New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-13
HIGHBALLS LAST RACE.
GREAT COLT BREAKS LEG
Wmner of american Derby Has To
Be DESTROYED at BRIGHTON.

The splendid career Of the three-year-oId colt
Highbau. winner OF the American Derby and the
acknowledged two-year-old champion OF last sea-
son. came To tragic end at Brighton Beach yester-
Gay. when he broke his foreleg while run
ming in the Seagate Stakes. and had to he de-
stroyed. The accident occurred Just before the
eighth pole reached after the colt had turned
into the home stretch. and plainly seen by the
occupants OF both the field stand and the grand
stand AS soon as they realized what had hap
pened great cheer went up from the row of book
makers. who were watching the race from their
stools in front Of the betting ring. Highball was
overwhelming favorite, and the bookmaIeTs
stood TO win thousands of dollars on his defeat.
Because Of his presence in the field Of the Sea
gate stake and one-eghth miles. for three
vear-olds four OF the seven horses originally named
70 start were withdrawn leaving only E. r. Thorn
ass 81. Valentine and Philip j. Dryers Knight
Erraut 70 oppose him. HghbaI. with 1876 pounds
carried his stake weight, and gave each OF his
opponents S pounds. Even with this difference in
the weights he appeared to outcIass his small
pany and was made an almost rrohibitive favorlte
AZ - 70 II on his way the post II no
ticed that he walked as though sore and stifI hut
as he has been under suspicion most OF the year
uttls was thought OF It, and the betting not
affected. Almost as soon as the barrier went up
however # was seen by those who observed the
contest closely that the colt far from being
himself. and when the first turn Odon, who had
the mount aim, was compelled 70 strike him oVe-
the 4rst sUsDiCions were confirmed Knight Errant
had set stiff pace from the start, but IN the back
stretch Hlghban. which probably was in great dis
tress then, hung TO him courageously, and when St
Valentine challenged at the turn. out az the back
stretch he made q valiant effort to withstand It
The end came at last. however.
AS the three Strengthened out for the run home
Odoul suddenly felt something give way, and IN
the same second the colt almost pitched onto his
head. The Jockey kept him on his feet, however,
and dismoUnted. There was no need for an ex-
animation. From the grandstand it could be seen
tnat the colts leg was broken so severely that it
was dangling helpless. \ panel of the fence was
taken down and Highbau was led into the inacld.
Walter N SchefteI and J. ". May, the owners,
who had been watching the race from the paddock.
hurried up 10 their colt. and when Mr. SchefteI
saw how terribly he was hurt he demanded that
he be put out Of his suffering once. The colt
was insured in the English Lloyds for $1,000 and
some one suggested that before he was killed it
would be wise TO discover II such an action would
yiIiate the policy
Never mind about the insurance" Mr.. schefte
replied. huskily y won't have him suffer.
insist on having him killed"
Rather than destroy him before the thousands
IN the stands, 1t decided 70 wait until after
the races were over. An attendant held the broken
leg UP so that the colt was relieved Of as much
suffering as possible and when the next race was
being run he watched It calmly and placidly-his
own battles finished.
tt was learned that the policy would not be
vitiated providing two veterinary surgeons agreed
that II would be impossible to save the COLI, and
this opinion was signed by Drs. Farley and Ashe
Highball a OF Ben Strone, out Of Strych-
mia and in looks q typical Ben StTOUe
As a two-year-oId he won his frs; At Norris
Park on May s. Although beaten IN some OF the
earlier stakes he won the Grand Union At sara
toga. ran second in the Hopeful, won the Flatbush
from Broomstick. Pulsus, Delhi and others, and q
few DAYS later made good his claim 10 the cham
pionship by winning the Junior Champion
Until the American Derby which ne won from
Woodson. Rapid Water English Lad and big
field IN Chicago, his three-year-old form had been
rather disappOinting He fourth IN the Met
ropolitan. dfth in the Brooklyn and was beaten
by Bryn Mawr IN both the Brooklyn Derby and the
Fsroadra Stakes. the Advance he finished
fourth. and in the Brighton Of last Saturday third
TO Proorstick and irish Lad. Hi-hban was owned
Jointly by " VI. Scheftel and J. ". May, although
he was raced in the formers name.