New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-11-07
BELMONT SHIPS HORSES
Footprint and VeStibuIe Go to
Government Stud.
IMPRESS ARMY OFFICERS
Stations Expected To Be Of
Great Service at New
Front Royal Bureau.

Footprint and Vestibrile, sons Of Roct
Sand presented by August Belmont TO the
War Department for breeding purposes,
we're shipped from Belmont Park TO Front
Royal. Warren County, Va. yesterday az.
ternoon
r. c. Holingsworth, veterinarian OF the
United States quartermaster's department
and Herbert Temple. representative OF the
Adams Express Company, were az the
course OF the westchester Racing AssocIa-
ton yesterday and supervised the ship
ment The horses destined TO improve tire
breed OF military horses were quite tract.
able when loaded into the big private horse
car. They have been constantly shipped
from early spring until autumn while tina
racing sessions were under way at Bait.
more and the Canadian courses; conse-
quently their experience was nothing new,
and both walked into the stalls as quietly
as II being led into their regular stable
quarters.
II was Mr.. Belmont's intention to give
Tipsand to the governments breeding bu-
reau, but he finally decided upon Vestbue
The chairman Of The Jockey Club has
taken a decided interest in the project IN.
der way, and Vestibule, possessing SUI
perior qualities that point TO a successful
career in the stud, he became the selec-
ton. Taking individuality, blood lines and
racing performances into consideration.
Vestibule IS the better of the pair. Il
would indeed be difficult for any horseman
to produce a better type for this particu.
lar object.
Vestibule, a bay colt. two years old. by
Rock Sand, out OF Lady Violet, won three
races. He is half-brother to the brown
three-year-old colt Watervale. which this
season won the Preakness Stakes. the Tow.
son Purse and the Driving Park Hand.
cap at Pimlico In the historic Preakness
Watervale conquered Zeus. running the
mile and a furlong In 1851 fat.
Dr. Hollingsworth, who is attached ~
the remount depot at Front Royal. was
deeply impressed with Footprint and vesti-
bule when he looked them over. Henry ~
Navarro and Octagon, both gifts from Mr..
Belmont TO the government, are at Front
Royal. They were bred to thirty-odd mares
each. and Or. Hollingsworth says that
, tests show remarkable percentage OF
matrons In foal. The number Of mares in
the establishment at present is seventy
five. Three Kentucky bred, gated horses
are doing stud duty, In addition 10 the
above named thoroughbreds. Representa-
tives of the government have visited the
breeding farms OF Kentucky, Tennessee
Maryland, Virginia, New York and New
Jersey TO secure suitable broodmares for
the Virginia remount station. It Is planned
10 increase the broodmare band to five
hundred.
Captain c. II. Conrad. jr.. IL in charge
Of the Front Royal depot. Captain Conrad
was chosen for remount service owing to
his proficiency as horseman. He 10 a
typical caSalryman, born and raised IN
the West. and has been with horses pract-
cally all his life. Captain Conrad is a son
Of the late Major Conrad, who died on his
way back from Cuba. Captain Conrad
was graduated from West Point in the
early 90's, and he mas a brother William
also an officer in the United States army.
With this efficient officer at the head Of
the government breeding bureau 1t is an
assured fact that the military horse Of
America will eventually be the equal, IL
not the superior, OF those owned by other
nations. An officer who has made a study
OF the army horse throughout the world
states that Italy is foremost in this re-
spect The French Republic. the German aud
Austrian empires and the British Kingdom
have paid special regard TO the mainten-
ance of breeding establishments In which
were placed thoroughbred sires for a long
period. The result is that these govern
ments are In possession Of military horses
OF an exceedingly high calibre.
The United States bureau located az
Front Royal comprises tract Of $500 acres.
Two hundred thousand dollars has been APP
| propriated for its purchase. a hospital for
animals is now under construction and Will
be- completed I'm February. 1t will cost
S25 zoe. Every convenience and appliance
known 10 the veterinarian for the treat
ment of horses will be included IN the
equipment OF the institution.
In addition to the general care and train
ing of the horse for military purposes. II Is
! proposed 10 have a running track, where
speed and endurance can be noted. num-
! Der OF stiff obstacles Of regulation height
and breadth will form what may be termed
steepechase course. The necessity or
track and 'cross-country field became APP
| parent to the officers who participated at
the race meetings given under the auspices
l Ol lle Ndii'ldi SNtcpifNldcN anu NUM- ~
ISOLATION at Elkns Park Brookline. Bel
! mont Park Terminal and Pimlico for the
| last couple of seasons.
officials Of the government in Washing
ton are sansune that the earnest endesv-
ors Of the cavalry officers will bear frU't
] in the near future. The Virginia hurenu
! is particularly fortunate in securing TO-
.ires such prominent thoroughbreds as
! Henry Of Navarro, Octagon, Footprint and
| Vestibulc Besides making good on the
turf. they trace To families notable for pro-
ducing racing and breeding qualities Of
! the highest degree. Rock Sand sire OF tn
/ latter TWO, is the greatest horse that ever
crossed the Atlantic 10 this country. snd
/ the maternal side could not be improved
/ upon. regardless OF cost The question or
/ breeding has been paramount In Mr. Bel
| monts mind, az IL was I'm his fathers
! When the first August Belmont institut1 ID
/ his stud in the Blue Grass State he gath
/ in France. England and In this country.
! His son followed on the lines laid out by
I his father. and doRiciled i'm the famous
/ Nursery Stud to-day are horses taking rank
| with those produced by the royal studs q
! Europe.
| Two other remount stations maintained
! ty the government are at Fort Reno Okla
| homa. and Fort Riley. Kansas. The soldier
! horsemen at these distant points have been
! insstent on the improvement OF their
I mounts. and a requisition will be drawn
| shortly for several thoroughbred stations
/ TO meet the demands.