7
I can only add that I fully agree with Mr. Krcrouse and will always
regret his loss.
37. Having now completed my description of the horses imported by
Messrs. Krcrouse and Madden, I would ask, granted that we can get such
horses possessing blood combined with bone and substance, why should we
import hackneys whose bone is undoubtedly soft, and who really do not
measure as much below the knee. I have only to add that these horses were
shown to Major-General P. J. Maitland, Secretary to the Government of India,
Military Department, when he inspected the depôt, and I think I am correct
in saying that he will fully bear me out in the descriptions above given.
38. In addition to the abovementioned Australian thoroughbreds, five
more stallions of this class were in the market, I therefore obtained sanction
from Government for their purchase, the cost being met by a corresponding
reduction of horses from England. They were:—
"Regal," a small thoroughbred horse, 15 hands in height, 68¼ inches girth,
7¾ inches shank. This horse possesses the best blood of any landed in this
country. He goes straight back to "Blair Athol," "Stockwell," and "The
Flying Dutchman:" is a thick set powerful horse on very short legs, and
although raced, is perfectly sound, and is in every way calculated to get good
stock.
"Buckthorn" by "Buckthorpe" out of "Jessamine." "Buckthorpe"
was imported into Australia, and is by "Doncaster" by "Stockwell." This horse
has one fault, viz., his size, being 16 hands, but his blood is so undeniable,
and his bone and substance so good, that I could not leave him on the market.
"Blarneystone" by "Marvellous" by "Blarney" out of "La Belle" by
"Maribyrnong." This is as good a shaped horse as could be wished for, he
is 15-3¾, but this height is accounted for by the height of his withers and in-
cludes ordinary shoes; he measures 70 inches in girth and 8½ inches below the
knee This horse was the property of the Maharaja of Vizianagram and cost
him R12,000 landed in Madras. Owing to the hardness of the ground in this
country, it was found impossible to train him, he therefore became the property
of Government at R3,000.
"Cinnabar" "by "Sardonyx" out of "Meditation," height 15-1, girth 68
inches, shank 7¾ inches. This is a small, compact horse of the hunter type,
and is likely to get good stock.
"Black Flag," a horse showing much breeding, 15 hands 2 inches in
height, 70 inches girth, 7¾ inches shank. He is the winner of five hurdle races,
carrying from 9st. 71bs. to 11st. 7lbs. and ran third in the Grand
National Hurdle Race at Adelaide, carrying 12st. 31bs. He is undoubtedly
a grand weight carrier.
39. Having been able to purchase these horses at lower figures than I ex-
pected, I was able to purchase three more thoroughbred Australians; these
horses had broken down on the turf and were for sale at a nominal price; the
average for the three only standing at R850 each:—
"Syntax" by "Sir Edmund" out of "Black Bess," this horse was im-
ported at great cost from Australia, but, as so frequently happens, the ground
proved too hard for him. He is a grand shaped horse, 15-2½ in height, girth
70 inches, shank 8 inches.
"Grenadier" is a grand bay horse with only a white star, and a better
topped horse it would be impossible to find. He is by "Grandmaster" out of
"Persephone" by "Yattendon," and measures 15-3 in height, girth 69 inches,
shank 8¼ inches.
"Buzz" by "Cawcasus" (son of "Yattendon") from "Beeswing" by
"Caliban." It will be seen that in both "Grenadier" and "Buzz" we have
the "Yattendon" blood. This horse is a very compact one on short legs, his
height is 15-2, girth measurement 70 inches, shank 8 inches. He is the winner
of many races over long distances, carrying heavy weights. I might mention
that this little horse was sent to Rawalpindi and was so favoured by the breeders
that the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, had to stop his covering
as he found he was being overworked.