New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-08


racing career is ended? This Is question fire.
Qucntly asked by racegoers and others. 1t is
rather difficult to answer because some good
horses as we'll as some very bad horses so to
the Elysian fields Of rich pastures golden grain
and costly blankets of the leading stock farms
of tho country, while others are condemned to
the hanson cab, coacart, express wagon and
the plough OF the farmer The history of a racer
from the day he is foaled until his death has
frcGucntly furnished the topic for many thrill
inS stories from the pens OF able writer's. Per-
haps The best one Of that description is Ouida's
story Of Forest King in the novel called
"Under Two Flags" Many other stories have
been written about the thoroughbred who has
won for his owner fame and fortune, and, in
many instances. bride.
There is more or less fiction about the fate or
horses that have been successful on the turf
There is any amount Of talk about sentiment
on the turf but the true facts are that sentl-
ment rates as an outsider" and that when the
thoroughbred outlives his usefulness and can
no longer win stakes and purses. his owner looks
forward to him to bring him handsome revenue
in the stud. Should the racer prove failure as
a sire his lot is hard one. 1t is equally so
should he develop any physical infirmity, such
as an affection of the wind, or any other UNI
soundness that is likely to detract from his
value. There only few thoroughbred pen
sioners in this country. Parole formerly owned
by Pierre Lorilldrd who won distinction on the
turf both in this country and in England at
the end of his racing career was presented to
Norvin II. Green, who agreed to care for him
the remainder of his life Longbeach, owned by
Philip ]. Dwyer is the only pensioner of all the
long list of horses owned by the Dryers. The
,niynaT
turfman besides the foregoing who keeps any
turf Densoner.
When the racer is foaled as a rule. he is
watched from the hour Of his birth until he
reaches the market as a yearng. When he is
sold that ends the breeders interest in him,
except that it is desired that he shall be sue
cessful on the turf, because his future brothers
and sisters may fetch a higher market price
than if he retres a failure. once the yearling
reaches the racing stable he is broken, and his
trials watched with interest.
TRIALS OF THE YEARLING.
If he runs fair trials and promises to be use
full he is well cared for and furnished with
every equine luxury If his trials indicate that
he Is not likely to prove winner he is sold as
soon as possible for what he will bring. The
successful thoroughbred's trials as a yearng
him in the stakes to be a two-yearold
AS a wo-year-old his efforts are observed
every movement noted, and when he goes to the
post in his first race his owner watches him
with an eye of pride. Should he win, his value
IS enhanced and his owner tells his friends
that he has a good colt and expects great
things Of him. During his two-yoa:-Old career
the colt wins several stakes and in his three
year-Old form proves himself a breadwinner,
but unfortunately strains a muscle ruptures
a tendon in a fierce struggle to win a purse and
large wagers for his owner. When the thor
oughbred is led lmping back to his box the
owner does not exhibit an Ovorabundance Of
sentiment; the other hand he bewas the
losses incurred by the breaking down Of the
colt This does not apply to poor owners 1t
applies to milliOnaires, who race horses for the
sport TO be derived from it and the possible
ties of being extensively advertised by the press.
with a fair prospect Of making both ends meet
by winning purses and stakes and few wagers
judiciously placed. The patient thoroughbred.
with his swollen tendon, is carefully examined.
The aid Of veterinarian Is called in, and many
discussions are held as to whether the horse
will recover remain unsound. Then the
"knackers" Of the racetrack begin to hover
around like buzzards who scent carrion afar off.
The "knacker' is permitted to examine the all
ing tendon, and is told by the trainer that the
horse be purchased for nominal sum.
AS a rule. the "knacker" purchases, and the
horse is put through course OF torture known
as firing and bistering When he next appears
it is in the role of 'seling-plater. in the cOlors
q some hardened wretch who possesses
ceeling for either his jockeys his horses.
FATE OF THE CRIPPLED STAKE HORSE.