Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-08-13
THE GREAT RACE.HORsE ECLIPSE.

Professor Low, in his work on domestic ami
mails, gives the following description OF one Of
the most celebrated horses that ever lived:
Eclipse was got by Marsake, a grandson Of
Barlett's Chlders, out of Spiletta- He was
foaled in the year 1854 during the eclipse of
that year, from which circumstance he took his
name. He was bred by the Duke of Cumber-
land and, on the death Of that prince, sold TO
Mr.. Wilman, q salesman at Smithfeld, and al
terward became the property Of Mr. O'KelIy.
Eclipse had not the grandeur of form Of Flying
Childers, and might have escaped notice but
for the accidental trial Of his stupendous DOW
ers- He was about Is hands and inch high:
his shoulders were very oblique, low and so
thick above, that, according to the observation
OF the time, firkin of butter might have rested
upon them. He stood very high behind, con-
formation suited to his great powers of progress
sion. lie was 50 thick-wiGded as to be heard
blowing at n considerable distance. In the Ian
guage of honest John Lawrence, he pufied and
bowed like an otter, and galloped as wide as a
barn-door'
No sooner were his powers exhibited on the
turf, than every eye was set to scrutinize his
form, and he was then admitted to possess, in
perfection, the external characteristics indica-
i've OF great speed. A volume was written on
his proportions by M. ST. Bel veterinary sur
geon, whose investigation showed that his fig
ure differed greatly from the conventional form
which speculative writers had assigned as the
standard of Perfection.
He was of an indomitable temper. and his
jockeys found 1T in vain to attempt to hold him,
but cOntented themselves with remaining still
In the saddle, while he swept along, his nose
almost touching the ground His full speed
was never determined, since re never met with
an opponent sufficiently feet TO put it to the
proof He not only was never beaten but he
was able to distance some Of the best horses of
hls day and the feetest could not keep by his
eide for fifty yards together.
This remarkable horse first appeared on the
turf, at the age of five, in 1869 In the.first
heat he set of of his own accord. and easily
gained the race, his rider pulling him in vain
with all bis force for the last mile O'Kelly oh
serving this, and aware OF his horses powers
offered In the second heat to place the horses.
and he took heavy bets that he did SO. When
called upon to declare, he said 'EcIipse was
nrst and the others were distanced, OF. in the
language of the turf, had no place From this
ume Eclipse was continually on the turf, and
gained every race. No horse daring to con-
tend with him, he closed his career of seventeen
months by walking over the Newmarket course
Tor the Kings Plate, in 1870. During this brief
period II is said he gained TWENTY-FIVE thousand
pounds for his owner. He was then employed
win Prodiglous profit as stallion. He got
three hundred and thirty-four winners at our
numerous race courses who are computed TO
have gained about one hundred and sixty thou
sand pounds TO their owners besides cups and
plates. Eclipse died in the year 1893 at the
age OF twenty-five. This IA nous horse was a
descendant from the barley Arabian