciate ; perhaps an old hunting friend or two said it was mingled, so far as the thoroughbred sire was concerned, with something of the bitterness of the pervert. I deny that latter, for I yield to no one in my love, honour, and admiration of the thoroughbred — in his place. 12 PREFACE. However that may be, so the Brookfield Stud was founded. I beHeve and hope that some good results will flow from it to English horse-breeding interests at large. At least I can safely congratulate the farmer-breeders of Yorkshire and Norfolk on having reaped some of the reward they so richly deserved for having preserved these breeds, and on the brighter prospects which have opened out before them. Five years ago ^900 was almost an unheard-of price for a champion Hackney stallion ; mares had no sale; and stallion-owners had difficulty in collecting their thirty- shilling fees. Now ^500 is often given for a horse that has won no prize, and ;^5,ooo has been asked for an established sire ; foals have been sold at .;^200, mares up to ^800 ; while there are several Hackneys standing at ten guineas, and many more at five. Of course, so far as sales go, the thing is overdone, and many who hold out for such prices as those mentioned will find themselves "left." Moreover, there is plenty of rubbish about, both in pedigree and individual demerit, for which sensible people will give no price at all. High prices mean careful selection, and the large amount of residuum may very likely drop below even its normal value. I venture to warn my horse-breeding friends in the country that the standard of excellence in these breeds is being appreciably raised, and that unless they keep pace with the improvement they will not make money. But the fact remains that the value of pure-bred stock of these breeds, given intrinsic excellence, has increased two or three hundred per cent., and that the farmers who have bred them rake in the profit. I have little fear of the future. Foreign Governments and breeders, who take stallions only, mingle the pure blood with their inferior native stock. Side by side with the improve- ment of the latter, the mongrelisation of the former is always going on ; and it will be a very long time before a constant reinfusion of pure blood from England becomes unnecessary. The Italian Government last year required, I believe, as many as eighty Hackney stallions. The Americans are adopting a more thorough system, which will establish the Hackney breed in its solidarity in that country, and eventually obviate the necessity of importing English stock, save in the case of isolated specimens of exceptional merit. They are importing large numbers of fully registered Hackney mares, in addition to stallions. They have founded a Society, and will issue Stud Books of their own, formulated on the same lines as the English Hackney Stud Book, and intended to have precisely the same results in the development of the breed. This movement has been largely due to the energy and intelligence of Dr. Seward Webb, Mr. Cassatt, and Mr, Fairfax, and the Society has in its first list of members many breeders and owners of wealth and standing in the Eastern States. Although the result which I have indicated will ultimately be achieved, the popularity of the Hackney is so great in America that, while the demand from there may soon contract, it will be a long time before it ceases. It is of great importance to English breeders that the Hackney breed should have been started in that country within lines identical with our own, as it will tend to keep up the communica- tion between future American breeders and the English supply. It will be interesting to look forward to the meeting of American-bred Hackneys with our own horses in an English prize ring, and I am quite sure there is so much enterprise amongst the patrons of the Hackney breed in the States, that in time to come some of their breeders will be ready to send a few home-bred specimens over here to compete with ours. We shall accept the challenge with pleasure ; but in order to enable this to be done, we should have to rescind the PREFACE. 13 rule excluding Hackneys bred out of the United Kingdom from the English Stud Buok. I am inclined to think, in any case, that this rule is both useless and discourteous, and, what is more important, might lead to retaliatory measures on the part of the Americans, which would be fatal to the interests of the English breeder. Of course any alteration of the rule would simply go so far as to admit the produce of stallions and mares de facto registered in the English Stud Book, and would not admit animals merely because they were in the American Stud Book. I have reason to believe that the American register will be very closely and carefully kept, and having fortunately come into the hands of gentlemen of great integrity and position, will be quite reliable. In addition to these sources of demand there is another to which I look with more confi- dence, and with infinitely greater satisfaction. The true value of the Hackney, not only for breeding purposes, but as the most beautiful harness horse, up to a certain size, for use, is being widely recognised at home ; and, I hope, the same will be the case with the Yorkshire Coach Horse and Cleveland Bay. Hitherto there has been some inexplicable prejudice in many quarters against using mares for harness purposes. Elsewhere, all over the world, mares are considered as good as geldings. In Germany especially they are largely uied for harness work. I myself have for many years driven more mares than geldings without experiencing the slightest inconvenience. Now, a pair of Hackney mares for a phaeton or brougham, or a pair of Yorkshire Coach Horse mares for a barouche, are of infinitely more value, as a property, than a pair of geldings. They are as good looking, they step as high, and they do their work as well while actually in work ; but they also have an enormous additional quantity in their power of reproduction whenever they become incapacitated by accident, infirmity, or age. A gelding, be he ever so fine, that goes permanently lame, at say the age of eight or ten, becomes absolutely worthless. A pedigree mare of the same individual excellence, but coming of a good registered strain, might under similar circumstances be worth from ^loo to ^500. Again, the gelding worn out, say at fourteen or sixteen, would be sent to the knacker ; the mare might breed half a dozen valuable horses, particularly if, as is often the case with these breeds, a foal or two had been taken from her before she went into work. Nay, more, mares of these breeds are, as a rule, finer animals than geldings, and for a reason which is not far to seek, and which has been much strengthened in my own experience during recent years. The best colts are kept and sold as stallions in increasing numbers and never come into the harness market at all, except when by some accident or by some error of judgment a particularly fine specimen has been prematurely relegated to purposes of work. The mares, as a class, will always beat the geldings for shapes and action. A glance at the prize winners in the Harness and Hack Classes of recent years will amply demonstrate this fact. Therefore, for people who require showy harness horses, whether they themselves have opportunities of breeding or not, mares have the double value of being better animals and breeding animals. I earnestly hope that the obvious truth of this argument will be recognised at home, and that the majority of our best mares may be saved for the future enriching of English stock. The following table of the imports and exports during the past six years will throw considerable light upon the question of supply and demand both at home and abroad 14 PREFACE. The figures have been taken from the Returns of the Board of Trade and Navigation, and I have carefully worked out the averages : — 1S90 EXPORTS. 18S7. 1 888. 13.023 11,027 11,649 11,505 13.859 19,404 6,196 Valu Average i, ! .£ s. d. 195.624 I 15 o 5 189,936 ' 17 4 5 198,009 : 16 19 10 192,624 16 14 10 275,401 I 19 17 S 336,496 11769 371,406 I 59 18 10 7,326 I 409,045 i 55 16 8 9,455 ' 546.403 \ 57 IS 10 I2,S!J0 848,311 ; 65 17 3 18S9 1 14,266 I 984,61 1S90, 12,922 ,187 54 2 2 Stallions. 695 962 1. 591 These 3.405 Value years we're not classifi 35.029 56,584 55.874 50 8 o 58 16 5 35 2 4 2,039 2,889 4,082 years we re not classifi ed. 354,814 : 104 4 I 3,030 I 412,809 I 136 4 10 2,3'5 280,770 121 58 5.512 5.687 4,160 Value. 32,477 15 18 7 45.993 ■ 15 '8 5 71,750' 17 II 6 328,772 347,801 222,481 59 12 II 61 3 I 53 9 7 8,771 I 125,118 , 14 5 4 10,008 j 172,824 I 17 5 4 13,731 I 208,872 '1543 3.963 164 725 5.549 , 224,001 6,447 195.936 41 II 40 7 30 7 The first column, it will be noticed, deals only with the totals, and the averages for the whole of this column, but particularly of the years 1885, 1886, and 1887, are of little value. When, however, we come to the three following years — 1888, 1889, and 1890 — the second, third, and fourth columns are extremely interesting, for during those years, on a suggestion in which the authorities fortunately concurred, the horses were classified at the ports of exit and entry into the separate denominations of stallions, mares, and geldings. Dealing first with the left-hand column, that of totals, it will be noticed that the value of the imports remained about the same up to and including 1888, while the exports steadily grew until they had considerably more than doubled during those four years. In 1S89 the imports make a tremendous leap for- ward. The exports also materially increase. Passing on to 1890, the imports still steadily increase, but the exports show a startling contraction. Before dealing with this, it may be noted that throughout the whole period the balance of trade is gready in our favour, in the proportion of 3 J to I in 1889, and more than 2 to i in 1890. When we come to the fuller classification adopted in the three past years, and shown in the third, fourth, and fifth columns, certain facts come to light which have an important bearing upon the question of production and consumption. Taking the three years en bloc, we find that geldings represent nearly two-thirds of the value of the imports, while on the other hand stallions and mares represent more than three-fourths of the value of the exports. This, of course, implies that we have been sending abroad the repro- ductive power, and have been receiving from abroad the article of use. Now I am not going to drive this too far. So long as we are maintaining our power of reproduction, it can matter little whether we send stallions and mares or geldings, and it is certainly no source of regret that the average value of each gelding we send should be more than double the value of each gelding we receive. This shows that we produce altogether a higher class article, and having arrived at this position by a long course of hereditary excellence, we are not likely to be suddenly dislodged from it. The average value of each stallion we send is two or three times as great as that of those we receive, and the mares we send average nearly four times as much as those we receive. Half the total value of stallions received is represented by France, both pei- se and as an entrepot, stallions of the value of ;^ 74. 5 88 coming from France in the past three years. PREFACE. 15 out of a total value of imported stallions of ^147,487. If France, therefore, were out of the question, the imports of stallions would be reduced by one-half, and as I am under the impres- sion that the greater part of the value of the stallions and mares imported from or through France is for race-horses, which hardly come within the range of discussion, the case for the animal wc breed at home is much stronger. The number of stallions received from each foreign country, and the average value per stallion during the past three years, is as follows : — From France, 933 at ^79 ; Germany, 198 at £\i \ Holland, 455 at ^58; Belgium, 229 at £^1 \ Denmark, 959 at £\ \ United States, 166 at ^54 ; Canada, 14 at ^82 ; other countries, 294 at ^35. With regard to imported mares, Germany and France, running each other very close in the bulk value of their respective consignments, together represent as nearly as possible half the total value of imported mares. The mares come from : — France, 661 at ^^59 ; Germany, 4,291 at £<^ ; Holland, 657 at ;^39 ; Belgium, 20S at ^46 ; Denmark, 2,524 at ^5; United States, 128 at ^64; Canada, 77 at ^58; other countries, 464 at ^18. Germany sends us about half of the total value of imported geldings, its trade under that head being about six times as much as that of France. The geldings come from : — France, 702 at ^43 ; Germany, 21,732 at ^^lO; Holland, 3,112 at ^35; Belgium, 986 at ^40; Denmark, 3,943 at £<^ ; United States, 441 at ^57 ; Canada, 408 at ;^42 ; other countries, 1,176 at £1"]. Turning again to the proportionate average value of the exported and imported gelding, we must not be deluded into thinking that other countries send us nothing but tram and omnibus horses. A well-known veterinary surgeon, having great practical experience of the London market and of foreign horses, has informed me that of the harness horses in London above 15.3 in height, 80 per cent, come from abroad. This is a most disquieting statement, and ir is one which the Coach-horse breeders would do well to lay to heart. I am aware that the export and import statistics lend themselves to a much more elaborate treatment than my space can afford, but it is pertinent to the whole argument of this Preface to observe the enormous drop of nearly thirty per cent, that has taken place in our exports in the year 1890. It amounts to a total of ^285,424, and of this sum nearly the whole, that is to say ^257,359, is represented by stallions and mares; the remainder, which is hardly worth considering, standing against geldings, the number of which has increased, while the value has decreased. Now, what does this mean .^ European countries took their normal supply. British North America dropped nearly thirty per cent. ; their trade in breeding stock had risen by leaps and bounds, and the brake was as suddenly put on to enable purchasers to watch the effects on native breeds. Moreover, great numbers of inferior stallions, especially of " these breeds," had been exported thither, and the demand sickened appreciably in consequence. But Argentina — silvery name with the serpent's sting beneath it to wider interests than those of horse-breeding — gave the main coup. In 1889 it took ^292,959 worth of stallions and mares. In 1890 it took nothing compared with with such a figure — as a matter of fact about ^35,000. But its an ill wind that blows good horses out of account in their native land ; and simultaneously with this contraction in the export trade breeders at home have awakened to a sense of the value for breeding purposes of the animals they were parting with. A.s stated above, there has been a great development at home in the cultivation of the breeds with whigh the Brookfield Stud is especially connected, and large numbers of mares, arid a very respectal^Ie numljer of stallions, have been purchased 16 PREFACE. to remain in the country. This is by far the most agreeable of all the reflections suggested by a study of the above statistics. To return to Brookfield. The year 1889— the Royal Year for horses -was a memorable one for the Brookfield Stud. In addition to numerous successes at the Hackney and Great Yorkshire Shows, the Brookfield horses carried away a hatfull of prizes from Windsor — two Queen's gold medals and championships, four first prizes, two seconds, and three thirds. Last year some of the best horses were prevented by ailments from going to the Hackney Show, nothing was sent to the Royal which was held far away at Plymouth, and by the date of the Great Yorkshire Show several of the famous prize-winners had been drafted to America. With regard to shows generally, it is probable that I shall rather contract than expand the represen- tation of the Stud in that direction, as it is primarily a breeding establishment, and I had rather breed or sell a good horse for other people to show than myself incur, so far as animals used for breeding purposes are concerned, the temporary detriment that often accrues to their procreative forces from the high condition necessary for the show ring. Moreover, the long lists of prizes at local shows appended to many of the animals in this book will not be added to when once they have entered the precincts at Brookfield. These local shows, which have played a very important part in the development and maintenance of the breeds under notice in Norfolk, and to a much greater extent in Yorkshire, do not exist anywhere within reach of Brookfield ; and, therefore, unless an animal has a fair chance of taking a first prize at one of the three great shows mentioned above, its honour list will be closed on entering Brookfield. It is hoped that it will be re-opened in a different form, and with richer results, by means of the stock bred from and by the animals in future years. The functions of the stud as a nursery for the production and rearing of young stock being carried on mainly at Shenley are less prominent to the eye at Brookfield, where the Harness Department has become an important feature. Some account of this will be found in the Descriptive Notice that follows this Preface. It did not come within the scope of my original intention. But it soon became evident to me that it must form a necessary comple- ment of the enterprise, for two reasons. It was an essential part of my object to show the utility of these breeds, the sort of horses they produce, and the varied purposes to which those horses are suited. This could not be done by merely exhibiting to visitors the stallions, brood mares, and young stock, many of the best of which would be bought to go abroad. Still less could it be done by a mere statement that dealers in harness horses bought the rest of what came to a marketable age. It was necessary to show the animal made to his work, fulfilling his purpose, and commanding his price, the latter being an important point in the demonstra- tion of the value of the breed. Again, it was indispensable to the financial soundness of an undertaking for which a large capital had to be provided, that no legitimate sources of profit should be sacrificed. It was no particular pleasure to me to sell a high-stepping gelding to a dealer for/^ioo, to see him a {^t^!^ weeks afterwards making a fine show in some friend's car- riage, and to hear from the latter that he had paid ^yoo for him. Some of this ought to come to the Stud. So I organised the Harness Department, not only to exhibit the use of these breeds, but in order that the horse might be in one hand from the time of foaling up to his ultimate destination, and that whatever value the article broucrht from the consumer might PREFACE. 17 accrue to the producer. We cannot breed them all, we cannot very often breed two, exactly- alike ; and the plan necessitates the purchase of numbers of horses to match those bred at home. With very few exceptions these horses are purchased from the farmers who breed them, or from the small local dealer into whose hands they have passed before they are fit for work. They are bred in the same way and from the same strains as my own, and frequently come from homesteads where I have at one time or another picked out a choice young stallion of old pedigree, or a filly or brood mare of exceptional merit for the more important purposes cf the Stud. I never buy at fairs or regular auction j^laces — although good horses are often to be found at both — because little can be ascertained of the breeding, and less of the previous history of the horse. The Brookfield Stud possesses full appliances for breaking, from " the rough " onward, and granting a horse comes of a reliable strain, it is better to begin, so to speak, on the raw material than to take the chances of a horse having begun his education on the wrong lines. With horses, as with some other animals, it is easier to teach good habits than to eradicate bad ones. I will not permit myself here any special reference to the horses that have been added to the Stud during the past two years. They will be found fully described and annotated in the following pages. It is, however, pertinent to the breeding character of the Stud to mention that it has received two most valuable additions in the Hackney stallion Foston Fireaway (page 41), and the Pony stallion Lord Nimrod (page 120) To the former, of whose value as a sire I have good experience, I look to perpetuate the sterling blood of old Fireaway, together with bone, size, and a grand deep-brown colour. There are at present four of Fireaway 's own sons in the Brookfield Stud, but until the stock of the younger ones has been seen, Foston Fireaway, who was probably the best son of his sire, may, I think, be relied on to reproduce many of the latter's merits. Lord Nimrod is too young to stand on the reputation of his stock ; but, bred as he is, and being a beautiful pony in himself, I think he gives every promise of success as a sire. Truefit (whom I am resting this year from the additional exertions involved in a Queen's premium). Candidate, Beau Lyons, Sultan, Lord Sneaton, and Tommy are too well known to require any further description. In this connection it is worth while to remind the reader that Time, which will not be denied with men or horses, has made a clean sweep of the great Hackney patriarchs —Denmark, Fireaway, Lord Derby, and the rest. Fortunately their generation overlapped the earlier days of the Brookfield Stud, and their blood will be preserved and handed on within it. Mr. Mansfield Harrison has occupied the post of manager of my Stud now for nearly two years. Born and bred within sight of the bleak hill and the wind-swept valley where Denmark and St. Giles respectively were foaled, and himself one of the most successful breeders and showmen of Yorkshire Hackneys, he has seconded my objects with the zeal and ability which his reputation and long expeiience led me to expect.* I desire to add a few comments by way of explanation of the pictures which will be found in this book. I must confess to considerable difficulty in finding an artist who can paint a satisfactory portrait of a horse. The best portraits I have seen have been those of certain racehorses by a Hungarian artist, M. Emil Adam ; but he is not often available in this country, '■■' S^e Press Notice, page 24. 18 PREFACE. There are plenty of painters who can produce an ideal picture of a horse. Who does not know the type — the brood mare in a field with mane and tail flowing in the wind, the shaggy pony on a rugged hill-side, the proud stallion with arched crest and distended nostril ? These are not portraits of horses : they are ideas. On the other hand, there are some who can paint a fair likeness of a horse in the sign-board style without any relation to art. It is the combination of the likeness and the picture that is so difficult to get. I think it is to be found in some of the illustrations to this work. The frontispiece portrays a buggy-horse called " Fashion." who won the blue ribbon of single harness twice at Islington, and who has been my favourite driving horse in London for the past eight years. He is, I believe, generally recognised as an unrivalled specimen of a perfect harness horse. Shape — if it be granted that length on short legs is a beauty in harness — and action, bone and quality, coat and colour, are all faultless ; and to these he adds a splendid constitution, refined manners, and the kindest possible temper. He was by old Norfolk Confidence from a nearly thoroughbred mare. The coloured block plan of Brookfield is explained in the Descriptive Notice, and the Views of the Stud speak for themselves. The picture of Candidate makes him somewhat too thick all over, but the beautiful turn of the neck and head which he impresses on his stock, so that you can at sight pick them out in a crowd, is well shown. Beau Lyons was painted when only two years of age. Gold Wave has a very spirited portrayal, with one fault, that it makes her light behind the saddle where she is particularly deep and good. The single page illustration of the two mares, White Socks and Dropping Well, is from a picture, somewhat hastily done, by Miss Hallifax, a young lady who shows considerable early talent for drawing animals. Silver Belle and Lady Alice are enlarged drawings by the artist's hand from those done for the Hackney Stud Book, and are published by permission of the Society. I am hardly satisfied with the picture of Sultan, as I think the artist, who has done justice in that respect to the Hackneys, has some- what failed to catch the real Coaching type. I have consequently added a print of one of those rather sign-board portraits to which I have alluded, but which does give in its outline and turning more suggestion of the characteristic contour of the breed. To the fine picture of Truefit, by Mr. Adrian Jones, drawn, I might say, in the true thoroughbred style, I have added a print of a portrait by Mr. Palfrey, which will give, at least to a less scientific eye, some idea of the peculiar grace of this horse. I am aware that I opened this Preface with an apology for the brief space of time at my disposal for a discussion of what I have called the new era in horse-breeding. A slight delay in the completion of the illustrations has enabled me to extend my remarks to somewhat greater length than I had anticipated. If the first pages were not already in the formes I would substitute for the plea alluded to another bearing upon the discursive method which even some extra time has not enabled me to avoid. The whole subject is one of great importance, not only to the breeds of horses but to the prosperity of men. It is in the hope I have contributed something to the improvement of the former, and have urged into view the economic aspects of the latter, that I venture to commend this work to the perusal of a wider public than can ever be interested in the fortunes of the Brookfield Stud. W. BURDETT-COUTTS. Brookfield StuJ, February, 1S91. GENERAL PRESS NOTICES. 19 GENERAL PRESS NOTICES OF THE BROOKFIELD STUD. " The Field," April 30, 1S87. — The above-named gentleman is forming a most interesting stud, and for foreign visitors to this country wishing to see first-class representatives of our national breeds, the best opportunities will be given at Mr. Burdett-Coutt's stud farm. At present this is in a semi-state of building, but, from what can be judged by the plan and arrangements, and by the stabling already erected, it must shortly be a very model establishment. It is situated close to the Baroness Burdett-Coutts' beautiful place at Highgate, the paddocks being of considerable extent, and the buildings of very picturesque architecture, to include stud groom's house, boxes replete with all the most modern conveniences, a riding school, and offices for provender, &c., with steam engine for chaff-cutting and pulping. Besides this establishment, Mr. Burdett-Coutts has a farm at Shenley, near St. Albans, for brood mares and growing stock. " The Field," August 2^, 18S8. — The diversity of opinion as to whether the Royal Premiums should be distributed for the encouragement of the old English breed of horses generall}', in very strong, and many excellent judges differ. Mr. Thomas Parrington, who should know as much about the Yorkshire breeders as any man living, declared in favour of admitting Clevelands, Yorkshire Coach Horses, and Roadsters; and this opinion was of marked importance, as Mr. Parrington is essentially a hunting man. Many others hold the same views, and no one gave expression to his ideas on the same side more clearly than Mr. Burdett-Coutts. That gentleman considered the old sort should be separated, and identified, and that, if each breed was encouraged, the stock of horses, throughout the whole country would be improved. He believed also that a large section of farmers and breeders would be much benefited by maintaining a special breed of carriage horses that sell readily for large prices to supply a fashionable market in London. Mr. Burdett-Coutts was no believer in the thoroughbred horse to get this description of carriage horse, and neither did he think that the action transmitted by the thorough- bred was the most suitable for road work. To form such opinions, no one studied the subject deeper, so as not to rest it on theory only, as journeys in the breeding district of Yorkshire were taken, and Mr. Burdett-Coutts likewise determined to try experiments with all the breeds, by getting the best of each to breed with their own kinds, to see whether they breed truly to type, and to cross them to see how such breeding answered. About eighteen months ago I visited the Brookfield Stud that had been formed in the above manner, and I wrote to The Field at the time that such a stud would be of immense use to decide several important questions. It was then in a very embryo condition, as, although the stallions Truefit, Sultan, Candidate, and Tommy, were all there, the buildings were only half completed, and the stock of mares of no very large dimensions. Now it is a most complete stud in the way of stabling, with a very perfect riding school, and every modern appliance about the place for the comfort of the animals and to see them at their best. " Live Stock Journal," September 7, 1888. — Mr. Burdett-Coutts, M.P., deserves well of his country for his efforts in the direction of the preservation and improvement of all breeds of pleasure horses. He has collected about forty superior specimens of the Hunter, the Carriage-horse, and the Hackney-horse. " Live Stock Journal," July 2, 1889. — The system of having little equine garden parties is a capital innovation, and Mr. Burdett-Coutts, M.P., must be congratulated as the initiator. There is so 20 GENERAL PRESS NOTICES. much buzz and bustle at shows and watching of judges and telegraph boards that one gets sick of the whole showyard business at times. So do the horses. At Brookfield on Friday last one could enjoy a real treat in watching the stately Sultan moving in his gayest style, Candidate, all life and action, and Truefit, a huntsman's ideal horse, together with some grand young stock by all three sires. No one seemed to enjoy the inspection more than Count Miinster, a face so well known at The Magazine five or six years ago, and Colonel North seemed specially delighted with the movement of the hackneys. Mr. Chas, Steele, V.S.,in the "Irish Tunes," September 3, 18S8. — The establishment at Brookfield is remarkable as being arranged with an eye to business-like utility, without the semblance of extravagance, although everything is of the very best, and evidence of consistent economy which augurs an extension of that very necessary virtue in the conduct of breeding operations ; paddocks well accommodating the number of mares to be shown ; admirable boxes for stallions; other roomy and retired boxes for brood- mares and foals, situated in a yard suitably constructed for stud purposes; a riding school, coach-house for breaks, and other accommodation for training gear ; with a charming private room, which appeared sacred to the owner when in a business mood, furnished with a small library appropriate to his studies. These studies evidently consist of most anxious deliberations as to the best means of carrying out the ideas indicated in the printed programme which was furnished to each guest, viz., a patriotic endeavour to preserve special breeds of horses in England by collecting the very best specimens of certain classes in danger of being drawn upon so heavily by foreign purchasers as to threaten their deterioration, if not extinction. Mr. Burdett-Coutts wishes to set an example tending to protect a valuable property; although adhering to free trade principles, and inviting th^ foreigner still to share in the benefit of the produce derived from a more extensive and jealous protection of breeds of horses which undoubtedly best flourish on their indigenous soil, he hopes, by his success, to induce many other breeders to follow out his far-seeing policy, and not be tempted by a high price to part with the essentials for perpetuating a profitable market. It is really a large question, then, of political economy that Mr. Burdett-Coutts raises. He justly thinks that we have some of the material left ; he shows us the best specimens that can be obtained — they are in his eyes priceless — and he hopes by steady perseverance to be the pioneer to a revival of our excellent equine stock, so that we may again have the market of the world, and at the same time supply our own wants and increase our wealth by the sale of produce. It is a feasible idea, which, it is to be hoped, will attract those who, in these days of depressed agriculture, are so sorely tried in their endeavours to make farming pay. And may we not reasonably anticipate that in cases where the farmer requires assistance there will be still owners of the soil, who, although with incomes also depreciated, will feel inclined to follow the praiseworthy example, and supply tlie help which may ultimately redound to their own advantage ? " Horse and Hound," Jidy 27, i88g. — That the love of the horse is not only inherent but an especially predominant passion among all grades of English-speaking people, proof has long been furnished by the establishment of large breeding studs at home, in America, at the Cape, and the Antipodes, wherein are reared and nurtured every species of the " best servant of man," from the thorough- bred to the palfrey or more familiar hackney of the present day. Thanks to the great nobles and wealthy commoners of England, the thoroughbred has been brought to his present state of perfection, and owing to the enthusiasm enlisted in the case of improvement, chiefly by Mr. Burdett-Coutts and Mr. Walter Gilbey, there is every hope that breeders of hunters, as well as "general purpose" horses and hackneys, will, by following that example, bring out the good qualities inherent in them as well as in the thorough-bred. Mr. Walter Gilbey has set an example at Elsenham Hall, his seat in Essex, of what a breeding stud should be ; and Mr. Burdett-Coutts has brought the knowledge he has carefully acquired during some years in Yorkshire and the eastern counties to bear in creating the great breeding establishment he has founded GENERAL PRESS NOTICES. 21 at Brookfield, so happily situated in the highlands of London, to which there is, however, very ready access by tram and omnibus services from Charing Cross, Regent-street, Euston-road, and King's Cross to the Duke of St. Albans, Highgate-road, which is close to the stud stables. It was the object of Mr. Burdett- Coutts in founding this stud to devote his attention to the improvement of the old English breeds which I have shown in the introduction to my recent issue of the " Horse Breeders' Handbook " were existent on our hills as far back as the landing of Caesar, and the blood cf some of whom is to be found in a few of the very best running horses of our day, inherited from the old Vintner mare, Bright's roan, and other noted galloways, who carried all before them on the racecourse. Although there are some clubs now going in for galloway racing, it is not Mr. Burdett-Coutts's especial object to improve that useful midget, but to produce the best types of hunters, carriage horses, "light horses," hackneys, and ponies; and holding that purpose in view, there will be found located at Brookfield the model Thoroughbred hunter stallion Truefit, the champion Cleveland Bay stallion Sultan, the champion Hackney stallion Candidate, besides several other sires of each class, giving breeders a choice of stallions not to be had at any other stud. That Mr. Burdett-Coutts, in making these selections, is an excllent judge of what a sire should be, goes without saying. "Mark Lane Express," July 29, 1889. — Mr. Burdett-Coutts deserves well of his countrymen in that he has brought together one of the finest studs in the country. " Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News," July 5, 1S90.— There are few folks who climb Highgate- hill on Shanks's naggie, that grand old mare — " the oldest in the stud book," to use the phraseology of modern stock registers — who would ever dream of the existence in the immediate neighbourhood of such an important equine establishment as the Brookfield Stud of Mr. Burdett-Coutts, M.P. Yet there it is, but a mile or so from the stone on which Dick Whittington sat with his cat, and listened to the bells of Bow ringing out clearly to his still hesitating mind, " Turn again, Whittington, thrice Lord Mayor of London." The railway traveller as he glances from the carriage window, after passing Gospel Oak Station, may think as he glances at the mares grazing on the slopes that they are only some ill-used old street hacks enjoying a holiday bite, as on Ham or Wandsworth Commons. Were he granted liberty to approach them he would soon find, if a judge, they comprised the best hackney and coaching mares in England. The words " Burdett-Coutts" have been associated with kindness to dumb animals from the days thirty or forty years ago — when graphic pens spoke of the kindness of the Baroness to costermongers and their donkeys, and cabmen and their charges ; and Harrison Weir, in the British Workman, gave accom- panying delineations of life-like character — down to the presentation of the honours to the successful draymen at the last Cart Horse Parade on Whit Monday. Mr. Burdett-Coutts, M.P., has during the past few years made them identifiable in showyard and street with the improvement of the breeding of our light horses of every description, and to his efforts, more than anyone else's, we owe the concession of railway facilities which enable us to carry out a far higher system of scientific mating and breeding than we have hitherto possessed — concessions which, when fully appreciated, will be worth far more to the country than Government grants, however bountiful. After all, the breeding of horses fit for their work in the streets is the highest form of kindness, for it is really cruel to work a horse physically unsuitable, whether lame or not. The stables, loose boxes, and straw-yards at Brookfield have chiefly been designed by Mr. Burdett- Coutts himself, not without a considerable amount of study and judgment evidently. The boxes are paved with rough Staffordshire bricks, and the roofs both thatched and tiled, this non-conducting system of cover ensuring an even temperature all the year round, a matter in connection with young stock too often neglected. The show ring, riding school, straw, forage, and meat preparing yards, have all been laid out with equal skill and care, 22 GENERAL PRESS NOTICES. The recent shipment of Hackneys from this stud by the National Line steamer Denmark to New York has caused a considerable amount of comment in horse-breeding circles in England, and no doubt will have done so by this time in America. Dr. Seward Webb, the purchaser, having found the casual run of light horses taken to America by adventurous importers not " bred up to the bill," as they phrase it in the West, resolved to get hold of the best French and English light horse blood procurable, and to found a stud at his place in the State of Vermont where American pleasure horses can be developed to suit American tastes and customs. He did not go far wrong to visit Brookfield, where, and at the brood farm at Purseley, is to be found the largest and best stud of Hackney, Cleveland, and Yorkshire Coach Horses in England. A few days before the horses sailed a select party had the pleasure of looking over them, among those present being Mr. Burdett-Coutts, M.P., the Duke and Duchess of Portland, Count Munster, Lord Suffield, Sir Dighton Probyn, General Ravenhill, Mr. H. W. Gilbey, and Dr. and Mrs. Webb, who must be congratulated on getting hold of such a grand lot of old British horses. A glance at the visitors' book at Brookfield shows that the stud during the past year has been inspected by many noblemen and gentlemen of our own country interested in horses, also those from the Continent and in the colonies who have written their names in the modern history of horse-breeding. What captivates all visitors is the Hackney action. Some of the cleverest movers of the Hackneys actually hide at the extreme point of elevation their knees and hocks behind the four feet guard rail of the showing circle. No lover of American trotters would like this hoisting system of travelling over a track, as so many inches of space would be lost to every quarter of an inch of movement above the height of the arc described by the hoof between ground and ground. The origin of this high action, now rendered and preserved hereditarily, was, no doubt, the irregular and uneven state of the roads. No man was too old or too stout to ride in those days, and old age and stoutness made sure-footed horses necessary. The hoof had to be lifted in the hollow out of six inches of mud, also equally high on the hill to clear the round nine inches, or " bean " stones, which were common till Macadam introduced the system of four inches of broken diamond whin or granite. High action is now manufactured in this way by taking horses "athwart" the furrows across a ploughed field, and letting them sink their knees in every intervening ridge. In Scotland bundles of wet straw are placed in line to make the Clydesdales raise their hoofs where sluggishness is perceptible in the young stock. Journals with more space to devote to horse breeding matters might allow of an extended notice of this consignment of horses, the most important that has left British shores since Messenger, the property of John Pratt, of Newmarket, left by a Bristol packet boat for New York lOO years ago. They are all the best of their class and kind. Brown Fashion, by D'Oyly's Confidence out of a thoroughbred mare, retaining the hereditary action of the former, will be used for raising pure Hackneys from the registered stock. He is well known at Islington, and will not go out until the end of a full season. The most notable of the ss. Denmark's upper deck load were Belle Lyons, by the Brookfield stud horse. Candidate, that famous son of Bourdas's Denmark, which won the Champion Cup as best hackney stallion within the show at the Islington meeting held in 1886. Belle Lyons won the second prize at the Royal Show at Windsor last year, and is full sister to Beau Lyons, the champion colt at the same exhibition, both being out of the famous Brookfield Stud mare Lady Lyons, by Brough's Lord Lyons out of Flora by Beal's Sir Charles. From Belle Lyons we may have in time a fashionable pleasure horse family in America, just as we have Pilots, Clays, Morgans, Bashaws, &c., amongst trotters. White Socks and Dropping Well, seven years old, both on sire's side granddaughters of Triffit's Fireaway, the first out of a Denmark mare, and the second out of a daughter of Randolph by Cooke's Eclipse, were favourite phaeton mares of Mr. Burdett-Coutts, and were regularly driven in the park together by their owner. Dr. Webb made up his mind to have them for driving purposes abroad, and acquired them; but, anxious to hav? a breed of such horses quickly developed at his place in Vermont, they have been GENERAL PRESS N02ICES. 2Z relegated from shaft to stud. White Socks was a great favourite in Yorl'$,'j. /?;rt'c/£V-, J. W. M.vrsiiall, Wharram, York.shirc. Sire, FIREAWAY (Trifht's) 249. Dam, 884 ROSE, by Star of THE West 1575, by Star of THE North i 184, by Fire- away (Triffit's) 249. G.-dam, Meg, by St. Giles 687. Description. — An all-brown horse showing no white and possessing the neatest of heads and capital shoulders ; a level back and long shapely quarters, and with true all round action, and good quality. This colt promises to have size, that great desideratum of the Hackney breed, and for these reasons, added to his general honesty and untainted Hackney blood, Eddlethorpe Performer can scarcely fail to improve the stock of any district he is taken into. V. S. Breeding. — In addition to the fact that this horse is out of a big mare, his breeding on both sides should command great attention. Reference is made in the article at the end of this catalogue to the great difficulty of finding any entire horses by Old Fireaway, nearly everyone having been taken abroad. This colt is not only by that famous horse, now thirty years old, but he has an extra infusion of his blood through his dam, \vho is by the Star of the West 1575, a grandson of Fireaway, and one of the very best of his breed, her dam being by the famous St. Giles 687, of another illustrious Hackney strain now nearly extinct, viz., that bred by Mr. Rickell, of Warter. In addition lo this horse there are new three other sons of Old Fireaway in the Brookfield Stud, \iz., President Fireaway (page 48), Tocsin (page 54), and the great horse Foston Fireaway (page 41). B-C. 41 Hachieys. StaUions. FOSTON FIREAWAY 288. Black Brown Horsk, Height 15.3. Foaled 1877. Bixcdcr, — Tomlinson, Hedon, Hull, Yorks. 5/;r, FIREAWAY (Trifht's) 249. Dam. by ST. IVES (Postill's) 690, by St. Giles (Rickell's) 687, by Wii.n- FiKE II. 867, by Grey Wii.dfire 865, by Wildfire 864, by Marsh- L.Axn Shales 435. G.dani, by To.m Thumb 830, by Shakespeare 6q8, by Norfolk Phenomenon (Bond's) -.12. Fee. — Five Guineas, and Five S/ii7/i'nffs the Groom. Description and Rrecdiiif^. — At last I have succeeded in securing a worthy son of old Fireaway, probably the best of them all, both as to intrinsic merit, and in prepotency of blood. On the latter point I may mention that by common consent Foston Fireaway got in V'orkshire, while he remained there, some grand stock. His fame in Yorkshire is a household word ; and a well-known Norfolk dealer, who buys many horses in Yorkshire, tells me that some of the best he ever had out of that county were by this noted sire. In this work will be found Doll Fireaway (page 8q), since gone to America, and Fireaway Sultana (page loi), the latter having to be entered as an inspected mare, owing to her dam's pedigree having been lost. In addition to these I had another mare, pure Hackney bred, by this horse, entered in Vol. VI. of the Stud Book as 1538 Fireaway Sultana, who unfortunately died, in spite of long and careful nursing, from a kick which made a wound at first not bigger than a threepenny piece. I transferred her name to the mare above-mentioned now appearing in this work. These three mares, but particularly the two Sultanas, displayed in their grand size, deep frames, big bone, dark colours, and lofty, true, and powerful action, the best characteristics which have made the name of old Fireaway so famous that Yorkshire in past years has been nearly depleted of his stock by the astute foreigner. The present Fireaway Sultana (page loi), who won Second Prize at the Great Yorkshire in iSqo, stands nearly 16 hands high, and is a tremendous goer. Visitors to the Brookfield Shows during the season of iSqo will not soon forget the big brown daughter of Foston Fireaway that always came out last, and was sent round in single harness to a speed and height of action which fairly electrified the spectators. It was only by a severe act of self-denial, so far as my private shows are concerned, that I sent her at the end of the season to the stud a young mare, sound as a ball, in the bloom of condition and the zenith of her powers, with a solid 1,000 guineas refused for her to go abroad. On the other hand, it is only by such a course as this that a really great stud can be built up. Foston Fireaway himself is a typical son of the old horse. Age has somewhat thickened his neck, but has left no mark on his immense flat bone, and no suspicion of dip in his grand back and loins ; nor has it in any way impaired his alert and vigorous mien, the irresistible clan of his action, or the general aspect of power and courage, which must appeal at a glance to all who desire to improve the native stock of this or any other country. He is what they call in Yorkshire an " over-end " horse. He has great length, which, in my humble opinion, is a great beauty in harness horses, and he is wonderfully coupled ; but he ivcars his two ends, consisting as they do of a kind and sensible head, and a pair of long, sloping shoulders, and wide, level quarters with the dock on the top. His arms and thighs arc models of muscular moulding, his knees and hocks are big and clean ; he tapes a full nine inches below the knee ; his feet are sound, big, and well formed, and his colour is a rich black-brown all over, with the unmistakable markings of a white star on the forehead, snip on the nose, two hind and off fore heels white, and a speck of white on the inside of the near fore foot, all so inconsiderable as to almost leave the impression on the eye of a whole coloured brown horse. By all accounts he is a sure foal-getter, and he looks fresh and well after serving over a hundred mares last season. When it is remembered that his sire's powers showed no diminution up to the age of thirty, I anr justified in hoping that this horse has many years of usefulness before him. As far as I can judge he would suit admirably mares having a great deal of quality and lean necks, although for a big horse he possesses so much true quality himself that he hardly requires his mares to be picked. Foston Fireaway's blood, mingling as it does the bluest and biggest strains of the Yorkshire Hackney, will recall the days when there were men who bred stallions consistently and year after year, horses that would win or miss prizes as the case might be, but would be good getters themselves. I do not call Foston Fireaway a show horse ; nor was old Confidence ; nor was old Fireaway himself a flyer at that game. But what is a prize or two at the varying will of Messieurs the Judges compared with a lifetime of grand and useful stock with which to enrich a country ? Old Fireaway is well enough known ; Foston Fireaway's dam was a dark-brown mare by 42 Hackneys. SfalUons. FOSTON" FIREA-VWAY 288 (continued). St. Ives, a horse foaled in 1864, and sold to go abroad as a four-year-old by his breeder, Mr. Crompton, of Thornholme, after he had won many prizes in Yorkshire. He was by St. Giles, out of a mare by the famous Merrylegs. St. Giles was of course a very noted horse, and a great prize winner (see Pricry Maid, page 71), and combined the same Merrylegs blood with the grand old strains of the successive Wildfires owned by Robert Ramsdale and his son Philip. Foston Fireaway's grand-dam was by Tom Thumb, Mr. Crompton's former well-known winner of the Great Yorkshire Prize 36 years ago, and he was a grandson of Bond's Norfolk Phenomenon. In fine, all that is best in Yorkshire Hackney blood is crowded into the veins of Foston Fireaway. It remains to state briefly the horse's history. Once out of his breeder's hands, Mr. Robert Postill, of Foston-on-the-Wolds, near Hull, was his first owner as a stallion, and he travelled the horse for some time outside of the real Hackney district. The horse then passed to Mr. P. Fort (since dead), of Cross Roads, Keighley, near Leeds, and while in this district of course he hardly had any Hackney mares. He then served for two years or so in the neighbourhood of Liverpool, and eventually came about three years ago into the hands of Mr. Yells, a farmer in Berkshire. Throughout this chequered career he has been well knocked about, and used with all sorts of common mares, no one apparently knowing his true value if once put in his true place. I had always thought the horse had gone abroad long since ; but two years ago a rumour reached me that he was still in England, and after making diligent search I traced him out, and at length secured him for my Stud. It is obvious that the horse, with the exception of a very limited opportunity in his early Yorkshire days, has never had a chance with good mares, or with those of his own breed. From the rubbish on which he has hitherto been expending his powers he has got all-round good stock, sound, and upstanding horses with good action. I have no doubt that a new era is now opening out before him, and the true blood of old Fireaway will this season be turned into some of the richest channels that meander through the pages of this work. B-C. ROPER [2665]. Roan Horse, Height 15. 