The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-07-14
The Fastest Horse in the World.

The Fastest Horse in the World.
OF all the great horses of the past,
Diomede, Sir Archy, Eclipse, Boston,
Black Maria, and the hundreds of 9TH
ers which are considered illustrious,
there is, perhaps, but one that can COM
pare with Ten Brock, and that was his
grandsire, the blind old hero, Lexington.
And right here we will add that the
strain which gives so much strength
and speed to Ten Brock is this same
Lexington blood.
Ten Brock first faced the starter in
1874, dash of three-fOurths of mile,
for two-year-olds, in the fall meeting at
Lexington, in which race he was I'M
placed; but, as none of his family ever
ran in this early form, his owner was not
surprised at his defeat
Sept. "a 1875 Mr.. Harper brought out
his colt in the Post stake, at three miles,
for which he had named his half brother
Excel, but as Endorser's son broke down
a few days before the old man was COM
PEELED to let the colt g8,-Fl4e- knowing
ones thought it was shame he should
be placed in such a race, "where, of
course, no threc-year-old could have
show" but in this they were mistaken,
for the gallant bay, although over
weighted, landed the stake with the
greatest ease in 5:31, the fastest time
ever made by his age at that distance,
and on that day he could have run four
miles in 1920 Going to Nashville, he
won the Merchants post stake at two
mile heats, making the distance in 1886
and $40, the fastest two miles and the
fastest twO-mile heats ever run over that
course. Four days after, Oct 8, he won
the Maxwell House stake at mile heats
in A and 1:45-the fastest mile heats
ever run at Nashville.
Coming to Louisville, he captured
purse at two mile heats in 3 80 and 1885,,
distancing the field; then won the Louis
vile cup, p miles, in the easiest man
ner possible, and two days after took in
the Gait House plate, "a miles, in 4 :35!
In the fall of 1876 Ten Brock entered
his appearance at his home, winning L
miles in 2;51$; also purse, q miles, in
4:5S9-fastest on record. After these
races he went to Louisville again, where
he was to cover himself with imperisha-
bic glory. Again, in the Post stake, 3
miles, he was victorious in the wonder
full time of 2:264, and it was this race
which induced the Louisville Jockey
Club to offer the special purse against
time at four miles, that was won by hinf
in the most renowned race that has ever
fallen to the thoroughbred; for as long as
the English language is spoken, and
even longer, 7:158 will be remembered
with pride and ambition.
AT Louisville, on May 30, Ten Brock
ran two miles against time, and again
came out winner, thus making him the
fastest horse in America. He was start
ed nearly at the One-eighth pole, and,
with St. Louis at his side, sped away on
the road to glory. They got away at a
rapid rate. They reached the quarter
in 254, the half in 50, the three quarters
in 1:lS, St. Louis close at the hero's side.
AS they bounded into the stretch, Necy
Hale began cantering forward and joined
Ten Brock at the string, St. Louis drop.
ping out of the race. The mile was made
in 1:444, and Mr.. Harper shouted to
Walker to let the horse go for all that
was in him. Necy Hale was unable to
maintain the pace which Ten Brock
now cut out. She kept company with
him as far as the quarter, which was
passed in 2099, but was behind him at
the half, which was reached in 2:35. As
they rounded the turn, horse never ran
as Ten Brock then. The three-quarters
pole flew by them like bolt from
catapult, the flag falling as the watches
indicated the remarkable time of 3:01,
and Ten Brock came spriDging down
the homestretch, having bid Necy Hale
farewell When the first mile was run,
the crowd with difficulty restrained its
enthusiasm at President Clark's sugges-
ton, but now, as Mr.. Williams ran toward
the horse waving his hat to urge the
jockey to put the gallant steed to his
mettle's extreme, wild burst of applause
went up to the skies, and Ten Brock
crossed the score, with the spectators in
an uproar. 1.-TWO twenty six" "Two
twenty-eight" =" He beats McWhirterw
"'Rah for Harper!' and other ejacula-
tions of a similar nature were heard amid
the yelling throng about the reporters
desks. In moment MIR. Green stepped
from among the time keepers, and taking
the figure "S' held it up to view. Then
there was some lively excitement. The
time was directly known to be 3:274.
President Clark then turned to the audi
ence and announced that Ten Brock
had now made the fastest four miles,
three miles and one mile on record, and
that Ten Brock had run his last race
and would now retire Ten Broeck's
record now reads For four miles, 7;15},
Sept 81, 1876; for three miles, 526I,
Sept. 90, 1876; for two miles, 327I, May
80 1877; for one mile, .39} 49, VickSbmg
Herald
Ten Brock is valued at 100000.