The Glamour of the Bloodstock Sales 



the bidder more confidence. In sale yards in other 

 countries one sees added to the entries, as a mere after- 

 thought almost, " V.S. certificate will be lodged in the 

 office." If there be a big entry, with a resultant big 

 crowd, and if one is interested in a number of horses, 

 the difficulty of acquiring information in the chaotic 

 conditions which can prevail in an auctioneer's over- 

 crowded office, make one hand the palm, unreservedly, 

 to Ballsbridge. 



What must strike the visitor on entering the Blood- 

 stock Sales Paddock for the first time is its spaciousness. 

 Here there is no cramped-up tan-ride, no tennis-court- 

 sized gallop, no lily-pond dimensioned cinder- track ! 

 There are long swards of grass and long, firm pathways 

 where one can see horses jogged fairly. At the lower 

 end there is a spacious trial-ground for riding, and if 

 the purchaser wishes a trial over fences there is even 

 more spacious ground available in the Veterinary Pad- 

 dock in the Show Grounds proper. 



When the Sales are in full swing the paddock presents 

 a sight that will thrill the heart of a horse-lover. 

 Hundreds of heads looking out of loose-boxes. Horses 

 everywhere : out for exercise or inspection ; circling 

 the railed-in rings prior to or after their being dealt 

 with by the auctioneer. Grooms busy as bees ; hurrying 

 with bran-mashes, water-buckets, bales of fodder ; tack- 

 cleaning, or hissing merrily as they add new lustre to 

 an already shining coat. Men in tweeds or more sombre 

 attire, and ladies adding a dash of colour to the busy 

 scene. 



Ballsbridge bargains have become almost an institu- 



157 



