Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-01-07
THE FAMOUS HORSES.
A Leaf from the Early History Of the
American Turf.

AND SOUTH, RUN By ECLIPSE AND SIR
HENRY.
The palmy days Of the American turf it has
been said, were between the years 1915 and lS45
Subsequent to that date the trotting horse
began to monopoliZe public attention, and the
running stock of America was less in note and
demand. Recently, when the flyers of Lorillard
and Keene have crossed the water and won the
Derby and ST. Leger from the best blood of Old
England, and when running races again form
part of the attraction at the best meetings of the
country, it is interesting to turn back page or
two, and read of the events In which our grand
fathers took a keen interest.
Says Frank Forester" writing In 1857
"Those great races which esteem worthy of
immortality as ever was the match of HaMbe-
tonian and Diamond or any other match race
if there were ever any other of greater fame are
those of Eclipse and Sir Henry; of Ariel, daugll-
ter OF Eclipse, and Fiirtilla; ofBlack Maria and
the three mares. known as the twcnty-mile race
of Wagner and Gray Eagle. ut the O;akIantis
Course Lexington and % Boston and Fashion.
on the Union Course. Long Island"
The first of these was run over the Union
Course Long Island. May 81. 1923. heats four
miles, for $50, 900. The southern gentlemen To
name their horse at the starting post.
The horses are thus described bv Cadwailader
Golden esq. in the American Sporting Maya
zine:
Sir Henry IS dark sOrrel or chestnut color
with one mind foot white and small star i'm the
forehead. his name and tail about two shades
lighter than his body, fourteen hands three
and-a-haf inches high. His form is compact
bordering on what is termed pony built. and
altogether, the exquisite symmetry OF his form
indicates uncommon strength and hardih0od
He was bred by Mr.. Lemuel Long, near Haitian
in the state of North Carolina, and foacd on
the 18th day of June, 1919. He was got by Sir
Arch Of inv tod ,f.a
his dam by Diomed. son of imported Diomed
grandda'n by Bel-Air G. G. dam by Pilgrim. g. z.
6. dam by Valiant, G. z. g. dam by Janus z. e
g. g., g. dam by Jolly Roger, which
four last named are imported horses.
to be found in the English Stud Book
Eclipse is a dark sorrel horse. with star. the
near hind foot white fifteen hands and two
inches in height. He possesses great power
and substance, being well spread and full made
throughoutfhs entire frame, his general mold
being much heavier than what Is commonly met
with in the thoroughbred blood horse Al
though his form throughout denotes uncommon
strength, conceive him indebted for his great
racing powers, continuance and ability equal to
any weight to the extraordinary fine construc-
ton of his hind quarters. He was sired by
Duroc. Virginia horse, bred by Wade Moseby
esq, and got by imported Diomed. out of
Amanda by Gray DOmed, a son Of old Medley.
Eclipses dam was the noted gray mare Mier's
Damsel, got by imported Messenger. His grand
years old, in 1895, by William Constable of New
York, bred by Lord Grosvenor, and sired by
Potgos son of English Eclipse. His O. O. dam
by Gimcrack. Gimcrack by Cripple. and he by
the Godolphin Arabian. He was bred by Gene
raj Nathaniel Coles. Of Queens County Long
Island, and foaled May %. 1914.
All horses date their age from the LIST of May
consequently Sir Henry. though not four years
complete. carried los pounds. Eclipse, beng
nine years old. carried 126 pounds
"a li,Cn arrf1I don h,ru r,.or
son jacket and cap, Henry by John Walden. in
sky-blue cap and JACKET.
Eclipse, by lot had the left, or inside station
Sir Henry took his ground about twenty-five
feet wide Of him to the right, with evident in
tentiOn of making run in a straight line for
the lead. purpose which he accomplished and
kept the lead, being fully three lengths ahead at
the half-mile running steadily with hard pull
Walden using neither whip or spur. On the
last round, AS they came in. Eclipse made play
and spur and whip We're applied freely by Mr.
Crafts, gaining alength and halt. Henry coming
In about q length ahead. The time was seven
minutes and forty seconds. The horses bore it
well. Eclipse the most jaded. 1t was evident
that his rider had cut cruelty. and was incapa-
BILE of riding him. He was accordingly mounted
by Mr.. Purdy.
On the second start Henry being entitled to
the inside, took the lead. followed CLOSELY bv
Eclipse. whom Mr.. Purty had brought to his
work. knowing that game and stoutness was
llIS pitS, tiu HtS OHly Oh. success
pushing his speedy adversars.1lp to the top Of
his rate, and giving him no respite. Henry went
steadily on, keeping an open gap Of about
twenty feet between himself and Eclipse for
about two miles and seven eiphths. Here Mr.
Purdy made his run. and Was close up at the end
of the third mile. They now entered the fourth
mile, which begins with turn or sweep. The
crowd at this point was immense. When they
got about one-third round the sweep Eclipse
had Tapped Henry. head and girth, and appeared
in the act OF passing. Mr.. Golden says: Here
Buckley Vociferated See ECLIPSE, Look at
Pur,ly. BY heaven on the nsidei' felt satisfied
he had thus haZarded all. feared Walden would
take advantage Of his position and by reign
ing in force him against or inside the poles
Half way round the sweep the horses
were dead lap, three-tourths round
Ecilpses quarter covered Henry's head and
neck as they finished the bend and were enter
ing On the straight run Eclipse was fairly clear
and ahead. He now kept up his run during
tke ,remaining three-quarters of the mile and
came in fully three lengths ahead. As they
passed up the last quarter the shouting.
cappng OF hands. long and loud applause sent
forth 10y the Eclipse party exceeded all descrp-
ton, it seemed to roll along the track as the
horses adv need resembling the loud and re-
iterated shout of contending armies. Time: z
minutes 80 seconds" Arthur Taylor a trainer
of experience, mounted Henry for the last heat.
At the expiration of thirty minutes as before,
the horses were again summoned Purdy
and Taylor mounted. Eclipse taking the
lead. Purdy employing the whip and spur from
the outset, compelling Henry if determined to
trail to do so at the top of his speed, without
keeping any reserve for run in. Towards the
termination of the last mile Henry made
dash, ran up to Eclipse SO far as to cover
his quarter or haunch with his
head, and for q moment had the appearance of
going, past. He made a severe struggle for two
hundred yards, when he fell to the rear and
gave up the contest. Time, 8 minutes "a sec
onds. Thus the three heats, or twelve miles.
were run in % minutes 501s seconds, an aver
age of minutes 81 seconds each heat, or min
ute SO seconds per mile. Besides the original
stake of $4,000 each it is estimated that over
$500 900 changed hands on this race. Sir Henry
in the last heat, carried no pounds. and made.
though not yet tour years DID, the greatest run
yet made in America. The south promptly clal-
lenged Eclipse or any other horse which might
be chosen to run against Henry in the fall, but
was answered 10y Mr.. Stevens that the owner.
Mr.. Van Raust, owed it to the association. to
the state and to himself as a man "ueyer on any
consideration to risk the life and reputation of
the noble animal whose generous and almost in
credible exertions gave gained for the north 80
signal victory. and for himself such well earned
and never-failing renOwn."
Rismarck,S INDIGESTION.
tho