The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-11-04
GR4ssMERE LOT 4 STOCK FARM.
w. &. France VIII Transfer His breeding
Operations From Kentucky.

Horsemen generally and the lovers of the
trotting horse In particular will probably be
surprised to hear that W. G France, one of the
oldest breeders In the country, has sold his well
known Highland Stock Farm at Lexington,
and has purchased an estate near Rhinebeck, in
this State, where he will transfer all OF his
stock at the Kentucky breeding establishment
next spring.
The Highland Farm, which was sold last
Thursday to II. l.. Asher for $4,000, has long
been known as the home of Red Wilkes, Allie
wilkes, Clay King, and other noted sires and
brood mares. 1t was at Highland that Mr..
France gained considerable reputation as a
breeder of ~trotters, which business he has been
connected with for the past forty-fve years.
Mr.. France was seen by THE sun reporter last
night at his home In the Osborne. corner of
Fifty-sevcnth street and Seventh avenue. When
asked about his future plans he said:
IL have just sold the Highland Farm in Ken
lucky to Mr.. Asher. and will transfer my entire
breeding outfit, consisting Of some 100 odd head
of horses, to New York State. l found that the
limestone country down there did not agree with
nv health. and I decided to secure a farm in
this State, as | am convinced that horses can
be bred here just as well as in Kentucky.
though the cost Is a little more. so. ar;
finally came across and purchased Grassmere,
near Rhinebeck on the Hudson, which, J. think,
is admirably suited for the purpose 1 wish II Tor.
/ will build a stable for the accommodation of
$50 horses. and will lay out a mile track; l
expect To finish my improvements by, spring. -
Grassmere IL a beautiful estate OF some 1927
ncres. II commands a MAGNIFICENT view OF the
Hudson River and. the Catskill Mountains. II
adIoins Ellerslie. Hon. Levi p, Morton's estate.
and was formerly the country home Of the late
Lewis Howard Livingston. There Is a large
n %sns.o9 pa on tn sa8 8r seS : b tSfieihsr WV Wh iiep as a
rule the country Is quite level. and free from tim
Der, there are some, line old trees IN the avenues,
annafsain0 pEinpfnalU nf naka md PhaStnIIR- IN
addition to MIR. Morton, Mr.. France will have
for ~neighbors John Jacob Astor, Ogden Mills,
Merritt, and many other well-known persons,
The principal sire at Grassnere viii be Red
Of Queen Dido, by Mambrino Chief il. lie is a
bay stallion, foaled in 1874; Red Wilkes has
over 100 Of his get in the 80 list: which record
and Sutwood. His fastest son Is Ralph
Wilkes, zoos; whose stallion record is only
pScer, a;iia; We6ssh' gp;irafS;; Island Wilkes,
PHI PHI T TMRps; a??ieHSss; s xshian NV l iSsSr 3: "a;
John jaR sire E. q Gon ,9s snsRplo9 boh hSaSinlE '%! @:l44;
R RpDM.ky wil a:fs s'lS Nsilie DoWWi ilfsT,, ss::iissa;
s ss% ,'f s:I5A; Kltchoii's GteG 'WiEsS, sS:i'e%1;;
RNsHPetitioa' S;leA I'd a fo, iGqgr- ysG Sa,b hgTs
Wilkes 2:o84 as a two-year-oid, and many
GSmsh wsili baSS s GneS: or pRsR d. aDS S1 Rsm Isd
of standard performers.
Among the other noted stations who will
assist Red Wilkes at Grassmcre are his Son,
Allie Wilkes, 2:l5, and Clay King. The former
is tho sire of Allie A., PAGER, ago; Arlington,
PAGER, 2:2Il4: Capt. Wilkes. 2:264; Gilman,
PAGER, 2:214 as a two-year-old; Smuggler
Wilkes, 2:25k; Mad Eye, 2;2dle, and Redwood
Wilkes, 9:aO. Clay King, record of 2:27A, is by
King CLAY, dam Amy, by Volunteer,
OF the well-kHown brood mares who will here
after make their home at GrassnlerG are AlEina,
Thorn. Birdie Red. Dolly Mac, Emms g., Eu-
rrka helle, FancywOod, liza liza, Ivy, Jenny Clay,
tnge, Lady Mansfield, Lilly Moreland, Ioltie
Harold, Lottie Russell, Louise y, Lucy. Ger
neut. Madame Herr, Maggie H.. Maggie =,
Mary Sprague. Meadow Queen. Minnie patchen,
Miss Lane, Nun, Nuttecn. Princess Allie, Queen
Clay, Red Princess, SistSr NutwoOd, Lady Gil
bert, and Title Thorn.