2j hands, Foaled 1887. Breeder, R. C. Roper, St. Pagan's, Cardiff, Wales. Sire, LORD BANG 1030, by Great Shot Dam, BESSIE, No. 6, Foundation Stock, Vol. (Tibbet's) 32q, by Great Gu.\ (Gidden's) VII., H.S.B. 3;>5, by Gkeat Gf.M (Sutton's) 323, by Performer (Baxter's) 352. G.-dain^ Primrose, by Perfection (Jackson's) 541. Description. — Roper is a rich-coloured roan, with black legs, and a small star. He has a very neat head, good middle and quarters, and possesses a great deal of substance. He should be '-'ery useful for crossing with light mares, as he is an exceptionally powerful horse and a good goer. V. S. Breeding. — If this horse and two others purchased at the same time as this, and since gelded, are fa'r specimens of what a Hackney stallion can do with the native stock of a particular district, Mr. Lewis J. Shirley, of the Caira Stud Farm, Cardiff, did yeoman service to Wales when he took Lord Bang 1030 into that country. Lord Bang is a good and sterling horse— albeit, in my opinion, a bit common all over — and was certainly, when in the ring, a powerful and dashing goer. Although not a tall horse, he was a big little one, and size is in his blood, through his sire. Great Shot 329, who was 15.3, and his grand-sire, Great Gun 325, who was 16 hands. (See remarks on breeding of Courier, page 46.) Through his dam. Primrose, by Jackson's Perfection 541, Lord Bang inherits the fine Norfolk blood of the latter horse, and Primrose herself could trot a mile in under three minutes. It is no wonder, then, that Lord Bang has often caught the eye of the judges ; his greatest performance undoubtedly being to win first prize at the Great Yorkshire Show, at Ripon, in i SS4, beating both old Star of the East, a noted prize-winner, and Reality, who subsequently won the Championship of the Hackney Show at Islington upon three occasions. To my mind, the present owner of Lord Bang showed great judgment in choosing this horse for the Welsh mares, as one calculated to improve their size and action without attempting too suddenly to revolutionise their type. Once get size and action into them, it will not be difficult by another and a different Hackney strain to add quality, and when that is done, no more valuable horses will be found in England ; for the native Welsh breed undoubtedly possess at the present moment incomparable staying powers, combined with speed. I speak from experience. A beautiful pony and a Welsh cob mare which I have had for ten years have done all, and a good deal more, in both speed and distance, than any horse could reasonably be asked to do, and are now as sound and as fresh on their legs and as full of " go," as they ever were before. These points are surely worth looking after by anyone who honestly desires to improve the breed of horses. B-C. 43 Hackneys. Stallions. IVALDEMAR 2303. Chestnut Horse, Height 15.2. Sin\ DANEGELT 174, by Dp:nmark 177. Foaled 1S87. Breeder, G. Smith, Garton-on-the-Wold, Yorks. Dam, NELLY, by Lord of Lorne 420, by Kendala Performer 391, by Tom Thumb 830. G.-dam^ by Performer 550. G.G.-dam, by Black R.\ttler 82. Description and Breeding. — Waldemar is a horse of capital substance, on short legs with plenty of bone and good feet to use them on. He bears a considerable resemblance to Matchless and Copenhagen, but he is a more compact horse than the latter, and has more quality than the former, His quarters are powerful, his shoulders and forehand very good, and his "look out " is generally high and well arched. He is a very striking horse to look at, but the moment he begins to move he becomes a sensational one. I do not think that either Candidate or Rufus ever showed a more brilliant dash of the knee, and he flexes his hocks underneath him to perfection. He has that beautiful poise of the foot before placing it down which comes in the horse that has very high and quick action, and at the same time keeps the leg, from the knee down, up and out, instead of rounding it in and hammering it on to the ground. This htter peculiarity always accompanies the movement of the horse that has bad hind action, and consequently is often seen in foreign horses. The horse that has high action in front and leaves his hocks behind him is bound to hammer his fore-legs to pieces, as the whole weight of his carcase is thrown on to each fore-leg as it touches the ground ; whereas good hind action secures one hind leg being always underneath the centre of gravity, and so leaves full and airy play for the fore-leg. Consequently a horse with good hind action will last twice as long as one with bad hind action. Moreover, good hind action is of infinite importance on the slippery pavements with which Town Councillors and Vestrymen are every day paving more and more of our streets. This is hardly the place for a discussion of the subject of pavements, but I may take the opportunity of saying that I consider the asphalte pavement to be in shameful disregard both of the ordinary dictates of humanity, and of the rights of property. Except in the driest weather, which is uncommon in this climate, it is perfect torture to horses, and it is impossible to estimate the enormous loss to owners of all sorts of horses, but more particularly of draught horses properly so-called, which is involved in the innumerable falls strains, and wasted efforts of the animals which have to do their work on asphalte. The best hind action in the world cannot prevent these. But in the ordinary " mistakes" that horses may make with their fore feet on town pavements, they are saved from disaster by good hind action. If a horse who has his hocks outside him slips in front, he has no support ; he cannot " get " his other fore-leg in time so down he pitches. If, on the other hand, he is flexing his hock underneath him at the moment of slipping, his centre of gravity is at once supported by the hind leg, and he is saved from a fall. I have tested this practically to the fullest extent. For the last twelve years I have driven high couraged and high-stepping horses in parts of the city where people rarely drive them- selves. I have generally been very particular to have good hind action for my own driving, and it is literally true that during all that time I have never myself had a horse down in London. But on more than one occasion when I have chanced to have one in with bad hind action, and he has slipped in front, he has been within an ace of coming on his head ; whereas, if his hock had been in the right place, a quick forward kick at the ground with his hind foot would have supported the whole weight of his forehand until his other fore leg could come to the rescue. This is the utility of good hind action — the reader knows all about its beauty. B-C. 44 Hackneys. Stallions BROlffN FASHION [1628]. Brown Horse, Height 15.1I. Foaled 1886. Breeder, Owner. Sire, CONFIDENCE (D'Oyly's) 158. Dam, MISS ADDIE {Thoroughbred). (See page 153.) Description. — Brown Fashion is a rich-coloured dark brown colt, with two white stockings on the nearside. He possesses a beautiful head, shoulders, and neck, a very good back and quarters. His pasterns and feet are excellent, and he shows plenty of muscle on the thighs and fore-arms. Brown Fashion is an elastic and dashing mover, his shoulder action in particular being characterised by great freedom. Brown Fashion, being exceedingly full of quality, is peculiarly adapted for crossing with big plain mares, and he is already the sire of some very promising foals His foal of iS.So, Czarevna (page 116) out of Dagmar 'page 93) is full of quality and an extraordinary mover. V. S. Breeding. — This colt is an interesting example of the benefits that may be gained by crossing the Hackney sire with the thoroughbred mare. There is no Hackney Stallion that gains greater advantage by such a cross than Confidence 158. This horse, so far as action goes, is so impressive, that he seems to get it from almost any kind of mare he is put to. For many years the farmers of Norfolk, trusting in this remarkable gift of Confidence's, have thought no mare too poor or common to mate with him, and he has wasted his powers on a vast amount of inferior stock. "Wasted" perhaps is not the word, for it is a common saying that the town of Wymondham, where he stands, has been more than half built by him, and that for nearly a quarter of a century he has paid the rent of that and several adjoining parishes. But the horse has been to a certain extent " crabbed '' by the many bad mares he has had, and " carty " quarters, and "fiddle" heads, and heavy shoulders, and lightness of bone below the knee, have too often marked his stock. For all that he has been far and away the most valuable Hackney Stallion to breeders, so far as the money value of his stock goes, that has ever lived in England, and the computation I have made in my article of the pecuniary value of Fireaway (Triffit's) — itself, in the opinion of good judges, a very inadequate one — could be trebled in the case of Confidence without exaggeration. And Confidence has, when put to the right sort of mares, bred an immense number of beautiful horses, which for years have carried everything beiore them, both in the breeding and harness classes, in the English Show Ring. Mares with fine shoulders and clean necks have invariably thrown the best stock to him. Such a one is Miss Addie, the dam of Brown Fashion, and such a one, too, was the dam of my famous buggy horse Fashion, now ten years old, but twice (the only times shown) winner of the " blue riband of harness," — viz. ; First Prize in the i 5.2 single harness class at Islington — and still in the opinion of many fine judges the best harness horse that has been seen for a great many years. Confidence got one peculiarity in his stock, viz., always a bit of " dish " in front. But these two horses Fashion and Brown Fashion are absolutely free from it, and it was in consequence of their similarity in this respect that I named the younger stallion after the older gelding. Brown Fashion joined Dr. Webb's stud an Vermont in i8qo, and although shown in New York in bad condition and by an incompetent runner, many judges thought he should have won the championship, as his quality and style were superior to the rest, while in iction he simply turned them all into tree-stumps. B-C. Performances in 1.S88, Highly commended. Hackney Horse Society's Show, Agricultural Hall ; 7 880, Third Prize Hackney Horse Society's Show, Agricultural Hall; I 800, Very highlv commended, New York Horse Show, Hackney stallions exceeding i 5 hands. Press Notices. — Report in Vol. VI. of the Hackncv Stud Book of the Hackney Horse Society s London Show, 1888. — "Another of the improving sort is Brown Fashion 1628, by Confidence 158, a powerfully-built colt, with grand shoulders and superb front action, which will do Mr. Burdett-Coutts a good turn or two in days to come if he fulfils his early promise." Lii'e Stock Journal, March 2, i88q. — "Third prize fell to Brown Fashion 1628, by Confidence 158, a vastly improved colt and a capital mover, bred and exhibited by Mr. Burdett-Coutts, M.P." Horse and Hound, March 4, 1889. — "The third prize went to Mr. Burdett-Coutts' Brown Fashion, a beautiful mover and a nice compact horse thatlis rapidly coming to the front, and will see a better day before the show season is over." Report {Vol. I'll, of the Hackney Stud Book) of the Hackney Horse Society s London Show, l88g. — "Third prize was awarded to Mr. Burdett-Coutts' Brown Fashion 1628. There is no more improved colt in the show than this, and his shoulders being excellent and action good all round, a future is no doubt in store for this son of Confidence I ^8.'' 45 Hackneys. Stallions. ACCIDENT 1691. Brown Horse, Height 15 hands. Foaled 1886. Breeder, Thomas Cook, Pocklington, Yorkshire. Sire, BLACK AUSTER 1430, by Comet Dam, 287 PORTIA, by Bay President i;i, by Eclipse iqi, by St. Giles (App. Vol. I). (Rickell's) 687. Comets dam, by Prick- G.-dam, 99 Eve.ning Stak, by Wildfire (Cook's) 886. WILLOW 624, by Performer (Taylor's) G.G.-dam, Jet, by Fireaway (Ramsdale's) 222, by 550. Cornets G.-dam, by OV^ERTON Firkaw.ay (Burgess's) 20S. (Thoro ughbred ) . G.-dam, 117 Fingal, by FINGAL {T/iorougfibred). G. G.-dam, Evening Star (opposite). Description. — This is a charming horse, and, with the exception of a little white on his near heel, a rich dark brown all over, faintly flecked with grey hairs. He has a most symmetrical and elegant top, with admirable shoulders, and his legs are as good as can be — short, flat, and of great substance. He is a showy and perfectly true mover, and, displaying as he does an immense amount of breeding, he is essentially a horse to cross with mares that aie short of quality. V. S. Breeding. — Accident is the only representative at Brookfield of the famous stud, now dispersed, of the brothers Cook, of Pocklington. Some of the best horses in Yorkshire were for many years bred there, as witness the sire of this horse. Black Auster, who won first prize at the Lancaster Entire Horse Show, and his dam, 2S7 Portia, a mare who won the following prizes : — First, Doncaster ; first, Lincoln ; second, " Royal " ; first, Driffield ; first. Market Weighton ; first. Great Yorkshire, as a brood mare. Accident, therefore, combines plenty of '' show '" blood. It will be seen that this horse goes back to the same mare, Evening Star, in two generations on the dam's, and three on the sire's side. There is a strong infusion of thoroughbred blood on Accident's sire's side, and a further, but unascertainable, infusion on the dam's, for the mystery in this breeding, and, indeed, throughout the Cooks' Pocklington Stud, lies in the horse Bay President, the sire of Portia, a horse which was greatly used by Thomas Cook. (See remarks on Bay President, under President Fireaway, page 48.) Performances. — In 1889, First Prize and Gold Medal, International Horse Show, Paris, 1889. 1890, Highly commended for 4 year old stallions, Hackney Show, London. Press Notices. — Hackney Society's Report, Vol. VIII. — " Mr. Burdett-Coutts' ' Accident ' received a well deserved H. C. as he is full of quality and knows how to use his legs thoroughly well. This colt should be a valuable cross for underbred mares as, though of the true Hackney character himself, the strong dash of Thorough- bred blood that runs through his veins should counteract any coarseness on their side." Live Stock Journal, M.a.rch 7, i8qo. — " A colt who combines avast amount of Hackney character with a good deal of Thoroughbred quality." 46 Hackneys. Stallions. COURIER 1751. Bay Horse. Foaled 1887. Bi-eeder, C. E. Cooke, Litcham, Swaftham, Norfolk. Sire, CANVASSER 114. Black, Dam, 479 MAY DAY, by Cannon Ball, Height 15.2, by Confidence 158. by Great Gun 113. G.-dam, 327 Spot by Premier (the dam of Movement and Magpie). Description. — Courier is a very powerfully-built colt, showing great substance above, and, being so closely- related to such grand mares as Magpie and Movement, cannot fail to get goers. His size and breeding should make him a most valuable cross for small native mares, but he is such a big youngster that his time has hardly come yet. Already he moves with immense dash and freedom, and when his great frame is levelled and set down by age he will be well worth looking at. V. S. Breeding. — If ever a horse was bred for action it is this one. His sire, Canvasser 114, could never quite take a first prize in a big show, but he was a real good horse, as witness his purchase, when seven years old, by the Italian Government, in 1888, at a very high price. En parenthcse, I must compliment the representatives of that Government, in part exception to the remarks in my article (page 165), on the wisdom of its purchases. Many of the finest Hackney stallions exported have gone to the sunny South, and no one can be a day in any of the Northern Italian cities without seeing the evidence of this infusion in the native horses. In the particular year referred to they almost swept the English Hackney districts of their best established sires, including besides Canvasser, Confidence 163, full brother to Candidate ; Dereham Swell 172 (whose dam, Lady Silfield, has since entered the Brookfield Stud ; see page 78), a famous Norfolk prize-winning son of Confidence 158 ; and almost the only grown-up son of Old Fireaway 249, left in Yorkshire, viz.. Sir Edwin Landseer II. 1563, a full brother to 711 Lady Fireaway page 62). My remarks on the want of attention to quality displayed by foreign purchasers still hold good with respect to these horses, for they were all, with one exception, deficient in that important feature ; on the other hand they were sterling horses, and several of them had proved themselves good getters. Since then the Italian Government have been buying largely, and particularly in iSqo did they set to work to mop up everything that could be got within their price. But Hackneys, thanks to the wider knowledge given of the breed by this and other publications, have greatly increased in price, and figures are now set upon the better known horses which effectually " stop " foreign Government buyers. To continue, Canvasser's very high action is well accounted for not only by his sire Confidence 158, but by his dam being a daughter of Washington 852, that son of Shepherd F. Knapp (see remarks on breeding of the latter's daughter in this stud, Primrose, page 69), who begat 792 Movement, bred by Mr. Cooke, and unquestionably the finest actioned Hackney mare of her size that ever went into a ring, and in her fond owner's, Mr. Frisby's, hands, certainly winner of the greatest number of prizes. Second only to Movement in shape and action (the shape being very good, but more of what Americans call the " blocky " order, and the action having a little less onward dash), is another famous old cob mare, 228 Magpie, also bred by Mr. Cooke, and also by a son of Confidence 158, viz. Youngman's Confidence. But both these illustrious mares. Movement and Magpie, are out of the same dam 327 Spot, who, as will be seen above, is the grand-dam of the horse under notice, Courier. In Courier, therefore, the combinations — viz., on his sire's side. Confidence and Washington the sire of Movement, and on his dam's side Confidence and Spot, the dam of both Movement and Magpie — meet in one horse. It remains to inquire how Courier gets his unusual size, and that is easily seen when we note that Spot (who, when mated with Confidence blood threw a 13. 3^ hands mare, Magpie) was, in order to produce May Day, Courier's dam, put to an altogether different and bigger Hackney strain, viz., Cannon Ball 113, who was by Great Gun 325, a big chestnut horse, standing 16 hands, with immense bone and substance, and splendid action. This Great Gun, given a bit more quality, and a trifle less height, is the sort of sized horse that we want to get the Hackneys of the present day up to, and then the Hackney breeder will put money m his purse. I would add that the whole history of the stud of Mr. C. E. Cooke, of Litcham, affords an interesting study, and I would gladly, if I had the time, give more space to it. I would refer the reader to another note on the same subject under Vivandiere (page 106). Courier, who is now in the States, has grown into a very great horse, almost a coaching stallion in size, and his action is simply terrific. B-C. 47 Hackneys. Stallions. COPENHAGEN 1461. Chestnut Horse, Height 15.3. Foaled 1886. Breeder, N. S. Brough, Londesbro' Wold, Market Weighton, Yorks. Sire, DANEGELT 174, by Dam, 463 LADY LYONS (page 58), by Denmark 177. Lord Lyons 419. Description and Breeding. — In pursuance of my object mentioned in the Preface, to make this edition of the Catalogue a complete record of my Stud, I make an entry of this horse. He is referred to under Lady Lyons (page 58). He was the third foal of that remarkable mare, and was foaled just before she came into my possession. He was sold to Col. North, who, I believe, presented him to the Chilian Government. He was a horse of great size and bone, and a fine and very powerful goer. The slight defect in his action of moving a little "wide behind " prevented him from getting to the top of the tree in the show-ring ; but the only filly he left behind him, Nitrate (page 116), turned out such a magnificent specimen of a big Hackney, that I know now, when it is too late, that I did wrong to part with him. B-C. Performances.— \\\ 1888, Second Prize, June Show, Islington ; Third Prize, Hackney Show, London. Press Notice. — Hackney Society's Report, Vol. VI. — "Third Prize fell to by far the best looking horse in the class, namely Mr. Burdett-Coutts' chestnut Copenhagen 1461, a magnificently grown colt, with a capital back and perfect shoulders." ROCKET III. 2662. Black Horse, Height 14 hands. Foaled 1887. Breeder, R. Allen, Wiggenhall, St. Germans, Norfolk. Sire, CONFIDENCE 158. Dam, [1449] BLACKIE, by King Cole [2130]. Description and Breeding. — This grand cob was not long in my possession, as he went to America within a short time of his being knocked down to me at Mr. Allen's sale in September, 1890. For those who have a taste for " blocky " ones he was a marvel, being of great substance, on unusually short legs, with good bone, and well up to twenty stones for any " claimant" who could sit the action, which was quick and brilliant. He would have been a rare sire to cross with weedy ponies, of which there are plenty in this country, and he will do yeoman service in the States, where there are more. B-C. Performance. — In 1890, Second Prize for Pony Stallions, New York Horse Show. 48 Hacknevs. Stallions foaied isss. PRESIDENT FIREAWAY 2635. Bay Horse. Foaled 1888. Breeder, H. H. Staveley, Southburn, Driffield, Yorks. Sire, FIREAWAY (Triffit's) 249. Dam, 248 MISS AGNES, by Denmark 177. G.-dam, Shepherdess, by Bay President ; G.G.-dam, by Shakespere 698, by Norfolk Phenomenon 522. Description. — This is a fascinating colt to anyone who Hkes to see the Hackney type permeated by the Thoroughbred. He was a late foal, and is as yet rather small, with a beautiful head and neck ; in fact, he is all over quality. He s.tands on the best of legs, black to above the knees and hocks, and with fine, clean, and flat bone below them. His arms and thighs are already very muscular ; and while his action all round is admirable, he goes so lightly that he seems to hate to touch the ground. V. S. Breeding. — A full Denmark-Fireaway cross, with the admission of Bay President, and partly for that reason, and partly because his whole type implies the combination of the Thoroughbred blood in that horse with the pure Hackney blood of Fireaway, I have named him as above. Since the above description was written President Fireaway has grown into a fine young stallion with extra quality, enough substance, and most brilliant action. As far as I can judge he will be a grand cross for common country mares (see Notes on this subject under Leona Fireaway, page 88 and Dr. Parke, page 53), or Hackney ones that are a little short of quality. The mysterious horse, Bay President, plays such an important part in many Yorkshire pedigrees, that the following incident may be recounted. He is reputed to have been by President, or Old President, "a little blood horse "who was "showing" in the early days of Triffit's Fireaway. The two horses constantly met, and as Mr. Triffit, in a description replete with local colour, which I wish I had the memory and the pen to do justice to, told me some time since, " he used to bother us a good bit wi' t'owld horse " (Fireaway)) until at last one day it came to a great trial at Sutton in Holderness. After trying the two horses up and down in the grass field, where the show took place, for a long time, the judges being still undecided, someone suggested to take them on to the road, the true place to try a real Hackney. So they took them on to the road, followed by all the crowd, now keenly excited with the competition. The side-reins (which are to the run stallion what the bearing-rein is to the harness-horse) were taken ofT, and then — (how the old man's eyes sparkled with the memory of this distant triumph I) — theii " didn't t'owld boss fly up in t'air," and it was never in doubt afterwards between these horses. There was one thing extremely interesting to me in this recital. When veined in and with artificial aids applied, the thoroughbred showed a good deal of action ; but when these were taken off his action dropped away, while with old Fireaway, the more freedom he had the higher and bolder was his na/iira/ action, and — " didn't t'owld boss fly up in t' air." But, still. Bay President undoubtedly got many good horses, and, possibl}', Accident may owe to this grand-sire some of the quality which he undoubtedly possesses. (Compare also with this note on the heredity of Hackney action another on the same subject under Trotting Heroine, page 108.) B-C. CO in z 0 x: >" .s? -J '3 * D < ■d U] o GQ Cj 49 Hackneys. • StaUions f^oakd isss. BEAU LYONS 2357. Chestnut Hok'^y., Height 1^.2^ {ai i wo ojf). Foaled 18S8. Breeder, Ownkr. 6V;y, CANDIDATE 920. Dam, ^62, LADY LYONS. (See page 58.) Fee. — Ten Gui'ncdS, mid Ten S/ii//ii!i;s the Gronm. Description. — Beau Lyons is a dark whole-coloured Chestnut with the exception of a white off heel, and is one of the most brilliant youngsters seen for man)' a long daj'. He gives promise of growing into a big colt, and in addition is a very perfect shaped one. His head and shoulders are extremely good, and for a yearling he shows oreat power in his quarters. His legs and feet too are quite first-class, and his action corresponds even now with that of his sire Candidate, as he has the true Hackney action so greatly coveted by breeders. His bone is already, at a year old, full 7f inches, his size is pretty sure not to be less than 15.3, and with these advantages he is permeated throughout with a commanding and blood-like elegance, which bids fair to put him in the first rank of Hacknev sires if not at the very top of it. V. S. Breeding. — See remarks on Lady Lyons' breeding (page 58). In this colt the difficulty has been solved of combining size with all the best points of tlie true Hackney. This horse has realised the grand promise that he gave during his Show Season as a yearling, when he swept the board at the three great shows. I forbear from giving any description of him myself ; but, I will only say that many of the best judges consider him the finest young horse that has been seen in their memory. R-C. Perfiirmance.s. — In i.S8q, First Prize in the Yearling Stallion Class at the Hackney Horse Society's Show, Agricultural Hall, London ; First Prize in the Yearling Hackney Stallion Class, ' Royal ' Show, Windsor; First Prize in the Yearling Hackney Stallion Class, Great Yorkshire Show, Hull. Press Notices. — Live Stock Journal, March ::, 1880. — "Leading honours fell lo Mr. Burdett-Coutts' chestnut, Beau Lyons, a very good-looking and well-grown colt by Candidate 920, the 1886 Champion from 463 Lady Lyons. Mr. Burdett-Coutts' colt moves in excellent style, and as he do.-s not appear to have been hurried, is likely to be heard of again." County Gentleman, March 3, j88q. — "We were shown quite a beauty in the chestnut Beau Lyons, by Candidate, which, with rare shape and smart action, won somewhat easily." The Field, March 2,1889. — " Mr. Burdett-Coutts' Beau Lyons, by Candidate, "ul of Lady Lyons, was a clear winner, as he promises to be as good-looking as his sire, and he bends himself so already." Hacknev Stud Book Society's Rehort on I'ilth London Shou\ — ." This coll walks and trots well, and uses his shoulders and hocks grandly." Horse and Hound, March 2, i88q. — "Mr. Burdett-Coutts showed a rare good-looking one, Beau Lyons, a chestnut, by Candidate, who took the first prize." Morning Advertiser, February 28, 1889. — "There was very little doubt, however, as to where the first prize would go. as from the moment he entered the ring, Mr. Burdett-Coutts' Beau Lyons, a grand chestnut, son of his owner's Candidate, was by unanimous consent selected for that position. This is a very promising colt indeed. A better youngster has seldom appeared, and he is not only good now, but there is plenty of room for improvement in the rigjit places." Morning Advertiser, June 25. i88(). — (Writing of the 'Royal' Show at Windsor). "Mr. Burdett-Coutts' magnificent Candidate colt, Beau Lyons, which was first at the Hackney Show in March was an easy winner in the yearlings." Live Stock Journal, ]\\m 26, 1880. "In tlij yearlings there was nothing lo approach Beau Lyons. He has thickened and grown into a splendid colt, and goes very much in the style of his sire. Candidate." 50 Hackneys. Stallions foakd isss. MASTER FIREAWAY 2581. Chestnut Horse. Foaled 1888. Breeder, Owner 6'//r, Candidate 920. (See page 37.) Dam, 711 LADY FIREAWAY (page 62), by Fireaway (Triffil's) 249. Description. — Master Fireaway is a chestnut colt, with off fore and near hind heels white. He is very powerfully built, with excellent shoulders, a good back, and big, flat forelegs. His action, moreover, is first-rate, as he uses his shoulders well, and his hocks to perfection. This colt, in days to come, if put to mares that are light in bone, should get stock of great merit, for already his bone below the knee fills the tape at 7f inches ; in fact, he bids fair to grow into a big horse all over. Breeding. — This is a true Fireaway-Denmark cross, and for further particulars of this colt's breeding the reader is referred to the remarks on Lady Fireaway (page 62). He has now left my stud and will stand, I believe, in Essex, where he will be able to put much that is good in the Yorkshire Hackney into the Eastern Counties' mares. B-C. Performances. — In 1889, Highly commended, Yearling Stallion Class, Hackney Horse Society's Show, Agricultural Hall. Third Prize, Yearling Hackney Stallions, ' Royal ' Show, Windsor. Second Prize, Yearling Hackney Stallions, Great Yorkshire Show, Hull. BERSERKER 2366. Bay Horse. Foaled 1888. Breeder, Owner. Sire, MATCHLESS OF LONDESBORO' 151 7, Dam, 11 78 LADY BURSE A By Danegklt 174, by Denmark 177, (page 68), by Wildfire, 1224, (Matchless' Dam, 463 Lady Lyons, page 58). out of 495 Polly Horsley, by Fireaway (Triffit's) 249. Description. — -This colt, by a full brother in blood to Copenhagen 1461, recently sold by Mr. Burdett- Coutts for ^500, promises, not only on account of his magnificent breeding, but because of his good looks, to become a most valuable member of this stud. He is at present a grand colt, with a nice top and middle, an excellent set of legs, and goes superbly. V. S. Description and Breeding. — It will be noticed that this colt is by the first son of 463 Lady Lyons (page 58), viz.. Matchless of Londesboro' 1517, the "Royal" winner of 1888, sold for X^oo, to go to Virginia. Matchless left some very good foals in Yorkshire, and his full brother in blood Copenhagen, who was sold in January, 1889, to go to South America, is also responsible for one foal in this stud, viz.. Lady Fireaway's filly foal of 1889 (page 116). The breeding of the colt under notice is again an instance of the Denmark-Fireaway cross. Matchless of Londesboro', being a grandson of Denmark; and Lady Bursea — whose sire. Wildfire 1224, is a son of Polly Horsley (page 61), daughter of Fireaway 249 — being a great-grand-daughter of the last-named horse. Berserker has gone to America, one day I hope to show the way round the ring to his sire. Matchless. I should never have parted with him, valuing as I do the blood of Matchless, if I had not felt that I had secured in Matchmaker (see next page), a son of that stallion possessed of what happens to be my special requirement viz., great wealth and size. Berserker had come to be a wonderful goer before he left Brookfield. B-C, 51 Hackneys. Stallions foai^d issq. MATCHMAKER 3141. Black Chestnut Horse. Sire, MATCHLESS OF LONDESBOROUGH 1 5 17, by Danegp:lt 174 out of 463 Lady of Lyons. Foaled 1889. Breeder, N. S. Brough, Londesborough Wold, Market Weighton, Yorks. Dam, 428 Duchess, by Superior 1410, byFiREAWAY (Triffit's) 249. G.-dam, Dutch, by Shale's Merrylegs 1151. G.G.-dam, by Performer (Tayler's) 550. Description and Breeding. — Matchmaker is a young horse of great size and length, remarkably good limbs, free action, and a fine surface of quality all over. His shoulders are long and sloping, and his neck and quarters arc true Yorkshire. The sire of this colt, Matchless, is referred to in the note on his dam Lady Lyons (page 58). He was full brother to Copenhagen 146 1, and half brother to Beau Lyons. If Matchless got many colts like this one, who bids fair to be a grand horse and a big one, he left this country all too early. As I consider this colt an exceptionally good one and in all respects a worthy representative of his sire, it may be worth while to quote a paragraph (from my Report on the New York Horse Show, Live Stock Journal, December 5, 1890), describing the latter's appearance in Madison Gardens. Matchless had certainly, owing I suppose to some laxity of practice during his sojourn in America, lost some of his action. B-C. "There was a good deal of excitement over the judging of the Champion class for Hackney Stallions, in " which it was known that Matchless would have to meet Fashion. During the two days that had elapsed before " this event came up for decision, the public who attended the show had become equally familiarised and delighted " with the Hackney type. . . . The entry of Matchless into the ring was greeted by a spontaneous burst of "applause from the whole hall, and the decision was hardly ever in doubt. With the reservation mentioned above "as to his action, he was obviously a better type of the Hackney, and with his grand deep and wide frame, short "big-boned legs, and very powerful hind action, the chestnut was far the more valuable horse for a sire than his " dark brown competitor. Fashion is a taking horse to the uninitiated eye. . . . Without much ado the judges " gave the coveted ribbon to Matchless. ... It will be obvious, however, from what I said of the two horses " that the place is still open here for a great champion Hackney stallion, having the correct type of shape and " action combined. Matchless is a good horse, and from what I have seen of his stock in Yorkshire, some very fine " specimens of which have this year been added to Brookfield, he must undoubtedly prove a very valuable sire. But " if a really brilliant mover, and a good-shaped one to boot, comes into the American show-ring, Matchless's colours " as a prize-taker, unless he gets back his action, will be lowered. I hear that Mr. Fairfax, his owner, having found " that there is not enough for him to do in Virginia, has leased him for the ensuing season to Mr. Cassatt for £']Q0, " a sum that will startle English stallion owners." WINNING HAZARD 3387. Dark Bay Horse. Sire, CONFIDENCE 158. Foaled 1889. Breeder, Aquila Kirby, Market Weighton, Yorks. Dam, 859 STAR ONE, by Star of the East 7q8. G.-dam, 288 Primrose (page 69). Breeding. — This is an admirable combination of the Yorkshire and Norfolk type. He has much of the roundness and substance, coupled with the high action which old Confidence impressed on his stock, while there is quality over his neck, his limbs are good, and his tail is in the right place. The remarks on breeding under the following entry, Nor'Easter, apply also to this colt. B-C. Performances.— In 1889 (as a foal). First Prize, Melbourne ; First Prize, Brigg ; First Prize, Bubwith ; Second Prize, North Cave ; Second Prize, Howden ; Second Prize, Gilburdyke, 1890. — Third Prize (Yearling Stallions), Hackney Show, London, S^2 Hackneys. Stallions foakd issq. NOR'EASTER 3169. Bay Horse. Foakd 1889. Breeder, Aquila Kirby, Market Weighton, Yorks. Sire, CONFIDENCE 158. Dam, 432 EVENING STAR, by Star of THE East 798. G.-dam, 288 Primrose (page bq). Description and Breeding. — This colt has grown well, and while preserving his quality has gained in substance and action. He is likely to make a good stallion. Having so often advocated the union of the Norfolk and Yorkshire strains of Hackneys, it is a great satisfaction to me to find that step attended with such brilliant results as are apparent in this and the preceding colt, as well as in the filly Kiss-me-quick (page 113) ; all these being by the famous Norfolk Confidence out of pure-bred Yorkshire Hackney mares. In Mr. Cooke's stud (see Vivandiere, page 106), the cross has been successfully tried the other way about, viz., with a Yorkshire stallion. Cadet, on Norfolk mares. This latter line of breeding will be still further extended in the Eastern counties by Master Fireaway (p. 50), who is now in Essex, and by Mr. Morton's Anconeus H. (see p. 79) in Norfolk. It will be even more interesting to note the results of breeding from stallions possessing the combination, such as Nor'Easter, and that very fine horse M.P., bred by Mr. R. Wortley, and now the property of Mr. Childerhouse, who is by Candidate out of a Norfolk mare. M.P. came very near to beating Connaught at the Royal at Doncaster ; as it was second prize in the great Stallion Class at the Royal, is no mean performance. The three foals. Kiss-me-quick, Nor'Easter, and Winning Hazard nearly swept the board in Yorkshire in i88q. The two latter are both grandsons of one of the most respected matrons of the Brookfield Stud, Primrose (page 69), and it will be worth while for the reader to turn to the note on that mare's curious breeding in order to appreciate the value of the blood running in the veins of these two colts. The great value of breeding out to remote branches of the same family is amply attested in this case, and it was one of the chief arguments I used in applying for reduced fares for mares travelling for breeding purposes. The heavy railway fare formerly prevented farmers from sending their mares far away, and the consequence was that they were compelled to use either inferior stallions in their own neighbourhood, or stallions too closely related in blood to the mare. I believe that the facilities afforded by the railways in this respect will have a much more far-reaching effect on horse-breeding than is involved in the pecuniary relief to the owner of the mare. The name of this colt denotes the combination of Yorkshire and Eastern Counties' blood. B-C. Performances. — In 1889 (as a foal), First Prize, Pocklington ; First Prize, Holme ; First Prize, Gilberdyke ; Third Prize, Brigg ; First Prize, North Cave ; Third Prize, Market Weighton. First Prize, Howden ; Press Notice. — Hackuev Society s Rcjort, Vol. VIII. — " Nor'easter is another that requires time, but his present state his forehand and quarters are good, and he bends his knee in good style." 53 Hackneys. Stallions foaied isso. DR. PARKE 2952. Chestnut Hokse. Foaled 1889. Breeder, J. R. Burnham, Frodingham Hall, Winstead, Hull, Yorkshire. 5/;-^, LORD DERBY II. 417. Z^^w, 498 PRIMROSE, by King Charley 392, by Charlev (Smith's) 120, by Performek 550. G.-dain, by Denmark 177. Description and Breeding. — Having come into my Stud in i8qo, I have named this colt and another Mr. Stanley, (page 57) after two of the heroes of an exploit which has made the year a memorable one. I only hope they will both turn out worthy, not only of their human namesakes in courage and endurance, but of the brilliant equine reputation of their sire, Lord Derby II. The nomenclature becomes more appropriate, from the fact that this colt is particularly good looking and nice mannered, good tempered, and a perfect gentleman all over ; nor is he at present a very big one. The blood of Lord Derby, which I hope these colts will enable me to perpetuate in my Stud, is quite invaluable, and is not represented in England by any established sire. Lest these should not turn out stallions, I hope that any possessors of young colts by the same horse will think twice before they part with them. Lord Derby, one of the great triumvirate of Yorkshire Hackneys (consisting of himself, Fireaway, and Denmark) which, with Old Confidence in Norfolk, made their generation famous in the annals of the Hackney breed, died in August, i88q — prematurely it might almost be said, for he was still in full vigour, and a good stock-getter, Not only his owner, but all Hackney breeders, and particularly the farmers in his neighbourhood who did not happen to possess, and could not afford to buy, pure Hackney mares, sustained in his death a severe loss. I lay particular stress on the latter class, because no horse has so well illustrated the value of the Hackney stallion for mating with common mares of the country. [See also remarks on Fireaway 249, when used in the same way (Article, page 167), and reference in my Preface (page 9) to the general subject.] Many a poor farmer in the bleak stretch of country, swept by the winds of the German Ocean, from Withernsea to Hull, will mourn his loss, looking ruefully at the old farm mare for which ^^30 would at any time have been a high price, had not her three- year-old by Lord Derby so often sent him to his rent-audit happy and independent, with a fat roll of notes in his pocket. Good horses they were, these by Lord Derby out of cart marcs ; good harness horses and now and then good weight-carrying hacks, whole-coloured, deep-bodied, short-legged, big-boned ones, with two good ends and wearing both of them, "look-out" graceful and alert, tails well set on, a lot of quality over their necks and heads, and action lofty, quick and true, with plenty of courage and good constitutions. Contrast with these the produce of Confidence out of cart mares in Norfolk (see Note on Annie, page 1 14), and you wll get the best possible evidence of the prepotent "quality" of the Yorkshire Hackney. It is needless to tell of Lord Derby's achievements in the pure Hackney breed. Some of the most beautiful animals that have ever stepped into a show-ring, always " lookin' about to find out summut " — that delightful mark of courage and intelligence — have owed their origin to him. I recall Mr. Mackie's beautiful filly, Lady Wilton, one of the best-shaped Hackneys I ever saw, who, after a brilliant prize record, went down before my own Goidwave, as a fine type of Lord Derby's pure Hackney get. And to those sensible breeders who appreciate heredity, it is worth while to point out the breeding of that lovely filly, Kiss-me Quick (page 113), by Confidence 158, out of Falka by Lord Derby, the former meeting in the daughter of his great Yorkshire rival that quality — in her case more inherent than obvious — which I often state in these pages his mares must possess to enable the old Norfolk stallion to get really first-class Hackneys. I am free to confess, now that it is too late, that I have made a mistake in not using Lord Derby more often in the foundation of my Stud. I was somewhat turned against him by his well-known tendency to get small ones, a 15.3 mare I sent him having thrown nothing but a pony — a brilliant one, it is true, and the best of a 300 guinea pair in this year's harness sales — to him ; but by the light of what I have since seen, were he living, I would send him twenty mares next season. I have done my best to repair my error, at Mr. Burnham's sale last spring, so far as mares are concerned, and by the purchase of this colt, which I hope may not turn out a blank in the lottery of foal-buying. Peace to the good horse. Lord Derby, as he lifts his ghostly knee on the shores of Acheron ! Peace, too, and long life to the ruddy Yorkshire farmer who kept him to live and die in the land of his birth ! B-C. 54 Hackneys. Chestnut Horse. Stallions foaled 1889. YISCOUNT II. 3362. Foaled 1889. Sire, VISCOUNT 2302, by Lord Derwent II. 1034. G.-dam, 1102 Fanny, by A la Modp: 1695. Breeder, Thomas Harrison, Poplar House, Leppington, York. Dam, 3158 OVERTON PRINCESS (page 79), by Anconeus 887. Description and Breeding. — This colt is small yet ; but he is beautifully bred, and shows fine quality and perfect symmetry of shapes. His action is marvellous; and if they despised Denmark as "a mite" at two years old there is no reason why Viscount II. should not become a famous stallion. His sire Viscount, bred by Mr Harrison of Bossall, came into the Brookfield Stud as a two-year-old after serving a few mares in Yorkshire Fearing that he would not grow to stallion size (as a matter of fact he did not exceed 15.1 when four years old) I had him cut soon after he came ; but this colt and a few others of his get I have seen, cause me to regret my precipitancy, however correct I may have been as to the horse himself. He was a brilliant goer, and made one of a high-priced pair of lady's phaeton horses. He was good to ride or drive, having both quality and kind temper Viscount II. gets a further dash of quality from his dam's sire. Anconeus, who, as I have elsewhere remarked stamped this feature on his stock with a certainty to which I have not seen a single exception. B-C. Black Horse. Sire, PARAGON 1320, by Confidence ivS. MANIFESTO. (Full Registered for Vol. IX.) Foaled 1889. Breeder, Joseph Morton, Stov^f, Downham, Norfolk. Dam, 2773 GAY LADY (page 70). Description and Breeding.— This is a powerful and well-grown colt, with great bone and size, and a fine goer. He has got all the length and wealth of frame of his dam, while his sire will be remembered as running the winner, John Kirby's Star of the North 1185, very close for First Prize in the two-year-old class at the first Hackney show held in London. B-C. Bay Horse. TOCSIN. (Full Registered for Vol. IX. Foaled 1889. Sire, FIREAWAY (Triffit's) 249. Breeder, George Wilson, Garton, York. Z^flw, II 30 GOLDEN BELLE, by Speculator 918. G.-Dam, by Pride of the East i 103. G.-G.-Dam, by Holderness Phenomenon 1099. Description and Breeding— Th.i valuable colt may be added to the very small list of the sons of old Fireaway that remain in England as stallion,. He has size, plenty of bone, and is a brilliant goer. B-C, 55 Hackneys. Stallions foaied i889. YICTOR THE YOUNGER 3359. Bay Horse. Foaled 1889. Breeder, James Coker, Beetley Hall, E. Dereham, Norfolk. 5/r^, VICTOR OF BEETLEY 1587, by Z>aw, 1653 LADY MAUDE, by Reliance 677, by Confidence 158. Warboy 851, by The Gentleman G.-dam, by Robin Hood 677. (Rowell's) 301, by Quicksilver (Jack- G.G.-dcim, by Congress 164. son's) (App. Vol. I.) G.-dain, by Why Not 1952, by Why Not 862 (the sire of Gold Wave). Description and Breeding. — This young stallion has great size and very high action, and as big bone below the knee as I have ever seen come out of Norfolk at his age. As yet he is rather ragged in his shapes, but I never mind that in a young one so long as everything is in the right place, and the framework is so built as to bear filling out all over. I always distrust foals and yearlings that are " pretty " and " finished " in their form — grown horses, so to speak, before they have begun to grow. They generally keep small. Give me one with room all over, long shoulders, long thighs, wide hips, nothing "tight" in him anywhere, not even in his action, and in due time I will give back a stallion with wealth and size, and a free goer. It is the same with children. Who has not noticed how a little child with perfect features, too well formed, grows up with sharp, " finikin," and insignificant face ? I like lots of room in a child's face, plenty of width in forehead, nose, and mouth — and plenty of expression all over — and then it will grow up with a strong man's face. I don't suppose there ever was a more perfect foal or yearling than Kiss-me-Quick — the word "exquisite" best describes her ; but with regard to her I would make an offer, the corollary to that made about Beau Lyons getting to 15.3, that I will give her to the first person who can measure her over 15. i Victor of Beetley, the sire of this colt, was a very grand horse, upon whom his owner, Mr. Coker, placed great value. He went to South America and romped in with the First Prize at the great International Show there in 1889. He combined the Confidence blood with that of a particularly valued Norfolk strain — the Robin Hoods. I have secured three of his get — and I think the three best — from his former owner : this colt, Victory, and the filly Victoria. It will be noticed that this colt gets some of the Gold Wave blood through his maternal grandsire, who was half-brother to that mare. B-C. VICTORY 3361. Chestnut Horse. Foaled 1889. Breeder, James Coker, Beetley Hall, E. Dereham, Norfolk. Sire, VICTOR OF BEETLEY 1587, by Dam,\>y HIGHFLYER 366, by Reliance 667, by Confidence 158 (See Confidence 158. Victor the Younger, above.) Description and Breeding. — This colt shows much quality and high airy action. He has about the right amount of in-breeding to Confidence who is his grandsire and great-grandsire ; but it is obvious that there must have been a great deal of quality brought into the blood from the intermediate dams to have enabled the old horse to get one like this. B-C. 56 Hackneys. Colts foaied i89o. LYONS MAIL. (Full Registered for Vol. IX.) Chestnut Colt. Foaled 1890. Breeder, Owner. Sire, CANDIDATE 920 (page 37). Dam, 463 LADY LYONS (page 58), by Lord Lyons 410. Breeding. — I will only so far transgress my rule of not commenting on foals as to point out that this colt is a full brother to Beau Lyons (p. 49). He promises to be quite the latter's equal in size and brilliancy, and a perusal of the note on their dam. Lady Lyons (p. 58), will show that those attributes were prognosticated for the older horse at a very early age. B-C. LORD FIREAlffAY. (Full Registered for Vol. IX.) Brown Colt. Foaled 1890. Breeder, Owner. Sire, CANDIDATE 920 (page n). Dam, 711 LADY FIREAWAY (page 62), by FiREAWAV (Triffit's) 24q. FIRE KNIGHT. (Full Registered for Vol. IX.) Black Colt. Foaled 1890. Breeder, Owner. Sire, CANDIDATE 92o(page37). Dam, 1779 PRINCESS FIREAWAY (page 66), by Fireaway (Triffit's) 249. BAY OF NAPLES. (Full Registered for Vol. IX.) Bay Colt. Foaled 1890. Breeder, Owner. 6Y;r, EDDLETHORPE GARIBALDI 2051, by Dam, 502 PRIORY MAID Fireaway (Triffit's) 24q. page 71), by Pontei.and loqi, by Denmark 177. 57 Hackneys. Colts foakd isgo. MR. STANLEY. (Full Registered for Vol. IX. I Brown Colt. Foaled 1890. Breeder, S. Campion, Kirby Wold, Wharram, Yorkshire. Sire, LORD DERBY II. 417. Dam, 472 LUCY, by Fireawav (Triffit's) 249. G.-dam, by Raglan 653. Breeding. — This is a fine-bred colt, and if his future fulfils his early promise, and he makes a stallion, it will be a grand line to breed from. B-C. Performances. — In 1890, First Prize, Ayton ; Second Prize, Bridlington. SILYERTOE. iFull Registered for Vol. IX.) Black Colt. Foaled 1890. Breeder, G. Pearson, Wymondham, Norfolk. Sire, CONFIDENCE 158. Dam, 1213 LADY SILFIELD (page 78), by Stepi'i.ng Stone 1922. SIR PETER TEAZLE. (Full Registered for Vol. IX.) Chestnut Colt. Foaled 1890. Breeder, James Case, Cockthorpe, Wells, Norfolk. Sire, SIR PETER II. 1566, by Dam, 152 JESSIE (page 64), Canvasser 114. by Confidence 158. G.-dam, 204 Lady Margaret. Breeding. — See remarks on the dam of this colt (page 64). FLORIST. (Entered for Vol. IX.) Bay Colt. Foaled 1890. Breeder, Owner. Sire, PIONEER 1088, by Phenomenon Dam, FLOWER GIRL 514, F.S. (Cook's) 584. (page 104). G.-diim, Rosebud, by Denmark 177. FIRE ESCAPE. (Full Registered in Vol. IX.) Bay Colt. Foaled 1890. Breeder, Morley Beart, Welney, Wisbech, Cambs. Sire, PATRIOT 3183, by Garusaldi II. Dam, 1131 GOSSIP, by Astonishment (Rose's) 1 28 1. 888, by Reality 665, by Confidence 158. G.-dam, q Bauy, by PERFECTION (Jackson's) 541, G.-dam, iq6 Lady Isabella, by A.I. (Bettinson's) i, by Great Gun (Giddens') 327. G. G.-dam, Kitty by, Fireaway 239, by Fireawav (Burgess') 226. 