Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-02-19
History of the Great Racer,

H.
When Lexington was purchased by the late
Mr.. K. Atcninson Alexander his great powers
as race horse had to be acknowledged from
Dis grand performances, but his detractorS
having nothing Ia the way Of his breeding
form and performances to complain Of, charged
that he would get blind colts. The charge has
lately been reiterated that a large percentage
OF his get went blind. This Is untrue, aud toe
proper way TO judge OF the matter Is to take
some OF the largest bree ding farms where Lex
lDgtonS sons and daughters are to be found.
OF MIR. A. j. Alexander, who has two sons OK
Lexington, Asteroid and Pat Malloy, both OF
whom have good eyes, and he has some twenty
two brood mares, five OF who are blind.
In the PreaknesS STUD. North Elkhorn farm
property OF Mr.. N. II. Sanford, there are three
sons OF LeXington-Baywood, Monarchist and
King Lear. All three have good eyes. There
are ~ mares, only two OF whom are blind.
In the RancCcas stud, property OF Mr.. P
Lorillard Jobston, Nd. there are two sons
Duke of Magenta and Uncas-both with good
we believe. is blind, the Banshee. Here is as
small 9 percentage OF blindness as can De
shown by any sire, and is Infinitely smaller
than either imported Glencoe or Yorkshire II
Is easy enough TO make charges, but it is an
entirely different thing to test them by actual
facts.
As three year old no colt had better eyes
than Lexington. and his subsequent blindness
was owing TO accidental causes, as will be seen
by reference to the following letter from mis-
former trainer, MI. j. b. Pryor
HoLHDEL, n. j.. Feb 2, 1881.
MY DEAR SIR-1our letter or the 2sth ultlmo
was received, and hasten to give all the in-
formation can concerning Lexington's blind-
DesS. When he came to me from Kentucky in
the year 1858 no horse had better eyes than he
had. The late Capt VIM. j. Minor told me he
would much like TO see him work. and IN
vited him 10 come the next morning. That
night Lexington got cut or his box STALL
aid stood the Whole night al the feed box. Ny
stable was large one, With passage in the
Middle and double doors on each end, and the
oars must have been left down OF his door, SO
that he could get cut in the passage to the feed
toX ara noI knowing this when Capt. Minor
came worked the horse two miles. he moved
SC slUggishly that knew there was something
WfofS, and Gid not give him any more wufk.
AS soon as Capt. Minor went away went ever
to the stable 10 see what was the matter !
found tie horse with high fever, both eyes
closed, and bed him freely. At the same itue
told OLD Henry (my head many he had 10 tell
me how the horse came in sucn 8 Tx, aud he
frankly acknowledged the horse getting cur CT
the stable to the feed box, and ever at -er THIS
his eyes were affected. have no doubt lhat
working the horse full brought 1t about lie
shrunk to nothing. and IL was more than week
after he ate nothing but few green blades OF
fodder.
| am very much pleased, and take much
pleasure In reading the memoir of Lexington
that you are now finishing. Every word you
say about him Is true He was undoubtedly The
best race horse that ever was foaled.
Very truly yours, j. B. PRYOR
Lexington was the first horse that carried
Two of his daughters have produced horses that
have beaten bis performance He wrought a
wonderful change In the time records and for
the past 20 years he and his get have occupied
the highest positions on the American turf. II
We examine the racing calendar we find the
fastest and best time on record at all distances,
from half-mlle TO four miles, have been made
by Lexington and bis sons, or else by horses out
OF Lexington Or his sons mares. Besides all this
you cannot lay your finger upon sire OF any
note, imported or native, whose reputation as
a. stallion does not rest upon Lexington blood.
The best fthese stations get are out of Lex
1ngton mares or daughters or his sons. Such Is
the case with Bonnie Scotland bennington
except IN the case OF Longfellowl. Phaeton,
virgil, Buckden, Australian, Alarm, Billet, John
Morgan. Revolver, King Ernest, Catesby, En-
quiIer Whose dam is by LexingtOn), HiaWatha,
Melbourne, Jr., Glengarry. Lelaps, Saxon Dick
els, Star Davis, Harry O'Fallon and number
OF others to say nothing OF what his sons have
sired. It is In the light OF sucn facts as these
that We must judge OF the worth and merit OF
this great horses produce.
Lexington suffered from nasal catarrh for
about three years, but the discharge was not
very copious or annoying to him until within
came very copious. His appetite continued
good, and his general health In every particu-
lar was excellent with the exception OF the Ca
tarrh. The day before his death he breathed
with great difficulty and refused his feed for
the first time. The bones OF the face became
diseased and the skull was pressed out between
proved to be masttcated food, quart in guam
ity, which had been forced into the cavity of
the skull through an aperture IN the upper Jaw,
caused 6y the loss OF tooth. He died about u
game to the last. He hardly laid down, and
seemed perfectly conscious. Subsequently his
Iell were exhumed and forwarded to Pro-
up The skeleton for the Smithsonian sitni Hes
and 1t is now In the National Museum at Wash
ngton city.