Browning chief., 1948-11-26

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know that most of
Grantland Rice the foreign horses
we have seen run
those from France, Belgium, Ire
land, etc.-are much better horses
than they proved to be. Their air
voyages were badly upsetting, and
they had little chance to get in any
thing like real shape.
1T is really shame, and I hope
that in the future, owners of all in
vading foreign entries give their
thoroughbreds at least some sort Of
chance"
There isn't the least doubt about
Widener's opinion. could tell you
about any number of foreign horses
to prove his point.
Argentina's Top Horse
Some years ago, Charley Howard,
owner of Sea Biscuit, bought Sorte-
ado, winner of Argentine's triple
crown. He paid $4,000 for the horse.
After several weeks training, I saw
his first start at Santa Anita. Sor-
teado reared up and was doing
Jig on his two hind legs when the
race started.
Weeks later he was little bet
ter. But a year later, in New
York, I sat with owner Howard
while SOrteado broke a worlds
record for mile and a half
race. He beat War AdmiraPs
best time by one-fifth of a Sec
ond.
He is the greatest horse in the
world today" Howard said at the
time. "He can outrun any horse
I've ever seen." Sorteado went out
for new record few days later,
stepped in hole, broke a leg, and
was destroyed.
Neil Mccarthy bought an Austral-
an horse known as Shannon II. He
was an Australian champion. He
was an American flop the first few
months. Now Shannon II is winning
big stakes and beating such horses
as On Trust. He's cne of the best.
Even Jimmy Jones told me he
made a mistake in flying Armed to
California five days in advance of
his race. II should have sent him
three weeks ahead, since he trav-
eled by plane" Jimmy said.
A race horse needs ample time
to accustom himself to new sur
roundings, climate and environ
ment, especially after a long trip.
If we sent our horses abroad, in
Guiding Citation, under the same
conditions, they would be run into
the ground. Foreign owners should
either keep their thoroughbreds at
home or give them from six months
to a year 10 go after the rich purses
they can win from Belmont to Santa
Anita, from Chicago to Hialeah.
Fighting Horses
John Partridge, the veteran train
er, was telling a story about Col.
E. R. Bradley, the famous Kentucky
breeder.
"This was years ago." John said.
Colonel Bradley had hired a train
er to help look after his fighting
chickens and also his horses. The
colonel was kind of proud of those
chickens.
lone night there was private
party where several of his game
chickens were entered. They didn't
look any too good. In fact three of
his fighting chickens turned and ran.
The trainer felt pretty bad about
this, and naturally the colonel was
angry. To have his game chickens
run away was the last word.
Next day." John continued, "the
trainer started across field There
were several horses around, includ-
ing two of Bradley's stations. The
two stations began fighting. The
trainer rushed over and tried to
separate them. He didn't do a good
job. Both were badly cut up.
when Colonel Bradley heard
about it, he was furious. He sent
for the trainer and gave him a ter
rible bawling out. Then he fired
him.
"'This is the best break l ever
had,' the trainer said to the colonel,
For this is the craziest place l
ever worked. I don't want any part
of it.
"'What do you mean, the crazi-
est place you ever worked?' the
colonel said. What's wrong with
it?'
"'I'H tell you what's wrong
with it, the trainer said. I've
been three weeks at this great
Bradley place in Kentucky, and
all I've seen is running chickens
and fighting horses
II don't think it is necessary for
me to say" John added, that Col
onel Bradley not only didn't fire
the trainer but gave him a nice
raise"