58 Hackneys. Mares. 463 LADY LYONS. (For extended pedigree see Vol. IV., H.S.B., page 182.) Chestnut VLkky., Height 15.3. Foaled 1880. Breeder, N. S. Brough, Londesbro' Wold, Market Weighton, Yorkshire. Stre, LORD LYONS (Brough's) 419, Chest- Dam, FLORA, by Sir Charles (Beal's) 768, nut, 15.3. by King Charley 3q2, out of by Performer (Taylor's) 550, by Phk- Mare by Lord Derby (Leake's) 415, the nomenon (Ramsdale's) 57S. sire of Lord Derby II. (Burnham's) 417. Description. — Lady Lyons is a fine, lengthy mare, of very striking appearance, possessing perfect shoulders, a magnificent back and quarters, with good, ragged hips, and a superb set of good, short, fiat legs, which show great bone below the knee, and muscular development on the arms and thighs. Her joints, too, are first-rate, and her hocks are well placed, and her action perfect. The success of this mare at the stud has been conspicuous, as a reference to the list of her produce given below will prove. V. S. The produce of this mare justifies a more than brief examination of her intrinsic peculiarities as well as her breeding. No judge of horses, whether of hunters or Hackneys, could pass her by without his attention being arrested by her remarkable points. Her kind and expressive head, her lengthy and slightly arched neck, springing from somewhat high withers, behind which a pair of immensely long, sloping shoulders are laid far away into her back ; her wide, ragged hips — that great desideratum for a brood mare — which point, without disfiguring, a pair of strong, level quarters, with grand second thighs, and great length down to the hocks, combine to form a picture of which one hardly knows exactly whether to call it a hunter or a Hackney brood mare. Certain it is that if mated with a thoroughbred, she is in every way calculated to throw real hunters in shape. It is only when this mare comes out of her box in the morning, and with head and tail up, and shoulders working smoothly but visibly outside of the frame, as it were, she sweeps over the grass with that peculiar " high and forward " dash of the knee and foot distinctive of the trotting breed, that we are convinced that the Hackney blood must predominate. No doubt Lady Lyons has preserved something of the first starting point of the Hackney breed in Yorkshire. As is well known, the breed is indigenous to Norfolk and the Eastern Counties. Some of the best Hackney stallions went into Yorkshire about the beginning of this century, and were there mated with " bloody " mares ; i.e., mares, if not clean bred, at least possessing a good deal of thoroughbred blood. The Yorkshireman, like the Irishman, likes a " bit of blood '' ; and, moreover, he is a more careful breeder than is to be found in any other part of England. Starting, then, with this foundation of " blood," and breeding with care, the Yorkshire Hackney was erected into a breed possessed, in my humble opinion, at least of more quality and bone, and perhaps, h fortiori, of more heart and endurance, than are to be found in the breed elsewhere. Now, Lady Lyons appears to me to have thrown oack nearer to this starting point in her curious mixture of the Hackney and thoroughbred hunter types. Her stock by Hackney stallions, as the verdict of the show-ring denotes, are very perfect Hackneys, having the two things most wanted in the breed — size and quality. Her first foal. Matchless of Londesborough, finished a short but brilliant show career by winning first prize for Hackney stallions of all ages at the " Royal," at Nottingham, in 1 888, and was then sold, to go to Virginia, for ^"800. After a sharp contest with Fashion, the well-known expatri- ated son of Confidence 158, Matchless rightly won the Champion Hackney Stallion ribbon at the New York Show, 1890. Some further account of him as he appeared there will be found under Matchmaker (page 51). Lady Lyons' second foal, a filly, died. This was 662 Florrie, who won, in 1886 and 1887, first prizes at Market Weighton, North Cave, and Melbourne, and second prizes at Pocklington and Holme-on-Spalding, and must, therefore, have been better than ordinary. Her third foal Copenhagen was bred at Brookfield, and was a colt of such size, power, and action that man)' thought him the best two-year-old in the country. He was sold for ^500 early in 1889 to go to South America. These three were all by Danegelt 174, that son of Denmark 177, which Mr. Bourdass, the much respected owm r of the latter, chose of all his sons to succeed him, and a horse which has got some very good stock in Yorkshire. But the offspring of Lady Lyons by Danegelt, although possessed of manj sterling qualities — ■ particularly those of size and bone — undoubtedly displayed some coarseness all over ; i.e., ithey were the sort which would have to be mated with horses o greater quality than their own to produce perfect Hackneys. A new era, 59 Hackueys. Mares. 463 1L.AOY LY'ONS (continued). however, of maternal distinction opened out before Lady Lyons when she met and mated with another son of Denmark, Candidate. This horse's superlative quality at once made itself conspicuous in the stock that Lady Lyons bore him. Their first foal, a filly. Belle Lyons (page 91), was for some reason backward for eighteen months, but she then grew into a charming filly, the second best two-year old out in the year i88q according to the verdict of the show-ring. The fifth foal of Lady Lyons, and the second out of her by Candidate, was Beau Lyons (page 40), the winner of the first prize for yearling Hackneys at the Hackney Show in London, 1889; a colt of whom 1 think it may fairly be said that he would have won in the same class at any show within the last ten years. Beau Lyons easily maintained the position at first assigned him by winning First Prize at the ' Royal,' Windsor, and First at the Great Yorkshire, Hull, — the latter, which is incomparably the best horse show in England, affording him a much larger field to win from than either of the former. Lady Lyons' foal of 1889, by Candidate is a filly with all the wealth, and quality, and action that could be crammed into so young an animal. I^ady Lyons' last foal, Lyons Mail, fully repeats the excellence of his full sister and brother. There are two distinguishing features about these three last of her stock, which, with their action and quality, form the complement of a perfect Hackney. First, they have size. I will give Beau Lyons away to the first person who proves to me after he is four years old that he does not raise the standard at iS-3-''' It has from the first been my object to raise the size of the Hackneys up to 15.2, 15.2^, or 15.3 — not beyond, or they will be out of their class — and to do this without in any way altering the types, or departing from the purity of their Hackney blood. This has been done by mixing them, in Norfolk with carting blood, in Yorkshire with coaching strains — either cross, but especially the former, being in my opinion dangerous to their future " virtue of heredity " with regard to the procreating of true Hackney qualities. Beau Lyons, who as a two-year old, " off," is 15.2! in height, has solved the difficulty of size derived from pure Hackney blood. The second point is that this stock of Candidate and Lady Lyons present the Hackney in his true' form, from which he has so widely and greatly deteriorated as a riding horse. I am one of those who like for my own riding a horse as near a thoroughbred as possible ; but after looking at the clean, sloping shoulders, and the light, elastic, and elegant action of such a horse as Beau Lyons, I am almost con- strained to confess that there is yet a better hack in the world than a thoroughbred, and that is a true riding Hackney. And again, if you put this horse into leather, he is a more elegant horse than the Hackney that is only a harness horse. I am diffident of sending this note out about my own horses ; but in doing so, it must be remem- bered that the credit belongs in the first instance to those two famous Yorkshire Hackney breeders, my friends Mr. Moore, of Burn Butts, and Mr. Brough, of Londesborough Wold, the former of whom bred Candidate, and the latter Lady Lyons. I can only claim the part of the agent de mariagc. It remains to say a few words about Lady Lyons' breeding. Her sire, Lord Lyons, was a sterling Hackney, a 15.3 chestnut, bred by Mr. Brough, out of a mare by Leake's Lord Derby 415, the sire of that very famous sire Lord Derby H. 415, who died towards the end of 1889 (see Dr. Parke, p. 53). Lord Lyons' sire was King Charley 392, by Charley i2q, a horse bred by Robert Smith, of Shipton, from whose stud, I believe, came Poll I., the grand-dam of Poll HL, Candidate's dam. Charley was by the famous Performer (Taylor's) 550 — a horse whose blood is often prominent in this stud —and he was by Ramsdale's Phenomenon 573 [not Norfolk Phenomenon (Bond's) 522, as stated in the Hackney Stud Book, Vol. L p. 50), who was a grandson of Burgess' Fireaway 20S, the horse to which most of the great Hackneys date back. So on the sire's side Lady Lyons is true Hackney bred. As to her dam. Flora, bred by Mr. Brough, there is no doubt that she was by Sir Charles (Beal's) 768, the sire of Denmark, and unquestionably one of the grandest Hackney stallions ever seen in Yorkshire, who won many prizes in that county, and sired many famous stallions besides Denmark. But when we come to Flora's dam we can get back no further. Mr. Brough has informed me that she was a grand, big Hackney mare, which he purchased in the heart of the Hackney district without any knowledge of her breeding, but as to which, however, he expresses no doubt that, from her type and action, she was a true Hackney. I cannot but think that in the mystery surrounding this mare lies buried the secret, whatever it may be, of the size and quality of Lady Lyons' stock. B-C. Performances in 1880, First Prize, North Cave, when a foal ; First Prize, Market Weighton, when a foal. Produce \x\ 1884, Chestnut colt. Matchless of Londesborough 15 17, by Danegelt 174. 1885, Chestnut mare, 662 Florry, by Danegelt 174. At Brookfield : — 1886, Chestnut colt, Copenhagen 1461, by Danegelt 174 (page 47). 1887, Chestnut filly, 1014 Belle Lyons, by Candidate 920 (page qi). 1888, Chestnut colt, Beau Lyons 2357, by Candidate q2o (page 4q). 1889, Chestnut filly, 2753 Fleur de Lyons, by Candidate 920 (page 116). 1890, Chestnut colt, Lyons Mail, by Candidate q2o, and full brother to Beau Lyons (page 56). * T/iis sentence was written and published U'hcn Btau Lyons was just a year old. eo Hackneys. Mares. QUEEN DAGMAR. (Full Registered for Vol IX.) Bay Mare, Height 15.2. Foaled 1887. Breeder, Frank Burnley, East Thorpe, Mirfield, Leeds, Yorks. Sire, EASTERN STAR 1273, by Dam.-ju MISS DENMARK, by Star of the East 798, by Charley Charley Denmark 130, by Denmark Merrylegs 132, by Sir Charles 768. 177, by Sir Charles 768. G.-dam, 829 Princess, by Fireaway (Triffit's) 240. G.-dnm, 82g Princess, by Fireaway (Triffit's) 249. G.G.-dam, 39 British Queen, by British Champion 914. G.G.G.-dam, 99 Evening Star, by Wildfire 856. Description and Breeding. — It is difficult in describing a hundred picked mares of one breed to find exact terms by which to differentiate them. The mare Dagmar (page 93), being a noted English prize-winner, and having taken the Championship for Hackney mares in New York, has certainly attained the rank of a public character. If I were asked to describe Queen Dagmar, I could not do so more accurately than by saying that she bears in all respects a striking resemblance to Dagmar, but in all respects is better. She stands, on the same short legs as her half-namesake, fully two inches higher. She has more wealth, length, and room in her frame, and her action is far finer. In my note on the older mare I explain the probable reasons for the American judges selecting Dagmar out of some mares present in the same ring that would have beaten her in an English show-yard. All these are so amplified and so added^to in the case of Queen Dagmar, that I think the latter could stand on her own merits before any judges in the world. She had a very successful career in Yorkshire, when shown as a three-year-old, and in poor condition, under the name " Duchess of Clarence "; but she has now grown and filled out into a beautiful animal. Not all show mares are brood mares ; and certainly many of the best brood mares would never win a prize in a ring. Wherever I find the two forms combined in one mare I pounce on her. Such an one, iotidem verbis, is Queen Dagmar, in form and action in the first place, and there are features in her breeding so well worth notice that I have been at pains to indicate them above. Her sire and dam are out of the same mare, Princess. Thus directly in-bred to their dam, their sires in three generations go back to the same horse. Sir Charles. This amount of in-breeding would, in ordinary Hackney pedigrees, be almost dangerous ; but it becomes supremely scientific when the two streams of in-breeding blood lead up to two such Avidely different but rich fountains as old Sir Charles and old Fireaway. The commingling of these strains, as illustrated by the Denmark-Fireaway cross, is fully illustrated in these pages. Fireaway too, himself, has had ample justice, but no more than he deserves, at my hands. Would that I could recount, in the limits of this Note, a tithe of the tales that I have heard about Sir Charles from the lips of men who still dwell on the Yorkshire Wolds. By all account he was far and away the finest horse of the generation preceding Denmark, Fireaway, Lord Derby, and old Confidence. His action was superb ; he wore two magnificent ends " right oop " ; his quality was of the purest ; and when, without bridle or halter, they would tie a thin lip-string in his mouth and start him off down the road, it must have been a sight for men and gods to see. It only remains to note that Princess, Queen Dagmar's double grand-dam, was a daughter of that great dark bay mare British Queen, with which old Cook won an infinity of prizes, who in turn was a daughter of the famous Evening Star, a mare who has sent her rich blood through the pedigrees of many famous Yorkshire horses. One thing more may be said of Queen Dagmar. She is a superb walker — a rare and beautiful attribute — and her shoulders are perfectly placed, while she wears her fine, weight- carrying frame with such alertness, and touches the ground so lightly in the lofty trot of her Sir Charles blood, that she looks all over a great park hack for a heavy man. She is really too good for harness. B-C. Performances. — In i8qo, First Prize, Darlington ; In i8qo. First Prize, Skipton ; First Prize, Staindrop ; Second Prize, Barnsley ; First Piize, Easingwold ; Third Prize, Driffield ; First Prize, Northallerton ; iThird Prize, Escrick. 61 Hackneys. Mares. 495 POLLY HORSLEY. (For extended pedigree see Vol. IV., H.S.B., page 185.) Brown Mare, Height 15.2. Foaled 1871. Breeder, T, Horsley, Pocklington, Yorkshire. Sin\ FIREAWAY (Triffit's) 249, Dam,hy BAY PHENOMENON (Ramsdale's) 898, by Wildfire (Ramsdale's) 865, by Wildfire 864, by Fireaway (Burgess') 208. Description. — This mare, even in her old age, fills the eye as the beau ideal of what a Hackney matron should be. A mass of quality and substance combined, she possesses the sweetest of heads, magnificent shoulders, and a perfect back and quarters. Her legs are very short and flat, with heaps of bone, and her joints splendid. ^^ S. Breeding. — This marc, not only by virtue of her age, but of her intrinsic excellence and breeding power, is placed at the head of the remarkable collection of Fireaway mares, referred to in the introduction (page 30), and to be found in extenso in the Stallion Index under the name of FireaAvay. She is a very typical daughter of that famous sire, and, through her dam, it takes but three direct crosses to bring her in touch with Burgess' Fireaway 208. Her productiveness has been very remarkable. She began to breed in 1874, and from that time till i8qo she has bred thirteen foals, all of which turned out well, the most famous of them being Wildfire (Wreghitt's) 1224, one of the most popular stallions in Yorkshire, and a very extraordinary goer. He is sire of the following inmates of this stud, a reference to which will demonstrate his excellence: — 1 178 Lady Bursea (page 68) and the beautiful mare, 1810 Silver Belle (page 98), who ran the Champion mare, 1605 Lady Alice (page 97) at the Hackney Show, in 1889, so very close for her honours, and beat her at the ' Royal,' Windsor, where she took the Gold Medal for the best Hackney mare in the Show, as well as at the Great Yorkshire, Hull. B-C. Performances. — This mare was a constant rival of 288 Primrose (page 69) in the Yorkshire show rings, and in the course of her show career she won more than thirty First Prizes as the best roadster in saddle and as a brood marc — of which, unfortunately, a detailed record has not been kept. Produce. — In addition to the produce above mentioned, since she came to the Brookfield Stud Polly Horsley has bred : In i88b, brown filly, 801 Nelly Horsley, by Anconeus 887 (page 73). 1888, brown filly, 2305 Milly Horsley, by Candidate 920 (page 105). 1889, bay colt, by Candidate 920. (Since gelded.) 1890, bay colt (since dead), by Candidate 920. 62 Hackneys. Mares. 711 LADY FIREAlff AY. (For extended pedigree see Vol. IV., H.S.B., page i8i.) Bay Mare, 7/t7>/// 15.2. Foa/ai^ }S8^. Bnrd^cr, Mrs. V\f. NicnohhS, Scagglethorpe, Yorkshire. Stre, FIREAWAY (Triftit's) 249. Bam, 701 LADY CHARLOTTA, by King OF Trumps 396, by Prickwillow (Tice's) 614, by Fireaway Prick- willow 229. G.-D(vn, by Performer (Taylor's) 550, by Phenomenon (Ramsdale's) 573, dam by Merrylegs 449, by Performer (Ramsdale's) 547. Description. — Lady Fireaway is a very typical Hackney, possessing the right sort of head, excellent shoulders, a powerful back, and grand quarters. Her legs and joints are perfection, and she carries an immense quantity of muscle ; in fact, she is an excellent specimen of the best type of Fireaway mare. V. S. Breeding. — Mr. Triffit, the owner of Fireaway 249, places very high value on the strain of Hackney blood from which this mare comes. As frequently happens with the best Hackney blood, the home of this old line was a very out-of-the-way and humble farm house, which had been occupied for several generations by the same family of tenants. When I found my way there in the month of April, 1 886, the only stock possessed by the old lady who then occupied the farm was this mare and her dam, a fine old mare that was regularly put to Triffit's Fireaway. It was not until the end of 1888, when Lady Fireaway's first foal by Candidate, Master Fireaway (page 50) was growing into a grand yearling, that it was possible to realise what valuable blood had entered the Brookfield stud in the person of Lady Fireaway. I forthwith made another journey to that out-of-the way homestead, and discovered there two full sisters to Lady Fireaway, then a yearling and a foal respectively, which I immediately secured and named Lady Fireaway M. and Lady Fireaway III. (pages 63, 105). The dam was dead, and these were the last of a good old Yorkshire farmer's horse-breeding operations. The breeding of these three mares is interest- ing as being a cross between Norfolk and Yorkshire. Their dam. Lady Charlotta, was by the King of Trumps 396, who was a Norfolk bred horse by Tice's Prickwillow 614, the sire of the famous Norfolk Confidence 158. Lady Charlotta's dam was a mare possessed of the richest Yorkshire blood, being by Taylor's Performer 550. After breeding her first colt to Candidate, Lady Fireaway, as will be seen below, was put to the Brookfield horse Copenhagen (page 47), who has since left the country, and whose foal thus bred gives every promise of making his sire's expatriation a source of regret. I named the foal ' Nitrate ' to commemorate the purchase of her sire Copenhagen, as a present to the Chilian Government by Colonel North. I was unfortunately induced to part with ' Nitrate ' to go to America ; for though the dam remains, the sire is gone, and the combination of blood was so successful that I greatly regret that it cannot be repeated. Lady Fireaway somewhat consoled me by throwing in 1890 a grand colt to Candidate, which I think promises even better than his full brother, Master Fireaway. B-C. Produce m 1888, Chestnut colt, Master Fireaway 2581, by Candidate 920 (page 50). 1889, Chestnut filly, 3135 Nitrate, by Copenhagen 1461 (page 116). 1890, Brown colt. Lord Fireaway, by Candidate 920 (page 56). 63 Hackneys. Mares. 2183 LADY FIREAWAY II. Bay Mare, Height 15.2. Foaled 1887. Breeder, Mrs. W. Nicholls, Scagglethocpe, Yorkshire. Sire, FIREAWAY (Triffit's) 249. Dam, 701 LADY CHARLOTTA, by King of Trumps 396. Description. — A very level useful looking mare, either for work or stud purposes, being of immense substance and a grand mover. V. S, Breeding. — See remarks on breeding of 711 Lady Fireaway (preceding page), to whom this mare is full sister. B-C. MISS FRIDAY. (Full Registered for Vol. IX.) Brown Mare, Height, 15.2. Foaled I'iZ'j. Breeder, Isaac Calam, Fridaythorpe, York. Sire, ENTERPRISE II. 1477, by Dam, 1121 FRIDAYTHORPE LILY, by Wildfire of Fi.mbek 1596, by Duke of Connaught 959. Phenomenon 584. G.-dmn, by Charley Merrvlegs 132. G.-dam, 253 Morning Star. Description and Breeding. — This is a real old Yorkshire sort, very similar to Lady Bursea, with whom I shall make her to harness. They will be a grand pair of phaeton horses, only a little, if anything, behind White Socks and Dropping Well in looks, and I think with higher action. The mare under notice has plenty of substance, beautiful colour, and is a high and light-hearted goer. B-C. 2467 STRAlflTBERRY. Roan W.\kv., Height \^.2\. Foaled i^'&'j. ZFrtrfl'cv, T. SxErnENSON, Goodmanham, Yorks. Sire, MATCHLESS OF LONDES- Dam, 1305 PATCH, by BOROUGH 1 517, by Danegelt 174, Bay President. out of 463 Lady Lyons (page 58). G.-Dam., Jessie by Achilles 2, Sire of Fireaway (Triffit's) 249 Description and Breeding. — This filly is another evidence of the loss sustained by Yorkshire in the exporta-. tion of Matchless. Her great " reach," and quality, size and big bone, added to very fine action, promises a broaj mare, and probably, before that, a show winner of unusual excellence. Aiming always at size, coupled with old Hackney blood, I look upon this filly as one of the most valuable of the recent additions to th.e Brookfield Stud. B-C. 64 Hackneys. Mares. 152 JESSIE. Brown Mare, Height 15.2. Sire, CONFIDENCE 158. Foah-d 1883. Breeder, E. B. Hammond, Waterden, South Creake, Fakenham, Norfolk. Dam, 198 LADY JANE, by Hurdle (App., Vol. I.), by Hurdle {T/ioroug/ibrca) out of dam by Shales (Sewell's) 707, by Marshland Shales 435. G.-d(im, 136 Grey Beauty, by Prickwillow (Tice's) 614. G.G.-dam, Sawyer's Mare, by Black Shales (Powell's) 84, by Black Shales (Chadd's) 83. Description and Breeding. — This is a grand mare, both intrinsically and by the richness of her immediate back-blood as regards prize winning. She is one of the best specimens of the Norfolk stamp of Hackney, being possessed of all the virtues, and not displaying the faults, which I have more than once alluded to in these pages as characteristic of that type. As to the latter, the three main points in which I " fault " the Norfolk type, this mare has great quality throughout her neck and head, perfectly level quarters to the root of the dock, and good bone below the knee ; as to the former, she is a very wide and deep mare, with the quick high knee-action that Old Confidence perpetually stamped into his stock. One fault of his she does display, in that she " dishes " slightly with one fore-leg. Were it not for this, I can see nothing to prevent her taking a first prize in any show-ring, for it would be difficult to draw or to frame a better prize-winner or a better brood mare than this. Glad as I was to become her owner, I am especially pleased to have bought her from Mr. Case, and to connect with my Stud the name of a family which is held in deservedly high esteem amongst the Hackney breeders and farmers of Norfolk. Jessie is a striking instance of the force of heredity in this breed. Her dam, Lady Jane, was a great prize-winner between 1881 and 1884, three times winning First and five times Second Prize at the Norfolk Agricultural Society's Show, and twice winning Second Prize at the Royal. Her grand-dam. Grey Beauty, between 1876 and 1880, won four Firsts at the first-named Show. This rich stream of " show " blood, mingling with the superlative paternal powers of Old Confidence, to whose sire it will be noticed Jessie is strongly in-bred, not only accounts for her excellence, but gives a sure promise of her value if properly mated for breeding purposes. Her colt foal of this year, by a horse of whom I know nothing, is a strong youngster with a great deal of quality and fine action, and looks all over like making a stallion. B-C. Performances. — In i88b, Third Prize, Royal Agricultural Society's Show at Norwich. In 1889, First Prize, Norfolk Agricultural Society's Show at Swaflfham. In i8qo, Third Prize, Peterborough. Produce. — In 1890, chestnut colt Sir Peter Teazle, by Sir Peter II. 1566 (page 57 Roan Mare, Height 15.2J. Sire, SPECULATION 1407. CASINO. (Full Registered for Vol. IX. Foaled 1886. Breeder, R. Beldam, Witchford, Ely, Canibs. Dam^hy HIGHFLYER 363. G.-dam, by Perfection (Jackson's) 541. Description and Breeding. — This is a great good mare, with plenty of bone and substance, two real good ends, with that quality in the " look out " and high placing of the dock which constitutes the classic Hackney top line. She is a true Hackney with depth enough to breed a stallion, and size enough to draw, with another like her, a big mail-phaeton, a brougham, or even a fair-sized landau, while she would be exactly fitted at the pole of a team of substantial steppers. Her action is high, tiue, and vigorous, and she is altogether an admirable specimen of an Eastern Counties mare, B-C. 65 Hackneys. Mares. 606 ROSE FIRE A WAY. (Named in H.S.B., Vol. IV., " Brown Belle") Black Brown Mare, Height 15.2J. Foaled 1880. Breeder, James Merryweather, Guisborous^h, Yorks. Sire, FIRE AWAY (Triffit's) 249. Dam, 752 MAID OF ALL WORK, by Sir Charles 768. G.-dam, by Tom Thumb 830. Description. — This is another grand Fireaway mare, so true to the type that further description is hardly necessary, save to point out her size, quality, and great room for a brood mare. She is as good a goer as any of them. V. S Breeding. — This mare again is a Denmark-Fireaway cross, but on one side only collateral, her dam's sire being also the sire of Denmark. She has the requisite size to carry out the object of somewhat raising the standard of Hackneys, while preserving the purity of their blood. B-C. Performances — 1880, First Prize, Loftus ; First Prize, Cleveland ; 1882, First Prize, Cleveland ; 1886, First Prize, Loftus ; First Prize, Skelton ; 1886, First Prize, Castleton ; Second Prize, Stockton-on-Tees Second Prize, Bishop Auckland Second Prize, Cleveland. 1208 LADY PRIDE. Roan Make, Height 15.0I. Siic^ PRIDE 1324, by Fireaway 259, by Sir E. L.^^ndseer 77^, by Fireaway (Triffit's) 249. Foaled 1887. Breeder, L. Steppienson, Holmpton, Withernsea, Yorks. Dam, 834 OUEEN BESS, by Ambition (Beat's) 26. G.-dam, by Highflyer 360, by Flying Buck 280, G.G.-dam^ by Fireaway Congress 269. Description and Breeding. — This is a true made, but rather small, Hackney ma:e with very fine action. She is just the sort to throw a big one to a good Hatkney stallion, having plenty of room rnd quality with good bone. She is evidently a direct cross between Yorkshire and Norfolk, as her dam was by one famous Norfolk horfe out of a mare by another ; while her sire, Pride, 's a great-grandson of Old Fireway. B-C, 66 Hackneys. Mares. 1779 PRINCESS FIREAWAY. Black-Brown Mare, //ci^/i^ 15.1. Foa/ed iSS^. Breeder, jonisi Braithwaite, Ebberston, West Heslerton, Yorkshire. Sire, FIREAWAY (Triffit's) 249. Dam, by ELVINGTON WILDFIRE 193. Dcscriptiun. — Although not a big one, this mare is such a model in all iicr points, with the addition of more quality than usual, that her owner would have made a great mistake if he had missed her. Like Belle Lyons and many other occupants of the Stud, she is of the riding type of Hackney, by reason of her beautiful shoulders, coupled with powerful loins. She gres high, but she gets away, and a nicer conveyance for twelve stone along any distance of the hard high road could not be found. V. S. Breeding. — When — in referring to a Hackney of 1 5. 1 — you talk to Hackney breeders in their own country about size, they always say, " Size enough." There is an impression amongst them that the breed is presented in its truest form at about this height. There are two reasons for this— first, because in later years their eye has been educated to this standard ; and, secondly, because many of them do not possess anything bigger. If you ask them whether they would not exchange a 1 5.1 horse or mare for one of 15.2^ or 15.3, with the same character all over they say, " Ah ! " When you ask them where are the big brown horses and mares — the sons of Fireaway — that carried their 8^ inches of bone up to their chins, and " out and on," they reply, " Ah ! Gone furrin'." Well, as I have often indicated, we must get back the size and bone, while still preserving true Hackney blood arid character. It is quite possible to do it, and every horse-breeder will know that it is sometimes done from a true- shaped mare like this. B-C. Pcrfovianccs. — In 1885, Highly Commended, Ayton ; In 1S88, Second Prize, Whitby ; 1888, First Prize, Kirby Moorside ; Third Prize, Ayton ; First Prize, Ayton ; Highly Commended, Malton Produce.— In. 1890, black colt. Fire Knight, by Candidate 920 (page 56). 3160 PALAYER. Bay Mare, Height 15. 2^. Foaled 1886. Breeder, John Burrell, Yaxham, Norfolk. Sire, CHIEFTAIN 929, by Confidence 158. Dam, by THE COLONEL 149, G.-dam, 6g Countess. by Confidence 158. Description and Breeding. — This is a powerful mare and a good goer, with capital short iiinbS|and as much quality as her strength all over would bear. She is, it will be seen, closely in-bred to Old Confidence, owning that great horse for grandsire on both sides. Her maternal grandsire, The Colonel, was one of the best of the late "hoiest Tohn Grout's " Hackney stallions, and was sold at the Woodbridge sale that followed on his death. B-C. 67 Hackneys. Mares. 132 GOLD WAVE. Chestnut Maky,, Heighi i-^.-^ Foaled 1877. Sire, WHY NOT 862, Chestnut, 15.2, by Lord of the Manor (Smith's) 426, by GoLDFiN'DER (Rice's), by Black Rattler 82, by Performer (Baxter's) 552, by Prickwillow (Cobbin's) 607, by Norfolk Phenomenon (Bond's) ';22. Breeder, T. Stocker, St. Neots, Hunts. Dam, by FLYING BUCK, 281, Black i^a\, by Young Buck (F. Granger's), by DOCTOR SYNTAX {T/ioroughbrcd). Description. — Gold Wave unquestionably lays claim to be considered one of the grandest specimens of a Hackney that has ever been exhibited. She possesses the best of heads and necks, whilst her shoulders are splendidly placed, her chest is deep, her back level, and her quarters as good as could be desired. She has plenty of muscle and bone, and, had she not been a wonderfully good constitutioned mare, her legs and feet would show far more traces than they do of the hard work she has gone through in the London streets, as she has been regularly worked by her present owner for more than seven years. It is to be doubted whether any better mare than Gold Wave has ever appeared in the show ring, and either in hand or in leather she displays her shoulder, knee, and hock action to the greatest advantage, whilst the carriage of her head is superlatively good. V. S. Breeding. — In looking at this superb mare it is difficult not to recur to the regret, so often expressed, that so many grand specimens of this breed should have been allowed to leave the country without a finger being raised to keep them at home. By all accounts Why Not, the sire of this mare, " sold for export " in 1878 — the simple, but fatal words which end the history, so far as we are concerned, of nearly all the best English Hackney Stallions — was a very grand horse. He was bred by Mr. Alfred Jones, of Ramsay, Hants, and owned by Charles Whittome, Floods Ferry, Doddington, Cambs. His sire. Lord of the Manor 426, was by Goldfinder (Rice's) by Black Rattler 82, a famous Yorkshire horse, and sire of the dam of Poll III., the illustrious dam of Candidate Q20. Gold Wave's dam, from whom probably she gets some of her superlative quality and size, goes back to the thoroughbred DOCTOR SYNTAX, who is responsible when crossed with a fine strain of Norfolk Hackney blood in the second generation for the line of Hackneys named after him, and well known in the Eastern Counties. Gold Wave's dam has also a direct cross of Baxter Shales 703, a famous son of Marshland Shales. A finer Eastern County Hackney pedigree, with the important dash of Yorkshire blood above referred to, could not be found. B-C. Performances. — In i i In I? , First Prize, Open Class for mares, Hackney Society's Show, London : — beating Robinson's famous Princess, and Mr. Mackie's hitherto unbeaten Lady Wilton II. First Prize, Harness, above 15.2., Royal, Windsor. First Prize, Harness, above 15.2., Great Yorkshire, Hull. First Prize, Open Class for mares. Hackney Society's Show, London. Press Notices. — Hackney Stud Book Society s Report on Fifth Show, 1889. — "This mare has a beautiful top and goes grandly ; in fact, were it not for her fore feet showing signs of hard work, she would be a bad one to beat anywhere." Morning Advertiser, March 2, i88q. — " First and second honours were here secured by Mr. Burdett-Coutis with Gold Wave and White Socks, the former being one of the grandest movers ever seen, and as handsome as could possibly be desired." Hackney's Society^s Report, J'ol. J'lII. — "In the non-breeding class there were thirteen entries, thcufh only one was in it from the first. This was last year's winner, Mr. Burdett-Ccutt's 132 Gold Wave by Why Net 862. No finer mover has existed than Gold Wave, the dash and fire of htr action being phcncmeral, and wtre it not that her fore feet are not of the best, which, considering that she is thirlten years old and has been hard worked is not remarkable, there would have been few better looking ones. The style in which she carries her head, gels away from the shoulder, and doubles her hocks under her body, is grand, and caused her victory to be mcst popular on all sides." Live Stock Journal, 'Ma.rch 8, i8qo. — " Mr. Burdett-Coutts's great raking Gold Wave, by Why Not 8b2, experienced the easiest of victories, her magnificent quality and grand action, being unapproached by any of her opponents." 68 Hackneys. Mares. 1178 LADY BURSEA. Brown Mare, Height 15.2. Foaled 1884. Breeder, W. Brown, Bursea Grange, Holme, Yorkshire. Sire, WILDFIRE 1224, by Dam, by SHAKESPEARE 1554, by Phenomenon (Cook's) 584. Telegraph 825. G.-dam, Polly Horsley (page 61), by Fireaway (Triffit's) 249. Description. — Lady Bursea is a dark brown mare, possessed of a most beautiful head, excellent shoulders, and very truly built. Her legs and feet are good, and her action quite first-rate. V. S. Breeding. — Lady Bursea is an interesting mare to her owner, being a granddaughter of that famous matron of the stud Polly Horsley, and reproducing with marked fidelity many of the old mare's admirable characteristics, which, in the case of the latter, are derived directly from her sire, Triffit's Fireaway. At one time, with Fireaway still living, his daughter, Polly Horsley, a matron still prolific at Brookfield, her son, Wildfire 1224, in his prime in Yorkshire, and his daughter. Lady Bursea, already the mother of a three-year old stallion. Berserker, there were five generations of Hackneys at the same moment in existence, and bearing, moreover, a remarkable continuity of type. Wildfire, the sire of this mare, won in 1882, First Prize at Pocklington ; in 1883, First, Pocklington ; Second, Doncaster ; Second, Sutton ; in 1884, First Doncaster. B-C. Performances. — In 1887, Second Prize All- Aged Hackney Mares, Holme. 1888, Third Prize for Brood Mares, Hackney Society's Show, Agricultural Hall, London. Prcduce. — In 1888, Bay colt. Berserker 2366, by Matchless (Brough's) 15 17 (page 50) 1889, Bay filly, 2561 Berceaunette, by Candidate 920 (page 115). 3161 PALEFACE. Brown 'Mm^e, Heighi i^.\\. Foaled 1887. Breeder, Thomas Stewart, Holme-on-Spaldiiig, Yorks. 5m', CONFIDENCE (Stewart's) 1265 Z>«;;^ by COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 154. (see Loyalty, page 77). G.-dam, by Fireaway (Scott's) 223. G.G.-dam, by Go Well (Hudson's). Description and Breeding. — I have more than once remarked on the excellent stock got by the sire of this mare, a horse who could ill be spared from the county in which size, wealth of frame, and good iDone were special attributes of the Hackney. Paleface — so called from a -face-mark which looks as if it had come from an early dip in the cream-jug, and which bears a close similarity to the peculiar mark from which Powder PufF (see below) derived her name — is an admirably true-shaped Hackney mare. Her top line is undeniable, she is compact and well-coupled, and she goes from her shoulders and hocks with considerable elegance. B-C. 1323 POlffDER PUFF. Brown Mare, Height 15.1^. Foaled 1S87. Breeder, 0\vni:k. Su-e, DORRINGTON II. 956, by Den- Z?^w, 873 TRINKET (page 90), by MARK 177, out of Crompton's Bay Mare, Fireaway (Triffit's) 249. by St. Giles (Rickell's) 687. Description. — This is a fine roomy filly, with particularly shapely quarters, good depth of girth, and a promise of admirable action. Her bone is flat and big, and her feet of the best. A large blaze on the nose gives the appearance which suggested the name. V. S. Breeding. — Another cross of Denmark and Fireaway, her sire, Dorrington II., being by the former horse out of a favourite mare of her owner, the late Mr. Crompton, who bred some of the best Yorkshire Hackneys. B-C 69 Hackneys. Bay Make, Height 15.1 ; Mares. 288 PRIMROSE. (For extended pedigree see Vol. IV., H.S.B., page 186.) St'n; SHEPHERD F. KNAPP, (App. Vol. I., H.S.B.) Foaled 1875. Breeder, Aquila Kirby, Rivis House, Market Weighton, Yorks. Dai/i, 258 NELLY, by Achilles 2, sire of Triffit's Fireaway 249, by Fire- away 223, by Fireaway 222, by Fireaway (Burgess') 208. G.-ciam, Sai.t,, by MELBOURNE (Thoroii^/ibn-ii). G.G.-dam, Toy, by LAUNCELOT (Thoroughbred). G.G.G.-dam, by IRISH Bm\iCATCYi^R{Thorotcghbrcd). Description. — -The name of Primrose will always be identified in the history of the Hackney with that of 495 Polly Horsley (page 61), as these two grand mares for many seasons alternated with each other in taking the principal prizes oflfered for this class of animal at the Yorkshire Shows. Primrose possesses a most typical head, an excellent middle, and splendid quarters. In addition to being a grand goer, as from her breeding she could not fail to be, this mare stands on a first-rate set of short flat legs, and her feet are also as good as could be desired. Old as she is, there is hardly a more striking combination of quality, shape and action in the Stud than is to be found in Primrose. V. S. Breeding. — The breeding of this mare affords a much more interesting study than we can afford space for. Shepherd F. Knapp, her sire, was a well-bred, imported American trotting horse, unsurpassed for pace and action, and the winner of many prizes in English show rings. He was also the sire of Washington 852 the sire of the famous mare Movement. It will, indeed, be observed that there is a striking resemblance in method between the breeding of Washington (see note on breeding of Courier, page 46) and that of the mare under notice. The sire of these two. Shepherd F. Knapp, no doubt got his action (generally absent from American trotters) from the Hackney Bellfounder blood which runs strongly in the American trotters. After the lapse of over fifty years this blood was reunited with pure Hackney blood in the cross of Shepherd F. Knapp with the great prize-winning mare, 258 Nelly. But Nelly herself had been produced by Achilles, the sire of the famous Triffit's Fireaway 24q, crossed with a valuable mare (whose history is well known). Sail, by Melbourne, the famous thoroughbred. Primrose, therefore, combines in her veins a curious reunion of English Thoroughbred, American Trotting, and pure Hackney blood. Upon this foundation on the dam's side has been placed the full Hackney blood of Candidate 920, on the sire's, and the result has been admirable. B-C. Perjormances — Many First Prizes in Yorkshire, of which her present owner has (as in the case of Polly Horsley) lost the record ; but Nelly, Primrose's dam, won twenty-eight First Prizes, including the Royal in 1877 ; Great Yorkshire, Driffield, Great Lincolnshire in 1875 ; Lincolnshire, Stamford, &c., in 1879. Produce. — Previously to the following. Primrose had seven foals all (with the exception of one to Denmark) by Star of the East, 798, those that were sold realising very high prices. Of these, however, Mr. Kirby kept two, viz.: 850 Star One, 432 Evening Star. These two daughters of Primrose when put to the old Norfolk Confidence i=;8, bred thetwo great prize-winning colt foals of the 1889 season, in Yorkshire, viz. : Winning Hazard 3387 (page ;i), and Nor' Easter 31 6q (page 52), both of which have been added to the Brookfield Stud, as well as Evening Star's year- ling filly 2402 Venus (page 112), by a son of the famous Lord Derby II. 417. In addition to these three grand-children of Primrose, involving the valuable blood of Lord Derby and Star of the East, and the Norfolk cross of Confidence I 58, there arc in this catalogue her three immediate offspring from the Denmark blood, for Primrose since she came into her present owner's possession has bred. In 1886, Bay filly, 853 Shepherdess, by Confidence (Moore's) 163 (page 85). 1888, Chestnut Filly, 2307 Minnehaha, by Candidate q2o (page 112). i88q. Bay Filly, 2901 Laughing Water, by Candidate q2o (page iib). 1890. Chestnut filly, Nokomis, by Maesllwch 1839 (page 117). 70 Hackneys. Mares. 2138 JULIET DERBY. Black Chestnut Mare, Height 15.3. Foaled 1884. Breeder, A. Ckaggie, North Newbold, East Yorkshire. Sire, LORD DERBY II. 417. /?«;;/, CATCHER, by ACHILLES 2, by FiREAWAY (Scott's) 223. Description. — Juliet Derby is a fine big and very roomy mare, with excellent shoulders, good quarters, and the best of legs and feet. Not only is she a grand-looking Hackney, but she is a remarkable mover, her action being superb, and characterised by that dash and fire Avhich is so characteristic of the stock of her famous sire. Lord Derby. V. S. Breeding. — This mare is as grandly bred as she is good-looking. She is full sister to Romeo 1340, a fine actioned and very stately-looking dark chestnut horse, a year older than Juliet Derby, which, I believe, was bought for Ireland, while her dam's sire was also the sire of Trifht's Fireaway. Juliet Derby has no Denmark blood in her veins, being sired by that very successful Yorkshire stallion Lord Derby. For further remarks on Lord Derby, see note on Dr. Parke (page ^i). B-C. Produce. — In 1890, Chestnut filly Abandon by Candidate Q20 (page 117). 1903 BLACK BEAUTY. Black Mare, Height [5.2^, Foaled, 1886. Breeder, John Wrigglesworth, Barnham Broom, Wymondham, Norfolk. Sire, CHAMPION 922, by The Dam, 28 BLACK BESS, by Talley- Gentleman 301, by Quicksilver kand 823, by Prickwillow (Tice's) (Jackson's) (App. Vol L). 614. G.dam, Vassar's Chestnut Mare, by Robin Hood 67b. G.G.-dam, Dark Brown Mare, by Prickwillow (Tice,s) 614. Description and Breeding. — This is a great strong mare and admirably bred, going back on her sire's side to that " better than good " horse, Jackson's Quicksilver, and on her dam's mingling the double infusion of Tice's Prickwillow with the fast and wearing strain of the Norfolk Robin Hoods. She is a fair and powerful mover, and all over made like breeding a stallion, being now in foal to that good horse of Mr. Morton's, Anconeus II. B-C. 2773 GAY LADY. Brown Mare, //ev^/// 15.24. Foaled \%Zs- Breeder, ]o\i%vYi Morton, Stow, Downham, Norfolk. Sire, CHAMPION 992, by The Dam, by ROBIN HOOD 676, by Gentleman (Rowell's) 301, by Shales 707, by Marshland Quicksilver (Jackson's), (App. Shales 43 ^. Vol.1.) G.-dam, by Ambition (Beart's) 26. Description and Breeding.— This is a mare for anyone to buy who really means breeding. An accident has put one of her hips down, so she is not a saleable mare. I was, however, well pleased when a good offer made her so to me. She is quite young, and I look to her to breed some grand stock for Brookfield, and if any of her colts are as good as that grand young stallion Manifesto (page 54), she will be no goose save by her golden eggs. She is a great, deep, powerful mare, a grand colour, and with lots of bone ; and as for action, I am content to take a line from the young stallion aforesaid. Her great wealth and length of framework make up a treat for a breeder to look at. Her breeding is of the best that Norfolk can supply, away from the Confidence blood ; for Ja'-k-rn's Quicksilver and Beart's Ambition are mingled with the stout and fast blood of Baldwin's Robin Hood. B-C. 71 Hackneys. Mares. 502 PRIORY MAID. (For extended pedigree see Vol. IV., H.S.B., page 187.) Chestnut Mare, He t£ /if 15 hands. Foaled 1879. Breeder, F. Rickell, Warter, Yorkshire. Sire, PONTELAND (Rickell's) 1091, by Dam, JET, by St. Giles (Rickell's) 687, Denmark 177. by Wildfire 867, by Wildfire 865, by G.-dam, by British Champion 914, by Scott's Wildfire 864, by Fireaway (Burgess's) Roan horse 1 147. 208. G. G.-dam, by Wildfire 867, by Grey Wildfire G.-dam, by Performer (Taylor's) 550, by Phenomenon 865. (Ramsdale's) 573, by Wildfire (Rams- G.G. G.-dam, Priory Lass, by Merrvlegs (Lund's) dale's) 864, by Fireaway (Burgess's) 208. 449, by Performer (Ramsdale's) 547. G.G.G. G.-dam, by Wildfire 864, by Fireaway (Bur- gess's) 208. Description. — Priory Maid is a rather small mare herself, but possesses the great merit of throwing big foals. As a brood mare she is therefore most valuable, though unfortunately her foal of 1S87, which promised to be a phenomenal goer, died during a very heavy thunderstorm. V. S. Breeding. — This mare is one of the cleanest bred Hackneys that could be found in England. She comes from the Stud of a famous family of Hackney breeders, the Rickells, of Warter. Old Mr. Rickell, of Warter, had two sons, Francis Rickell, of Warter, who, in 1858, bred the famous horse, St. Giles 687, often referred to in this Catalogue ; and William Rickell, who lived at Cold Wold, also in the parish of Warter, and who, in 1862, bred the far more illustrious Denmark 177. The breed possessed by this family were, as I have stated, exceptionally pure Hackney ; but I have been informed that they gradually parted with their best and biggest mares — that fruitful source of ruin to the English farmer which I have referred to at more length in my article (page 164) — and the size of their stock sensibly diminished until the final dispersal of their Stud in 1887. I have pointed out under Overton Princess (page 79), how the dwindling tendency of this blood which was apparent in a beautiful home, Anconeus 887, bred by the Rickells, has been corrected in the person of his now well-known son. Anconeus II. who is serving in Norfolk, and is the property of that successful breeder, Mr. Joseph Morton. B-C. Produce. — In 1886, Chestnut colt. Fiery Cross 1481 (since gelded), by Wildfire (Wreghitt's) 1224. 1887, Chestnut filly (died in a thunderstorm), by Candidate 920. 1888, Chestnut filly, 2044 False Vows, by Candidate 920 (page 112). 1890, Bay colt. Bay of Naples, by Eddlethorpe Garibaldi 2051 (page 56). 72 Hackneys. Mares. 2067 FLIRT. Brown Mare, Height 15.2. Foaled, 1886. Breeder, D. Jefferson, Thicket Priory, York. Sire, ROYAL CHARLEY IL 1341, by Dam, FIREFLY, by Young Fireawav 1367, by Firkaway (Triffit's) 240. GARiBALni (Brigham's) 986, by FiREAWAY (Triffit's) 240. Description and Breeding. — This beautiful mare, who displays the bone, soundness, action, and dark colour of the old horse, is, it will be seen, closely in-bred to Triffit's Fireaway. B-C. Perjormancc. — In i88q. Third Prize, Malton. 1897 BESSY FIREAWAY. Bay Mare, Height 15.1 J. Foaled 1886. Breeder, John Holden, Langton, Malton, Yorkshire. Sire, FIREAWAY (Triffit'.s) 249. Dam, [2342] Nance's Sister, by POTTINGER ( Thorouglibred). G.-Dam, by Elvington Wildfire 193, by Garibaldi (Stil- born's) 296, by Performer (Taylor's) 550. Description. — Bessy Fireaway is a lengthy, powerfully-built mare, of immense substance, and a fine goer, possessing, as she does, that easy action which is so fascinating and so eagerly sought after by those who admire trotters when fully extended. Owing to the strain of thoroughbred that runs through her pedigree, this mare, as also Bet and Betty Fireaway, can scarcely fail to impart great quality to their offspring, jwhilst length, substance, and Hackney character should be assured by their relationship with old Fireaway. V. S. Breeding. — This mare's relationship to Bet and Betty Fireaway is not quite so close as that of full sister, for while all three own to the same sire, the dam of this one is full sister to the dam (Nance) of the oihc;- two. See remarks on Bet Fireaway's breeding (page 90). B-C. Produce.— In 1890, Brown filly, Misfire, by Candidate 920 (page uf 73 Hackneys. Mares. 1557 GOOD-NIGHT FIREAWAY. Black Mare, Heip/i^ is-s. Foa/ed 1886. Breeder, W. Asquith, Callis Wold, Yorkshire. S/rc FIREAWAY (Triffit's) 249. Dam, 610 CALLIS LASS, by Denmark 177. G.-dai>!, Snip, by Wildfire 867 ; G.G.-iiam, by Fireaway (Scott's) 223 ; G.G.G.-dain, Fanxv Brown, by Liberty {ThorotigJihrea); G.G.G.G.-dam, by Pretender (Wroot's) 596. Z?6w;-/>//o;;.— Another beautiful Fireaway filly, with fine shoulders, size, quality, and the true Hackney action— high in front, and like clockwork all-round, which comes direct from the old horse. She has good bone and the same long shoulders and deep forehand which are still the most prominent points in her sire's frame. V. S. Breeding.— This is a beautifully-bred mare, the Asquiths having been noted for very many years for breeding some of the best Yorkshire Hackney stock. The immediate cross is Fireaway and Denmark ; but the filly's grand-dam possesses the best Yorkshire Wildfire blood, with a dash of thoroughbred some time back. This mare, Snip, is stated in the Hackney Stud Book, Vol. IV., to be by Wildfire 865, a grey horse ; but I have it on the best authority that her sire was a son of his — viz.. Wildfire 867, a grand brown horse, standing 15.3. B-C. 801 NELLY HORSLEY. (For extended pedigree, see Vol. IV., H.S.B., page 185.) Brown Mare, Height 15.1!. Foaled 1886. Breeder, Owner. Sire, ANCONEUS 887, by Dam, 495 POLLY HORSLEY (Cook's) Phenomenon 584. page 61), by Fireaway (Triffit's) 249. G.-dam, Nelly II. by Denmark 177. G.-G.-dam, 257 Nelly, by St. Giles (Rickell's) 687. Di'scn^twiL— This is a filly of the finest quality and action, and with ample bone and muscle. She has been growing fast during the past year, and in respect of size will probably approach nearer to her dam than to her sire. V.S. Breeding.— Anconeus, the sire of this filly, was sold, I believe, at three years of age to go abroad, and the few specimens of his stock-getting powers that this early departure enabled him to leave in Yorkshire, display such beautiful quality and such fine action, that his loss would have been a cause of great regret, were it not for his rather small size. He was bred at the Warter Stud, which possessed the oldest and purest strains of Hackney blood, but in which the tendency of the breed to dwindle in size when not carefully mated had become very prominent. Another instance of this peculiarity attaching to Mr. Rickell's breeding will be found in 502 Priory Maid (page 71), who, however fortunately, throws big foals. It is to be hoped that the filly under notice will follow her example. B-C. 74 Hackneys. Mares. POLLY SHALES. (Full Registered for Vol. IX,) Bay M. arte., Height 15.2. Foa/ed 1SS6. Breeder, Sire, HAWKESTONE SHALES /?