HEAVY HORSES 185 



have pledged themselves. As a result of their exertions, the annual show- 

 in the early spring of each year has come to be regarded as one of the 

 most popular exhibitions of its kind that is held in London, and it is, more- 

 over, the means of attracting the attention of many persons to the merits 

 of the Shire who would otherwise have been ignorant of, or indifferent to, 

 the value of this class of horse. As a proof of the higher estimation in 

 which Shire horses are held compared with that of only a few years ago, and 

 the increased value now set upon them, a little information concerning the 

 prices paid for some of the most representative animals of their respective 

 generations may be referred to. Amongst them are the following: — Sweet 

 William, a noted horse, was sold in 1778 for 350 guineas, whilst a few 

 years later a horse called Marston changed hands at 500 guineas. These 

 figures may be regarded as exceptionally high ones for the times, but 

 they offer a striking contrast to those of a more recent period. In 1882 

 Sir Walter Gil bey paid 800 guineas for Spark, with which horse he won 

 the Challenge Cup at the Society's show in 1883; whilst three years 

 later Lord Wantage was content to give Mr. John Rowell 1500 guineas 

 for his champion colt Prince William, when only two years old. These 

 long figures were, however, far exceeded when the Earl of Ellesmere 

 paid 2000 guineas for the black Vulcan, which had never been seen in 

 a show-ring at the time, though the judgment displayed in selecting 

 the horse was fully vindicated by his taking the championship at the 

 Shire Horse Society's show in the years 1889 and 1891. Even then, 

 however, the highest price to be paid for a Shire stallion was not reached, 

 as a year later Mr. Joseph Wainwright purchased of Mr. John Rowell 

 the black colt Bury Victor Chief, which had achieved supreme honours 

 at the above national show in 1892, for the hitherto record price of 

 2500 guineas, after the youngster had added to his London triumph 

 by securing the leading honours at the Doncaster show of the Royal 

 Agricultural Society of England; and everyone was pleased when Bury 

 Victor Chief repaid his new owner for his enterprise by securing for 

 him the Challenge Cup of the Society in 1894. Such figures as the 

 above cannot fail to impress upon readers the enhanced value of the 

 Shire horse of the present day, and the important position he now occupies 

 in the equine world. That his popularity is likely to be still further 

 increased is absolutely certain, and the success which the Shire Horse 

 Society has achieved should stimulate the supporters of other breeds 

 to unite together and work amicably for the furtherance of the common 

 object which they have in view — namely, the development of the horse 

 upon which they have centred their interest, and in which their capital 

 is invested. 



