272 THE HORSE OF AMERICA. 



There are other evidences of Hambletonian's development and 

 speed, but nothing so definite as the foregoing. He was driven 

 in double team sometimes with the great trotter Sir Walter. Mr. 

 Kinner, at one time owner of Sir Walter and other good ones, a 

 horseman of experience and knowledge of trotting affairs, assured 

 me that Sir AValter had shoAvn a trial at Centerville track to 

 wagon in 2:32, and this was before he was driven double, occa- 

 sionally, with Hambletonian; and that Hambletonian could out- 

 foot Sir W alter for the first half-mile, but as the young horse 

 was green and unseasoned, he could not keep up the clip to the 

 finish. He did not hesitate to express the belief that the team 

 could have trotted the mile in considerably less than 2:40. There 

 is one fact in connection with the trial at Union Course that I 

 have omitted in its proper place. Mr. Rysdyk was a remarkably 

 careful man and always aimed to be inside of the truth rather 

 than beyond it. He advertised his horse as having made the 

 trial in 2:48-|, as it is probable some of the watches gave that as 

 the time, instead of 2:48 flat. 



Like all the Abdallah family, Hambletonian matured early, and 

 at three years was as well advanced as many colts a year older. 

 His stud services commenced early. When two years old he was 

 allowed to cover four mares without fee and he got three colts, 

 one of which was afterward known as the famous Alexander's 

 Abdallah. When three years old he was offered for public 

 patronage at twenty-five dollars to insure, and he covered seven- 

 teen mares and got thirteen colts. The next season, at the same 

 price, he covered one hundred and one mares and got seventy- 

 eight colts. The next season (1854), being then five years old, 

 the price was advanced to thirty-five dollars, and he covered 

 eighty-eight mares, getting sixty-three foals. The price re- 

 mained at thirty-five dollars till 1863, when it was advanced to 

 seventy-five dollars. At which price he covered one hundred 

 and fifty mares. The next season the price was advanced to one 

 hundred dollars, and he covered two hundred and seventeen 

 mares, getting one hundred and forty-eight foals. In 1865 the 

 price was advanced to three hundred dollars and one hundred 

 and ninety-three mares were covered. In 1866 the price was put 

 at five hundred dollars and one hundred and five mares were 

 covered. At this price his services remained ever afterward- 

 one hundred dollars down and the remainder when the mare 

 proved in foal. In 1867 he covered seventy-seven mares and got 