«;;/, by PI RE AWAY SHALES 271. (Part 2, Vol. II). Description and Breeding. — This is a fine sizeable mare with two particularly good ends and very corky action. She shows plenty of quality, and her neck and head display that peculiar arched and curly outline which is seen in the oldest prints of the Norfolk Hackney. It is almost Arabian in character, and, when accompanied by the lofty carriage of the tail, shows something still remaining of the Darley Arabian, Brownlow Turk, and Black Barb blood that make up the pedigree of Blaze, the accredited Adam of the Hackney breed. The sire of this mare, Hawkestone Shales, referred to under Aureate (page 80), must be a very interesting horse. In Part II. of the second volume of the Stud Book his breeding is given as by a Thoroughbred horse, Tufthunter Junior, by Tufthunter, out of a mare by a Hackney staUion, Hue and Cry Shales 378. I don't know much about the Tuft- hunter blood here ; but the Hackney strain is a famous one, this Hue and Cry Shales having sired some capital stallions, and being himself the son of another sire of stallions, Flander's Hue and Cry Shales 714, who was an own son of Marshland Shales. So on his dam's side Hawkestone Shales gets the pure old Shales blood direct through his sire and grandsire, from the one-eyed horse to whom Lavengro doffed his hat on the Castle Hill seventy years ago. There is, after all, some romance about the Hackney. No one who has read the passage so happily quoted by Mr. Euren in his first preface to the Hackney Stud book, can find amongst all the wit and epigram and descriptive power that has been expended on the Thoroughbred, anything more touching or picturesque than this old-fashiontd little cameo of George Borrow's : — " I was standing on the Castle Hill in the midst of a fair of horses. ... An old man draws nigh ; he is mounted on a lean pony, and he leads by the bridle one of these animals (horses) ; nothing vtry remarkable about that creature, unles.s in being smaller than the rest and gentle, which they are not ; he is not of the siglitliest look ; he is almost dun, and over one eye a thick film has gathered. But stay ! there is something remarkable about that horse, there is something in his action in which he differs from all the rest. As he advances the clamour is huihed ! All eyes are turned upon him — what looks of interest— of respect- and, what is this? pec pie are taking off their hats — surely not for that steed! Yes; verily! men, especially old men, are taking off their hats to that one-eyed steed, and I hear more than one deep-drawn ' ah ! ' " ' What horse is that ? ' said I, to a very old fellow, the counterpart of the old man on the pony, save that the last wore a faded suit of velveteen, and this one was dressed in a white frock. 'The best in mother England,' said the very old man, taking a knobbed stick fiom his mouth, and looking me in the face, at first carelessly, but presently with something like interest ; ' he is old, like myself, but can still trot his twenty miles an hour. You won't live kng, my swain ; tall and overgrown ones like these never does ; yet, if you should chance to reach my years you may boast to thy great grand boys thou hast seen Marshland Shales.' " Amain, I did for the horse wl.at I viould neither do for earl or baron, doffed my hat ; yes ! I doffed my hat to the wondrous horse, the fast trotter, the best in mother England ; and I, too, drew a deep ' ah ! ' and repeated the words of the old fellows around : ' Such a horse as this we shall never see again ; a pity that he is so old.' " Hawkestone Shales was essentially a sire of mares. I have never seen or heard of any famous stallion by him , but his mares are undeniable. They have great quality, especially noticeable in their necks and heads, and often brilliant action (see Aureate, page 80), plenty of size, and clean flat bone of the thoroughbred character. There is almost too much refinement in their shapes to suit the old ideas of a Hackney stallion ; but to my mind, if indeed I yield to that tradition, the mating of such mares with the old type of stallion should produce a much better type of the latter, particularly in Norfolk where more quality is wanted in the quarters, shoulders, and necks. It is obvious that Hawkestone Shales transmits this characteristic to his mares from his Thoroughbred sire. There are other instances of stallions that have made their reputation by their fillies. In the Coaching breed the horse Candidate is a striking instance (see Lily, page 134) ; while amongst Hackneys " Old Performer " (Taylor's 550), although he got a few famous horses was a far more successful sire of mares. Denmark, again, with the best Hackney opportunities extending over nearly thirty years, of course got some good stallions, such as my own Candidate and Danegelt 174 ; but they make a small show against the brilliant array of his daughters which for many years have carried all before them in the show-ring. B-C. 75 Hackneys. Mares. 1309 PHANTOM. Brown Mare, //^v^/// i 5.1 J. Foaled \'&2,'j. Bnedcr, John Lett, Rillington, York. Stre, COMET 151, by Eclipse 191, by Dam, 1105 FANTAIL, by Denmark 177. St. Giles (Rickell's) 687. G.-dam, by Phenomenon 1322 (full brother to Atlas 892), by Bay Phenomenon 898, by Wildfire 865. G.G.-dam, by Conservatu'e 157, by Tom Thumb 830. Description and Breeding.— This is a very elegant whole-coloured mare with fine quality and particularly true action. Her limbs have the whipcord character of the thoroughbred, and she is all over a Lady Clara Vere de Vere of her race. It was a good performance to take second prize in a big class of three-year-old fillies at the Great Yorkshire Show, and better than it appears when the obvious opinion of the ring-side is taken into account. This mare's sire, Comet, got a great deal of more than useful stock along the Malton-Scarborough line, and his breed- ing is unexceptionable. Phantom's dam, Fantail, comes of a cross of Denmark on the grand old stock owned by that Nestor of Yorkshire Hackney breeders, Mr. Ramsdale. The whole pedigree, followed out, is rich with the bluest blood in Yorkshire. B-C. ferfitvmancc. — In i8go, Second Prize, Great Yorkshire Show at Harrogate. 3182 PLANTAGENET. Brown Mare, Height 15. 2J. Foakd 1887. Breeder, T. Harrison, Lepplngton, Malton, Yorks. Sire, FIRE AWAY (Triffit's) 249, by Dam, by PRINCE ALFRED 1325, by Achilles 2. Gladstone 1390 (out of Kathleen by Achilles 2), by Young Fire- away (Yewell's), by Fikeaway (Triffit's) 249, by Achilles 2. Description and Breeding. — Fireaway has stamped himself in colour, limbs, size and action on this mare She is already nearly 15.2-^ and has plenty of room and quality with it, and her limbs are of the very best. This mare's sire has already been too often mentioned in these pages to require further notice except to point to her as one more instance of his great impressiveness, all the more noticeable on account of her being in-bred to him. The sire of her dam. Prince Alfred, after winning some important prizes as a four-year-old, has gradually worked his way into a prominent place amongst Yorkshire stallions, his stock being noted for their size and substance. He is, as will be seen above, a great grandson of Old Fireaway, and his dam is a half-sister of the latter horse. Plantagenet then, whether by accident or design, presents a very scientific specimen of in-breeding. Her sire is a son, her dam at once a great-grand-daughter and great-great-great-grand-daughter, of Achilles. B-C. Performance. — In 1889, First Prize, Escrick. Produce. — In 1890, brown filly, Plantagenista (page 117), by Barton Boy 2822. 76 Hackneys. Brown Mark, Height 15. 3 J Mares. 347 TRIXIE. Foa/fc^ 1880. Sire, THE GENTLEMAN (Rowell's) 301, by OuiCKStiAKR (Jackson's). (App. Vol. I.) Breeder, J. Coker, Beetley Hall, East Dereham, Norfolk. Dam, by HIGHFLYER 364, by Grk.\t Gun ^2^. Description and Breeding — Mr. Coker, a good old sort, and a man of great enterprise and originality, has been famous for breeding size in his stock. He has bred for the market — which, after all, is a very sensible thing to do — and if the taste of foreign buyers for size and power in their stallions has so long served him, he need not care for what perhaps he would call the new-fangled ideas about quality. Not that he is a stranger to this latter. The two mares Victoria (page 115) and Lady Emma (page 83) which came from his stud are exquisite specimens of that attribute ; but I hope I shall not be doing him an injustice if I say that I believe in his heart he likes the big and strong ones the best, and has made the most money by them. Tastes change, and this well-known breeder is quite intelligent enough to change with them. If not, and if his rugged but kindly heart is still " true to Poll " in respect to the big, round stallions that the Austrians have taken away by the hundred to put on to their light Hungarian mares for heavy cavalry and artillery purposes, why then the change will come when the old man betakes himself to the chimney corner — if, indeed, he doesn't take a house in Grosvenor Square — and young James reigns at Beetley in his stead. For this latter, an accomplished cross-country rider and a most finished horseman must necessarily love a " bit of blood," and I think he will do well if he tries to throw a little of it into the grand big foundation stock collected by his father. Then we shall get better horses still, and better suited to the better taste of to-day. But we shall not forget the old man, and his fifty three-year-old stallions turned loose, with that simple-minded abando?i of the innocent old ^dealer, on a hard road — " to gallop 'emselves to pieces, Sir, if they like " — and his fifty two-year-old fillies turned out to marsh with a two-year-old colt, and his early days when he brought over a thousand German carriage horses at £10 a-piece to Howden Fair, and sold them at £16 all round. The two tastes for size and quality, however, have been finely mingled in the mare under notice. I think she is the grandest big Hackney brood mare I have yet seen. Her wealth and size, her great bone and big clean joints, and her quick, high, and light action are coupled with a surprising amount of quality over her neck, head, and quarters ; her colour is deep and rich. She has bred some good stallions, including Washington 1361, Landlord H. 2537, and Sir Albert 2688, and, crossed with a good Yorkshire horse, she will yet, I think, breed a better one. She is a great acquisition to the Brookfield Stud. B-C. [1078] DONNYBROOK FAIR. BavMare, Height 15.2. Sire, CANDIDATE 920. (See page 37.) Foaled 1887. Breeder, Owner. Dam, CONSPIRACY, by The Fenian ( Tlioroughbrcd) . G.-dam, by M.D. {flwroughbrcd). Description. — A very hunter-like filly, with beautiful shoulders, and looking all over like crossing a country. V. S. Breeding. — The dam of this filly was as near clean-bred as possible. She won a couple of fair steeplechases in Ireland, and was a beautiful mare over a country. I mated her with Candidate in order to see what his stock would be from a real good hunter, and the result has been what I think will turn out a very shapely hack, or light- weight hunter, with perfect shoulders, blood-like all over, and a fine turn of speed. B-C. 77 Hackneys. Mares. 2685 DOROTHY. Brown Mare, Height 15.2*-, Foaled 1886. Breeder, James Darrell West Ay ton, York. Sire, FIREAWAY (Triffit's) 249. Z^^w, by DENMARK 177. G.-dam, by ToM Thumb 830 ; G.G.-dam, by Creeper (Templeman's) (Vol. I., page 354) ; G.G. G.-dam, by Performer (Taylor's) 550 ; G.G.G. G.-dam, by Brown Shales 102, by Black Shales 83, by Marshland Sh-^les 435. Description and Breeding. — This is a typical specimen of the big-boned, lengthy and fine-actioned stock with which " Old Fireaway " enriched his native county. Dorothy is a really good mover, has limbs of iron, wears herself well in all her paces, and is evidently an important acquisition to the Stud. I have mentioned so often in these pages the value of the Denmark-Fireaway cross, that I only refer to it here for the sake of pointing out that it does not elsewhere in my Stud occur in exactly this form. Fireaway is here put upon a Denmark mare, whereas in most cases in my stock it is the other way about, and then generally proceeding from Denmark in the second generation in the person of his son Candidate. Here, in mating with the daughter of his great rival, Fireaway has impressed his type more strongly on the oflspring, save that she has caught a good deal of the elegance of her maternal grandsire. Her breeder, Mr. Darrell, the well-known dealer in hunters — of whom I mAy say en parenthcsr that anyone who finds himself at Scarborough a month or two before the hunting season begins, and will take the pretty drive to the village of West Ayton, may depend on finding something that can gallop and jump, at the end of it — writes, " We have for the last century always kept one or two roadster mares, and ' Dorothy ' is of the old strain. She has got a little bigger than most of the animals I have bred ; few have exceeded 15.2." It is by this process of selection of big mares of pure Hackney blood that the important element of size can be most safely developed in the Hackney strain. B-C. 3011 LOYALTY. Bay Mare, Height 15.3. Foaled 1886. Breeder, Charles Hare, Holme-on-Spalding, Yorkshire. 6y;r, CONFIDENCE (Stewart's) 1265, Z?aw, by ROYAL CHARLIE (Drake's) by Yoi;ng Fireaway (Calam's) 1367, by 682. Garihaldi (Brigham's) q86, by Fireaway G.-dam, by Achilles 2. (Triffit's) 24q, by Achilles 2. Description and Breeding. — It is difficult for me to say enough in favour of this grand mare. Her great size and bone, her length and room between two really good ends, and her high free action at once fill the eye of a breeder who looks to find a brood mare in a fine harness animal. Her shoulders are particularly good, being long and sloping, and enabling her to sweep down a hill with perfect freedom and safety. Shoulders are of course the greatest guarantee of a horse trotting down hill well, and how rarely we see this point in a harness horse. I always like to drive a harness horse both up and down a hill before I buy. There is no better test of wind than a short spurt against the collar, and no better test of shoulders than to put on the break and " let em go " to the bottom. A curious similarity will be found in the breeding of this mare to that of the filly Plantagenet (page 75) Both are in-bred to that grand horse Achilles, the sire of Triffitt's Fireaway, this mare being his grand-daughter on the dam's side and five generations from him on the sire's, while Plantagenet is his grand-daughter on the sire's side and six generations from him on the dam's. The extraordinarily long life of Triffitt's Fireaway (page 167) and his unfailing productiveness is the obvious explanation of this being possible, but it is interesting to find two cases illustrative of his value in this respect. The sire of this mare, Stewart's Confidence 1265, judged by the few specimens of his stock which I have seen, was a loss to Yorkshire. B-C. 78 Haekneys. Brown Mare, Height 15.2. ^/;r, CONFIDENCE 158. Mares. 2676 DIVIDEND. Foaled 1884. Breeder, — Lewell, Weston, Norwich. Dam, by GOLDFINDER 318, by Shepherd F. Knapp (Vol. I., App.) out of dam by Goldfinder (Palmer's) 319 Description and Breeding. — This is a powerful Confidence mare, with more quality than usual, and that lofty and fast action which might be expected from the meeting of the Prince of high-actioned Norfolk Trotters and a grand-daughter of the brilliant American imported sire, who left so many traces of his excellence both in Norfolk and Yorkshire (see Primrose, page 69, and Vivandiere page 106). Her bone below the knee shows little sign of Confidence, she wears her forehand up, her tail is in the right place, and on the sleepiest summer afternoon the wave of a handkerchief will send her stepping down the hedge-side as high as if "Bob" had her by the head in the show-ring in full condition, and was practising on her that necromantic art of which the only audible e\-idence is the shrill " Noiv then^ old lady." B-C. 1213 LADY SILFIELD. Blue Roan Mark, Height 15.1. 5/ STEPPING STONE 1922, by Stepping Stone 805 (a full brother to Confidence i ^8). Foaled 1880. I>)'eeder, Jesse Thurston, Silfield, Wymondham, Norfolk. Dam, BESSY SMART, by Sir Peter (App. Vol. I.), by Shales 738, by Shai.es 729, by Black Shales 84, by Black Shales (Chadd's) 83, by Marshland Shales 435. Sir Peter's dam, by Sir Peter, by FiTZWiLLiAM, by Sir Peter Teazle. Description and Breeding. — " Buy dams of winners, my boy," said a famous old race-horse breeder to me at Tattersall's ring at Newmarket, rather petulantly, as I was bidding for Katrine (page 147), who up to then had never bred a winner, but who held a foal inside which I afterwards sold for 3,000 guineas, and whose yearling of that year made into Formidable. It was good advice, no doubt, in the main, but it cannot always be done. Here, however, I have added to Brookfield a mare which has bred some very fine horses, notably that very brilliant goer Dereham Swell 1762, who, after a lively show career, was sold to the Italian Government in 1889. But better than that horse was a blue roan stallion out of this mare — a horse that pleased me very much a year ago. I would have bought him had it not been for a trifling blemish which I was afterwards sorry I took notice of, for he was a some- what noble looking stallion. And this year Lady Silfield has a fine colt foal by Old Confidence (page 57). Lady Silfield herself, who is still in her prime, is a charming brood mare and a good goer still, with a fine reachy " look- out," rendered perhaps a little less elegant by a rather long and lean, but particularly sensible head, and with her tail in the right place ; a lovely colour — that moonlight blue which looks so well in black and silver harness. Those people who think that all light horses owe every virtue to the Thoroughbred, will notice how quickly this mare's dam traces back to that grandson of the great Herod, Sir Peter Teazle, the weight-carrying Derby winner whose stock " had great constitutions, but required such strong Avork for the post, that comparatively few were brought there," while her sire was a son of a full brother of Old Confidence. B-C. Pr^iduce. — In 1890, brown colt Silvertoe, by Confidence 158 (page 57). 79 Hackneys. Mares. 3158 OYERTON PRINCESS. Chestnut Mare, Height 15.2. Foaled 1886. Breeder, Thomas Harrison, Poplar House, Leppington, York. Sire, ANCONEUS 887 (Rickell's), by Dam, LADY CONSTANCE, by King Phenomenon 584, by Bay President. Walter 1023. (App. Vol. I.) G.-dam, Lady Golightly, by Sir Charles 769. G.-dam, Nelly 2nd, by Denmark 177. G.G.-dain, by All Fours 15, G.G.-dam, 257 Nelly, by St. Giles 687 (Rickell's). G.G.G.-dam, by Trip 838. Description and Breeding. — This very pure-bred Yorkshire Hackney mare is a valuable addition to my Stud, as she possesses not only the blood, which is now so rare, of Anconeus, but all his fine quality and elegance of shapes. The Hackney strain identified with the name of Rickell is referred to under Priory Maid (page 71) and Anconeus is particularised under Nelly Horsley (page 73). Both notes were written before I had seen that very good horse Anconeus 2nd, who took fourth prize at the Hackney Show 1890, as the property of Mr. Joseph Morton, of Stow Bardolph, Norfolk. He, as his name indicates, is a son of Anconeus 887, and has more size than his sire, the dwindling tendency of Mr. Rickell's breed having been corrected, as I suggested it could easily be (page 167), by a cross-out to the bigger blood of Old Fireaway, whose impressiveness as to size runs through several generations. Anconeus 2nd's dam, 1600 Lady, was by a stout horse of Mr. Mansfield Harrison's Sensation 694 who was by Old Fireaway. I watch with such interest the results of my favourite hobby, the mating of Yorkshire and Norfolk Hackneys, so often advocated in this book, that I am glad to find Anconeus H. is growing into a very popular sire in Norfolk, and his foals of 1890 are some of the most promising in that county. B-C. Produce. — In 1889, chestnut colt, 3362 Viscount II. (page 54) by Viscount 2302 In 1890, chestnut filly. Viscountess (page 118) by Cassivelaunus 21^ 1975 CLEOPATRA. Black Mare, Height 16.2. Foaled 1886. Breeder,]. H. Hastings, Bintry, Norfolk Sire, SULTAN [1409] by Coniidence 158, Dam, 30 BLACK BESS, out of " a i6-hands Bay Yorkshire mare." by Rifleman (Barrett's) byo. G.-dam, a Yorkshire mare. Description and Breeding. — The stupendous size of this animal is not less noticeable than the fact that it is contained in Hackney shapes. She is fully the height stated, with nine inches of bone and enormous power ; but she has two good Hackney ends, and wears them both up, and her action shows the unmistakable snap of the knee that belongs to no other breed under the sun. And there she is, fully registered in Vol. VII. of the Hackney Stud Book, which, of course, puts any doubt as to her pedigree out of the question. The two "Yorkshire mares" appearing in her pedigree probably account for some of her great size, while Barrett's Rifleman, who confessedly got very big stock, is no doubt responsible for the rest. She is a great, good harness mare, and with another of the same colour in a state coach she will make a sensation down the Mall on a Drawing Room Day. Fortunately I have the match in a black-brown gelding, and when they ^re laid aside this one should breed a tremendous stalliou to a Hackney sire possessed of quality. B-C. 80 Hackneys. Mares. 2956 LADY PRIMROSE. Bay Mare, Height 15.2^. Foaled 1886. Breeder, Robert Houlden, Buckthorpe, York. Sire, FIREAWAY (Triffit's) 249. Dam, 3277 SMILING MORN, by Uncle Tom [3354]. G.-dam, Fan, by Pride of the Isle i 104, DcscripUijii and Breeding. — This is a mare of remarkable substance and bone, with a fauUless " top Hne " from the end of her nose, round and over, to the root of her dock. She is immensely deep through the heart, and has great power. Her action is true and effective, and she is altogether a splendid foundation on which to put any stallion, be he Hackney or Thoroughbred. She is an evidence of the great value of the Hackney for all purposes of use and breeding. She could herself draw a brougham, wheel a coach, rattle a dog-cart to the station (and catch the train), or pull a tumbril up a steep hill ; while a pair of them in a heavy perch-phaeton (a conveyance I detest) would just suit the sort of gentleman who starts away from Hatchett's in a loose box-coat with a four-inch- deep velvet collar, a wide curly-brimmed hat, a stern eye, and a desperate set expression, to " do or die " down as far as Hyde Park Corner. But we owe them a good deal, these latter-day " bloods " of the New Babylon ; they are not quite all hat-brims and collars. The merry horn and the cantering leaders for the windows in Piccadilly, and the pretty rural drives for the ladies and gentlemen of the big hotels in the Avenue — we should all be sadder if they were to go. But I could wish for a little less of the " bossiest man a-fut, and the futtiest man on a boss," in the resuscitated phase of the grand old pastime. To return to the mare : Lady Primrose looks as if she could breed almost anything. She is a grand old bit of real English " foundation stock," such as has made the old country famous for its horse-flesh in every corner of the world. She isn't a show one, but she's an honest tit to ride and drive for a rubicund squire of a century back, who would hand her over with a kind word to John, the groom, after thirty miles home on a hard road, and then go in and finish his two bottles of port without going under the table. And when " that off fore " got a bit groggy, she would breed some for the boys to drive at the same pace over the same road. But no ! In their days there's a railway station a stone's throw from the park gates, and the good old mare's get will be " flashing it " up and down the Ladies' Mile in Hyde Park. And that night the young squire will be drinking weak whisky and apollinaris at his club dinner. B-C. AUREATE. (Full Registered in Vol. IX.) Che.stnut Mare. //r/>/// 15.2^. Foaled ^ZZb. ^rm/tr, W. G. Bunch, Sutton, Cambs. Sire, HAWKESTONE SHALES. . Dam, DEWDROP, by Cock of (Part 2, Vol.11) ■ THE Walk 146, by Quick- silver 648, by Quicksilver (Jackson's). (App. Vol. I.) G.-dam, Delight, by Cambridgeshike Shales i 10. Description and Breeding. — Hawkestone Shales, who is still going strong and well at twenty years of age in the hands of his well-known owner and good Hackney breeder, Mr. " Tommy " Nix, never got a more brilliant specimen amongst all the fine mares he has sired. This is a really beautiful animal of Hackney type, but per- vaded all over with thoroughbred quality. Her shapes are most elegant, the shoulders being clean and beautifully placed, and the quarters level and most gracefully turned. She is a very brilliant goer in hand or in harness, and if I can match her well, the two will make a wonderful pair of phaeton horses, with substance, quality, and action "gassy" to the verge of e.xplosion. B-C. 81 Hackneys. Mares. 2879 liADY CASHIER. Brown Mare, Height, 15.2 Sin\ HIGHFLYER H. 1004, by Flying Buck 280. Foaled 1886. Breeder, Morley Beart, Welney, Wisbech, Cambs. Dam, 401 BARBARA (dam of Lady Rattlecash, see next entry). Description and Breeding. — This is another fine specimen of the Norfolk Hackney, particularly good for quality, and with plenty of character all over. Her action is not quite so quick as that of her half-sister, Lady Rattlecash, but it is reachy and telling, and she should make a grand one to breed from. Her dam's breeding is given on the preceding page. I never saw Jacob's Highflyer; but no horse could well miss his ma'k in such happy hunting grounds as the fine blood of Barbara affords. B-C. 1209 LADY RATTLECASH. Bay Mare, Height 15.2. Sire, CONFIDENCE 158. Foaled 1884. Breeder, Morley Beart, Welney, Wisbech, Cambs. Da»i, 401 BARBARA, by Starlight 1353, by Pkrkection (Jackson's) 541. G.-dam, by Norfolk Hero 504. G.G.-dam, by Bellfounder 59, by Norfolk Hero 494. Description and Breeding. — This is a grand Norfolk mare and full of the best Norfolk blood. She is a deep wide mare, on short legs, with enough bone, a lot of quality over her neck, and her tail in the right place ; and she is a brilliant goer. When you do get this sort out of Norfolk they are " tight uns." Her blood is the very bluest that the Eastern Counties possess ; the mixture of Old Confidence with Jackson's Perfection and the Norfolk Hero's, being entitled to the homage of the careful breeder. B-C. MAGGIE STEWART. Brown Mare, Height, 15.3^. (Full Registered for Vol. IX.; Foaled 1887. Sire, LORD WATTON II. 1835, by Star of the East 798. G.-dam, 553 Lady Watton, by Denmark 177. Breeder, Tiioma.s Cook, Halton Park, Halton, Lanes. Dam, by YOUNG FIRE AW AY (Calam's) 1367, by Fireaway 249. G.-dam, by Garibaldi 296, by Performer 550. Description and Breeding. — Considering her breeding, which is both pure and fashionable, this is one of the biggest and most stately Hackney mares I have ever seen. She stands as nearly as possible ib hands, and is a fine goer. There is some likeness to that grand old mare Lady Watton, her paternal grand-dam, in the outline of her top, and she is very close to her in colour. She has great wealth and quality, and looks like makmg either a noble park hack for a tall man, or one of a really great pair of big victoria horses. Garibaldi was one of the best sires in Yorkshire. B-C 82 Hackneys. Mares. 685 KATE. Brown Mare, Heij^ht 15.2. Foaled 1882. Breedcy, Robert Byas, Greet's Farm, Thixendale, Yorks. Sire, HESLERTON FIREAVVAY 1003, by Dam, 813 POLLY, by Eclipse 191 FiREAWAY (Triffit's) 249, G.-dam, by Wildfire 866. G.-dain, by Wildfire 867. G.G.-dam, by Fireaway 222. Description and Breeding. — This is a regular Fireaway mare, dark in colour, without a speck of white, big in frame, deep in bone, with two good ends, fair quality, and particularly true and efficient action. She comes of the grand old Yorkshire strain of Wildfires, and is a particularly true-bred Hackney. B-C. [2862] LACE. Bay Mare, //^/^/^/ 15.2. Foaled iZZ^. Breeder, — Parker, Arminghall, Norwich, Norfolk. Sire, SMUGGLER (Gowing's) 1 181. Dam, by THE CELT {Thoroughbred). Description and Breeding. — A very elegant mare, and a true and airy goer, with superabundant quality — ^just the one to nick perfectly with a stout short-legged Hackney. B-C. ALLEGIANCE (Full Registered in Vol. IX.) Brown Mare, Height 15.2. Foaled 1886. Breeder, T. Stewart, Holme-on-Spalding, Yorks. ^/r^, CONFIDENCE 1265. Dam, DEVOTION, by Royal George ' (See Loyalty, page 77.) 683, by King Charley 392, by Charley 129, by Performer (Taylor s) 550. G.-dam, by Superior 1410, by Fireaway (Triffit's) 249. Description and Breeding. — This mare justifies the good opinion I have expressed under Loyalty (page 77) of Mr. Stewart's Confidence 1265, as a sire. She is a good Yorkshire type, with a deep forehand, good limbs and bone, and action that is both true and fast. B-C. 744 LOTTIE. Bay Mare, Height 15. 21. Foaled 1885. Breeder, J. R. Burnham, Frodingham Hall, Hull, Yorks. Sire, LORD DERBY II. 417. /?«;;/, 497 PRESTON, by Bay President. (App. Vol. I.) G.-dam, by Fireway (Triffit's) 249. Description and Breeding.— I'nxi mare was secured at Mr. Burnham's sale, and I liked her better than any other except Danceaway (page 100). Her Bay President blood comes out in her somewhat blood-like shapes ; she is a good goei ; and a well-knit Hackney sire should get some very valuable stock from her. B-C. Press Notice.— Zwc Stock Journal, April i,th, 1890.—" Lottie, a big upstanding and sprightly four-year- old bay, has a nice head and neck, good shoulders, is well-turned, and a beautiful rich colour." 83 Hackneys. Mares. 1627 LADY EMMA. Chestnut Mare, Height 15. i. Foakd 1884. Breeder, J. Coker, Beetley Hall, East Dereham, Norfolk. Sire, HIGHFLYER 1006, by High- Dam, by Warboy 851. FLYER 366, by Confidence 158. G.-Dam, 19 Daisy, by Shepherd F. Knapp. Description and Breeding. — In my remarks on Mr. Coker's stock under Trixie (page 76), I have spoken of his love of size and power ; but this mare is the quintessence of quahty. Her head, neck, and quarters are quite beautiful to look at, she is a high and perfectly true goer, and though small herself, she has already bred two big ones, with all her own quality and action. She is all over a Blair Athol mare amongst Hackneys, and, mutatis mutandis, she bears a striking likeness to that gold-mine of a thoroughbred brood mare, Katrine (page 147). Lady Emma would take the eye of a practised breeder at a glance, and as she is still fresh and young, I doubt not, if turned to that vocation, she would take a lot of beating in the show ring. In the Stud Book she is wrongly stated to have been got by Reliance 667 ; the above pedigree is correct, and will appear in Vol. IX. Her dam was a fine chestnut mare, sold for export, and her grand-dam, it will be noticed, is a daughter of the American Shepherd F. Knapp. B-C. REGALIA. (Entered in Vol. IX.) Bay Mare, Height 14.3. Foaled, 1887. Breeder, D'Arcy Collver, Reepham, Norfolk. Sire, MONARCH (Leed's) 463, by Dam, REDIVIVA 3229, F. S. by Confidence 158. Pkickwillow (Stebbing'.s) 623. Description and Breeding. — -This mare, although a little one, is such a perfect beauty that I could not resist her. She is a perfect Hackney model in shapes, having good substance, beautiful quarters, clean flat bone, and exquisite quality over her neck and head. In addition, she is a fine goer, and a lovely drive in single or double harness, B-C. BANDEAU. (Full Registered for Vol. IX. I Brown Mare, Height 14.3. Foaled 1887. Breeder, T. Matthews, Wymondham, Norfolk. Sire, CONFIDENCE 158. Dam, by Utting Perfection 543. Description and Breeding. — It is often remarked in these pages that old Norfolk Confidence got beautiful quality if put on lean-necked, blood-like mares. Such an one must have oeen the dam of Bandeau, for she herself is pervaded all over with fine quality. She is a beautiful mover, and a match for Regalia (above). The two should make a perfect pair of lady's phaeton horses, and being finely bred, should, when driving days are over, hand on their merits to their stock. B-C. 84 Hackneys. Mares foaied isse. [2112] HOPE. Brown Mare, Height 15.3. Foaled 1886. Breeder, E. S. Govving, Great Melton, Norwich, Norfolk. Sire, CONFIDENCE 158. Dam, DUCHESS No. 226, F.S., H.S.B. Description. — This is almost a finer mare than her full sister Faith, having more size and room, and some, what greater freedom of action, while her bone is of the biggest and best. She looks like throwing a noble foal to Candidate, and in acquiring two such mares as these sisters their owner has every prospect of achieving his object of increasing the size of the Hackneys, without changing their type or diminishing their quality. V. S. Breeding. — This is a true type of old Norfolk Confidence, but without the defect that that horse's stock often shows of lightness of bone below the knee. This fault has probably been eradicated by the dam of the above mare, which was bought by Mr. Gowing, at Lincoln Fair, as a Yorkshire Fireaway mare ; but, unfortunately, at a date when the registration of the pedigree of these horses had not assumed its present importance. The old mare, however, shows in her shape and type the fullest evidence of old Fireaway 's blood, and as she has been entered in the Stud Book as an inspected mare, her produce, in the shape of this mare and her full sister Faith (see next page), by a full-registered Hackney stallion such as Confidence, have been entered, and their produce in turn will be entitled to full registry. With respect to this purchase of a Yorkshire Fireaway mare at Lincoln Fair, it is very curious that an exactly similar instance has lately come to my knowledge, but, so to speak, from the other end of the transaction. An old Yorkshire farmer, now in possession of a good Fireaway stallion, but whose name I will not further indicate lest he should reproach himself with the pecuniary loss, had a really good Fireaway mare. He was "bid money" for her more than once, but being like some of his kind a little crank, he sent her last year to Lincoln Fair, where she was sold for just half the money that any Hackney breeder would have given for her with the pedigree she undoubtedly possessed. As explained at more length under Vivandi^re (page 106), I have long held the opinion that great advantages would accrue from bringing together the Norfolk and Yorkshire strains of Hackneys, after their separation of nearly a century. This mare and her full sister. Faith, bring instances of that cross would appear to be well fitted for a further experiment in the same direction. B-C. Produce, — In 1890, Brown colt (since dead), by Candidate 920. 85 Hackneys. Mares. [2041] FAITH. Brown Mare, Height 15.2. Foaled 1885. Breeder, E. S. Gowing, Great Melton, Norwich, Norfolk. Siti(in. — A bay mare, somewhat lighter than most of the Fireaways ; a real trapper, with fast and effective action. V. S. Breeding.— Thm is another instance of the Fireaway-Denmark cjofs, King Christian being a son of Denmark. B-C. 100 Hackneys. Mares. DANCEAlflTAY. Bay Mare, Height 15.2. Foaled 1885. Breeder, J. R. Burnham, Frodingham Hall, Hull, Yorks. Sire, LORD DERBY II. 417. Description and Breeding. — This mare, under the name " Queen of Action," was the sensation of Mr. Burnham's sale in the spring of 1890, and it required a bid of over 400 guineas to outstay commissions from all parts of the country. She is a truly wonderful goer, and she possesses that attribute which from considerable observation I consider the surest proof that she will hand on her action to her stock, viz. : the quick nervous lift of the knee on the slightest movement of her foreleg ; she can hardly shift in her stall without hitting her manger with her knee. I have come to look upon this as strong evidence that action has occupied, so to speak, a predominant portion of the blood of the animal showing the peculiarity, and will be transmitted to a corresponding extent in her, or his, offspring. There are plenty of Hackneys which can be forced into action ; what I like to see is the Hackney that can't even shift his foot without action. I only wish some of my Norfolk friends Avho think that Yorkshire horses can't lift the knee, could see this mare in my buggy or phaeton, or with " Bob " on her bridle. Piccadilly is her place, and will be for some years, and then — the noblest marriage I can negotiate for her, to perpetuate the blood of Lord Derby, a full half of which now runs in her veins. It is of course a manifest mistake that such mares as this and the next entry, Popitup, should not be able to take their place in the Stud Book. They were too young to be " inspected," in virtue of a regulation, the value of which I could never appreciate ; for as inspected mares are assumed to be Hackneys, a Hackney foaled in 1885 is just as good as one foaled in 1880. But the case is much stronger when we find the mare foaled in 1885 is not only of perfect Hackney type but is got by a registered sire. To admit a mare with no ascertained Hackney blood at all, by reason of her shape only ; and to exclude on account of youth a mare whose shape would entitle her to admission, and who is, in addition, ascertained half-hackney in blood, is entirely inconsistent with the principle of breeding to the blood of any particular breed, which is the whole raison d^etre of Stud Books. Of course Danceaway's stock by a Full-registered or Entered Hackney can be " Entered" in the Stud Book. As stated under Cross Patch (page 119), the first line of the Conditions of "Entry " reads : "'Entered' sire and dam by 'Full-registered' sire." Danceaway would be a " dam by a ' Full-registered ' sire." As the Conditions were first drawn, her stock by a " Full-registered " sire would be entitled to " Full-registry " under the line in the Conditions of " Full-registry," viz.: — "'Full-registered' sire and dam by 'Full-registered' sire.'' Subsequently the condition necessitating a second cross of Hackney blood in case of dams foaled in or since 1880 was added to those affecting " Full-registry." Upon that a mare like Danceaway, being foaled in 1885, and not having any ascertained Hackney blood in her dam, becomes relegated to the first line of the Conditicns of " Entry " as a " dam by a ' Full-registered ' sire." That line states that such a dam can breed stock entitled to " Entry " by an " Entered " sire. A fortiori, therefore, she could breed stock entitled to " Entry " by a "Full-registered^'' sire. I make this explanation because the Editing Committee appeared to have some doubt on the point. But it is as clear as the day that if Danceaway's stock by an " Entered" sire are entitled to " Entry," as the Conditions precisely state, her stock by a' " Full-registered " sire are at least entitled to the same privilege. (See note on Cross Patch, page iiq). B-C. Press Notice.— Z7>r Stock Journal, April ^tk, 1890.— " A gem is the appropriately namjdQucin of Action a five-year-old bay by Lord Derby II. She is a short-legged mare, with a lot of substance and good feet. She has a good look-out, is well ribbed up, and is as good to follow as fhe is to meet. Quality all over, she seems as if she knew it as she walks away, and in harness she makes the wheels spin merrily round. Her action is high as well as fast, and she is the very ideal of a harness horse for London." 101 Hackneys. Mares. POPITUP. Roan Mare, Height 15 hands. Foaled 1S87. Breeder, — Peacock, Suton, Wymondham, Norfolk. Sire, TROTTING SHALES (Beldam's) 837, by Old Times 537, by Hue-and-Cky Shai.?:s 37Q, by Phenomenon 579, by Cambridgeshire Shales no, by Hue-and-Cry Shales 378, by Marshland Shales 435. Description and Breeding. — This is a very smart mare with action just as high as you like to drive it. On her sire's side she is an old Shales-bred one. Her dam's pedigree is lost and therefore she cannot go into the Book, although her progeny will be eligible. She is a perfect Norfolk Hackney in type, and having half of her blood Hackney, ought of course to have a place in the Stud Book of the breed. (See preceding page.) B-C. EARSHAM. B.\Y Mare, Height 15.3. Foaled 18S6. Breeder, J. Coker, Jun., Earsham Park, Bungay, Suffolk. Sire, BROTHER OF FASHION 99, Dam, by INCHCOLM by Confidence 15S. {Thoroughbred). Description and Breeding. — This mare finely illustrates the value of the Hackney and Thoroughbred cross for gutting hacks. She is all over a lady's hack, up to considerable weight. She has grand action, of the elastic order, and a somewhat more blood-like appearance than belongs to a true Hackney, although her bone and substance plainly bespeak the latter blood. Her sire must have been a better getter than his more illustrious naturalised American brother, Fashion 199 — if a line can be taken from the three of the latter's stock shown at the New York Show of i8qo. A very capital class was there instituted, which we would do well to copy at English Shows, as nothing could be of more use to the breeder, for " Hackney Stallions, shown with three of their get," the prize to be awarded presumably for the excellence of the stock rather than of the Stallion. Fashion, after six years' service in America, made a very poor show of filial representatives. And how many of nur own proud champions of the ring would not go down bofore this very sensible and practical test ! This mare is another specimen of the class in which Danceaway, Popitup, Cross Patch, &c., must b^ placed. Her stock by Hackney Stallions can go into the Book. B-C. Hackneys. Impeded Mares. FIREAWA Y SULTANA 243 F, S. Brown Mare, i6 hands. Fo.tud 18S4. Sire, FOSTON FIREAWAY 288, by Fireawav (Triffit's) 240. Breeding. — This is an " inspected " mare, as the name of her breeder and paticulars of her dam have been lost ; but the paternity of Foston Fireaway has always attached to her in the different hands through which she passed. As she is a brown mare, of great size and bone, I have no doubt that this is correct (see Doll Fireaway, page 8q). For a really big mare, with weight and substance, standing fully 16 hands, and able to take a heavy brougham along the Embankment at eighteen miles an hour, I consider her the finest goer I have ever seen ; the dash of her knee upward and onward is almost alarming to witness. The reader will find Foston Fireaway, who has since come into the Brookfield Stud, described, on page 41. B-C. Performance. — In 1890, Second Prize (Harness), Great Yorkshire Show, Harrogate. 102 Hackneys. Inspected Mares. CONFIDANTE 478 F. Brown Mare, Height 15.3. Foaled 1882. Breeder, Edward Farrer, Sporle, S waff ham, Norfolk. 6-/r^, CONFIDENCE 1 58. Description and Breeding. — ^This is one of the best mares I have ever seen of her size. She has enough sub- stance, and superb quality, with 8 J inches of clean flat bone below the knee. Her top line is very long and elegant, and her action conforms to it, being very stately and finished. The mare herself is an instance of the working of those regulations for admission to the Stud Book, to which I have referred at length under Danceaway (page loo). Here is a mare of pure and very elegant Hackney type and possessed of one-half Hackney blood, who has to be relegated to the same department of the Book as mares who have no Hackney blood at all, and in many instances very little Hackney appearance. If she had been foaled in or since 1885, she could not have been entered even as an Inspected mare, and therefore could not have found her way into the Book at all. Her progeny by a Hackney stallion would be entitled to enter the Book. Now, supposing Confidante's Hackney blood had come from the other side, i.e., her dam being an Entered or Registered Hackney, and her sire's breeding unascertainable, she herself could not go into the Book, nor could her progeny by even a Fti.ll Registered Hackney. Thus, in the latter case it would come about that an animal having two direct crosses of recognised Hackney blood would be inadmissible for the Book. I much regret that nothing can be ascertained about the breeding of the dam of this grand mare. Her breeder, Mr. Edward Farrer, of Sporle, near Swaffham, writes, " The brown mare you bought was bred by me, and is now eight years old. She is by Confidence out of one of the best mares I ever had, but I do not know the latter's pedigree. She (Confidante's dam) bred several valuable animals before I had her. I bought her of Mr. Betts, of Winfarthing, but he was not certain how she was bred. — Edward Farrer." B-C. STARLIGHT 778 F.S. Roan ^ikvi.. Height \<^.2\, Foaled 1884. Sire, SHALES 759, by Hue and Cry Shales 379. G.-aam, by Perfection (Jackson's) 541. Description and Breeding. — It is a great pity the record of the breeding of this mare has been lost, as no truer Hackney could be moulded or put into action than this one. She has good size and bone, and great quality, and is a very fine goer. She is one of a pair very well known and much admired for the past two years in London, and when her time comes I have little doubt she will breed a good horse. Her sire, a Shales horse belonging to the late John Grout, was also a roan, and a grand-bred horse on Norfolk lines. B-C. HARDINESSE 541 F.S. Chestnut Mare, Height 15 hands. Foaled 1882. Description. — -This is evidently a tolerably pure -bred cob mare, being of correct Hackney type in all respects. She has plenty of action, and is a sweetly turned animal. Her foal of '90, by Candidate, which unfortunately died, was a very clever one. B-C. Produce.— In 1890, chestnut filly by Candidate 920 (since dead). 103 Hackneys. Inspected Mares. NIGHTLIGHT 709, F.S. Roan Mare, Height 16 hands. Foaled, 1884. Breeding. — I had this mare inspected because I considered her likely to make a valuable brood mare if put to a Hackney stallion She is a great raking animal, standing over 16 hands, with plenty of "room," immense depth through the heart, and 9 inches of bone below the knee ; built to carry eighteen stone, flippantly, through deep ground, but with such good knee action in her trot that she probably has a strain of the Hackney somewhere in her back blood. B-C. LONGTAIL 644, F.S. Brown Mare, Height 15.3. Foaled 1879. Description. — ^This is a most useful-looking brood mare, possessing, as she does, a very sweet head, a good middle, and a well-knit frame. \ . S. Breeding. — It will be noticed that no pedigree is given with this mare, for the good reason that nothing is known about it. She is one of five mares purchased some years ago, with which I began my horse-breeding operations. They were all like this one — good-looking brood mares, with bone, size, and quality, and in the opinion of several good judges who saw them, were the best type to breed from. In choosing these mares by their looks, and knowing nothing of their breeding, I was pursuing the policy adopted by nine out of ten breeders of half-bred stock in England — that is, in the districts outside of those to which the breeds now comprising the Brookfield Stud are indigenous. These mares were put to several different thoroughbred sires, including Hilarious, winner of the Cesarewitch, whose fee was 20 guineas. The result was disastrous, for, with the e.xception of Longtail, none of the five ever bred anything worth looking at ; and she only began to breed good ones when put to Hackney stallions. This was not only a lesson to myself, but it amply explained why horse-breeding as an industry is so rarely successful in many parts of England. I then changed my ground altogether, and turned my attention to the specific breeds possessed of authentic back blood, and therein qualified by the force of heredity to perpetuate their own qualities. The altered result was immediately appreciable ; and, as stated in the Explanatory Note to this Work, I attribute whatever success has been attained by the Brookfield Stud to careful attention to this question of old back blood in the mares, as well as in the stallions, composing the stud. This mare, however, has now been inspected, and will go into the Inspection Department of the Stud Book. If in the varieties of form and type introduced into the category of Hackneys by that division of the book, there is nothing worse than this mare, no great harm will have been done. It will be observed that I have not hitherto kept her colts entire, although they are good enough, and have plenty of size, simply because they could not go into the Stud Book ; but now, of course, the gates are opened for the produce of such an inspected mare as this. Longtail has bred some grand stock of a Hackney type with the advantage of a little extra size, and I opine she has some Hackney blood some- where of which the record has been lost. If such is not the case, it makes the argument all the stronger in favour of the Hackney stallion as a country sire for ordinary good-looking big mares, of whose breeding nothing is known. B-C. Produce. — In 886, Brown colt. Black Fashion 1,624, by Confidence 158 (gelded). 887, Chestnut colt, Yellow Hammer 1,954, by Candidate 920 (gelded). 888, Brown filly, Chignon, by Truefit (page 155). 889, Bay colt, Beau Brummel, by Brown Fashion [1628] (gelded). 890, Brown filly, by Brown Fashion [it>28], (dead). 104 Hackneys. Inspected Mares. FLOWER GIRL 514 F.S. Bay Mare, T/^V/// 15.3, Foa/ei^ 1882. Description. — A particularly roomy and at thei same time most symmetrical mare, with both quality and action. Her admirable colt foal by Mr. Ford's Pioneer — a horse who is rapidly making his reputation as a more than useful Yorkshire Stallion — proves that this mare, at least, has nothing in her blood inconsistent with breeding good Hackneys. B-C. Produce :— In iSqo, bay colt Florist, by Pioneer 1088 (page 57). IMPERATRICE 559 F.S. Brown Mare, Height 15.3. Foaled 1S84. Description.— K lengthy mare on very grand limbs, with free action. Her long shoulders and quarters, with plenty of quality added, promise an excellent mould in which to create a good Hackney foal. B-C. MYSTERY 698 F.S. Bay Mare, Height 15. i. Foaled 1879. Description. — This mare, bought from the late John Grout, has done me such grand service, and is such a true Hackney in shapes and action, that, in spite of her having no record in breeding, I looked with confidence to her throwing a good foal to a Hackney Stallion. Nor did I reckon in vain. Her first foal, as so often happens with old maiden mares, was a poor weakling, and eventually died ; but her filly of this year, by Candidate, is a tip-topper, and a strong one in the bargain. The mare herself was one of the innumerable smart-going harness horses with which John Grout filled his stables from the Hackney districts of Norfolk, at a time when his customers paid little or no attention to pedigree. I always used her for fast work in London, and nothing could catch a train at King's Cross — it didn't matter much how little time you gave her — so surely as she. Many a time I have rattled her over the stones four miles away to the East End of London at twelve-an-hour ; she was wonderfully keen, but handy withal, and her action was very high and quick as lightning, her hocks being so well under her that, though in the winter she would sometimes slip in front, she was never down (see note on value of hind action, Waldemar, p. 43). It is literally true that I never followed anything I could not pass with her. In Norfolk she twice trotted 14^ miles along a heavy stony road under the hour : once in 59 and once in 56 minutes. When people talk about horses going 14 miles an hour, they generally mean "at the rate of," and I consider that distance, all told, within the hour — with a cart full of portmanteaus and a ser\ant — an extra good performance. B-C. CHAMPS ELYSEES 468, F.S. Brown Mare, Height i6 hands. Foaled 1879. This is a grand mare of enlarged Hackney shapes, and very quick, high action, for a big one. She is a powerful and roomy animal, with great sloping shoulders and lots of quality. How she is bred, I cannot say ; out I know her history. She was Lord Lyons' favourite brougham horse for several of the years during which the British Ambassador's turn-outs were the sight of Paris. He nearly always drove English horses — rich, black- orowns, like this one — and while her action is too high for a pure Yorkshire Coach Horse, I should think she might be by some dark-coloured Yorkshire Hackney — perhaps by Old Fireaway himself — out of a mare of the bigger breed. As a break-horse at Brookfield she has slaved away for two years, no day being too long for her, and no young one too quick ; but her action was so good that it sometimes drowned that of the selling horse— which isn't " good business " — so she goes to the stud. B-C. 105 Hackneys. Mares foaied isss. 2184 LADY FIREAlff AY III. Bay Mare. Foa /c(^ i8SS. Breeder, W. NicuoLhii, Scagglethorpe, Yorkshire. Sire, FIREAWAY (Triffit's) 249. /)«w, 701 LADY CHARLOTTA, by King of Trumps, 366. Descrt^tioii.