Norwich bulletin., 1919-05-08
OAKLAND BARoN's BREEDER


 The recent death of Oakland Baron, 2.0914, at the Hudson River Stock Farm near POughkeepsie, N. Y, re- calls the name of his breeder, R. G. Stoner. He was genuine Kentucky colonel with an eye for a pretty girl and a good horse and with more bus mess ability than the average south ern gentleman. He was also one of the first Kentucky breeders to cut away from the Mambrino trotters. At an early date he became convinced that the get of Mambrino Pilot through Caliban, which was owned by his neighbor M. M.. Clay of Bourbon Coun- ty, and Mambrino Patchen the prop erty of Dr Herr of Lexington, could not compete with the northern trot- ters. After seeing Dexter, George Wilkes and Nettie perform, he also be- came convinced that the Ham etonian line was the proper one and in order to get a representatives of the breed he went to Erdenhein and purchased the stallion Watson. This horse was by Hdmbletonian out of; Lady Waltermire and was kept in the back ground by his breeder Articles Welch on ac- count of him showing disposition to pace. That, however, did not stop Colonel Stoner He purchased him. changed his name to Strathmore and placed him at the head of his stud near Paris. After he got Santa Claus and SteinWay. three year old champion, everybody wanted a Strathmore trot- ter and Stoner saw that they were supplied.
 At that time he also had the horse Mambrino Russell by Woodford Nam primo out of the dam of Maud S. at his farm. He was not very successful and passed to Illinois. Later on when i the get of Strathmore showed dispo- sition to pace, that gait not being as popular then as now, Colonel Stoner sold him to Rockhill Brothers and 1 Fleming Of Fort Wayne, Ind, and put Baron Wilkes in his place. The latter was bred by Bryan Hurst of Lexing- 1 ton and was one of the youngest sons of George Wilkes. He was a moderate race horse of good family and prov ed very successful in the stud. When 1 he got Oakland Baron, the Kentucky Futurity winner of 1895, Stoner sold him to J. F. Thayer and Bro. of Lan- caster, Mass, and placed his son in ! the vacant stall.
 In a few years it looked as if Oak land Baron was destined to prove even a greater sire than Baron Wilkes, as Lady Gale Hamilton, 20614, Baron de Shay 2:061a, and Rythmic, 2:06A, were found among his early foals. The lat ter was typical show horse. He had the form, style and whiz of tanbarb champion but was unfortunately blind The success of this trio made Oakland :, Baron very conspicuous and at tho proper time Colonel Stoner placed hin on the market. He was purchased by Jacob Ruppert and placed at the heat
 of the Hudson River Stock Farm where he died on April 29
 Oakland Baron failed to live Up tt expectations in his new home. While he got a number of performers, seven
 ty-one being credited to him up to tht close of last year, the pacer BaroI Alta, 2:06, is the Only one that brokt 1 into the limelight His apparent fail.
 ure in the stud also recalls the fate O Favorite Wilkes. brother to tha splendid sire Bourbon Wilkes, and Vir- go Hambletonian at the same estab lishment. All of them were mateC with good mares while their get wer, trained carefully. Still they failed tt show the racing speed which the pub lie expected, although their mag, unanimous owner never complained be. lcause the spark of fame failed to f1asi over the paddocks of his establish ment on the Hudson.