Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-07-30
DEATH OF OWNER DISPERSES
FAMOUS BLUE RIDGE STUD
Oxnard Stable, With Noted Stations and Brood Mares
Will Go on Block-Farm i'll Piedmont Val
ley Famed Nursery.
Special to Tho Times-Disratch.1

Especial To Tho Times Dispatch
uFPERVILLE. VA. July oa-Hore
in the valley Of the Piedmont, where
he was best known, there is deep
regret over the death OF Henry T.
been landmark In this vicinity for
almost score Of years.
Mr.. OXnard had many friends in
the valley. and he had developed
his l.20O-arre establishment to the
higest point of excellence, not only
as a thoroughbred nursery, but in the
way of diversified farming. Those
fertile acres. not devoted to blue
grass pastures. were hiliowing In n
varieEated sea Of green and yellow;
MS corn, hay and grain crops alter
mated over rolling terrain dotted
with fine oaks, when death frustrat ted
tho completion of plans which would
have added to tho charm Of an al
ready delightful farm, which had
given tho turf 30 many distinguished
performers.
Mr.. OXnard chose with critical
eye In selecting Il location for his
stud. Loving his horses. he had n
desire to see them often, found In
this region good land In blue grass
where 1t wasn't already under Guilt
walton, an abundance Of shade. and
tho purest OF spring water from n
limestone source. The Rluc Ridge
spread it's purplc-Gray barrier 10 the
wintry winds. and being only n few
hours run from Washington and
easily reached from New York, It's
claims as a nursery for bloodcd stock
could not he denied In addition. it's
scenic beauty was unsurpassed, while
tho countryside was the home of
Eentlcfolk, giving the region So
cial charm that appealed to man
with a young family.
VIII DfSpcrsr Stable.
And now the stations and brood
mares and thcN products-a total of
100 head. of which he was so proud
will be dispersed. While some will.
undoubtedly, he brought back to Vir-
Ginia, many will go to other states
in tho Union and tn Canada. Vir-
Gin'a's loss will he tho gain OF other
tommonweaithS, and the distribution
OF so much desirable blood cannot
help hut work for the benefit of the
turf. IL is through such mediums as
tho oXnard sale. which will he held
by The FasiG -Tiptou Company at
saratoga on August IS and % that
the thoroughbred breeding Industry
Is stimulated. Scores of now recruits
will he gained for tho industry, and
the horse Of blood will be introduced
in communities in which the type has
been n stranger.
MIR. oNnard was a student of breed
ing and racing when he was at liar
ward. and his knowledge Of blood
lines was comprehensive. More than
score OF years ago. while visiting
New Orleans, he bought his first
thoroughbred. thrcc-ycar-old flly
named Octave. by imported Ouicllinc q.
out OF Ophelia, BY King Fisher. She
won at her first effort In her new
owners colors. and from that day
Mr.. Oxnard was Il devoted follower of
the thoroughbred. Lux Casta by
Donovan. and Santa Catalina. by Sues
pehder carried his colors in many "A
hhr6-iought struggle Later these
English mares helped to establish the
fame of tho Blue Ridge Stud as the
homo Of stout thoroughhrcds Tho
former figures In the pedicracs of I'm
cNiiite. lMcky Hour and other fine
horses. King James. by Plaudit. n
noted campaiSner. and Supcrman. by
commando, were placed AT tho hea q
OF tho stud. Later Fayctte. BY Og-
den. out or Lady Sterling, tho dam
of Sir Barton. Sir Martin and others
and Nuicain. by Rock Sand. out of
l.ndy of the Vale. by Ueyon d. or.
were added to help make tho fame OF
the establishment even more cndur-
Ing. Last year War Star, by Sun star.
out Of Verne. by Bill Of Portland. was
added TO the ranks of the sircs.
Nuicain Iinrn in France.
Nulcain was born in France, where
ne raced for brief period in the
c"!"rs of his breeder. August Belmont.
winning three Of his six starts. His
victorious races We're the Prix
Noailles of $1,000 francs Mt one and
a half miles: the Prix Miss Glaiia-
tenr. 10000 francs, at one ana three
quarter miles. and tho Prix Rcisct.
5000 francs. at ono and seven
eiEhths miles. These races stamp
Nuicnin as n rare slayer. lie was
favored for tho Grand Prix when he
broke down. on his return 10 this
country sam lIildroth. who had
charge OF the Belmont horses at that
time. tried TO train Vulcain lie rot
INN mp to the point Of where he
showed his ability to beat Il horse
Ike PTiscillian. when he went wronl,
again. Although only ~ years of
age, he had already sired many usc-
fnl horses. among them Thnndcrclap.
hunga Luck. Iicphaistos, Brother
Batch and Mulsivcr, Ito is a horse
of rare size and quality.
SunoTmans reputation was slow I'm
the making. bat, like many Other sons
of Commando. his worth Is destined
10 como through tho speed-givinr