The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-01

There is great deal that Is interesting in
tho bargaining which has occurred first and
last about the British race horse Ormonde
originally the property and third Derby vim
ner OF tho Duke OF WESTMINSTER We suppose
that never tefore have so many contemporary
turfmen said OF any horse that he was
the best in all history. as said this OF Or
monde when he was In the height OF his
powers. Unfortunately. no was visited
by the devil that fits about in the
English climate and he became n roarer
and as roaring Is thought to he hereditary
there. his owner determined to sell him to
some other country. Next to England the
greatest horse-racing land Is tho United States.
Ifthe Duke OF WESTMINSTER had really desired
to give the race OF horses the full benefit OF
Ormonde's uueImalled qualities. he would
have seen that his horse should have On ssed
into tho hands OF some American. We believe
that the Messrs- MORRIS offered some very
great sum for him. roaring not being known
In this country. various famous English
roarers likewise having been brought
hero to leave unblemished stock. II the
Duke had been true sportsman IL
an interest In the tur: 80 genuine
as not to be nulliled or clouded BY projudiccs
connected with othor affairs. he would have
sent tho horse to this country regardless OF
price. But at that time. although former fol-
lower Of Mr.. GLADSTONE. he was in state of
great irritation on account OF tho proposition
for Irish homo rule. and III Il spirit OF resent
ment at America. which had been 80 large a
factor In the Irish movement. he deliberately
cut tho great animal Off from any possible
future service to the equine race. and sold him
to q gentleman In tho Argentine Republic. n
country where racing Is ludicrous only. and
from which no great strain OF horses can over
como.
This was IN striking contrast with the con.
duct OF the late WILLIAM II. VANDERBILT in
connection with an animal equally PRICELESS in
his eyes. Maud 8. For many years his father.
Commodore VANDERBILT. had boon tho great
rival OF Mr.. ROBERT BONNER In tho cultivation
OF trotiing horses, and that relation had been
maintained loss In degree only after the
Commodores death. Finally the possession
OF Maud S. mado him the possessor Of the un-
disputed crack Of the time. He enjoyed the
glory OF her ownership for several years. Its
said that $lOOoO' or more even. was Gff, red to
him tor his marc; 20, when he finally made w
his mind that for the reason OF other interests.
AMI perhaps OF his health. he would get rid OF
her. he refused o entertain the spite or JEALOUSY
OF n petty man. after the manner OF the Duke
OF WESTMINSTER. and sold Maud S. for n COM
psratively nominal sum- although 1t was the
greatest price then given for trotter. to the
gentleman under whom whatever future de-
ve'opment In tho marc might be possible
would most certainly DO continued. That was
unHuestionsb Mr.. BONNER. Thus tho result
OF Mr.. VANDERBILT's broadm lndsdness md
Mr.. BoSNERs skill is thar tho trotting record
stands where It stands to-day.
This year the few OF Ormondes offspring
which he left TO England have run with such
noticeable merit that Q wealthy Englishman
named MAPLE has made a Crcesean offer to
get him back to England again. roars and all
He has offered the South American owner
$4,000. but the latter prefers the possession
OF Ormonds. and In South America it can
amount TO little more than mere possession.
and consequently one OF the greatest strains Of
horsehssh will DO practically lost to the world.
The Duke Of WESTMINSTER seems to have