BREEDING THE TROTTER 



of Phallas (2.13%), or the owner of Jerome Eddy 

 (2.16^2). Both of the stallions named are fast, 

 but up to the present time I have been unable to 

 discover that either has sired a trotter. I am 

 willing, however, to go on a voyage of discovery, 

 and my proposition cannot be deemed one-sided, 

 for the reason that both stallions have a large 

 number of colts of the proper age from which 

 their owners, who employ first-class trainers, can 

 make selections. If the theory is sound that a 

 horse which has trotted a wonderfully fast mile 

 should necessarily get very fast stock, the advan- 

 tage should be with Phallas and Jerome Eddy, 

 because they have the fastest records and have 

 been serving mares for several years past at high 

 prices. For the good of the trotting community, 

 as well as for those breeding with the hope of 

 getting a trotter, I think it time that the bubble, 

 so full of deceptive ideas, should be pricked." 



How this challenge was received is best told 

 by Mr. Hamlin himself in his 1889 catalogue : 



" This direct and business-like proposition 

 stirred up a series of cyclones throughout the 

 country, and although many counter-proposi- 

 tions were made by the owners of developed stal- 

 lions, not one of these had the courage to accept 

 my challenge. The four three-year-olds by Mam- 

 brino King, upon which I depended, did not dis- 

 appoint me. Every one showed the ability to 

 trot in from 2.25 to 2.35. One trotted a trial in 

 2.26, and the other two trotted in 2.31. Mam- 

 brino King is all I have claimed him to be." 



44 



