SALE OF THE COBHAM STUD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 323, 24 November 1879, Page 2

SALE OF THE COBHAM STUD.

Owing to the failure of the Cobham Stud Company, the whole valuable racing stock has been brought to the hammer Respecting the result of the sale the Daily News tells us that there were forty-eight brood mares in the list, and they realised 15,820g5, this being equivalent to an average of 320gs; while there were twenty-four foals sold for 7215g5. or rather more than 300gs each, These are figures which may well make the older generation of sportsmen open their eyes, for the averege of foals is almost equal to tkt obtained, by the yearlings at Cobham since the foundation of the stud, while it is considerably higher than the average obtained last June, Experienced judges could scarcely believe the evidence of their _ senses when a chestnut colt by Scottish Chief out of Masquerade (dam of Highland Fling and Strathfleet) was knocked down to the Duke of Westmin-

ster's stud-groom for llOOgs. The twenty-four colts sold on the first day did very well, averaging 244gs each, and, putting the two days together, it will be found that ninety-nine mares were sold "for 34,255g5, or an average of 346gs each; forty-eight foals c or 13,06025, or an average of 272gs each; and four stallions for 7430g5, or an average of 1857k5, making a grand total of 64,744ga for 150 lots, and a general average of 363 guineas all round. Three of the forty-eight mares sold on tho second day travelled into four figures, the Poitou Stud Company, which again made several purchases, giving 1200gs for Queen of the Chase, a beautifully-bred mare by Blair Atholout of Kutbush, who hai youth as well as looks and pedigree on her side. When the last of the 150 mares and foals had been knocked down for 300gs, there remained only to sell the four stallions, two of whom, Cadet rer, were disposed of for 130 and 3$ the last-named, who had beeirwfcpt on prizes this season at the horse.i 276 being now twenty years old, anffailed to make such a name for hiP N , so grandly bred a horse might hi expected to do. Still he looks stro^ lST well, and with the certificates whiclTfo. lias gained as a sire suitable for getting hunters, he may yet do good service in the midlands. The two last lots were comprised of Wild Oats and Blair Athol, and the stock of the first-named, who is the son' of Wild Dayrell and Golden Horn, have been running so well that some people thought that he would make more money than Blair Athol himself. There was not, however, much anxiety to secure him, perhaps because of the " leg" which prevented him from carrying the cerise and French grey of the Duke of Hamilton in the Two Thousand Guineas and Derby of 1869, and at 2500gs he became the property of Mr Wolfe, and will of course remain at Cobham, There was a subdued murmur of admiration and no little excitement when the illustrious Blair Athol, carrying himself as proudly as upon that memorable Friday when Mr Tattersall sold.him for 12,500gs to the new-born Stud Company was led into the ring, and time had dealt gently with the bald-faced chestnut, whose progeny, as was mentioned in these columns some two days ago, have won something like 620 races and £160,000 since the first of them started in 1868. The sire of the winner of the Derby, of two St. Leger winners, of Prince Charlie, the winner of the Two Thousand Guineas, and the fastest horse which ever trod the turf, and of a winner of the One Thousand, Buch are some of Blair Athol's claims to equine immortality, and though in all probability his career is drawing towards its close, he seems full of life and vigor, Many were the wagers which had been made as to the price he would fetch, the lowest estimate being three and the highest estimate eight thousand guineas. There were not, however, many people present in want of a sire, and as the foreigners did not make any sign, Mr Wolfe, after putting him in at threo thousand, was eventually enabled to buy him—a cheap horse, to all seeming—at 4500g5.