The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-05

/ 1890 =
distance above the ankle In height he wa
about IL hands inches, but was built on :
| massive pattern. He vas not a handsome
| horse. probably due to his Messenger bloc,
through his dam. Doroc. his sire, was an es:
ceedingly handsome horse. Eclipse's actor
In front was heavy. and he struck The
ground heavy. dwelling a little, but tn.
style and regularity with which lie brought
up his launches and the power with which
they propelled him forward overbalanced al
criticisms Of his individuality and way O,
going.
His temper was good and he required a
good deal OF work, and in his running a
good deal of whipping. The account OF his
great race with Henry, which was virtually
between the North and the South, still
thrills the blood of men who have an ounce
OF love for the thoroughbred in their hearts.
Henry won by head in the first heat, but
Eclipse won the race. 1t is estimated that
2o,ocv people witnessed the race, and that
over ss",c0O in side bets changed hands.
HENRY CLAY AND BOSTON.
While Eclipse was in my fathers stable
my father received one day an unexpected
visit from Henry Clay. who was accom-
panied by several gentlemen from Fayotte
and Woodfo-d counties. They had been fox
hunting in the immediate neighborhood. Mr.
Clay was connoisseur of thoroughbreG;
and breeder of them, and was very
anxious to see the horse that had won
Worldwide fame on the turf My father was
peculiar. in that every horse he owned or
had charge Of was trifle letter than his
predecessor. And. az he was fluent talker
and could describe all the good POINTS of a
horse. Mr.. Clay. 1t appears, for the amuse-
ment of the gathered company, decided to
draw out Uncle Ned as my father was
called.
After Eclipse had been viewed and ad-
mired the guests adjourned TO dinner. Mr..
Clay was in excellent spirits. While the
wine was being passed he raised his glass to
his lips and proposed the health of my
father and the health of Eclipse. the great
est horse on the continent. My father was
not to be outdone. Filling his glass and
rising slowly from his seat and bowling to
Mr.. Clay. he responded: Eclipse is among
horses what Henry Clay IS among men,.
This display Of repartee and ga!lantry put
Mr.. Clay on edge. and he scntillated as
only Gallant Harry of the West could
when he was at his best. Eclipse lived to
Jilson Yates. near Shelbyville. Ky.
ARABIANS AND BREEDING.
The breeding problem is worthy of pro-
found study, for those who seek to solve 1t
enrich mankind. 1t is not and never can be-
come an exact science. l state this as an
abstract proposition without going at this
time into the why's and wherefores l know
Mr.. A. keene Richards, who attempted to
solve 1t by importing Arab!ans. very Well
indeed. He was an excellent man. an en-
thusiast, and deserved a better fate than
was his. AS Senator McCreary has already
said in the Star. he bred his Arab!ans with
the very best blood that could be found in
Kentucky. When his youngsters came on
the turf they were badly beaten. Turfmen
who disbelieved his theory that the Arabian
could fertilize the blood OF the modern thor
oughbred allowed him, first, seven pounds,
and they We're beaten. Then they made the
generous concession OF fourteen pounds
equal to double distance-and still they
were beaten.
Mr.. Richards did not give up the fight
Accompanied by the eminent animal painter.
Troy. he turned his face once more toward
the Orient He lived with the Arabs in their
tents. He ate and slept with them, wor-
shipped with them, and dressed Ike them.
and all for the purpose of getting the best
Arab horses to be found among the de-
scendants of fshmael He studied and rode
Arab horses until he could Judge of con-
formation. disposition and type. and he was
careful to purchase nothing that
could not be traced in an unbroken line to