The Washington herald., 1914-04-18
Other New York Sportsmen
Identified with Return
In New York.
MARS CASSIDY TALKS
BY ANDREW p. o'coNoR.

Just at q time when racing seemed
to be doomed in New York State, 1t re-
ceived substantial support and encourage
ment from an unexpected course. re-
marked Mars Cassidy, whose name has
been honorabIy connected with the turf
for a quarter of a century.
Not only the sporting. but the busi-
ness, social, and political world was
startled one morning when the press an
nounced the entry into this delightful but
uncertain sport Of kings, Of one Of the
greatest financiers of his time, Thomas
Fortune Ryan, OF New York and Vir-
ginia.
while Mr. Ryan's love for the thor
ouEhbred was well known to his intimate
friends, no one expected him to take up
racing at a time when II was under the
ban, but Mr.. Ryan, with the forethought
which has characterized his whole career.
knew that the prohibition Of racing in
New York would be only temporary;
knew that the law did not represent the
views Of the substantial citizens of the
Empire State. and that like all obnoxious
laws II would eventually be removed
from the statute books. Having faith in
the judgment and fairness OF the law
makers Mr.. Ryan set about TO establish
a breeding farm. and selected a site In
the blue grass section Of Virginia-his
native State-where he acquired 1000
acres. which has been improved with
modern buildings.
European and American stud farms
were searched for the best bred mares,
which were purchased. regardless Of cost
These were sent to his Virginia farm
where they have been, from time to time,
mated with the best stations obtainable.
Mr.. Ryan's latest purchase. was the
great English sire, Sea Horse, Sandring-
ham-bred on both sides.
''Sandringham was the private estate
and stud-farm Of the late King Edward
VII. where many Of the greatest thor
oughbreds the world has ever known,
were bred.
Among the other great fnanciers who
took up racing after the New York freak
law went into effect were c. G. Billings,
of Cleveland; Jefferson Livingston, Of
Cincinnati; Price Mckinney, of Cleve-
land; the Corchran Brothers. of New
York, and Roderick Mckenzie, Of Canada
The combined wealth OF these gentle
men is more than S50O.o000Oo which they
have earned. while giving employment TO
millions of men, in the building up Of
great industries.
In my position as starter on all the
great race tracks of this country, l have
been in touch with these gentlemen. many
of whom have commissioned me to buy
certain horses for them, and / have fire.
quently carried signed blank checks
which I was authorized to f1ll out in
payment for any horse or horses which
l might recommend.
Mr.. Jefferson Livingston authorized
me to purchase Peter Pan. which was
Cne of the grandest individuals l have
ever seen, but as there is cold streak
in the family, / advised Mr.. Liv-
ingston not to buy him for stud purposes.
My action in this matter caused some
criticism at the time, but subsequent
events in connection with the horse
proved that l had made no mistake, as
the English authorities decided that he
was not eligible to registration in their
stud book.
Uncle was probably one OF the great
est sires ever in this country. and / was
particularly anxious for Mr.. Livingston
to purchase him, but the late Mr.. Koler.
after the edict against racing in New
York, moved his entire racing establish
ment to France. and America thus lost
the services of a most wonderful pro-
dUcer. Uncle was royalty bred, being
out of Niece. by Star Shoot Unfortu-
nately two Of Uncle's greatest sons are
geldings, Old Rosebud, for which $4,000
was refused last week, and Little
Nephew, a most consistent performer. If
Old Rosebud was an entire horse. he
would bring $4,000 under the hammer.
As previously stated. there are more