The Washington times., 1907-10-20
Cost of Collins Keep
Highest in History
Of RaCetraCk Game
About 81 500 Week Spent on This Star of the
Keene Stable-Death of Sysonby Taught
Owner LeSson-Winter Campaigns.
By ]. S. A. MACDONALD.

NEW YORK. Oct 19.-It costs more
money T. maintain Americas champion
race horse a day than It does. the big
gest clubman in New York.
James r. Keene's two-year-cld colt,
Colin. a son Of Commando. undoubtedly
stands as the finest liver among the
equine aristocracy Of the American
turf. And this IS as Il should be. for
Colin holds the remarkable record Of
having earned for his owner no less
than Sl32, los. Why, then, should not
this baby race horse merit the sweet
meats and the various other indul-
gencies OF juvenility.
Costs About $1,000 Per Week.
It may be surprising, but nevertheless
true, that approximately 81. 500 a week
is required for the maintenance Of
Americas reigning thoroughbred IA
vorite. Though the public wagers E.il-
lions on champion race horse through
a summers time, scarcely one horse
player in a thousand would know the
horse should he encounter him on a
country road. much less the details of
his home life
To begin with, Colin is the only race
horse in the world with his own peI.
sonal physician. DR.. f E. Shepherd.
one Of the best known veterinarians in
the new world. receives $500 per week
Cor caring for Colin. While Mr.. Keene
employs a regular stable vet" DR..
Shepherd looks after Colin exclusively.
His Own Veterinarian.
Down at the stabIing headquarters Of
the James r. Keene stable. where
twenty-five stalls range side by side
on the eastern tier Of training stables
Of the Sheepshead Bay race track, Colin
occupies stall No. IS. Every morning
as the sun commences to glow warmly
Or. Shepherd viii be found at Coins
stall door. The colts temperature and
general condition is taken and carefully
noted In book for that purpose.
Then Jockey Marvellous" Miller re
ports in order 10 gallop and exercise
Colin. For this Miller is paid 500 a
week extra to his $4,000 a year salary.
Colin has two ru5bers. experienced men
and experts In the work, who are paid
as much as $50 a week.
Lesson From Sysonby's Death.
Then comes the stall itself It Is made
OF dry California pine over a concrete
bottom. A system OF drain and a. spe-
cial water pipe line running from d
deeply bored fresh water spring over
a mile away and forced by windmill is
another costly feature. Mr.. Keeue will
have none but spring water for his
horses, and he believes the loss of
Sysonby was largely occasioned by in
fected city water. Collins stall is cleo
trio lighted and ventilated by electr.a
fans in the summer months and ~
regular high class ventlator syst, u. 81
the cooler pefiOds of the year. --har
comes his fodder.
Colin eats nothing but the best Sc
lected oats and specially selected Cali
fornia hay. And that costs a pretty
penny-probably SO a day. Trainer
Jimmy Rowe, the regular stable trainer,
has a contract with Mr. Keene which
calls for 10 per cent or all Collins stake
winnings. So far Rowe's bonus amounts
TO something over So, 900, or about 500
a week for the past racing season. OF
course, this comes out of Collins gross
earnings and must be charged against
the great colts maintenance.
Incidental expense brings up the to-
tdI OL CDLLu , weekly BAl 70 ABOUT 4l,0UU.
or about $500 day.
Honors When He Dies.
Since the loss Of SysonDy. James r.
Keene has become a crank upon the
care and welfare Of any one of his
horses possessing evidence Of high class
capabilities. Anything money viii buy
70 ensure the preservation of health