A PLUCKY RACEHORSE RUNS HIS LEGS OFF.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1038, 18 February 1879, Page 2

A PLUCKY RACEHORSE RUNS HIS LEGS OFF.

Tub second day came. It was lqvqly, bright and charmiug enough for a yqung queen's coronation. The programme was splendid, and long before the horses were callod %q the post m the first race, the grounds ware absolutory alive with people. Thoy fwao from all quarters, and iv

every po33iblo way. The delegation of the fair sex was especially strong, and they enjoyed tho sport wonderfully. Tho Greeley Stakes, a dash of three miles for all ages, was the opening race. Of twenty-two nominations, Mihlstick, M'Whirter, Joe JRodes, and Red Bluff came to the post. They got a good start, when M'Whirter darted to the front like a rod man's arrow from a well sprung bow. Before he reached the first turn, Mahlstick joined him, and the pair raced liko twin brothers for two miles. There was no advantage m favor of either. As they approached the distance on the second mdc, not more than 75 yards from the wire, M'Whirter faltered. He had been ill of a leg since last fall, but when he faltered, it seemed to be from the well front leg, and not the weak one. He lost his stride for the moment, changed feet, regained a neck which ho had lost, and passed the stand head and head with his adversary. Fifty yards further and he "gave away m the other leg, and Mahlstick drew rapidly away from him. Still M'Whirter showed no disposition to quit, and the foolish little boy on him made no attempt to force him to do so. With the tendons gone m both front legs, he kept moving, but gradually, like the dying out of the flickering light of an exhausted candle, his pace grew more and more difficult, his stride shorter and shorter, until just as he passed the half-mile pole, the cannon bones forced their way through the sirin, and he came near falling. The lad was dislodged from the saddle, but held to the poor horse. The crowd disregarded the raoe, and rushed to the noble animal who had made so desperate and remarkable an effort to his master's will, who had absolutely performed the long talked and written of, but never before realized, feat of running his legs off. General Budford, his owner, was sent for. His recovery was utterly impossible. He could oaly linger m pain, and die at last. To relieve him, and m sheer mercy, his master, with a sad heart and tearful eyes, passed sentence upon him, and he was then and there shot.