— This is rather a backward filly at present, as being of the long, low, old-fashioned style, she requires time to come on and fine down. At the same time she is a very truly-built Hackney, and promises to develop into a valuable brood mare. \^. S. Breeding. — See remarks on breeding of 711 Lady Fireaway, who is full sister to this mare (page 62). B-C. 2305 MILLY HORSLEY. Bay Mare, Foaled 1888. Breeder, Owner. Sire, CANDIDATE 920. Dam, 495 POLLY HORSLEY (page 61), by FiRK.-wvAV (Triffit's) 249 Description. — Milly Horsley is a grand filly, combining substance, size, and quality with capital action Her shoulders are in just the right place, her back and quarters are unexceptionable, and she looks all over like perpetuating the excellence of her worthy old mother. V. S. Breeding. — Another successful instance of the Denmark-Fireaway cross, and the fourteenth foal of that fine old mare Polly Horsley (page fai). B-C. 1935 BRIBERY. Bay Mare. Foaled I'^'iZ. Breeder, O^^^y.^. Sire, CANDIDATE 920. Dam, 873 TRINKET (page 90 , by FiREAWAV (Triffit's) 249. Description. — A very late foal, but now well developed. She is a capital mover, which could hardly be otherwise when her breeding is taken into account. Breeding. — A double Denmark-Fireaway cross, the sire of Denmark being also the sire of Trinket's dam. B-C. 106 Hackneys. Mares toaied isss. 2501 YIYANDIERE. Bay Mare. Bi-eeder, C. E. Cooke, Foaled \'&%'i. Litcham, Norfolk, Sire, CADET 1251, by Dam, 404 BELLE IIL, by Lord Derby II. 417. Confidence 158. G.-ciam, 289 Princess by Denmark 177. G.-dani, iq Belle II. by Norfolk Trotter 530. G.G.-dani, 95 Empress by Fireawav (TriflSt's), 240. G.G.-dam, 18 Belle by Nonpareil 474, by Norfolk Cob 480. G.G.G.-dam, 274 Poll III. G.G.G.-dam, 68 Cooke's Chestnut Mare by Norfolk Hero 495 by Norfolk Hero 494. G. G.G.G.-dam, by Marshland Shales 435. Description. — Vivandi6reisa very showy and most promising filly, gifted with a grand roomy frame, well placed shoulders, which she knows how to use, good quarters, and an excellent set of short legs and big feet. She is a fine mover and should develop into one of the most valuable brood mares in the Stud, if indeed, she does not distinguish herself in the show ring previously. V. S. Breeding. — I have previously referred to the interesting character of Mr. Cooke's stud (see Primrose, page 69 and Courier, page 46). The old mare in the family. Belle, by Nonpareil, who was by a grandson of Norfolk Phenomenon out of a Norfolk Hero mare, was the dam of a long line of Belles. This old Belle combined two famous Norfolk strains. The one starting from Norfolk Cob (Wright and Goold's) 475, a son of Burgess' Fireaway, 'rom a Marshland Shales mare, and passing successively through Norfolk Phenomenon (Bond's) 522, the grand-sire of Belle, Prickwillow (Cobbin's) 607, Fireaway Prickwillow (Stebbing's), Prickwillow (Tice's), 614, into the most illustrious of all, Confidence 158. The other strain is that of the Norfolk Hero blood, coming from Bell-founder (Jary's) 55, a horse that is stated in the Stud Book to have been imported into America in 1822, and to have been a grandson of Wroot's Pretender 596, into a long consecutive line of Norfolk Heroes, one of whom was the sire of old Belle's dam. This first old Belle must have been a rare good mare, for she got, by Shepherd F. Knapp (see Primrose page 69), Washington 852, the sire of Mr. Frisby's Movement ; by Gidden's Great Gun, Cannon Ball ; and I q Bell II., the grand-dam of this filly. Possessing this old Norfolk blood, Mr. Cooke, two or three years ago, with an intelligent enterprise which does him great credit, took into Norfolk a Yorkshire horse — one of Mr. Moore's breeding, from his famous mare, Princess (see note on breeding of Candidate, page 37), by Lord Derby II. 417. I had long seen, and often urged, the probable advantage of re-uniting the Norfolk and Yorkshire strains after their long separation, before I heard that Mr. Cooke had actually taken the step. For further instances of brilliant success attending this re-union, see Kiss-Me-Quicl"; (page 113), Nor' Easter (page 52), and Winning Hazard (page 51). Of course it is difficult to argue from a particular horse, and even if Mr. Cooke's experiment had failed, I should have been of the same opinion. But, as far as I have been able to see from two visits to his stud, the Yorkshire cross has greatly improved its character, the difference being very marked in the head, neck, shoulders, and quarters. To differentiate the Hackneys of these two counties by stating their defects, which I have done in a rather one-sided manner in my article (page ib6), I should say — and, of course, it must be remembered that to every general statement there are many exceptions — that the Yorkshire horses have not so much high (and some people might call it " up and down ") action, nor such good hocks as the Norfolk. On the other hand, the head, neck, and shoulders, the bone below the knee, and the quarters (which in the typical Norfolk Hackney are too often of the " carty " order, with the tail set low) are very inferior in the Nortolk type (but see note to article on Mr. Peacock's Hackney;, page 166). I still believe, by careful mating of the two, we can eradicate these respective defects. I shall wateh with great interest the development of Vivandiere, as she is one of the best specimens of the combination. B-C. 107 Hackneys. Bay Mare. Mares foaiui isss. 2290 MAYFLOWER. Svr, MATCHLESS OF LONDES- BOROUGH 1 5 17. Foaled 1 888. Breeder, Thomas Kelsev, Market Weighton, Yorks. Dam, 1930 BONNY, by Achilles 2. G.-diim, Star, by Phknomknon 898. Description and Breeding. — This is a mare with many of the fine characteristics of her sire, having substance, short legs, plenty of bone, wide hips, good shoulders, and both reach and quality over her neck. She is a strong, high, goer with a good deal of freedom. B-C. Bay Mare. 2368 PARTHENIA. Foaled 1888. Sire, CONFIDENCE 158. Breeder, C. W. Barker, Wymondham, Norfolk. Dam, 166 KITTY, by The Celt {Thornughhred). G.-dam, a Fireawav mare. Description. — This filly promises to develop into an unusually smart mare. She possesses her father's shaped head, fine shoulders, and a first-rate set of legs and feet, the former being more of the thoroughbred character of bone. She is, in addition, a brilliant goer, and should she grow and come on to size, she will make her mark in days to come. V. S. Breeding. — This filly is an instance of the advantage already referred to of mating Confidence 158 with " blood " mares. Her dam, it will be noticed, was by a thoroughbred horse, The Celt, and she took first prize as a Hackney mare at the Norfolk Agricultural Show in 1 881, and again in 1882. Mr. Lambert, of East Dereham showed at the Hackney Society's Show in London, 1889, a grand young horse. Royal Confidence 1897, who was out of Celtana, a daughter of the above Kitty, by Confidence. Celtana, therefore, would be full sister to Parthenia. She was put to a horse named Donald Caird, who also was by Confidence, out of a mare by Donald Caird, thoroughbred. This sire and dam, therefore, were bred in the same way, both being by Confidence out of mares by thoroughbreds. But the in-breeding involved in mating a half-brother and half-sister was sufficiently modified by the strong double infusion of thoroughbred blood in the dams of these two, and the result, in Royal Confidence, was one of the best-shaped young Norfolk horses I have seen. His action was hardly so good as his shapes and quality, a fact easily accounted for by his breeding, for in nine cases out of ten thorough- bred blood undoubtedly lowers the knee somewhat. The breeding of this horse Royal Confidence affords such an interesting lesson that I have thought it not out of place to append the note to the breeding of his maternal aunt, Parthenia. B-C. 108 Hackneys. Mares foaied isss. 3324 TROTTING HEROINE. Brown Mare. Foakd 1888. Breeder, James Piiilippo Hackford, Norfolk. Sire, GREY TOM 2499, by Z>^?w, Tacolnestone Lady 794, F.S., by Trotting Hero CoNFiDKNTE I 58. (Mann's) .S35, by Hero (Cooper's) ■i<^i^ by Norfolk Hero (Tann's) 502, by Norfolk Hero (Nicholson's) 496, by Norfolk Hero (Wigg's) 495, by Norfolk Hf;ro (Alann's) 494, by Bellfounder (Jary's) 55, by Bellfohnder (Stevens') 52, by Pretender (Wroot's) 596, by Fireawav (Jenkinson's) 201, by Dhufr 1S7, by Shales (The Original) 699. Description and Breeding. — A very good-looking, whole-coloured, black-brown filly, with good bone and a little more than good action. For convenience of reference, and also to give a curious example of the continuity of name extending over half-a-century (Mann's Norfolk Hero having been foaled in 1 821), I have given here the line of the famous Hero's. The Hackney blood of the Original Shales, it will be remembered, flowed down in two distinct strains through his sons Driver (above) and Scot Shales 692. In Mann's Norfolk Hero, the progenitor of the Hero line, those two strains were re-united, the sire of that horse coming through the Bellfounders straight down from Driver, while his dam came through Thistleton's and Marshland Shales direct from Scot Shales. This condensa- tion of the original strains of Hackney blood no doubt g^ve the Hero's their strong and impressive Hackney character. It will also be remembered that Jary's Bellfounder is the horse that is believed to have been imported into America by James Booth, of Boston, in 1822, and to have impressed the trotting element into the American Trotters. When comparing the speed of American trotters with our present Hackneys, it must always be borne in mind that speed in the trot was what was originally, and, indeed, up to a few years ago, most cultivated in the English Hackney. Of course, coupled with that was weight-carrying power, for these " utility horses '' had to carry their owners, who were invariably farmers, and often were heavy men. So we see the tests to which they were subjected, and the great trials which made their names famous, run thus : " 15 miles in the hour " on such and such a turnpike road, '' carrying 15 stones P But for the purpose of this note, which is to compare the action of the American and English Trotter, I reserve the question of weight-carrying (and a very important reservation it is as bearing on the general value of the breed) and treat only of speed. That was the great test of their merit, and the fact that the trot was their natural pace enabled them to be pressed to a very high rate of speed along the road without breaking. The process by which the two types have so widely diverged, putting aside the great difference in shapes, I take to be as follows. In America the blood was quickly mingled with that of the thoroughbred, which greatly altered the shapes of the horse, and lowered the knee action, turning the stride into the long low sweep, akin to the gallop of the race-horse. But the great and original characteristic of the Hackney — the trot — was so inherent that it preserved the outcome of the cross as a trotter. That is to say, while the American horse took into his blood the speed and endurance of the thoroughbred together with the lower action, the trotting pace was so impressive that he remained with the aid of scientific training a trotter. Now, of late years in England the market has placed a meretricious value on high action, as opposed to speed, in the trot. The Hackney has been rained in while he is still urged forward ; he will not and cannot naturally gallop ; he has nothing therefore to do with his legs, if he keeps the trot, but to throw them up in the air. Hence comes the high action of the modern Hackney. His original speed now takes the form in a really good horse— behind, of a greatly increased flexing of the hock— in front, of a lofty dash of the corresponding motion of the knee. His inherent characteristic, the trot, which was formerly progressive only, is now made to expend itself to a certain extent in perpendicular action. I am aware tliat an effort is being made — I think by a large Western breeder — to train pure thoroughbreds to the trot only ; and it may be successful. But looking at the nature of the two, the pure thoroughbred would, if pushed to the excessive trotting required for the American track, break into a gallop ; and if pushed to the excessive high action required for Hyde Park, break into a canter. It is the Hackney blood which prevents his doing either wherever it is found. We have only to look at the foals of the thoroughbred and Hackney breeds, at the time when nature alone 109 Hackneys. Mares foaied isss. 3324 TROTTING HEROINE (continued). governs their movement. A true Hackney foal will settle himself into a trot the moment he comes out of his box, increasing the length of his stride and the height of his action according to the pace of his dam ; while a thorough- bred foal will " slither " along by the side of his dam, however slow she may be going, always at the gallop or canter. Nature, after all, is the truest guide, and nature tells us here at this early age what in the subsequent use of the horse we find fully proved — that the Hackney blood is the true blood for harness work. Once that fact is established, which it could easily be by, in addition to the above argument, comparing the prices realised for horses by thoroughbred sires which do not rnake hunters and have to be sold as harness horses, with those made by the get ot Hackney stallions — £}o being a high average for the former, and the latter ranging from;£^ioo to ^400 " last " prices — we see the enormous economic mistake that has been made in the past by the patrons of horse-breeding throughout England. For one horse used as a hunter there are ten horses used in this country for harness ; and yet the whole of our breeding in the past has been from the thoroughbred. (X.B.— Compare interesting disserta- tion on American horses in Press E.xtract from Spoytiuii: and Dramatic Xcws, page 22). B-C. 3226 RANDOM FIRE. Brown Mare. Foaled 1888. Breeder, Mark Gibson, Thornton, Pocklington, Yorkshire. Sire, WILDFIRE 1224, by Phenomenon Dam, by RANDOLPH 1123, by (Cook's) 584. Eci.iPSK (Cook's) 191. G.-dam, 405 Polly Horsiey (page 61), G.-dam, by Prickwii.low 62q. by FiKKAWAV (Triffit's) 249. Description and Breeding. — This very good and deep-coloured filly has, as might be expected from her birth-place, '' Cook of Pocklington " all through her blood ; and many good horses did " those brothers three " breed (page 45), — big-boned, whole-coloured ones, that could take prizes in the ring and work well for a life- time. It was no mean performance for this filly to take third prize at Pocklington, an unpretentious but very old-established and most interesting Show, when " Vanity," Lord Londesborough's slashing daughter of Candidate, and a prize-winning filly of Mr. Asquith's took first and second respectively. Performance. — In i8qo, Third Prize at Pocklington. 3343 VIOLET EARLE. Roan Mare. Foaled 1888. Breeder, J. R. Burnham, Frodingham Hall, Winesteacl, Hull, Yorks. Sire, DANEGELT 174, by Denmark 177. Dam, 455 LADY FLORA, by Lord Dkkisv II., 417. G-dam, 462 Lady LandskeK, by Sik Edwin Landsekr 774, by Fireawav 249. G.G.-dani, by Achilles 2. G.G.G. -da nuhy Aughton Merkvlegs 894, by Merrvlegs (Lund's) 449. G.G.G.G. -dam, hy Fireawav 222, by Fireawav (Burgess's) 208. Description and Breeding. — I will say little in description of this filly as she is of an age which still leaves the Show-ring open to her. She combines the substance and bone for which Danegelt is famous through his ■ stock, with the infinite quality that Lord Derby transmits to his. The filly is beautifully bred to Yorkshire lines, hei dam being a roan daughter of Mr. Burnham's famous roan Lady Landseer, a strain which has been in his family tor half a century. The red roan colour of these two, so impressive as to withstand the strong influence of the brown son of Old Fireaway (himself also a brown) and the brown of Lord Derby II., has finally conquered the chestnut of Danegelt and Denmark, and still remains red roan in this filly. B-C. 110 Hackneys. Mares foaied isss. 2441 SCHOOL GIRL. Bay Mare. Foaled 1888. Breeder, W. Clarkson, Newbald, Yorks. Sire, MATCHLESS OF LONDESBORO' 1517. Dam, FAN, by Achilles 2 (the G-dam, 463 Lady Lyons (page 58). sire of Fireaway 240). Description and Breeding. — This is a very big mare with a grand forehand and depth of girth, remarkable thighs and second thighs, and great room and width to carry a foal that should make a stallion. She is a good evidence of the value of Matchless so often referred to in these pages, as size is the especial feature of the produce of the Champion Stallion of the late New York Show. B-C. KISS-IN-THE-RING. (Full Registered in Vol. IX.) Chestnut Mare. Foaled 1888. Breeder, W. Clarkson, .S?/r, MATCHLESS OF LONDESBORO' 1517 Dam, \ 1^0 VILLAGE LASS, by (see above). Tklegraph 826,by Lord DERBY415. Newbald, Yorks. iGE LASS, ), by Lord Derb^ G.-dam, Fan, by Achilles 2 (see above). Description and Brecaing. — This is a much " tighter " mare than the filly above, to which she is so close'.y related ; that is to say she is shorter, rounder, and more compact. She has a charming Hackney top line with capital quarters, is an old-fashioned sort on short legs with plenty of bone, a good goer like School Girl, and with the old Lord Derby blood, under that of Old Fireaway's sire, should make a fashionable brood mare. B-C. THELMA. (Full Registered for Vol. IX). Chestnut Mare. Foaled 1888. Breeder, G. Smith, Garton-on-the-Wolds, Yorks. Sire, DANEGELT 174, by'DENM.\RK 177. Dam, NELLY, by Lord of Lorne 420 (the dam of Waldemar, page 43). Description and Breeding. — This mare is full sisttr to that brilliant horse Waldemar (page 43), and is well worthy of her relationship. She is a very true shaped Hackney, with nice length and quality in her neck, a beautiful head and back, and quarters as good as can be. She promises to go something like her brother, and if she ever gets near him in that respect she will be a wonder. B-C. 111 Hackneys. Mares foaied isss. DERBY MAID. (Full Registered in Vol. IX.) Brown Mare. Foaled 1888. Breeder, David Foster, Everingham, Yorks. Sire, LORD DERBY II. 417. Dam, by FIREAWAY (Triffit's) 249. G. dam^ by Domino (Thoroughbred). G.G.-dain, by Achilles 2. Description and Breeding. — This is an ultra-fashionably bred mare, having the blood of Lord Derby, Fireaway, and with him a double strain of his sire Achilles, combined with the fine stock-getting properties of the well-known Yorkshire sire of big harness horses, Domino. She is a long, low, mare with good substance, standing already 15.2 without shoes, and when these latter are added she will be a real good goer. B-C. CARED FOR. (Full Registered in Vol. IX.) Brown Mare. Foaled, 1888. Breeder, — Hutchinson, High Drewton, S. Cave, Yorks. Sire, DONALD CAIRD (Part 2, Vol. II.) Dam, by FIREAWAY (Triffit's) 249. G.-dam, by Napoleon, 465. Description and Breeding. — Donald Caird, the big and useful son of old Norfolk Confidence, is already responsible for one entry in this Catalogue, Lass o'Donald's (page 94). If this mare serves me as well as her half-sister, who is now in America, be it by breeding or by sale, I shall owe another debt to the grand old Norfolk horse who got her sire. She is a deep colour with nice quality, and a quick high goer. B-C. WENDIiING MAID. (Full Registered for Vol. IX.) Bay Mare. Foaled, 1888. Breeder, W. Patrick, Wendling, Dereham, Norfolk. Sire, RIFLEMAN (Barrett's) 670. Dam, FANNY, by Goldfinder (Lewell's) 318, by Shkpheru F. Kxapp. (App. Vol. i.) G.-dani, by Robin Hood 676. Description and Breeding. — This mare, by that very successful sire of big stock, Barrett's Rifleman, is finely bred on her dam's side, the combination of the brilliant American horse, considered by many judges the finest goer ever seen in a ring, with the pure and noted blood of Baldwin's Robin Hood, affording a first-rate line for the breeder. Wendling Maid is an excellent type of a Hackney mare all over — compact, strong, nicely turned, with good bone, and action of the right sort. B-C. 112 Hackneys. Mares foaied isss. 2492 If EN US. Chestnut Mare. 7^?^?/^:^' 1888. Breeder, Aqvila Kiruy, Market Weighton, Yorkshire. Stre, LORD STANLEY 1572, by Barn, 432 EVENING STAR, by LoKD Derby ii. 417 Star of the East 798. G.-dam, 288 Primrose (page6q). Breeding. — The block of Primrose forms an important feature in this Stud, and the filly under notice is well qualified to keep up the reputation of the old mare, having in addition the valuable Lord Derby cross. Performances. — In 1888, First Prize, Bubwith. First Prize, Holme. First Prize, Melbourne. Second Prize, North Cave. Second Prize, Market Weighton. 2044 FALSE YOWS. Chestnut INLvKE. Foakd i^^S. Breeder,OwtiiiK. Sire, CANDIDATE 920 (page 2,7)- Dam, 502 PRIORY MAID (page 71), by PoNTELAND (Rickell's) loqi, by Denmark, 177- Description. — This filly combines good bone and substance with excellent quality, and although not as yet such an extraordinary goer as her full sister that died in the thunderstorm, she gives good promise in that direction. V. S. Breeding. — This is the very cream of Hackney blood, with as much in-breeding as is safe ; the grand-sire of Priory Maid (through Ponteland 1091) and the sire of Candidate b^ing onj and the sami horse, Denmark 177. See remarks of Priory Maid's breeding (page 71). B-C. 2307 MIMNEHAHA. Chestnut Mare. Foaled 1888. Breeder, Owner. Sire, CANDIDATE 920 (page 2^-]). Dam, 288 PRIMROSE (page 69), by Shepherd F. Knapp (App. Vol. 1.). Description. — A til ly of great elegance and promise, and will grow into a big mare. She possesses a very neat head and grand quarters, is a very level and high goer, and has plenty of bone and excellent joints. V. S. Breeding. — The reader is referred to the remarks (page 6q) on the interesting combination of blood possessed by the dam of this filly, 288 Primrose. A further infusion of pure Hackney blood through Candidate has increased the action, and, if anything, added to the quality. The prophecy as to her size made above has been fully realised. When I saw her at Shelburne, Vermont, in November, i8qo, she had grown into a grand mare, standing nearly 15.3. B-C. 11 Hackneys. Mares foakd i889. 2853 KISS-ME-QUICK. Brown Mare. Foaled 1889. Breeder, Isaac D. Dunn, Keyingham, Hull, Yorks. Sire, CONFIDENCE 158. Dam, 2043 FALKA, by Lord Derby II. 417. G.-dam, Pop by Sportsman 796, by Prickwillow 624, by Performer (Taylor's) 550. G.G.-daw, by Phenomenon 573, by Wildfire 864, by FiREAWAY (Burgess's) 208. Breeding. — This charming filly whose shapes and extraordinary action made her invincible in the show ring in 1889, is another result of the Yorkshire and Norfolk cross (seeNor' Easier, page 52). But here we have, on the dam's side, the rich blood of Lord Derby II. (since, alas, dead) mingled with the grand strains of Taylor's Performer, and Burgess's Fireaway. B-C. Performances. — In i8Sq (as a foal). First Prize for Fillies and Champion Foal, Market Weighton. First Prize for Fillies and Champion Foal, Pocklinglon. First Prize, for Colts and Fillies, Roos. First Prize, for Fillies, Patrington. In i8qo. First Prize, for yearling Fillies, Hackney Show, London. In 1891, First Prize for Two-Year-Old Fillies, Hackney Show, London. Press Notices. — Hackney Society s Report, Vol. VIII. — '' She is a very fine mover, showing excellent knee action, and with time should develope into a winner of repute, for she possesses a large amount of quality." Live Stock Journal, March 7, 1890. — " She is a natural goer and full of quality." 3215 PRINCESS ROYAL. Bay Mare. Foaled 1S89. Breeder, Owner 5«>^, CANDIDATE 920. Dam, 1137 HER MAJESTY (page 92), by Confidence if'S. Description and Breeding. — The dam of this filly, who took the First Prize in the open class at the Hackney Show in 1888, and was remarkably successful at the New York Horse Show in 1890, has transmitted her action, and almost her identical shapes to Princess Royal ; and if the latter is anything like Her Majesty in harness, so far as charming manners and mouth, in addition to all the qualities that make up a showy phaeton horse, are concerned, she will be a sweet one ; for Princess Royal promises to exceed her dam in the bone and size she derives from Candidate. After getting this one foal from Her Majesty 1 put the latter to harness work, in which she particularly bhines. This is a system which I should advise all breeders, particularly those who keep only a few mares, to adopt. Breed one or two foals from the fillies at three and four, then take the mare up and work her for any number of years. In addition to the advantage of not starting her in work before her bones are set and her constitution formed, the mare is certain to breed after having had a foal in early life. By taking her up as a maiden for work at three or four she is less likely to turn out a serviceable harness horse, and when she goes to the stud, later in life, it will probably be very difficult to get her in foal. B-C. 114 Hackneys. Mares foakd issg. 2523 ANNIE. Bay Mare. Foaled 1889. Breeder, H. V. Sheringham, South Creake, Fakenham, Norfolk, Sire, CON FI DE NCE 1 58. Dam, 3 ALICE, by Banker {Thoroughbred), by Blair Athol. G.-dain, Brown marc by Fireawav (Beart's) 247. Description and Brccding.^-Tht raking size and roomy frame of this filly speak plainly enough of thoroughbred or hunter blood within tangible distance. It is natural, therefore, to find her dam described as a 16 hands mare by a thoroughbred sire out of a Hackney. She has kept much of the framework and quality of the former, but the blood of the latter, meeting the irresistible stepping properties of Old Confidence, has produced in this filly fine knee action, which gains extra freedom from a pair of good long sloping shoulders. Such a mare as Alice was a good cross with Confidence for reasons of deeper import than mere shapes and style. There is a strain of softness and a strain of cartiness somewhere in the blood of the old horse, both of which come out in hundreds of his stock bred from ordinary Hackney mares. It has been shown under Brown Fashion (page 44) how to avoid the latter by choosing for Confidence mares with fine quality, lean necks, and long level quarters. The softness can best be got rid of by such an infusion of thoroughbred blood as this filly possesses, or better still by using him and his sons on the harder basis of the Yorkshire Hackney. Foreign buyers have taken away great numbers of coarse underbred stallions by him — wonderful " dealer's " or " yard " horses, that come out bursting with short-lived courage and "dash it " up to the sky, just long enough for the price to be settled. Give them twenty-five minutes on the road and they are helpless passengers. The heavy shoulders and heavier neck, the pounding dishing action, the cut-away bone below the knee, the round dray-horse quarters with the dock springing from nearly half-way down their back profile, the " punchy " character over all ; these things must be acceptable to many buyers. It is a matter of taste, and they presumably have their eyes open. But what they do not know, and what is hidden from the eye, is the fatal strain of " softness," the " no heart," of these horses. And this showy rottenness has already been carried to many a distant land, there to permeate and taint the blood of the native horses for generations to come. With his mares correctly chosen. Old Confidence could get— and has got— the finest and best Hackneys that have ever lifted a knee ; but at the same time he has got countless brutes of the first order, who collectively have made up the heaviest curse any breed of horses in our time has had to bear. It is a melancholy satisfaction, so far as the credit of the Hackney breed is concerned, but a real one so far as it affects English interests, that most of such horses as I have described have quickly found foreign purchasers. I write with freedom on the subject now, because I cannot injure any personal interests ; but my opinion, based on large experience of his stock both on the road and at the stud, is what it alwavs has been — that this horse has put more money into the pocket of the Hackney breeder, and done more harm to the Hackney breed, than any sire in the Stud Book. And in order that this criticism should not be misunderstood, I will add that I so fully appreciate what the horse could do when properly mated, that were he ten years old or under, and I heard a stranger was nibbling, I would readily give _^' 10,000 to buy him and keep him in this country. B-C. 115 Hackneys. Mares foaicd i889. 3339 VICTORIA. Chestnut Mare. Foaled 1889. Breeder, James Coker, Beetley Hall, E. Dereham, Norfolk. >S/;r, VICTOR OF BEETLEY 1587, by Dam,hy HIGHFLYER 1006, by Relianxe 667, by Confidf;nce 158. Highflyer 366, by Confidence 158. (See Victor the Younger, page 5;). G.-dain, 1 61 9 Lady Clarke, by Ai. I.; G.G.-dam, 79 Daisy, by Shepherd F. Knapp (Ann. Vol. I.). Description and Breeding. — This is a charming yearhng, and, as will be seen, a very pure-bred one, with that cross of the American horse Shepherd F. Knapp which I have so much sought after, and have referred to more fully under Primrose (page 69), and Courier (page 46). She is one degree further from Confidence than Victory (page 55), the old horse being her great-grandsire on both sides. Victoria is full sister to a colt which appeared in the first edition of my Catalogue, but which, on account of a shght lack, of substance all over, no longer can be ranked amongst my breeding stock. But I think he will make almost as high a price as most stallions when he comes to take his place in my harness and hack department. As for his sister Victoria. I think when her time comes it will take a good one to keep the ribbon away from her. B-C. 2561 BERCEAUNETTE. Bay Mare. Foaled 1889. Breeder, Owner. Sire, CANDIDATE 920 (page 37). Dam, 1 178 LADY BURSEA (page 68), by Wildfire 1224. Breeding.— 'X\(\i. very pretty filly is the latest of five generations, which, in 1889, were all living, three of them being in my Stud : Berceaunette out of Lady Bursea, Lady Bursea by Wildfire, Wildfire out of Polly Horsley, Polly Horsley by Triffit's Fireaway. With Candidate's pure blood on the other side, she is a real thoroughbred Hackney. B-C. [2516] ADELA. Brown Mare. 1889. Breeder, Owner. Sire, CANDIDATE 920 (page 37). Dam, MISS ADDIE (page 153). CALISTHENIC. (Full Registered for Vol. ^X.) Brown Mare. Foaled 1889 Breeder, C. Elgey, Millington Grange, York. 5zW, FIREAWAY OF CALLIS WOLD 1483, Dam, 1030 BONNY (the dam of by Fireaway (Triffit's) 249. Lord Swanland 1834), by Liberty 1027, by Pluto 5 go. G.-dam, by SiK Chakle:s 769. G.-G.-dain, by Wildfire 866. Description and Breeding. — This rare filly is too young to warrant much description ; but I dare prophesy she will be one of the most valuable matrons at Brookfield if she stays there. Her dam is a " dam of winners," and few will forget the great showiness of Lord Swanland, his two grand ends and fine action, which only a slight dip in his back prevented from taking a better than second prize at the Hackney Show of 1888. Calisthenic has a perfect back and loin, good quarters, an admirable forehand, and the best of timber on which to carry them. B-C. Performances in 1890. — First Prize, Market Weighton ; Second Prize, Pockli.igton. 116 Hackneys. Mares foaicd issq. 2753 FI.EUR DB LYONS. Chestnut Mare. Foa/ed, iS8g. Breeder, Owi^ER. Sire, CANDIDATE 920. Daw, 463 LADY LYONS (page 58). Breeding. — I cannot say more for this filly than that she is full sister to Beau Lyons 2357, and looks it all over. B-C. 2665 CZARElfNA. Bay Mare. Foaled i^Zc). i^rtW^r, Owner. Sire, BROWN FASHION 1628 (page 44). Dam, 78 DAGMAR (page 93), by Denmark 177. Description and Breeding. — This is breeding-out to a marked extent, as Brown Fashion is half Norfolk Hackney and half thoroughbred, which has given some very fresh blood to the Yorkshire Dagmar, now the Champion American Hackney Mare. As one of the first of Brown Fashion's foals, this filly gives every promise of his becoming a valuable sire. She has great quality and big bone, while her action has all the dash of her sire. B-C. 2991 LAUGHING IflTATER. Bay Mare. Foaled \8'i(j. Breeder, 0\^^e\<. Sire, CANDIDATE 920. Dam, 288 PRIMROSE (page 69), by Shepherd F. Knapp (App. Vol. I.). Breeding. — Full sister to 2307 Minnehaha (see page 112). 3135 NITRATE. Chestnut Mare. Foaled 1889. Breeder, Owner. Sire, COPENHAGEN 1461 Dam, 711 LADY FIREAWAY (page 62), by (page 47). FiREAW.-^v (Triffit's) 24q. Breeding. — The early promise shown by this filly, and referred to under Lady Fireaway (page 62), was more than fulfilled. With great bone, length, and quality, she became a brilliant and true goer, and I coula almost wish I had her sire back instead of the ' monkey ' I received for him. What is Avorse, I was also induced to part with this filly. She is destined to grow into a brilliant mare, with great size and power, and I am afraid it will be a long time before I breed another just like her. Few who saw her at Brookfield in 1890 will forget her tremendous action. B-C. Performance. — In 1890, H. C. for yearling fillies, Hackney Show, London. Press Notices. — Hackney Society's Report, Vol. VIII. — " Nitrate, by Copenhagen 1461 , a stable companion to the winner in this class, is a fine big raking filly, marvellously like her sire was when at her age, and pos.sessed of hii peculiar springy style of walking. This is a filly which should be benefited by time, as her shoulders are better than the average, and shape generally correct, although she is at present raw and unfurnished to a degrei.-." Live Stock Journal, March 7, 1 8go. — ^" There is the making of a very first rate brood mare about this chestnut." 117 Hackneys. Mares foaied isqo. ABANDON. (Full Registered for Vol. IX.) Chestnut Filly. Foaled 1890. Breeder, Owner. Sire, CANDIDATE 920 (page 37). Dam, 2138 JULIET DERBY (page 70), by LoKD Derby II. 417. ADIEU. (Entered for Vol. IX.) Brown Filly. Foakd i^go. Breeder, Own^K. Sire, ACCIDENT 1691 (page 45). Dam, MISS ADDIE {Thoroughbred), (page 153). C11E.STNUT Filly. Sire, MAESLLWCH 1839, by Lord Bang 1030. NOKOMIS. (Full Kegistereil for Vol. IX.; Foaled 1890. Breeder, Owner. Dam, 288 PRIMROSE (page 69), by Shepherd F. Kxapp MERRY MAY. (Entered for Vol. IX.) Chestnut Filly. Foaled 1890. Breeder, Owner. Sire, CANDIDATE 920 (page zi)- Dam, MAY {Thoronghbred) (page 152). Breeding.— It will be observed that this is a cross of the Hackney Stallion on to the pure Thorougnbred mare, my favourite method for bringing " blood " into the Hackney breed. B-C. PLANTAGENISTA. (Full Registered for Vol. IX.) Brown Filly, Foaled 1890. Breeder, Owner. Siie, BARTON BOY 2822, by Dam, 3182 PLANTAGENET (page 75), Prince Alfred 1325. G.-dain, Lady Constance, by King Walter 1023 G.G.-dam, Lady Golightly, by Sir Charles 769. by Fireaway (Triffit's) 240. 118 Hackneys. Mares foaicd i89o. MISFIRE. (Full Registered for Vol. IX.) Brown Filly. Foaicd 1890. Breeder, Owner. Sire, CANDIDATE 920 (page i^). Dam, 1897 BES.SY FIREAWAY (page 72). by FiREAWAY (Triffit's) 249. YISCOUNTESS. (Full Registered for Vol. IX.) Chestnut Filly. Foaicd 1890. Breeder, Thomas Harrison, Leppington, York. Sire, CASSIVELAUNUS 2198 /?.?;;/, 3158 OVERTON PRINCESS (Registered as Nil Despkrandum (page yg), by An'coneus 887. III.,Vol.VI., page 49. Re-named as above, Vol. VII., page 14), by Nil Desi'Ekandum II. 2197, by Lord Derby II. 417. G.-dam, 1600 Lady, by Sensation 694, by FiREAWAY (Triffit's) 249. MAJORITY. (Entered for Vol. IX.) Bay Filly. Foaled 1890. Breeder, Owner. Sire, CANDIDATE 920 (page 37). Dam, MYSTERY 698 F.S. (page 104). DAISY DIMPIiE. (Full Registered for Vol. IX.) Bay Filly. Foaled 1890. Breeder, Owner. Sire, RUFUS 1343, by Dam, 853 SHEPHERDESS (page 85), Vigorous 1215. by Confidence 163. G.-dam, 200 Lady Kitty, by Quicksilver (Jackson's). BELLE ALLIANCE. (Full Registered for Vol. IX.) Chestnut Filly. Foaled 1890. Breeder, Owner. Sire, CANDIDATE 920 (page 37). Dam, SILVER BELLE 1810 (page 98), by Wildfire 1224. Description. — As might be expected from her truly champion breeding, this filly is a very beautiful one, both in shapes and action. B-C. 119 Hackneys. Mares foaied i89o. CROSS PATCH. Bay Filly. Foa/et^ 1890. Breeder, Owner. Sire, CONFIDENCE 158. Dam, LADY GRAY 255, Y.C.H.B. (page 132). by Cou.NTv King iio, Y.C.H.B. Description and Breeding.— Th'a is a big-framed and big-boned filly, with fine action, and likely to make a very valuable brood mare. I have remarked later on, under Curiosity (page 156), on the utility of the cross of the Hackney and the Yorkshire Coach Horse or Cleveland Breed for harness purposes. I have put that filly under " Half-breds " because no stock derived from her would, by virtue of the Hackney blood of her dam, be entitled to go into the Hackney Stud Book, whereas this filly would be in a different position to breed from, on account of her Hackney blood coming from her sire. If it was desired to breed Hackneys from Curiosity, her own Hackney blood, which is one-half of the total, would count for nothing, because it comes from the dam and not from the sire. A new start would have to be made just as though she had no Hackney blood at all. She would be put to a Full-Registered Hackney stallion ; then the produce being a filly would be put again to a Full-Registered Hackney stallion ; then the produce of this second Hackney cross, by a Full-Registered Hackney stallion, would go into the Book, under the regulation that " if the dam was foaled in or since 1880, the second dam must also be by a ' Full- Registered ' or ' Entered ' sire." This means that no account is taken of the third dam being half- Hackney in blood. Now Cross Patch, being by a Full-Registered Hackney sire, could be put to a Full- Registered or Entered Hackney sire, and-the produce of that cross, if a filly, could at once be "entered" in the Stud Book by virtue of the first line of the Conditions of " Entry," which reads : " ' Entered ' sire and dam by 'Full-registered sire.'" (See explanation of this under Danceaway, page 100.) I have therefore placed this filly under Hackneys, although she herself cannot appear in the Stud Book. I need hardly remark on the inconsistency of this regulation, which, in the case of tAvo fillies each possessing one- half of pure Hackney blood, recognises that element in one but not in the other. The argument of the greater potentiality of the sire's blood, upon which the distinction can alone be founded, is not worth consideration for any breeder of experience knows that the dam is likely to be just as impressive as the sire, if not more so ; and if a mare by a Hackney sire can breed Hackneys, a mare out of a Hackney dam can do so equally well. My own view on the general question is that, if we are to go away from pure Hackney blood at all — and of course it is too late now to withdraw the liberty that has been given in the Stud Book — any mare having one-half of her blood pure Hackney, be it on the sire's or the dam's side, ought (subject possibly to " inspection "j to come at once into the " Entered " department of the Book, and be available for breeding Hackneys. At present such mares as Curiosity, Leona Fireaway, Danceaway, and the filly under notice, cannot appear in the Book, although they are one- half Hackneys in blood, and full Hackneys in type, ?>., in shapes and action. I am aware they can eventually breed Hackneys if put to Hackney sires ; but surely they are as much entitled to a place in the Book as the mass of nondescript animals that have been foisted in under the Inspection system, of which many have no Hackney blood at all, many have ascertained non-Hackney blood, and many bear no relation whatever in type to the Hackney. But what is worse, mares out of Full-Registered Hackney dams, and sired by any other than a Hackney stallion — i.e., mares which, like those already mentioned, have one-half of Hackney blood — can neither go into the Book, nor can thev, qm'i their Hackney blood, breed Hackneys. And so we have a mass of mares, possessed of no Hackney blood at all, and many of them lacking altogether the Hackney type, — I only wish the Society collectively could see some of the Inspected mares I have come across in my journeyings — entitled for the rest of their lives, under the authority of the Stud Book, to breed Hackneys ; while mares which are one-half pure Hackney in blood are debarred from doing so. Surely this is a reductio ad absurdiun of all principles of breeding, and demands the early attention of the Society. (Compare Note on Curiosity, page 156). B-C. 120 Hackneys — Ponies. Stallions. LORD NIMROD [2164]. Black Brown Pony, HeigJit 13.3!. Foaled, 1886. Breeder, G. H. K. Francis, Mattishall, Dereham, Norfolk. Sire, YOUNGER DOCTOR SYNTAX 877, Dam, WELSH PONY MARE by CoNKinENTE i;S. {Dain of Lady Beatuice, Royal Prize Winner, Norwich, i886). Fee — Five Guineas, and Five Shillings the Grornu. Description and Breeding. — Lord Nimrod is undoubtedly the most brilliant pony stallion that has appeared in the English show ring since the days of old Sir George, and I have acquired him for the Brookfield Stud in pursuance of the policy consistently carried out of having the best possible stallion at the head of each breed. No one who witnessed his debut at the Hackney Show last year will forget the sensation made by this perfect little Adonis in horseflesh. He is a whole-coloured, rich, black brown ; his pony shapes are as near perfect as possible ; he has enough bone to carry a much bigger horse, but it is clean and flat as a Thoroughbred's ; his character all over, but particularly in the head and neck, shows cNquisite quality ; while, last but not least, his action is marvellous, and in this respect he stands without a rival, past or present. In the Pony Class he is bound to have a long and brilliant show career before him ; while he cannot, I think, miss an equally distinguished record of paternity at the stud. I have given elsewhere (article, page 165) a definition of a " true pony " as opposed to a cob, and Lord Nimrod answers to the former description in every respect, .save perhaps in a more perfect evenness of contour and slightly more vigorous quarters and set of the dock than would be found in the Thoroughbred outline. These features, when combined with such great quality as Lord Nimrod shows, are all in his favour. His breeding, by the well-known Dr. Synta.x— the winner, as a Hackney stallion, of last year's Royal and Great Yorkshire— out of a beautiful Welsh pony, who also threw a pony mare, a " Royal " prize winner at Norwich in 1886, is replete with promise of Lord Nimrod's future as a sire of pony shapes and Hackney action. It is difficult to lay down any rule as to how ponies should be bred, there being as yet no fully-established pony breed. But a line may be taken from the fact that both Lord Nimrod and Sir George, certainly the two finest pony stallions that have appeared, are bred in exactly the same way, viz., by Hackney stallions out of pony mares. I know nothing of the dam of Sir Georcre named Polly in Vol. I. of the Hackney Stud Book ; but the Welsh blood in the dam of Lord Nimrod, and the fact that she threw another a prize-winner, gives double promise of his hardy constitution and his prepotency as a sire of show ponies. But when we look at the sires of Sir George and of Lord Nimrod, we find them both to have been Hackney stallions, full-registered in breeding, and both standing 15.2 hands in height. There would be, no doubt considerable risk of getting too much size in adopting that first cross of the Hackney stallion and the pony mare as a method of breeding ponies ; but when it has once resulted in an animal of pure pony type, like Lord Nimrod, that type can undoubtedly be fi.xed by using him with a pony mare. The opposing streams of blood so far as regards size, will reappear according as the mare used approaches to one or the other. That is to say. Lord Nimrod would probably get from a full-sized Hackney mare greater size than his own, and from a pony mare, pony size. So I consider him certain, if mated with pony mares, to become the progenitor of a long line of true ponies. Good old Tommy must now take a back seat, although still vigorous and a good getter of stock in which the attributes of the Thoroughbred predominate. It is not " le roi est mort ; vive le roi ! " but " youth will be served." Moreover, the two ponies are suited to different purposes. Tommy would, I think, breed the best polo ponies ; but for all that makes a pony showy, either for harness or as a park hack. Lord Nimrod holds the field. B-C. Performances— In i8qo, First Prize, Pony stallions, Hackney Show, London ; Champion Cup for best Pony stallion. Hackney Show, London ; First Prize, Pony stallions, " Royal " Show, Plymouth. Pi'css Notice.— Hackne\ Society's Report, Vol. FI/I.—Kme pony stallions, above 12.2 and not above 14 hands were entered for competition, and a very good lot they were. At the same time the difficulty at once arose when the little sires entered the ring as to whether they were to be judged as cobs or ponies. Owing to the present somewhat confused notions that exist on the subject of cobs and ponies, this may be regarded as a distinction not a difference, but, in judging, matters assume a practical shape that on many occasions defy argument. In the present instance Messrs. Griggs, Robson, and Rowell wisely adhered to the letter of the prize list, and cautiously ignored whatever the spirit— real or imaginary— of the wording the conditions of entry contained. By doing so they adopted the pony type to the exclusion of the cobby one, and this being so most properly awarded premier honours to Mr G. H. K. Francis' black Lord Nimrod 2164, a grand little son of Doctor Syntax 877. He is a mass of quality and goes like clockwork ; and consequently added to this triumph by carrying off the Pony Cup as well at a later period of the show. . 121 Hackneys — Ponies. Stallions. TOMMY [1236]. Brown Horse, Height 13.2. Foaled 1867. Breeder, the late Major Carlvon, Alperton Lodge, Ealing. Sire, PAUL CLIFFORD {Thoroughbred), Daw, GINGERBREAD (a Welsh Pony). Fee. — Three Gtuiteas, and Three Shillings the Groom. Description. — Tommy is a very rich brown in colour, and shows an immense amount of breeding, partaking as he does very much of the quality of the thoroughbred, but with admirable knee action, which, of course, age has lessened somewhat. He is a remarkably sure foal-getter, and stamps his stock with a great deal of his own quality. V. s' Breeding. — This charming old pony comes up perfectly to my description of a " true pony " page 165) ; if by any process he could be magnified in all his proportions to 16 hands, he would be the type of a perfect thoroughbred stallion. In addition to the quality derived from his sire, he evidently has taken from his dam all that gallant little Wales can give in the way of endurance, and that is saying a great de;»l in horse-flesh (see note on Roper, page 42). Tommy was long the chief pride of the late Major Carlyon, who refused offers of ^^"503 for him. He was near leader in that gentleman's curious team of pony stallions, and was also used as a park hack. At Major Carlyon's death, in 1884, he was purchased by me, driven for a time, and then finally installed as one of the stud stallions. His two beautiful daughters, Miriam and Adelaide (page 122), are the best proof of his value as a sire. His powers as a foal-getter appear to be inexhaustible, as he is believed to have got all his mares of 1890 in foal. B-C. Performances. — 1885, First Prize for Pony Stallions, Hackney Horse Society's Show in London ; 1886, First Prize for Pony Stallions, Hackney Horse Society's Show in London. Press Notices. — The Field, April 30, 1887. — "There is still another sort represented at Mr. Burdett- Coutts' stud, and this a beautiful pony called Tommy, a whole-coloured brown, shaped very like Sir George. . . . Tommy was purchased from Major Carlyon, the well-known Cornish sportsman, and was . . . got by the thoroughbred Lord Clifford, out of a Welsh pony mare that produced seventeen foals, and they were nearly all prize ponies." The Fietd, hxs.^veiy 1^, 1888. — " The pony Tommy and his descendants maybe called the third section ot the Brookfield Stud, and this beautiful brown pony, by the thoroughbred horse Paul Clifford, out of a Welsh pony certainly gets very pretty stock ; Turner, the stud groom, driving a pair of them into the inclosure, and they were galloways, full of blood, and the sort to travel from London to John O'Groat's or Land's End, and do their forty miles a day until the journey was completed." TOMMY DEAR. (Full Registered for Vol. iX.j Chestnut Colt. Foaled \Zc)o. Breeder, Ow^^vm. Sire, TOMMY [1236] (see above). Dam, 1550 GAZELLE (page 122). by Canvas.ser i 14. 122 Hackneys — Ponies. Mares. [575] ADELAIDE. Bay Mare. Foaled 1884. Breeder, Owner. Sire, TOMMY [1236J. Dam, MISS ADDIE {Thoroughbred) (page 153). Description. — It is difficult to find words to exactly describe the peculiar character and charm of this pony and her half-sister Miriam. They are " blood ponies," and are nothing but quality, pace, and action, while their legs, which are like steel, seem to touch the ground so lightly that no day could be too long for them. They are all over life and fire, controlled by a silken rein, and contained in the most perfect manners. V. S. Breeding. — This pony is referred to later on in the note on Miss Addie (page 153). Miriam and Adelaide are certainly a " sweet drive," and the further they go the more they like it. They belong to the type of true pony (see article, page 165). As might be expected from their breeding, they do not possess a single feature of the cob, properly so-called. I take the famous mare Magpie to be the best type of a cob of the '• blocky " order, and compare her with this pony. There is not half an inch difference in their height, but there is a whole world of difference between them in every point. Chaciin a son gout ; but I believe that at the end of fifty miles this one would still be going light as a hare, while the " cob," with his heavy shoulder and pounding action, and all his weight pitched on to the bit, would be struggling a long way behind. B-C. [579] MIRIAM. Bay Mare. Foaled 18S4. Breeder, Owner. 6"/^', TOMMY 1236. Z>a;^^, REBECCA. Description. — This is as near as possible a perfect match to Adelaide. If there is a difference, Miriam is a least bit the harder and more hunter-like pony of the two. V. S. Breeding. — The dam of this mare looked like a small Thoroughbred. I knew nothing of her breeding. B-C. 1550 GAZELLE. Black Mare, Height 13. 