4
"Ascot Vale"—By "St. Albans" by "Blair Athol" out of "Solitude"
by "Eobinson Crusœ" (sire of "Trident"). Exception might
be taken to this horse as he is 9 years of age, and is a little long in
the back; but his breeding is undeniable, and, combined with his
enormous bone—8½ inches below the knee—he should prove a
most useful horse in India. This horse was the spare horse
brought over by Messrs. Krcrouse and Madden to replace any
casualty that might occur. His price was R3,500.
I think I have said enough to prove the value of such sires; they are all
horses up to weight and with staying powers.
15. In addition to the abovementioned horses imported by Messrs. Krcrouse
and Madden, I was able to purchase three other Australians at an average
of R2,740 each. This being equivalent to about £180 including all transit
charges, must be considered a great saving, especially as the horses are undoubt
edly of the stamp required.
16. The following is the description of the three horses so bought:—
"Trapeze". . . . .
"The Friend" . . . . .
"Defender" . . . . .
Age.
5
8
4
Height.
15-2
15-1
15-0
Girth.
71½
68
66
Shank.
7¾
7⅞
7½
"Trapeze"—By "Trapeze" (brother to "Tristan") by "Hermit," his
dam "Thrift" by "Stockwell" out of "Meloria" by "Andred"
by "Blair Athol". A beautifully bred horse, with bone and sub
stance.
"The Friend"—By
"Richmond" ("Fisherman" blood) out of
"Camelia". This horse shows great quality combined with sub
stance.
"Defender"—By
"Ascot" by "Chester" out of "Camerine," the
best mare of her day in Australia. He is a small horse with
great symmetry. I require a horse of this stamp for certain
mares in the Dera Ghazi Khan District.
Arab stallions.
17. I would be glad to see an improvement take place in the Arab horse
market. It really seems to get worse year by year, and were it not for Ali-
bin Talib, as I have so often shown, it would be impossible to get the horses
we require. This dealer has done so much to assist Government by the
importation of really good horses, that I feel he is entitled to some recognition
at their hands. Granted that he has done so in the way of business, still, as I
shall show, it has not always been a remunerative one for him, and, had it not
been for him, the districts which so much need the strain of Arab blood
would have suffered thereby. I of course visited all the stables and carefully
looked at all the horses, and was only able to purchase five. Sixteen were
obtained from Ali bin Talib.
18. On discussing the subject with Sirdar Oomer Jumal Vuyani, who is
intimately acquainted with the horse trade of Bombay, he attributed the
falling off in the Arab horse supply to the following causes:—
(a) Prevalence of plague in Bombay.
(b) The demand for polo ponies, which pays better than big horses.
(c) The development of the Waler market, and to the fact that Native
Cavalry purchase so many Australians in comparison to what
they used to do.
19. He further informed me that, whereas 1,000 to 1,500 Persians used to
be imported, only 60 were in the market this year, and that, whereas one
could always count on 3,000 to 3,500 being imported, only 1,500 were brought
over this year. If included in this number, the horse supply was properly
represented, I would be satisfied, but by far the largest number of these
were ponies.
20. As shown above, my field for selection was most limited; still I was
able, through Ali bin Talib's agency, to put together as good a batch as I have
ever done; the whole of these Arabs were inspected by Lieutenant-General
Sir G. Luck, who was much pleased with them.