The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-08
KENTUCKY'S LARGEST FARM.
INTERESTING AND CURIOUS m CTS IRON
THE LINES TONE REGION
A Colt that Made his own Grave 90 The
story Of the Antiers-Trouers, R"cehorscs'
shetIands, shorthorns, md southdOwns.

Fifteen miles from Lexington, on the
Frankfort pike. is an old private racecourse a
long stretch Of which lies close TO tho left hand
side OF the pike rs you drive toward Spring
Station. on the Louisville. Lexington and
Frankfort Railroad. A thick wall OF green
shrubbcry hides the course from the pike. and
prevents the bloodod youngsters whose speed
il first trod on this track from being startled
by passing objects Leaving the track behind.
you descend n short hill. whore the only build
ing in sight is little blacksmith's shop on tho
same side Of the pike rs tho racecoursc. Turn
ing into the road at the lower end Of the shop.
you will find yourself on Woodburn farm. the
largest and best known stock farm in Kentucky.
1t was founded by an English nobleman. and is
now owned by one OF his descendants. Mr. A.
j. Alexander.
drove into the estate on the evening Of May
IS. The day had been bright and warm. and
the drive over the pike from Lexington hot and
dusty The cool shade from tho grand old trees
which intervene here and there in beautiful
parks between the 50-acre pasture lots Of tho
3200-acre farm was refreshing and soothing.
and the varying lines Of Highland shade thrown
by the last rays Of the setting sun over the roll
ing land made picture pleasant to look upon.
Driving across tho farm for mile or So over
hill and dale and broad acres, l entered grove
dious cottage of Col. Louis Brodhead. Mr.. Alex
andes agent cordial greeting from Col
Brodhead and n nicely cooked supper from
Martha. tho housckceper produced u home-
like feeling Mt once
while enjoying chat with Col. Brodhcnd
after supper. noticed well-nlled bookcase in
the sitting room. aud thereby hung two tails.
They were horse tails. One had brushed ilies
from Bay Leaf and the other from Lexington,
the ereat son Of old Boston. Lexington passed.
most Of the days OF his long life on this farm.
and sent from 1t more winners than any other
sire in America.
/ asked the Colonel II no know how tho
record Of Kentucky horses stood in the fastest
and most credlinble performances
He had not figured 1t down, but believed the
preponderance was greatly IN koniucky's favor.
" VOL. here is the record" replied, mark
ed OH in Kinks Guide to the Turf by Mr.. B.
G. Bruce, one Of the compilcrs Of tho 'Ameri-
:" Krik's Guide Is great book this year. rc-
piled Col brodhead. i couldn't well get along
An examination showed that after tho uncer-
tain dash Of half mile. and tho equally uncer-
tain scramble OF five furongs. all the fastest
races Mt all distances IN 20 q four mile run are
placed to the credit of kenturky-hred racers.
while of the whole list OF 1877 crcditahlc per-
formances l3i add to the renown OF the blue
That's q better showing than supposed"
Colonel. how many winners have you sent
The Colonel. who Is "A handsome young man,
reclined back in his easy chair in n thoughtful
attitude, viii the smoke from his mcerschaum
curled oyer his expansive forehead.
we'll" he said after the lapse Of minute.
there was Harry Basset the Duke Of Ma
! Kinsdsher. watson Bavnnet Beacon. Bays.
water, Acrobat, Charey Howard. Monarchist
! Tom Ochiltree. Niagara. Prcakness. Lancaster,
bold. Joe Daniels. Wild Idle. Rutherford. Fol
| lowcraft. Sprngbok. Abdcl Kadir. Pride Of the
Village. Zoo Zoo. Baden Baden, Tasmania.
Mate, Lizzie Lucas. Mndge. Spendthrin. Trini-
dad. Brigand. Planet. Milla. Katie Pease. Dick
THE Travcrs stake for the past fifteen
years" continued the Colonel. has been won
nine times 10y the get OF Lexington. and three
twelve out OF the fifteen" This was before
! Spendthrliii an Australian. was pulled 9pt Of
the race IN Jerome Park on the last day Of May.
The winners Of other great stakes. con
| iinued the Colonel. average over naif for
has been scored to our credit eleven times out
Of Riie,rn when y2u come To- NE lo1g races i
| There have been more tour,mlle winners 10y
| Australian than by any other horse. The gem
| lead. while the fact is. that seven Australians
| have all won in tour-mile races under 7 1917,
while only, nine have won from All other sires."
Kentucky or English racehorses2'
English horses. replied the Colonel. have
| been bred so fine for speed that thor stamina
| for long distances has departed. Their progeny
| In Kentucky gain bone muscle. and strength.
is an illustration Of this fact; while his sire was
| imported bennington his mot,,pr was a Lex
ingt9}n ! think tha, 4 tho Duke Of Maeenta
/ any pack Of horses in England
From all our imported mares said the
| the cream Of English horses. only ono flrst-class
| racehorse, Kinglsher, has appeared"
dcred his double team and light wagon to be
| brought TO the cottage. After breakfast we
started to WSSs partial S eX@mqKn9n Of me
| dusky complexion jumped into the wagon be-
| hind. He went along with us for the purpose
! OF opening and clos lng the gates as we passed
from one iifty-acre lot TO another,
Sometimes we bowed over, well-worn roads
but more frequently over. the springing turf
Tho ride was pleasant and fun Of Interest.
49, This part OF the country said tho Colonel
is very cavernous. In places the crust Is thin.
| windmill that forces water to the barn on the
hill where we keep our trottersf'
Well. that stream disappears in the earth
and reappears again long distance of over
spring on Dams farm which turns out water
enough TO form a large creek All this water
runs INTO snbterraneian channels some time
| frlskiest one of the lot for that year. He had n
habit o. bounding away over the hills for the
disappeared we observed bnzzards circling
around one Of our pastures. 1 sent boy over
through the grass. and the stencil that arose
| told the story OF the missing colt. He had made
what we had always considered solid surface"
Colonel how much stock have you now.
ae!!oye ground ?" | INQUIRED. ,., ,oo .,...
horns. 25 Jerseys. 800 Southdowns, and 25
Shetands. We thin them out regularly at our
The first stock that had a close view Of were
the trotters. Raising troiters is comparatively
new Industry In Kentucky. II has grown into
noticeable proportions since tho war. While
| there Is no such collection OF famous fast ones
as can he seen In the stables OF Mr. Robert Bon
| ner aud other great horsemen IN the East. they
| have magnificent stations. and their colts and