3 J. Foaled 1885. Breeder, — Kerrison, North Elmham, Norfolk, Sire, CANVASSER 114, by Confidence 158. Dam, MAGNET, by Washington 852. Description. — A very perfect pony, with a bit of the Hackney all over her, and especially in her lofty action. V. S. . Breeding. — It will be noticed that this mare is fully registered in the Hackney Stud Book. She is bred to action, with Confidence on one side, and Washington, a son of Shepherd F. Knapp (see Primrose, page 6q), on the other, and she fully justifies the parentage in this respect. B-C. Performance.^-\n i8qo. Third Prize for Pony Mares, Hackney Show, London. Produce. — In 1890, Chestnut colt Tommy Dear by Tommy [1236] (see preceding page). Press Y^QWc^.—Hackney Society's Report., Vol. F7//.— "The Third Prize, 1550 Gazelle, exhibited by Mr. Burdett-Coutts, is full of quality and shows very satisfactory for action as she gets well away from the shoulder and uses her knees properly." HOITY-TOITY. (Inspected for Vol. IX.) Brown Mare, Height 12 hands. Foaled, 1882. This is a perfect minature in horse-flesh, a true pony all over, without a trace of cob-ishness, and with quick high action. She is a wonder for pace on a long journey, and nothing can tire her. B-C. Performance. — In 1891, First Prize for Pony Mares under 12.2, Hackney Show, London. z ^ < as D CO 2 123 Cleveland Bays and Yorkshire Coach Horses. Stallions. SULTAN 667 C.B.S.B. and 1565 Y.C.H.B. Bay Horse, Height 16.2. Foaled 1S84. Breeder, Geo. Leefe, Fryton, Slingsby, Yorkshire. ^/r^, EMPEROR (Coverdale's) 387, C.B.S.B. Dam, BEAUTY (Foundation Stock and 732 Y.C.H.B. Book, C.B.S.B., Vol. II., and 172 Foundation Stock Book, Y.C.H.B., Vol. II., there given as by Magnificent 289 Y.C.H.B.) Fee. — Five Guineas, and Five Shillings the Groom. Description. — Sultan is a magnificent rich bay, with black legs to above the knees and hocks, and black " list," that infallible test of pure blood in this breed. His head, crest, and neck are superb, his shoulders well placed, and his quarters magnificent. Sultan also stands upon a grand set of legs, and his action is bold, regular, and especially good behind. As a matter of fact. Sultan's action is generally considered by those who are familiar with these breeds to be the best that has been seen in the Coaching or Cleveland show ring for a great many years. Although a very muscular horse. Sultan shows no trace of the coarseness which is so often met with in Cleveland sires of the foremost rank, and consequently his stock shows a great deal of the quality and action that is wanting in that of most of the sires of his breed. Sultan, therefore, is a sire that is peculiarly adapted for crossing with Coaching and other mares whose owners are anxious to obtain size combined with those two attributes so essential to the big carriage horse. V. S. Since the above was written, a better opportunity has been afforded of judging of Sultan's performances at the stud. His stock show great quality and size, and, what is most wanted in English Coaching breeds brilliant action. In this latter respect Sultan has already proved himself a sire of exceptional value. I have over and over again pointed out that until we can get the "snap" of the knee into these "barouche horses," we shall never cut out the foreigner, who is now sending us most of our big harness horses for London work. The low and flowing action prevalent at present amongst the Yorkshire Coaching breeds, although it is "true" and useful, is quite hopeless for the purposes of the London dealer. If the reader will turn to the note on Dragoman page 129), he will find mention of some brilliant goers got by Sultan. It must be remembered that his chances have been very few and far between, for, with the exception of my own, there is hardly a single mare of his own breed within reach of him in the Southern district. Moreover, of my own Sultan stock little can or will be seen in the show ring, partly because Yorkshire, where all the shows for this breed are held, is too far off ; and partly because I do not hold with the stuffing process that is indispensable to bring Coaching stock into show yard condition at the early age at which it is customary to show them. When I bought Sultan at two years of age, he was nearly as big as he is now, and all that must be wrong. In his case I am certain that this early over-feeding, unaccompanied by exercise, interfered seriously with his fecundity for his first two years at the stud, and this 124 Cleveland Bays and Yorkshire Coach Horses, Stallions. SULTAN 66T i continued). accounts for my having little of his stock to show. Exercise and cool food, howevei , quickly told its tale, and he is now one of the best getters in the stud, Lby ; First Prize, Marslon ; First Prize, Marston ; Second Prize, Tadcaster. 129 Cleveland Bays and Yorkshire Coach Horses. Stallions. CAPTAIN COOK II. 1001, Y.C.H.B. BrxOWN Horse, //^/V/// 1 6. 1. Fca/cd iSSs- i>';-m/i;7-, John Kitching, Pickering, Yorl, First Prize, Doncaster ; 1886, Second Prize (brood mare), Marston ; Second Prize, Escrick ; Second Prize (brood mare), Malton ; First Prize, Stamford Bridge ; Second Prize (brood mare), Redcar ; First Prize, Malton ; Second Prize (brood mare), Darlington ; First Prize, Middlesboro' ; Second Prize (brood mare), Great York- First Prize, Darlington ; shire (Sheffield) ; First Prize, Great Yorkshire (Selby) ; First Prize (brood mare). Bishop Auckland ; First Prize, Whitby ; First Prize (three year old). Bishop Auck- First Prize, Bishop Auckland ; land ; First Prize, Stokesley ; First Prize (brood mare), Stokesley ; First Prize, Northallerton. First Prize (brood mare), Northallerton. At the last three she beat all the mares that had been placed before her at the earlier shows of the year, except the mare at Sheffield. 1888, Second Prize, ' Royal,' (Nottingham). i88q. Reserve Number, 'Royal,' (Windsor). Ptoduce.—ln 1886, Bay filly, Wild Thyme 168, Y.C.H.B, by Wonderful Lad 536, Y.C.H.B. (page 135). 1888, Bay colt, Bashi Bazouk 1278, by Sultan 667 (gelded). 1889, Bay filly. Fair Circassian, by Sultan 667 (page 140). 135 Cleveland Bays and Yorkshire Coach Horses. Mares. WILD THYME 169, Y.C.H.B. Bay Mare, Height \^.\\. Foaled 1886. Breeder, John White, Appleton Roebuck, Bolton Percy, Yorkshire. Sire, WONDERFUL LAD 536, Y.C.H.B. Dam, LILY 92, Y.C.HB. (page 134), by CANDinATH 64, Y.C.H.B. Description. — Few grander mares have ever come into the coaching ring than this one — in size, depth, bone, and quality. Her action is of the powerful, easy, and sweeping character which delights the eye of the judge of ''coachers." With already 16. i hands of height, 8i inches of bone below the knee, and the best of joints and feet, she is a model of the breed. V. S. Breeding. — This filly came to me as a foal just weaned from her dam, whom I had previously purchased. For two years she was backward, but the next two years made the most surprising difference I have ever witnessed in horseflesh. She extended and developed, almost visibly, to a point which fully justifies the above descrip- tion. I attribute this to an obvious cause. The change from Norfolk to Hertfordshire is sharp and complete and this affected the filly all the more because, in the first place, she was only a few months old, and her constitution was not " set " to withstand such a violent alteration ; and, secondly, she belongs to a breed which, from time immemorial, has been habituated to the Yorkshire climate and the Yorkshire soil — the latter a most important point, creating the food, and, through it, affecting the character of the stock bred in the different parts of England. But this very solidarity of breeding, although it at first received a shock from the change of climate, subsequently, as the filly strengthened, asserted itself. She became acclimatised, and, once that was effected, she rapidly developed into a grand specimen of her race. B-C. 136 Cleveland Bays and Yorkshire Coach Horses. Mares. VENUS 168, Y.C.H.B. Bay Mare, HeigJit i6 hands. Foaled 1886. Breeder, F. J. Pettinger, Hollins Grove, Easingwold, Yorkshire. ^'m, WONDERFUL LAD 536, Y.C.H.B. Dam, RECHERCHJ;. by Paragon 337, Y.C.H.B. G.-diim, by Cromwell, S.B., G.G.-dam, by Splendour 961, Y.C.H.B. G.G.G.-dam, by Paulinus 947, Y.C.H.B. Description. — Venus, as may be gathered from a glance at the number of her victories, must be considered a very excellent specimen of the coaching mare. She possesses a very nice head, a level back, and the most per- fect quarters imaginable ; her legs are splendid, and her joints, and hocks especially, as perfect as could be desired by the most fastidious judge. This mare shows an immense amount of quality, and her resemblance to her dam. Recherche, the winner of over fifty first prizes, is most marked. With reference to her show career, it is impossible to dissociate Venus from her old opponents Ingmanthorpe Rose and Miss Mowbray (for which see the two following pages). V. S. Breeding. — The name of the breeder of this mare, Mr. Pettinger, is sufficient to show that she comes of one of the oldest and purest strains of Yorkshire Coach Horses. Her sire. Wonderful Lad, will be found mentioned more than once in this Catalogue. For this grand old horse of Mr. Hart's, although beaten in his old age at the Great Yorkshire in 1886 by Sultan 667, then two years old, has been for many years a prolific sire of the finest type of Coach Horse. Venus's dam, Recherche, is one of the best specimens of a coaching mare ever seen, and, old as she is, she still keeps on winning all over Yorkshire. Her show career has covered so many years that the little " tykes" will grow up knowing what their fathers thought a good Coaching mare. If they forget hereafter what she was like, they can come and look at her daughter Venus, a very faithful reproduction of the old mare. BC. Performances. — Ten First Prizes in Yorkshire ; three Second Prizes in Yorkshire. (Recherche, the dam of Venus, is the winner of over 50 First Prizes.) Produce. — In 1889, Bay colt, Kingarth,by Baron Rothsay 9S1 (page I2q). i8qo, Bay filly, Odalisque, by Sultan 667 (page 140). 137 Cleveland Bays and Yorkshire Coach Horses. Mares. MISS MOlfiTBRAY 288, Y.C.H.B. Bay Make, Hei_^Iit 160^. Foaled 1886. Breeder, Robert Kelvington, Crayke, Easingwold, Yorks. 5z;r, WONDERFUL LAD 536. Dam, LADY MOWBRAY 267, bylNKERMAN, 233. G.-ciam, by Paulinus 947, G.G.-dam, by Severus 958. Description. — To those who expect to find any " snap " of the knee in this breed Lady Mowbray will take the eye before the preceding mare Wild Thyme. In addition she shows great quality in her head and neck, and a fine shoulder, while she has exactly the same bnnc below the knee, and is all over a clean-boned and powerful filly. V. S. Breeding. — Wonderful Lad indeed justifies his name if he can get such fillies as Wild Thyme, Venus and the one under notice. While this filly is a better goer than Wild Thyme, and in some other respects also would lead her in the show ring, the real difference is in their quarters, an important and typical point in this class of horse, and one Avhich none of the big barouche horses in London who do not come from this breed — be they the French Carrossicrs, Flemish or Dutch, Irish from Thoroughbred stallion and cart mare, or Eastern counties from Hackney stallion and cart mare — ever possess. In the true Coach Horse the quarter must be long and perfectly level up to the root of the dock. This is the chief differentia of the breed, the infallible test by which the Yorkshire Coach Horse of the best type can be distinguished from any of the above mentioned irregular specimens. None but the keen eye of a practised judge of "coachers" would detect the difference in this respect between these two fillies. Miss Mowbray won " in and out" from, and was beaten by, Ingmanthorpe Rose and Venus at the shows for this class of horse in Yorkshire during 1888. B-C. Performances. — In 1886, First Prize, Sutton ; 1887, First Prize, Otley ; 1888, First Prize, Otley; Second Prize, Doncaster. ?, First Prize, Middlesbrough Second Prize, Darlington ; First Prize, Malton. 138 Cleveland Bays and Yorkshire Coach Horses. Mares. LADY LANERTON 258, Y.C.H.B. Bay Mare, Height 16.1. Foaled 1887. Breeder, C. Harrison, Bossal, York. Sire, LORD ROCKINGHAM 743, C.B.S.B. Dam, LADYBIRD II. 73, by Candidate 64. G.-dam, Ladybird, by Sir Robert 434. G. G.-dam, Venus, by The Aristocrat 472. Description and Breeding. — Another mixture of Cleveland Bay and Yorkshire Coach Horse blood, both of the very best ; Lady Lanerton's dam being by that brilliant sire of mares — Candidate (see Lily, page 134). In addition to this her great-grand-dam Venus won eighty First Prizes. Lady Lanerton is a mare of great elegance combined with bone and unusual action, which enabled her to distance all competitors at the Great Yorkshire Show — by far the best show for this class of animal — held at Hull, in i88q. B-C. Performances.— \\\ i88q, First Prize, Great Yorkshire Show, Hull ; First Prize, Malton. INGMANTHORPE ROSE 371, C.B.S.B., and 244, Y.C.H.B. Bay Mare, Height i6 hands. Foaled 1886. Breeder, F. P, Baker, Ingmanthorpe Grange, Wetherby, Yorks. Sire, BARON HILTON, 584 C.B.S.B. Da>n, by ROSEBERY 265, C.B.S.B., and 1 63q, Y.C.H.B. G.-dam, by King C.'VRADOC {Thoroughbred.) Description. — This is the beau ideal of a Cleveland Bay mare, as she possesses all the required amount of substance, and at the same time shows all the quality that is apparent in well-bred horses of all breeds. Her shoulders, back, middle, and quarters are first rate ; in fact, she is a most true-made mare, whilst her action is so good as to recommend her to all who may sec her move. During her show career Ingmanthorpe Rose was constantly opposed by both Venus and Miss Mowbray (pages 136 and 137), but, as will be seen below, she gained her full share of prizes notwithstanding the high quality of the other two. At Malton, in 1888, this mare was beaten by Miss Mowbray, who was first, and Venus, who was second, all three subsequently joining the Brookfield Stud. These positions, however, were reversed on the two occasions mentioned below. V. S. Performances. — 1888, First Prize, Doncaster ; 1S88, First Prize, Marston. YILDIZ. {Entered for Vol. IV., Y.C.H.B.) Bay Mare, //tv^/// 16. r. Foaled 18S7. Breeder, ]o\\^ Rounthwaite, Kexby Old Hall, York. 5/;r, SULTAN 667 C.B.S.B. and Z»«w, by GRAND MASTER 206 Y.C.H.B. 1565 Y.C.H.B. (page 123). G.-dam, by Promised Land 951 Y.C.H.B. Description and Breeding. — This is the oldest of Sultan's get in the Brookfield Stud, that horse having served a few mares in Yorkshire as a two-year old before I bought him. She has two beautiiul ends, is on short legs with 9>h inches of bone ; but her chief feature is her magnificent action, which really rivals that of her sire. I am watching with much anxiety the chances of really getting action into these big Yorkshire horses, and in this mare, as in at least four others of his stock, Sultan has done the trick. The dam of Yildiz is a beautiful bay mare with grea.; quality, bred by Mt. Baines, of Bell Hall, York. B-C. 139 Cleveland Bays and Yorkshire Coach Horses. Mares. MODESTY 356, Y.C.H B. Bay Mare, Height i6.o|. Foaled 1887. Breeder, Geo. Leefe, Fryton, Slingsby, Yorks. Sire, FIDIUS DIUS 107, C.B.S.B., and Dam, BEAUTY, F.S., C.B.S.B., Vol. II. and 1^2 F.S.,Y.C.H.B. 1592, Y.C.H.B. (The dam of Sultan 667, page 123.) Description. — This is a very valuable Cleveland mare, as her well-shaped head, great substance, immense bone, and general character stamp her as a most typical specimen of the breed to which she belongs. An interesting experiment has been tried in connection with this mare, which consists of putting her to the Hackney stallion Brown Fashion 1628, to which horse she is in foal. From a Hackney stallion possessed of so much quality (his dam being clean bred) and a high-class Cleveland mare, something above the average of high-stepping carriage- horses may be expected. V. S. Breeding. — Modesty's breeding is very interesting, as she is out of the dam of Sultan, the chief stallion of this division of the Brookfield Stud. For remarks upon this mare Beauty see account of Sultan's breeding (page 124). The intrinsic evidence which that mare possesses of being a pure Cleveland is further demonstrated when she is put to an undoubted Cleveland stallion like Fidius Dius 107, C.B.S.B., and produces an undoubted Cleveland filly like that under notice. B-C. Mares foaled 1889. FLORA IfflLTON. (Entered for Vol. IV. Y.C.H.B.) Bay Mare. Foaled 1889. Breeder, Q. Wilkinson, Bishop Wilton, York. Sire, WONDERFUL LAD 536. Dam, LADY FLORA 76, Y.C.H.B., by C.WDID.-^TE 64, Y.C.H.B. MADGE. (Entered for Vol. IV., Y.C.H.B.) Bay Mare. Foaled 1889. Breeder, C. Harrison, Bossall, York. Sire, LORD CHIEF JUSTICE 1224 Y.C.H.B. Dam, FRYTON 50 Y.C.H.B., by Candidate 64 Y.C.H.B. G.-dam, by Comus, ^,^0 Y.C.H.B. G.G.-dam, by Hopeful 223 Y.C.H.B. A lovely coaching filly, with fine quality and action, well calculated to be heard of again in the Show Ring. The dam is most fashionably bred. B-C. PLEYNA. (Entered for Vol. IV. Y.C.H.B.) Bay Mare. Foaled 1889. Breeder, Owner. S7re, SULTAN 667, C.B.S.B., and Dam, BAYONET 203, Y.C.H.B., H65, Y.C.H.B. (page 12^). (page i^X) by PrincK George 235, C.B.S.B. and 367, Y.C.H.B. 140 Cleveland Bays and Yorkshire Coach Horses. Mares foaied i889. FAIR CIRCASSIAN. (Entered for Vol. IV. Y.C.H.B.) Bay Mare. Foaled 1889. Breeder, Owner. Sire, SULTAN 667, C.B.S.B., and Dam, LILY 92 Y.C.H.B. 1565, Y.C.H.B. (page 123). (page 134). Description. — This is a very beautiful filly, with the finest action I have ever seen in a young coacher. She has all the elegant character of her sire and dam, and she bids fair to ba 16.2 at least. • The " list " down the back of Sultan is accurately reproduced, and she is altogether a charming specimen of a pure-bred Coach Horse. B-C. FERI. (Entered for Vol. VIII., C.B.S.B., and Vol IV., Y.C.H.B.) Bay Mare. Foaled \2>?>g. Breeder, Owner. ^?;y, SULTAN 667, C.B.S.B., and £>am, FANNY 52, C.B.S.B., and 227, it;6i;, Y.C.H.B. (page 12^). Y.C.H.B. (page 131) by Bay Splendouk 33, C.B.S.B. and 3S, Y.C.H.B. It will be noticed in further illustration of the absurdity of keeping the two Stud Books separate, that this filly is distinctly elegible for both books. B-C. Mares foaied isgo. ZULEIKA. (Entered for Vol. IV.. Y.C.H.B.) Bay Filly. Foaled 1890. Breeder, Owner. Sire, SULTAN 667 C.B.S.B. and 1565 Y.C.H.B. Dam, HONEYSUCKLE 57 Y.C.H.B. (page 123). (page 132). FATIMA. (Entered for Vol. VIIL, C.B.S.B.) Bay Filly. Foaled i%()0. Breeder, Owner. Sire, SULTAN 667 C.B.S.B. and 1565 Y.C.H.B. Dam, JANNETTE 180 C.B.S.B. (page 123). (page 131), by Newton 216 C.B.S.B. ODALISQUE. (Entered for Vol. IV., Y.C.H.B.) Bay Filly. Foaled iSgo. Breeder, Owner. ^zrdT, SULTAN 667 C.B.S.B. and 1565 Y.C.H.B. Dam, VENUS 168 Y.C.H.B. (page 123). (page nb), by Wonderful Lad ^:^b Y.C.H.B. r" "2 Li. s D -a DC S 141 Thoroughbreds. Stallion. TRUEFIT. Dark Chestnut Horse, Foaled 1880. Breeder, the late C. Skewing, Height 16 hands. the owner of Caractacus, winner of the Derby in 1862. Sire, OUTFIT, by Young Melbourne. Dam, ELEANORA, by Wild Davrell Fee. — Ten Guineas, and Ten Shillings the Groom. Description. — Truefit, who is a beautiful dark chestnut, with two white stockings in front, is considered by many judges to be the best-looking thoroughbred hunter sire living. His shoulders are grandly placed, and his back and quarters quite first-rate. He is exceptionally good in bone, his fore-legs possessing 8f inches of it below the knee, and in addition being wonderfully clean and flat ; his hocks are perfection, whilst he shows plenty of muscle on his thighs. Truefit, moreover, possesses that great desideratum in a stallion, plenty of heart room, as he has great depth of chest, and he is also a grand horse to meet or follow. One other great feature in this horse is, that he is a splendid walker, a virtue that he transmits to his offspring to a remarkable extent, while he trots with that easy, powerful swing which at once takes the eye of every hunting man. V. S. Breeding. — That Truefit is fitted for something more than a hunter stallion, and deserves to have at least the best steeple-chase mares sent to him, will readily be seen from the following record of his career as a race- horse and steeple-chaser. Truefit won the following races: — 1884, Kempton Park Qualifying Hunters' Steeple- chase, carrying lost. jlb. ; the Southern Hunters' Flat Race, Sandown Park, carrying list.; the Hunters' Flat Race at Lewes, carrying I2st. ; Kempton Park Open Hunters' Steeplechase, carrying list. lib.; in 1885, the Littleton Hunt Steeplechase, Kempton Park, carrying list. 2lb. (For a fuller description of Truefit's performances, and of the horse himself, see G.S.L. under " Press Notices," page 143.) Truefit was a generous and perfect fencer, a point of first importance to all who believe this gift to be hereditary. Truefit was passed sound and free from all hereditary disease by the following eminent veterinary surgeons : — Dr. Fleming, C.B., Principal Veterinary Surgeon to the Army, late President Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons ; Mr. J. R. Cox, late President Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons ; Professor Pritchard, member of Board of Examiners and Council of (and twenty years teacher at) Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons ; Mr. G. Lepper, F.R.C.V.S., of Aylesbury ; Mr. Goodall, M.R.C.V.S., of Melton Mowbray. These gentlemen examined the horse in March, 1888, and he was again twice passed sound by the Veterinary Board appointed to examine the Queen's Premium horses in i88q and iSqo. Truefit's stock have given great satisfaction, the best evidence of which is that in addition to his fifty premium mares, his subscription for fifty more at ten guineas easily filled in 1890. I have only one specimen of his hunter stock in New Cross (page 157), a beautiful colt, with depth, quality, and bone, the perfection of a hunter. I am trying to give him a chance to breed a race-horse, and Start, Arminella, and May, are all in foal to him for 1891. I propose now to give him a year of less trying e.xertion. He will not be exhibited for a Preiii.um in 1891, and his subscription will be limited to fifty mares at the above fee. B-C. Performances.— 1SS6, Premium of /50 and Medal at Hunters' Improvement Society Show, Islington ; 1887, First Prize for Thoroughbred Hunter stallions, Royal Agricultural Society's Shi:w at Newcastle ; 1889, QUEEN'S PREMIUM of /200 at [slington ; 1890, QUEEN'S PREMIUM of /200 at Islington. 142 Thoroughbreds. Stallion. PEDIGREE OF Chestnut Horse TRUEFIT, foaied isso. TRUEFIT'S SIRE. OUTFIT. Dam, foaled 1855 1 Y. Melbourne 1 Maid of Masham Teddington Clarissa Melbourne 1 Miss Lydia Don John Miss Twicken- ham Orlando Dam (foaled 1B37) by Pantaloon Dam (foaled 1825) by Humphrey Clinker _3 Comus by Sorcerer out of Houghton Lass by EjeS" Sir Peter Q 0 'S G.-dam by Delpini out of Miss Muston by King 4> Fereus Bel- shazzar Dam (foaled 1820 or ■21) Tramp or Waver- ley Elec- tress Rocking- ham ■Vulture Touch- stone Frolic- some Glencoe Idalia Castrel G.-dam foaled (1818) by Cer- vantes Clin- kerina Comus Blacklock by Whitelock, dam 11799) by Cori- ander Manuella by Dick Andrews out of Mandane by Pot-8-o's Comus by Sorcerer out of Houghton Lass by Sir Peter Marciana by Stamford out of Marcia by Coriander Whalebone by Waxy out of Penelope by Trum- pator Margarethe by Sir Peter out of Sister to Cracker bv Highflver Election by Gohanna out of Chestnut Skin by Woodpecker Dam (1805) by Stamford out of Miss Judy by Alfred Humphrey Clinker by Comus out of Clinkerina by Clinker Medora by Swordsman out of a mare by Trum- pator Langar by Selim (dam 1808) by Walton out ot Young Giantess by Diomed Kite by Bustard (son of Castrel) out of Olympia by Sir Oliver Camel by Whalebone (dam 1812) by Selim out of Maiden by Sir Peter Banter by Master Henry out of Boadicea by Alexander (by Eclipse) Frolic by Hedley out of Frisky by Fidget- Herod Dam (11805) by Stamford out of Alexina by King Fergus Sultan by Selinj out of Bacchante by William- son's Ditto Trampoline by Tramp out of Web by Waxy Peruvian by Sir Peter out of a mare (foaled 1788) by Boudrow out of Escape's Dam by Squirrell Musidora by Meteor (by Eclipse) out of Maid-of- All-Work by Highflyer Buzzard by Woodpecker out of Misfortune by Dux Dam by Alexander (by Eclipse) out of mare by Highflyer out of sister to Doctor Golumpus by Gohanna out of Catherme by Woodpecker G.-g.-dam by Paynator out of sister to Zodiac by .St. George Don Quixote by Eclipse out of Grecian Princess by Williamson's Forester Evelina by Highflyer out of Termagant by Tan- trum Clinker by Sir Peter out of Hyale by Phaenome- Pewet by Tandem out of Termagant by Tantrum sorcerer by Trumpeter out of Young Giantess by Diomed Houghton Lass by Sir Peter out of Alexina by King Fergus (by Eclipse) TRUEFIT'S DAM. ELE.ANORA. Lady Peel Wild Dayrell 1 Palma Orlando Ellen Middleton Ion Palmyra Plenipotentiary 'Vulture Touchstone Myrrha Bay Middleton Margaret Cain Hester Sultan Harriet Emitius Kite Langar Banter Camel Bessy Malek Cobweb Sultan Medora Edmund Dam (foaled 1810) Paulo- witz Camel by Whalebone, dam (1812) by Selim out of Maiden by Sir Peter Monimia by Muley out of sister to Petworth by Precipitate (by Mercury) Selim by Buzzard out of a mare by Alexander out of a mare by Highflyer Bacchante by Williamson's Ditto— Mercury Pericles by Evander out of a mare by Precipitate Dam by Selim out of Pipylina by Sir Peter Orville by Beningbrough out of Evelina by Highflyer Emily by Stamford out of a mare by Whiskey I'l 'J-.9 o| go 0 g iS .?" >'^ 3 3 Selim by Buzzard, dam by Alexander out ot a mare by Highflyer Dam (1808) by Walton out of Young Giantess by Diomed Maister Henry by Orville out of Miss Sophia by Stamford Boadicea by Alexander out of Brunette by Amarantiius Whalebone by Waxy out of Penelope by Trum- pator Dam (1812) by Selim out of Maiden by Sir Peter — Phenomenon Y. Gouty by Gouty, dam (1792) by Dungannon out of Letitia by Highflyer Grandiflora by Sir Harry Dimsdale— Pipator Blacklock by Whitelock out of a mare (1799) by Coriander out of Wildgoose Dam (18 17) by Juniper out of a mare by Sorcerer 32 11 a 0 S 0 |o 0 '^ c 0 2,9 &>§• If a ^ III g ^ cr ■< IS 1 - 1 3. cr If »< 5 > 1 i 1 §■ 1 5 0 p Selim by Buzzard, dam by Alexander out ot a mare by Highflyer Dam (1803) by Sir Harry out of a mare by Volunteer out of a mare (1779) by Herod Orville by Beningbrough out of Evelina by Highflyer Emmeline by Waxy out of Sorcery by Sorcerer Paynator by Trumpator, dam by Mark Anthony out of Signora Out of mare by Delpini out of mare by Y. Marske out of Gentle Kitty TO -0 "J 143 Thoroughbreds. Sta llion. TRUEFIT (continued). Press Notices. — The Fields Apr 30, 1887. — " I have always considered that it may be an advantage to all young thoroughbred stallions to be allowed a few choice half-bred mares at the end of every season, at from five to ten guineas ; as, supposing they become failures as racehorse getters, they may have made a hit as the sire of hunters, and a portion at least of their previous value might be thus retained. A hunting sire absolutely kept to that vocation can, in these days, be worth a thousand pounds. . . . There has been an instance this year of close on a thousand pounds being given for a hunting sire, and I think, under all the circumstances, that he will recoup it. I allude to Truefit, and, as I had just seen the other fashionable sire, I determined to pay his contemporary a visit this week. "The death of honest John Grout will be fresh in the memory of all readers of The Ft'ild, and it was said that in Truefit the great Woodbridge dealer had got hold of what he thought to be the best thoroughbred stallion that had ever passed through his hands. It was not a strong point with John Grout to meddle much with thoroughbreds, as his grtdX forte was buying roadster stallions and weight-carrying hacks with action ; but he knew a hunter pretty well, and he very often bought a stallion of the likely kind to get a hunter. I have known him on several occasions have one that had performed well over a country in out-of-the-way steeplechases, as an instance of which there was St. Peter, the stallion Sir Thomas Lennard bought of Grout. Knocked about, weather-beaten, and worked enough to have killed a bad one, but, because he was not killed, John Grout said there was the right sort of grit in him. In Truefit, however, there was a little more than this, as here was a big-framed young horse that had performed very well indeed over a country as almost a colt, and he came out of the ordeal sound and fresh. He was not named when known to a racecourse, as he always ran as the Eleanora colt, and as a qualified hunter under Grand National Hunt rules. John Nightingale trained him at Epsom, and his first appearance in public was in the Qualifying Steeplechase at Kempton in February of '84. Though but a young four-year-old, he won this in a canter, beating a field of eleven, the distance being two miles and a half. He then won the Southern Hunters' Flat Race at Sandown Park, beating Badger and Gloxinia just as he pleased, and this was followed by the Hunters' Flat Race at Lewes, and this, under 12 stone, he won with the same sort of ease, beating Settling Day, Reversible, and Damsel. At the Kempton Park Christmas meeting he won the Open Hunters' Steeplechase, and a month later the Littleton Hunt Steeplechase, carrying list. I2lb., and beating such winners as Ballot Box, Lammermoor, and Punjaub. This was six winning events in succession ; but in the seventh he met with some mishap, and never ran again. How John Grout bought him of the late Mr. Charles Snewing, who bred him, I am not aware ; but I know Mr. Snewing at one time thought his young horse by Outfit, out of Eleanora, was the best steeplechaser in England, and he talked confidently about him as a Liverpool steeplechase winner. Raw and looking just out of training, Mr. Grout showed him last year at the first Hunter Society's show, and he took first easily in the young stallion class, and last year at Norwich he was shown in the Royal, but beaten by more matured stallions. At John Grout's death his horses were all sold by Messrs. Tattersall, the sale extending over two days, and Truefit was quite the sensation of the affair, a great many people being after him, and, amongst others, the Plymouth Horse Company, the owners of Mulatto, as their representative went up to 900 guineas, and at 910 this most promising hunting sire became the possession of Mr. Burdett-Coutts, M.P. . . . My principal object was to see Truefit, and on my arrival I had the best of opportunities, as he was at exercise in the home paddock. I found the horse immensely improved since last year, as he has let down so, and thickened over his back and loins. He is a dark liver chestnut, with a few grey hairs flecked over his stifles and quarters, and two white feet in front, the white on one side being simply the foot and coronet, and the other the pastern joint. He is a grand topped horse, his head being full of character and intelligence, set on to a long powerful neck and well-placed shoulders, with great depth through the girth ; and he is very good in his back and loins, with very long quarters, good hocks quite near enough the ground, and his bone is flat and immense all round. He is full nine inches under the knee, as I spanned him carefully, and, with the shortness between the pastern and knee and good long arms, there is nothing much to find fault with, as for a horse of his size — over 16 hands — he is very neatly turned." G. S. L. Morning Advertiser, March 7, 1888. — " There was, however, great jubilation expressed when the fact became known that the veterinary surgeons had reversed the decisions of the Nottingham brethren^ by whom Mr. 144 Thoroughbreds. Stallion. ' TRUEFIT (continued). Burdett-Coutts' Trucfil and the Coinpton Stud Company's Mirliflor were disqualified on account of alleged unsoundness. A round of applause greeted the former grand horse when he received his red rosette, and the absurdity of the Nottingham verdict was exemplified by his perfect soundness yesterday." Morning Advertiser, ]u\y 11, \%^?). — '' Baldur is a grand horse, showing an immense amount of quality ; but it is no exaggeration to say that the popular idol upon the occasion was Mr. Burdett-Coutts' Truefit, another of the Islington winners, and a deeper chested, more powerfully built horse than Baldur, to whom he was placed reserve." The Live Stock Journal, September 7, 1888. — "The thoroughbred hunter stallion Truefit is of correct hunting type, and would hold his own in any show-ring against any horse in England. He stands over 16 hands on very short legs, but with great length and reach, and with a measure of bone under him that no blood stallion can exceed. He would carry 15 stone with ease to himself and luxury to the rider, and would raise no objection to an extra stone or two if compensation were allowed him by a slight moderation in speed. ... It was worth all the journey to see Truefit alone, who has taken two premiums at the shows of the Hunters' Improvement Society, and was first at the Royal in 1887. Truefit is now eight years old, and has only recently filled out to his natural size. It takes two years for a horse to throw out his muscle after a severe racing career. . . . Mr. John Nightingale, who trained Truefit, found him a most perfect and generous fencer, and as jumping can be proved to be hereditary, this well-established fact should further help him to some of the best hunting mares to be found in southern England." Mtirk Lane K\/>resi; July q, 1888. — " Truefit was reserve and highly commended, and we were pleased to see him looking so well. He is the model of a hunting sire." Mark Lane Express, March 4, 1889. — " We were pleased to see that Mr. Burdett-Coutts' Truefit was a prize- winner, and that he went triumphantly through the veterinary examination." Land and Water, March 2, l88q. — "He is bhorl-joinled, with plenty of bone, and moves like a hunter The blood of Wild Dayrell mingles with other stout strains in his veins, and those who know how to make the most 01 good breeding by judicious crosses might reap a rich harvest by using him while they have the chance." Horse and Hound, March 2, i88q. — "He is full of bone and muscle, and from what we remember of his sire, is very like what is wanted for a hunter stallion." Live Stock Journa/, March 2, l88q. — " Truefit is one of the best and most symmetrical stallions that evtr stepped into the show-ring. . . . He looks like carrying 15 stone over the biggest county in England, and clearing up his manger when he gets home. ... If he fails to get hunters, there is no truth in the old maxim that ' like breeds like.' '' County Gentleman, March 2, 1889. — "Truefit had only to pass the vets, to take his place in the show as easily as he used to do in the field ; and he was, of course, one of the chosen." 145 Thoroughbreds. Stallion. TltUEFIT (continued). Horse and Hound, July 27, rSSg. — "I make no mistake in putting the prefix of " model " to the late Charles Snewing's favourite, Truefit, a horse so fittingly named by that popular professor of the veterinary art, for a truer shaped horse in any point is not to be found, while he possesses the invaluable gift of a fine temper. Truefit is a liver-coloured chestnut, with white on both fore coronets, and a few gray hairs flecked over his quarters and stifles. He stands i6 hands high, 6ft. 6in. round the girth, and measures 8| in. below the knee. His shoulders are faultless, while he has a strong back, with lengthy, thick quarters, and sound well-placed hocks, shapes that enabled him to carry heavy weights successfully, as he is credited with winning several races across country and over hurdles. Previous to being purchased by Mr. Burdett-Coutts, Truefit was passed sound and free from all hereditary disease, and in the show yards he took the ^^50 premium and medal at the Hunter's Improvement Society's Show at Islington in 1886, which he followed up in 1887 by taking the first prize for thorough-bred hunter stallions at the Royal Agricultural Society's Show at Newcastle, and this year he was awarded the Queen's Premium of ^200 at the Islington March Show. With such certificates of merit added to his excellent performances, it will be strange indeed if Truefit should fail to distinguish himself as a hunting sire : but bred as he is, by Outfit (son of Y. Melbourne, dam by Teddington out of May of Masham) out of Eleonora by Wild Dayrell, her dam Lady Peel by Orlando out of Palma by Plenipotentiary, &c., he ought to secure the patronage of all breeders for the race course who have mares suitably bred to mate with him, and doubtless a chance will be afforded Truefit to get something to hand his name down to posterity." Salisbury and Winchester Journal, June 29, 1889. — '' Of these superb horses (the Queen's Premium Winners), which attracted great attention, the finest and most perfect in form and action was by general consent admitted to be Mr. Burdett-Coutts' Truefit, an ideal chestnut, foaled in 1880 by Outfit out of Eleanora. County Gentleman, March 7, 1890, (report on Royal Commission Show). — "There was no getting away from the merits of Mr. Burdett-Coutts' grand horse." Live Stock Journal, March 6, 1890. " The son of Outfit and Eleanora, has so much that is admirable about him, that it is not surprising he should always be a fancy of the judges . . . Taking Truefit altogether he is one of the attractions of the Show.'' Horse and Hound, March 7, 1890. — Among the present company Truefit wi^i facile princcps, and he seems to improve with time ; just now he is in his prime, being nine years old.'' The Daily Telegraph, March 5, 1890. — "The animals entered were fourteen in number, among which were Truefit, the chestnut of grand character belonging to Air. Burdett-Coutts, M.P., which was one of the winners in the class last year. He was considered by far the best in the lot now, and received one of the premiums, his two companions being, however, very handsome animals of considerable style, although not possessing quite so much substance and scale as Truefit." The Standard, March 5, 1890. — " Only one of the winners in this class last year appear in it on the prtscnt occasion. This is Truefit, one of the best horses in the Hall as a sire for hunters, as his form is excellent, and he has plenty of bone and moves well. He secured one of the premiums for his exhibitor, Mr. Burdett-Coutts, M.P. He was bred by the late Mr. Snewing, of Watford, Herts, his sire being Outfit, and his dam Eleanora, by Wild Dayrell.'' 146 Thoroughbreds. Mares. LADY PEREGRINE. Brown Mare, Height i6 hands. Foaled 1879. BreederW. Chaplin, M.P. Sire, TOXOPHOLITE. Dam, ADELAIDE (Dam of Peregrine, winner of the Two Thousand ; St. Alvere ; Queen Adelaide, &c.), by Young Melbourne. G.-Dam, by Teddington. G.G.-Dain, Maid of Masham, by Don John, Description and Breeding. — Of all the mares disposed of at the late Lord Wolverton's sale at Newmarket in December, 1887, this beautiful mare attracted most attention — as besides her good looks there is much in her breeding that would be specially sought after. A daughter of Toxopholite had produced the third Derby heroine of the century in Shotover, and as Adelaide the dam of Lady Peregrine had been purchased at the break up of the Glasgow Stud, when in foal, and Toxopholite died during the next season, Lady Peregrine is one of the very youngest of the family. She may be considered of greater value now than in 1887, as since that time the world has seen Memoir, also out of a Toxopholite mare, and that two such winners as Shotover and Memoir should spring from the same source on the female line is very remarkable. There is very little of the blood left, too, as at the break up sale of the Glasgow Stud above alluded to. Musket, Toxopholite's best son, was sold to a breeder in New Zealand, and at the present time there are only two of Musket's sons left in England — namely Petronel and Dan Godfrey, and the next volume of the Stud Book will only comprise about five mares by Toxopholite and seven by Musket. Quiver, the dam of Memoir, is nineteen years old; Stray-shot, the dam of Shotover, is of the same year, 1872 ; and Lady Peregrine is only twelve, so she may well be looked upon to maintain the prestige of the family, and the best of hopes may be realized, as Quiver was fifteen when she produced Memoir. It is all winning blood that runs through Lady Peregrine, and may be there is a reason why the daughters of Toxopholite have produced great winners, as it is almost the nearest line to Pantaloon, Toxopholite being out of a Pantaloon mare ; and just in the same way Macaroni mares have been so successful, and the last-named great sire was also out of a Pantaloon mare. G. S. L. Produce at the Brook field Stud. — In 1888, Bay colt, by Hermit (sold for 500 guineas at Newmarket, July, i8( 1889, Bay colt, by Hampton (sold for 400 guineas at Newmarket, 1890). 1890, Barren to St. Gatien. 147 Thoroughbreds. Mares. KATRINE. Chestnut Make, Height 15.2. Foaled 1872. Breeder, W. Blenkiron. Sire, BLAIR ATHOL. Dam, SECLUSION (Hermit's dam), by Tadmor. G.~Dam, Miss Sellon, by Cowl. Description and Breeding. — A very beautiful little mare is Katrine, being indeed a model of Blair Athol on a small scale. The handsome blaze faced chestnut got several of his stock in this mould, Altyre being one, and it was a remarkable characteristic in Blair Athol that although he possessed the power of the Stockwell family, there was nothing of what may be called the vulgarity of that tribe about him. He had the Gladiator head to perfection from his grand dam Queen Mary, and the shape of his shoulders without the heavy Stockwell points, or the tremendous barrels of nearly all of them. A beautiful horse was Blair Athol, and he is almost pictured in Katrine, a chestnut with white blaze, perfectly turned, on short legs, and exceptionally blood-like. She, like Lady Peregrine, was purchased from the late Lord Wolverton's select stud of mares, and she was Blair Athol's only daughter out of Seclusion, as after the last named had become so famous as the dam of Hermit a Newminster bred sire, or one with a great deal of Touchstone blood in him, like Scottish Chief, was mostly selected for her. It was a combination of wonderful sorts though, as seen in the result from her alliance with Blair Athol as in Katrine there is Stockwell, Gladiator, Melbourne, Ion, and Bay Middleton. Judging by what she has produced, it would appear as if her Birdcatcher line through Stockwell had a prominent influence in her pedigree, as she hit well with Isonomy, who has, too, crosses of Birdcatcher in him and four of Sir Hercules. In Formidable, Katrine had a great daughter, as there were not more than three of her sex — perhaps Signorina, Riviera, and Semolina — who could have beaten Lord Dudley's filly as a two year old. Following Formidable came a full brother to her, sold at Newmarket in i88q, for 3,000 guineas ; her Springfield colt, in 1890, sold for 1,000 guineas ; her yearling filly of 1 891, by Highland Chief, is very handsome ; and she is now in foal again to Isonomy. G. S. L. Produce at the Brookficid Stud. — In 1888, Chestnut colt, Fear-Nought, by Isonomy, (sold for 3000 guineas at Newmarket, July, 1889). 1889, Bay colt, by Springfield (sold for 1,000 guineas, July, 1890.) 1890, Bay Filly, by Highland Chief (page 154). 1 89 1, In foal to Isonomy. 148 Thoroughbreds. Mares. HERMIONE. Bkown Makv., Hcig/d 15.3. Foaled i^"]^. i5';-^rc/d';-, The Marquis of Aylesbury. Sire, YOUNG MELBOURNE. Dam, LA BELLE HELENE (dam of The Miser), by St. Albans. G.-dnm, Teterrima. G.G.-ciaiu, Ellen Middleton, by Bay Middleton. Description and Breeding. — Few people have ever seen a symmetrical or perfectly shaped daughter of Young Melbourne. They are very fine mares, possessing great substance and good bone, and with plenty of length of shoulder, and again from the pin to the hock. This is what Hermione is, and very useful it must be acknow- ledged are the Young Melbourne mares. Minting's dam was one of them, and Adelaide, the dam of Peregrine, and Lady Peregrine another. Hermione was a selection made by the late Lord Falmouth, and at the break up sale of that nobleman's stud she was purchased by her present owner. She is bred into high families all round, as she is half-sister of The Miser, goes into the late Lord Aylesbury's Bribery sort through St. Albans, and her great-great-dam, Ellen Middleton, was the dam of Wild Dayrell, whilst she inherits the blood of Voltigeur through Teterrima, She is the dam of that good mare Perdita II., a winner of many races a few seasons back, and it will be recollected that the latter ran a dead heat with Middlethorpe for the Liverpool Summer Cup in 1886. The last- named was by Hampton, and Hermione visited that sire again last season. G. S. L. MOLDA. Bay Mare, //t' 4V// 15.3. Foakd iSyS. Breeder, Lord Faluoutu. Sire, KNIGHT OF THE GARTER. Da?n, NIKJE, by Orlando. G.-dam, Ayacanora. G.G.-dam, Pocahortas, by Sultan. Description and Breeding. — Molda is a very fine lengthy mare, with beautiful shoulders and long quarters. She is a bay, and marked like her sire, with a good deal of white. She was purchased with Hermione and others at the late Lord Falmouth's sile, and there is much to note in her breeding, as through the handsome Knight of the Garter she inherits the blood of Melbourne from Prime Minister, and then through her dam she goes to Orlando ; Nike, in fact, being an own sister to Chattanooga, the sire of Wellingtonia, sire of Plaisanterie. Her yearling filly by Galliard at Lord Falmouth's sale was sold for ^"400, and her filly foal by Springfield for the same amount. She was served last year by St. Gatien. G. S. L. Produce. — In iSqo, Brown Filly, by Thurio (page 154). 149 Thoroughbreds. Bay Make, Height i6 hands. Sire, HERMIT. Mares. WHARFEDALE. Foaled 1879. Breeder, H. Chai'Lin, M.P. Da7n, Bonnie Doon, by Rapid Rhone. G.-dam^ Queen Mary. G.G.-dam, by Plempotentiauv. Description and Breeding. — Wharfedale is another purchased by Lord Fahnouth when he determined to reform his stud. She is one of Hermit's finest daughters, possessing all the best points of the family in shoulders, long arms, good sprung ribs, and powerful quarters. That such a mare should make a great deal of money was not very surprising, and 2,200 guineas had to be paid to get her for the Brookfield Stud, whilst at the same time her yearling filly by Galliard made ^700, and her Spiingfield colt foal £i,^o^ whilst her daughter, called Rosedale, was purchased by Count Lehndorff for 1,100 guineas. Her pedigree, including as it does a close combination of Hermit, and Queen Mary — the famous dam of Blink Bonny and many other celebrities — is of course very attractive, and all her stock have shown great quality. She produced a filly last year to Galliard, and she is now in foal to Barcaldine. G. S. L. Produce. — In 1890, Bay Filly by Galliard (page 154). MADGE lATILDFIRE. Bay Mare, Height 15.2^. Sire, BLAIR ATHOL. Foaled 1869. Breeder, Mr. Bowes. Dam, OLD ORANGE GIRL, by Kl.N'GSTON. G.-dain, Mowerina (Sister to Cothestone and dam of West Australian). G.G.-dam, Emma, by Whisker. Breeding. — A very fine bred mare is Madge Wildfire, full of Streatham blood, and she is the dam of Cardinal Wolsey, and other useful horses. She belonged to Lord Falmouth's stud also, and on the day she was sold her yearling filly, by Galliard, made 2,700 guineas. She was barren last year to Galliard, and served by Truefit. Bay Make, Height 15.2 J. Sire, SPRINGFIELD, HAZELBUSH. Foaled 1885. Breeder, R. Howett. Dam, HAZELNUT, by Speculum. G.-dam, Nutbush, by Fii.hert. G.G.-dam, Beauty, by Lanercost. Description and Breeding. — A very pretty mare indeed is Hazelbush, being, like all the Springfields, full of quality, and she is very perfect in her shoulders, and is well shaped about her back, loins, and quarters. Her pedigree points to great speed, through Springfield and the flying Nutbush, but there is a good deal of what is called stout blood besides, from Speculum and Lanercost. G. S. L. Produce.— In 1890, Chestnut Colt by Hagioscope (page 154). 150 Thoroughbreds. Mares, STOLEN KISSES. Black Mare. Foaled 1888. Breeder, Lord Falmouth, Sire, MACHEATH. Dam, LADY CHATELAINE, by Silvio. G.-Dam, Lady Golightly. G.G.-Dam, Lady Coventry by Thormamby. This young mare met with an accident to her sbculder, but was getting all right when purchased. She will be bred from this season, and will not be trained. G. S. L. BONNIE E'EN. Brown Mare. Foaled 1888. Breeder, T. M. C. Vigors. Sire, BARCALDINE. Da>fi, GLANCE, by General Peel (Dam of Glint). G.-Dam, Mother Neasham. G.G.-Dam, Little Hannah, by Lanercost. This mare will be bred from this season. DOROTHY DRAGGLETAIL. Bay Mare, Height 15.3. Foaled 1885. Breeder, Lord Falmouth. Sire, SPRINGFIELD. Dam, HERMIONE (page 148). This young mare was purchased at Lord Falmouth's sale, and she produced a colt foal in 1890 to Merry- go-Round (foal dead), and was then served by Truefit. 151 Thoroughbreds. Mares. ARMINELLA. Black Mare, Hei^/ii i6 hands. Foa/ed 1880. Breeder, Joseph Perry. Sire, MASINISSA. Bam, FENELLA, by Chevalier d'Industrie. G.-dam, Jeu des Mots (dam of Empress, winner of the Grand National in 1880) by King Tom. G. G.-dam, Jeu d'Esprit, by Flatcatcher. Description. — Immediately after the sale, a well-known trainer asked me, with respect to Lady Peregrine, for whom I had given a long price : " Have you bought this one to put to a Hackney stallion ? " Not quite. There is reason in everything, and the blood of Derby winners is not absolutely necessary to my object of infusing thoroughbred blood into other breeds. What we do want for that purpose is staying blood, shape, bone, constitution, and soundness. As far as my small experience of breeding thoroughbreds goes, these are points which are in many studs made subservient to the possession of winning blood. The dam of a winner or two will fetch a higher price at Newmarket, be she the veriest old mis-shapen crock, than the most perfect mare, qna shape and soundness, who has not so distinguished herself. This mare seems to combine fashionable blood with the best of looks, for if ever a clean Thoroughbred can be a perfect-shaped hunter up to 14 stone, Arminella is an instance in point. With plenty of quality, and shoulders and quarters turned for speed as well as power, she has a back and strong flat limbs that could make light of that weight over a country. She bred one or two real good ones before she came to Brookfield, but from accident or some other cause they did not attain to racing age. Her yearling of 1889 by Trappist, and her Truefit yearling of 1890, sold for fair prices in their respective years at Newmarket. If I carry out the intention I had when I bought Arminella, and send her to a Hackney Stallion, she has enough good looks and breeding to bring all the virtues of the thoroughbred into the stepping-breed. B-C. Performances. — In 1884, Won the Selling Hunters' Plate at Doncaster ; Won the Open Hunters' (March Meeting) at Kempton Park. Produce at Brookfield. — In 1888, Chestnut colt, by Trappist (sold at Newmarket 1889). 1889, Chestnut colt, by Truefit (sold at Newmarket 1890). i8qo, Barren. 152 Tborouglibreds. Mares. MAY (late Rubra). Bay Mare, Height 15.3. Foaled 1881. Breeder, R. Robbins. Sire, STRUAN. Dam, ROSEBUD, by Ellerton, G.-dam, Contraction, byEMii.ius. Description. — May is an exceptionally taking-looking mare, and if her elegance and quality are reproduced in her stock she will be no mean addition to the Brookfield Stud. Whilst showing the neat head of the thorough- bred. May adds to her attractions by possessing a remarkably good back and quarters, whilst her limbs are clean and good, and she is a free mover. V. S. Breeding. — This mare has just that freedom and lightness of action which would nick well with a stepping Hackney. The limbs and strength of her Truefit foal of i88q, which unfortunately died from blood-poisoning supervening on an injury to the foot, were such as to promise no diminution of bone from the other cross, whenever it should be tried. Last year, therefore, I put her to Candidate, the result being a charming filly with more action than a Thoroughbred, and more quality than an ordinary Hackney. B-C. Produce nt Brookfield.