Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-06-23

A GREAT TROT.
The Second of the Matches Between Flora
Temple and George M. Patchen-Patchen the
Winner.
The star of Flora pales before the rising sun
of the wonderful stallion, and he to-day blazes
forth as the winner of the two best heats at two
miles ever trottcd in one race, and his banner
of triumph is borne aloft and hers trails be-
meath the tread of the conqueror
The recent contests OF Patchen, in which he
twice beat Ethan Allen in two grand races, the
best Ethan ever made and received forfeit of
him once, and his defeat week later by Flora
Temple mile heats in the best race at that dis
tance ever trotted, in which, though defeated,
he won honors never worn before, have given
him position, and his history an interest that
makes his name, his lineage his prowess, and
his feats strike all minds, stir all hearts, and fill
"mouths of wisest censure" with words of ad-
miration. We feel with all the world, and his
"biography" may charm us, as it will charm ev-
cry soul over which the witchery of gentle
horsecraft casts its spell. With the love of the
amateur we have studied this noble horse and
learned his history.
We offer here its record, and that is noble as
his frame is stalwart, grand, and powerful. In
that record, and in the frame of such a horse
who, taken all in all, stands peerless, knight
of old, of giant mold, and matchless prowess
could he return to carth might find a steed
meet for every field, victor in every encoun-
ter, fleet before all, whether to follow defeated
foe or flee a lost battle and pursuing con-
queror The record of such horse is worthy
to be penned, worthy to read, and worthy to be
remembered. And here it is. Our cotempo-
rares, both daily and sporting, have given par
tial histories of him, but none has yet appeared
in print, full and accurate in every particular.
We supply the deficiency.
Some fifteen years ago many New Workers
will remember that our townsman Mr. Carman
drove on the road, nearly every fine afternoon
~ the, d.;-;-,s -----,-, TT. ~ dashaes
No other pair on the Ronminrdole road bad
the same style and speed in that day, and when
Mr. Carman drew rein on any pair, they were
passed and the road lost to them. One of this
noted pair, a chestnut, will recur to mind as a
beauty in form and trump in speed. trio
of seasons saw Carman's mares the unmatched
ones of the road but the fourth one came, and
lameness took the chestnut prodigy from the
field of her fame. Carman knew her value
He saw summers run to grass for recovery
was necessary, and it was ordered.
Just then Mr. George NJ Patchen of Brook
lyn was owner of the trotting stallion Cassius
NJ Clay, and Mr. Carman offered the use of the
mare to Mr. Patchen. He, being in no condi-
ton to keep the mare, offered her services Ia
Mr. II. j. Sickles of Monmouth County, New
Jersey, rendering the services of Cassius NJ
Clay. What an offer was that All three knew
the value, and the value OF both sire and dam
good as both were, and were known to be
prophecy could not have foretold the matchless
excellence, the brilliant future of their produce
That produce was the now famed trotting stall
lion George NJ. Patchen. This offer was mad,
and accepted in 1913, and in May, 1919, Patch
en- was foaled, and so named in order of the
friend who made the gift. Mr. Sickles retained
him for two years, and then sold him to MI
John Buckley of Bordentown, New Jersey
whose attention had been called to him by Nj
Patchen, and whose keen horseman's eye at ;
glance saw his value and read his future. A
once purchase was made q Si00, and the col
| passed into his hands
Our old horsemen will remember John Buck
| ley as the trainer of American Eclipse, thirty
five to forty years ago. lie had been trained
in school know horse, and guage his power
and in this colt he found one to inspire his hear
with the hope to produce in the trotting worl(
such a chef d ourre as was American Eclips
in the racing world. And he has, though thel
far on in the vale of years, lived to see his hop
realized, and enjoy its fruition. few month
after the purchase he parted with a half interes
in the colt to DIR. Longstreet of Bordentown
and they remained the joint owners of him un
til October, 1858, when MIR Buckley parted witt
his half interest to Mr. Joseph Hall of Roches
ter n. Y, and since then he has been and no,
| is the property of DIR. Longstreet and Mr. Hal
jointly, although the Doctor surrenders to NJ
Hall the entire control and direction of tn
Patchen.
This noble horse, now eleven years old, is
fine deep blood bay with no white save sma
star, black legs, name, and tail is sixteen hand
high, and great, strong, powerful steed, fit t
draw coach or drag dray. He is very lon
in carcass, deep in the chest, very oblique i
his shoulders, which reach far back over hi
ribs. His back is medium in length, he has i'm
mense quarters lying far forward into his wais
well muscled down to his hooks, great secon
thighs, and forearms, with broad bony hook
and knees, great broad fiat bone below tn
knees and hooks, with capital feet.
His neck is admirably and beautifully arched
head large and plain, but very clean, long, an
gamy in look ; ear large, plain, and clear, a
most diaphanous. His throttle is free and we
detached the jaws wide and open, and til
whole breathing system quite perfection, froi
the great open, expansive nostril, to the syn
metrica chest and powerful lungs. An eye
fire, of spirit, and good temper, crowns all, an
tells of a courageous heart and boundless mel
vous energy.
Should not such horse have phenomenon
gaitP He should and has. There is grei
sweep from the point of the hip to the hocl
and here lies his propelling power. In h
shoulder there is great reach, fully equal in e,
tent to the driving power of his great haunche
thighs, and hooks In his gait he goes low an
long, carries his body steadily and level, will
out any hitch, bounding, or rolling, and
stride excels that of any trotting horse ever Y,
seen. In word, he is great mass of amin
mechanics, in whose heart is high courage, an
in whose every fiber is untold nervous energ
With speedy form and strong spirit, he can 4
and can last and when the pace is so rattlr
~ I IL /. Al