New-York tribune., 1911-02-16
Belmont Tells Of His Gift.

Mr.. Belmont explained at the outset OF
his speech that the gathering had mot the
remotest connection with any movement
looking TO legal relief for horse racing, or
appeals to our lawmakers for enabling
legislation" He then went on to empha-
size the importance of the thoroughbred
for economic, military and sporting uses
and to ccplore the yearly decline of thor
ouehbred registration in the stud book
He said;
The army Is beginning 10 complain that
IT cannot readily find horses required Tor
the cavalry. Think of II. in this vast coun-
try, with It's ma enificent ranches and breed
ing farms five hundred horses each year
for remounts are difficult TO buy and cost
more than our army officers md they
should The average horses have not
breeding enough. lack the quality and en-
duTance. and army men are now turning
What would hal pen II IN case OF war;
Notwithstanding a growing international De
sire for PEACE. the cavalry had 10 "e quad-
rupled. and instead Of a good cavalry morse
lasting ten years. as they do in time OF
peace, the remounts Of the cavalry were
lasting but sixty days. which, on good mill
tary authority. | am told, Is the average
Where would they come from So Importing NJ rbins
would be a spectacle TO be proud Of. II by
grace of the enemy we might be permit
ted TO witness II.
IT is for us all 10 give army men who are
struggling with this problem a helping
hand The War Department Is doing much
for them and in Virginia and at Fort kley
is fostering the thoroughbred by breeding
but unfortunately. in n very limited way.
The War Department is also encouraging
officers TO ride in amateur races and
steeplechases and in playing polo at the
different army posts.
I told General Frederick ID. Grant at the
United Hunts meeting on Long Island last
November that I would present the army
with six good stations, and am gong 70
offer this year and next to whoever the
Secretary of War indicates to me 10 ne
the proper recipient. Henry OF Navarro
OctagOn, two Rock Sand coils ana TWO troii
other sires. Added to this. | snail oner
eight free services TO my stations in Lex
ineton. Ky, to such mares belonging 20
the army as the chief Of staff may see ht
TO issue a written order for. ...r,o.
one Cf these services VIII he my Stdiiion
/ Rock Sand 7 hope the army Will be aole
! 10 obtain more good thoroughbred stations
and place them throughout the west, as Our
Jockey Clubs Breeding Bureau mas ,IiI,, dIsurE,
uted them i'm this state and by securing
first call on the mares bred 10 thelr s'al- :
| lions. they will be able TO lnauSurate d
practicaI way OF securing the type OF horse
/ go much needed and which the army mas 50
much difficulty i'm securing
The sportsmen present-Mr. Smith quoted
with great effect Lord North's remark that
|
man and n sporting man"-oheered Justify
this formal announcement of Mr.. Belmont s
! willingness to start a national breeding
| bureau along the lines of the one In this
state and in France, Germany, Canada and
other countries.
| 1t was recalled that Henry OF Navarro
once sold at auction for $4,000 and that
Octagon was The sire OF Beldame, a Subur-
ban Handicap winner and one of the great
est mares ever bred and developed in this
or any other country. Mr.. Belmont, II was
conceded. had got ahead Of those horse
breeders, who, following the horse show,
had met and determined on offering the
United States government sum Of money
with which to buy thoroughbreds for army
purposes.
Other speakers We're Arthur Wallace
Stedman. OF Boston, known as the Father
Of the Steeplechase'; William a. Hazard,
Windsor r. White, master OF the Chagrin
Valley Hunt. Cleveland. and Henry g.
Vaughn, master Of the Myopia (Mass)
Hunt.