— \U?,, Chestnut filly, by Goldfield, (sold at Newmarket, :88g). l88q. Bay colt, by Truefit, (since dead). i8go. Chestnut filly, Merry May, by Candidate 920 (page 117) START. Brown Mare, Height 16.0.2. Foa/ed 1SJ4.. Bred iji America. Sire, GLENELG (Imported). Dam, STAMPS, by Lexington-, G.-diim, Mildred, by Glencoe. Description. — This mare was chosen, on account of her size, perfect shape, and grand action, to cross with a Hackney stallion. She is full of wealth and quality, and goes all round with a powerful and elastic movement, which should nick admirably with the high knee action of the Hackney. V. S. Breeding. — This mare was imported by Mr. Sandford from America, and some racing breeders in that country valued her blood so much that they made a strong effort to buy her back from me. Prior to trying these valuable Thoroughbred mares with the Hackney stallion, Truefit has been allowed a chance of breeding a race- horse from them. The two foals from Arminella and May give plenty of promise in that direction, but unfortunately, as I was looking forward to his cross with such a grand mare as this. Start slipped her foal to him in i88q. B-C. Performances. — In 1878, Second in the Cesarewitch to Jester ; Third in Jockey Club Cup, Newmarket, to Silvio and Insulaire. Produce at Brookfield. — In 1888, Bay colt by Trappist (sold at Newmarket, il i88q, Slipped foal to Truefit. 153 Thoroughbreds. Mares. QUEEN OF DIAMONDS. Bay Mare, Hei^rA^ 15.3. Foa/ed 1875. Breeder, J. Hawkridge. Sire, BOLD DAYRELL. Dam, NINE OF DIAMONDS, by Dundee, out of Curse Royal. Description. — Queen of Diamonds, when in training, was a good steeplechaser, and was formerly owned and hunted for many years by M. Roy, the most accomplished gentleman steeplechase rider in France. She is a grandly-built mare, with a most lovely head, splendidly placed shoulders, and a capital set of legs, and cannot fail to make a name for herself at the stud, as she appears equally likely to breed either flat-racers or steeplechasers. V. S. Breeding.— QoXii Dayrell was the sire of Antler, and other good horses. He was first called Spendthrift, then Wild Dayrell II. I can't say much more about the breeding of this mare, but I know she is a good one, having seen her for several seasons going like a bird over Leicestershire, ridden by her former owner, who is one of the best cross-country riders that ever came out of France. B-C. Miss ADDIE< B ay Mare, Height 14.3. Foaled 1 8 7 5 . Description. — This is a small, bloodlike mare, exquisitely turned, and all over quality. In every respect, save size, quite the heau ideal of the thoroughbred mare. At fourteen years old her limbs are as clean and hard as iron, and she has, perhaps, a little more action than would do for racing. V. S. Breeding. — It has always been a matter of great regret that I have been unable to ascertain correctly the pedigree of this mare. No one could look at her for a moment without being convinced that she is clean thorough- bred, and she has always been reputed to be so. She is evidently one of the so-called " ponies " which thoroughbreds sometimes produce, and which, being too small for racing, find their way to other purposes, which rarely enable them to achieve such good results as have attended the maternal career of Miss Addle. Shortly after joining the Brookfield Stud she threw a filly foal to Tommy, which, under the name of Adelaide (page 122) was brought up with her half-sister of the same age, Miriam, in the paddocks of Holly Lodge, and the two now form that very difficult thing to find — a perfectly-matched pair of blood ponies. She was again put to Tommy and, unfortunately, slipped twins. I then determined to try her powers with a Hackney stallion, and, knowing how old Norfolk Confidence 158 required blood mares — a subject referred to more than once in these notes — I sent her to Wymondham, and the result was the remarkably fine young horse Brown Fashion (page 44). She has since bred three admirable foals by Candidate. B-C. Produce at the Brookfield Stud.— In 1884, Bay filly [575] Adelaide, by Tommy 1236 (page 122). 1885, Slipped twins to Tommy. 1886, Brown colt. Brown Fashion [1628], by Confidence 158 (page 44). 1887, Bay colt, Addiscombe [1692], by Candidate 920 (dead). 1888, Brown colt, Addison 2342, by Candidate 920 (gelded). 1889, Brown filly [2516] Adela, by Candidate 920 (page 115). 1890, Brown filly. Adieu, by Accident i6<)i (page 45). 154 Thoroughbreds. Yearlings in isai. A/^.B. — The following Yearlings will be sold by Messrs. Tatter sail, at Newmarket, in Jtily, 1891. THOROUGHBRED YEARLING, 1891. Bay Filly. Foaled 1890. Breeder, Owner. Sire, HIGHLAND CHIEF. Dam, KATRINE (page 147), by Blair Athol out of Seclusion. THOROUGHBRED YEARLING, 1891. Bay Filly. Foaled 1890. Breeder, Owner. Sire. GALLIARD. Dam, WHARFEDALE (page 149), by Hermit out of Bonnie Doon, by Rapid Rhone. THOROUGHBRED YEARLING, 1891. Chestnut Colt. Foaled 1890. Breeder, Owner. Sire, HAGIOSCOPE. Dam, HAZELBUSH (page 149), by Springfield out of Hazelnut, by Speculum. THOROUGHBRED YEARLING, 1891. Brown Filly. Foaled 1890. Breeder, Owner, Sire, THURIO. Dam, MOLDA (page 148), by Knight of the Garter out of Nike, by Orlando. 1S5 Half-Breds. . Mares. STRAY LOCK. Bay Mare, Height 15. 2 J. Foaled 1885. Sire, DISTURBANCE (Thoroughbred). Dam, by INCHCOLM {Thoroughbred). (Winner of the Grand National.) Description. — This is a beautiful lady's hunter or hack, but with so much action that she would easily make one of a high-stepping pair of blood phaeton horses. She is, as will be seen at a glance, admirably bred to cross a "galloping country," while a strong Hackney stallion should get a young one of rare quality from her. B-C. JULIETTE. Bay Mare, Height 16 hands. Foaled 1877. Description. — Juliette looks exactly what she is, a first-rate hunter mare. Her head is intelligent-looking and neat, her shoulders well placed, and there is plenty of depth of chest to give that amount of heart room which is absolutely essential in a hunter. Her quarters are good, and she has proved herself a good performer, and a safe conveyance in the hunting field. V. S. Breeding.— Xi. in the case of Longtail (page 103), now inspected for Vol VHI. of the Hackney Stud Book, I have never been able to discover the breeding of this mare. But I do know that she was one of the best weight-carrying hunters that ever crossed a stiff country, and that she carried me, for several years, in some of the biggest runs with the Duke of Rutland's hounds. She is the only one I kept of my stud of hunters, and although she had another five years' work in her I put her to Truefit, and the result is a wonderfully good yearling. B-C. Produce. — i88q. Bay colt, Belvoir, by Truefit (gelded). i8qo. Chestnut filly, California, by Truefit (see next page). CHIGNON. Brown Mare. Foaled 188S. Breeder, Owner, Sire, TRUEFIT. Dam, LONGTAIL 644, F.S. (See page 103.) Description. — Being a big-limbed, sizeable, and more than useful-looking filly, combining her dam's power with her sire's quality, this yearling must be regarded as likely to turn into a good weight-carrying hunter, and subsequently to be the dam of a good foal. V. S. Breeding. — This filly is a very satisfactory evidence of what Truefit can do with half-bred mares. See remarks on Longtail (page 103). B-C. 156 Half-breds. Mares VERA SASSULITCH. Brown Mare. Foaled 1888. Breeder, Owner. Sire, TRUEFIT (page 141). Dam, CONSPIRACY, by The Fenian. G.-dam, by M.D. Description. — A light weight hunter all over, built for speed, and a beautiful mover in the gallop. Breeding. — The dam of this filly is described under Donnybrook Fair (page 76). Her performances over a country, coupled with those of the sire of this filly in the same department of racing, should make the offspring of the two hard to catch over Leicestershire. It will be observed that the filly under notice is as nearly thorough- bred as possible. B-C. CURIOSITY. Bay Filly. Foaled, 1890. Breeder, Owner Sire, SULTAN 667, C.B.S.B. Dam, 873, H.S.B., TRINKET (page 90), (See page 123.) by Fireaway (Triflfit's) 24q. Description. — As an exception to my treatment of the foals in this catalogue, I must remark on this interesting entry. It is obvious that thee.xtent and variety of the Brookfield Stud, containing as it does the purest strains of the different breeds, enables me to base my experiments in crossing on a pretty sure foundation on both sides. With a view to producing a harness horse with more size than the Hackney and more action than the Cleveland, I, in 1889, mated Trinket, a pure-bred Fireaway mare, with Sultan, my Coaching Stallion. The cross the other way about with the Hackney Stallion and the Coaching mare has been tried in Yorkshire with very useful results (see also Cross Patch, page iiq);but lam not aware of any reliable experimentof the kind that has produced this filly. The result exceeds my anticipations. Curiosity is a big and most shapely filly with bone and room and a beautiful top line, while her action would denote her to be a pure Hackney foal. I think I can see my way to the production of some very valuable harness horses by following out this line, which it will be observed combines the best features of the harness horse on both sides. For that purpose it is far safer than the cross out to the thoroughbred, Avhich in nine cases out of ten, if that blood is brought in by means of the sire, throws the produce out of the harness type altogether. It further demonstrates the great value of the Coaching Stallion for country use amongst breeders who have smallish mares from which they wish to breed harness horses, but refrain from using the Hackney Stallion lest the size should fail to be increased. The value of the experiment is more than doubled by its having been tried in the same year, I am bound to confess with even better results, by an illustrious patron of the Hackney breed. H.R.H. the Prince of Wales sent last year a very grand Confidence mare to Sultan, and the result was a colt foal 01 great size and capital action which during the summer of 'qo was one of the most admired of this year's produce at Brookfield. (Compare the whole note on Cross Patch, page iiq). B-C. CALIFORNIA. Chestnut Filly. Foaled 1890. Breeaer, Owner. Sire, TRUEFIT (page 141). Dam, JULIETTE (page 155). 157 Half-breds. Colt toakd isss. NEW CROSS. Bay Horse. Foaled 1888. Breeder, W. J. Bailey, Morley, Wymondham. Sire, TRUEFIT. Dam, BESS, by Confidence 158. G.-dnm, Black Bess. Description. — New Cross, the very happily named result of the experiment of crossing the thoroughbred upon the Hackney, is a beautiful bay colt, full of superb quality, but blessed with a very liberal endowment of bone and substance. He is, in fact, a remarkable combination of quality and substance, and is, even at this early age, every inch a hunter. V. S. Breeding. — The mating of a thoroughbred stallion with a Hackney mare, which suggested to me the name of this colt, is in my opinion more likely to produce a hunter than a Hackney. In this case certainly that is the result, for New Cross at this early age shows nothing but hunter points, and even his action, when run on the hard ground, although marked by great freedom, is not less like that of a hunter, nor more like that of a Hackney, than his sire Truefit's, which is generally thought to be perfect hunter action. The cry often goes up, Where are we to find mares to breed hunters from ? I would reply that for light-weight or middle-weight hunters there is no better foundation stock than a strong, short-legged, big-boned, pure Hackney mare, with lots of quality and action. If she is pure Hackney-bred, those attributes, being obtained by heredity, will be handed on to her stock ; and, modified, invigorated, strengthened, and lengthened by the thoroughbred blood, will produce a good hunter. If it is desired to introduce thoroughbred blood, and still to keep the Hackney type, it must, in my opinion, be done by crossing the Hackney stallion with the thoroughbred mare. A certain amount of action will be lost, the shapes may be somewhat altered, and the legs to some degree lengthened. But all these changes, which are defects from the point of view of the object aimed at, will be infinitely less marked than in the case of a thoroughbred stallion put to a Hackney mare. And further, the action shapes and short legs of the Hackney can be recovered by a second cross of the fillies with a Hackney stallion. Many beautiful hacks have I known bred by a Hackney stallion from a thoroughbred mare, for hacks do not require, and are better without, the very high knee action of the pure Hackney. Many good-looking hunters which win prizes in show rings are bred in the same way ; but when they have to gallop over a country, it is not the right way ; and I repeat here what will be found more fully stated in my article (page 167), "blood on the top for a hunter." B-C. [N.B. — This colt has been gelded since the above was written, because I believe he will be more valuable as a hunter than as a half-bred stallion. I leave him in the work for the sake of the above note, which may be useful to breeders. B-C] 158 [N.B. — // will be noticed that the JoUowing remarks were partly addressed to the advisability of a sum 0/ motiey fivhich, at the date xvhcn they ivcre made, was about to be devoted for the first time to Government encouragement of horse breeding, and to be allotted, in the form of QueeiCs Premiums, to thoroughbred sires) being applied in the direction of placing stallions belonging to three other pedigree breeds in different parts of the country. I am still of opinion that horse breeders should have the opportunity of using different kitids of sires according to the different classes of stock which they desire to breed, or which their mares are best calculated to produce. And while I, in common tvith all breeders, appreciate the intelligence and industry displayed by the Royal Commissioners, I think that this 7c>as a flaw in their original scheme. But the attention that has been aroused to the value of these pedigree breeds has resulted in so large an extension and development oj their services, that I now look fortvard to the objects aimed at being achieved, as most other great objects have been in this country, without Govrrnment assistance. — B-C] ENCOURAGEMENT OF HORSE-BREEDING. SPEECH BY MR. BURDETT-COUTTS, M.P. , At a meeting of Members of the Hackney, the Yorkshire Coach Horse, and the Cleveland Bay Societies, HEi.n AT THE A4IDLAND GRAND HOTEL, LONDON, DECEMBER 5TH, 1887. The Right Hon. the EARL OF LONDESBOROUGH in the Chair. Mr. BuRnETT-CouTTS, M.P., who was cheered upon rising, having made his acknowledgments to Lord Londesborough, and referred to his position as a great landed proprietor in a horse-breeding district, and the encourao-ement he had given to these breeds, thereby fulfilling, in the most practical manner, the duties of his position, said : — Government aid. I think tnat we may congratulate ourselves that Government has at last taken up the matter, foUowincr the example of other countries, whose systematic and organised efforts for some years past have done so much to improve their native breeds. It is of great importance that this first attempt should be made in the best and wisest way ; that they should not be afraid of striking out a new line, and if on examination the system hitherto pursued from private resources has not succeeded in producing the best and most useful class of horse, and in making horse-breeding profitable, that system should no longer be bolstered up by Government resources, but a new departure taken boldly and carefully. (Cheers.) Light drauglit My contention is that the system hitherto pursued has been not so much bad as it has been imperfect Mrs'emlomerfect. and partial. For obvious reasons, I exclude from my remarks all breeds of cart-horses. I speaK. of the great class of light draught horses of all kinds and qualities, which include by far the greatest number of horses used in the country, and which include all horses used for Army purposes. All this class of horse has been, so far as their breeding is concerned, neglected and left out ; or, if not that, considered subservient to racing and hunting stock. I am a hunting man myself. Let no man, therefore, accuse me of wishing to say one woid derogatory to that grand old English sport /^r i'e. But I want to clear away all prejudices and look at this question in a practical 159 light. Racing and hunting form a network of influences amongst tlie moneyed and propertied classes, and all breeding efforts, provision of stallions to tenants, saving of mares for breeding, high prices given by country gentlemen for young horses, &c., &c., have all been with direct reference to hunting. (Hear, hear.) Only Thoroughbred For this purpose, and by reason of some traditional halo that has surrounded him, nothing but ires proYi e . thorough-bred sires are provided. It is true there exists a quantity of miserable, half-bred, coarse, cobby, " butcher-carty " stallions about the country of no breed whatever, but at a low fee ; but this points my statement that, with the exception of thorough-breds, no trouble has ever been taken to provide stallions of any recognised type, and having that ascertained back blood which will make them valuable sires. Value of the Now, as I may have to say what may appear at first sight to be some hard thi-ngs about the system, oroug re • J ^^ ^^^^ want to be misunderstood in my remarks about the use of the thoroughbred stallion. I recognise to the full the enormously important part which the English thoroughbred has played in horse-breeding in this For Kace Horses country and throughout the world. First, in racing, where, of course, he is alone ; and although not a racing man myself, I am perfectly conscious that the thoroughbred could never have become what he is without racing, and the generations of feeding, and training, and effort, but more especially (and this is a point to which I shall have to direct your attention when I speak of other breeds) by the careful and almost scientific crossing and mating of various strains, which have put him for the purposes of racing miles ahead of any breed of horses the world has ever seen. I cannot help wondering what would have been the result if a tithe of this attention in crossing, feeding, and training had been devoted to any one of the breeds we are interested in. (Cheers). What a wonderful horse for his special purpose we should have produced ! I shall have to call your attention to the reverse For Hunters, of this picture in a minute or two. Secondly, for hunting. I am, as I have said, a hunting man myself, arid I may as well say at once that I would not give sixpence for a hunter who had not a very large admixture of thoroughbred blood. Indeed, there can be no question that the most perfect hunter would always be a clean thoroughbred if (and this is a very large " if " in favour of some of the other breeds of horses, as forming a foundation to cross the thoroughbreds on to for hunting stock) we could get the bone and substance to carry weight. For crossing with & / o j a other breeds. (Hear, hear.) Thirdly, with reference to light draught horses and hacks, I am tully aware of the value of a judicious infusion of thoroughbred blood to give quality and endurance. But Thoroughbred Now, having said all this, I think anybody who accuses me of coming here to abuse the thoroughbred ires over one. ^^ ^ horse or to depreciate his value in breeding will be fighting the air. But all things can be overdone, and breeding from thoroughbreds in this country has been overdone, for two reasons. In the first place, we are not all racing men or hunting men, and there is an enormous supply of horses wanted for other purposes in this country. Results. Secondly, those horses are not to be produced solely by the use of the thoroughbred sire. (Hear, hear.) That is my position, and I shall proceed to endeavour to make it good. In my opinion, the uninterrupted breeding and in-breeding from thoroughbreds has gradually produced a class of horses which is of very little use for any purpose whatever. The exceptions are the horses with bone and size to make hunters, and the exceptions to these again are the horses that turn out good jumpers with good manners, and sound enough to stand breaking in to hunting. But there are left a great number of horses all over the country, high on the leg, light of bone, with no shapes for harness, with no action for harness, and, consequently, almost worthless, many of them so diminished in substance that they become almost /men horses. (Cheers.) This is a very bad business for the breeding-farmer, and they have found it out, and have given up breeding. I hope that the Government grant will not be confined to per- petuating this system. (Applause.) I am far from wishing to stop or even to restrict the breeding of hunters. What I do wish to do is to place it in the power of people to breed something else if they perceive that there is less risk and a more certain market for other stock. The breeding of hunters stands by itself. The " cast oflTs " that do not make hunters may do for the cab or the omnibus, but they will never fetch a good price as carriage horses, having neither the requisite shape or action. I will prove this. Take the first prize horse in any great hunter class, worth, it may be, if he is a good horse in the field, fKom ^"300 to ^500. Suppose, when tried, he won't jump, and you have to sell him as a carriage horse, what is he worth ? If he is a true made hunter, and not a "carriagey" one, _^50 or _^6o. This fact, which no one will deny — (hear, hear) — proves better than anything else that a system which provides nothing but thoroughbred sires is calculated to produce nothing but hunters. But the Government deny that that is their object. (Cheers.) 160 What is a " half- So much for and aeaiiist the lliorouglibred as the only stallion. Now, on the other hand, I wish to bred Horse. <= o ./ i i say a few words about these three breeds, the Cleveland Bay, the Yorkshire Coach Horse, and the Hackney. I will not call them " half-bred " horses. By a " half-bred " horse, technically, I understand the produce of a thoroughbred and any other kind not thoroughbred. Generally it means a horse by a thoroughbred sire out oi a mare whose breeding is entirely unknown. I, myself, should never use a stallion so bred unless he had been thoroughly tested by his stock, because we should never know what his stock might throw back to through his These are Pedigree dam. Therefore, I am opposed to the use of so-called "half-bred " stallions. But these breeds are in a Breeds. Their i rr " Backblood." certam sense thoroughbred — that is to say, their blood has been carefully kept and mated with similar blood, and a general, or rather a pretty exact, type of shape, action, and, in some cases, such as the Cleveland Bay, of colour, has been continuously preserved and bred-to. These qualities are in the breeds now by reason of their having been in the back blood ; and, therefore, as any breeder will know, these stallions are much more likely to impress those qualities upon their stock, and, therefore, much more safe to breed from. (Hear, hear.) This is essentially the case when they are mated with mares of their own breed. I labour this point, perhaps, because it is here that the value of the work done by the societies represented to-day becomes of the first importance, and justifies us in appealing to the Government for recognition on this ground, if on no other, that we have collected in an authentic and tolerably reliable form the record, extending over a hundred years, of this back blood ; and we ask for support, not for our societies, but for breeds the history of whose qualities is definite, ascertained, and reliable. We all know the value which foreign purchasers attach to these stud-books, and it does not seem to me to be asking too much to expect our own Government to look at them in the same light. The breeds possess the Qualities inherent qualities in their blood, and will procreate them in their stock. (Cheers.) Now, with regard to the qualities therein. themselves. It would take a much longer time than 1 can afford to do them justice ; but you know what the old tests were. I take them at random. Three miles trotted in nine minutes, " to stand at the stone and start " ; seventeen miles in fifty-six minutes, carrying 13 stone (this was Marshland Shales, who was master of 20 stone) ; sixteen miles in one hour, carrying 16 stone (this was Wroot's Pretender, the sire of Ramsdale's Performer, the origin of the Yorkshire Hackney). In Yorkshire Coach Horses, eighteen miles in the hour, carrying 18 stone. This was a brother to Wonderful. Again, one mile in three minutes, carrying 14 stone. These were the old tests which I believe these horses, if bred with care and properly trained, would do again. I ask anyone to compare with these performances the flimsy in-bred produce of the thoroughbred sire, and I ask which is the most valuable stock for the " general utility " horse that is so much talked about now ; and can any Government starting a first attempt to encourage the home production of horses afford to neglect altogether the horses which have this sort of thing bred in them ? (Cheers.) But I pass to a more certain test, that which the market supplies. They provide the I am going to make a statement which may surprise not only a great many people who have a vague and sublimated idea of the thoroughbred horse, but a great many people who breed horses in a small way throughout the country ; but one which, I believe, most of those here present will recognise the truth of, \'iz., that a great majority ot the highest class of harness horses, the fine-stepping barouche horses, or coach horses, the high-stepping phaeton horses, are not by thoroughbreds at all — (hear, hear) — but come mainly from those parts ot England, viz., Yorkshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire, and parts of Lincolnshire, where the very breeds whose interests we are advocating to-day are bred, and to which indeed they are almost solely confined. Look at what is called the blue ribbon of the Islington Show, the first prize in the 15.2 harness class — a cla.ss which represents the best specimens of an enormous class of horses used for all sorts of purposes in this country. If you look back at the winners in this class for years past (and it is a very important point that you should remember that there is absolutely no restriction as to the way a horse is bred in this class), you will find that the winners have been bred invariably from Hackney sires, and probably on both sides. (Hear, hear.) But some- one may say " this is only for show purposes," and that is true in a sense, for these are the cream ; but they are the best of a great mass of horses, not quite good enough to show, but of similar shape and action — the shape and action which public opinion, as shown by the market, has judged to be the best for harness purposes. Again, where do you find the best type of the larger horse — the barouche horse with the elegant turning and action that command the highest price ? Is it not in the Coaching classes at the Great Yorkshire Show, and all the minor shows in that county, where the Clevelands and Yorkshire C >ach Horses are to be found ? Is there anything like 161 them for carriage purposes to be found at Reading, at Bath, at Cardiflf, at Chehenham, or anywhere else in England ? Do any carriage horses in the kingdom, either in their best specimens or in their general average, command such prices as these horses do ? Have farmers generally throughout England made as much out of breeding hunters as Yorkshiremen and Eastern Counties' men have made out of their carriage horses ? (Cheers.) But someone will say, " If this is the case, why do the breeders of these horses want assistance ? " — a very natural question, and in answering it I shall have to point to another proof of the great value of these breeds. These Breeds Their value was early seen and appreciated by foreign nations, and while those who had the means neglected at home . ,. „. , , , , ■ , • , r • , , • i r • and mopped up of providmg stallions throughout the country were thmkmg only ot racnig and huntmg, the foreigner was by Foreign quietly, systematically, and industriously mopping up all the best specimens of these old England breeds — nut only the stallions, at prices ranging from X'^°° '^'' :i''^P°° down to anything that would be taken — but the mares in great numbers, a far more serious thing. (Hear, hear.) Mark this, there was no Englishman to compete with him ; for years, while he was buying, no Englishman attempted to buy them for breeding purposes at all, and the dealer, who would buy for working purposes, could not give the price which the foreigner gave for breeding, and, as you all know, would not buy mares at all ; and the poor farmer, pressed more and more year after year as agriculture grew less profitable, could not, and could not be expected to, resist the tempting prices offered by the foreigner — prices which, I say with some feeling, ought to have been given by Englishmen. (Cheers.) Results. Depletion. The consequences are twofold ; first, those parts of the country where these horses formerly abounded Horses from^abroad.b'-'fore the foreign demand arose have been to a great extent denuded of the stock ; and, secondly, these horses, having been judiciously and systematically crossed with foreign breeds, have enabled other countries to supply a great quantity of the light-draught horses used in this country, not only the cheaper kinds, which, perhaps, the English farmer could not afford to breed, but, as you might find out if you were in the secrets of many London dealers, every year more and more of the high-priced horses. (Hear, hear.) In illustration of these two facts, viz., the scarcity of these horses now, and the destination to which the stock has gone, I might mention that one great London job-master has told me within the past few days that he has almost ceased to attempt to buy in Yorkshire, simply because he can't find the horses he used to find ; and, on the other hand, a very well known Yorkshire breeder told me the other day that for years his fillies have found a regular purchaser abroad, not one of them ever having been bought for England. Now, I do not wish to argue too much from foreign countries, lest anyone should say that I am comparing foreign horses favourably with English horses. Everyone knows that we are superior to other countries in this respect, but my point is that we are superior by reason of our possessing the native breeds of these horses, which have become so greatly diminished and are now in danger of extinction through exportation. The foreigner holds the market with an inferior horse, and will continue to do so until we can drive him out by a larger production Foreign breeding of the purer specimens oi these breeds. (Hear, hear.) And we may certainly take a lesson from other systesm. countries in the enormous improvement which they have made in their horses. They have been going forward for exactly the same reason that we have been going back. And how have they done it ? By confining their farmers and breeders to the use of thoroughbred stallions, and making it impossible for a poor man who has a mare, no matter what her shape or action may be, to mate that mare with any but a thoroughbred sire ? Why, gentlemen, they would laugh at the idea ; and all the time they have been taking these old English breeds away from us, they have been laughing in their sleeve at us for using nothing but thoroughbreds. There is not a foreign /laras except the racing ones, which confines itself to thoroughbred sires. I read last week in that admirable paper the Live Stock Jouma/, to which I gladly pay a tribute for the way in which it has taken up the whole question of breeding of all kinds, that out of 2,500 stallions in the French Government studs there are only iq8 thoroughbreds — I should like to see a great many more than that — that there are 106 Hackney stallions ; that there are 235 coaching stallions. (Hear, hear.) And this is the way in which they have improved their French horses, until they are able to boast that their cavalry is the best horsed in the world ; that during the last three years they exported 33,500 horses more than they have imported, and that during the first eight months of 1887 the value of horses exported exceeded those in the same period of i88b by 1,165,000 francs (;^ 4,6500), and the imports were 1,672,000 francs (_^66,88o) less. These are enormous strides for France to have made, and I think it is only right that we should examine very carefully the process by which they have been 162 atUiiied ; and wc should ask ourselves whether they would have been possible, whether the balance would not have been altogether on the other side, if they had used nothing but thoroughbred sires. (Cheers). And you must remember, finally, that this is the systematised action of a Government department which has all the resources of money, experience, and scientific experiment at its command. I have spoken only of France ; the same remark India, holds good of Germany, Belgium, Austria, and Italy. In India the Government breeding department have issued a report, which at my request has been published in a Blue-book, so that it is publicly available, and in which it is stated that the Hackney is the most valuable horse for crossing on native breeds. And, lastly, turn your eyes to that great country in the West, peopled by our own kith and kin, but which has administered so many bitter pills to the English agriculturist — what have the Americans been doing for the last three years ? Buying thorough- breds ? No. Cleveland Bays, Yorkshire Coach Horses, and Hackneys ad iiitinitum. Do you suppose that all these nations are acting at random with regard to their horse-breeding efforts ? Object of Govern- Now let us get back to England. Suppose the Government decide to provide nothing but thoroughbred to agriculture. sires. I have already stated that I think an infusion of thoroughbred blood into these breeds might now and then be advisable. But do yuu breeders of tliese horses wish to mate your mares always with thoroughbred sires ? Do you not know it would destroy the character of your breeds ? (Cheers.) It is true that some of the *• Yorkshire Coach mares and the Cleveland Bay mares, if crossed with thoroughbreds, would produce, I believe, the best weight-carrying hunting stock. But the Chancellor of the Exchequer himself stated that this was not the object of the Government ; and I am quite sure you will agree with me that there is plenty of room for assistance to be given specifically to these breeds to perpetuate the purity of their blood and to preserve the specific qualities upon which their value depends. The Government should have two objects in view. First, to improve the breeds of horses generally all over the country ; and, secondly, to do that in such a manner as will benefit the farmer and encourage him to breed the class of horse that will be profitable to him. Agriculture is low enough down already. Those engaged in it have made, and are making, a persistent and manly struggle to keep their heads above water. The English farmer has a brave heart, and is of tough fibre ; he will hold on to the last. I do earnestly hope that something can and will be done, however little it may be, in the direction that I have indicated to assist him to produce the class of horse which has, in the past, been profitable to him, and which may still, in the future, secure him some appreciable ad\'antage. (Cheers.) 163 OLD ENGLISH BREEDS OF HORSES AND THE FOREIGN DEMAND. By Mr. B URDE T T -C OUT T S, M.P. Hongrelisation. " In the meantime your breeders of thoroughbreds, Hackneys, Cleveland Bays, Shire horses, and Clydesdales cannot breed too many, as the rapid and extended growth of the United States will demand your excess in order to continue our mongrelisations. All mongrels must be crossed often to sustain life. What Britain needs to do is to keep up her reliable reproducing blood standard types, as we shall need them for crossing." Thoroughbreds and These words are taken from a recent contribution by an American correspondent to The Live Stock monopolised Journal, and form an inspiriting text for English breeders. For the purposes of the brief remarks I shall attention. have to make on the subject of the old English breeds, I put aside the thoroughbreds and heavy draught horses as fortunately requiring but little encouragement. Racing is so firmly established in this and other countries, that thoroughbreds will always be produced in ample numbers, irrespective of any demand for breeding purposes. From the latter point of view there are, perhaps, too many of them, or, to put it more accurately, too few possessed of those characteristics which alone render them serviceable for crossing with native stock, what the French call le crotsemeitt, viz., substance, short limbs, bone, and action. With regard to Shire horses and Clydesdales, there is so large a demand for them for home use, their societies are so thoroughly established, their production is in the hands of so many wealthy men and landed proprietors, and lastly, they have received such great encouragement from the establishment of distinct classes at shows, that they may be looked upon as inde- pendent. But with regard to the other old English breeds, the case is very different. The Cleveland Bay, the Yorkshire Coach Horse, and the Hackney have always been, and, with the exception of a few instances, still remain in the hands of small farmers and poor men. Our large landed proprietors and gentlemen of capital have concentrated their horse-breeding efforts upon the production of hunters, and have succeeded in their object, but at the cost of covering the country with a quan- tity of refuse stock, long-legged, light-boned, shallow-ribbed, and linen-bodied ; and more recently, passing to the other extreme, they have found relief in the contemplation of the heavy British cart horse. But those breeds which are best suited to supply the large general demand for light-draught horses, and which certainly set the type of the best specimens of such horses, have received little or none of the attention and fostering care which, with regard to the other breeds, have kept, and still keep, their best sires and mares in the country, and save them from any chance of extinction or serious depletion. I have nothing to say except in the way of praise of those who have done so much for the breeds of cart horses ; but if the object of all efforts to encourage horse-breeding has been, not only to produce a good horse, but to extend and strengthen an industry profitable to the farmer, it is a matter of surprise that the breeding of the hunter and the racehorse should have monopolised all the resources, save only such as could be applied to the cart horse. Neglect of Hackneys It has been a matter of fashion. The greed of money on the one hand, and the love of a manly sport on the other, have had much to do with it ; but, at any rate, the aristocratic atmosphere of Newmarket and Melton has pervaded the whole of our horse-breeding operations throughout the country. Sixty years ago the " Earl and the Squire," driving through Market Weighton on Wednesday afternoon, would no doubt look with good-humoured unconcern at old Robert Ramsdale, " at eighty, dressed the character to the life, in white stockings and shoes, long black coat, low broad hat, and kerseymere breeches," as he mounted his galloway, leading • Reprinted from the Live Stock Journal Almanaek, 1889. 164 rein in hand, and galloped down the street by the side of his famous old Pretender, through a crowd of sturdy Yorkshire farmers and open-mouthed rustics. They might, perhaps, rein up for a moment to look at the horse's wonderful paces, but they would have been taught to think that such cattle were little concern of theirs, and they certainly would not follow the example of Lavengro, as he stood on the top of the Castle Hill of Norwich, when Marshland Shales flew by, and " doffed his hat to the wondrous horse, the fast trotter, the best in mother England." They did not recognise these two horses as the progenitors of stock which was to put millions of pounds into the pockets of their tenants. Still less did they realise that their traditional unconcern for these horses, transmitted to succeeding generations, would result in a long course of systematic and unopposed depletion of these same breeds at the hands of the astute and determined foreigner. To leave history, and to come at once to the point, there is not at the present moment left in England, with the exception of three horses so near the Happy Trotting Grounds that they do not count, a single Hackney stallion of valuable blood which has established his reputation as a con- sistent getter of first-class Hackney stock. There are several young ones coming on whose young stock, in a few instances, show great promise, and I think that the owners of these are sufficiently awakened to their value not to part with them to the foreigner until the stock has disappointed their expectations. But wherever I have gone, and I think I may claim to have dipped somewhat deeply into the subject in my search for the oldest and purest strains, the same story is repeated of the younger stallions, whose stock now attracts attention one after another : "He went furrin when he was four year old," or, '' The furriners took him at 600 guineas, just as his young stock was coming on." I shall have something more to say about Hackneys, after offering a few remarks on the general subject of the foreign demand. Two conditions Far be it from me to do or say anything which could in any way restrict that very profitable source of preservation. income to the hard-pressed tenant-farmer of Yorkshire and the Eastern Counties. I sympathise too deeply with them in the straits to which agricultural depression has reduced them, and in the gallant struggle they are making to keep their heads above water, not to find ample excuse for their having succumbed to these golden offers ; but I strongly urge two conditions which require observance. First, no horse of good back blood which has clearly established himself as a getter of first-class stock having similar characteristics to his own should leave the country until a son of his has proved himself to possess equal merit as a sire, and is ready to take his place. If this cannot be ensured by farmers themselves, then some enterprise, public or private, should supply the means for securing a condition so essential to the permanent reproductive power of these breeds. No such assistance has ever been given. Wealth and territorial and proprietary influence have been showered upon the racehorse and hunter, and now it is notorious that the first effort of a Government in modern times for the encouragement of horse- breeding has been entirely devoted to the encouragement of these two sources of supposed benefit to the British agriculturist. And if the latter will only acquiesce in the condition I have laid down, I see no need for any stove- house treatment to be applied to the industry of light-draught horse breeding. The inexorable laws of supply and demand have asserted themselves, and have led by a healthy and natural process to a great development in the breeding of the Cleveland, the Yorkshire, and the Hackney. But the demand is a foreign one. By its very nature, without the condition to M'hich I have alluded, it exhausts the reproductive power of the supply ; and all that is necessary is that it should be met with prudent forethought, with a view to the continuance and increase of that power. There is little or no danger of the foreign demand contracting. In this connection, the word " mongrelisa- tion " in the opening sentence of this article is very pertinent. While these exported stallions improve the blood of the native mares with which they are crossed, their own blood is to the same extent " mongrelised," and a con- stant reinfusion of pure blood will be needed for a very long time in order to eradicate the native defects and to raise up a breed in other countries equal to our own. A large exportation of the mares of a breed might secure this object more quickly, but even in that case the effects of in-breeding would in time become so marked, that new and distinct strains would have to be drawn from the original source. And this brings me to my second condition. To the British farmer I would say, '• Keep your goose alive that lays the golden egg. Hold tight to your mare, if she be one of the old back blood, until you have tried her once or twice with as good a sire as you can find. And only if she breeds you bad ones let her go ' furrin,' as soon as you like, for as big a price as you can get." 165 Importance of "back It would be ungracious for me to make any remarks derogatory to the iudgmeiitof foreign purthasers blood " not reoog- , , , ,'' , • , , ,, tt ," , u j < •,, j • , t u j • nised by foreigners, who have brought so much grist to the tnghsh breeders mill, and in the mam I cannot but admire the judgment with which they have selected such great numbers of our best horses, and the liberality with which they have paid for them. But while they have taken most of our best, they have also enabled us to unburden ourselves of many with which, in the interests of the breeds, we could well dispense. There are two reasons for this : first, the difficulty they must meet with in making sure of the back breeding, and the unavoidable result that they take away a good many animals of doubtful pedigrees. They have the various stud-books at their fingers' ends, and will reel off a pedigree back to Flying Childers with amazing facility. But while I have always attached inestimable importance to the value of these stud-books to their respective breeds, and while their future usefulness is unassailable, it would be affectation to deny that in many cases those who place a proper value upon back blood would do well to authenticate the pedigree by personal inquiries from trusted sources. I have pursued this plan myself, but I would add further that even this is not sufficient for the establishment of a perfect stud ; for when all this is done, when the pedigree is ascertained, when the mare is individually the best that can be procured, it then remains to breed from her, and if her stock is not good, to forthwith weed the mare out of the stud, and certainly not to breed again from her stock. My point in connection with the foreign demand is, that the foreigner must buy the mare and take her away before he can do this, and no doubt, in hundreds of instances, he has done so to our benefit. Nor " Quality." Again, the foreign demand does not look very closel) to that which I consider of supreme importance in these breeds — quality. Quality does not here, as in the case of the racehorse, make up for other deficiencies — least of all does it make up for want of bone. We must have bone substance, and action, but we must also have the complement of them, which is quality. We may have to wait for it — that is, to obtain it by successive processes, using the strong horse first to get strong stock, and then using a strong horse with preponderating quality to ensure that attribute. But it is far better to have the two combined at once, and to choose stallions possessed of all the best special characteristics of their breed, and, in addition, pervaded over all with that intangible but unmis- takable evidence of fine breeding which every true judge of a horse knows at sight. Now, the foreigner, anxious above all things to symmetrise — if I may coin the word — and strengthen his native stock, does not, as a rule, insist on quality. For obvious reasons I have no wish to alter his taste at present. But the time will come when we shall be able to supply him with the perfect combination, and when he will accept nothing short of it. The True Pony. The title of this short article calls for a few observations on the specific breeds. I must pass by that inexplicable but fascinating product, the true Pony, for in his perfect form he can hardly be considered a serious branch ot industry. Most so-called ponies are accidental, i.e., the result of unforeseen and unwelcome dwarfage or stoppage of growth ; but the true pony is a distinct breed, and has been brought to great perfection by a few who have devoted their efforts to this fancy. He differs from the cob in being a perfect miniature horse, and the miniature, not of any ordinary horse, but of a thoroughbred stallion, with the express characteristic of pony feet, and, of course, with action. If we were to take one of these stallions and reduce him in exact proportion to a height of 13.3, a perfect pony would be the result. On the other hand, if we were to take the blocky cob of the same height, which so often passes for a pony, and enlarge him in the same exact proportions to the height of 16 hands, we should produce an abnormal and absurd animal. Cleveland Bays. Of the larger breed of carriage horses, whether the Cleveland Bay or the Yorkshire Coach Horse, there is very little knowledge outside of the districts in which they are bred. Except in Yorkshire, we only meet them after they have passed into use in the streets of London and other great towns. The finer types supply the best class of barouche horses, the larger horses standing 16.2, making a proud show along the Mall on a Drawing-room day ; and the smaller down to 15.3, drawing most of the carriages driven by coachmen, and filling the stables of the best jobmasters. It is a peculiarity in their career that they are for the coachman's driving, and, much as English gentlemen may like to think they have driven every kind 01 horse, there are few of them who have ever handled a pair of Cleveland Bays or Yorkshire Coach Horses. In thus designating their use, I am speaking, for the most part, of the past. For it is a melancholy fact that many, if not the majority, of the big bay carriage horses that are now seen in London, although bearing distinct evidences of an admixture of Yorkshire blood, come from Germany and Holland. When I couple with this fact what was told me by a well-known breeder of the most elegant type of these horses in Yorkshire, that for fifty years he and his father before him had sold every 166 filly they bred to one farm in Holland, and had never been even asked to sell one to an Englishman, it is easy to see the results of this lamentable apathy at home. The Cleveland Bay claims to be the purest breed of English horses, and he is the only horse, save the Suffolk Punch, which breeds absolutely true to colour — bay, with black legs up to and over the knees and hocks, black mane and tail, and no white save the smallest possible star in the forehead, and the thin black line— a sure sign of purity of blood — from the withers to the tail. Yorkshire Coach I have coupled this breed with the Yorkshire Coach Horse because, for purposes of carriage work, they Horses* need not be separated. The latter breed has been formed by taking the former as a substratum, and crossing it with big, harnessy, thoroughbred sires. The Yorkshire Coach Horse Society allow one cross out to blood for two successive crosses of the Coach Horse. The Cleveland Bay Society asserts that it will have none of this, and con- sequently the Cleveland Bay is often deficient in both elegance and action. The majority of them fulfil the second of the two purposes to which I have alluded, viz., that of a big " general utility " horse, fitted for agricultural purposes on not very heavy land, for town work in big vans, and for all kinds of quick draught of the heavier kind. This, no doubt, has led to the large demand from America, where the native type of common horse may be well enlarged by this cross. But the Americans are also ambitious of producing the carriage horse, and have not declined specimens of the Yorkshire Coach Horse, showing bone and substance. These two should be combined. This latter breed is becoming deficient in these respects, and for home breeders a judicious commingling of the two, the elegant Yorkshire Coach Horse on the heavy Cleveland mare, or the strong Cleveland horse on the lighter Yorkshire mare, is pretty certain to produce the horses for which there is now so much demand in our great towns. But as purity of blood makes potentially for impressiveness, the best stallion of all for these purposes is the pure Cleveland stallion, with the utmost quality and action possessed by the Yorkshire Coach Horse. The combination is by no means impossible to find. York3hire''and ^ P^^*' '" conclusion, to that most delightiul ot all driving-horses, the Hackney; and here my venue Norfolk. is still laid in Yorkshire, for I have never disguised my own opinion, formed after a careful examination ot both, that this breed, indigenous to Norfolk, and only carried into Yorkshire at the end of the last century, has found its truest and best development in the latter county. The Norfolk horses — and I use the name of the chief county to designate the eastern district of England — have higher knee action and good hocks, in which latter respect more than one Yorkshire strain is deficient. But superlative quality, true shapes, bone below the knee, PROGRESSIVE action, heart and endurance, belong to Yorkshire. I am sorry to raise any contentious point in this article, and I trust that my Norfolk friends, amongst whom I am proud to claim some of the most successful breeders, will be mollified by my readily owning that there are still e.xisting some strains in Norfolk which have never shown the defects to which I allude, and that in the last few years a successful effort has been made to generally improve their breed of these horses.'" Hackneys want One of the chief reasons for the deterioration of the Norfolk horse is that breeders, in order to get size, have now and again used " strong " mares, as they are euphemistically termed, which simply means cart-mares. The " carty " quarter, the low set tail, the " punchy " body, the heavy shoulder, and the fiddle head, whenever they peep out, be it ever so faintly, tell the tale. No cross is so fatal to the Hackney as this, especially for purposes of further breeding, and yet none has been more frequently resorted to with the object, as I have said, of getting increased size. Certainly, size is wanted for the Hackney ; they are dwindling every day, until it is a rare thing to find a pure-bred Hackney that can raise the standard above 15.2. If they all, or nearly all, touched that, I should be almost satisfied, although 15.2^ and 15.3 is a far more valuable height as covering the full-sized phaeton, and brougham and victoria, to say nothing of the happily resuscitated four-in-hand. Beyond i;.:^ they certainly should not go, as they then, at once, to an experienced eye, become "out of their class' and indefinably vulgar. For carriage-horses beyond 15.3 we must go to the large breeds of which I have already spoken, the Yorkshire Coach Horse, or Cleveland, with his undocked tail, lengthy quarters, and long, elegant "top line." But, as a matter of fact, the majority of Hackneys range from 15 to 15.1^, and the e.xtra inch makes all the difference to their capacity and value. A pair of i f-hand horses will always have to be pulling at an ordinary phaeton ; the same carriage seems to roll after a pair of i-..2h'& of its own motion, leaving them light in hand, well collected, and with full play for their action. * I would particularly refer to the horses bred by Mr. Peacock, of Brandon, as an illustration of this last statement, and as an instance of the correction of typical defects in the Norfolk Hackneys. Such horses as Vigorous 1215 and his two sons, full brothers, Active 1238, and Rufus 1343, certainly represent a very grand type of Hackney. 