Shires 19 



annually, and the prices obtained at this sale are perhaps a fair 

 indication of the demand for the breed. At the 191 3 sale, 151 

 horses were sold for £17,7^7, an average of £117, i6s., which is 

 practically the same average as that made by a somewhat smaller 

 number of horses in the previous year. 



Perhaps the most interesting sale of the year 191 3 was that 

 of the Tring Park stud belonging to Lord Rothschild, This famous 

 stud had for so long held its high position that Shire breeders 

 expected some high figures would be reached at the sale, but few, 

 if any, anticipated the actual prices made. A notable fact in con- 

 nection with the sale is that the record price for a Shire stallion 

 was there made, viz. 4100 gs., which was paid by Sir VValpole Green- 

 well for the two-year-old stallion Champion's Goalkeeper (30296), 

 by Childwick Champion, and bred by the Earl of Powis, Powis 

 Castle, Welshpool. This horse won the Male Championship at the 

 London Show in 191 3 and 1914. Other high prices paid at the 

 sale were 1750 gs, for the three-year-old stallion Blacklands King- 

 maker (29102), and 825 gs, for the three-year-old filly Halsted 

 Duchess VII, The number of horses sold was 32, which realized 

 ;^I4,530, thus making an average of ;i^454. This is an average that 

 has never been reached before at a Shire sale. 



An interesting and significant fact in connection with Shire 

 horses is that some of the most famous animals shown in recent 

 years have been bred by tenant farmers. Indeed, it may be said 

 that Shire horse breeding is essentially a farmer's business, for 

 horses must be kept on every farm to work the land, and why 

 not keep one or two Shire mares, in districts where Shires can 

 be reared, for breeding purposes? There are wonderful possi- 

 bilities in the breeding of Shires. It does not come in the way 

 of many to breed a London Champion, but there is the sporting 

 chance for every breeder of Shires, be he the owner of a large stud 

 or of one or two mares. If a farmer should breed a really good 

 foal, there is no difficulty in selling it at a good price. There is 

 always a demand for good ones, and farmers are well advised to 

 sell when they have the chance of making a good price, which may 

 not come again, as something might happen to the animal, as so 

 frequently is the case, which depreciates its value; so the "bird 

 in the hand " principle is a safe one, and much to be commended. 

 On the other hand, if the breeder has the pleasure and satisfaction 

 of seeing his animal winning prizes, especially at the London Show, 

 he will have the additional pleasure of participating in the "Breeders' 

 prizes ", which are so liberally given by the Society. 