167 I would earnestly advise Hackney breeders to turn their attention to this point — how best to raise their horses to 15. 2^ without tainting them with other bloods. I am convinced that it can be done by (i) careful selection of sire and dam ; (2) avoiding, for two or three crosses at least, in-breeding ; (3) good corn-feeding for at least the first and second winter. If all else fails, then take in a cross of pure thoroughbred blood, which in my opinion should be done with a thoroughbred mare, and not with a thoroughbred sire. Denmark and ^^ almost seems invidious to mention particular horses ; but there are two with respect to which I should Triffit's Fireaway. ij^e to offer a few remarks, not only because they have left a profound and admirable impression upon the greater part of the Hackney stock of Yorkshire, but because they afford a good example of consistent results to be arrived at from bringing together separate strains which have been found to suit each other. I speak of Bourdass's Denmark, and Triffit's Fireaway. The mating of the stock of these two horses has produced many of the finest specimens of the Hackney. Triffit's Fireaway, although his stock never had quite the showyard finish of the Denmarks, has proved a horse of incomparable value to Yorkshire. For the greater part of his life he has travelled in districts wide of the true Hackney centre, and which did not bring him in contact with the best mares. But for more than a quarter of a century he has been covering Yorkshire with a grand stamp of black-brown horse, distinguished for size, bone, action, courage, and fine temper, deep through the heart, hard as nails, and sound as a bell. The best evidence of his value that I can point to is that the foreign demand, in this instance showing fine discrimation, has effectually cleared off almost the whole of his stock. Hardly a stallion by this horse remains. Brown Fireaway, Foston Fireaway*, Sir Edwin Landseer, Sir Garnet, Duke of Connaught, and many more, all are gone abroad. Some of his mares still remain, but they are hard to find if you look to the dam being " right,'' and most valuable they are for crossing with Denmarks. But of Denmark, there arc both stallions and mares, the latter in considerable numbers, still in England. Triffit's Fireaway, who i> rising thirty, and r.till frisky as a kitten, has been a most impressive sire ; his stock can almost be recognised at sight, and though put to every shade of colour and to great numbers of chestnuts, I have been assured that he never got a chestnut in his life. At one time, travelling in a country with light soil, he got from a cart mare fine big horses with action, which were worked on the land for a couple of years, and then went, as established five-year-olds, into the hands of a well- known London dealer, who sold them as big carriage horses at 300 or 400 guineas a pair. At another time ' t'owld horse " got many a good hunter from "bloody"' mares in Lord Middleton's country, long low horses, which would fetch a high price before they came to the cover side, and would still be showing their feet to their riders after a pumping gallop. Hunter Sires must ^"'^ '^^'^ " ^^^* ™^ °'-''^ " '^^ hunters, and if I were a Yorkshireman I am sure I could mind the day when be Thoroughbred. all these were shut up in a field at the beginning of the last ten minutes of a ''good thing" by some shapeless varmint, bred the other way about — with "blood on the top" — for which half an hour before the dealer would not have given ;^40. But see him now, as with open nostril, pricked ears, and steel-wire gallop he sweeps lightly over the top of the grass, " Down to the hollow where, sluggish ami idle, Runs the dark stream where the willow-trees grow," — flies it in his stride, and while Fireaway /i/s is getting his second wind two miles behind, canters up the opposite slope and tops the palings into the little spinney, where a good fox is entering Paradise. No, I say, and as long as I have breath I will say it, " blood on the top, and, if possible, blood all through, for a hunter." My business, however, is not with hunter-breeding in this article, and I have mentioned Fireaway as a specimen of what a good Hackney stallion, for all the purposes for which Hackneys are useful, really means to horse-breeding both physiologically and commercially. On the latter point, and in connection with what I have said above as to the prospective value of a good Hackney stallion, I offer a simple calculation. Triffit's Fireaway, who is rising thirty, has now been serving for over twenty-five years. If we give him the low average of 100 foals a year, and put the " last " price of these at ^100 a piece, his stock would represent, from first to last, a money, value of .^250,000. The improvement and development of these old English breeds are certainly worth all the efforts which their respective Societies are making ; and I trust that, for the benefit of the British farmer, every year we shall see better and better specimens of the good old horse that can " tuck in his haunches and gang awa'." * This horse is happily still in England (seepage 41). 168 INDEX TO STALLIONS. The names of the Sires of the animals comprised in the Brookfield Stud, Avith names of their produce. (The names of such Sires as are in the Brookfield Stud are printed in bolder type.) h:ack::n£: YS. Accident 1691. page. She of A/tire Adieu 117 ANCONEUS 887. Sire of J/rt;r Nelly Horsley 73 „ „ Overton Princess ... ... 79 BARTON BOY 2822. Sire of Mnre Plantagenista BLACK AUSTER 1430. Sire of Horse Accident BROTHER OF FASHION 99 (by Confidence 158). Sire of Afare Earsham ... Brown Fashion [1628] (by Confidence 158). Sire of Horse (i88q) out of Longtail (gelded) „ Mare (1890) „ ,, (dead) .. ,, „ Czarevna CADET 1 25 1 (by Lord Derby II). She of A/are Vivandiere 117 45 103 103 1:6 106 Candidate — mntimied. Sire of Alare Laughing Water Majority . Merry May Milly Horsley Minnehaha Misfire Princess Royal ... (1887) out of Priory Maid (dead) (1890) ,, Hardinesse (dead) . CANVASSER 114 (by Confidence 158). Sire of -^or.ji' Courier ... ,, Alare Gazelle ... CASSIVELAUNUS 2198. Sire of Alare Viscountess CHAMPION 922. She of Alare Black Beauty ... „ „ Gay Lady CHIEFTAIN q2q (by Confidence 158). She of Alare Palaver ... PAGE. . 116 . 118 . 117 . IDS . 112 . 118 71 102 46 122 118 70 70 66 Candidate 920 (by Denmark 177). COMET 151 Sire of Horse Addiscombe (dead) 153 Sire of Mare Phantom 75 " " Beau Lyons ... ... ... 4q Fire Knight 56 CONFIDENCE 15 8. )J i» Lord Fireaway 56 Sire of Horse Brown Fashion 44 Lyons Mail 56 „ Nor' Easter '^2 )J ,, Master Fireaway 50 „ Rocket III. 47 V )i (1887) out of Longtail (gelded) . 103 „ Silvertoe... 57 (1888) „ MissAddie (gelded) 1S3 „ Winning Hazard 51 „ )> (1889) „ PollyHorsley(gelded) 61 )i (1886) out of Longtail (gelded)... 103 JT )) (1889) „ Mystery (dead) ... 104 (1890) „ Hope (dead) ... 84 Alare I! Annie ... Bandeau... "4 «3 )J ,, (1890) „ PollyHorsley(dead) 61 „ Confidante 102 Alare Abandon 117 „ Cross Patch 119 )) " Adela ns Belle Alliance 118 " Dividend Faith ... 78 85 jj I) Belle Lyons 91 „ Her Majesty 92 " Berceaunette 115 Bribery 105 )) Hope Jessie 84 64 ,, n Donnybrook Fair ... ... 76 ,, Kiss-me-Quick 113 ,, False Vows 112 „ Lady Rattlecash 81 ,, Fleur de Lyons 116 1) Parthenia 107 169 HACKNEYS- PAGE. -continued. CONFIDENCE 163 (by Denmark 177). Sire of J/rtrc Shepherdess 85 CONFIDENCE 1265. SireofJ/rt;v Allegiance ... 82 „ „ Loyalty 77 „ Paleface 68 CONGRESS 3396. Sire oi Mare Jenny of the Manor ... ... 95 Copenhagen 1461. ^\x& oi Marc Nitrate 116 DANEGELT 174 (by Denmark 177). Sire of //o?'^'^ Copenhagen ... ... ... 47 „ „ Waldemar ... ... ... 43 „ Mare Strike 96 „ „ Thelma no „ „ Violet Earle 109 DENMARK 177. Sire of .^orj'^ Candidate ... ... ... 37 „ Marc Dagmar 93 „ „ My Fancy 94 DONALD CAIRD (Part 2, Vol. II). '$>\xfi oi Marc Cared For ... ... ... in „ ,, Lass o" Donald's ... ... 94 DORRINGTON II. 956 (by Denmark 177). | Sire of iI/«;-\XQ. o{ Mare Dropping Well THE GENTLEMAN 301. Sire of i1/i7r^ Trixie TROTTING SHALES 837. '$>\x& cA Mare Popitup... VICTOR OF BEETLEY 1587. Sire of Horse Victor the Younger ,, „ Victory ... ,, Mare Victoria ... VISCOUNT 2302. Sire of Horse Viscount II. WANGAREE 12 18. SireofJ/rtr^ Wangarina WHY NOT 862. Sire of J/rt/'r Gold Wave WILDFIRE 1224. Sire oi Horse (i886)outofPrioryMaid (gelded) „ Alare Lady Bursea „ ,, Random Fire ... „ ,, Silver Belle YOUNGER DOCTOR SYNTAX 877. Sire of Horse Lord Nimrod ... 78 7Q 76 55 55 115 54 96 67 71 68 109 98 CLEVELAND BAYS AND YORKSHIRE COACH HORSES. BARON HILTON 584. Sire of Mare Ingmanthorpe Rose BARON ROTHSAY q8i. Sire of Horse Kingarth BAY SPLENDOUR 33. Sire of Mare Fanny „ ,, Policy CANDIDATE 64. Sire of J/^7n' Lily COUNTY KING no. Sire of Horse Lord Sneaton ... „ Mare Lady Gray EMPEROR VS7. Sire ot Horse Sultan ... n8 129 131 130 134 128 132 123 FIDIUS DIUS 107. S\re oi Mare Modesty KING OF THE TYNE. She oi Mare Honeysuckle LORD CHIEF JUSTICE 1224. Sire of Mare Madge ... LORD ROCKINGHAM 743. S\re oi Mare Lady Lanerton ... NEWTON 216. Sm oi Mare Jannette PEASE'S REFORM 653. Sire oi Horse (1888) out of Fanny (gelded) ... „ „ (1888) „ of Jannette (gelded) . PRINCE GEORGE 235. SirQ oi Alare Bayonet... 139 139 138 131 131 133 171 CLEVELAND BAYS—ron/hmed. Sultan 667. PAGE. Sire of //r)7-5(^ Dragoman ... ... ... laq „ „ ( I. S8S) out of Lily (gelded) ... 134 „ „ (1888) ,,ofHoneysuckle(gelded) 132 ,, „ (i88q) ,, of Policy (dead) ... 130 „ Mare Curiosity ... ... ... 156 ,, „ Fair Circassian ... ... ... 140 „ ,, Fatima ... ... ... ... 140 ,, „ Odalisque ... ... ... 140 „ „ Peri 140 ,, „ Plevna ... ... ... ... 139 „ Yildiz 138 „ ,, Zuleika ... ... ... ... 140 VONDERFUL LAD 536. Sire of Horse Roebuck . . . 128 ,, Marc Flora Wilton 139 „ ,, Miss Mowbray '37 „ ,, Venus i3t) „ Wild Thyme 135 WONDERFUL MONARCH. Sire of Horse Captain Cook TL Tommy 1236. Sire of Horse Tommy Dear ... F>ON Y. PAGE. Sire of Marc Adelaide. ,, ,, Miriam . PAGE. .. 122 .. 122 THOROUGHBREDS. BARCALDINE. Sire o{ Alare Bonny E'en BLAIR ATHOL. ?>\re oi Mare Katrine ... ,, „ Madge Wildfire BOLD DAYRELL. Sire of vJ/r?;-? Queen of Diamonds DISTURBANCE. Sire of jl/<7rc Stray Lock GALLIARD. Sire of Fil/\ (i8qo) out of Wharfedale GLENELG. Sire of il/fjrf Start GOLDFIELD. Sire of Fillv (18S8) out of May (sold). HAGIOSCOPE. Sire of Cn/t (i8qo) out of Hazelbush HAMPTON. Sire of To// (i8Sq)out of Lady Peregrine(sold) 146 HERMIT. PAGE. . I iO i;3 L=:4 I. =4 HIGHLAND CHIEF. Sire of Fi'llv (iSqo) out of Katrine ... ... 154 ISONOMY. Sire of Colt (1888) Fear-Nought, out of Katrine (sold) ... ... ... ... 147 KNIGHT OF THE GARTER. "Stire. oi Mare Molda 148 MACHEATH. SuQ oi Mare Stolen Kisses MASINISSA. Sire of 7l/(7;v Arminella OUTFIT. Sire of /ror.f^ Truefit ... PAUL CLIFFORD. Sire of /(^or-yr Tommy ... SPRINGFIELD. Sire of Colt (i88q) out of Katrine (sold) .. ,, Marc Dorothy Draggletail ... ,, ,, Hazelbush STRUAN. Sire of j1/c?;v' May THURIO. Sire of Filly (l8qo) out of Molda TOXOPHOLITE, Sire of ylAzrr Lady Peregrine TRAPPIST. .Sire of Coll (1888) out of Arminella (sold)... (1888) „ of Start (sold) PAGE. 141 150 149 152 '54 146 151 i;2 Sire of Co// (i888)out of Lady Peregrine(sold) 146 1 Truefit „ Marc Wharfedale ... ... ... 149 Sire of Horse New Cross ... ... ... 157 ,, Colt (i88q) out of Arminella (sold)... 151 „ ,, (i88q) „ of Juliette (gelded)... 155 „ „ (i88q) „ of May (dead) ... 152 „ Mare California ... ... ... 156 ,, ,, Chignon ... ... ... 155 „ ,, Vera Sassulitch 155 YOUNG MELBOURNE. "^At^oiMare Hermione 148 172 ^Iptiahctkai iiidcx. Abandon Accident Adela Adelaide Adieu ALLECTlANrK... Annie ... Arminella Aureate Bandeau Bay of Naples Bayonet Beau Lyons... Belle Alliance Belle Lyons . . . Berceaunette Berserker Bessy Fireaway Bet Fireaway Betty Fireaway Black Beauty Bonnie E'en ... Bribery Brown Fashion California Calisthenic ... Candidate Captain Cook IL Cared For Casino Champs Elys^fs Chignon Cleopatra Confidante ... Copenhagen ... Courier Cross Patch ... Curiosity czarevna Czarina Hackney Mare, foaled iSqo Hackney Stallion Hackney Mare, foaled i88q Pony Mare Hackney Mare, foaled i8qo Hackney Mare ... Hackney Mare, foaled i88q Thoroughbred Mare . . . Hackney Mare ... Hackney Mare ... Hackney Stallion, foaled i8qo Yorkshire Coach Horse Mare Hackney Stallion, foaled 1888 Hackney Mare, foaled i8qo Hackney Mare... Hackney Mare, foaled i88q Hackney Stallion, foaled 1888 Hackney Mare... Hackney Mare... Hackney Mare ... Hackney Mare ... Thorougbred Mare Hackney Mare, foaled 188S Hackney Stallion Half-bred Chestnut Filly, True Hackney Mare, foaled i88q . Hackney Stallion Yorkshire Coach Horse Stalli Hackney Mare, foaled 1888 Hackney Mare ... Hackney Mare (Inspected) Half-bred Mare, foaled 1888 . Hackney Mare ... Hackney Mare (Inspected) Hackney Stallion Hackney Stallion Hackney Mare, foaled i8qo . Half-bred Bay Filly, Sultan^Trinket, foaled Hackney Mare, foaled i8Sq Hackney Mare... fit— Juliette, foaled i8qo i8qo Daisy Dimple Dagmak Danceaway ... Dkkby Maid ... Dividknd Doli. Fireaway DONNYBROOK FaIK ... Dorothy Dorothy Draggletail Dr.\go.man Droppin'g Wkli Dk. Parke ... E.-\rsham Eddlethorpe Performer Faith ... Fair Circassian False Vows Fanny ... Fatima Fireaway Sult.\n.\ ... Fire Escape ... Fire Knight Fleur he Lyons Flirt ... Flora Wilto.v Florist Flower Girl... FOSTON FlREAW.\Y ... Gay L.\dy G.\ZELLE Gold Wave ... Good-bye Fireaway Good-Night Fireaway Hardinesse ... Hazelbush Hekmione Her Majesty HoiTY-ToiTY Honeysuckle Hope ... Imperatrice ... Ingmanthorpe Rose 173 INDEX TO ANIMALS— contmued. Hackney Mare, foaled i8qo Hackney Mare... Hackney Mare... Hackney Mare, foaled 1888 Hackney Mare ... Hackney Mare ... Hackney Marc .. Hackney Mare ... Thoroughbred Mare ... Yorkshire Coach Horse Stallion, foaled i88q Hackney Mare ... Hackney Stallion, foaled I 88q Hackney Mare... Hackney Stallion Hackney Mare ... Yorkshire Coach Horse Mare, foaled i88g ... Hackney Mare, foaled 1888 Cleveland Bay Mare ... Cleveland Bay Mare, foaled 1890 Hackney Mare (Inspected) ... Hackney Stallion, foaled 1890 Hackney Stallion, foaled 1890 Hackney Mare, foaled i88q ... Hackney Mare... Yorkshire Coach Horse Mare, foaled i88q .. Hackney Stallion, foaled 1890 Hackney Mare (Inspected) Hackney Stallion Hackney Mare ... Pony Mare Hackney Mare ... Hackney Mare ... Hackney Mare ... Hackney Mare (Inspected) Thoroughbred Mare ... Her Thoroughbred Yearling Thoroughbred Mare ... Hackney Mare ... Pony Mare Yorkshire Coach Horse Mare Hackney Mare ... Hackney Mare (Inspected) Cleveland Bay Mare ... Filly by Hagioscope page llS 93 IOC n I 78 89 76 77 150 129 101 40 85 140 112 131 140 lOI 57 56 . 116 72 139 57 104 .41—42 70 122 67 P9 73 102 • I4t horses fiom abroad ; but though these are so taking in appearance, they are, for soundness of feet and endurance, much inferior to the English-bred animal. Mr. Burdett-Coutts, whilst favouring the breeds which produce our best harness horses, has nothing detrimental to say of thoroughbreds as such, but he argues, and shows very logically, that the thoroughbred is not the best sire to be used by the farmer when he wants to derive profit from the breeding of horses. The uncertainty in breeding hunters, and the risks in bringing them up to a marketable point, make the practice not a profitable one to the general run of agriculturists. ... If careful attention is paid to breeding at home, Mr. Burdett-Coutts says he has little fear of the future from any- thing which foreign countries may do. There are in the book two or three points which are particularly interesting. One is in relation, not to the breeding, but to the use of mares for harness purposes. On this point we will quote what Mr. Burdett-Coutts says : — " Hitherto there has been some inexplicable prejudice in many quarters against using mares for harness purposes. Elsewhere, all over the world, mares are considered as good as geldings In Germany especially they are largely used for harness work. I myself have for many years driven more mares than geldings without experiencing the shghtest inconvenience. Now, a pair of Hackney mares for a phaeton or brougham, or a pair of Yorkshire Coach Horse mares for a barouche, are of infinitely more value, as a property, than a pair of geldings. They are as good looking, they step as high, and they do their work as well while actually in work ; but they also have an enormous additional quantity in their power of reproduction whenever they become incapacitated by accident, infirmity, or age. A gelding, be he ever so fine, that goes permanently lame at, say, the age of eight or ten, becomes abso'utely worthless. A pedigree mare of the same individual excellence, but coming of a good registered strain, might, under similar circumstances, be worth from ^loo to ;^500. Again, the gelding worn out, say at fourteen or sixteen, would be sent to the knacker ; the mare might breed half a dozen valuable horses. . . . Therefore, for people who require showy harness horses, whether they themselves have opportunities of breeding or not, mares have the double value of being better animals and breeding animals. I earnestly hope that the obvious truth of this argument will be recognised at home, and that the majority of our best mares may be saved for the future enriching of English stock." . . . We have in the above remarks confintd ourselves principally to reference to the section of the book relating to the breeding of horses, and have said nothing with respect to the Brookfield Stud, which belongs to Mr. Burdett- Coutts, and in which some of the most beautiful examples in the world of this breed of Hackneys can be seen. . . . The book has a number of splendidly-coloured plates, including Truefit, Beau Lyons, Candidate, and others. Sporting Times. — It is astonishing how little the Londoner knows of the northern heights, and the magnificent country beyond them. There is at the present moment on the slope of one of these heights overlooking the city one of the most magnificent breeding sluds of its class of any in the country. This is the property of Mr. Burdett- Coutts, M.P., and it is called the Brookfield Stud. Mr. Burdett-Coutts has some first-class thoroughbred mares, and for one of his yearlings the large sum of 3,000 guineas was paid at the July sales at Newmarket. . . . We have said suflicient to show that, from the thoroughbred point of view, this stud is not to be improved upon. It is not, however, in breeding racehorses that Mr. Burdett-Coutts t.akes delight. His aim is to carry to a practical conclusion the theory on which horse racing is based, viz , to improve the geiteral breed of horses. ... In the generality of cases little method is observed in attempting to produce this excellent class of animal, and he is the result of accident rather than of a well-thought-out plan. . . . There is a little too much of breeding from the thoroughbred horse merely because he is thorough- bred. . . . With the merits of the old English breeds of horses such as Hackneys, Cleveland Bays, and Yorkshire Coach Horses, on which Mr. Burdett-Coutts dilates so enthusiastically, we do not feel ourselves competent to deal. If the proof of the pudding is in the eating, the extraordinary list of prizes for shape and action won by horses in the Brookfield Stud ca'alogue will show the ingredients to have been rich and well mixed. . . . The illustrations are mostly in colours, and are finely executed. "A Turn in the King with the Old Horse" shows an animal the perfection of beauty and easy handsome action. With an important Newmarket meeting to discuss, we cannot say more now, but the subject is such an interesting one that we may return to it before many weeks are over. County Gentleman.— The book that Mr. Burdett-Coutts, M.P., has written on the Brookfield Stud is well worth reading by anyone interested in hoise breeding, as it shows in a very practical manner how things are managed and carried on at this well-known stud farm. The book is full of capital illustrations, principally by Mr. Samuel Carter, and contains a list and description of all the animals in the stud Mr. Burdett-Coutts gives his views on breeding generally in a very clear and straightforward manner, and I can only say that it is a book to be read. Land and ISTater. — The book presents a history of the origin and progress of the Brookfield Stud ... up to the end of 1890, and shows that the original lines have been adhered to with considerable success, the author contenting himself with the belief that the stock he can show of magnificent harness horses, not one of whom has been sired by a thoroughbred, already goes far to establish the claims of these breeds, and we are inclined to agree with bim. That the breed- ing of high-class harness horses pays, and is, indeed, a more desirable occupation for the average farmer than the breeding, or attempted breeding, of hunters, the author's arguments certainly go far to prove. And his suggestions that in aid of this industry the Royal Commission should supplement the thoroughbred stallions supplied to certain dis- tricts by Hackney, Coaching, and Pony stallions, selecting, of course, from these the sire most calculated to suit the prevailing stamp of mares of each district, is good sense. ... It is not to be denied that anything that can be, or has been, done to stop the exhaustion of the stock of these desirable old breeds by the demands of the foreign market, will redound both to the credit and the wealth of the nation, and herein alone, in drawing attention to the matter, Mr. Burdett- Coutts has deserved well of his country. Let the parent strains be only kept carefully selected and pure, as he advocates, and sufficient of the flower of each strain retained to perpetuate the breed, and then let the foreigner come, buy, and welcome ; but let not the very pick of the blood be taken away wholesale until, to regain our old supremacy as a horse-breeding country, we should, perforce, have to re-import our own exiles from their banishment, to again produce that original excellence which, no duubt, is much indebted to the horse-lore and horse-love for which Englishmen and those of English stock stand pre-eminent before the world. . . . The work also contains a speech delivered by Mr. Burdstt Coutts at the meeting of the members of the Hackney, Cleve- land, Bay, and Yorkshire Coach Horse Societies, in December, 1S77, which is a clear exposition of his views as to the devotion of Queen's premiums to other breeds as well as to the thoroughbred. . . . This volume is a veritable (.'Jition de luxe, and the illustrations are excellent, notably one in colour of the thoroughbred sire Truefit, which, although not so striking a likeness of him since he has gone to stud as the accom- panying uncoloured one, is not only a beautiful picture of a typical English racehorse, but also a marvellous specimen of the perfection to which colour printing from good o.iginal pictures has now been brought. Sporting Life.— Mr. Burdett-Coutts, as ii well known, has taken up several of the old English breeds, notably the Cleveland— the old \'oikshire Coach Horse, and the roadster — and he has possibly the best collection of each sort to be found in the kingdom. He has also a select stud of thoroughbreds, and the extent of his breeding opera- tions may be conjectured when I mention that the hoises in his possesion now number 300 as the inmates in the Brookfield Stud and its contemporary establishments. There is, then, an immense amount of material to form the subject matter of a stud book, and a more interesting volume than "The Brookfield Stud of Old English Breeds of Horses" I have never perused. . . . The information it contains is not only very valuable, but it is unique in giving matter that was quite unknown to the world. . . . The author is a staunch believer in our old breeds of horses being kept distinct for the purposes for which they were held useful, and he considers that much additional wealth to the country, and benefit to the farmer breeder, can be ob- tained by breeding classes of horses especially for harness. . . . Mr. Burdett-Coutts has bought the best specimens of each breed during the last few years, and now he can show at Brookfield the produce of these animaU to in every way prove that like will get like, if properly con- sorted. I have myself seen the Brookfield Stud, and I have described it as one of the sights of London, as it is situated not a great way from Highgale Hill, or within an hour's drive from the clubs in Pall Mall. No horse lover who is staying in town should miss seeing it, as here there is brought before him the breeds that he has, perhaps, been only accustomed to talk about. . . . No horse book has ever been written that has so much diversified information, and the 177 pages which m.ike up the volume are well worth close perusal, and must henceforth be useful to all horse owners, as a guide to show whether the occupants of their stables belong to our old and much cherished English sorts, or whether they are possessing the spurious offshoots of some good sorts, adulterated with the wretched blood tTrat is, as a rule, introduced from the Continent. — G. S. L. Mark Lane Express. — Charmingly got-up .... with no less than sixteen plates, of which seven are coloured. It is really an cdilion de luxe, and is published at the nominal price of 5s. We shall refer to it in more detail next week. Bell's Weekly Messenger.— The book is profusely illustrated with coloured and other plates, and is really a beautiful, as well as a useful, volume. I could hardly fail to be otherwise, as it is written by a very high authority on the subject in question. From the pen of Mr. Vero Shaw there is also a capital description of Mr. Burdett Coutts's stud and breeding establishment. The Galignani Messenger Mr. Burdett-Coutts is one of the very few men living who can claim the credit of effecting a great re- volution single-handed and almost unaided. . . . The practical out- come of his crusade h.as been the formation of the Brookfield Stud within sound of Bow Bells and sight of Highgate spire, separated only by Swain's-lane from those matchless sylvan glades which were once the scene of the memorable al fresco fetes given by Harriet, Duchess of St. Albans. ... In 18S0 the question had very Httle interest, ex- cept perhaps for certain worthy but obscure farmers ; to-day the ap- pearance of Mr. Burdett-Coutts's book will be hailed with equal enthusiasm in Rome and New York. The compatriots of Mr. Blaine and the Baron di Fava certainly differ on most subjects just now, but they are perfectly agreed as to the important part which Mr. Burdett- Coutts's venture has played in the latest chapters of the history of horse-rearing. For Italian, French, and American fanciers, Brookfield has become the Mecca of their pilgrimages in search of harness-hoises — perfect as to shape, action, bone, quality, coat, and colour. . . . Having seen the value of the breeds he has taken under his protection double and quadruple in value, and having succeeded in grouping under one roof, as it were, the best Hackney stallion, the best Thoroughbred hunter stallion, the best Cleveland Bay or Yorkshire Coach Horse s;allion, and the best Pony stallion, Mr. Burdett-Coutts puts the results of his experiences into terse and often eloquent prose, supplemented by Mr. Vero Shaw's graphic description of the stud itself, and an ex- haustive catalogue of the Brookfield horses of all classes, drawn up with infinite care and clearness. In many respect Mr. Burdett- Coutts's dainty volume marks a new departure in the annals of stud- book compilation. The preface points out with nmch cogency of reasoning the extreme importance of the subject in the abstract, both financially and economically. . . . The book is calculated to bring more visitors than ever to Brookfield, and most of those who come will assuredly push their investigations as far as Shenley, a farm belonging to the High Canons Estates, which serves as the nursery for the more elaborate establishment nearer London. The member for Westminster has displayed considerable originality in carrying out his various re- forms, and the same individuality of thought is discernible in every part of his work, from the preface to the stud-list. . . . Mr. Burdett- Coutts has given his readers a series of really artistic sketches, many of which have been cleverly reproduced in colour. The frontispiece, which shows yo\i the author driving in his buggy the famous single- harness horse Fashion, seems to transport you bodily to breezy High- gate. . . . Mr. Burdett-Coutts does not entirely forget his other avocations and predilections while personally superintending the pro- gress of his stable. There is a Dr. Parke (No. 2,952) and a Mr. Stanley in the list, as well as a Primrose and a Miss Dizzy. . . ■ Although Mr. Burdett-Coutts has himself borne the burden and heat of the day in the movement he originated, he gives the fullest meed of praise to those who have either helped him or adopted similar lines. . . . Ten years ago England was gradually ceasing to fill her own orders for harness-horses ; to-day she bids fair to compete for the supply of the whole world. The story of this startling change is modestly told by Mr. Burdett-Coutts, who evidently ranks both prizes and profits as of far less moment than the satisfaction he feels at having, chiefly through his own foresight and courage, saved the old English breeds of horses from almost entire deterioration and extinction. This inter- esting book certainly forms a fitting commentary on the completion of the first decade in the annals of a stud which is fast becoming an institution of almost national importance. Manchester Guardian.— In this handsome volume Mr. Burdett- Coutts has given an account of the v/ork done and to be done at the Brookfield Stud. His oljject has been to bring the breeding of roadsters and carriage horses to something Uke a system, and also to preserve the old English breeds — the Hackneys, Cleveland Bays, and Yorkshire Coach Horses — in their greatest purity. While Mr. Burdett-Cuutts admits that hunters must have thoroughbred sires, he btlieves that he can show the finest harness horses in the world sired entirely by stallions of the Cleveland, Hackney, and Yorkshire Coach Horse breeds. First, he says in effect, get your well-established breed of Hackneys and Cleve- lands, always coming true to type, and then you will have a belter chance in out-crossing with thoroughbreds or American trotters, if indeed such out-crossing should become necessary. Moreover — and this is a most important point — Mr. Burdett-Coutts shows that to breed pure Hackneys, or pure Clevelands, or pure Yorkshire Coach Horses is by far the most profitable kind of breeding for the farmer. Those who adopt these views or wish to test their correctness will be greatly helped by Mr. Burdett-Coutts's book. He gives full descriptions ol the different classes (with pedigrees where necessary) of mares and stallions at the Brookfield Stud. These are accompanied by excellent illustrations, some of which are printed in colours. York Herald. — Mr. Burdett-Coutts has perhaps done more than any other living Englishman to promote that branch of horse-breeding which is most profitable to farmers. The breeding of race-horses, and in some degree the hunters, is a special business. The demand for animals in these classes is necessarily limited, and a redundant supply would only serve to bring down the price. But for Hackneys and Coach Horses — horses suitable for light, all-round employment — ti.ere is an unlimited demand. . . . The Brookfield Stud shows what may be done with the ordinary Hackney, while the Brookfield .Stud Book gives to that valuable aninul— almost for the first time— the recognition it deserves. ... It may be hoped that Mr. Burdett-Coutts's example, and the encouragement he has given to intelligent and profitable breed; ing, will have the effect he desires for them. ... At Brookfield Mr. Burdett-Coutts practises what he preaches. . . . The results indeed are very effectively shown in this handsome stud book, with its pictures of noble animals, and its particulars of brilliant acliievements. Dundee Advertiser. — Gentlemen interested in horses and horse breeding will be indebted to Mr. Burdett-Coutts, M.P., for his history of the Brookfield Stud of old English breeds of horses, including Hackneys, Cleveland Bays, Yorkshire Co.ach Horses, thoroughbreds and ponies. The volume is enriched with many fine animal portraits and other illustrations. Sheffield Telegraph.— Mr. Burdett-Coutts's book contains valuable information for breeders of horses, and will be found interest- ing to owners of that animal. He has done more than any other man to laise the standard of quality and to induce the breeders to produce a sound, marketable, and valuable animal. Hitherto indiscriminate ancestry has been the rule, and we have had nondescript animals as a consequence. Mr. Burdett-Coutts, himself an excellent judge of horses, has so far interested himself in this matter that the world has been taught how to select a sire and not to favour violent crosses. The book is profusely illustrated, and the horses are most correctly diawn, an exception to all such works ; as few men who profess to sketch the horse know where to avoid depressions and lumps where Nature has not placed either. Perhaps the best of these illustrations is the portrait of Truefit, which represents the horse to perfection. Full particulars are given and plans and drawings of the arrangement of the stud buildings. Leicester Chronicle. — Mr. Burdett-Coutts is able to spare con- siderable time from his patriotic task of preserving the Union and representing Westminster in the House of Commons, and devotes it to the more modest, but perhaps not less useful duty of improving the breed of horses. At Highgate he has built his stud a lordly dwelling- house, and the fame of "The Brookfield Stud" is already in all the stables. He has just issued in a handsomely illustrated volume an account of the Brookfield Stud, with pedigrees of his Hackney and Cleveland Bays, written with a picturesque verve and enthusiasm which make it attractive reading even to other than the horsey reader. Nevrcastle Chronicle.— This really beautiful quarto volume is richly illustrated with coloured plates . . . and utheis, besides many fine photographs. Mr. Burdett-Coutts, who has brought together one of the finest biet-ding studs in the country, is admirably qualified lor his important task, and li.as produced a valuable work, carefully com piled, and full of interesting information on thoroughbreds, lialf-breds, ponie=, hackne)S, coach horses, &c. Yorkshire Post.— Mr. Burdett-Coutts has published an account of his stud of " old English breeds of horses " — Hackneys, Cleveland B.ays, Yorkshire Coach Horses, thoroughbreds, and ponies — which he keeps at Brookfield. The book is mostly written by Mr. Burdelt- Coutts, but contains some additional notes by Mr. Veio Shaw. It is well bound, well printed, and contains some admirable coloured plates and engravings ; but these are its smallest merits with lovers of horses. Every page of it bears some manifest sign of the truest appreciation of horses from the fancy and the utilitarian points of view. Mr. Burdett- Coutts puts forth his book as cnnten-porary with, if not marking, a new era in horse-breeding — the recognition of the principle for which Le has always stri\en, and to which he has devoted so much intelligence, practical knowledge, enthusiasm, and n.oney — that of producing the breeds we have mentioned, not haphazard, but from irustworlhy parents of acknowledged and continuous pedigree on both sides, with no fear of throwing back to the plough-drawing manners of the penul- timate maternal ancestor. . . . Mr. Burdett-Coutts is anxious that British-bred horses should maintain their supremacy. He sees that there is a keen demand in the market for hainess horses, whether the showy, stylish Hackney — or roadster, as he used to be called — with his magnificent action of knee and hock, or the shapely horse of longer lines and more sweeping contour with the longer and lower action which marks the Coach Horse. He sees that harness horses — more especially barouche or cabiiolet horses, with exaggerated knee action, and hind action that would hardly clear a threepenny-bit on edge — are being largely imported to this country from France, Germany, Belgium, and Holland. He holds and urges that by the propagation and de- velopment of " these breeds " in England the best harness horses in the woild can be produced, and he declares himself able to show fiom fifty to a hundred of such horses, not one of which is sired by a thorough- bred. . . . Every horsey man knows the kind of horse Mr. Burdett- Coutts loves, and it is a hoise that can hardly be produced from a thoroughbred. Even better than the Coach Horse he delights in the handsome Hackney "with two high end.-," fine, sensible head, strong and shapely shoulders, deep ribs, short legs, and splendid all-round action. . . . The publication of this volume is another of the many valuable services Mr. Burdett-Coutts has rendered to horse-breedmg. Western Mercury. — Horse breeding in England h^s entered upon a newel a, and all interested in the subject will welcome an admirably got-up book by so eminent a breeder as Mr. Buidett- Courts, M.P. Of the departure in breeding previously referred to, Mr. Burdett-Coutts himself was one of the pioneers, and therefore a somewhat lengthy pre ace from his pen, in which relative values ate descanted upon, and in which export and import tables aic also included, may be looked upon as a reference of permanent value. . . . In short, Mr. Burdelt-Coutts's work constitutes a valuable compendium of information, and ought to be secured by all interested in the industry, which, though a subordinate one for the time, is neveitheless of rapidly increasing importance to the agriculturist in particular. Salisbury and Winchester Journal.— This is a valuable and handso-ne volume. . . . Among the most interesting portions of the con- tents are the preface by Mr. Burdett-Coutts, and a " descriptive notice of the Brookfield Stud " by Mr. Vero Shaw. . . . Mr. Burdett-Coutts breaks what is practically new ground in issuing a volume on a subject "to which," he writes, "as far as I know, not a single book has been in any sense devoted, and which, save in a few instances, has hardly occupied the place it deserves in the press." If the folly of neglecting the Hackney, the Cleveland Bay, and the Coach Horse, in order to carry to unprofitable lengths what is termed in the preface before us " the fetish-worship of the Thoroughbred sire" is at length beginning to be recognised, credit is very largely due to Mr. Burdett-Coults. " Brookfield," as he justly claims, " set the ball a-roUing." ... It is a strange and mortifying fact that a nation which loves horses more, an J claims to understand them better, than any other country in the world should for many years have been far behind the loreigner in its appreciation of the value of the fine breeds of harness horses which it produces. While would-be cognoscenti were proclaiming the excellent results certain to follow from the cross of the thoroughbred on the cart mare, and believers in an exploded tradition were vaunting " the pre- ternatural merits of that Oriental weed, the Arab," English breeds, whose maintenance and improvement was of the greatest practical im- portance, could obtain no recognition of their merits and capabilities from the English public. . . . No one has done so much to bring about that desirable waking as Mr. Burdett-Coutts, as the work with which we are dealing abundantly demonstrates. . . . For further information concerning the success that has attended the new and excellent depar- ture in English horse-breeding, with which the name of Mr. Burdett- Coutts, will always be honourably associated, we must refer ourreadeis to the handsome volume before us. . . . Coloured or tinted portraits of these horses and of several others, including the celebrated Truefit, considered by many judges to be the best looking thoroughbred hunter sire living, enrich the pages of a work of the greatest interest and the most sterling value, which cannot fail to recommend itself to every person who is interested in the important subject of which it treats. Sheffield Independent.— There is in Mr. Burdett-Coutts's enter- prise a higher element, which raises it to a question of national importance. Mr. Burdett-Coutts has set him-elf to arrest the mistaken concentration of attention by English horse breeders on hunters and thoroughbreds, the best sires for harness horses being constantly expatriated by foreign purchasers, with the result that we are compelled to import the bulk of our carriage horses from abroad, instead of supply- ing them at home. Mr. Burdett-Coutts's mission is to correct all this, and his Brookfield stud is a practical exemplification of the mistake of relying upon thoroughbred sires for breeding purposes, instead of employing Hackney, Cleveland, or Yorkshire Coach Horse stallions. While admitting that the thoroughbred is the only sire for hunters, Mr. Coutts insists that he is not the sire for harness horses, where short legs, bone, quality, substance, and action are needed. And as a national industry, Mr. Coutts urges that while hunter-breeding is exceedingly ri^ky, and often unremunerative, farmers may make handsome profits by devoting themselves to the rearing of harness horses. Newfcastle Journal. — By this time of the day everybody who is at all interested in the breeding of horses has heard of the famous Brookfield establishment of Mr. Burdett-Coutts, and both those who have and those who have not, will be led by the publication of this luxuriously printed and illustrated description and catalogue to take an interest in the experiment which is being conducted in the interest of horsi-breeding in this country. . . . The whole of the so-called "preface" — which is an able treatise on the breeding of English horses — should be read by those who are interested in the undertaking ; and the additional matter . . . is also good reading. The illustrations, many of them in the finest style of chromo, are as attractive as they can be, and give beauty and finish to the book which will insure for it a wide acceptance. Liverpool Courier. — It is only within the last f«w years that high-class Hackney studs have been established in this country. The pioneer of the movement in this direction was Mr. Burdett-Coutts, M.P., who founded the Brookfield Stud for the purpose of breeding hortes according to quite a different system from that which had hitherto obtained, and which had as a rule proved by no means a reliable source of profit. . . . His stud is by far the largest, and the most interesting for those who desire to study the subject which the stud exemplifies. An excellent opportunity of doing this is afforded in Mr. Burdett-Coutts' book, entitled " The Brookfield Stud of Old English Breeds of Horses." . . . .\ noteworthy feature of the work is the excellence of the illustrations it contains, these consisting of painted portraits of many of the best animals, and views of the stables, riding school, circle, &c., of Brookfield. While the bulk of the information, brought up to date and furnished with ample indexes, is of practical value to those directly interes'ed in the breeding of horses, it is supplemented by articles which, being the outcome of the unique experience and study of such an authority as Mr. Burdett-Coutts, are of importance in relaiion to the whole subject of horse breeding as a national resource. Mr. Burdett-Coutts maintains that breeding light horses, especially harness horses, from the Hackney, Cleveland, and York- shire Coach stocks, offers a remunerative field for enterprise. , . . The writer does not disparage the breeding of hunters from thoroughbreds, but he contends that this should not be the exclusive industry of the English horse-breeder, especially as stallions of the breeds which he advocates have been persistently purchased for many j'ears by foreign Governments. He challenges the exclusive use of the thoroughbred as a country sire for light horses, and this he does both by the light of his own experience and "of the matured practice and indisputable financial gain of other countries." City Press. — Mr. Burdett-Coutts, M.P., has rendered signal service to horse breeding in this country. With that object he estab- lished the Brookfield Stud at Highgate, and at Shenley, Herts — a stud which has now become famous throughout Europe, our Colonies, and the United States. Having gathered together the purest pedigree specimens to be obtained of the old English breeds of Hackneys, Cleveland Bays, and Yorkshire Coach Horses, Mr. Burdett-Coutts set to work to produce, not by haphazard, but by scientific breeding, carriage and harness horses of the finest types. In this he has been eminently successful. Thanks to his exertions, it is now becoming recognised that these old breeds, which had been kept in existence by the farmers of Yorkshire and the Eastern counties, represent genuine and definite types, and are capable of producing carriage horses perfect in shape, action, bone, size, and colour, and in every respect superior to animals sired by thoroughbreds. ... Theexampleset by Mr. Burdett-Coutts has already been productive of great results, and this able and admirable work should spread the fame of the old English breeds all over the world. But enough has been said to show that the work which Mr. Burdett-Coutts has carried out, at a great expenditure of time, labour, and capital, is one of national importance and national benefit. Of his book itself we can speak in terms of high praise. The volume is a handsome and unique one. It is the only work hitherto published which deals with the old English breeds. It is beautifully illustrated with portraits of the most famous animals in the Brookfield .Stud, and a number of views of the model buildings at Highgate. In addition to a catalogue raisonni oi the stud, Mr. Burdett-Coutts's Preface, "Notes on Breeding," extracts from his speeches and monographs, and valuable details of the pedigrees of many horses, there is a mass of practical information upon horse-breeding, which must make the volume one of enduring value as a work of reference. Westminster Times. — "The Brookfield Stud," a work just published by Mr. Burdett-Coutts, M. P. , and favourably noticed by the press in those journals most competent to criticise work of this kind. So far as lay readers are concerned this compliment has been re-echoed, for from the Queen and the Prince of Wales to the struggling agricul- turist the highest encomiums have flowed .... It will at once be seen that the work in which the member for Westminster is engaged is essentially a patriotic one. For domestic utility and military service the value of the breeds in which Mr. Burdett-Coutts has taken such a great interest cannot be over-estimated. Instead of supplying ourselves from abroad — sources of which we should possibly be deprived in case of war — we should make the country self-contained in this respect. The encouragement to pure breeding which the success of the Brookfield Stud has excited is not merely of personal or local importance, but a matter of national interest, and it may be, certainly the outlook is pro- mising, that our member may have restored "these breeds" to their old predominance besides increasing their value, and have opened up to despondent agriculturists a branch of industry which will prove more steady and profitable than those of which they now despair. Those who sympathise with agriculture or are interested in horses will read Mr. Burdett-Coutts's book with delight and satisfaction, and recognise in it one of the most valuable works ever contributed to the literature appertaining to horse breeding. UNWIN BROTHERS, PRINTERS, 27, PILGRIM STREET, LUDGATE HILL, EC. \ \ l>.